Worshipping the Gods in the Dragonspine Empire

Introduction

There are many gods on Jhordunne. Between the dozens of Dholkhavir and the thousands of Dholkhshaen, religious practices vary greatly, both from god to god and region to region.

The Dholkhavir

In the Dragonspine Empire, most people venerate many of the gods, seeking to gain their favor or, at the least, to avoid the gods’ disfavor. They make sacrifices, as appropriate, to a given god, leave small offerings at temples, and participate in festivals that often honor several gods or even all of them. Worship is generally more personal in times of need and more communal to honor the gods.

A handful of gods have formal churches. Some are large, such as Elshanna and Shalandar. Others serve a specific purpose, as with Ostara, Silista, Ludger, and Morklov. For the other gods, what can be considered “clergy” varies greatly. These priests, such as they are, tend to the temples and collect offerings left by those in need. For a god like Miesen, bureaucrats maintain his temples, which are always located in centers of government. For Isovar, it is scholars, and his temples are located in libraries and places of education.

The Dholkhshaen

The Dholkhshaen, lesser gods, number in the thousands. Every region has their own. Some are mere spirits. Some are actually Fey. Others are beings outside of Jhordunne, as are the Dholkhavir, but with less power and, in some cases, fewer constraints, since they are not bound by the Ancient Laws. It is uncommon to find anyone who actually worships the Dholkhshaen; they are most often called upon for luck or good fortune or some such matter. There are, however, a few local cults devoted to a Dholkhshaen, especially the darker ones.