The Charyan Pantheon

First, there are the great and elder gods, most conveniently associated with the sun, the moon, the planet Andal itself and two other planets. Those don't have to do much with the people on the world itself anymore. Of course, their festivals are celebrated, and their struggles remembered. And once, perhaps, Andal will be married to one of the other planets (the sun and the moon being her father and mother - or was it the other way around - the sources are not unanimous), but the Charyans rather hope she'll follow their example and marry them both.

Then there are the gods who were powerful when the Charyans still lived in the South - amongst these there are Yignis and Shesal, Fire and Water, respectively, and a number of others, like Kamyar, the Fertile Lord. These gods are powerful and it is unwise to provoke them - it is also difficult to provoke them since they are so distint and aloof that it is almost impossible for a mere human, even if he were an emperor, to attract their attention. They are half-way anthropomorphous, but most often seen as the forces of nature.

Those great gods begat the gods of the North: the Brother and Sister of the Kirimanya, the Lord of the Seven (though some sources say Nine) Hells, the Lady of Life, perhaps even the Nine Teleg (of whom traditionally nothing is known) and a lot of others.

Of these gods, only the Brother and Sister and perhaps Yergorn play an active role in daily life. The Brother helps people in need with practical advice the Sister with those little problems every woman knows of. Together they tend to bring peace to households torn with strife. Yergorn ushers the souls into the Hells (but isn't very capable of keeping them in).

Next to the gods of the North, there are the gods of the vanquished people. No-one in his right mind would dare not to worship them. After all, first you conquer his or her worshippers would you then dare to anger the god by not offering compensation! However, if adequately placated, these gods won't try to meddle in daily life.

The last category of gods, that of the deified dear deceased, is very active. The cat goddess Qunayir takes an active interest in young people who might be attracted to her service. When she was still alive and human, Qunayir was one of those old ladies you have in every city, who cares for the stray cats in the alleys. Once she took care of a cat that belonged to a rich merchant, who built a temple in her honour when she died, out of thanks.

All these small ex-human gods (the divine philosopher is one of them, though an ancient one) tend to be extremely jealous, and you have to take great care in the arrangement of statues on your altar, lest you find the whole room smashed up one morning due to a divine disagreement.

Oh, and due to the influence of the conquered Matraian empire, the emperor is revered as if he were a god, but everyone knows he isn't really, yet. Although Rordal Twuindal Sedom'chevir is certainly a fine figure of a man and a good leader, if a tardy paymaster for his troops. And he's a bit too infatuated with his Vustlani girlfriend, too. But, yes, on his birthday the people will probably offer a few prayers to him.

Changes

04-06-1999 - Creation