Draft MMC 5E - Religions

=== MYTH AND RELIGIONS ===

--- Introduction: Chaos and Cosmos ---
According to primordial races and divine entities, eons ago Chaos emerged from nothingness in the form of raw and infinite energy. It also resembles the random existence, of singular non-singularity. Chaos filled the boundary of multiverse. Until one part of Chaos emerged with a purpose: Cosmos.

Unlike the raw and infinite changes, Cosmos resembles order and measurable existence, so 'reality' is born. To contain reality, a finite plane and measurable entities are needed. Cosmos then attracted/subverted parts of Chaos, or multiplied itself, into divine entities each holding a purpose, which called as Gods.

The first Gods were those who holds ideal of order, namely Time and Law, which started to shape the multiverse, by fixing their forms and controlling the Chaos. However, Chaos with its raw emotional prowess dislike the prospect of being controlled, and it spitted the most of its Rage and Hatred that formed the Abyss: infinite energy full of destruction, with sole aim to spread Chaos and destroy Cosmos.


--- Agents of Cosmos and Chaos---
As the numbers of the Agents of Cosmos multiplied, along with new sets of rules and purposes, a specific Agent was sent to organize defenses against the encroaching, ever-hungry, Abyss. Meanwhile, the Gods started to create a beautiful place called Heaven the Upper Plane, far away from Abyss.

Chaos, with an everlasting curiosity, spontaneously gave birth to entities filled with Beauty, Freedom, and Creativity; the progenitors of Elves. These agents of Chaos are too focused to building the Heaven, and their nondestructive behavior made them welcomed in Heaven. Together they decorated the heavens with blue sky, clouds, and gentle light, that shifted into dark sky with shining beacons called stars, where they reside.

The positive interactions between the agents of Chaos and Cosmos gave birth to a mixed entity; Cosmos who flirted with Chaos and Chaos who learn to settle down with Cosmos gave birth to progenitor of Gnomes. Unhappy conflicts were thrown away downward from the Upper Planes and made four Elemental planes as the Middle Planes, right between Upper and Lower.


--- Material Plane ---
As Heaven had became the embodiment of perfect ideals, the Gods started another project, which is to create a common playground, a perfect collaboration of Cosmos and Chaos. Thus Elohino was born, a goddess balanced in Cosmos and Cosmos, in the form of spherical plane of land, water, fire, and air. Elohino populated herself with plants and beasts. The Gods then populated Elohino with their own mortal creations: Dwarves, Elves, and Gnomes. The Elemental Plane surrounding Elohino also invoked the birth of Draconic races at Elohino. Chaos broke free into Elohino, and created the Demonspawns.

It took only several millennia before the mortals torn more parts of the material world, and often the Chaos spilled over. It is during this time, the Agent who set the defense against Abyss made the significant Pact Primeval, and established Nine Layer of Hells at the Lower Planes. This era set the waxing and waning of the Chaos and Cosmos conflict, with Souls and Beliefs as primary weapon and currency, and the birth of new conflict between Gods and Devils, inhabitants of Nine Layer of Hells.


--- The Inner Planes ---
The Material Plane rotates upon itself, and also revolves along the boundary of Elemental Planes of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. The revolution along the boundary brought Seasons into Material Plane (summer, autumn, winter, and spring, respectively) depending on the nearest Elemental Plane.

Infinite Chaos that spilled all over the Multiverse, also where the Elves originated, formed the Infinite Paths of Fey; it is said that using the treacherous planar shortcuts in the Paths, any person can reach anywhere. But the Paths is a place full of trickery and shadows, and it is impossible to mere mortals to record even the slightest number of known Paths.


--- Destruction of Elohino ---
It was as sudden as Chaos explosion, that caught the Gods unprepared. The Elohino instantly overloaded with Energy and exploded. The Gods tried to prevent total destruction, yet the power of Cosmos was utterly weakened at the time, and they only maintained to protect parts of the remains of Elohino. The beautiful spherical Plane now become a scattered shattered Lands, floating on a circular disc of sky.

On her dying breath, Elohino put her last divine energy into forming a new mortal resembling a balance between Chaos and Cosmos: the Human, who populated the corpses of Elohino.


--- Gods of the Multiverse ---
At the beginning of the Multiverse, Gods were the Agent of Cosmos; however even Time succumbed to Change, and the Gods reassembled themselves as the Agent of Heaven. The new Gods also forsake the fallen Agent of Cosmos, commonly known as Devils, while they also fought the destructive force of Abyss, commonly known as Demons. The Gods reside at the Upper Planes of Heaven, while the Devils and Demons reside the Lower Planes: The Abyss and Hell.

Known Gods are called by different language, and each has its own cults of worship in the Material World. However, the commonly worshipped Gods in Common language are as follows:

Taranis, Goddess of Time, ruler of Heaven (Tempest)
As the first and most ancient of Gods, Taranis established Time. She is worshipped as the leader of Cosmos, creator of Sky, and arbiter of Souls. Her creed is to establish order in society. Her symbol is a lightning bolt, and her favored weapon is Javelin.

Merodach, God of Space, enforcer of Justice (War)
One of the ancient Gods, Merodach is worshipped for creating the ideal of place, space, and existence. He is also worshipped as the Judge. His creed is to enforce law and justice. His symbol is a scale, and his favored weapon is Short Sword.

Neith, Goddess of Crafts, mother of Dwarves (Knowledge)
The progenitor of Dwarves, Neith is worshipped by Dwarves in general, and also by those who value Law, Language, and creations. Her creed is to be productive and contribute to society. Her symbol is anvil, and her favored weapon is Mace.

Amaranthine, God of Change, father of Elves (Light)
The progenitor of Elves, and also the creator of Light and Darkness. Elves and artists worship Amaranthine, as he is also the God of creativity and beauty. His creed is to be creative and find beauty in things. His symbol is amaranth flower, and his favored weapon is Rapier.

Janus, God of Curiousity, father of Gnomes (Trickery)
The progenitor of Gnomes, Janus is worshipped by Gnomes, inventors, innovators, and explorers. His creed is to be bold to explore new fields and be progressive. His symbol is wheel, and his favored weapon is Crossbow.

Brighid, Goddess of Comfort, mother of Gnomes (Life)
The progenitor of Halflings, who is well worshipped by not only Gnomes, but also physicians. She is known as the merciful and the supporter. Her creed is to share and provide comfort, and enjoy the life. Her symbol is hearth, and her favored weapon is a staff.

Elohino, Goddess of Nature, deceased mother of Humans (Nature)
The dead Goddess of Nature, who put her divine energy into Human, Plants, and Beasts. Humans worshipped her for providing life to Humans, in the form of pure divine energy and by providing Humans nourishments through plants and beasts. Her symbol is mistletoe, and her favored weapon is axe.

Inanna, Goddess of Wisdom, defender of Mortals (War, Knowledge)
The Goddess of strategy, tactics, and wisdom against enemies. She is worshipped by military officers, adventurers, and anyone who seek fair combats. Her creed is to be prudent in decision making and be fair in battles. Her symbol is an owl, and her favored weapon is Xiphos (short sword).

Horus, God of Hope, preserver of Life (Light, Life)
The God of good will, optimism, and preservations. He is worshipped by evangelists, leaders, and orators. His creed is to spread optimism and to value mortal life. His symbol is eagle, and his favored weapon is spear.

Basti, Goddess of Retribution, avengers of the Oppressed (Light, War)
The Goddess of retribution and also Goddess of feline. She is worshipped by people who were wronged and seek retributions. Her creed is to shed light and truth, and to avenge wrongdoings. Her symbol is cat, and her favored weapon is dagger.

Akasha, God of Knowledge, scribe of Fate (Life, Knowledge)
The God  of Knowledge and observation is well worshipped by people who dabble in history and arcane studies. He is known to record and have written all the events in the multiverse. His creed is to be observant and learn about all things possible. His symbol is a scroll, and his favored weapon is a pen (dart).


--- Divine Entities ---
Gods can grant power to Mortals, to bend the law of reality, or to channel Chaos. However, the ones who can grant the ability to control Cosmos or spill Chaos are not limited to Gods. The Agents of Cosmos who are constantly battling the Abyss also can grant powers to the mortals, using pacts that cost the mortal's Soul. These Agents of Cosmos called Devils, they trade with Souls as their source of Power, and also used Souls to battle the Abyss; while also using them to fulfill their own ambitions to overthrow the Gods.

Known Arch-devils are Asmodeus, Mephistopheles, Beelzebub, Glasya-Labolas, Geryon, Belial, Mammon, Dispater, Bel


--- The Watchers ---
From outside the Multiverse, there have been a small influx of weird Aberration who slipped into the known Multiverse. These Aberration are not bounded by the Cosmos, and many have witnessed their 'Homeworld' in Far Realms indeed can give Power to mortals through Madness. Their purpose remains unknown, but they just 'watch' silently and solemnly.