Human Paganism

Human Paganism was the main religion of the Humans before the establishment of the Kingdom of Etrand and the Etrandish annexation of the Kingdom of Hulra. Unlike the monotheistic Titanist religion and the dualistic Naturalist religion, Human Paganism was completely polytheistic, with a relatively large roster of deities to worship.

In Etrand, the religion went underground after the unification by Corlagon, and gradually became virtually extinct over two centuries in all of Etrand but maybe a few obscure rural areas. After the Etrandish conquest of Hulra in the late 3rd century, paganism remained a rather strong and persistent part of the Etrancoasti/Hulran way of life for three more centuries, despite the harsh persecution by both the Etrandish and later native Etrancoasti authorities, finally losing ground to the Titanist faith only during the 7th century - it is estimated between 10% and 20% of Etrancoast's population are still crypto-Pagans clinging to the old ways. (See also: Religion in Etrancoast)

Hróthward / Rýthwardar / Hrúdwerdaz
Hróthward in Old Etrandish, Rýthwardar in Old Hulran  - most likely Hrúdwerdarz in Proto-Human  - was the pagan God of Thunder, War and Honour. He was usually depicted as a tall, muscular, bald, clean-shaven man with scars on his face, lemon-yellow eyes, small aquiline nose, strong jaw, wearing a breastplate and swinging a sword of thunder. He is also desribed as an even-minded god who can always keep his cool, never lets his emotions get in the way of his judgement.

It is said that when the bravest warriors die, they must have beer with Hróthward/Rýthwardar, and regularly do arm-wrestling with the god, lest they be considered unmanly and unfit for their place in the paradise. During wartime, unimportant prisoners of war - and sometimes chieftains too, for symbolic effect - are sacrificed for Hróthward/Rýthwardar, so that the tribe gets blessed by the god and makes sure that their war efforts are successful.

Thynfirth / Thömbarthar / Thunfirdaz
Thynfirth in Old Etrandish, Thömbarthar in Old Hulran  - most likely Thunfirdaz in Proto-Human  - was the hook-nosed son of Hróthward/Rýthwardar and Clodéna/Klýdina, pagan god of commence, money and trade.

He is described as a short man having curly black hair, large ears, a large hooked nose, orange eyes and a stout figure, wearing white silk clothes. It is said that he may be slightly bipolar in a most peculiar sense: depending on the occasion, he is either generous or greedy. If he's in a good mood, he blesses merchants, gifts people with luck in business, and promises them riches - but if he's in the bad mood, he will ensure that the unfortunate ones who witness his anger will be dragged into endless poverty.

Clodéna / Klýdina / Kludína
Clodéna in Old Etrandish, Klýdina in Old Hulran  - most likely Kludína in Proto-Human  - the goddess of fertility, agriculture, birthgiving and milk, and the wife of Hróthward/Rýthwardar.

She is portrayed as a beautiful woman with pale white skin, raven-black hair, deep blue eyes, a rounded face, hourglass figure (large breasts, relatively prominent buttocks, but overall thin figure). She is described as very kind, and having a special soft spot for children, especially little girls, and is said to ruthlessly punish those who harm children, pregnant women or farm animals (other than for the purpose of eating them). She also gives blessings to farmers, ensuring a good harvest, and to women, allegedly increasing their likelihood of getting pregnant. Giving birth to twins was seen as a special blessing from her.

She accepts wheat, hay, herbs and lamb as sacrifices.

Mýrr / Mörrar / Murrjaz
Mýrr in Old Etrandish, Mörrar in Old Hulran  - most likely Murrjaz in Proto-Human  - the god of fire, anger, vengeance and murder. Unlike Hróthward/Rýthwardar, Mýrr/Mörrar does not believe in honour, making him the primary patron god of assassins and hitmen.

He is described as a tall and muscular man with long red hair and beard, wearing a helmet with horns, wearing breastplate and holding a flaming sword. He is described as overly moody, aggressive, easily offended, very bossy and authoritarian. The best way to appease him is to give in to your anger and kill those who have offended you, kill them in Mýrr's name and present their heads as sacrifices to Mýrr.

Just like Hróthward/Rýthwardar, he accepts human sacrifices, but cares little for what kind of men are sacrificed. Legends say that the Priests of Mýrr practiced cannibalism, but it cannot be confirmed - not even present-day pagans do that. Mýrr is the only god in the human pantheon who is explicitly evil by today's standards.

Wýrtha / Wörtha / Wúrida
Wýrtha in Old Etrandish, Wörtha in Old Hulran  - most likely Wúrida in Proto-Human  - is the goddess of death. She is an odd one out of all the deities, as she does not need or require tributes - she chooses her own among the dead. It is said that when someone who is adult and sexually mature dies, Wýrtha/Wörtha tries to seduce the person, if she deems them worthy (those who are viewed as unworthy are usually sentenced to eternal torture instead). Should the person give in to her charms, he/she will forfeit meeting the other deities, be forced to live the afterlife in a dark and bleak land where they will only have phantoms of the goddess to communicate with.

Wýrtha/Wörtha is depicted as having similiar appearence to Clodéna/Klýdina - a beautiful woman with long black hair, pale white skin, a well-rounded face, blue eyes, hourglass figure. The biggest difference is the attire - Wýrtha/Wörtha dresses in all black and often covers her hair, additionally, her paleness may be exaggerated. She is described as being selfish, needy, moody, but ultimately lonely and full of hidden depths - she is also caring, and does not neglect those men and women who have fallen to her charms - she tries to comfort them by talking to them, even possibly providing sexual favours.

Unlike Mýrr - who is explicitlly said to be evil - Wýrtha is said to be more of a tragic and lonely character, who just wants company, which compells her to attempt to seduce those who have died.

Eozawak / Ydjawakr / Udzjawakaz
Eozawak in Old Etrandish, Ydjawakr in Old Hulran  - most likely Udzjawakaz in Proto-Human  - is the "white god" in Human Paganism, the god of magic, creativity, wisdom and intellect. He is described as having the appearance of a bearded man who wears a white cloak with a hood. His personality is described as overly patient, somewhat cunning, and in possession of ambiguous morality.

Because Pagan societies gave little value to intellect, reason and Arcane Magic - celebrating physical might, beauty and joy instead - Eozawak/Ydjawakr was a fairly underrated deity. In fact, it is a miracle that he was even considered a deity at all to begin with, given how pagans tend to worship personifications of concepts they cherish and celebrate, rather than shun. It should be noted however, that Eozawak/Ydjawakr was considered a "dangerous god", worshipping him was often a taboo thing that resulted in ostracism and being shunned by society. Even in times of mortal trouble, Pagans would rather ask Hróthward/Rýthwardar for inspiration of heroism or Mýrr/Mörrar for inspiration of fiery wrath, than the wisdom of Eozawak/Ydjawakr.

After the Fall of Hulra however, crypto-Pagans have found a newfound appreciation for this previously shunned and underrated god of wisdom.

Gæryca (Etrand-only)
Gæryca is the goddess who guards the mortal realm from the realm of the demons, Nortiimus, although she may be considered simply the goddess of barriers between dimensions. It is believed that should humanity lose Gæryca's favour, she will simply stop bothering to protect the barriers, letting demons invade Etrand.

She is depicted as a beautiful woman with either brown or black hair, either brown, red or blue eyes, and usually red clothing. She is said to have a kind and caring personality, but can be very moody and grouchy, especially when she doesn't get as many tributes from mortals as she expects - she may be rather jealous of the other gods and goddesses.

She can be appeased by leaving donations at shrines dedicated to her. It is said that this makes her infinitely happy.

Fýthbrók (Etrancoast-only)
Fýthbrók is the god of sea, water, maritime travel and fishing. Pagan fishermen and sailors alike used to pray to him, presenting sacrifices him, in exchange for either a bountiful harvest of fish, or a safe travel by a ship.

He is depicted as an old man with grey hair, grey beard, sea blue eyes, carrying a golden trident. He is described as a lazy and bored old man who is generally unwilling to act, preferring to sleep rather than be bothered by the troubles of the mortals.

Kónaz / Kónar (Steelhelm-only)
Kónar in Old Etrandish, Kónaz in Proto-Human  was the frog-god of magic, night, decisions and road forks, originally adopted from the Dwarven pantheon, worshipped exclusively in the Kingdom of Steelhelm. He was frequently worshipped alongside Eozawak, and it seemed that at one point, Kónar-worship displaced Eozawak-worship in Steelhelm.

Decline in Etrand
The decline of Paganism in the land that would become the Kingdom of Etrand had already begun prior to the formal establishment of the kingdom. The pagan religion lacked organization, and various missionaries, particularly those representing the Titanist and Naturalist factions, traversed the land competing for converts. Notably, Titanist missionaries were highly active in Western Etrand, the ancestral homeland of the future ruler, King Corlagon I of Etrand.

The turning point came with the rise of King Corlagon and his Wars of Unification, which aimed to unite the disparate regions of Etrand under the rule of a devout Titanist. The conversion of the pagan population was pursued with force, as missionaries were accompanied by armed bodyguards and the notorious Royal Hounds, a feared enforcer group, terrorized those who resisted conversion. Initially, the order to convert was directed primarily at the tribal chieftains who had been transformed into feudal lords. However, the entire population was eventually expected to embrace the new faith.

In an effort to erase all traces of paganism, various measures were implemented. Pagan rituals were either sanitized and modified to align with Titanist teachings or outright banned. Pagan temples met a similar fate, being systematically destroyed or repurposed for Titanist worship. Pagan priests faced severe consequences, with many being arrested and executed for their refusal to renounce their beliefs.

Despite these aggressive measures, resistance and discontent lingered among the populace. This simmering discontent erupted into what became known as Aelfwaird's Insurrection, an 18-year-long conflict that could be characterized as a civil war within the fledgling kingdom. Ultimately, the Titanists emerged victorious from this prolonged struggle. The conclusion of Aelfwaird's Insurrection marked a definitive turning point, as it became evident to all that the age of the Old Gods had irrevocably ended in Etrand. Paganism, once a dominant religious force, quietly faded away without a significant final outcry - or, in other words, the Old Gods went quietly into the night; Paganism went out with a whimper rather than a bang.

By the end of the first century AEKE, the old faith was virtually extinct within the borders of Etrand. Only a few peripheral outposts, inhabited by marginalized communities, clung to the remnants of the old religion. These communities were often overlooked by the central authorities and were deemed unworthy of attention even by tax collectors. The decline of paganism in Etrand marked a profound transformation in the religious landscape, solidifying the dominance of the Titanist faith as the official religion of the kingdom.

Decline in Etrancoast
In the aftermath of the Kingdom of Etrand's conquest of the Kingdom of Hulra, a land that revered the Old Gods, the Etrandish authorities (and later pro-Etrandish Etrancoasti authorities) faced the challenge of dealing with a majority pagan population. While tempted to resort to immediate conversion or mass executions, the Etrandish authorities ultimately adopted a gradual approach to suppress and erode the influence of the Old Gods while promoting the official religion of the Church of Titanius.

To establish the dominance of the Church of Titanius, the Etrandish authorities issued an official ban on the worship of the Old Gods, thereby making Titanism the state religion. Accompanying this proclamation were new laws and regulations that aimed to undermine pagan practices and rituals. While resorting to force wasn't out of the table, the Etrandish authorities first and foremost dispatched Titanist missionaries to Hulra. These missionaries enticed the pagan population with offers of food and provisions, particularly during times of famine or hardship. The intention was to gradually win over the pagans and make them more receptive to the new faith.

Pagan temples were seized by Etrandish authorities. Some were destroyed, while others were converted into Titanist churches. This tactic served to symbolically assert the dominance of the new religion and undermine the sacred spaces associated with the Old Gods. To weaken the leadership and authority within the pagan community, the Etrandish authorities issued arrest warrants for pagan priests. Those who refused to renounce their religion faced the threat of execution. This strategy aimed to disrupt the organization of the pagan community and diminish its ability to sustain their faith.

Public pagan practices and rituals were officially banned by the Etrandish authorities. The ban aimed to prevent large gatherings and open displays of the old religion. However, private practice of the pagan faith was informally tolerated among the peasant population. To avoid persecution, discretion became crucial in maintaining their beliefs. Those aspiring to positions in the administration were required to publicly profess their dedication to the Church of Titanius. The Etrandish authorities conducted regular witch hunts to identify and remove pagan sympathizers within the bureaucracy. This scrutiny aimed to ensure the adherence to the new faith among the ruling class - conversely, aristocrats who refused to convert to Titanism faced severe consequences. They were dispossessed of their lands and demoted to commoner status. The Etrandish authorities seized their estates, which were then redistributed among native collaborators who embraced the new religion. This redistribution reinforced the new religious order and further solidified the dominance of the Church of Titanius.

Social pressure, bureaucratic scrutiny, and the reallocation of assets worked together to compel adherence to the Church of Titanius among the upper echelons of society. This process facilitated the religious transformation of Hulra/Etrancoast, with those who converted early given opportunities to ascend to the upper ranks of society. The sharp divide between the Titanist elites and the pagan have-nots led to a socioeconomic division within the conquered territory.

The Etrandish authorities aimed to gradually weaken the influence of the Old Gods and promote the dominance of Titanism without resorting to immediate and violent eradication. While the majority of the peasant population continued to privately practice their old beliefs, the religious transformation was most pronounced among the ruling class and the urban centers (Wáterburcht, Yrvháven). This gradual approach allowed for the accommodation of the pagan population's reality while systematically eroding the influence of the Old Gods and establishing the Church of Titanius as the prevailing religion in Hulra.

The systematic erosion of Paganism was a slow process - it took over three centuries for Titanists to become the majority, and during those three centuries, there were no less than four major religiously motivated rebellions in former Hulra: the First Etrancoasti Rebellion in 431, Liudulf's Pagan Rebellion in 497-498, the Great Pagan Rebellion in 514 and last but not least Rikwi's Pagan Rebellion in 563-576. Even as of now - 831 AEKE - the Old Gods aren't quite dead yet in Etrancoast.

Etrand
Paganism is virtually extinct from Etrand. Out of the 0, only 1,000 may be pagans - in other words, less than % of the Etrandish population - it is said that in the swamps of Southern Etrand, adventurers have come across strange groups of Humans who observe old pagan rituals and don't worship Titanius, but speak Etrandish, not Etrancoasti.

Folk stories about the last Etrandish pagans hiding out in the forests - waiting for the perfect moment to ambush devout Titanists - originate from the first two centuries of Etrand's existence: during Corlagon's Wars of Unification, a lot of Southern Etrandish warriors who were opposed to Corlagon's rule evacuated to the southern swamplands, never to be heard of again - their mysterious disappearence immediately immortalized them as "the lost army" that was still plotting for revenge. Additionally, during the Etrandish colonization of the southern frontiers that was spearheaded by King Tondbert - the southern swamplands previously inhabited by lizardman tribes - many crypto-Pagans willingly took part in the colonization, to be able to practice their secret religion much more freely on the frontiers, away from the prying eyes of the authorities closer to capital.

Aside from the mythical - and probably nonexistenet - descendants of the "lost pagan army", there are in fact crypto-Pagans living in Southern Etrand, mostly living in border hamlets where no Inquisitor ever goes. It is said that a small minority among the Crainers may be (crypto-)Pagans.

Etrancoast
Despite the best efforts of Titanist missionaries, inquisitors and clerics - both Etrandish and native Etrancoasti alike - the authorities never managed to fully root out and eradicate paganism from Etrancoast. Nevertheless, since pagans are strongly persecuted, the majority of them - with the exception of outlaws - are very secretive about their religious beliefs, claim to worship Titanius when asked, but actually pay tribute to the pagan gods in secret, making it nearly impossible to accurately approximate the number of pagans in Etrancoast.

According to native Etrancoasti inquisitor Ewerhard Sherkil, 15% of the country's population "may or may not display Pagan tendencies" and 5% of the population "exists in conditions that enable them to avoid scrutiny by the law, most likely open pagans" - he estimates that between 15% and 20% of Etrancoast's population is still Pagan in one form or another.

According to the Etrandish inquisitor Marius Moga, 10% of the Etrancoasti population is "under strong suspicion of being crypto-Pagan" and 65% practices neither Titanism nor Paganism, but a syncretic religion that incorporates elements of both, commonly called "Folk Titanism".