Gods

"The rulers of civilization are kings, for it is kings that made civilization. Just so, the rulers of the earth and sky are gods."
— Theodotus

Central to everyday life in Thripia are the powerful and varied gods. According to Thripian myth, It is believed that each domain in the natural world has its equivalent ruler who determines all things related to that domain. These deities are immortal, do not appear before mankind and dwell in an imperceptible divine world. Despite their elevated role in the order of existence, however, gods are believed to be not entirely different in many ways to mortals. They are thought to have personalities, wants and beliefs and are even capable of losing their divine status or dying. Additionally, a few mortals, worshiped posthumously in Thripia, are supposed to have ascended into godhood after their deaths.

Apperance

Gods can be seen throughout the varied art of Thripia including in mosaics, carvings and sculptures. While their exact visages vary from artist to artist, consistencies can be seen. The vast majority of the known gods are portrayed with humanoid forms and generally human expressions. Often, they may be accompanied by various tools and symbols which represent their domains as well as occasionally animals or plants. In some Aradin traditions, where Thripian gods have been adopted and associated with the spirits of their native beliefs, they may be humanoid but with animal heads.

Properties

According to myth, gods are extremely powerful. The domains over which they are the rulers are determined, in all ways, by them; they are tools they wield and command at their will. However, it is generally thought that gods cannot, or will not, act outside of their dominions. Gods, as well as this, wield tremendous influence over fate itself. Visions seen within Ichor are believed to be glimpses into the destinies the divine has crafted for each mortal man. Sargos as chief of the gods, in particular, is thought to have the most command over fate. In general, Thripian deities are agelessly immortal, beautiful, wise and all-seeing. They are not omnipresent, however, and do not see all things at once nor do they no everything. Indeed, often their plans for the fates of mortals may go awry or not as they intended. As well as this, common belief does not uphold gods as being unchanging despite their eternal life. They have personalities similar to those of individual mankind, there are regular conflicts between them and their domains are capable of change. In a most famous myth, the current chief of the gods, Sargos, usurped the former, the false god Daerio, and seized control over the sun from him after their war. Additionally, many gods are not benevolent as perceived by Thripians but can be evil. Additionally, they are not entirely immortal and can even be killed. Death is not the same for deities, however. Whereas mortal souls are believed to go to the Underworld upon the perishing of their mortal forms, divine beings do not. Rather, their souls drift and they go into a permanent stasis. Gods die a second death upon their souls being destroyed, it is supposed. Furthermore, mortal souls can ascend to godhood after the death of their physical forms if they were great in life such that they were worthy of divinity.

Evil Gods

Within Thripian myth, many known gods are considered to be evil and are referred to as such. What exactly makes a god evil is not directly clear, however they are typically deities who oppose the natural order of the world, divinely ordained and usually associated with the rule of Sargos, or who have malevolent will toward mankind. Evil gods are almost never worshiped, except by scarce fringe cults throughout history, but are nonetheless accepted realities of existence who have their own roles to play, though despised, in the way of the world. Myths typically portray evil gods as foes to be defeated or struck down by more righteous deities. Notably, the most prominent evil gods are those who are not known to have been defeated, however, and whose malicious intent is still in effect.

Worship

Worship of gods in Thripia is done, largely, for perceived practical reasons. Due to the nature of gods, being individuals with personalities and wants, it is thought that appeasing them, or acting in a way that they would approve of, is like to grant their favor and therefore tangible benefits and blessings in the domain over which they hold sway. The average Thripian will have only one or two gods they focus their piety towards, usually the deities most relevant for their everyday lives. The various cults throughout Thripia are dedicated, also, to the service of individual gods. It is the role of the magi within these cults to both interpret the will of their deity, maintain their deity's temple, manage offerings to them and advise the people of the city on how best to seek and acquire the blessings of the god they serve. In effect, they manage the relationship between mortal mankind and the divine. In communicating with their god, studying relevant myths and instructing their cultists they are the mediums between the two modes of existence. In practice, their are multiple rites and rituals conducted throughout various levels of society to appease and please gods. At the highest level, Sargos the sun god is acknowledged by the Wise Council and its bureaucracy as the patron deity of Thripia whose blessings are believed to have allowed the city to prosper. Indeed, Sargos is the most popular god worshiped by the people. In times past, the role of patron deity was held by the sea god Auromon. Cults will also regularly conduct sacrifices in an official capacity in which the animal is lead from the gates through the city to a temple. They will generally use livestock such as pigs, chickens and aurochs for this purpose. Human sacrifice is not unheard of in Thripia's history but is largely considered a relic of darker, bygone times. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to perform their own minor sacrifices in their own homes should they feel it necessary. This practice is most common in farming communities outside the city walls. The cults will also manage festivals and celebrations as a way of worshiping their god which occur throughout the year. In everyday life there are also a variety of ways to worship gods. Firstly, individuals may bring offerings to their local temple or shrine in the name of their god and present them. Offerings, according to social norms, are to be determined based on a person's wealth as a share given to the divine in thanks for good fortune; the rich should give most generously, it is supposed. These offerings can come in the form of food, ichor or other valuables to be collected by magi at the end of the day. Prayer is likely the most common form of divine worship in Thripia. The belief behind it is that it is a way to communicate a message to a god and, should they will it, they will act upon it granting a blessing. Typically, an individual will write their prayer upon a piece of parchment and cast it into a fire. It is thought this destroys the message's earthly form but carries it to the divine. Many homes will have a small brazier explicitly for the purpose of burning prayers though most will prefer to go to the alter fire at their local temple or shrine. The altar fire at the Temple of Sargos is the largest and most popular in the city. Alternatively, a charm may be made upon which a prayer, usually one invoking a more perpetual effect, is engraved. These charms can be pieces of jewelry, static items like totems or statues or even carved into a building. They can be made from all manner of material, though more valuable items are thought to be more flattering to gods and therefore more likely to incur their favor.

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