Noreya Religions
Noreya religion is a carefully monitored group of cults, viewed suspiciously by many humans and other races that live alongside them. Originally a simple variant of human pantheons, it grew and evolved to fuel the magical decadence of the ancient Noreyan empire. Since the cataclysm of the Aetherbreach, their religion has struggled to survive, carried by refugees and kept alive in secret amidst the hearts of its worshippers. Despite the mistrust of its gods, Noreya religion has managed to carve out a niche among Noreyan nationalists and those seeking to preserve their traditions as exiles from their homelands. Several of the cults dedicated to these deities have become relatively mainstream, becoming accepted across much of the continent.
Religion
The Noreya religion is one that has undergone significant change over its history. Originally a human pantheon, it had similarities with the faith the Swidnicans held. This changed as the Noreya grew more powerful, infected and corrupted by the magic that swirled around them. As their bodies and civilization changed, so too did their deities. Old nature gods were replaced with new demonic ones, ripping and tearing at the souls of the Noreya to feed their own power. This otherworldly dominion took its toll on the Noreya, resulting in the collapse known as the Aetherbreach. Refugees poured southwards fleeing the ruin of their civilization, seeking shelter with the humans further south. But their new gods had left a mark on their followers; one that would forever taint and shame the Noreya as to their past.
In the modern day, the Noreya that have survived through the ages have sought to connect with their ancient past. Scholars seek to overcome the shame of their subjugation to demonic forces, reviving customs through significant research. The new Noreyar faith is perhaps the best example of this recreation. While many of the old gods were corrupted, twisted into something new and barbarous, some were kept pure and unaltered. These were preserved by their dedicated followers, who exiled themselves far away from the culture that had perverted their faith. Many of these cultists survived the Aetherbreach, living far from the destruction. They have since been at the forefront of the return to Noreyar roots, seeking to guide and advise on the rebuilding of the northern peoples.
Rannva
Goddess of snow and ice, Rannva is seen as the embodiment of the Noreya homeland itself. Her followers are the most powerful among the Noreya, those who eschewed the corruption and decadence of their imperial society and exiled themselves to the wild. Fundamentalists to the core, they see themselves as the protectors of the Noreya way of life, the only true path to reclaiming the north for its rightful heirs. While her followers are the most dedicated among the Noreya, they have earned a certain mistrust among followers of the other Noreya gods, especially Ogne. These see her as corrupted as many of the others once were, her aggressive followers seeking to retake those who escaped her grasp. There is no doubt that her witches are very capable mages, rivalling the stories of what the old Noreyar were capable of. Whatever the case, her enclaves are common among Noreya communities, and she has earned a very loyal following. Depicted as an old woman in heavy furs, she is often followed by either a bear or a wolf. She is sometimes called the Ancient Widow. Her symbol is a snowflake.
Ogne
Ogne is the god of fire and warmth in the Noreya faith. He played a major role in the ancient empire, the chief deity on the pantheon. Fire played a major part of Noreya life, keeping them warm and alive throughout the harsh winters of the north. His temples were wide open spaces, lit with a massive bonfire to celebrate the sun in the sky. When magic came to the empire, Ogne’s priests were some of the first to fall to corruption. They sought ways to make themselves resemble their beloved god, controlling the fire that he gave them. This corruption led to the fall of the empire, something that many Noreya have refused to forgive them for. Despite this mistrust, Ogne remains a major force in the reborn Noreya pantheon, the god itself too important to let his followers spoil. Ogne is an intense deity, depicted either as the sun or as a golden man with flaming eyes. His enemy is Rannva, the queen of darkness and cold. The two cults fight a battle for influence over the Noreya, each blaming the other for their ancient problems.
Kupala
Kupala is the Noreya deity of water, mischief and festivals. They are most commonly depicted as a woman, though sometimes as a man. This duality is uncommon, and owes to the mercurial nature of the deity. Kupala represents both the oceans and freshwater, living in streams and along beaches everywhere. In the past, they were worshipped by Noreya fishermen who wished for a bountiful catch. In the modern day, they have made a revival among Noreya traders and sailors between the human trade cities. Gamblers and rogues have also flocked to Kupala’s worship, emphasizing the trickery aspect of the deity. Depicted as a jovial, loud and enthusiastic figure, Kupala is joy personified. His followers will often drop small offerings into water before a voyage, or to wish for some luck in their lives. His symbol is a coin or fish.
Zewena
Goddess of hunting and the steppe, she was also the master of death in ancient days. She is depicted as a naked woman riding a pale horse, travelling the steppe and watching over travellers from afar. Silent and stoic, she guides those lost in the wilderness to her hall in the afterlife, where they may find shelter forever. She resembles the Swidnican Dewin, though much more serious and without the trickery. Her hunts are straightforward and without pomp, suitable to the brutal northern climate. She has a place next to Rannva, the two deities embodiments of the land itself.
Religious Orders
Watchers of Ogne
The Watchers of Ogne are an order that dates back to before the old Noreya Empire, acting as the clergy for the Noreya god of fire. The Watchers are more attendants than priests, conducting few actual sermons or public worship ceremonies. Most of their rituals consist of tending to the sacred flame of Ogne, great bonfires that burn as a testament to the great power of the god. These fires are all linked, tracing their lineage back to the first Great Flame of Ogne high in the Blackreach mountains. Here, a great temple to the god still exists, having sheltered his faithful from the worst of the Aetherbreach. They have since become a major feature in Noreya communities around the world, their temples and shrines a major feature within these neighbourhoods. The most notable temple outside of the north is the one in Maugard in the Midlands, where his Watchers have established themselves as a major feature in the region. The head of their order is Matvei, who resides in Vanne.
Ice Witches
The Ice Witches, or Ice Hags as they are sometimes referred, are the counterpoint to the Watchers of Ogne. Worshipping Rannva, the Ice Hags are a spiritual and magical order, composed of sorcerers in service to their northern deity. They consider themselves the truest embodiment of their northern home, having given themselves over completely to the north. Ice is their life force, and they wield it with tremendous power. The Ice Hags are a remnant of the spiritual elder and ancestor worship of the early Noreya, and they continue many of the same traditions that once bound that group to their surroundings. An all female order, the Ice Hags are composed of any Noreya girl who shows magical talent, taken at a young age and indoctrinated into the clergy of the Ancient Widow. Those who survive their training are cold and distant, caring only for the survival and prosperity of the Noreya people. They seek to guide and influence Noreya everywhere, believing that only they hold the true path back to greatness. They regularly spar with the Watchers of Ogne, though the two merely fight politically for now. Universally aloof and stern, the Ice Hags are a unique feature of Noreya society.