animamods | Gods, Cosmology, NPCs

Four Gods
The four guardians and keepers of the fundamental forces of the world, and each responsible for different knowledge and gifts. They are seen as distant and occupied with the turning of the world, though the Scions are viewed as being particularly blessed by the gods.
Halla The Unicorn. Giver of law, and executor.	Associated with death, justice, law, night, the West, and the moon, secrets/mysteries, unveiling them. Element of Shadow, Earth. Goddess of the West, where the sun rests and the night is ushered in. Halla watches over the dark, eyes piercing the night and uncovering secrets. The devout say that the moon overhead is one of her eyes, watching over those underneath and protecting those she watches. Halla is also associated with giving laws, and her priests have taken up that calling, becoming wardens. The more militant aspects also stress Halla as an executor of the guilty, and giver of a final mercy, there to guide everyone on their ending moments.
Mithrin the Gryphon. Master of storms, winds and words.	Associated with knowledge, oral and written works, travel, storms, the South, the sky. Element of Lightning and Air. Mithrin watches from the South, but has eyes and ears spread across the lands. The god, his priests, and followers are dedicated to gathering stories and information of all types, and recording it for others. This may be in written records, or oral tellings, and scribes and bards abound in the ranks of Mithrin’s devout. Due to the searches for information, travelers also fall under Mithrin’s domain and it’s common to give a prayer and offering to him before setting out on a new journey. Anywhere there’s an open sky, one can sense the god’s presence.
Astril the Phoenix The rebirthing flame.	Associated with the dawn and sun, the East, life, birth, crafting of metal and gems, changes, hope in the dark. Element of Fire and Light. Astril guards the East and the rising sun, said to be her form traveling across each day and being reborn at dawn. The heat coming off her transmutes many things, burning some and transforming others. She’s said to have gifted this change and crafting and to the different races, whether it is working in alchemy, smithing metal, and other items. Astril’s disciples are familiar with creation in one form or another, and even cooks and bakers can be counted among the ranks. Astril is associated with rebirth and changes, and those about to undergo a new change in their lives commonly give her prayers, and she is said to give hope to those who most need it as well.
Levith the Sea Serpent. The dreaming coil.	Associated with the North, the stars, dreams and visions, meditation, time and memory. Element of Water and Ice. Formerly a god that gifted insight, Levith now remains coiled in the North, in deep slumber. The sea serpent has remained sleeping since the time of the cataclysm, according to Mithrin’s scrolls. Though asleep, Levith still lends power to his followers, granting visions through dreams and meditation, and offering paths… for those who can decode the tangled images. The priests of his order spend most of their time in isolation, dwelling and trying to decipher the cryptic visions he gives. Levith rules over memory as well, and is said to be capable of restoring forgotten things. Any who raise their eyes to the stars above are said to see his scales, and tracking them may even reveal omens of things to come.
--- The Lost God	Few, if any records exist of a fifth god. Those that do only hint at a great winged, draconic creature who once guarded the center of Avalice, and watched the arcane forces.
Minor Gods:
Various small shrines are dotted across Avalice, dedicated to the minor gods. If the Four Gods are more broad reaching and distant, these gods are focused and immediate, and may be more easily glimpsed in travels across Avalice.
Luana the Owl - Spirit of Night and the Sky
It is said the only time to fear the night is when you cannot hear one of Luana's people within the trees for they can see every danger from their place in the sky.
Ibris the Snake - Spirit of Day and Rebirth Attendance at temples are generally done at the sun's highest peak so that Ibris's light can warm the worshippers. Mothers nearing birth paint their bellies with Ibris's scales in hopes of a successful birth.
Pyphy the Dolphin - Spirit of Wisdom and the Seas Scholars seek Pyphy out by the seaside for inspiration in their studies. Traditionally, you will find libraries and schools closer to the coast than any other building.
Tikara the Cat - Spirit of Home and Harvest To keep a cat against its will is to bring misfortune and the law down upon your head. If a cat graces you with its presence and chooses your home, only good fortune follows.
Lethys the Wolf - Spirit of Hunt and Family The strongest villages have learned from Lethys's teachings, standing together as a unit with all members contributing. It is said that if a member does not contribute they will bring ill fortune onto their peers.
Pona the Otter - Spirit of Rivers and Travel It’s said to always take a rock with you on travel just as one of Pona's people. It keeps you anchored to your home.
The Chorus (Flies) - Spirit(s) of Death and Prosperity The most common words of those dying is that they can hear the Chorus coming. It is said that those brought back from the brink still feel uncomfortable at the sound of a buzz.
Lazenar the Toad - Spirit of Song and Love Every spring, Lazenar's people sing and the world breathes new life to their song. It is traditional to gift a toad to a new bride or a sick loved one, as Lazenar's people are known to eat flies.
Xevyldir (Bees) - Spirit(s) of Military and Crafting The greatest craftsmen of the world mark a bee onto their work in homage to Xevyldir. After great wars, fields of wildflowers are planted to honor the fallen soldiers and to bless the field with the company of bees.
NPCs:
Thera: ‘In a dark corner of the bazaar there’s a small little stall, unvarnished with the usual eye catching trappings others use to draw the eye and thus potential customers to look upon their wares. Bare and made of simple dark wood, the stall is eye catching in how unassuming it is. If one actually investigates the stall they’ll find themselves observing the vendor. The being is reptilian in skin and build, face shaped with a smiling snout filled with tiny sharp teeth and bright green eyes that seeme forever amused at you. The dark red scales glitter like wet red sand even in the shadows of the stall as thick black claws gently clack as they place random items on the stall table for you to see.’ “You came to see Thera, thus let us see what Thera has for you. Things with echoes I find, perhaps the echo is heard in your soul. Take a look, take a look. An echo of home may be found all I ask is for a tale of the item that calls to your soul as price.”
Mother Flower: There is no way for most to pronounce her true name, as to speak like leaves in the wind and the creaking of bark as it grows upon its tree is not exactly easy on most throats. Thus to many in the busy market place they speak of her as Mother Flower. Moss green and full falls from atop her head like hair on a human with various flowers blooming and growing within this tangled waterfall. Skin dry and patterned like the bark of an ancient pine tree she mostly watches over children come to play at the fountain as mothers and fathers busily shop and trade. Every person will tell you a different color and shade to describe her eyes as if they change and shift depending on who looks at them, but all will say they are kind eyes and that’s all that truly matters. If you are looking for a conversation you may not get much as the language she speaks is seemingly forest noise in some odd pattern that may be words, but she does not mind being a listener or woes and keeper of secrets. Many use her as such and sometimes during such visits one walks away holding a fruit or sweet smelling flower and some odd knowledge of how to use such to aide them in solving a problem.