These are religions that come from the hearts of the oppressed and exploited.

Ancestral Worship

The tradition of worshiping ancestors exists across all cultural boundaries, but the specific worship of ancestors from before the event known as the Fall, the collapse of the ancient egalitarian cultures, is so forbidden it has become its own secret faith, usually shared between women but not always. They have a direct connection to their ancestors and follow the matrilineal line to times that others cannot, finding wisdom and guidance long lost. Their practices are rooted in resisting patriarchy, honoring their ancestors (blood and chosen), and being connected to their communities.

Beloved Divine

The Beloved Divine, Turanalasa, is an ancient goddess of love in all its (healthy) forms. She is worshiped by people who hold onto this ancient faith and have maintained it (mostly in secret) for millennia. It came originally from other lands, but it has held on in the hearts of workers and oppressed everywhere around the world. She is seen as a goddess of love and its nuances, a deity who is sought out by those seeking love but also by those who have love for family, community, nation, friends, even pets. Those who experience love make sacrifice to her to protect those they love. Those who are in love honor her with expressions of love. Those who need love call to her in times of loneliness. Those who desire honor her with their desire. She is love in all forms, and those who worship her directly and solely are vessels of love and desire in such a way that is sacred and ancient. They are trans feminine priestesses who embody the Beloved Divine, and they perform the rites and rituals of her faith to honor any who truly love her.

Bringer of Peace

An obscure goddess (called Ati Paci) worshiped by very few, but who represents something few know - true peace. Accord. Serenity. Calm. She is a deity who is honored through silent prayer. She is a deity who is honored when conflicts are deescalated, when friendships rise out of the ashes of disagreement, when oppression and exploitation cede to egality. She is a deity remembered only by a small subset of the population, as her temples were destroyed by the warmongers thousands of years ago. Now she exists only in the hearts of those who refuse to let go, pacifists and peacekeepers who see their role in the community to resolve and settle issues. Those few who worship her in an organized manner do so openly, but they are seen as strange, as few even remember Paxporta.

Bronccourianism

A messianic religion worshiping a bringer of hope, the Bronccour, a figure in legend who was said to have been slain by soldier of a cruel tyrant. He died and was resurrected by those who loved him. He was the messiah of the Goddess of Hope, called Kehin Ireti in the language of the old Bronccourians, but called Ati Spera in the local ancient tongue. She is the Last Hope, the Dark Goddess, the Bringer of Grace, and her messiah, the Bronccour (sometimes thought to mean "the branching heart"), was a bring of joy and kindness, a healer and a performer, someone who walked among the people in times of war and chaos, and it is said he slew the original deity of infernal chaos who violated the laws that protected mortals from Divine wrath. The Bronccour brought hope to the world, and this hope inspired a religion that gave people the strength to face adversity in the hardest of times, for those are the times when hope arrives. Bronccourians believe in miracles, in grace, and in aspiring to achieve something more. They believe that the oppressed and exploited will inevitably find a better world, and that the teachings of the Bronccour are the core to finding it. They believe in kindness as the ultimate virtue and compassion as the guide to their actions.

Calusurism

Calusurism is an ancient religion of sacrifice and salvation, a belief in mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and living life in a way that causes as little pain and misery as possible, because there is only one life. There is only one chance, and therefore, one must live such that no one's one chance is made worse for their living in it. They live not as hedonists, but in sacrifice to others, to make the lives of others better. They believe in a small set of deities who guide them:
  • Calusur, the Goddess of Death, a psychopomp who guides them after death
  • Ersce, the Goddess of Salvation, she who welcomes them after death in eternal repose
  • Thezais, the Goddess of Self-Sacrifice, she who gives them the strength to live so others may know a good life
  • Tulkamu, Goddess of Kindness, Sharing, and Giving, she who leads by example
  • Ulthe Velna, God of Medicine, Life, and Compassion, he who heals with compassion, he who is present at birtsh
Calusurism is named for the Death Goddess who guides them, as the funeral rites they observe are the most important rite. The whole community gathers for it, shares something special with the deceased, and prays for them. If they lived a life that was mostly for the good of others, there will be much to be returned. This act of love allows them to carry much to the realm of salvation, and these act as anchor and guides for those who go next.

What they believe is that the more they give up to make the lives of others easier or better, the greater the chances that one day, the world will not need people like them.

Epules

The Epules are a set of deities who represent different forms of work. Sometimes called Teachers or Guides, they are deities who lead by example. Those who worship them aspire to be like them, to be the pefect form of their chosen craft. This perfection they seek is not simply to be good at a craft, but to be able to do that craft for oneself and one's community rather than to live under the yoke of exploitation. Thus, they believe in acting with solidarity and resistance to exploitation as one of their values.

The commonest Epules are as follows:
  • Ati Thuras, the Caretaker, the Goddess of Families
  • Ati Titi, the Farmer, the Goddess of Bounty
  • Cathina, the Huntress, the Goddess of Hunting
  • Cucuzixu, the Artist, the Goddess of Inspiration
  • Fise Bonus, the Believer, the God of Loyalty, the Humble One, brother to Thasni
  • Munsle Cexa, Deity of Principle and Law, the Guard
  • Nenenae, the Teacher, the Goddess of Wisdom
  • Puipriumne, Goddess of Cleanliness and Purity, the Cleaner
  • Tameru, Goddess of the Home, the Builder
  • Thasni Bonus, the Good Worker, the Loyal One, the God of Solidarity, brother to Fise
  • Ulthe Velna, God of Medicine, the Healer
  • Zinthrepis, the Inventor, the Maker, the Creator, the God of Innovation
There are many others or variations of these where they embody specific kinds of work, but they all share in common the belief that their work is their own.

Forniturism

Forniturism is a polytheistic worship of deities who provide for their followers and encouraging providing and sharing with others. These deities are sometimes also called the Givers. Their religion has evolved over the millennia from a form of communal care to an organized faith that centalizes the sharing via main figures. It is discouraged in imperial lands but common in Santamaria.

Their deities are as follows:
  • Apa Faru, God of Provision and Support
  • Ati Papniu, Goddess of Harvest, Bounty, and Satisfaction
  • Ati Thuras, Goddess of the Family
  • Cathina, Deity of the Sacred Hunt
  • Clesnetupi, Goddess of Equality and Balance
  • Puipriumne, Goddess of Cleanliness and Purity
  • Spurais, Goddess of the Community
  • Tameru, Goddess of the Hearth and Home
  • Thezais, Deity of Self-Sacrifice
  • Tulkamu, Goddess of Kindness, Sharing, and Giving
  • Ulthe Velna, God of Medicine, Life, and Compassion
They keep temples in which every deity has an altar, and those who worship them come regularly to make offerings. There are custodians of the temples, but no priests or priestesses. Instead, the community takes turns leading rituals and rites. Some people take a deity they consider as their personal guide or patron/matron/theytron, but most see them all as the powers that guide their lives and honor them when it is appropriate.

Gemmism

Gemmism is the belief in a small set of deities who are represented by a Divine Jewel (Gemma). Some say they are many deities, and some say they are one deity with many facets (hence the jewel). The deity is called Gemma, and their facets are Acciaio (Honor), Ambra (Satisfaction), Arancia (Defiance), Azzurra (Love), Bagliora (Kindness, Generosity), Chiara (Wonder, Awe, and Inspiration), Corindona (Patience, Sincerity), Gialla (Outrage), Grigia (Grief), Lavanda (Joy, Happiness, Delight), Mulinella (Loyalty), Nera (Hope), Opala (Compassion), Perla (Calm), Scarlatta (Bravery), Specchia (Self-Esteem), Sporca (Curiosity, Enthusiasm), and Tortora (Comfort, Relief). There are many others who are less referenced. Those who worship Gemma believe that feeling these emotions is sacred and that they are virtues to be aspired to and lived as well. They believe that when they experience one of these naturally, they are being visited by a facet of Gemma, and they must express the emotion to honor them. Their religion is poorly understood by outsiders, viewed as weird and obscure, and thus, it is not criminalized, though it is frowned upon by imperials.

Gentism

A faith held over from before the Fall that has evolved in the face of oppression to become the defiant maintenance of community identity in the face of imperial assimilation. Gentists believe in community, in maintaining their cultures, and in keeping to ways so ancient that no one remembers their origin. There are a few variations of this as there are multiple nations who follow this faith, but they follow similar patterns - keeping old ways, maintaining community via egalitarian and matriarchal norms, being nomadic, and refusing to be part of imperial power structure. If they settle down, it is in communes that are separatist and defiant, and if they participate in society, it is only in Santamaria, the only city their faith is even legal in. They are much hated by imperials and seen as pests and thieves and liars and perverts. Their faith is conceptual, not focused on a Divine.

Healer Divine

The Healer Divine is the god of medicine, compassion, health, bodies, and blood, a god sometimes called Ulthe Velna in the old language of the region. A patron of doctors, healers, and surgeons, nurses, midwives, and therapists, he is worshiped by many and honored by all. Even imperials pay homage to him when they need a doctor. He is even openly honored in the Guild of Food and Medicine, though in a "we're doing this as a tradition, not a faith" kind of way. Those who truly worship him (Ulthites) have compassion and empathy as their main virtues, and they believe that life should be honored and pain and illness are enemies to be defeated. They are not above abortion or euthanasia, but they try to find other ways to heal first. They have temples only in Santamaria, but many healers keep their symbol (the caduceus) in their clinics.

Hearth Goddess

The Goddess of Hearth and Home, Tameru in the old language, is one of the most ancient deities, honored via the laws of hospitality, which are sacred even to those who have never heard of her. She is honored around the world in various forms and versions, in different faiths, with slightly different rules, but ultimately every culture who has the concept of home has the concept of hospitality. In Talune, she is seen as a protector, a giver, a provider, and a builder. Her power is in the hearth and the shared meals and the offerings to guests and the cleanings and the shared spaces and the sense of comfort, sanctuary, and relief a home brings. She is the familiarity of one's home and one's own space. Most who have a home honor her, those who have no home often yearn for her, and those who worship her truly believe she is a source of protection unlike any other. They have small altars to her in their homes (literaly on or in their hearths), and they make offerings of water, wine, salt, and bread. No guest is harmed under their roof, and no violation of their home is permitted.

Lautianism

Lautianism is a religion that sprang up toward the end of the era of the Fall as the newly enslaved sought liberation. It is a war faith that honors a set of deities who are considered the perfect warriors, the kinds of warriors who break the chains of slavery and oppression and guide people to freedom. It is a religion founded by Lauti, a famous slave who led a rebellion and was executed along with every other slave who took part of the rebellion. Lauti is considered a pre-messianic figure, as they believe he will come back as a messiah, but has not done so yet. It is said that when Lauti was executed (tied to a pole and left to starve and be eaten by carrion birds), those who came to save him (and were slain) were blessed by him and given Divinity (as was he). The legendary heroes became the following deities:
  • Lauti Kalem, God of Liberation, He Who Will Come Again, the Defiant
  • Eurtha Bellum, God of Valor and Bravery, the Brave Warrior
  • Faluthras Bellum, God of Protection and War, the Shield of Lauti
  • Epiur Alfa, Goddess of Empowerment and Resistance, the Archeress
  • Teis, Goddess of Justice, the Sword of Lauti, the Swan Rider
  • Cerine Max, Deity of Vigilance, Warning, and Alarm, the One Who Warned
  • Parxis Tul, Goddess of Equality and Balance, She Who Demanded (the goddess who forced Lauti to see his own patriarchal values and abandon them)
  • Munsle Cexa, Deity of Principle and Law, the One Who Maintained Order
  • Ama Cexa, Goddess of Truth, the Word of Lauti
  • Malena, Goddex of Actualization, the One Who Transformed (a transgender deity)
  • Thasni Bonus, Deity of Solidarity, the Loyal Worker
Lautians are legal only in Santamaria and viewed (correctly) as troublemakers and rebels in imperial lands. They are a defiant and warlike faith, but never engage in violence against the undeserving, oppressed, exploited, or abused. They value fighting back against tyranny above all else.

Madralism

Madralism is a tradition of witchcraft and matriarchal faith that mixes ancestor worship with honoring of a Mother Goddess and her family. There are some variations that put different deities as the primary Mother Goddess, but the commonality is that there is a head Mother and several daughters. The deities are Amate, the Beloved Divine, Mother of Love; Aumentata, Mother of Transformation, of the Self; Bisdea, the Goddess of Families, the Mother of Mothers; Condivisa, the Mother of the Community, the Sharing; Focolara, the Hearth Mother, the Mother of the Home (a version of Tameru); Grosspietra, the Megalithic Goddess, Goddess of Equality; Senzavincola, the Unbound, Goddess of Chaos; and Vigilia, the First, the Witch Goddess, the First Mother. They also worship Phryscara, Daughter of Shem, who is said to be a semi-Divine being who is the first woman to experience oppression, and Lilith, the woman who was scorned, first to experience patriarchal violence.

Regardless of which is Divinity or semi-Divine is considered primary, the faith of madralism is one that is rooted in resisting patriarchy, pracitcing witchcraft, and supporting the community, family, and those in need. They value community, love, protection, resistance, kindness, and self-worth. They have views of gender rooted in pre-Fall matriarchal cultures, and they have an understanding of gendered oppression that makes them targets of the powers-that-be. While they will sometimes call themselves madralists, most use other terms based on their culture, their primary Mother Goddess, or their personal beliefs. Madralist is considered an imperial term, and it is only used by them to reclaim it.

Megalithic Goddess

Called by many names - Clesnetupi, Grossipietra, Jainkosa Megalitikoa, Mater Bubala (Mother Wisent) - the Megalithic Goddess is a goddess who was worshiped pre-Fall as the embodiment of the egality and equality and equity of their communities and cultures. She was honored by the forming of megaliths, hence her name, and the remnants of those megaliths are found all over the region and much beyond. In some parts of the world, she or some goddess much like her is still honored. She has evolved since her early days to be a goddess about resisting inequality and living a life that provides for the oppressed and exploited in a way that alleviates inequaltiy. In short, it means being part of the community of the oppressed and exploited and helping out where one can. The only formal, organized faithful for her are the tahemma, the nuns who do just this.

Rainbow Spirits

Many believe that the Rainbow Spirits are the source of all popular or celestial magic, the keepers of the afterlife, and the promise of empowerment in life and salvation in death. They take many forms, but the most common are the Rainbow Fish, Rainbow Goddess, and Rainbow Serpent.

The Rainbow Fish, Pesce Arcobalena, is the steward of "heaven" or the Celestial Realm, the protector, the one who grants salvation, the one who swims in the celeste waters and whom the angels serve. The Rainbow Serpent, Serpente Arcobalena, is the empowerer, the one who appears in dreams, who brings the rainbow, who is resistance to oppression. The Rainbow Woman, Donna Arcobalena, is the protector of the Rainbow Bridge, Ponte Arcobalena, that leads to the afterlife. She shines her light upon all people and brings inspiration, wonder, awe, and art to the world. She is a warrior and creator.

From these three spirits all other celestial deities are said to derive, coming from their blood, tears, and light. The main deities worshiped as coming from them are Nera, Goddess of Hope; Scarlatto, God of Valor; Fulvo, God of Liberation and Resistance; Zafferane, the Deity of Justice and Outrage; Smeralda, Goddess of Harmony; Zaffira, Goddess of Love; Lavanda, Goddess of Joy; and Cristalla, Goddess of Art. Many say Cristalla is just Donna Arcobalena after she splits herself into her component parts (the seven other deities listed).

This is one of the major religions of Santamaria and of the oppressed throughout the world (going by different names, though always themed with rainbows). It is rooted in resisting oppression and exploitation, and those who believe in it believe one must actively live up to this.

Sacred Hunt

The Sacred Hunt is a variation of the Cycle of the Hunt that developed during the Fall. It is the view of hunting as sustainable and necessary for survival, but never to excess, never without intention and understanding. It is represented by solidarity and empathy with the prey, and thus, the spirits of the Sacred Hunt are deer:
  • The Black Stag: death, the hunter
  • The Blue Doe: the prey, respect
  • The Dappled Pricket: joyful youth
  • The Silver Brocket: birth and rebirth
  • The White Fawn: innocent youth
  • The Red Hart: vitality, life, adulthood
  • The Brown Hind: parenthood and maturity
  • The Old Buck: wisdom, elder
  • The Golden Calfe: adolescence and understanding
Those who worship the Sacred Hunt or live by it believe in its representation of a cycle of life, death, and rebirth, as a way of life in general - being part of the Hunt, respecting their prey, never killing unnecessarily using every part of their prey, and letting the young and innocent live. It is about cultivation and harmony. It is about feeding a community. Some believe the Hunt is embodied in a goddess called Cathina, who appears as a child, but this is not universal.

Shepherdism

Shepherdists worship a Divine Shepherdess (Aclnisuthin the old language) whose life is an instruction manual for them. The Shepherdess was an enslaved shepherdess who lived by thirteen virtues that allowed her to resist oppression, tyranny, and abuse, to support her fellow shepherds (and sheep), and gave inspiration and power to others to find better lives. Shepherdists try to live up to the thirteen virtues as best they can as a sacrament to their goddess:
  • Charity : generosity, sharing with others, self-sacrificing in giving to others, altruism.
  • Constance : dependability, reliability, diligence and hard work, trustworthiness, honesty.
  • Forgiveness : forgiveness, understanding, redemption.
  • Humility : being humble, being innocent, being earnest.
  • Kindness : choosing the gentler option, being helpful, being supportive.
  • Mercy : forgiving, alleviating pain, choosing to help instead of hurt.
  • Patience : waiting for what is deserved or needed without complaint.
  • Piety or Principle : belief, devotion, diligence in practice of a belief - this can be religious (piety) or not (principle).
  • Prudence : cautiousness, judiciousness, wisdom, knowing when to act, knowing how to save for adversity.
  • Resilience : getting back up, defiance of oppression, strength inner and outer, healing and protecting.
  • Sanctuary : protection of others, protection of those in need, being a protector and provider.
  • Service : serving others, doing for others not oneself, being useful.
  • Sincerity : honesty, being true to oneself and others, truth, a lack of manipulation or masks.
They are much oppressed and criminalized outside of Santamaria.

Smiling Goddess

Anthiaia, the Smiling Goddess, is the goddess of good fortune, the goddess of serendipity, and those who worship her do so mostly as a superstition. When she smiles upon them, they have good luck, and thus, they make offerings to her to have good luck. They believe they can only keep good luck if they share it with others, and thus, those who worship her give away that which comes to them via good fortune. Theirs is a folk religion that is often part of other religions or even just a folk belief.

Truth

Ama Cexa, Goddess of Truth, is one of the most powerful deities from the popular religions. Belief in her is a belief in something objective, something true, something unassailable in a world of lies, manipulations, and deceptions, and many turn to her. She is honored by many, but the worship of her as a singular deity is practiced in Santamaria and other places in defiance of imperial law. Her priestesses and followers hold themselves to a standard of honesty and sincerity that few can attain. It is a belief in radical honesty as a religious devotion.

This topic: Shem > Campaigns > ThirdShemCampaigns > BellumNovem > 9GSetting > 9GReligion > 9GPopularReligions
Topic revision: 26 Apr 2026, SallyJaneBlack
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