Religion

The Jointed Provinces
Much like in the real world, religion is a hot button topic with many people in Galnos, as not everyone follows the same faith. The dominant religion in the world is The Exemplari faith, which is based around the worship of The Three Brothers and their apprentices which act as almost Patron Saints. Exemplarists believe The Three Brother’s taught humans after they were created by Kyrmos. This is not the only religion in the Jointed Provinces, but it is the most popular. Generally, each duchy has a shade of faith that is related to The Exemplari in some shape or form.

Generally, a person will pray or identify with one of the Brothers or their apprentices and offer up tithing to the local temples and priests for blessings. Faith is most often shown through symbols and blessed items received from the temples. For example, a blacksmith who happens to follow the path of Exemplari might have an anvil with the mark of Gustav the Weaver engraved on the side or a scholar might have a Bystal talisman he uses as a worry-stone.

The point of Exemplari differs from person to person, or rather, from idol to idol. Those that follow Artorias’ Blade find themselves seeking a protector’s role in society and find purpose in that. Followers of Gustav or his apprentices seek to create and build. It really comes down to the person.

The Exemplari are based out of the Holy city of Archmouth in the province of Glaeden. They are led by a High Priest who is elected by in a vote from all other priests and serves for life.

The path to priesthood is somewhat unofficial, anyone who studies the teachings and writings of Kyrmos, The Brothers and the Apprentices can become a candidate for ordination.

Another big factor in the Exemplari Faith are those who merely wish to live in the footsteps of the Gods and Apprentices, and train their minds and bodies to serve. These Monks practice in the arts of war as taught ny Paetor, The arts of crafting as taught by Gustav, and the art of knowledge as taught by Ultwe.

Agralan
The South’s religions are mostly based around a powerful wizard named Balazi Eb-Hana who formed Galnos during a competition with Garrib (their version of The Devil). Garrib claimed that he could corrupt anything Balazi could create so Balazi created Galnos and it’s inhabitants to prove Garrib wrong. The main branch is called Mukesha and the ultimate belief is that Balazi and Garrib each made men and that some people are born of Balazi and others of Garrib, you are born good or you are born bad. Obviously there is more than just one religion, but this is the most popular sect.

Of course, this was how it was seen until The Godking. Worship of The Godking is now the main religion of Agralan, at least openly. Many Agralish secretly worship their old gods, but there are plenty who believe in The Godking with great zealot-ism and fervor. His deeds are many and his power is great and terrible, but He is a just God and righteous in his fury against those that would look down at the Agralish people and force them to their knees.

Balidoun
The Northerners almost universally believe that humans were created as tools by orcs but rose up against them while being led by Halvor Houndmaster who united The Northerners after vanquishing the orcs. He was slain by his personal council and it is believed that because of this, there could never be a unified government. Most Northerners believe that it is in their nature to be constantly warring and under an ever changing political climate and that it is their curse because of Halvor’s council. The North is also home to a veritable cornucopia of superstitions and relies heavily on those beliefs passed down from generation to generation.

In recent years, there is a change in the disposition on religion of the North after its unification. Many have continued their ritual prayer to ancestors and to Halvor Houndmaster, however some Northerners have also come to acknowledge some of the other gods and apprentices from the Exemplari faith. Despite this the prayer to the greatest Northern Heroes is still the most popular amongst the members of Skoridlaw.

The Moonhowler Clan in the North carries their own set of beliefs. They are a very ritualistic people who pray to the Moon for guidance. Through their rituals, the Moonhowlers have estranged themselves from the rest of Balidoun.