Religion is a sensitive subject for many - it's incredibly personal, very challenging, and often carries many stereotypes depending on the religious label you choose for yourself. However, religion is an integral part of life, and deserves a place in a fantasy world. For Summer Twilight, I created an entire pantheon of gods for my characters. I've always loved Greek and Roman mythology, the idea that 1) there are many gods and 2) gods are really just super powerful people, with their own petty power struggles and aspirations. In a fantasy setting this works well; the gods become steeped in the mythology of the world. Fantasy also gave me the freedom to create a pantheon and religious system unconstrained by reality. Developing Your Book's ReligionWhen I sat down to start thinking about religion, I already had a framework in mind. I knew I wanted multiple gods, I knew that different people would worship different gods, but they would all fall under one pantheon. My version of religion is influenced by Dungeons & Dragons, as well as some of the fantasy books I grew up reading. But beyond those ideas, I was stuck. So, I sat down and talked to my boyfriend about what I wanted my religion to be. This is one of the most important parts of my process - sharing ideas and bouncing thoughts off another person. I asked myself a series of questions:
The Gods of the Not-So-New WorldAlun, God of Civilization and Master of Truth - King of the Gods, Patron God of Builders, Guards, Bureaucrats, and Messengers
Cami, Lady of the Afterlife and Goddess of Mortal Pleasure - Patron Goddess of Performers, Women, and Artists
Fritha, Maiden of Mercy and the Goddess of Battle and Healing - Patron Goddess of Warriors, Healers, Children, and the Injured
Caldir, Tender of the Earth and the God of Fury and Revenge - Patron God of Rosemoor Dell, Farmers, Barbarians, Freelarks, and Anarchists
Valdon the Steward, Protector of the Forgotten and Abandoned, God of the Skies and Stars - Patron God of Sea Captains, the Crippled, the Home, Slaves, and Prisoners
Udo, Lord of the Seas and God of Tricksters and Thieves - Patron God of Danen, Pirates, Rogues, Sailors, and Servants
Niwe the Wanderer, the Lost Traveller and God of Night and Storms - Patron God of Colmar, Inns, Adventurers, Cooks, and Roads
Rakatash, Mistress of Beasts and Monsters and Goddess of the Dreamworld - Patron Goddess of the Nomadic Tribes of the Unending Desert, Beast Masters, Illusions, Temptation, and Deserts
Gaius, Lord of Predators and Strategy, God of Merchants and Wealth - Patron God of Merchants, Traders, Bankers, Armorers, Nobles, and Rivers
Naia el Farah, the Secretkeeper and Goddess of Rulers and Power - Queen of the Gods, Patron Goddess of Tanunt, Fertility, Mountains, Earthquakes, and the Widowed
Erius the Arbiter, Hand of Justice, God of Autumn, and Hunting - Patron God of Marriage, Forests, Hunters, Victims, and Heralds
Iya the Immolator, Champion of Chaos and Goddess of Fire - Patron Goddess of the Asaka Warbands, Seasons, Nomads, Volcanoes, Horses, and Lovers
Elysande the Beauty, Goddess of Knowledge and Scholars - Patron Goddess of Karath, Sickness, Caves, and Alchemy
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AuthorBridget is the author of Summer Twilight, available for purchase now! Categories
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