The Ethessian Pantheon

Across the north-eastern parts of Vastalia, many nations still thrive despite the events of the Vastalian Dark Ages. With them, distant memories of the once mighty Golden Kingdom of Ethessia are interwoven with their culture. Amongst these is the remnants of the religion that covered most of the region. Now known as the Ethessian Pantheon, many still believe in and worship the once powerful deities that once roamed the land.
Much has changed about the Gods and Goddesses of Ethessia, and it is likely that the names and origins taught in current-day temples have been completely altered; warped by the centuries of disruption found across the continent. Relics and manuscripts recovered from ancient Ethessia act as the groundwork for belief, and followers can be found in Therrezia, the Free Cities of Xebellia and across The Shattered Kingdoms. It is in the Kingdom of Thalios that the religion is most common.

The Gods and Goddesses

Above the Ethessian Pantheon Ethessian Sea, often invisible to the mortal eye, lays a great cloud. And sat upon this cloud is a great palace, shining like a beacon. Known as Aelisia, this is the home of the gods of Ethessia, who watch down on their mortal followers from afar.
At the head of these mighty brings is the God Thalos. Lord of the Seas and bringer of order to the world. Many that follow the Ethessian Pantheon live in the coastal regions around the Ethessian Sea, and it is to Thalos that they pray for good sailing, bountiful catches and all the fortunes the ocean can bring.
Alongside Thalos is his wife, Lysanna. It s her who aids in Thalos' rule, both of them together ruling over the Gods and Goddesses of ancient Ethessia. Many of the pantheon of gods were bought to life by Thalos and Lysanna – both natural children and through the divine powers the deities possess. Seventeen other Gods and Goddesses make up the rest of the pantheon, all with their unique domains, histories and legends. A plethora of lesser beings and demi-gods also exist, but to tell every tale told across the world is a near impossible task.
Below is a list of the 19 gods that make up the Ethessian Pantheon, and are worshipped in the world of Varda to the present day:

Thalos	A towering figure and chief amongst the gods, Thalos is the God of the Sea and brings law and order to the world. With skin the colour of the ocean and hair that flows like waves, his regal form sits at the forefront of the deities of the Ethessian Pantheon. A swirling vortex is the symbol of Thalos. He rules over the Gods and Goddesses alongside his wife, Lysanna, and has fathered many of the other deities. His brother is Skyros, who he has a friendly rivalry with, both having domains near to each other; the Sea and the Sky.	Sea Rivers Law Order Justice
Lysanna	A gaze from Lysanna is both nurturing and commanding at once, as befit the Goddess of Women but also of Empires. Appearing as a regal figure, a crown of stars sits atop her head, and fine robes adorn her form. A simple ring is the symbol of Lysanna. She is wife to Thalos, the two ruling over the social and political structures of the world. Quite a few of the other deities in the pantheon were birthed by Lysanna, and she is second only to great Thalos himself.	Women Marriage Childbirth Empires
Skyros	Snow-white hair an a beard are the key features that one notices when seeing Skyros, God of the Sky. He is the one that controls the winds of the world, bringing both rain and sunshine when prayed for. Skyros is represented by the symbol of a cloud. He is father to Boranos, who has taken a slice of his father's domain to assist in ruling. Skyros is also brother to Thalos.	Sky Weather
Boranos	With lightning flashing behind his eyes and a wild, energetic energy around him Boranos is the God of Lightning. He owns a mighty drum in which he beats the storms of the worlds in to life, bringing about thunder. A drum is the symbol of Boranos, and he is the son of Skyros. He assists his father in keeping the mighty cloud in which the palace of Aelisia in place above the Ethessian Sea.	Thunder Lightning
Hestora	Dressed in simple garments, Hestora is Goddess of the Home. Depicted as a warm, matronly figure, her kind smile brings comfort and peace to those around her. A hearth with a flame is the symbol of Hestora. She is sister to Lysanna and mother to Kyros.	Hearth Home
Kyros	Kyros is the God of Travelling and Trade, and his outfit matches this wholeheartedly. A traveller's cloak and a wide-brimmed hat, along with a staff to aid in walking are all found to be present. Despite his appearance, Kyros always appears to scanning the horizon with sharp, intelligent eyes. A hat is the symbol of Kyros, often varying in styles from region to region. He is a close friend of Velthara, and has a strong bond with Lysanna. All three see it as their joint domain to influence the spread of culture and commerce in the world.	Travel Trade Language Writing
Velthara	Wielding a staff of pure crystal and wearing robes inscribed with ancient symbols, Velthara is the Goddess of Wisdom. She has silver hair and eyes that seem to reflect the entire cosmos. Mortals pray to her for knowledge in all aspects of life. Velthara's symbol is a staff with a crystal orb. Her twin brother Myrron is often at odds with her, with his prophecies conflicting with her all-knowing nature. Velthara also enjoys a close relationship with Azion, as they work together to inspire an educate mortals.	Reason Wisdom Intelligence Skill Peace
Myrron	With a bow that appears to be carved from bone and arrows tipped in shadow, Myrron is the God of Plague and Archery. Tall and gaunt, his eyes are blindfolded to aid in his mysterious power of foresight. His symbol is a snake curled around a bow. Twin brother to Velthara, Myrron also has a fierce rivalry with Rathos, as his plagues often afflict warriors that worship the God of War.	Plague Prophecy Archery
Azion	Cloaked in robes adorned with musical notes, Azion is the God of Music and the Arts. Appearing youthful with an androgynous form, his inspires creativity in mortals and his voice is said to heal wounds. He is symbolised by a golden lyre, and his sibling is Velthara and Myrron. Azion is often found in the company of Ilyrana, as the two enjoy inspiring love and artistic expression in their followers.	Music Arts Knowledge Healing Poetry
Rathos	With eyes that blaze with fire eternal, and scars adorning his form, Rathos is the God of War and Bloodshed. Massive in stature and adorned in armour, he wields a blood-stained sword at all times. His symbol is that of the weapon he carries – a sword covered in blood. His sister is Ilyrana, who is said to be the only one who can temper his rage. An eternal feud sits between Rathos and Myrron.	Courage War Bloodshed Violence
Ilyrana	With skin that glimmers like gold, Ilyrana is the Goddess of Beauty and Love. Often described as adorned in flowing robes that change colour with her moods, her eyes are emerald green, and appear as if deep pools that reflect the desires of all that look in to them. Her symbol is a mirror with a heart reflected in it. She is sister to Rathos, and is often associated with Azion for their connection of inspiration and passion.	Beauty Love Desire Pleasure
Ulkath	A regal figure often clad in dark robes studded with gemstones, Ulkath is Lord of the Underworld and rules over the domains of Wealth and Death. His face is pale and expressionless as he weighs the souls of the dead. A black crown is Ulkath's symbol. He rules over the Underworld with his wife, Vyris. All of the other gods treat Ulkath with a deep respect.	Wealth Death Underworld
Vyris	With a duality within her, Vyris is the Goddess of both the Spring and the Underworld. One side of her body is said to be covered in blooming flowers, and the other half wreathed in shadows. Vyris' eyes reflect both life and death to show her dual-like nature, and her hair changes colour with the seasons. A single flower is the symbol of Vyris, with half a bright colour that varies, and the other half black. She is the daughter of Nysara, and is married to Ulkath. Beside her husband, the pair rule over the cycles of life and death together.	Spring Seasons Underworld
Nysara	With earth-tones skin and dressed in garments made of woven plant-life, Nysara is the Goddess of the Harvest. Her hair is said to be like flowing grain, and a single touch from her fingertips can bring lie to the most inhospitable land. A sheaf of wheat is Nysara's symbol. She is mother to Vyris, and closely allies herself with Azion, both of them having healing aspects within their domains.	Grain Agriculture Harvest Growth
Valion	With hands that are scarred from his endless work, Valion is God of the forge. A muscular figure, it is said he has skin that glows like liquid metal, and sparks and flames dance about his form. A Hammer and Anvil are the symbols used by mortals in the worship of Valion. He is father to Kaladrys, the two sharing a deep bond over their domains. He also collaborates with Nysara to ensure tools are available for the harvest.	Fire Metalworking
Kaladrys	Clad in fine armour and wielding a spear and shield, Kaladrys is the God of Warfare. A calculating gaze is often at odds with Rathos, the God of War, but both aspects of battle are seen as equals to mortals. His symbol is a spear and shield, and Kaladrys is cousin to Elathis. He also often consults with Velthara on tactics and strategies in battle.	Warfare Strategy Crafts
Elathis	Forever accompanied by a pack of Wolves, Elathis is the Goddess of Hunting and Animals. Draped in furs and leathers, she has sharp features, and wields a silver bow. Her eyes are said to shine with the light of the moon. Elathis' symbol is a crescent moon. She has a bond with her cousin Kaladrys, as they have a connection for surviving in the wild.	Hunt Wilderness Animals Moon
Lathoros	A rotund figure with a necklace made of grapes, Lathoros is the God of Parties, Wine and Drunkenness. He always seems to have a goblet of wine, and his laughter is contagious. A goblet or grapevine is the symbol of Lathoros. He is brother to Aztalon, with their domains often crossing during drunken celebrations.	Wine Parties Festivals Drunkenness Theatre
Aztalon	Amongst the Gods and Goddesses of Ethessia, it is Aztalon alone that is disliked by most of the others. With a form that seems to shift constantly, he is the God of Chaos. His presence is always unsettling, and any words spoken by the God seem to barely contain a malevolent insanity. Aztalon does not have a unique symbol to represent him, and his followers adopt their own personal ones when needed. He is brother to Lathoros, and is constantly at odds with Velthara; their domains being opposite and representing Order and Chaos.	Madness Chaos

Tenets of Faith

The Ethessian Pantheon is worshipped in a variety of countries across the world of Varda, and is one of the eldest religions that is still practised. These factors have meant that the diversity in its beliefs and practices vary greatly, even between towns. Where one may worship all the gods equally, another may only have one or two that they openly pray to. Such is the way with the foundational beliefs of the Pantheons followers. However, there are similarities between all, and three divine laws seem to underpin worship:

• We come from the Sea – In all things, it is the Sea and its ruler, Thalos, that is above all. It is thought that Thalos bought life to the land from the seas he governs, an at the end of all things, everything will return to the oceans from whence it came. The seas are entwined with all aspects of life, be it from the fish and fresh water from rivers flowing to it, to trade and the exploration of the many islands of the Ethessian Sea. Thalos and his domain is both loved and feared by all.

• Covenant of Hospitality – In the days of the Kingdom of Ethessia, it is said the gods would walk amongst mortals. Many did this in secret, under the guises of simple travellers. Stories and fables tell of many unfortunate souls that did not allow these gods into their homes to rest, or did not provide the hospitality expected. Thus, they were punished. This has led to a belief in providing all travellers who come knocking with food and a place to rest, and many followers carry on this tradition. After all, there is no telling that these travellers may be a God in disguise!

• Pilgrimage of the Soul – The followers of the Ethessian Pantheon believe that life is a journey that continues after death. When a soul leaves the mortal plane, it must find its way to the Gardens of Vyris, where they will stay eternally in bliss with all those that came before them. But to do this, they must take the journey across the Seas of Ulkath. Depending on the life that is led depends on how long and arduous this journey is. Those that live a good life in the eyes of the Gods will find winds behind their sails and calm waters. Those that have lived a life of greed, cruelty and betrayal will find rough waters and storms, navigating the treacherous waters for hundreds of years to atone for their mortal sins. Everyone is said to be redeemable in this voyage.

The Ethessian Priesthood

Despite the wide-ranging influence across several countries on Varda, there is an officially recognised hierarchy in the temples of the Ethessian Pantheon. These mimic the ancient ways of the nation of Ethessia, although not all regions will follow the scriptures exactly. The country of Thalios is where one will most commonly find this structure to the Pantheons followers:

• Hierophants: Each temple will have an individual or small group of the highest-ranking priests known as Hierophants. They are the ones who oversee worship of the entire pantheon, and will often be the ones performing major ceremonies in worship to the Gods.
• Temple Priests: For larger temples, each god will have a dedicated priest for conducting daily rituals and maintaining shrines. Smaller temples may have priest that are responsible for more than one of the gods, although it is more common for a temple to be dedicated to a single deity and thus all priests within the temple will be a worshipper of that god.
• Oracles: Occasionally a temple will have a priest that serves as an Oracle. It is believed that these individuals are blessed with visions and messages from the gods, and are able to provide guidance for those seeking it.
• Wandering Priests: Many of the lesser worshipped gods will have dedicated priests that will travel between settlements and temples, providing blessings and teachings of their patron. 
• Initiates and Acolytes: Temples will have a number of dedicated followers who are both training to become a priest and are there as custodians of the temple. Referred to as Initiates, Acolytes or several other more local names, these individuals will be responsible for assisting in rituals, the are of the temple and studying and copying ancient texts.

Worship and Festivals

Followers of the Ethessian Pantheon show their devotion to the gods in a plethora of different ways, and these vary from region to region. Most commonly is the erection of temples and shrines to the gods, with larger structures usually being a multi-deity complex and smaller buildings dedicated to a single God or Goddess. Services often co-inside with religious days scattered throughout the yearly cycle, or will be performed to honour an important patron for the region. Such examples include coastal regions favouring services to Thalos or Elathis, where larger cities may favour Lysanna.
Services themselves often include some form of offering that is left at the temple. Food, coin and luxury goods are most common, but this tribute can be almost anything depending on which of the gods is being praised or even the local culture and landscape.
Many festivals tie in to agricultural practices, with the seasons and the harvest being linked to the gods intricately. The change in weather is also celebrated. Vyris and Nysara are often tied to celebrations concerning the winter solstice and spring renewal. Funeral rights can differ, but mostly remain the same for followers of the Ethessian Pantheon regardless of region. Coastal regions will set the bodies of the deceased out to sea in a small boat, decorated with a myriad of flowers to represent the Gardens of Vyris. Inland, the dead are left at temples and will be overseen by the priests, most often by one dedicated to Ulkath. The bodies are specially prepared and preserved. At set times in the year, they will hen be taken to the coast and set off on a boat together.
Each settlement will have a small garden set aside to commemorate the dead, with headstone-like plaques arranged in rows. A place for reflection and remembering those that are gone, these places of worship are looked after and maintained constantly. Flowers are often left and grown around the plaques. For those that are likely to struggle on the Seas of Ulkath in the afterlife, it is not uncommon for surviving family members to place gold coins by their names. It is thought that this tribute will appease the God of the Underworld so that the departed individual may find their final journey to the Gardens of Vyris easier.

Sects of Followers

There is no centralised organisation that governs over the worship of the Ethessian Pantheon, and as such individual temples are free to serve the gods as they see fit. Some ties between temples are still present, and many will align with each other for a better understanding of the gods. Pilgrimages and he exchange of priests is quite regular, as differing temples seek to bolster heir understanding and followers.
Along with this loose unity, several sects have sprung up across the regions of the world. Each of thee lays claim to a moderate amount of followers and temples within the religion, but are still far smaller than the overall worship of the Ethessian Pantheon.

• Followers of the Silver Bow: A reclusive sect found in Thalios, the Followers of the Silver Bow are protectors of the wilderness and devoted to the Goddess Elathis. They are often found in the forests and are known for moonlit rituals and rites of passage for communing with the natural world.
• Servants of the Returning Spring: Particularly active in more rural locations is the sect known as the Servants of the Returning Spring. Focused on the worship of Vyris and Ulkath, they hold rituals that explore life, death and rebirth, and often perform rites for good harvests and fertility.
• Seekers of the Hidden Journey: Scholars, poets and philosophers often dedicate themselves to the worship of Velthara and Azion within the country of Thalios, and will join the sect known as the Seekers of the Hidden Journey. They are the ones who seek out hidden truths and ancient knowledge, often challenging the more orthodox views of others. Great libraries and schools can be found all over Thalios in dedication to this sect.
• The Waveborn Brotherhood: Found within the Free Cities of Xebellia, this sect of the Ethessian Pantheon worships Thalos as the God of the Sea. The others gods take a footnote in the temples of the Waveborn Brotherhood. Maritime life is the norm across the Free Cities, and Thalos is prayed to for safe passages, good weather and all aspects of maritime life.
• The Hearthbound Keepers: Within Therrezia, a small resilient sect of the old Ethessian ways stands united against the larger religion of The Seven Celestials of the Imprisoned. The Hearthbound Keepers have a particular focus on Hestora, Lysanna and Elathis, and teach that even though the wilds of Therrezia are harsh and dark, the old gods will protect them in their hearth and home. Viewed with distrust from the more urban centres of Therrezia, this sect of the Ethessian Pantheon still exists within the isolated and rural areas of the country.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion