02-02-2021, 03:30 AM
the religion of the amphirians . . . abzu
the religion, at first glance, seems tame enough. those dwelling within the kingdom since it had been put under the water tend to firmly hold belief in the existence of their subnautical deities. in their minds, there are four, each one representing the depths of the ocean. these deities are almighty protectors of amphiria and are highly praised and worshipped, with extravagant feasts and offerings and the like always being held in their honor. it is said that speaking ill or going against them will spell your doom, and it is the collective faith of the population of amphiria that keeps the deities pleased and the air bubble intact.
there is a twist, however. among the various ways one can honour the deities, sacrifice is the most common. you can offer up specially prepared foods, the day's best catch, even the life of another so long as it was done in good faith and not for any ulterior motive. amphiria doesn’t like to place restrictions on how those show their faith, so long as it doesn’t interfere with the clan’s politics or safety. if the general population knew of what the leaders have done behind closed doors, there would be rallying cries of hypocrisy. since the first leaders were given their divine blessing, they carried lethal knowledge. they were told that monthly sacrifice of a loyal amphirian is required in order to keep the deities on their side.
THE DEITIES
vallyn [ & ] representative of the deepest depths of the ocean, the trenches that sink far below the ground that amphiria finds itself on. she is a goddess of the night and all that walks in shadows. when dealing with bonds (familial, romantic, friends, etc), many will ask her for guidance and make special offerings to bring good fortune to their relationships. it is said that her magic and presence is strongest during the winter.
roanan [ & ] representative of the middle waters of the ocean. they are known for their versatility in battle and are often called upon for support in fights. when prepping for a battle, it’s tradition for everyone to paint designs of scales and orcas on their pelts as a way to carry roanan’s support and strength with them and honor their existence. they are worshipped most during autumn.
hreving [ & ] representative of the shallows, the parts that sunlight still illuminates with ferocity during the day. he is passion and guidance and amphirians look towards him when they want a good harvest or hunt. for a group that spends most of its time underwater, they make offerings of kelp and herbs that have been grown either in the kelp gardens or on the small ones that are actually on the shore. given his gentle and patient nature, he is more present during the summer.
erall [ & ] representative of the surface and everything above. for being part of the surface, of the lands where amphiria once resided, it is seen as one of the most volatile of the four deities. it bears the crushing reality that the entire kingdom could be swallowed by the water at any moment as no one truly understands what keeps the air bubble intact. it is associated with natural disasters and unforeseen obstacles and is heavily focussed on during spring. still, amphirians tend to try their best to appease it year around, and swearing on it’s name is one of the most weighted things one can do.
the religion, at first glance, seems tame enough. those dwelling within the kingdom since it had been put under the water tend to firmly hold belief in the existence of their subnautical deities. in their minds, there are four, each one representing the depths of the ocean. these deities are almighty protectors of amphiria and are highly praised and worshipped, with extravagant feasts and offerings and the like always being held in their honor. it is said that speaking ill or going against them will spell your doom, and it is the collective faith of the population of amphiria that keeps the deities pleased and the air bubble intact.
there is a twist, however. among the various ways one can honour the deities, sacrifice is the most common. you can offer up specially prepared foods, the day's best catch, even the life of another so long as it was done in good faith and not for any ulterior motive. amphiria doesn’t like to place restrictions on how those show their faith, so long as it doesn’t interfere with the clan’s politics or safety. if the general population knew of what the leaders have done behind closed doors, there would be rallying cries of hypocrisy. since the first leaders were given their divine blessing, they carried lethal knowledge. they were told that monthly sacrifice of a loyal amphirian is required in order to keep the deities on their side.
THE DEITIES
vallyn [ & ] representative of the deepest depths of the ocean, the trenches that sink far below the ground that amphiria finds itself on. she is a goddess of the night and all that walks in shadows. when dealing with bonds (familial, romantic, friends, etc), many will ask her for guidance and make special offerings to bring good fortune to their relationships. it is said that her magic and presence is strongest during the winter.
roanan [ & ] representative of the middle waters of the ocean. they are known for their versatility in battle and are often called upon for support in fights. when prepping for a battle, it’s tradition for everyone to paint designs of scales and orcas on their pelts as a way to carry roanan’s support and strength with them and honor their existence. they are worshipped most during autumn.
hreving [ & ] representative of the shallows, the parts that sunlight still illuminates with ferocity during the day. he is passion and guidance and amphirians look towards him when they want a good harvest or hunt. for a group that spends most of its time underwater, they make offerings of kelp and herbs that have been grown either in the kelp gardens or on the small ones that are actually on the shore. given his gentle and patient nature, he is more present during the summer.
erall [ & ] representative of the surface and everything above. for being part of the surface, of the lands where amphiria once resided, it is seen as one of the most volatile of the four deities. it bears the crushing reality that the entire kingdom could be swallowed by the water at any moment as no one truly understands what keeps the air bubble intact. it is associated with natural disasters and unforeseen obstacles and is heavily focussed on during spring. still, amphirians tend to try their best to appease it year around, and swearing on it’s name is one of the most weighted things one can do.