The Nine

The Nine is the name used across Vanor to refer to the pantheon. While every humanoid race believes in the same pantheon, each race has small variations in what they believe and how they go about it, although each race is generally respectful of the other' beliefs. These articles are about the human perspective. The pantheon includes nine Greater Gods, as well as a countless number of lesser deities. There is one Greater God to represent each main domain, and it is in the demi-gods that a crossover of domains (and in some cases the emergence of lesser domains) take shape. Each Greater God has a colour and animal that is associated with them. The religion focuses on the interaction of the gods and how that creates balance in the world: all of the gods are considered either good or neutral and it is believed that none of them lean towards evil. Although everyone recognises that all of the gods are strongest together and all work in tangent to maintain balance it is common for each individual to choose the teachings of one (possibly two) of the gods to focus their personal development and world view on - as well as being the first port of call for guidance. Even though this is the case individuals will call upon whichever god is needed for certain problems, and each god has different established methods of prayer. It is very uncommon to find someone who does not believe that the gods exist; although it is not uncommon that people believe in the existence of the gods but prefer not to follow their teachings or rule.

Although each god has a colour associated with them, the only time in the real world this colour would associated with them is when it is within temple grounds or worn as a solid colour in religious-style robes. It is very very rare that regular clothing in the colour associated with the gods is to represent that god, and the people of Vanor will never assume that it is. However, clothing, jewellery, or art pieces that depict the animals associated with the gods always do end up being associated with the gods. Brooches, usually made of brass, of the animal are a common piece for every clergyman working for a temple. Wealthier people who want to show of favour from their gods may sport jewellery with the relevant animal, made of gold or silver - or even tattoos. The one exception to the rule about wearing the colour of the gods is earrings with a stone in the relevant colour. These are worn rarely by people, and are often done to ask for extra luck. For example, someone preparing for a fight might don one earing with a white stone (for Slaine) and one with a crimson stone (for Aife). These earrings are always very small, and can be put in any hole in the ears. Because of this tradition, it is standard practice for all babies to have their ears pierced.