»The Gods,
Gods of the Humans of Rune
Aurura, the Sun – giver of life
Appearance:
Aurura appears as a tall, blonde woman dressed in a simple pure white dress. She is often depicted as having beams of light radiating from her head, sometimes with a small crown on, and more rarely with beams of light coming from her eyes. This last image is lesser used as it is seen as quite intimidating, although in times of war it is symbolic as light banishing darkness.
Domain:
Aurura is the Sun, and thus she is the giver if light, life and warmth.
Worship:
Aurura is one of the primary deities within Rune, where she has temples in all major and many of the minor settlements across the country. Devoted followers of Aurura give thanks to her each dawn by praying and extinguishing Watcher Candles, which have been set the night before to guard against the darkness until her return.
Tain, Lord of the Seas, Storms, and Sailing
Appearance:
Tain is depicted as a well built, bare-chested man with the bottom half of a fish – a merman. His head is topped not with hair but thick with long seaweed. He is otherwise hairless and has the face of a handsome clean cut man. He is shown to be a giant, swimming through the waves and guiding ships to safety. He is often depicted with a compass in his hand to show his ability to guide ships out of trouble, and a giant oar in the other which he can use to swirl up the sea if he becomes angry.
Domain:
Tain is the god of the Seas, and governs over the ships and events that occur upon them. He is also the god of storms, both over land and sea, and it is said that he is the most wrathful of the gods when he is angered.
Worship:
Tain is worshiped mostly along the coastal cities of Rune, and also among the people of the Pen Daka Sea, in the Dwarf Kingdoms. Indeed, and sea-faring sailors and travellers are well advised to say a prayer to Tain to grant them safe passage over his domain.
Askiros, the Wise
Appearance:
Askiros is depicted as an old and wizened old man with a long, thin beard that reaches the ground and stretches out along the floor behind him. The beard is the symbol of his wisdom, which can only come through great age, and his knowledge, which can only come through the patience to let such things grow.
Domain:
Askiros governs over the powers of the mind; learning, understanding, willpower. Thusly, he is also the deity most concerned with magics.
Worship:
Throughout the schools and colleges of Rune, Askiros is held in the highest regard, though none do so more than many practitioners of magic who pray to him for the willpower needed to shape the spells they wish to cast.
Noctus, the Moon and Stars
Appearance:
Noctus appears as a handsome woman who is often smiling. in contrast to her sister, Aurura, she wears a black dress emblazoned with stars, and holds a candle which has almost burnt out the length of it's wick. Sometimes the candle has already burnt out, and is drawn with just a wisp of smoke drifting from its tip.
Domain:
Noctus is the moon, and she rules over the night and all nocturnal creatures.
Worship:
Although less revered than her sister Aurura, Noctus plays an important part of Runish religion. People pray to her for a restful sleep and peaceful dreams, and call to her aid to banish monsters which roam the lands at night time. She is a favourite among travellers (especially seafarers) who use the moon and stars to aid them in their travels.
Hyra, Keeper of the Golden Hall
Appearance:
Hyra is depicted as a tall and menacing-looking middle-aged woman. She is often represented wearing a suit of delicate looking armour, and sometimes also a long flowing skirt and/or a cape. Her hair is tightly braided and many feet long, often shown to be laid out around her feet, or bundled in her arms It is said that each braid within her hair represents one year of her position of keeper of the Golden Hall.
Domain:
Hyra is the Keeper of the Golden Hall. The Golden Hall is where one will go in the afterlife if a good, honourable life has been lead. Upon one's death, Hyra will look upon you and know of the deeds of your life. If she judges you worthy, then she will grant you access to the Golden Hall where you will spend the rest of eternity in the knowledge that you have lead your life in a just way.
Worship:
Hyra is rarely directly worshiped, since it is believed that she will not favour you if you do so. She is, however, held with great reverence, and it is thought very unwise to neglect her from any toasts or other celebrations that include other gods. The only time one might pray to Hyra is one one's death bed, or when one is faced with the prospect of one's death (i.e. before battle).
Hoath, Guardian of the Underworld.
Appearance:
Hoath appears as a thin, skeletal figure who stands straight upright with his arms crossed over his chest. He is garbed in robes which were at one time splendid refinery, but have since turned to tattered rags. What stands out most about Hoath, however, is his facial features - or lack of them. His bald head has neither mouth, nor nose or ears, with just the eyes remaining.
Domain:
Hoath takes those souls who Hyra does not deem worthy of the Golden Hall and guides them to the Underworld. The Underworld is a place of timeless nothingness, where one may drift for a millennia and not encounter anything else safe one's own maddening solitude.
Worship:
Hoath is the most feared of the major gods of Rune. He is never worshiped, and is very rarely depicted in any way. There are no temples to him to be found in any major settlement, and Hoath is so reviled that even mentioning him in conversation, spiritual or otherwise, is rarely done. If reference is made to him, then is usually done by mumblings of "The Other".
Eolande, Ruler of Plants, Animals, and the Weather
Appearance:
Eolande is depicted as a young girl, often skipping through a forest, or sitting quietly by the side of a still pond. She has flowers in her auburn hair, and wears a simple dress made of leaves. She is a child due to the randomness of weather, which can be attributed to the immaturity of the deity which oversees them.
Domain:
Eolande is the goddess of nature, the weather, and animals.
Worship:
Eolande is seen as the most impartial of the Gods, and yet the most fickle. She can grant a farmer a good crop one year and then smash his house down with a storm the next. Thus, Eolande is both feared and loved, and there are few who dismiss her powers entirely.
Belm, the Warrior, and Guardian.
Appearance:
Belm, the Lord of Battle, appears as a holy knight donned in a shining suit of armour, sitting astride a gallant white warhorse. Belm’s face is always covered by his helm; indeed, none of his body is exposed through the plate mail he wears.
Belm is often depicted with a weapon, either a lance or a mighty war hammer and a shield. His symbol is a clenched gauntlet, which is more often used than the gods image itself.
Domain:
Belm is the God of war, battle, and conflict. He keeps those he judges as worthy safe and protects them when in battle. He is one of the most feared gods of the humans.
Worship:
Every knight within Rune worships Belm as a guardian in battle, for it is with Belm’s aid that victory can be achieved. Friends and families of people called to war also pray to Belm for the combatant’s safe return.
Only the most noble warriors are able to bear Belm’s gauntleted fist symbol in battle.
Dwarvern Gods
Mountains - Khanon
Appearance: Dwarven gods are often depicted as ancient, sour-looking dwarves males, donning ornate armour and sporting magnificent beards and great locks of jewel-adorned hair. Khanon is no exception to this - indeed, as he is the major dwarf god he is perhaps the most resplendent of them all. Statues of him sat on a great throne of stone, often in deep thought.
Domain:
Khanon is the Lord of the Mountain, and thus he is the god of all that dwarves hold dear, for it is the mountain - the rock and the earth - that supply the dwarven people with a place to inhabit, gives them ores with which to graft weapons and tools and armour, and it supplies bountiful fruits in the form of gold and precious gems.
Worship:
Khanon is at the centre of all dwarf worship, and is revered by all dwarves save a very small few those who have forsaken their heritage. Khanon features prominently in all dwarven temples and his name is often hailed at all dwarf gatherings and events.
Crafting – Ornoth
Appearance:
Ornoth appears as a heavily muscled dwarf working at a forge. Instead of armour he wears a leather apron, though the hammer he works with is meticulously crafted and referred to as Ornoth's Smite - the pinnacle of dwarven metalworking.
Domain:
Ornoth is the Master Craftsman. He is worshiped by all those who practice a trade within dwarven society, be it anything from carpentry to making jewellery. What Ornoth's worship is most strongly akin to, however, is that of smiting weapons and armour.
Worship:
All craftsmen will pray to Ornoth, for he will grant them the ability to see their work come to fruition.
Metals - Velmar
Appearance:
Velmar is the only dwarvern god who's face one cannot see, for it is covered by a closed helmet. The rest of his body, too, is encased in plate mail armour, and he carries a gigantic battle axe, which he is often shown leaning against. Sometimes, the axe is embedded into a fallen foe.
Domain:
Velmar is the god of war, and battle. It is said that Velmar slew at least one dragon single-handedly, in the dwarf's troubled Age of Ash, deep within their history.
Worship:
His name is chanted by dwarves who face a great test of combat, and many battle songs feature his name prominently.
Gems - Angrin
Appearance:
Angrin's main feature is the giant ruby which is set within the centre of his beard. Indeed, Angrin's beard, hair, and even armour are all beset with gems and jewels. He is the only god who is depicted to be smiling, for he has much to smile about!
Domain:
Angrin is the god of gems, mining, and metal.
Worship:
He is worshiped by dwarves miners, who's prayers serve a dual purpose. First and foremost, they hope that Angrin keep them safe, and protects them from rock-falls, shafts, and other such dangers one meets while boring deep underground. Secondly, though, they pray that the mining bares some fruit, such as an ore seam, for the dwarves to increase their wealth with.
Food and Drink – Belog
Appearance:
Belog is a portly chap, depicted with a mug in one hand and resting on a large barrel with the other. He is shown with his mouth wide open, as if he is singing.
Domain:
Belog is the god of food, drink, merriment and frivolity.
Worship:
Food and drink are important parts of dwarven culture. Feasts and celebrations are held for many reasons, and Belog is at the centre of these. Belog also serves as a warning not to become too frivolous, and that only hard work can make such events worthwhile.