Dilanael is different from many other worlds in that it's fantastical, but I try to make sure that it's also very believable. If something fails the believability test I usually change or drop it. Because of that, we have lots of different religions, some of which aren't particularly useful for Adventuring and some of which are downright odd, just like in real life. Dilanael doesn't have a "god of thing x" but gods with histories (sometimes) and moods (occasionally) and followers who know more about why they don't like other religions than why they like their own. It's a pragmatists view of religion and while you and I know that the gods do exist, their followers have no such assurances and it can be felt.

So this is a list of most of the major religions of Dilanael, what the churches are known for, what the gods are known for and pertinent history, as well as brief mentions of prominent members. More in these prominent members can be found in the histories (living and dead).



Meiros: Meiros' church is the single most prominent across all of Dilanael. He is thought of as the creator of the world, which, it is said, he made from the wreckage of the old world (though very little thought is ever given to that old world, save that it was populated by the mythical Tectans). Meiros is thought of as the overseer of life and death, as well as the cycle of rebirth. As such, the priesthood of Mieros takes several vows which they are very serious about. Most orders take a vow of chastity and another of poverty, but it is the vow of death that gets the most attention. The priesthood of Mieros may heal and protect, but they may not return the dead to life. The dead belong the Mieros. It is often said that the priest who casts this spell is struck dead on the spot, though Mieros will hear his last prayer and grant the dead life. Temples of Mieros are large and grand affairs with as few hard angles as can be created due to the circular themes favored by the church, who's symbol is an ornate circle symbolizing the endless cycle. Of all the gods, Meiros is the most distant. The most notable member of the Mieren church, Simon Saint, is also the most infamous among the clergy. The Current High Priest of Meiros (in Samia) is Gerald Tobinson.

Jebedah: The clergy of Jebedah are among the most widely revered on the whole of Dilanael. They are scholars, diplomats, historians, scientists, and teachers. Their sacred duties include learning, chronicling, and comprehension and their racks (of books, sicko) are coveted by more than one great mind. Acting as diplomats of the highest caliber, the clergy is sought out my nobles and statesmen. Jebedans all take the Vows of Concord, by which they swear to bring no more violence into the world as well as to do what they can to lessen violence and suffering. The high priest of Jebedah is Griswald Morgens, one of the oldest and wisest men known to exist.

Shara-Tor: This is a fascinating church dedicated to a goddess of battle. Shara-Tor is the opposite of her brother Vana-Tor. She is pragmatic, honorable, and selfless. Legend tells us that she lives in a castle of ice and that her countless armies train on fields on snow for the harshest of battles. Shara-Tor is usually depicted as a female human in shining armor made of ice. She wields a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. She usually wears a helm in these pieces. Her church has become less prominent over the last several years than it once was. Many attribute this to the rise of the church of Tysear and the resurgence of the church of Tara-Reisz.

Vana-Tor: In art, Vana-Tor is a hulking orcish or ogrish man wielding a weapon that is a sword with blades at each end. He is usually surrounded by fires or rock. The assumption is that his followers are dangerous people and this is usually true, but Vana-Tor's clergy are not as vile a bunch as one would suspect. In fact, his worship is drawn from the likes of anyone who wants to come out on top in a fight. Many people live and die by the blade and those people will tell you that honor is among the most likely causes of death for fools. Vana-Tor's church has become less prominent in recent years as well, but not to the degree that Shara-Tor's church has. As a result the Church of Vana-Tor is now more prominent than that of Shara-Tor. Many people actually enjoy this situation because with the rise in power of the church of Mekis, people are coming around to the ideals behind the church of Vana-tor as more acceptable.

Hyrallia: Since the beginning of time priests have been associated with healing. Nowhere is that more clear than in the church of Hyrallia, renounced healers and comfort givers. The clergy of Hyrallia is loved by the people for their healing gifts and they are widely sought by anyone who might become injured or ill. As a result their services are often hard to come by. Compounded by this is the fact that the church of Hyrallia has some mysterious code by which they charge for their services, but the charge is never set. It is based on who is asking, what they need, why they need it . . . most people believe there is a formula of some sort, though others believe that this is just the clergy's way of picking and choosing. Hyrallia is represented in art as a lizard with an endless tail or as any manner of creeping vine. While there are very few halflings left in Samia they worship her almost universally.

Mekis: During the War of Ascension in Samia (and the Apostate Conflict of Vatica) there was evidence of the gods high in the sky above the main battle. It was on this day that Mekis and Aura Vek ascended to godhood, one to stand opposite the other and maintain balance. Mekis was once a powerful demon who serves as herald for the god Ferrin. Mekis is reputed to have used the troops fighting the war as fuel for his powerful ascension, though what became of those souls is rarely talked about. The Church of Mekis is dedicated to fire as both destroyer and purifier. Fire kills, but it also cooks, purifies, and makes civilization possible. The church's followers are as varied as fire itself. The high priestess of Mekis (recently instated) is Sabine Vaundus. She is rumored to have the favor of Mekis even more strongly than her predecessor, so much so that Mekis helped her destroy him and take his place.

Aura Vek: Among the youngest of the major religions, the church of Aura Vek came about from the same pair of conflicts as that of Mekis. The two churches are worlds apart, however. Aura Vek is rumored to have served Shara-Tor since time began. She is an angelic goddess, if the statues and tapestries are to be believed. Her teachings tell us to defend the innocent and to preserve their goodness. Forgiveness is also one of the most important tenants of her church and they take a vow to forgive even the most grievous of offenses if the contrition is true. Though this should not be confused with the law. While the church may forgive you the law will not. Aura Vek's church has an order of paladins in their service as well as many priests and well funded temples. A former queen of Samia (Theresa Whitefire) was the founding member of the order of Paladins for Aura Vek, and the church has been well taken care of by the crown ever since.

Tara-Reisz: The worship of the lady of Shadows is as old as human civilization. It is said that she was the inspiration for the first human city and has been benefiting humanity ever since. Her worship includes many of the things that make civilization truly great: music, dancing, sex, and theater. It also involves some things that are less pleasant about city life such as lies and deception (prostitution is covered here, though whether as sex or deception is debatable). Tara-Reisz is also known as the lady of dreams and the act of dreaming is sacred to her clergy, who explored dreams for prophetic meaning. Tara-Reisz is always depicted as a beautiful woman in flowing darkness, and she is often depicted dancing. Among her most famous clergy are Merritt, her high priest, and Asinzi Fana, the highest ranking clergy member beneath him and master of the temple of Allston.

Tysear: Tysear is a paradox. He is a myth, but there are those living who claim to have known him. He is a man, but the son of a great Dragon. He is legendary for aiding the forces of good in battles against evil dragons, demons, and other dark forces, but stories of the end of his life are rife with dark acts. Finally he was a real person, according to official record with a birth date and a death date, but he is worshiped as a god in most cities. What to make of him is difficult to say, but that he has a church of repute is without question. The real Tysear founded the Dragonshome band: the most powerful and well liked mercenary structure in the southern hemisphere. With offices in every major city in Dilanael and some in Pedrinni, The band is wide spread, and with the band comes the worship of Tysear. Not all of the band are of his church, but most are and none will turn down a blessing from his clergy. The clergy themselves are focused heavily on combat and perfection of skill in battle. The church of Tysear is also known for celebration of excellent food and the accumulation of worldly possessions. While life is fleeting, Tysear fully expects his followers to enjoy it while they can. The most famous followers of Tysear are also the most famous members of the Dragonshome band. Apothis is the leader of Dragonshome and renowned as the best swordsman in the world. The band's wizard, Roodnar, is known as a potent magic force, despite his gnomish stature. Tysear is always shown in art as a powerful man who is half dragon and pleasant on the eyes.

Ferrin: In any society there are those who are willing to pray to a god simply out of fear. And Ferrin is the god of those fears. Savagery, betrayal, murder, madness. All these are his purview, because Ferrin is willing to work with these things. It is said that there is no true church to Ferrin and this may be true in most places, but that does not mean there is no clergy. the clergy of Ferrin hides among the other churches, like vipers, waiting to strike. Sometimes the time never comes, but more than one small church has torn itself apart from the inside out looking for Ferrinite infiltrators. Ferrin is reviled and feared in myth and his hatred of Tara-Reisz is legendary. He is usually represented in art as a savage and privative man or as a wild beast of some sort.