Religion 

In the world of Aetheria, religion all comes from one singular story, and through that story is where it varies depending on region and people.  

Before any creature walked the land of Aetheria, nothing but Darkness and evil ravaged the land. Suddenly, a light, a single glow, roamed the land almost out of nothing. This single Light scared the Darkness; it became a ray of hope. This Light then multiplied and grew. This Light Grew into a powerful source; its rays freed Aetheria of its Darkness; it was endless Light. The Darkness, now weak and forced to hide in the shadows, grew angry. Furious that it was cast away. The Darkness gathered all its power and launched itself into the sky; it covered the Light and blocked its rays on the land. The Light's power burned the Darkness, but it refused to move. The Light pleaded to the Darkness that it never meant to destroy Darkness; it simply wished to bring Life to the land. The Darkness, still furious, refused to move, and it paid the ultimate price: it was burned and, as a result, exploded into many small pieces scattered across the land, and all that was left was an empty husk that came crashing down. The Light who was caring lifted what was left of Darkness and gave it a new purpose. The Light gave a small amount of its rays to this husk, which glowed, slowly rising into the sky.

Along with all its fragments, they rose into the dark sky, glowing with new purpose. Darkness was reborn. Darkness was confused and asked why the Light saved it. The Light made a deal with the Darkness. Light said, "Life can not live in endless Light nor live in endless night. Only together may this world thrive" The Darkness understood the Light but pleaded that night creatures cannot survive without it; they needed the Darkness. The Light struck a deal. "You may cast your shadows upon this land but only once every rotation, and once the rotation is over, I shall rise again, a repeating cycle for you children and mine" Darkness agreed to these terms, and on this day, The sun and the Moon were born forever to share the sky.

Through this story whether it be true or not it is the base for all religions across Aetheria. Many believe the sun and the moon then went on to create the other powerful gods and deities that fuel the people's beliefs and religions. 

The 18 Main Gods in Aetheria Lore and History

 -  The Sun, the creator of light bring life to the world and ending the centuries of darkness

-  The Moon, the guardian of the night and the rebirth of Darkness itself 

The Sun and the Moon now in a cosmic balance created the Known Gods with their help they brought a new era to the land. An Era of Gods and Men! 

At the end of the Era of Gods and Men the Gods feared a new rising power and tried everything they could to keep the power in their favor. The more they fought the more destruction they caused and these events angered the Sun and Moon. The two gathered their power and Banished the Gods from the mortal realm.  Even now the Gods presence is far from what it was, they still sneak through the cracks to the mortal realm...

One God stands along a creation from a event that is unknown, born from light and dark.

• • Asuna The huntress, Goddess of the hunt and Nature
  • Hemlan The Scholar, God of Knowledge and Creation 
  • Ogen The Strong, God of stone, and Mountain
  • Nala The Mother, Goddess of Love and Fertility
  • Votarr The Broken, God of the Underworld and dreams 
  • Nataru The swift, god of Wind and Storm
  • Sylis The Grim, God of sickness and disease 
  • Conn The Greedy, God of Wealth and greed
  • Faye The Bright, Goddess of Fire, and Re-Birth
  • Emelyn The Honorable, Goddess of Honor and Truth
  • Yvon The Kunning, God of Clarity and Strategy 
  • Brom The Brave, God of bravery and sacrifice 
  • Ida The Healer, Goddess of Medicine and Longevity 
  • Mazu The Tide Caller, Goddess of the Sea and Rivers
  • Jigan The Trickster, God of Tricks and Schemes
  • Lawdan The Judge, Goddess of Law an Order
  • Titanus The Warmonger, God of War an Persistence 
  • Zi'aunna The Actress, Goddess of Song and Arts
•  
  • The Sentry, The God that looms in-between the Realms of light and Dark...

The Eclipse

In the realm of night and day,
A celestial dance they display.
Two luminaries, ancient and grand,
By divine design, hand in hand.

Born of creation's primal breath.

Where light and darkness meet, unbound,

When shadow kisses the sun's bright face,
And the moon takes its rightful place,
A moment rare, a sight to see,
A wish is granted, fulfilling a prophecy.
A cosmic chance, Embrace the power of the Eclipse' Dance

Aetheria and the plane's of existence

This chart is a simple way to divide and understand all the plans' that all creatures in Aetheria have or currently exist in.

Demi Gods & Immortals

Over the many Century's in Aetheria lifetime, many have gained, devoted, earned, and even been born with the gift of the gods. Demigods and Immortals are the bridge between gods and man.

Demi God of illusions

Mystic is a Curious Creature, being the demi God of illusions she often travels around the land hoping to play her "Games" with unsuspecting Travelers.  Mystic is the Daughter of the God Jigan The Trickster, God of Tricks and Schemes. 

Mystic has never been known to be dangerous, but her games now that is a different story...

Cults and Religious groups

With so many Gods and Powerful deities that have or still roam the land, it's almost guaranteed that followers will mass in groups or cults. Now many people worship the gods, but simply worship isn't enough. These individuals have given their lives to the gods. Across Aetheria, hundreds of groups have devoted and sacrificed their lives to these powerful beings. Some groups are small and are just simple preachers, while others have been around and amassed thousands of followers. What ever the case, these individuals, if true to their god, have far more power than others are willing to admit. Being a follower of one of these gods has its perks but keep in mind that to shame your god is a horrible act that can sever your connection and, in turn, lose their divined power, now a simple follower of the gods could never reach the strength of say an immortal or demi-god but many immortals were simple preachers or followers and through whatever happened may it be an accident or a planned event they became stronger. With so many different gods, there are many different groups, some of which can range from protectors or healers to murderers and power seekers.

Dark Scale Brotherhood

The Dark Scale Brotherhood is an ancient cult, Created as far back as the Second age they were what was left of the Dragon Army following the First age war, Non Dragons who believed in the Dragon cause and that they should control and rule. Many in the cult believe the dragons to be Dependents of the Gods and as such should be treated as one.  

The Dark Scale Brotherhood is old yes but popular no, their numbers are few. Its hard to collect to a cause that is long lost history.

The Dark Scale Brother hood has never been radical until resent years, even more odd more an more seem to appear...

Pacts and Incantations

In the World of Aetheria it is not odd to come across those who have pacts with other worldly creatures. With so many realms many have or want things they cant get from their plane of existence. Some have small pacts and in return get small favors while others have far more controlling pacts and their very lives depend on if they can uphold the agreement it all depends on what they want and what their pact entails.

Now to create a pact one must find an incantation, with the incantation is allows for the otherworldly creature to travel realms and once the pact is made they return to there home plane. be Mindful that a pact is a magical agreement and to sever or break one can have dire consciences even if the pact is small. a Pact must have something to hold on too whether that be a written agreement or an Object with a pact symbol or even a tattoo on ones body, the possibility's are endless.

Pacts can be described as level 1 and level 2 rated pacts. A level 1 pact is small and often the creature is a low power Demon, Angel or Entity and only want small things in return. As example if you made a level one pact with a demon from The Nine Hells the demon may ask that it keeps 3 years of your life and in turn you are given small demonic power. While a level 2 pact can have far more promise it will also have a larger draw back.

As example if one was to make a level 2 pact with a Powerful Entity, they can ask for a powerful weapon but if the weapon is used in a way the entity dislikes the pact could be severed and you would not only loose the weapon but your life and forced to live a enteral torment...

Level 2 pacts are not very common but many find use in level 1 pacts as they are far more flexible.

There are even talks of level 3 pacts but those are often just stories...