Elven Gods

Elven religion differs from human in one important aspect: The ancient elves actually knew their gods, personally.

Before the Gods Wars, the deities were more active in the world and would, in fact, appear quite regularily. While among humans, only a rare few prophets were able to glance at their deities, the elves of old would feast with them, have their prayers answered in person, or go to war alongside their gods.

That was thousands of years ago, however. Not many of those ancient elves remain in the world, and the younger elves are not much better off than their human neighbours, having heard about the gods only through tales of old.

There are no temples or churches in the elven religion, but small shrines exist, often as memorials in locations where the gods did something important.

Elven priests do exist, though they are more scholars and advisors than preachers. They are sought out as wise men or women and consulted on matters of ethics, family or personal development. The elves do not bother the gods nor their priests with simple things of daily life, but do seek their advise for important decisions and difficult situations.

The Belaen

The "greater gods" or Belaen in the elven tongue, are the powerful and mighty gods who shaped the world from the empty, chaotic primal substance into what it is today. Seven of them perished during the Gods Wars while the eleven who survived have gone into hiding or to sleep after expending most of their energy and are rarely, if ever, seen today.

An unusual, at least compared to human religions, element of the elven gods is that they are mostly female. As the pantheon has been unchanged for centuries, modern elves simply accept this as being the way it is, for no particular reason.

• Aiwena - goddess of the sky, of justice and wisdom
• Melawin - goddess of women and children, beauty and love
• Enao - god of the seas, storms, lightning and thunder
• Galenil - goddess of the sun, light, archery, music and arts
• Faroth - god of the wilderness, the hunt, the wild animals
• Draga - god of men, strength and war
• Nauraen - god of crafting and smithing, of fire and inventions
• Petha - goddess of travel, diplomacy and trickery
• Miruva - goddess of pleasure, wine, entertainment and play
• Poladin - goddess of mercy, loyalty and truth
• Gurth - goddess of death, disease and danger

The surviving elven gods are considered good gods, in favor of mortals though sometimes in their own, strange ways especially such gods as Draga and Gurth.

The Lost Balaen

The seven who perished during the Gods Wars are:

• Batall - god of luck, fate and destiny - the world is now in the hands of men, and chance
• Jukon - god of order and creation - his tasks are now complete and no new creatures are created anymore
• Kusmis - goddess of harvest and growth - toiling the land is now required
• Soto - god of pain and misery, but also of sorrow overcome and new life - these aspects of life now fall upon mortals without guidance and purpose
• Qomis - god of winter and seasons - his downfall may have caused generally warmer weather, but more chaotic seasons as well
• Unira - goddess (or god, nobody is entirely sure) of mistrust, deceit and betrayl - she died and fell to the earth in a million pieces, and her essence is now found in men and beasts
• Shotu - god of magic - much magic has been lost and the mages of today do not compare to those of ancient times

The Dilthaen

The "lesser gods" of the elven mythology are godlike or semi-god beings who wield considerably less power than the greater gods, but are still far beyond even the mightiest of mages, in addition to being actually immortal, not just long-lived.

There are 37 lesser gods believed to be still alive, though most elves would find it hard to count down all of them. It is common to be familiar with the four or five that are relevant to one's sphere of action or who were important in the past.

The most popular four, which especially most elves travelling the world would at least recall if they hear the name, are:

• Ivasar - minor god of the home and hearth, of family life and warmth
• Panui - goddess of guards and protection, safety
• Amagulen - god of exploration and curiosity, protector of adventurers
• Onoluwen - goddess of hospitality and shelter in remote places

This page is still incomplete and missing content or details that are planned, but have not been added yet.