Rhiness Mythology
Summary[edit]
The mythology of a land like Rhiness is a difficult one, containing traces of Arlandrian folklore and tradition intermixed within their own kingdom. While the state itself has its own recognized religion and organizations therein, there are countless unrecognized, hidden, or niche religions, gods, and spirits within its borders.
Spirits, for instance, are widely revered, though none as much as ancestral spirits -- those who have passed on and believed to have become one with the elements or land around them -- or mineral spirits. There are innumerable shrines, temples and priests to the Spirits in both Rhiness and its neighbor, Arlandria, though where Arlandria often simply reveres them as spirits, the Rhinessians often worship the most prevalent and powerful as gods.
These Gods run the gamut from standard gods, like the beliefs in Vaiel and such, but are not state-sponsored or recognized. Instead, the pantheon of Rhiness follows that the local spirits, who have a more profound effect on their land, are those worth recognizing. There are still places and reverence for the Greater Spirits of Rhyst, but while they make take a place on the mantle of a home or in the symbology of a piece of artwork, they do not take as much hold in the people's hearts.
The spirits that these people revere are known simply as Judges, concepts of a Rhystian law or abstract, making their purview spread farther and wider than if they were simply a spirit of scorpions.
There are approximately forty-two Judges, but of those only five are widely respected and worshiped openly, or have places within temples. The rest are either unknown by the vast majority of the population or secretly worshiped as dark gods beholden to their own whims, with darker motivations. Rhiness and to a lesser extent Arlandria has, rather obviously, tried to stamp out these elements with vigor and had some success.
Those that remain are steadfast, their cultists cunning, vile, or especially secretive. Orders of assassins, thieves, and even druids can call some of these Judges intimate friends and that makes them all the harder to stamp out. Some question whether or not these Judges are Rhystian spirits at all, or elements of the other plane wrestling for control.
For now, though, the only Judges with any sort of purchase within either land or beyond seem to lack the pull necessary to make moves. The remaining five seem benevolent enough to the plane, at first glance, so perhaps it will be fine. Only time will tell.
Main Five Judge Listing[edit]
Kri'prama, the Hollow Masque[edit]
judges those who poison
A being of solitude, his followers wear crow masks. He sends missives via these creatures, such that when others see crows, they believe someone has displeased the judge.
Ma'tet, the Redeemer[edit]
judges second chances
The most commonly seen judge, who enjoys talking with their followers. Well-liked and worshiped, to the point where the capital of Rhiness has a temple dedicated to them. Their worshipers don colorful dresses and tunics display prisms of colors. Their messengers are peacocks and toucans.
Ver'maht, the Scarlet Rebellion[edit]
judges those who work against the rule of law
A reclusive judge who works in the shadows. Their appearance is often marked by hushed whispers and furtive glances. She is not easily displeased, but her wrath is great. Worshipers are few and far between, but the wear scarlet chrysanthemums.
Titan[edit]
judges corruption
Said to be without equal, for his work is never-ending. He appears to be a titan of a man, wielding a great gavel as a weapon. Followers wear flowing robes and are the most militarily-minded, wielding great hammers into battle.
The Sunrider[edit]
judges those who work against Rhyst
She has never appeared except once, and it was said that her appearance marked a violent ending, those who earned her wrath turned to ash. There are no known followers to her, if only because those who do catch her eye are weary of it being turned on them violently.
Trivia[edit]
Judges are all lesser spirits who have, through abstract concepts, obtained measures of power. With the exception of the Sunrider, all of them have obtained it through their worshipers.
The Sunrider is likely a spirit devoted to Amada and her ideals, though goes too far with them.
It's likely all the judges represent an ideal from one of the foundational spirits to which they owe much of their power to.