The Nine Gods

The Nine Gods Ascend
The Nine Gods are a set of deities worshipped across the known world. It is generally believed that all other deities are aspects of these Nine archetypes, while some hold that other Gods have power as well.

The Gods

Torm is the God of duty, courage, loyalty, and protection. His main domain is Light, and he is often worshipped by Paladins, Guards, and other peacekeepers.
Lathander is the God of birth, healing, renewal, growth, and agriculture. His domain is Life, and he is most usually worshipped by healers, medics, farmers, and parents.
Oghma is the God of divination, wisdom, writing, and language. His domain is Knowledge, and he is typically worshipped by scholars, students, and researchers.
Umberlee is the Goddess of the sea, wind, storms, and travel. Her domain is the Tempest, and she is often worshipped by sailors, traders, troubadours, and other far travelers.
Mystra is the Goddess of magic, poetry, art, and performance. Her domain is Arcana, and she is worshipped by artists, magic-users, and actors.
Mask is the God of barter, trade, banking, and thieves. His domain is Trickery, and he is typically worshipped by merchants, criminals, and nobles.
Tempus is the God of war, craft, strength, and industry. His domain is War, and he is worshipped by soldiers, mercenaries, and craftsmen.
Silvanus is the God of wild nature, the hunt, and the seasons. His domain is Nature, and he is worshipped by druids, hunters, and herders.
Kelemvor is the God of death and balance. His domain is Death, and he has few worshippers. However, he is often venerated in the courts as a paragon of fairness.

Religions

Imperilism

main article: Imperilism

The official state religion of the Ashardian Empire, Imperilists believe in a straightforward interpretation of the Nine Gods. They also believe that certain mythological and historical figures are worthy of being venerated, and that through actions, one can grow close enough to the gods to earn that same respect and observance. These figures are known as "Saints", and a canon list of them is kept by the Temple Imperator.

Church of the Twilight Eye

main article: Twilight Watching

Common in the provinces of Chrysos and Narat, Twilight Watchers believe that the Gods exist in a realm visible in the night sky. Twilight Watchers believe in "Holy Astrology", and observe the movements of celestial bodies as the activity of the divines. They believe in a large number of other mythological figures, including saints, heroes, and monsters that also exist as constellations.

Aspects

The worship of the Nine Gods is not always as obvious as it is in Imperilism. Across Istoria, various aspects symbolic of the Nine are worshipped. Some people worship multiple aspects of the same God, while others only worship one at a time. Not all scholars or people believe that every God is an aspect of the Nine, and on occasion, the universal power of these deities has been called into question.

Torm's Aspects are worshipped across many cultures. Usually he is seen as the leader of a pantheon: Dwarves call him Moradin, while Elves call him Corellon. Dwarves also worship a second aspect called Gorm, focused more on duty and protection. Some say that Saint Aldia is an aspect or avatar of Torm as well, though this is controversial.
Lathander's Aspects include the Mother, representing parenthood, and the Healing Sun, representing both agriculture and good health. In the mountains, Lathander is often represented as a trio of golden halos intersecting at a great snowy peak. Dwarves have a similar god named Sharindlar, who is also a god of love and healing.
Oghma's Aspects include the Divine Scribe, usually the patron of scholars, and the Slumberer, a representation of the depths of knowledge. The elven Enoreth is seen as some version of Oghma, while the Dwarves have many philosopher gods.
Umberlee's Aspects are often maligned by her worshippers. Her oceanic aspects, such as the Salt Queen, are worshipped out of fear of storms and the sea. On the mainland, she is seen as a paragon of safe travels.
Mystra's Aspects are often wildly different, depending on the part of her profile being worshipped. The people beyond Ashardia's Western border tend to worship the Goddess of Hedonism, Bast, who is seen as an aspect of Mystra.

Mask's Aspects vary greatly as well. Thieves worship him as the Endless Shadow, merchants know him as Waukeen, the Woman of Trade.
Tempus' Aspects are often seen as omens. In regards to industry, he is worshipped as the Iron Horse. During times of war, many worship Tempus as a great beast known as the Blood Dragon, who gorges themselves on the corpses that pile up during war. Some say that the Blood Dragon will be manifested during a great apocalyptic war, bringing fire and destruction to Istoria.
Silvanus' Aspects can be both benign and terrifying. The Blue Men of Evermarsh worship him as the "God of Fear and Antlers", and see him as an omen to stay out of The Ward. In the north, he is often depicted as a man made from the forest, an aspect simply called the Green Hermit. Others know his as the Vigilant Beast, a great mother wolf defending her cubs.
Kelemvor's Aspects are few, as Kelemvor is not often worshipped. The people of Ulthos call Kelemvor "Ala", and believe she takes the form of a great volcano sunken beneath the waves.

The Shadows

The Nine Shadows are quasi-divine beings that exists in addition to, or because of, the Gods. No one knows exactly where the shadows come from, or what their purpose is, but their effect is visible. The Shadows are the darker halves of the Gods, representing all of the evil and corruption that can come from them. Unlike aspects, the Shadows are typically seen as distinct entities, with their own effects on the world and their own worshippers. 
Bane is the shadow of Torm, and is known by some as the "God of Tyranny". Worshippers who fall to the shadow of Bane become fierce and wrathful, attempting to use protection and duty to lord over others and impose their own will.
Auril is the shadow of Lathander, and is said to represent winter and stagnation. Worshippers of Auril become so bent on preserving life that they may veer into undeath; some may become obsessed with the "Greater Good", and are known to kill in order to prevent what they see as great future conflicts. Auril is a shadow of snow, ice, and eternal night, or eternal "Sameness". Her kin are believed to be vampires sequestered away in the far North.
Vecna is the shadow of Lathander, and is believed by some to have been an ancient Lich who ascended to godhood eons ago. Vecna is known by some to be the patron of lies, evil secrets, and forbidden knowledge. Worshippers who fall to the influence of Vecna become paranoid and obsessive, seeking to hoard dark lore at all costs. Many of them partake in dark rituals to extend their lives and harness power beyond their ability.
Malar is the shadow of Silvanus, and is known by some as the "Beast Lord". Many say that Malar was an ancient god of the moon, whos twisted visage can be seen on ruins across the world. Malar is said to corrupt Silvanus into a twisted bestial monster, and his effect is strongest during the full moon. Those who fall prey to Malar become lycanthropes.