Lazarian wrote:(Image)While the Holy Helreskaffen Church has authority and is the most common religion in Garmiccia as well, it's been steeped in the Northern Garmiccian pagan traditions heavily. It is considered a bad omen in Garmiccia to refer to the gods by their direct names. While it does not necessarily land in the realm of being directly heretical, it is generally avoided. Additionally, the gods are not seen as all good - the canonical faith defines certain gods as evil, and they receive much less worship than others. (They generally do receive offerings out of fear when things are going particularly bad.)
GOOD GODS:
Pryastar, God of Fire, is referred to as "The Great Fire", and is also seen as the god of life, and is probably the most commonly worshiped god.
Aewiallia, Goddess of Wind, "Goddess of the Tides" is the patron goddess of fishermen, a common Garmiccian occupation.
Terestark, God of Earth, is known as "The Groundmaker", and is purported to have created the continents and the land. He is the patron god of architects, stonemasons, and miners.
Hydrata, Goddess of Water, is known as "The Lifebringer", and is the god of healers, doctors, and merchants.
NEUTRAL GODS:
Ferruoston, God of Metal, is known as "The Blacksmith". He is generally considered the god of war and blacksmiths, so opinions are divided dramatically on his position in the gods. Soldiers typically see Ferruoston as a patron deity, and he is well loved on the border and towards the furthest north.
EVIL GODS:
Froenstia, Goddess of Ice, (The Cold One) is seen as an evil deity, as ice and snow make parts of Garmiccia nearly uninhabitable for good portions of the year.
Veridaelia, Goddess of Nature (The Huntress) is seen as generally malicious as well, packs of wolves and roaming bears are significant threats to daily life.
Boaltist, God of Lightning (Heaven's Wrath) is a minor god, responsible for wiping out heretics. It is typically believed that those struck by lightning have offended the gods in one manner or another.
Additionally, the Valkerigan are believed to be angels which escort of the souls of those who die in battle to their next reincarnation, which is considered a heretical belief in most other nations.Common Garmiccian is a disgusting bastardization of Gallian and the various tribal languages of the North. It's a mess. Northern Garmiccian has a second set of characters (it's Cyrillic script) and is more commonly spoken by peasants, commoners, and Northerners. Common Garmiccian is prominent in the Capital and the larger cities in the South. This is commonly spoken by soldiers, merchants, and the nobility. Most Garmiccians can understand a smattering of both languages, although if you grabbed a fisherman from the north and a merchant from the south, they'd have quite some difficulties communicating.The Garmiccian social strata is generally pretty static - if you're born to a fisherman, well, you'll be a fisherman. If you're born to a blacksmith, you'll be a blacksmith, if you're born to a priest, you'll be a priest. HOWEVER, there is one major exception - if one signs up to join the military and serves well and rises up the ranks, it's easy to change your class. Any peasant, if brave enough or strong enough, could become a noble. "Might makes right." is an oft said phrase. Garmiccian soldiers are known for fighting like dogs down to the last man, due to commonly spread religious beliefs about reincarnation, along with the potential to rise up in status.
The new Emperor, Emperor Jeremiahde has been working hard to standardize the military and update it for a modern era with rifles and cannons. As such, the Garamiccian Imperial Army is extremely formidable, but their navy is sorely lacking. Each Baron/Duke has their own regional army which can be levied, and tours of duty to protect the border are extremely common. Additionally, Garmiccian privateers and bandits are extremely prevalent on the Yelhennei border - while this is officially denounced by the Emperor, it's no secret that this is condoned and maybe even encouraged.The Garmiccian government is a single Emperor presiding over a stratocratic council of generals, barons, nobles and dukes. There is no real differentiating factors between these, asides from their rule over a parcel of Garmiccian land. The Emperor is free to issue edicts and laws, which must be obeyed by all members of the council, but asides from that, as long as the council members pay their taxes and abide by the edicts, there is not strict government control.
That's a nifty religious variation. Although the Helreskaffen Church itself wouldn't change its official canon regarding the nature of the gods. All of them aside from Tenaembra are regarded as good. But I can see those weird views working as the widespread local view in defiance of official doctrine. Also muskets are still the most advanced firearms have gotten so far. Otherwise I like it all.
Everyone seems to hate her this time around.
I like where this is going.
