There are many faiths in the world of Abmarah. All living beings in the Cosmos are inherently divided into three realities: Order, Chaos, and Balance between them. Some, however, are mysteriously neither—a Void. This theory of splitting reality into four categories is part of the creation myth of the cosmos. Gods similarly correspond to these realities, and these deities are chosen to be the supreme representations of them. These gods have their own domains and powers, and are not omnipotent. In fact, many gods were once mortals uplifted into these divine duties. There are many minor gods, lesser deities, archdevils, archfey, monoliths, and other powerful higher beings that do not conform to these definitions. Gods can also be killed, and the death of a deity is permanent and irreversible. Many major gods and hundreds of minor gods died in the Omniborn Crisis, leading to an upheaval of the pantheon with newer gods replacing older ones.

In addition to the Balance between Order and Chaos, there are two additional 'former realities' known as the Pure Light and the Pure Dark. These realities are remnants of the previous cosmos, but still persist in our current universe. Some gods and mortals end up embracing the purity of the light or the dark, abandoning order and chaos.

This page covers the primary and biggest religion of Abmarah called Aeterism, and the different faiths within it such as Jakunism, Varkaniyyah, Ashtadharma, Bashenism, and Meiðrism. Many smaller sects devoted to individual gods also exist under Aeterism, with the largest and most notable ones being Môrism, Sigmism, and Solism.

Some of the other major religions that fall outside Aeterism (but might worship some of the same gods) are, in order of size:

• Triadism - Also known as the Lunar Triad or the Golden Triad, it is the second largest religion after Aeterism and worships only 3 goddesses.

• Ancient Eqosi Faiths - The various beliefs and practices of the ancient people of Eqos, including the worship of the primordials, the first dragons, and the tabaxi trio.

• Faith of the Monoliths - Belief in elder beings higher than gods, known as Monoliths.

• Chiaroscurism - A small group of people who worship the mysterious Pure Light or Pure Darkness of the previous cosmos.

The Pantheon of Eights (Aeterism)

While there are many different faiths that have different combinations of gods and differing philosophies, the largest and most important one is the Pantheon of Eights. Also known as Aeterism, it has eight gods for each of the three realities, and five void gods for a total of 29 major gods. Each god has some domains that they govern over to some degree, and these domains give their clerics power. Aeterism also includes dozens of minor gods and other higher beings.

There are many faiths that come under this greater pantheon. The pantheon's relative pluralist nature meant that it absorbed local gods and customs within itself as the religion expanded through syncretism, but there are differing views among communities that follow the same pantheon. Most of these faiths recognize the elven priests of Alsorion to be the arbiters of divine knowledge, but have differences of interpretation and do not see them as leaders. The pantheon evolved slowly, coming into its first proper organized form as the Unified Pantheon before the first era, and then developing into Aeterism as we know it during the first era. Scholars have also attempted to divide the gods based on their morality, like in the case of Liios & Diios, but once again differences of interpretation change what gods are considered good or bad in different regions of the world.

One of the biggest criticisms of Aeterism is its inability to properly slot in the Primordials, the Monoliths, and the Pure Light & Darkness within its cosmology. While most priests are quick to call them minor or false gods, many Aeterian gods are related to these other forces in some ways or another that Aeterism refuses to acknowledge properly.

Jakunism

The largest and first faith of the pantheon, Jakunism refers to the religion followed by the Imperium Aeternum and most of eastern Aurial including Terros and the Crimson Empire. They revere Jakuna as the 'leader' of the entire pantheon, and follow her justice above all else. Jakunism in its practices is similar to real-life early catholicism or late hellenism, and build churches instead of temples. They accept most of the other branches of Aeterism, but see themselves as the truest followers of the pantheon. The leader of the Imperium Aeternum, also known as the 'Pontiff', is considered to be the head of faith, and serves in the holy city of Alsorion. For the purposes of this wiki, Jakunism is considered to be the 'default' faith of Aeterism for deity names and interpretations.

Varkaniyyah

Also known as Varkanism, it is a major branch of the traditional beliefs of Aeterism. Worshiped primarily in southern Eqos and in sects across the world, Varkaniyyah venerates Varkanus as the primary god to be worshiped before any others. They see him not as a purely evil and malevolent god, but as a necessary part of nature and magic. They see both his good and bad sides, and parse his bloodthirsty nature to be something that needs to be sated. Varkaniyyah is distinctly different from the Cult of Varkanus, who worship and revel in only the evil aspects of the god. The Khadum of the holy city of Varkunast the spiritual leader of this faith, a hereditary title passed down from son to son.

Ashtadharma

Also known as Neo-Eqosi Aeterism, is a newer branch of Aeterism that follows many of the 'newer' gods such as Vertuma, Saedevi, Murudev, Varkayan, Theratis, Raasha, Noshmi, among others. They see these gods in a more traditional indic light different from their portrayals in the regular pantheon. Ashtadharma also incorporated many of the practices of the Ancient Eqosi Faiths, including many of their gods like Atrii or Mawekh. There is no central head of faith nor a central holy city, although the island of Vanadweep is considered to be the birthplace of both the religion and the Vedavin race. The city of Kasaaq is often thought of as the closest to a true holy city, as it contains both the Sitaradham Mandir as well as the Great Temple of Murudev.

Bashenism

Also known as Spiritual Aeterism, it is a wildly different sect of Aeterism followed mostly in Eteru and the eastern Blood Sea. Originating in the Xoenni Peninsula, they see the gods in a more oriental light different from their portrayals in the regular pantheon. They consider gods, realities, demons, devils, and all other higher beings as 'spirits'. Every living being is considered to be a spirit, with Gods simply being stronger and older spirits in their philosophy. Bashenism emphasizes rigorous self-restraint, meditation, and insight into oneself. The religion also incorporated many of the practices of the ancient eterian faiths, including many of their gods like Leikiya. There is no central head of faith nor a central holy city.

Meiðrism

Also known as Worldseed Aeterism, this sect is mostly followed in the northwestern parts of Abmarah including Skion, Teer, and northwestern Aurial. Incorporating many of the beliefs of the giants and the northerners, they primarily worship the 'world tree' of the cosmos, and venerate many of the extraplanar gods. Moðr serves as their primary god of war and practically the leader of the pantheon. The religion focuses heavily on ritual practice, with kings and jarls playing a central role in carrying out public acts of sacrifice. The head 'Hofgoði' of the Kingdom of Jördheim, also known as the 'Fylkir', is considered to be the head of faith, and serves in the new holy city of Jordträd, a large settlement built within the branches of a gigantic tree.

Môrism

Also known as Nocturnism, this sect of Aeterism was the primary faith of all Drow. They venerate Serenox as the Night Mother, and saw the darkness, the moons, and the stars as sacred. After the goddess' death in the Omniborn Crisis, the faith took a darker turn as its adherents started to mourn the loss of their goddess for eternity. They still worship and recognize the other gods of the pantheon, and many even pray to deities such as Saenus, Theratis, and Deltus. That being said, the faith believes that the golden era of the cosmos is over and only eons of darkness and suffering await them. The faith is heavily linked to Pure Dark worship and the Shadowfell as well. Môrism is the state religion of the Mourning Court in Eteru and is centered on the holy city of Mothhai. The Veiled Queen of the Court is considered to be the spiritual leader of the faith, her consecrated bloodline believed to have the last remaining silk weaved by Serenox herself.

Sigmism

Also known as Sigmosi Aeterism, this sect of Aeterism is followed in the southwestern parts of Abmarah. Venerating Sigmus as the chief god of the oceans, they see these gods in a more traditional pacific light different from their portrayals in the regular pantheon. The Tritons initially founded and followed this religion, and Sigmism was one of the largest sects of Aeterism in the early first era. However, they slowly adopted what would later become Aethian Triadism, and Sigmism started to fade away. Sigmism is mostly followed by island-dwellers now. Sigmism spread across the Kourā Expanse and the Blood Sea in the first and second eras, but it was uprooted from most of the Blood Sea and replaced by Jakunism and Triadism. There is no central head of faith nor a central holy city, and the religion is now limited to a few island chains.

Solism

For information about the much smaller sect that follows the sun goddess Sol Sultana, see the dedicated page for the Solism. Many argue that Solism isn't technically an Aeterian sect at all and is simply a minor off-shoot of Ashtadharma, and it remains a controversial topic.

Family Tree of the Gods

Without factoring in any of the Primordials, Monoliths, or Archfiends, the order in which the gods came to be is recognized as such: