CALANDESIAN WORSHIP
ORIGIN STORY
In the beginning light filled the world, without shadow, texture, meaning or dark, and Amun the Creator watched over it. In time, Amun created spirits to enjoy the light, and share the world, giving texture and meaning. But while she walked the world, she grew weary and slept. In that time, in a space far above and far away, a tiny shadow grew.The shadow grew, and in time it became Kolya the Darkness. While Amun slept, darkness took away many of Amun’s spirits, and made for them a home in the darkest places, claiming the spirits for himself.
When Amun awoke from her rest, she found herself surrounded by the dark, with only ten spirits beside her. Her own light was fading.
"Come," said Kolya, "and give yourself to me, and you will live eternally in my darkened halls."
"Aye," said Amun, "that is so. But if I do, and you take these last spirits too, there will be nothing new in your halls forever more."
And Kolya knew this to be true.
Kolya said, "I will always desire more, and dark will devour all in the end, and for it to grow there I will cede that there be a new spirit for every one that passes."
Amun said, "I will always give you more as death will take all in turn, but light shall prevail at the end of time, and to ensure this end I will grant you any spirit that does not make the Choice, and live by the Choice."
So Kolya and Amun struck the Pact, and the Pact split the light and dark in two, a night and a day.
Amun would rule the Day, and create new life after those that passed so that Kolya’s halls could always be filled with those who did not make the Choice and live by the Choice. But there would be shadows and death in the day.
Kolya would rule the Night. But there would be stars and Lunaris as a sign of Amun’s promise of light and birth to come.
And the ten spirits who had survived with Amun became as Amun too, to guide Amun’s creations to their greatest accomplishments in the face of Kolya’s ultimate night.
DEITY DESCRIPTIONS
There were ten spirits who survived with Amun and became as Amun, but none were ever so great. But they will always be by her side.The three sister spirits were known as Fy, Mira and Aluana, and to them went the realms of Rhythm, Colour and Spice respectively. Fy, Goddess of Rhythm, music and dance would watch over musicians, dancers and bards, and share the light with her kindred Yolta the joy of authors and writers. Fy would best know the poets and choreographers, while Yolta would know the novelists and scribes. Mira, Goddess of Colour, came to be loved by painters, weavers, potters and craftspeople of all sorts, even those gemcutters and whitesmiths who love colour in other ways. Finally, Aluana, Goddess of Spice, loves those whom tend the fire and cook, and so too is loved by farmers, housekeepers, parents and families. She is sometimes called up to protect the home and hearth.
The teary-eyed spirit Shelah, Goddess of Healing, also brings the blessed coolness of water, and her tears bring the rains. She knows that those who do not stay true to their Choice will pass to Kolya in time, but hopes to lengthen all’s time under Amun’s eye, and lessen their pain and suffering while here. She shares with Aluana the love of families, particularly those with child or those wishing protection or deliverance from disease. As bringer of rain, she finds support among some farmers as well.
To Plata and Vula, brother and sister spirits, went the realm of Love. Plata, God of Romance, knows the dream of love, the joy of adoration from afar, and tends those who love without possession. He is star-eyed but often star-crossed. Vula, Goddess of Passion, delights in those who revel, who know lust and arousal and sensual ardor. She knows a love that is fiery and all consuming. Her joy in all things carnal joins her with those who feast, and drink and eat to excess, unlike her more delicate cousin Aluana. While brother Plata and sister Vula have little in common, they share the love of light and life, and in the end they are family.
Nimble-fingered Kol, God of Trickery, knows those who avoid the dark by hiding within it. He watches over thieves, some bards, and many who live on the fringe of civilized life. They hope Kol will provide them with the means to wealth enough to enjoy the time they have, or the quickness to run or hide when Kolya comes to make the Test of Choice upon them.
War means death, and death speeds one to a final destination, but if one is the victor every time, then it is one’s enemies whom spirit passes. This is the philosophy of fiery Kamas, God of War, whose passions run so hot that he is also the bringer of fire. Those who require strength, need strategy and demand knowledge of arms for victory are his to watch over. In war, any edge is warranted: while Kol might lend support to those who would use any means to win, Kamas tends to those who work for their advantage. And unlike warriors who seek to send foes straight to Kolya and fight for bloodlust and frenzy in his name, warriors of Kamas’ realm look only to ensure they keep their edge. Thus, Kamas looks after not only warriors, but also blacksmiths, fletchers and hunters seek his boons as well.
Finally, the two brother spirits were known as Humun and Yolta, and to them went the realm of Time. Those who seek to learn over time, and seek the wisdom of the natural world revere Humun, God of Seasons. As the Keeper of the Day, he knows of every day passed, spending his time watching each year as the days and seasons change, and Amun and Kolya’s power waxes and wanes in turn. He is attuned to nature, and as dispassionate as any wild thing. He watches over many sages, mages and druids, and cares for the more pragmatic of farmers and herders as well. Yolta, God of Knowledge, knows of the defeat of time through culture and civilization. Books and learning represent an eternal life and endless font of learning to those that Yolta cares for. He knows best many Nobles, historians, planners, teachers and mages.
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