HC Religion

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Mainstream Religion, the Sturian Church

The principal religion across the Empire. Generally inclusive, although this varies geographically and has varied through time. Where it meets other creeds, it tends to be syncretic, as with the animist pygmies to the south. There is a good deal of variation in the relative importance given to the major gods and also to the relative importances of the gods, the giants and nymphs, and the saints.

Variations:

• Alaya - A different flavour to Sturianism, with heavy influences of Saurian mysticism. In recent times, missionaries have spread across the empire, most recently into Potomanchu.
• Hugaar - Huth is preeminent, the prevailing view through the Empire.
• Pashnaar - Pasin and Newelaar are given preeminence in a syncretic version of the religion (these gods usually have little importance).
• Pygmies - syncretic with animism.
• Sirdehaar - Depending on the tribe, Sird, Hatha or Calla is most prominent. In some instances, Sird's dominance specifically precludes extensive worship of Hatha or huth.. The Bastard God Umer is almost universally given a prominent roile and there is a specific warrior-king cult dedicated to him.

Doctrines

• All souls reincarnate. The exceptions are those that excite a God's interest and become playthings, angels or demons, serving Ayyus. None are aware of their former lives, with rare exceptions.
• Huth and the other gods reincarnate too. Any stranger could be one of the gods in human guise.
• The Sun is the servant of the Gods and each of Huth's main reincarnations demonstrates this in his own way.

Points of Religious Discord

• Huth is/is not a reincarnation of Hatha.
• Hatha is due his third/fourth/fifth reincarnation.
• The preeminent god is: Hatha, Huth, Calla, Sird, Umer, Lorn, or even the Sun!
• The Sun should have a greater proiminence than it does.
• The Gods should/should not be represented in images.

Splinter and Mystery Cults

• Solar - The Sun is seen as the key god, representing captivity and a burning desire for freedom. His worshippers seek to find a body for the Sun on the earth. The cult is usually seen as quite fanatical.
• Sons of Lorn
• a Saurian one (the good old days)
• a Draconic cult
• Apocalyptic Cults

Other Creeds

• Goblin shamanism
• Pygmy animism
• Saurian mysticism
• Vister shamanism

Gods

• Ayyub (?),
• Azagila (F)
• Calla (F), Witch queen and wielder of magics. Jealous wife and mother.
• Corr,
• Elikon (F),
• Fiddes,
• Hatha (M), God of the Oceans and of Wisdom.
• Herak the goblin seer
• Hiveh (F),
• Huth (M), Binder of the Sun, great lover
• Lorn (M),
• Myrta (F),
• Newelaar, Goddess of Beauty and of the Placid Ocean
• Otun (M),
• Pasin (M), Huth’s boon companion, god of plenty, of wine, of music, of poetry.
• Sikvayah (F),
• Sird (M), God of Resolve and of Warfare (some could call it brittle obstinacy)
• Umer(M), The Bastard God
• Yolanda (F),
• Zagros (M),

Places and Things of Legend

Places

• The Castle of ice
• The Stone Library

Things

• The Ice Throne
• Keys of....
• Niddighugger
• Stars...