Gods and Religions
From the Primal Void Atsuki arose and created the world of Forcelia. By the force of creation, Atsuki was annihilated and from his death arose a pantheon of mighty gods and goddesses. Chief among these was Falis, Supreme God of Light, and Falaris, Supreme God of Darkness.
The Light and the Dark were equal. To all things there was an opposite. Light and Dark. Creation and Destruction. Life and Death. Order and Chaos.
As the ages passed, the gods took to warring amongst themselves—great and terrible wars which spanned a thousand years and shook all of Forcelia to its core. Countless deities were utterly destroyed, lost forever to oblivion. Many others were shattered and broken, left to die on the charred and ruinous battlefields of Lodoss and Alecrast.
The Age of Gods was over, and Eternity had come to an end. After the last of the mighty gods perished, the world began anew. Life returned to Forcelia under the watchful guidance of the restful spirits of the fallen gods.
Indeed, the gods no longer live as great and mighty beings of cosmic forces. No longer do they walk upon the earth, command the legions and armies, and rule the world from great palace-temples. But their essence and spirits remain. Though broken and diminished, the power and the words of gods lives on. Their will is strong, their love and fury still burn within the earth, and their might and magic can be felt across the lands of Lodoss and beyond.
Main Lodoss Gods
Atsuki
"In the beginning the Giant Atsuki came. For Atsuki, the Giant of Forcelia, life came to an end. But from him all life began. His body formed the land and his blood became the seas. His angry wail became the winds and storm. From his final breath came flame that brought the fires of life.
"When the world had thus formed, the gods were born from the remains of Atsuki's body. From his right foot came Myrii, the God of War. From his left foot came Cha Za, the God of Trade. From his head came Rada, God of Wisdom. From his body came Marfa, Mother-Goddess of Creation. The wicked god of Darkness, Falaris came from his right hand, and from his left came Falis, the Supreme God of Light." - Lady of Pharis, Lodoss War Manga
Falis (Pharis), The Supreme God of Light.
Falis was once chief among the Gods of Light. He led his pantheon in the war against the pantheon of darkness. Falis was known for his goodness, righteousness, and virtue. He was one of the most ancient of the gods, formed from the Chaos Sea of Atsuki. In the War of the Gods, Falis and Falaris destroyed one another in mutual annihilation. In the wake of his destruction, Falis' spirit was scattered across Lodoss like ash. Falis' spirit still enchants the land, and his will can be felt, still pitted in the constant struggle against the will of Falaris. Priests of Falis enjoy a popular reputation for being the most noble and honorable priests of any religion in Lodoss.
Marfa, Mother-Goddess of Creation
Marfa, Goddess of Creation. Marfa was the last of the Gods of Light, and in the final battle fought against Kardis, the last of the Pantheon of Darkness. Marfa was responsible for the actual creation of Lodoss itself. To protect the continent of Alecrast, she separated a large island from the mainland, and there the two goddesses pitted themselves in relentless combat. Just as in all battles before, both combatants destroyed one another. Marfa perished on Lodoss, and with her last breath, created a great enchantment to protect it from the curse of Kardis. Her spirit is still quite strong on Lodoss, and her priests are among the most powerful and well respected.
Myrii (Mylee), God of War and Virtue
Powerful Myrii is the God of War and Virtue. He is the patron god of all soldiers and warriors, thought he only protects those of true virtue and honor (and perhaps this is why heroes are so "lucky"). Myrii was the general and commander of the armies of the Forces of Light in the War of the Gods. He was one of the last gods to fall, killed by Kardis as the last of his soldiers fell. Myrii's spirit is still strong, though priests of Myrii are very few in number. The Temple of Myrii is in Roid, and there are shrines to Myrii in Alan, Blade, and Dragon Breath.
Rada, God of Wisdom
Rada is the God of Wisdom and Knowledge. He was the strongest advocated against the War of the Gods, proclaiming that the War would tear the heavens and the earth apart. Rada attempted to mediate a peace settlement with the Gods of Darkness, but was soon slain in battle by a Baylos, the God of Fire. Baylos had once been a God of Light and a good friend of Rada, but had been turned to Darkness. Baylos killed Rada when he tried to convince his old friend to return to the Light and help him end the war before all was lost. When Rada died, all hope of ending the Wars end died with him.
Rada is considered the patron god of the arts and sciences. He presides over inventions and truth, and teaches people to live more rationally. His priests are well-learned men, and respected for their keen intellects. Rada's priests and followers are even more pacifistic than those of Falis. Where Priest of Falis believe it is acceptable to attack and destroy evildoers, followers of Rada believe only in total non-violence. Priests of Rada do know defensive spells, but only those spells that incapacitate or otherwise dissuade attackers (Sleep, Daze, and other such spell are quite common).
Cha Za, God of Good Fortune and Trade
Cha Za is the God of Trade and Commerce. He is a God of Light, and is the patron god of merchants, craftsmen, and travelers. Like the other gods, Cha Za fell during the course of the great War of the Gods. Cha Za believed that peace could only be made through cultural interaction, facilitated by fair and prosperous trade between the countries of Lodoss. The priests of Cha Za teach others the virtues of Honesty, Charity, and Prudence.
Falaris, The Supreme God of Darkness
Opposing Falis was Falaris, the God of Darkness. Falaris was created from chaos as both Falis' brother and his diametric opposite. Where Falis was the ultimate purity and good, Falaris was the pinnacle of corruption and evil. Falaris was the head of the Pantheon of Darkness, and lead the forces of Darkness against the Forces of Light. During the most destructive of the great battles, Falaris and Falis clashed against one another. As they each unleashed the full force of their power, both great gods were annihilated in mutual destruction. Falaris' spirit was mortally wounded, and perished in the boiling sea. He suffers in eternal death, though his will is still strong through Lodoss. His will is in constant conflict with that of Falis, and these two gods still greatly effect the movements of history. His priests reside primarily in the Temple of Falaris on Marmo, but there are many dark cults dedicated to Falaris scattered throughout Lodoss. These cults are some of the bloodiest and abominable, second only to the cults of Kardis.
Kardis (Cardice), The Goddess of Destruction
Kardis, Goddess of Destruction and Madness. Kardis was the last God of Darkness, and fought Marfa on the island of Lodoss in the final battle of the gods. There, both goddesses destroyed one another, bringing a final end to the War of the Gods. Kardis' burning body crashed on the island of Marmo, just to the south of Lodoss, and there she died, screaming great and terrible curses upon the land. Only Marfa's blessing was able to protect Lodoss from her curse (though Lodoss is still called the Accursed Island). The Ancient Dragon Narse, who fought at Kardis' side, made his home in the caves near where she perished. Two temples where built on her resting place. First, the Temple of Falaris was built by the priests of Falaris many hundred years ago. The actual Temple of Kardis is beneath the Temple of Falaris, and acts as a sarcophagus to the goddess who lies between death and sleep. Kardis was nearly resurrected by Wagnard, but the resurrection ceremony was not completed, and she still resides in her eternal slumber. The priests of Kardis are the most abhorrent of all the priest of Darkness.
Baylos, God of Fire and Fury
Baylos is the God of Fire and Fury. He is a God of Darkness who died fighting Myrii, the God of War. Originally, Baylos was a God of Light (as God of Fire and Justice), and was a good friend of Rada (God of Wisdom and Knowledge), but in the course of the War of the Gods, he was corrupted into Darkness, and became a terrible and furious god, insane with his own twisted ideas of justice. Baylos killed Rada when the God of Wisdom tried to convince him of the error of his ways, and Myrii, God of War, had no choice but to slay Baylos. When Baylos died, Justice died with him, and in the fury of his death crime and disorder were forever cursed upon the world. There are cults dedicated to Baylos, though his worship is outlawed on Lodoss. Followers of Baylos share his twisted sense of justice. They hunt down and destroy those they believe are guilty, and sacrifice them to Baylos as an offering for power. Such human sacrifices are terribly bloody.
Barbas, God of Death
Barbas was an evil and sadistic god, Lord of the Underworld and general of the Armies of the Undead. He was defeated in the War of the Gods, but not destroyed. Barbas was among the gods who fled to Crystania and discarded their physical forms, taking refuge in the form of animals. Barbas took the form of a great tiger, but later captured and possessed the body of Ashram, whereby he became the most powerful god in Crystania.
Barbas is still worshiped by dark death-cults in Lodoss and Marmo, though these cults are very few in number and work in dire secrecy. The worship of Barbas (called Barbarism?) is illegal in most parts of Lodoss. The spirit of Barbas rewards those who worship him with great powers of necromancy and black magic.
Other Gods
Ganeed, God of Thieves
Ganeed is a minor god that thieves often pray to for luck.
Ropaja, Goddess of Love
A minor goddess that lovers often pray to. (Made up in game.)
Crystania Gods
During the War of Gods, many minor deities wanted no place in the battle. So they escaped to the land to south, Crystania. They were hunted by the Dragon King of Death, so they abandoned their godly bodies and took animal bodies in order to fool the dragon.
Some of these gods may or may not be familiar in Lodoss, and if they are recognized, they will not be recognized by their beastform.
Divine Beast Rumiss
Especially strong gods of Crystania are called "Divine Beast Kings" and are Royal Gods of the Five Pillars. Rumiss is one of them and appears as a giant rainbow hued snake. Rumiss is a guardian god. He made the 4 gates of "ice", "water", "wind", and "fire" and divided the world up into three parts, the "material", "fairy", and "spirit". He created the "Rampart of the Gods" to save Crystania from the War of the Gods and to cut it off from the rest of the world. The surface of the rampart resembles the scales of a snake. Rumiss also created the lizard men to defend Crystania from invasion. Rumiss will do anything to keep invaders out and will destroy those who try to find Crystania.
Divine Beast Fuji
Fuji is the goddess that administrates affection and sorrow to the dead and leads them to the spirit world. When King Dragon was sent to find the neutral gods, Fuji abandoned her divine body and took that of a pure white swan.
700 years ago it was decided in the cycles that her tribe would suffer from some great disaster. She wasn't able to bear the decision and became the first god to object to the cycles. She created the peninsula of Djana En as a heaven away from the cycles and led her tribe there where they would be safe. When the Swan Tribe lost the cycle's protection, they were influenced by the power of chaos and viciousness and were annihilated by plague. She was powerless to stop their destruction in this way and wept for their loss.
500 years ago another people found Djana En. Fuji guided them and showed them compassion. They selected the pattern of a large swan as their royal crest. She has become their protector since the passing of her own people.
Divine Beast Resfen, God of Chaos and Dreams
During the War of the Gods, Resfen was one of the neutral gods who decided to flee the war and create a new land to rule over. They created the land of Crystania using the material chaos. When the King Dragon was dispatched to punish the neutral gods, Resfen left his divine body and took that of a butterfly. He appears as a giant, multi-colored butterfly whenever appearing on the material plane. The followers of Resfen believe that happiness can be achieved through dreams since in dreams you can have anything. They will madly pursue dreams and fantasy in order to achieve this happiness. There numbers are few due to their convictions and followers of the other gods scorn and distrust them.
Divine Beast Feness, Protector of Months
Time in Crystania goes in cycles and Feness is the god that administers the cycles. He is one of the most powerful gods of Crystania and is one of the Royal Gods of the Five Pillars. His brother is Falis. He took the form of a giniro wolf, an intelligent beast which the sighting of which is considered good luck. His followers are of the Silver Wolf Tribe.
Divine Beast Urus
Urus is one of the Royal Gods of the Five Pillars. He took the form of a giant gray bear in order to escape from the King Dragon. Urus is also know as the Foundation King and is the god that guards the cave where evil is sealed away. He is also responsible for sealing away the King Dragon.
Divine Beast Barbas, God of Death
Barbas is considered the King of the Beasts and appears as a fierce tiger. He is one of the strongest gods of Crystania and is one of the Royal Gods of the Five Pillars. He harbors a strong hatred for the King Dragon who forced him to abandon his divine body and wishes to exact revenge on him. When Ashram came to Crystania, Barbas saw an opportunity to get a body and asked Ashram for his in exchange for entrance into Crystania. Barbas has plans to revive his divine power and take a more aggressive role in Forcelia.
Direon, God of Law
Direon is the Judge of the Gods and is the God of Law. Anything done without his consent has no authority. Direon took the form of a golden lion. The people of the Direon's tribe are greatly respected for their opinions and their approval is greatly sought after.
Fortino, The Watchman
Fortino looks like an old man with gray hair and is nicknamed the "Watchman". He is said to have a giant magical eye that he uses to watch over all of Crystania. He lives on top of Saint Mountain and can watch all of the neutral gods and Crystania from there. He keeps a look-out for evil invaders and monitors the activity of the other divine beasts. He prefers solitude and whenever he does make an appearance in front of the tribe for a special reason it is kept secret.
