Religion

Folk Religion

Ancestors and spirits should be venerated
Extremely powerful spirits may be considered "gods" and worshiped throughout the world, but there is no fundamental difference
There is also no fundamental difference between human ancestor spirits and the spirits of nature
Most spirits are venerated only locally

Some of the globally venerated spirits:

The Five Lords

These spirits are nearly universally recognized and venerated across the entire world. Shrines to them can be found almost anywhere. They have different names in different places; the three names are presented as their Western - Central - Southern names.

The White Goddess -- Qumi - Udosa - Usames

Goddess of death, silence, the night
Her color is white, and her symbols are salt, ice, glass, books, and skulls

The Red God -- Vipa - Kemrur - Tuotao

God of secrets, poison, deception, knowledge, and power
His color is red, and his symbols are snakes, fire, and divination tools

The Green God -- Kuqapa - Rurrog - Nattau

God of birth, death, growth, decay, and the harvest
His color is green and his symbols are mushrooms, babies, scythes, and the undead

The Yellow Goddess -- Taruqi - Asea - Satana

Goddess of the moon, magic, imperfection, acceptance, and gentleness
Her color is yellow, and her symbols are owls, knots, dreams, and the moon

The Blue God -- Ganiri - Saeggar - Daera

God of the sky, sun, unity, immortality, and transcendance
Their color is blue and their symbols are doves, the sun, eggs, and eyes

Mortals are generally believed to be the children of the Blue and Yellow gods.

Western Spirits

Palira, the Pilgrim Lord

Portrayed as a human with the head of a tiger
believed to aid travelers and gamblers
she loves good smells, so perfumes are often offered at her shrines
her legends say that discussing goats while travelling at night is bad luck
she is associated with basil, almonds, willows, otters, tigers, and ducks

Kirukira, the Masked King

A human with a mask covering the lower half of his face
Knows many secrets and can grant long life, but is mercurial and a bit feared
He aids criminals, actors, and glassblowers
He is associated with mice, monkeys, chickens, and ash, cypress, and cottonwood trees

Viviqu, the Serpent Poet

A long, snakelike gopher
The are believed to be responsible for both the barley harvest and for bringing children to new parents
However, they can be quick to anger, and both the harvest and young children may be in danger if they are not properly venerated.
They aid people who work with the fruits of nature: lumberjacks, farmers, swineherds
They are also a muse of poets
They are associated with turkeys, crocodiles, snow geese, plums, aspen, and barley

Central Spirits

These spirits are venerated mostly in the Central lands, like Tusum and Escus.

Thata, the Beautiful Merchant

Always represented as a sunflower or field of sunflowers
Responsible for success in business and for providing (or taking away) beauty
She is said to be able to teach the deepest secrets of cosmetics and disguise
She is said to aid bartenders, parents, and airship sailors
She is associated with toucans, anteaters, gnus, rosewood, oats, and sunflowers

Arka, the Virtuous Knight

Depicted as a desert hare wielding a sword, and often wearing armor
Promotes and supports strict social order and loyalty
A god of war
Aids nurses, soldiers, dancers, and philosophers
Associated with hares, panthers, salamanders, rice, laurel, and olives

Otaug, the Dragon Owl

Depicted as a long, many-winged dragon with the face of an owl
Teaches meditation and grants spiritual gifts
Protector of gardeners and servants, brings lovers together, and grants boons to ascetics
Associated with owls, cats, falcons, yams, tea, and cacao

Southern Spirits

These spirits are mostly venerated in Southern lands, such as Uror and the Sholes.

Aresçara, the Legalist Goddess

Depicted as a woman with the head of a water buffalo
She is a paragon of learning and is invoked at the construction of libraries and universities
She is viewed as stern and uncompromising
She grants boons to mechanics, astronomers, and architects
She is said to kill unjust rulers with her own hands
She is associated with buffalo, hummingbirds, leopards, redwood, soybeans, and the dragontree

Monthaur, the Form of Wrath

Depicted as a monstrous chimera with the head and wings of a falcon, the body of a bear, and the spined tail of a lizard
Guides those on a quest of righteous vengeance, particularly when they show calm fury and restrain themselves against those who have not wronged them
Guide to butchers, thieves, soldiers, and tattooists
Associated with bananas, mangroves, and coffee

Estaotau, the Jackal Seer

Depicted as a jackal with the face of a man
Has the power to see both other places and other times, and on occasion he shares this ability with mortals
Protects the lowly and looked-down on in society
Particularly likes granting boons to locksmiths, for they open the way
Associated with jackals, pandas, sloths, nutmeg, oranges, and roses