Theology

Dragon Cults

On Suelo there are many mortals who worship dragons as gods. This practice is not so common as it used to be when most of the currently dominant races still lived in tribes, but instances do still occur. Sages doubt that more than three score dragons still engage in this pastime.

Due to a unique quirk of magic in Dragonspace, every dragon with any spellcasting ability (innate or otherwise) has an innate talent which allows them to Imbue With Spell Ability (Su). Dragons may bestow any spell (or spell-like ability) they know upon anyone, even if the spell they are bestowing was itself bestowed upon them by another dragon. The person who is to recieve the power can only hold one spell of each level, and only if a cleric of a level equal to their character level could normally cast a spell of that level. Thus a first level fighter could only hold 1 0-th level  and 1 first level spells; while a fifth level fighter could hold 1 0-th level, 1 first level, 1 second level, and 1 third level spells. If a dragon uses this ability to imbue someone already capable of divine spellcasting, the spell fills an empty slot of like level, if there are no empty slots it randomly replaces a spell of equal level. Like the divine spell, however, the dragon cannot refill that spell slot until the spell's new holder either casts it or forgets it. This cpacity has allowed many dragons to masquerade as deities over the years.

Note: It is important to remember that 1st and 2nd level divine spells are not actually granted by an outside force, but are a biproduct of devout faith. This allows even the youngest of dragons to maintain a priesthood, provided none of its servants rise above 4th level.


Deities

Suelo is a world of many gods, in fact the return of spelljamming 3000 years ago has enabled many religions to establish at least one small church or temple somewhere within the sphere. It should be understood, however, that no power functions within Dragonspace without Asgorath's blessing. Though not as old as Ao of Realmspace, Asgorath fulfills many of the same functions in Io's absence. Asgorath is more involved with the mortals than Ao, but not much. She resides upon the Prime Material Plane, but, like Ao, she does not respond to the prayers of mortals. She only rarely responds to draconic prayers and then only in extreme emergencies. Most of her time is spent dealing with the lesser powers who populate Dragonspace's pantheons or searching for a way to reunite her husband's body and soul. Asgorath is willing to allow most gods entrance, the primary exception being the gods of magic (see Kalzareinad below for the reason why).

Following is a list of the major gods and religions of Suelo organized by primary race. The descriptions include the holy symbol, deity's alignment, divine rank (and primal base), portfolio, domains, and prestige domains. The following domains are found in the Forgotten Realms campaign book: Cavern, Charm, Darkness, Family, Fate, Hatred, Illusion, Mentalism, Moon, Nobility, Ocean, Planning, Retribution, Scalykind, Spell, Storm, Suffering, Trade, Tyranny, & Undeath. In addition to the domains listed all gods grant access to the Missionary Domain (Relics & Rituals) and the Summoning Prestige Domain (Defenders of the Faith). The elves and deep dwarves have no entries on this list. The deep dwarves worship the standard dwarven pantheon, while the elves worship the Seldarine; although the Shadow Elves revere Eilistraee above her father and the rest of the Seldarine.


Human Pantheon


Pantheon of the Divine Empire of Yur (Goblinoids)


Alflosin (Halfling) Pantheon

Alflosin religion revolves around step-pyramid temples like those of the Aztecs. Sacrifices are performed at the top of the pyramids so that the blood can flow in rivulets down the sides. All major cities make sacrifices to Seth 3 times per day, at dawn, noon, and dusk, and 1 sacrifice to Tezca at midnight. Tlal traditionally receives sacrifices only at the beginning and end of the planting season, while Pyrax alone does not accept sentient sacrifice. All victims are sacrificed in the traditional Aztec way.


Khmer (Lizard-Folk) Deity

Lucha Ka is the god of the Khmer lizardfolk and of all other sentient reptiles (dragons are not reptiles). Worship of Seth has been forced on the Khmer by their Alflosin masters, and some of the more bloodthirsty members of the species have embraced the serpent god.


Dwalfar Pantheon


Illithid Pantheon

Psios is the patron deity of Suelo's illithids. Zecorian is worshipped by a majority of Suelo's evil illithids. The reports of its death (from the Illithiad) are greatly exagerated; for reasons of its own, this power has turned its back upon the illithids of other worlds. The Cult of Ilsensine has simply never caught on in Dragonspace; less than two dozen of the greater power's priests can be found in the sphere.


Cirusian (Minotaur) Pantheon

Muhaimin was a hero of Cirusian legend, said to have forged the pacts with genie-kind that keep them from destroying the Cirusians, and allow the sha'ir to work their magic. Upon his death, Muhaimin was laid to rest in a magnificent tomb upon the outermost moon. In the afterlife his soul achieved godhood, but in the physical world a dark presence came into his body. Muhaimin is the principle deity of the Cirusians, most towns contain a large, yet austere temple to him.

Shihab began as a being of unlife, made from the mummified remains of Muhaimin. His hatred of his other half knows no bounds. He quested for,and achieved godhood only to thwart his twin. Shihab is worshipped only in secret, or in lost corners of the moons. Open worship of the destroyer is forbidden.

While Shihab was born of Muhaimin's body, Akil was born of his mind. A travelling elf, a practioner of an ancient, and now forgotten form of necromancy, took the last memories of thought from the dying Muhaimin and nurtured them, until they developed into a powerful spirit in their own right. Akil is a calm deity of philosophy and spirits. Although Muhaimin created the genie pacts, it is Akil who is the deity venerated by the sha'ir.