DoranderReligion

Religion

Religion in Dorander is a complicated affair. Almost everyone pays tribute to one god as their patron or chief god that they attempt to emulate in some regard, but that does not exclude them from recognizing other gods and even praying to them. Two people sealing a contract between them would make an offering to Asmodeus, while a lawyer traveling by ship elsewhere might pay tribute to (Umberlee).

Every god makes their domain on one of the outer planes and eventually are joined by the souls of their worshipers. Their servants (demons, angels, devils, etc) are used as intemediaries, both for collecting the souls of the dead, but also for their objectives on Dorander themselves, in addition to any clerics and other servants among the mortal races.

When someone dies, their soul leaves the plane which Dorander resides upon and travels to Aozoa, the plane of the dead, also called the "Garden Plane". There they wait for their souls to be recovered by their patrons for their reward or punishment according to their deeds in the mortal lives. Souls without a patron god are obliterated/eaten/destroyed (depending on translation) by Zoaoz, the all-creator and God of the gods. He does not meddle in the affair of mortals and does not answer prayers/grant spells.

Gods

Below are the details of the most significant deities that influence the people and history of Dorander. With the addition to the patron gods of each race, these gods form the unified pantheon of Dorander.

Asmodeus

Alignment: Lawful Evil

Portfolio: Contracts, Knowledge, Deception, Treachery, Sin

Domains: Knowledge, Arcana

The undisputed Lord of Hell, Asmodeus is a constantly plotting god, seeking to expand his power and influence. He somewhat resents being called the Lord of Treachery given that many naturally assume that he is breaking the rules in doing so. In reality, most of the treachery those experience at his hands are played out exactly as the contract outlined without any rules being broken. That is not to say he does not stretch the rules and their interpretation, but among all the gods, he is usually presumed to be the most law-abiding given his dominion over contracts.

Sharay

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Portfolio: Love, Lust, Family, Fire, Jealousy

Domains: Fire

The goddess of beauty, Sharay is one of the goddesses that most often intervenes in the mortal world. A woman of immeasurable beauty, Sharay is one of the three daughter of Zoaoz. A jealous goddess, Sharay spends her time working to expand her reach and influence on Dorander. Somewhat fickle with particular mortals on Dorander, she adores her mortal lovers but is brutally cruel to those who would spurn her, earning her nickname as the Fire Bitch many times over.

Wyan

Alignment: True Neutral

Portfolio: Knowledge, justice, mysteries

Domains: Knowledge

The third child of Zoaoz, Wyan takes most after their father and tends to stay aloof and detached from the mortal realms. Neither he nor she, Wyan seeks the collection of all knowledge and an understanding of all mysteries, with the desire to understand their father's ultimate goals. Wyan is the patron of the Order of Starseekers although Wyan does not actively guide the group instead allowing them to proceed at their own pace.

Penpi

Alignment: Chaotic Evil

Portfolio: Misery, Hatred, Beauty, Cold/Ice, Feuds

Domains:

The Frozen Goddess, Penpi is the youngest of the twin daughters of Zoaoz and harbors a hatred for her elder sister, especially Sharay. Given domain over the extreme colds of Dorander, she seeks to undo all of Sharay's work. The most beautiful of all goddesses, she was rejected by Ashrin for her eldest sister, a slight she will never forget. Her worshipers do so out of respect and fear, not love and she would strike down any who say they do love her, loyal worshiper or not, refusing to risk inevitable betrayal.

Valori

Alignment: Lawful Good

Portfolio: Knowledge, Alms, Community, Mercy

Domains:

The White Goddess, Valori is a kind, generous goddess who works heavily through her clergy to build community and, more so, rebuild the world. She and Asmodeus share a complicated relationship; to fight like "Valori and Asmodeus" is an old way of describing a lover's quarrel and their love/hate relationship extends to their servants, angels and devils. Valori's church is one of the largest in Dorander and her clergy often seek to become community leaders as well.

Zoaoz

Alignment: True Neutral

Portfolio: The gods, Cosmology

Domains: All or none

The Chief among all gods and the creator of planes themselves, Zoaoz is an unknowable god that rarely, if ever, interferes with the affairs of the mortal realms. Aozoa, the plane of the dead and the seat of Zoaoz, is unique in that it exists entirely apart from the rest of the multiverse; travel to and from Aozoa is only possible by the dead and the gods themselves, or if Zoaoz would allow. He has no need for worshipers among mortals and grants no spells. Zoaoz alone has the power to make and unmake gods, so no god dare refuse his summons or reveal any of his workings.