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Religion

  • Introduction

    In Rayneth the Titans are the patron deities. Everyone from the proud politician to the humble farmer worships this elemental pantheon- a pantheon that has been in existence for centuries. In its humble beginnings, these six gods were worshiped only by humble shamans and tribes of primitive peoples. It has been the religion of Rayneth for many, many years. With the promise of good health, flourishing crops, and many other life-enhancing wonders, it is uncommon that the elemental gods would go ignored.

    In the teachings of this religion, one of two things can happen to a person in the afterlife. Those who are faithful depart the world peacefully, having earned their rest and eternal protection. But those who were not faithful- nonbelievers, heretics and criminals- are said to become demons, doomed to forever mutate based on their sins. Both remain in the realm of the Titan of which they treasured, or offended, most.

  • The Titans

    There are said to be six Titans, each one holding power over a different element: earth, fire, water, wind, storm, and snow. Liberties have been taken by artists to provide a visual element to worship. In paintings and statues, these gods are portrayed as faceless, humanoid beings, glorious and grand, composed of and surrounded by their element. They each have a symbol.

    Each Titan is portrayed with its own particular personality, as well as its own symbol and attributed lifestyles. There are many varying interpretations of each god, but the most accepted version catagorizes the six Titans into two catagories: gentle, and severe. The 'gentle' Titans are those that have less of a reputation of becoming volatile, while the other three, the 'severe', are prone to the exact opposite.


    The Titan of Earth - The Great Mother-Father
    • Androgynous - Gentle
    • Vegetation, Earthen Material, Animals
    • Associated colors are brown, medium gray and green.
    • Mother Forest and Father Mountain are one and the same. The Earth Titan, the two-sided god, is usually portrayed as a thick dirt-giant, encrusted with stones and gems, and covered in many plants and grasses. Trees sprout from its shoulders, and a crown of cerulean metal rests on its round, eyeless head. Upon each wrist and ankle it is manacled by metal braces of gold and silver. It is said that the Mother-Father is a patient, parental god, with much love and care for mortals. Though it can be firm with the people of the living realm, it is never unjust, but will punish the wicked with sturdy dominance.
    • Followers: The Titan of Earth is usually worshipped by guards for the lessons of patience and stoic manner, by farmers and hunters for fruitful gain and protection at labor, by miners for safety, and by carpenters and masons, who take from the earth to create their goods.

    The Titan of Water - The Fickle Queen
    • Female - Gentle
    • Water, Rain, Liquid
    • Associated colors are various shades of blue.
    • "Her Fickleness" is seen as a goddess of change. Even her body, in art, is depicted as ever-flowing, ever-changing, shaped water. At times, she is said to be slender and graceful, but can become much different, very quickly. The water-goddess is portrayed as being an inconstant feminine figure, though despite unpredictable nature, is quite often elegant, even gentle. While, unfortunately, she has a reputation for being secretive and deceitful, her lessons are usually that of healing, fruitfulness or well-being, and can be seen as a self-cleansing goddess.
    • Followers: In addition to being the patron deity of individuals focused on her element, The Water Titan is usually worshipped by healers and physician-types, who rely on her cleansing ways to aid the sick wounded, by alchemists to aid in their study and experiments, by brewmakers for choice product, by sailors and fishers for safety at sea, and is commonly worshipped by politicians.. for obvious reasons.

    The Titan of Fire - The Wrathful King
    • Male - Severe
    • Flames, Smoke, Warmth
    • Associated colors are black, red, and gold.
    • This is a popular Titan, and he may well know it by how powerful he is said to be. The fire-god is a towering ashen-black figure in art, scarred by crags and lava cracks, clothed in embers and armored in flame. A cape of smoke and smog lifts from his being. He is an impatient, judgemental figure, capable of going on terrible rampages and is not afraid to destroy what needs be destroyed- though is also said to be passionate and very willful.
    • Followers: He is the god many turn to when seeking justice and punishment of the wicked, but is also pursued by lovers and many multiple craftsmen for his passion. In addition, The Fire Titan is usually worshipped by soldiers in battle for his blessings in war, as well as executioners and judges for an inescapable fate for criminals and heretics. Among his worshippers one may find dancers and entertainers of many flavors, as well as cooks, bakers, and blacksmiths.

    The Titan of Wind - The Wise Wanderer
    • Androgynous - Gentle
    • Wind, Air, Breath
    • Associated colors are light gray and periwinkle.
    • This Titan is portrayed as the most wise, and is often turned to for guidance. In art, it was usually depicted as a simple series of swirls, but recent interpretations give it a humanoid torso upon a cyclone. This god is held as a whispering symbol of intelligence and experience, and is claimed to be the most insightful of the Titans. In persona, it is seen as a traveling nomad, meditative and peaceful, pleasant and necessary, but when angered by ignorance, it can whip into a frenzy without warning. Its lessons are simple: be modest, without bias and remain calm, and the answer shall be easy to find- keep a wary eye, for winds may bring different results.
    • Followers: The Wind Titan is usually worshipped by scholarly-types and tutors for guidance in both learning and teaching, by any flying in the skies, for wayfinding and lift, by musicians for the grace of wind, by merchants and wandering nomadic-sorts for safety, and by philosophers and natural philosophers for wisdom in practice.

    The Titan of Storms - Lord of Celebration
    • Male - Severe
    • Lightning, Thunder, Storms
    • Associated colors are dark gray, bright yellow, and bright green.
    • This is the god of fun. The Titan of Storms is often portrayed as a dancing figure with long limbs and at times, sharpened features and long claws. While he is never said to be good or benign, he is indeed said to be a figment of enjoyment and festivity, which is why he is often turned to, to aid in celebration. The god of storms is written as a rowdy and party-adoring Titan, rampant in dance and hasty in nature. His lessons include punctuality and that without enjoyment, life may as well be ended.
    • Followers: Worshippers of the Titan of Storms include archers for the speed and accuracy of lightning, astrologists for the hope of a clear sky, thieves and assassins for the swiftness and unpredictability promised, as well as anyone involved in throwing a party.

    The Titan of Ice - Dame of Contemplation
    • Female - Severe
    • Snow, Coldness, Frost
    • Associated colors are light blue and white.
    • This is the goddess that mortals fear most. She is usually portrayed as a small but ice-sharpened woman in misty white, commonly with her hands on her hips in a dominant fashion. She is never artistically portrayed as kind, but rather with either a neutral look of deep thought, or a hardened glare. This Titan is usually seen as a cold and malicious, jealous and self-centered figure, the bringer of death and is said to be the Titan that oversees the taking of souls once a person has died. But there are others who will claim she has a second side.. a quiet, self-contemplative side, artistic and dormant, with just a slight, billowy tickle of joy. She is also the goddess of new beginnings.
    • Followers: In addition to those that live in snowy or cold climates, The Ice Titan is usually worshipped by undertakers and gravekeepers for her domain over death, and by thieves and highwaymen for the same reason. However, among her worshippers you will also find those who seek to redeem themselves, and in tow, writers, poets and artists, who rely on her lessons of self-reflection to perform in their talents.


  • The Tale of Origin

    There are many stories surrounding the Titans, but this is the most widely-accepted tale about how the Titans came to be.

      It is told that the Titan of Earth was the very first, and in the beginning, was made of every element- an all-mother, and all-father. It watched over the mortal realm in patient silence, while animals grew and people advanced. But as the mortals became more intelligent, they began to use the elements to their will- fire and water being the first harassed. As the Earth Titan witnessed this, it took from itself the two elements, and created the Titan of Fire and the Titan of Water, responsible for their own element.

      Alas, the stories goes on, as Fire and Water will tend to do, they clashed. The fire-god created a child of its own- a fire that would crackle during rain, and thus the Titan of Storms was created. He eagerly sparked fires during the water-god's ceremonies, and so in jealousy, the Titan of Water grew cold, and created frost. The Titan of Ice was born, and immediately froze the woods and land so that fire could not spark. But in doing so, it is said that the Titan of Water went too far, having damaged its mother-father's domain.

      The Earth Titan, in its wisdom, created one last Titan- the Titan of Wind. It was this Titan that spread the word of balance through all of the elements, and in doing so, the six Titans learned to co-exist in harmony, completing and complementing each other, while also negating and curbing one another. Balance has since been preserved, and the mortal realm rests now under the six planes of the elemental family.


  • The Realm of Gods

    The Titans are never seen. They each exist on a plane composed of only their element, believed to be far beyond the reach of mundane or even magical means. It is commonly theorized that the planes move closer or farther away from the realm of mortals throughout the year, resulting in seasonal and weather activity.

    On these planes, it's speculated that there are mutiple beings that exist alongside the Titans, including the aforemented souls of the departed. However, according to stories told as far back as the tribal beginnings of the religion, there are other beings that rest on the planes of the gods, beasts and otherworldly creatures alike, all of which that are rarely seen by mortal man, as they so seldomnly leave their plane.

    There is one thing that visits the plane of mortals from time to time, and perhaps the most convincing lick of evidence that the Titans do exist. Elementals- constructs of the pure elements- are believed to be the direct servants of the Titans. Ancient texts describe elementals as the tools of the gods, created from material from the mortal realm and gifted with divine intelligence (though are commonly mute). It is said that these divine beings are capable of hearing their parent Titans' commands, and never stray from those commands.

  • Worship

    Generally, worship of the Titans is rather simple opposed to many other religions. The Titans are said to delight in the prayers of the people, and feed on the sacrifices made in their honor. Acceptable sacrifices and offerings range anywhere from animals, to food, to objects made in honor of the Titans. These objects are said to please the Titans the most, for the care and devotion that went into making them. There is no list of sins; instead, one may be considered a sinner if they are immoral or otherwise indecent.

    Sacrifices to the Titans can either be traditional- by knife- or, in order to please one Titan above the other, sacrifices can be done by the element of the Titan of choice. These sacrifices could be burned (fire), buried (earth), drowned (water), left out in the cold (ice), suffocated or left out on a windy day (wind), or erected upon a metal pole during a storm (storm).

    Every other month there is a festival in the honor of a Titan. Each festival is exclusive, in which only those who pay tribute with gifts or goods may join. At every festival, there are usually performers and musicians, drink, food, and occasionally, contests, games, or feats of skill. These festivals are always themed after the Titan they are held in the honor of, and are always quite exciting and something that people generally look forward to.

  • Trials

    There are two notable religious trials that are commonly used in determining one thing or another, the Trial of Faith and the Titans' Judgement.

    The Trial of Faith is the test that most individuals who wish to join the clergy would need to endure. This test involves the individual going out into the wild and testing themselves with each element. They must retrieve six items in order to prove their faith. These items are achievable only after performing in a challenge for each element. The challenge varies from person to person, be it a battle with an elemental, venturing a distance, reaching a certain state of mind through prayer, or enduring lots of suffering. The challenges take the individual through each of the six elements, and when the person has arrived home with physical proof of their trial's completion, they are capable of being selected to join the temple.

    The other trial is the Titans' Judgement, reserved for those on the opposite end of the spectrum. This is the test priests and inquisitors deliver to those who appear monstrous or demonic and claim to be otherwise, or claim to be anything but evil. The trial varies, but is usually rigorous, ruthless, and in some cases, fatal, if the creature in question was being deceptive. Any outcome can be overruled or withdrawn if the individual in question proves later to be dangerous.

  • The Clergy

    Within the temple, there are several branches of religious authority, each with separate duties, composed of people who are selected, hand-picked by the Princess. They each live pure lives without vice, and practice abstinence and chastity. Each individual belonging to the temple is considered holy, and is expected to be respected as much as one would respect other officials, if not more.

    The High Priest - A selected individual of unwavering faith that helps to lead mass, give sermons, make peaceful conversions, as well as overseeing many ceremonies, such as weddings or sacrifices. The high priest is in charge of lesser priests, who aid in giving advice and mass. These individuals worship all Titans, but some may find themselves the priest to one Titan or another.

    Titan Scholars - These are learned men and women of the clergy that research texts and ancient lore, make translations and verify artifacts and scrolls, and often provide tutoring services within the temple. They need to be both religious and rational, and are often priests and temple servants long before becoming Titan Scholars, as they need to be trusted to deliver the truth to other religious officials. They are a quiet and serene lot, answer to the High Priest, and tend to worship the Titan of Wind, and are robed in gray.

    Templars - The protectors of the temple, templars are specifically chosen to defend both the people within the church and the church itself. These men and women are armored by blessed steel and wield various weapons, but also must be very well-rehearsed in the religion. They are often much more trained than even guards, and despite being people of the gods, are also often much more ruthless in their duties. Templars usually worship the Titan of Earth, are armored in stone-grey plate or chainmail with brown edges, and a green cloak. They answer to the Princess or the High Priest.

    Healers - Doctors, physicians, nurses, clerics and other healer-types fall into this authority, but unlike the common healer, these healers are temple-certified and are very pious. Their duties are not simple- they mend and cure the sick and wounded, but in addition, often evaluate or care for the mentally ill (that is, if said mental illness is not dangerous, which would be better suited to the dungeons). They answer to a Head Healer, and commonly worship the Titan of Water.

    Gravekeepers - It is a lonely life for the gravekeepers, which include gravediggers, undertakers and watchmen, and usually, all three duties may be combined. These individuals are not only religious, but must also be capable of carrying out very depressing and sorrowful duties, such as burying the dead, tending to planted flowers, and consoling grieving friends and family. Gravekeepers answer to the High Priest, and usually worship the Titan of Ice.

    Eventers - It may seem a silly job, but there must be someone to do it. Eventers are pious men and women- often including temple servants- who organize and monitor festivals and religious events, as well as help the priests and temple servants in orchestrating sermons and masses, feasts, weddings, and sacrifices. These are the kind men and women who also clean up after said events. They answer to the High Priest, and wear the bright greens and yellows the Titan of Storms.

    Oracle: Oracles are born like any other mortal, normal and unsuspecting, until one day they recieve the gift of otherwordly sight, and immense holy power. These seers are rare, and there are few and far inbetween. These are mortals who, scholars believe, have been chosen by the Titans- for many different reasons. Because they have access to impossible amounts of information, and have a level of understanding that surpasses other minds, there are many who believe that oracles are a gift to mortals. Others, yet, believe that oracles are not gifts, but tools, eyes of the gods that must not be mistreated. There is only one current Oracle in Rayneth, the princess Naeris Kol, chosen by the Titans themselves.