Asavean gods - Revision history

Twiggy at 22:22, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T22:22:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:22, 15 July 2025
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	One of the most powerful forms of prayer is when a group of people pray together. A group of people all praying with a priest is very pleasing to the Gods, and often leads to increased prosperity and success for everyone, especially if they come together lots of time. This is why our temples are places of prayer, where the priests help people to honour the gods.		One of the most powerful forms of prayer is when a group of people pray together. A group of people all praying with a priest is very pleasing to the Gods, and often leads to increased prosperity and success for everyone, especially if they come together lots of time. This is why our temples are places of prayer, where the priests help people to honour the gods.
	<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">The influence of the Asavean priesthood should not be underestimated. Priests of one god or another are active in every facet of Asavean life. They function as the Asavean civil service, but it goes beyond that. Temples are centres of social life for many Asaveans, as well as places of business. ~~Patronizing~~ a temple is effectively mandatory for anyone who wants to be successful in their professional life and being cast out can be both socially and economically ruinous.</quote>		<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">The influence of the Asavean priesthood should not be underestimated. Priests of one god or another are active in every facet of Asavean life. They function as the Asavean civil service, but it goes beyond that. Temples are centres of social life for many Asaveans, as well as places of business. Patronising a temple is effectively mandatory for anyone who wants to be successful in their professional life and being cast out can be both socially and economically ruinous.</quote>

	==Wicked Spirits==		==Wicked Spirits==

Dre at 17:31, 29 June 2025

2025-06-29T17:31:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:31, 29 June 2025
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	<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Balo of the Foam.jpg \|caption=The Asaveans worship a complex pantheon of deities. Balo of the Foam is the Asavean god who "protects" sailors, and any who travel over water.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Balo of the Foam.jpg \|caption=The Asaveans worship a complex pantheon of deities. Balo of the Foam is the Asavean god who "protects" sailors, and any who travel over water.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Since the Spring Equinox 382YE, a popular pamphlet claiming to explain the [[Asavean Archipelago\|Asavean]] religion has been circulating the southern cities of the Empire. While it is not clear where the original document came from, the cheaply printed pamphlet "''A Primer on the Asavean Gods''" has been traced to a printing house in [[Tassato#Tassato Regario\|Tassato Regario]], the ''Honourable Press''. The pamphlet is of dubious provenance, but has quickly spread to whatever parts of the Empire the [[Lorenzo%27s_Legacy#Blood_Red_Roads\|Blood Red Roads]] reach. The ''Honourable Press'' have defended their production of the pamphlet by arguing that it does not attempt to claim the Asavean gods are real, but merely seeks to arm the faithful with knowledge so that they may better recognise and resist the wiles of their priests. The phrasing of much of the text suggests that it may originally have been taken from a document intended for children, but the printers refuse point blank to reveal who paid them to produce the pamphlet. They claim that to do so would ruin their professional reputation and thus be a crime against both [[Prosperity]] and [[Pride]].		Since the Spring Equinox 382YE, a popular pamphlet claiming to explain the [[Asavean Archipelago\|Asavean]] religion has been circulating the southern cities of the Empire. While it is not clear where the original document came from, the cheaply printed pamphlet "''A Primer on the Asavean Gods''" has been traced to a printing house in [[Tassato#Tassato Regario\|Tassato Regario]], the ''Honourable Press''. The pamphlet is of dubious provenance, but has quickly spread to whatever parts of the Empire the [[Lorenzo%27s_Legacy#Blood_Red_Roads\|Blood Red Roads]] reach. The ''Honourable Press'' have defended their production of the pamphlet by arguing that it does not attempt to claim the Asavean gods are real, but merely seeks to arm the faithful with knowledge so that they may better recognise and resist the wiles of their priests. The phrasing of much of the text suggests that it may originally have been taken from a document intended for children, but the printers refuse point blank to reveal who paid them to produce the pamphlet. They claim that to do so would ruin their professional reputation and thus be a crime against both [[Prosperity]] and [[Pride]].

	Imperial citizens are, however, urged to take this entire document with a healthy pinch of salt. It is clearly intended as a propaganda tool, and the [[Historical research#Department of Historical Research\|Department of Historical Research]] in particular is at pains to point out that everything here is the opinion of the Asaveans, carefully packaged to make it easy to understand and to support the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism syncretic] agenda of the Republic. One of the first things diplomats from the Asavean Archipelago do when they seek to influence a nation is find ways to equate the local religion with their own gods. This was evident with the ''Lords of the Seven Virtues'' fiasco in Nemoria, and the recent attempts to equate the Five Flames of [[Faraden]] with Asavean deities.		Imperial citizens are, however, urged to take this entire document with a healthy pinch of salt. It is clearly intended as a propaganda tool, and the [[Historical research#Department of Historical Research\|Department of Historical Research]] in particular is at pains to point out that everything here is the opinion of the Asaveans, carefully packaged to make it easy to understand and to support the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism syncretic] agenda of the Republic. One of the first things diplomats from the Asavean Archipelago do when they seek to influence a nation is find ways to equate the local religion with their own gods. This was evident with the ''Lords of the Seven Virtues'' fiasco in Nemoria, and the recent attempts to equate the Five Flames of [[Faraden]] with Asavean deities.
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	==Sacrifice and Prayer==		==Sacrifice and Prayer==
	The best way to honour a God is with a sacrifice. Different gods like different sacrifices. There are two types of offerings: things and prayers.Things are objects in the world that are valuable. There are three common ways to sacrifice things. You can lay something before an altar, you can burn it, or you can cast it into the sea. Offerings are like mortals they are of the world and you can touch them. Often the god shares their offerings with the priests who serve them. A priest can teach someone the best way to make an offering, and the best offering to give.		The best way to honour a God is with a sacrifice. Different gods like different sacrifices. There are two types of offerings: things and prayers. Things are objects in the world that are valuable. There are three common ways to sacrifice things. You can lay something before an altar, you can burn it, or you can cast it into the sea. Offerings are like mortals they are of the world and you can touch them. Often the god shares their offerings with the priests who serve them. A priest can teach someone the best way to make an offering, and the best offering to give.

	Prayers are different. Prayers are offerings to the God that come from pure spirit. Sometimes they are words. They can also be actions. If you treat someone who is sick you are offering a prayer to Thessed of the Cup. If you defend someone from a wild beast you are offering a prayer to The Black Bull. Prayers are always for the God. A priest can teach someone the best way to pray.		Prayers are different. Prayers are offerings to the God that come from pure spirit. Sometimes they are words. They can also be actions. If you treat someone who is sick you are offering a prayer to Thessed of the Cup. If you defend someone from a wild beast you are offering a prayer to The Black Bull. Prayers are always for the God. A priest can teach someone the best way to pray.
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	==Wicked Spirits==		==Wicked Spirits==
	There are some creatures who are mistaken for gods but they are not gods. Sometimes a dead spirit does not pass into the afterlife and is mistaken for a god. Sometimes a powerful creature from the magical realms pretends to be a god. The priests of Asavea know how to deal with these spirits and creatures. Sometimes the spirit is actually serving a god, and their ways are good. Sometimes they are trying to steal power from a god and lead people into bad ways. These spirits must be dealt with by the priests before the god becomes angry, either by leading them back to good ways or by punishing them. It is the same with creatures of the magical realms sometimes they serve a god even though they don't realise it. Sometimes they are enemies who ~~musts~~ be punished.		There are some creatures who are mistaken for gods but they are not gods. Sometimes a dead spirit does not pass into the afterlife and is mistaken for a god. Sometimes a powerful creature from the magical realms pretends to be a god. The priests of Asavea know how to deal with these spirits and creatures. Sometimes the spirit is actually serving a god, and their ways are good. Sometimes they are trying to steal power from a god and lead people into bad ways. These spirits must be dealt with by the priests before the god becomes angry, either by leading them back to good ways or by punishing them. It is the same with creatures of the magical realms: sometimes they serve a god even though they don't realise it. Sometimes they are enemies who must be punished.
	<quote by="~~Leones~~ the Scribe">It's fascinating that this religion, based as it is around gods that the virtuous recognise as non-existent, takes account of the threat of eternals masquerading as their patron. The role of the priests as go-betweens efficiently insulates the religion from being taken over by a "wicked spirit" - and if I were cynical I would say it provides an easy explanation for why the gods might sometimes be inconsistent. If it doesn't make sense, it was the work of a wicked spirit.</quote>		<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">It's fascinating that this religion, based as it is around gods that the virtuous recognise as non-existent, takes account of the threat of eternals masquerading as their patron. The role of the priests as go-betweens efficiently insulates the religion from being taken over by a "wicked spirit" - and if I were cynical I would say it provides an easy explanation for why the gods might sometimes be inconsistent. If it doesn't make sense, it was the work of a wicked spirit.</quote>

	==Death and the Afterlife==		==Death and the Afterlife==
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	There are lots and lots of gods. Here are some of them.		There are lots and lots of gods. Here are some of them.
	===Balo of the Foam===		===Balo of the Foam===
	Balo is a female god. She is the god of the foam, and of the shore where the water touches the land. She keeps sailors safe		Balo is a female god. She is the god of the foam, and of the shore where the water touches the land. She keeps sailors safe from the many dangers of long sea voyages. She sends good winds, and protects sailors from storms and other dangers that come from the jealous gods of the deep ocean.
	from the many dangers of long sea voyages. She sends good winds, and protects sailors from storms and other dangers that come from the jealous gods of the deep ocean.

	Many songs, poems, and dances are performed in her honour. She likes sacrifices thrown into the waves by the edge of the sea, especially at the start of a voyage. Sometimes she returns these gifts to people by having them wash up on the shore – but it is terrible misfortune to steal these offerings if they are still in the sea.		Many songs, poems, and dances are performed in her honour. She likes sacrifices thrown into the waves by the edge of the sea, especially at the start of a voyage. Sometimes she returns these gifts to people by having them wash up on the shore – but it is terrible misfortune to steal these offerings if they are still in the sea.

GuiltyConscience: /* Sacrifice and Prayer */

2025-06-28T11:08:20Z

Sacrifice and Prayer

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:08, 28 June 2025
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	One of the most powerful forms of prayer is when a group of people pray together. A group of people all praying with a priest is very pleasing to the Gods, and often leads to increased prosperity and success for everyone, especially if they come together lots of time. This is why our temples are places of prayer, where the priests help people to honour the gods.		One of the most powerful forms of prayer is when a group of people pray together. A group of people all praying with a priest is very pleasing to the Gods, and often leads to increased prosperity and success for everyone, especially if they come together lots of time. This is why our temples are places of prayer, where the priests help people to honour the gods.
	<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">The influence of the Asavean priesthood should not be underestimated. Priests of one ~~good~~ or another are active in every facet of Asavean life. They function as the Asavean civil service, but it goes beyond that. Temples are centres of social life for many Asaveans, as well as places of business. Patronizing a temple is effectively mandatory for anyone who wants to be successful in their professional life and being cast out can be both socially and economically ruinous.</quote>		<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">The influence of the Asavean priesthood should not be underestimated. Priests of one god or another are active in every facet of Asavean life. They function as the Asavean civil service, but it goes beyond that. Temples are centres of social life for many Asaveans, as well as places of business. Patronizing a temple is effectively mandatory for anyone who wants to be successful in their professional life and being cast out can be both socially and economically ruinous.</quote>

	==Wicked Spirits==		==Wicked Spirits==

GuiltyConscience: /* The Gods */

2025-06-28T11:07:48Z

The Gods

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:07, 28 June 2025
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	Often the priests of Asavea discover that a god who is being worshipped by foreign people is actually one of the gods they already know by another name. This is one reason that many of the most powerful gods have different names and different faces because the Gods appear to different people – in different ways. This shows that the Gods understand that mortal people can be very different and see things in different ways, but that ultimately all people know and respect the spiritual powers of the world.		Often the priests of Asavea discover that a god who is being worshipped by foreign people is actually one of the gods they already know by another name. This is one reason that many of the most powerful gods have different names and different faces because the Gods appear to different people – in different ways. This shows that the Gods understand that mortal people can be very different and see things in different ways, but that ultimately all people know and respect the spiritual powers of the world.
	<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">Make no mistake, the Asavean gods play a key role in Plenum efforts to spread their influence. Diplomatic and well-spoken priests often serve as diplomats. They don't initially attempt to proselytise, but rather treat service to the god as entirely normal. They look for opportunities to draw parallels between the local religious practices and those of Asavea, creating an impression of common ground. Historically, several of the satrapies had their own faiths which were entirely subsumed into the Asavean pantheon. Contrary to what might be expected, the priesthood makes little effort to stamp out religious practices among those they absorb - they simply wait for the people to realise there is much more to gain from adopting Asavean religion ~~that~~ by remaining stubbornly committed to the increasingly isolated, fringe beliefs of their grandparents.</quote>		<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">Make no mistake, the Asavean gods play a key role in Plenum efforts to spread their influence. Diplomatic and well-spoken priests often serve as diplomats. They don't initially attempt to proselytise, but rather treat service to the god as entirely normal. They look for opportunities to draw parallels between the local religious practices and those of Asavea, creating an impression of common ground. Historically, several of the satrapies had their own faiths which were entirely subsumed into the Asavean pantheon. Contrary to what might be expected, the priesthood makes little effort to stamp out religious practices among those they absorb - they simply wait for the people to realise there is much more to gain from adopting Asavean religion than by remaining stubbornly committed to the increasingly isolated, fringe beliefs of their grandparents.</quote>

	==Sacrifice and Prayer==		==Sacrifice and Prayer==

Thespaceinvader: /* Sacrifice and Prayer */

2025-06-28T11:00:44Z

Sacrifice and Prayer

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:00, 28 June 2025
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	==Sacrifice and Prayer==		==Sacrifice and Prayer==
	The best way to honour a God is with a sacrifice. Different gods like different sacrifices. There are two types of offerings things and prayers.Things are objects in the world that are valuable. There are three common ways to sacrifice things. You can lay something before an altar, you can burn it, or you can cast it into the sea. Offerings are like mortals they are of the world and you can touch them. Often the god shares their offerings with the priests who serve them. A priest can teach someone the best way to make an offering, and the best offering to give.		The best way to honour a God is with a sacrifice. Different gods like different sacrifices. There are two types of offerings: things and prayers.Things are objects in the world that are valuable. There are three common ways to sacrifice things. You can lay something before an altar, you can burn it, or you can cast it into the sea. Offerings are like mortals they are of the world and you can touch them. Often the god shares their offerings with the priests who serve them. A priest can teach someone the best way to make an offering, and the best offering to give.

	Prayers are different. Prayers are offerings to the God that come from pure spirit. Sometimes they are words. They can also be actions. If you treat someone who is sick you are offering a prayer to Thessed of the Cup. If you defend someone from a wild beast you are offering a prayer to The Black Bull. Prayers are always for the God. A priest can teach someone the best way to pray.		Prayers are different. Prayers are offerings to the God that come from pure spirit. Sometimes they are words. They can also be actions. If you treat someone who is sick you are offering a prayer to Thessed of the Cup. If you defend someone from a wild beast you are offering a prayer to The Black Bull. Prayers are always for the God. A priest can teach someone the best way to pray.

Rafferty at 09:56, 28 June 2025

2025-06-28T09:56:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:56, 28 June 2025
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	Imperial citizens are, however, urged to take this entire document with a healthy pinch of salt. It is clearly intended as a propaganda tool, and the [[Historical research#Department of Historical Research\|Department of Historical Research]] in particular is at pains to point out that everything here is the opinion of the Asaveans, carefully packaged to make it easy to understand and to support the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism syncretic] agenda of the Republic. One of the first things diplomats from the Asavean Archipelago do when they seek to influence a nation is find ways to equate the local religion with their own gods. This was evident with the ''Lords of the Seven Virtues'' fiasco in Nemoria, and the recent attempts to equate the Five Flames of [[Faraden]] with Asavean deities.		Imperial citizens are, however, urged to take this entire document with a healthy pinch of salt. It is clearly intended as a propaganda tool, and the [[Historical research#Department of Historical Research\|Department of Historical Research]] in particular is at pains to point out that everything here is the opinion of the Asaveans, carefully packaged to make it easy to understand and to support the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism syncretic] agenda of the Republic. One of the first things diplomats from the Asavean Archipelago do when they seek to influence a nation is find ways to equate the local religion with their own gods. This was evident with the ''Lords of the Seven Virtues'' fiasco in Nemoria, and the recent attempts to equate the Five Flames of [[Faraden]] with Asavean deities.

			As well as the text of the pamphlet itself, there are a few notes added by the Imperial Archivist, Leontes the Scribe, who oversees the Department of Historical Research during a holiday in [[Tassato]] he did not enjoy.

	==The Gods==		==The Gods==

Rafferty at 09:52, 28 June 2025

2025-06-28T09:52:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:52, 28 June 2025
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			<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Balo of the Foam.jpg \|caption=The Asaveans worship a complex pantheon of deities. Balo of the Foam is the Asavean god who "protects" sailors, and any who travel over water.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Since the Spring Equinox 382YE, a popular pamphlet claiming to explain the [[Asavean Archipelago\|Asavean]] religion has been circulating the southern cities of the Empire. While it is not clear where the original document came from, the cheaply printed pamphlet "''A Primer on the Asavean Gods''" has been traced to a printing house in [[Tassato#Tassato Regario\|Tassato Regario]], the ''Honourable Press''. The pamphlet is of dubious provenance, but has quickly spread to whatever parts of the Empire the [[Lorenzo%27s_Legacy#Blood_Red_Roads\|Blood Red Roads]] reach. The ''Honourable Press'' have defended their production of the pamphlet by arguing that it does not attempt to claim the Asavean gods are real, but merely seeks to arm the faithful with knowledge so that they may better recognise and resist the wiles of their priests. The phrasing of much of the text suggests that it may originally have been taken from a document intended for children, but the printers refuse point blank to reveal who paid them to produce the pamphlet. They claim that to do so would ruin their professional reputation and thus be a crime against both [[Prosperity]] and [[Pride]].		Since the Spring Equinox 382YE, a popular pamphlet claiming to explain the [[Asavean Archipelago\|Asavean]] religion has been circulating the southern cities of the Empire. While it is not clear where the original document came from, the cheaply printed pamphlet "''A Primer on the Asavean Gods''" has been traced to a printing house in [[Tassato#Tassato Regario\|Tassato Regario]], the ''Honourable Press''. The pamphlet is of dubious provenance, but has quickly spread to whatever parts of the Empire the [[Lorenzo%27s_Legacy#Blood_Red_Roads\|Blood Red Roads]] reach. The ''Honourable Press'' have defended their production of the pamphlet by arguing that it does not attempt to claim the Asavean gods are real, but merely seeks to arm the faithful with knowledge so that they may better recognise and resist the wiles of their priests. The phrasing of much of the text suggests that it may originally have been taken from a document intended for children, but the printers refuse point blank to reveal who paid them to produce the pamphlet. They claim that to do so would ruin their professional reputation and thus be a crime against both [[Prosperity]] and [[Pride]].

Rafferty: /* The Gods */

2025-06-28T09:51:23Z

The Gods

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:51, 28 June 2025
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	This means that while all Asavean people know where there is a shrine of the God of the Dead, many do not know the name of the god or more than a few details about them. They do not need to know the God of the Dead every day, only when someone they care about dies or they must organise a funeral. The people of Asavea know there are many gods, and that they do not know all of them yet. They are always glad to learn of a new god, because unless they know of a god they cannot give offerings or honour that god and it may try to punish the people of Asavea as a result.		This means that while all Asavean people know where there is a shrine of the God of the Dead, many do not know the name of the god or more than a few details about them. They do not need to know the God of the Dead every day, only when someone they care about dies or they must organise a funeral. The people of Asavea know there are many gods, and that they do not know all of them yet. They are always glad to learn of a new god, because unless they know of a god they cannot give offerings or honour that god and it may try to punish the people of Asavea as a result.

	Often the priests of Asavea discover that a god who is being worshipped by foreign people is actually one of the ~~god sthey~~ already know by another name. This is one reason that many of the most powerful gods have different names and different faces because the Gods appear to different people – in different ways. This shows that the Gods understand that mortal people can be very different and see things in different ways, but that ultimately all people know and respect the spiritual powers of the world.		Often the priests of Asavea discover that a god who is being worshipped by foreign people is actually one of the gods they already know by another name. This is one reason that many of the most powerful gods have different names and different faces because the Gods appear to different people – in different ways. This shows that the Gods understand that mortal people can be very different and see things in different ways, but that ultimately all people know and respect the spiritual powers of the world.
			<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">Make no mistake, the Asavean gods play a key role in Plenum efforts to spread their influence. Diplomatic and well-spoken priests often serve as diplomats. They don't initially attempt to proselytise, but rather treat service to the god as entirely normal. They look for opportunities to draw parallels between the local religious practices and those of Asavea, creating an impression of common ground. Historically, several of the satrapies had their own faiths which were entirely subsumed into the Asavean pantheon. Contrary to what might be expected, the priesthood makes little effort to stamp out religious practices among those they absorb - they simply wait for the people to realise there is much more to gain from adopting Asavean religion that by remaining stubbornly committed to the increasingly isolated, fringe beliefs of their grandparents.</quote>

	==Sacrifice and Prayer==		==Sacrifice and Prayer==
	The best way to honour a God is with a sacrifice. Different gods like different sacrifices. There are two types of offerings things and prayers.Things are objects in the world that are valuable. There are three common ways to sacrifice things. You can lay something before an altar, you can burn it, or you can cast it into the sea. Offerings are like mortals they are of the world and you can touch them. Often the god shares their offerings with the priests who serve them. A priest can teach someone the best way to make an offering, and the best offering to give.		The best way to honour a God is with a sacrifice. Different gods like different sacrifices. There are two types of offerings things and prayers.Things are objects in the world that are valuable. There are three common ways to sacrifice things. You can lay something before an altar, you can burn it, or you can cast it into the sea. Offerings are like mortals they are of the world and you can touch them. Often the god shares their offerings with the priests who serve them. A priest can teach someone the best way to make an offering, and the best offering to give.

Rafferty: /* Some of the Gods */

2025-06-28T09:46:23Z

Some of the Gods

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:46, 28 June 2025
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	Priests and devotees of the Black Bull accompany merchants and diplomats who travel to foreign lands. The followers of the Black Bull strive to show their prowess and bravery, often engaging in daring acrobatic feats like leaping over a bull. The Black Bull likes sacrifices of blood of a ritually slaughtered animal poured over an altar or acolyte, with the meat from the carcass then being prepared as part of a feast for the devoted.		Priests and devotees of the Black Bull accompany merchants and diplomats who travel to foreign lands. The followers of the Black Bull strive to show their prowess and bravery, often engaging in daring acrobatic feats like leaping over a bull. The Black Bull likes sacrifices of blood of a ritually slaughtered animal poured over an altar or acolyte, with the meat from the carcass then being prepared as part of a feast for the devoted.
			<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">Balo and the Black Bull are the two gods honoured at the Asavean temple built in Oran. Balo is very popular with mariners of all kinds, and sacrifices of wine, ale, or beer are regularly made before an Asavean trading ship leaves port.</quote>
	===Baddu the Builder===		===Baddu the Builder===
	The Builder is both male and female. They are the patron of everyone who builds architects, builders, stonemasons, –		The Builder is both male and female. They are the patron of everyone who builds architects, builders, stonemasons, –
	carpenters. They invented the tools that people use to build houses, temples, castles and cities. They like sacrifices of		carpenters. They invented the tools that people use to build houses, temples, castles and cities. They like sacrifices of
	wealth, and every building has a handful of coins as part of the foundation. Their priests help people to build things, and their prayers contain all the numbers and shapes that are used to build.		wealth, and every building has a handful of coins as part of the foundation. Their priests help people to build things, and their prayers contain all the numbers and shapes that are used to build.
			<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">The controversial "Asavean Architect" Almodin Oktístis, active in the Empire in the early 380s, was an adherent of Baddu the Builder. All the buildings he oversaw incorporated images of the Asavean gods, and the Senate was forced to remodel all of them at some expense.</quote>
	===Thessed of the Cup===		===Thessed of the Cup===
	Thessed is always shown with his healing cup, which never empties. He is the god of compassion, and the patron of healers and physicks. His priests offer healing, comfort, and succour to poor as well as the rich. Thessed is gentle, and his priests refuse to bear arms, trusting the followers of The Black Bull to protect them from danger.		Thessed is always shown with his healing cup, which never empties. He is the god of compassion, and the patron of healers and physicks. His priests offer healing, comfort, and succour to poor as well as the rich. Thessed is gentle, and his priests refuse to bear arms, trusting the followers of The Black Bull to protect them from danger.

	===Lord Isso Mãos de Ouro===		===Lord Isso Mãos de Ouro===
	A male god. The Golden Handed God of merchants, traders, shopkeepers and anyone else who makes their living by exchanging things for payment. He is always shown with his hands slightly off balance because he understands that profit is the lifeblood of trade. His temples are built in or near market places, and the best merchants want to do business in the shadow of those temple. Everyone knows that the most prosperous merchants are those who do their trade inside the temple itself. Along with Baddu the Builder, he is a god of mathematics but his teachings are seen as much more practical than those of the builder god. -		A male god. The Golden Handed God of merchants, traders, shopkeepers and anyone else who makes their living by exchanging things for payment. He is always shown with his hands slightly off balance because he understands that profit is the lifeblood of trade. His temples are built in or near market places, and the best merchants want to do business in the shadow of those temple. Everyone knows that the most prosperous merchants are those who do their trade inside the temple itself. Along with Baddu the Builder, he is a god of mathematics but his teachings are seen as much more practical than those of the builder god. -

	===Aseus who Tamed the Wind===		===Aseus who Tamed the Wind===
	A female god. She knows all names, including the names of all the winds from the gentlest breeze to the devastating typhoon. She is the god of speech, and of those who make their living by speaking. She is the patron of diplomats, orators, and messengers. In the same way she commands the winds to offer comfort or destroy, so the orator can use their words to offer comfort or unleash a terrible war.		A female god. She knows all names, including the names of all the winds from the gentlest breeze to the devastating typhoon. She is the god of speech, and of those who make their living by speaking. She is the patron of diplomats, orators, and messengers. In the same way she commands the winds to offer comfort or destroy, so the orator can use their words to offer comfort or unleash a terrible war.

	===The Cowled God===		===The Cowled God===
	This god has no gender. It is the god of magic, mysteries, secrets, and magicians. Only the priests of the God of Magic know its name, and they keep it secret. It is shown as a hooded figure with many arms, each hand holding a symbol of magical power. The priests of the Cowled God work hard to help magicians to use their magical powers to help people, and make sure that they receive recognition and recompense for what they do. Seers, diviners, and spies also honour the Cowled God for it is the god of hidden knowledge, as well as the god of magical power.		This god has no gender. It is the god of magic, mysteries, secrets, and magicians. Only the priests of the God of Magic know its name, and they keep it secret. It is shown as a hooded figure with many arms, each hand holding a symbol of magical power. The priests of the Cowled God work hard to help magicians to use their magical powers to help people, and make sure that they receive recognition and recompense for what they do. Seers, diviners, and spies also honour the Cowled God for it is the god of hidden knowledge, as well as the god of magical power.
			<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">This figure is an enigma - intentionally so it seems. There was an effort in 386YE to have the Conclave declare ''enmity'' against the Cowled God, apparently as a peculiar experiment to see if they were secretly one of the eternals wearing a hood. The declaration was defeated but there is still suspicion in some quarters that despite Asavean efforts to the contrary this god might simply be a mask for Sadogua the so-called Brother of Wizards. Sadogua denies it, of course.</quote>
	===The Red God===		===The Red God===
	This god is female. The daughter (or perhaps wife) of the old god ''Zakalwe Dieu de la Guerre'', she watches over soldiers and generals alike. She has several names, but only those who pass tests set by her priests learn them. The more names you know the higher you stand in her regard. She is proud and terrible. She teaches discipline, and all the arts of warfare. Her priests and devotees keep Asavea safe, and maintain the good order of the Plenum.		This god is female. The daughter (or perhaps wife) of the old god ''Zakalwe Dieu de la Guerre'', she watches over soldiers and generals alike. She has several names, but only those who pass tests set by her priests learn them. The more names you know the higher you stand in her regard. She is proud and terrible. She teaches discipline, and all the arts of warfare. Her priests and devotees keep Asavea safe, and maintain the good order of the Plenum.

	A brave servant of the Red God can usually be identified by their tattoos. When they return from a campaign, soldiers seek the blessings of priests who mark their bodies with black and red tattoos. It is a terrible crime for anyone to get these tattoos who has not earned them.		A brave servant of the Red God can usually be identified by their tattoos. When they return from a campaign, soldiers seek the blessings of priests who mark their bodies with black and red tattoos. It is a terrible crime for anyone to get these tattoos who has not earned them.
			<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">During the short-lived civil war in Asavea, in which Imperial mercenaries fought both for and against the rebellious satrapies, a number of Imperial soldiers had close encounters with the followers of the Red God. The priests are often military officers, and effectively control the majority of the Asavean armies (albeit under the command of the Plenum). It's interesting to ponder what might happen if the priests of the Red God and the Plenum families fell out. A few Imperial mercenaries from this time have black-and-red tattoos received during the war.</quote>
	===Adevăr of the Flowers ===		===Adevăr of the Flowers ===
	This god is both male and female. They are the god of beauty, and the patron of those who pursue beautiful things. The priests of		This god is both male and female. They are the god of beauty, and the patron of those who pursue beautiful things. The priests of

Rafferty: /* Questions */

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Questions

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	==Questions==		==Questions==
	Everyone has questions. The world is strange and confusing. It is important that people who have questions talk to people		Everyone has questions. The world is strange and confusing. It is important that people who have questions talk to people who have answers. Anyone can come to a priest and ask to talk to them, and the priests will try to answer their questions. This is how we teach people to honour the Gods and ensure they are prosperous and happy in this life, and the next.
	who have answers. Anyone can come to a priest and ask to talk to them, and the priests will try to answer their questions.		<quote by="Leontes the Scribe">This attitude is prevalent in all walks of Asavean life. It doesn't just relate to religious matters - it's second nature to almost all Asaveans to seek advice from an appropriate priest on almost anything. As I understand it, priests often direct those with practical problems to members of their congregations with the skills to help resolve that issue - meaning that those who have the best relationship with the appropriate priesthood often have lucrative business opportunities directed their way.</quote>

	This is how we teach people to honour the Gods and ensure they are prosperous and happy in this life, and the next.

	==Some of the Gods==		==Some of the Gods==