Religion Overview
Many people in the empire and across Elthos and Salthos more broadly are religious. Most are polytheistic. Pantheons vary between regions and syncretism is common.
Organised Religion and the Power of Churches
Organised religion is weak in the empire, other than in . The empire as a whole has never made a particular effort to promote or support churches, though individual nobles may do as they will. Churches have limited tools to ensure that all their clergy adhere to approved dogma and doctrine. If a local priest was to preach ideas in contravention of the church's teachings, the church would be reliant on local nobility to actually do anything about it. Churches have no means to enforce regular payments from adherents; indeed, the idea would be anathema to imperial nobility. They must rely on donations for their funding.
Pantheon Overview
The is the most widespread on the continent, commonly worshipped in the , , and in many places beyond the empire. Central Elthosian religions lay out ways for people to live, in accordance with their gods' teachings, with the promise that if followers do so, they shall succeed in what they do. Donations are made on the grounds that those teachings can continue.
The is largely limited to . Syncretism is common and Dyrians frequently identify their deities with those from elsewhere. Dyrian religion is transactional. Someone might dedicate work they produced or a deed they performed to a deity and expect that deity's favour in future. If they attend temples to pray, they might offer donations or make a sacrifice and request the favour of a deity or intercession of clergy.
In , worship of animal is prevalent. The totems each represent an aspect of the world or of people's lives. The totems are what make the world function and to their followers, it is of the utmost importance that the totems' domains be held in high regard and protected. The people of the Commonwealth recognise and frequently pray to other gods too.
In Hadash, people worship . River is the giver of life and Sun the watcher and protector. The nobility are divinely blessed by River and Sun, and so are called Exalted. Whatever a noble does is inherently noble. Large temples are maintained in Hadash, well funded from the coffers of noble houses and donations of common people.
Valon was a man once. Uniquely among the deities of any pantheon, he was once mortal and nobody disputes it. He does not fit neatly into any one pantheon. Virtually everyone in the empire holds Valon in high regard, whatever they think of his divine status. The Cult of Valon is widespread, but is decidedly subservient to the imperial nobility, and the exact nature of the cult varies regionally.