The Pantheon
Before the God-King dominated the Archurionite Church, the Church believed in and worshipped many gods. The Dragon Archurion brought disparate beliefs of the world together during the First Age and revealed an underlying mythology concerning the interrelation of different peoples’ gods. An early version of the Archurionite Church formed but dissolved after the end of the First Age. By 800 in the Second Age, the Church had completely vanished, but the myths continued through many different, competing temple traditions, each with their own version. Runewardens and priests became relatively unimportant during the rise of the Darkling Empire until the end of the Second Age in the year 10,452 with the sinking of Artalon. When human civilization crumbled into fiefdoms, disparate temples rose in prominence, and the people turned to priests and runewardens. It wasn’t until 9668 of the Third Age that the Archurionite Church was formally reestablished with common doctrine between the Nine Realms.
In 10,051 of the Third Age, Aaron raised Artalon from the depths of the sea and united the Nine Realms under one Empire. The next year, he declared himself the head of the Church. By 10,350, the Church taught that he was Karanos himself, returned to the pantheon, and it wasn’t until 10,351 that the worship of all other gods was outlawed.
There are three generations of gods.
The first are the Elder Gods, who have neither beginning nor end.
The second are the High Gods, all children of the Daag and Nephyr.
The third are their children, the Younger Gods, and are only capable of giving birth to demons and lesser spirits.
There are also the Archdragons, considered demigods. They are gods for all practical purposes. They were born to the gods and were not created. Although immortal, it is possible for them to die, as their existence is bound to the space-time in which they were born.
The Elder Gods
Nephyr, the Black Goddess—Dark Goddess of Fate, Death, and Fruition. The All-Mother. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
Daag, the Good God—God of Time, Destiny, and Initiation. Transcendent Father God. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
Modhrin, Lord of Storms—God of Mountains, Stone, the Depths, and Storms. Crafter God. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
The High Gods
Athra—Goddess of Wisdom and Civilization. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
Karanos the Dead God (slain)—Dead solar God of Joy and Beauty. Slain by his chief servitor who became the god Yamosh. Some hold faith he might return.
Geala, Lady of Change—Goddess of the Seas, Travel, Nomads, and Trade. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
Soorleyn—Goddess of the Moon, Love, Autumn, and Secret Magic. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
Malahkma—Goddess of Desire. Mother of Dragons. Athra cast Malahkma into the Abyss.
The Younger Gods
Keruhn—Horned God of the Sun and Harvest, Knowledge, and Life. God of Compassion. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
Lorum—God of Magic and Learning, Knowledge, and Wisdom. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
Rin—Goddess of Nature and the Untamed Wilds. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
Serin—God of Art, Beauty, Inspiration, Prophecy, and Magic. One of the Ten Gods of Light.
Sestra—Goddess of Murder, Assassins, Spies, Black Magic, and Spiders.
Yamosh—God of Evil, Debts, Power, and Tyranny. He became a god by slaying Karanos, his creator.
Voldun—God of War, Conquest, Conflict, and Glory.
Demigods – The Messengers
Archurion, the Gold Dragon—Archdragon of Light. He is seen as the principal messenger of the good gods and inspires the Archurionite Church, whose teachings were originally based upon his messages. Graelyn’s mate.
Eldrikura, the Violet Dragon—Archdragon of Time. Klrain’s mate, before he fell to evil.
Klrain, the Black Dragon—Archdragon of the Dark. Rebelled against the Gods of Light and became the principal messenger for the evil gods and his father, Yamosh.
Graelyn, the Green Dragon—Archdragon of Life. Archurion’s mate. Guided by compassion, sometimes to a fault.