Ashtadharma (अष्टाधर्म), 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 species. 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.

Another aspect of Ashtadharma unique to it as compared to other aeterian faiths is their belief in 'avatars'. Priests of Ashtadharma believe that certain gods, primordials, and other higher beings are often reborn as mortals to serve a particular role. A god can simultaneously exist elsewhere while also having a mortal avatar of themselves with their own personality and goals. The biggest and most famous example is the goddess Sol Sultana being considered to be an avatar of the primordial Sorya. Aasimars born in northern Eqos are almost always seen as a minor avatar of some higher being.

As an Aeterian faith, Ashtadharma follows the same pantheon of gods as the common Jakunist pantheon, albeit with different names and interpretations of most of the gods. Many of the gods within the Pantheon of Eights are not worshiped as much within Ashtadharmic traditions, but are still recognized as gods. In total, there are 20 gods considered important in Ashtadharma. The pantheon as seen in Ashtadharma is as follows, with the gods considered to be the most important marked with a ⬖:

History

Ashtadharma developed slowly, splitting off from the other Aeterian faiths soon after the cometfall. Most of their beliefs and stories originate from four key scriptures that explain the religion's history as well. Listed in order, they are the Varveda, the Loksmriti, the Rakhapurana, and the Saeveda.

Varveda & Loksmriti

Yogi Raktabhatta, who was one of the first Vedavin, wrote both of the first two great scriptures. The Varveda tells the story of their creation, of how the Vedavin species was created by the god Vertudeva against the wishes of the other gods. They were banished to the barren island of Kei'rss (now Vanadweep), where they turned instead to the blood god Varkayan by sacrificing many of their numbers until he blessed their land with life.

Raktabhatta was one of these initial vedavin, directly created by Vertuma. By 2E278, he was disillusioned with the existing mythology and the older gods after this entire ordeal, and instead wrote about the newer gods that actually answered their call. He finally talked of 'Ashtadharma', consisting of eight principles: Believing in the pantheon of eights, being virtuous, learning from elders, following the laws of the lands, respecting other beliefs, performing customary rituals, doing your duties, and living with love. He wrote these new laws and ethics for the young species, and soon his thoughts and writings managed to travel across the sea and reach Eqos.

When he traveled to Teer and was exposed to Meiðrism, he wrote the Loksmriti in 2E330, which talked of the cosmos and the realms beyond governed by Mutreva. In this, he included many of the teachings and beliefs of the ancient eqosi faiths, including those of the primordials and dragons. Through his translations and blending of cultures, many gods came to be known by his regional translations, such as the goddess Nosos becoming Noshmi and Jakuna becoming Jakudevi. Raktabhatta disappeared after his final adventure, with the primary belief being that he was taken to the heaven Svarga.

Rakhapurana

As ashtadharma spread across western and northern Eqos, the draconic beliefs of the Km'mala Peaks led to the inclusion of Therahti into the mythology. A dragoness by the name of Ashaneras who had lived through the first era embraced ashtadharma. In 2E432, she wrote the history of the first era from an eqosi perspective, talking of the rule of Sol Sultana and the horrors of the Omniborn Crisis experienced in these lands. A devout follower of the new goddess of death Therahti, she wrote of the afterlifes and the process of death through the god Raasha. The Rakhapurana is known as the most accurate history book of the eqosi first era, and has influenced many ashtadharmic traditions to this day. It's said that Yogi Ashaneras taught mortals in a female human form.

Saeveda

The most recent of the great texts, the Saeveda was written near the end of the second era in 2E560 by the great vedavin starseer Athira in the Sitaradham Mandir of Kasaaq. A devout follower of Saedevi, he helped the Zaaba Dynasty come to power as prophesied in the stars. The Saeveda talks of the history of the second era, the planets and stars above in Voidspace, and astrology as a whole. The Saeveda is also one of the strongest legitimizing tools for the Zaaba Dynasty of Kasaaq, as it was written under their patronage.