Pantheon of the Hidden Radiance

The Words From The Dark has many stories of the gods and goddesses of the realm of the Lost Retreat, their loves, their emnities and the unique place which the Cavern City of Carafon plays in the relationship between the divine and human realms. This article is only a simple introduction to the most significant members of the pantheon of the hidden radiance. Separate articles for each one are linked below in descending order of the age of each divine, which often (though not invariably) corresponds to their power and rank inside the pantheon. Details of the scriptural stories in which they are involved can be found within, "The Words From The Dark", the great holy book of the Church of Hidden Radiance. In the tale of Origins, we learn that the Elder Gods were sent from the Hall of Stars when the sun was kindled, to rule over the newly made world that would become known as the Lost Retreat.

Of these there are seven. Mellonorexis, the eldest was sent to be a councillor and guide for all the gods, but not to rule over them. She has the gift of prophecy, revealing truth from the chaos of dreams and visions. Helios, next in age, strong of will and stern of face, is the leader, sent to command the sun. Gaia, calm and beautiful but implacable and righteous, has been given authority over the Earth and to aid her she has Pyrotas, the god of inner fire and his spouse, Thalassa, the goddess of the sea. Her sister Selene, was given charge of the moon. Finally, the goddess Leta was sent to bring her qualities of joy, healing and redemption into the world, attributes which Mellonorexis prophesied would be sorely needed.
— The Words From The Dark : Origins - The Names of the Elder Gods

Helios - Portrait by DMFW with Stable Diffusion

Gaia - Portrait by DMFW with Stable Diffusion

Helios and Gaia were husband and wife and from their union were born Thymum and Solanum, who care for the life of the plants that came early to earth. But Helios is a lustful god and at the same time as he was wed to Gaia, he pursued her sister Selene and together they begat Aurum and Argyros. Selene hid her pregnancy from her sister, claiming it was no more than the waxing and waning of the moon. And afterwards she continued to keep her sons a secret but that could not last forever.

Selene - Portrait by DMFW

Aurum - Shining by DMFW with Stable Diffusion

Argyros - Standing by DMFW with Stable Diffusion

It is written that Gaia found out about the betrayal of Helios and Selene when she was pregnant with Sanguis, the last and most painfully delivered of her children and the most fate heavy of them all. Pyrotas and Thalassa brought three daughters into the world, Nerissa, Saphira and Rubina, goddesses of fresh water, sapphires and rubies. They too, would become involved in the drama of hidden radiance which afflicts the world even to this day. The interested reader is directed towards the Words From The Dark where a full account of these events is set out.