Ossorian Págánacht

Págánacht is the Ossorian Gaelic name given to the native and traditional religious beliefs of the Osraí. The term was originally Shalumite in origin, as the devoutly monotheistic Shalumites assigned the blanket term 'pagans' to the various polytheistic religious groups that they encountered. While there was no original name for the religion in Gaelic, the term most used for their body of beliefs was simply Ár Slí, or 'our way'. The use of the term "Págánacht" gained greater use by its practitioners over time, particularly as the conflict between the Osraí and the Shalumites escalated and the Osraí embraced that which set them apart from their enemies, turning what had been a religious slur into a badge of pride.

Págánacht venerates a pantheon of deities known as the Tuatha Dé Danann in general, with a specific focus on the goddess Osraí in her capacity as the divine mother of the Ossorian people. To this end, religious instruction focuses primarily on telling stories about the actions and interactions of the gods and heroes to communicate and exemplify the faith's values and virtues. Originally passed down exclusively via oral tradition, these stories, rituals and beliefs have since been written down and codified by the Druidic Circle, who form the priesthood of the faith.

Pantheon

The Ossorian religion is monolatrous in nature, believing in the existence of an entire pantheon of gods and goddesses while consistently focusing its veneration and worship towards one deity.

Primoridals

Name	Sphere of Authority	Relationships
Danu	Goddess of creation	Mother of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Domnu	Goddess of destruction	Mother of the Tuatha Dé Domhain

Tuatha Dé Danann

The Tuatha Dé Danann (Tribe of Danu) form the pantheon of principle deities in the Ossorian religion who reside in Tír na nÓg. They rule and protect the creations of Danu from their mortal enemies, the Tuatha Dé Domhain, also known as the Fomhóire.

Name	Epithet(s)	Sphere of Authority	Symbol	Relationships
Áengus	Óigeanta (youthful) Bríomhar (vigorous)	Youth, beauty, and strength	Swan
Aífe	Cróga (gallant) Trodach (warlike)	Warfare and courage	Shield	Daughter of Lugh and Mórrígan
Áine	Séimh (balmy) Griandaite (bronzed)	Summer and growth	Wildflower
Airmid	Trócaireach (merciful) Cineálta (kind) Brónach (mournful)	Herbalism and medicine	Healing herbs	Daughter of Dian Cécht
Amaethon	Meidhreach (jolly)	Brewing, beer, distillation, whiskey, winemaking, wine, and revelry	Drinking horn	Son of Grannos and Rosmerta
Andraste	Caithréimeach (triumphant) Trodach (warlike)	Warfare and victory	Sword	Daughter of Lugh and Mórrígan
Anu	Craosach (ravenous) Spréachta (furious)	Fire, volcanoes, and the hearth	Flame	Lover of Taranis
Arawn	An Tiarna Uafásach (the dreadful lord)	The Underworld	Hound	Consort of Dôn
Arduinna	Sealgaire (hunter) Ciúin (silent)	Hunting and the forest	Boar
Beira	Fuar (cold) Geal (white)	Winter and decay	Icicle
Belisama	Ceolmhar (melodious) Grástúil (graceful)	Music, song, dance, and theater	Harp	Daughter of Ogma and Druantia
Branwen	Marbhánta (sultry) Órga (golden)	Love, beauty, sexuality, passion, and sexual pleasure	Rose
Cairbre	Tráthúil (witty)	Poetry, prose, and satire	Quill	Son of Ogma and Druantia
Cernunnos	Neamhcheansaithe (untamed)	Wilderness and wild animals	Horns
Credne	Oilte (skilled) Láidir (strong)	Metalworking, the forge	Hammer and anvil	Son of Ogma and Druantia
Dáire	Amplach (wolfish) Uafásach (devastating)	Warfare and destruction	Club	Son of Lugh and Mórrígan
Dian Cécht	Ábalta (talented) Aithríoch (repentant) Aiféalach (remorseful)	Healing and health	Healing Staff	Father of Airmid
Dôn	An Bantiarna Rúndachta (the secret lady)	The Underworld	Locked Door	Consort of Arawn
Druantia	Léannta (learned) Ciallmhar (wise)	Speech, intellect, learning, and wisdom	Scroll	Consort of Ogma
Ecne	Athraitheach (shifting) Timthriallach (cyclical)	Moon, change	Moon	Son/daughter of Lugh and Étaín
Epona	Ceansaitheoir (tamer)	Animal husbandry	Horse
Étaín	Réalta Eolais (Guiding Star) Gléigeal (brilliant) Dílis (constant) Treoraí (guide)	Stars and the night sky	Star	Consort of Lugh
Grannos	Flúirseach (abundant)	Agriculture, harvest, and grain crops	Bushel	Consort of Rosmerta
Luchtaine	Oilte (skilled) Ceardaíochta (crafty)	Woodworking, sculpture, and crafts	Chisel	Son of Ogma and Druantia
Lugh	an Rí Seanóir (the Elder King) Tiarna Solais (Lord of Light) Lonrach (radiant)	Sun, the sky, hospitality, and King of the Otherworld	Spear	Consort of Étaín and Mórrígan
Midir	Géarchúiseach (piercing)	Judgement, doorways, boundaries, and commerce	Scales	Son of Ogma and Druantia
Mórrígan	Máistriúil (overpowering) Trodach (warlike)	Warfare and power	Raven	Consort of Lugh
Néit	Neamhthrócaireach (ruthless) Uafásach (devastating)	Warfare and slaughter	Axe	Son of Lugh and Mórrígan
Niamh	Lonrach (radiant) Luathchosach (swift-footed)	Dawn, twilight, travel, and messengers	Morning Star	Daughter of Lugh and Étaín
Nuada	Airgetlám (silver-arm)	Water, seas, lakes, rivers, and springs	Silver Arm	Father of humanity
Ogma	Éirimiúil (clever)	Knowledge, writing, creativity, and the Ogham alphabet	Writing	Consort of Druantia
Osraí	Máthair Naofa (Holy Mother) Máithriúil (motherly) Séimh (gentle) Grámhar (tender) Cineálta (warm-hearted) Múinteoir (teacher) Treoraí (guide)	Tutelary and protector of Ossoria	Deer	Daughter of Lugh
Rosmerta	Torthúil (fruitful)	Fertility, fruit crops, and the earth	Horn of plenty	Consort of Grannos
Scáthach	Diongbháilte (determined) Géarshúileach (sharp-eyed)	Warfare and strategy	Bow	Daughter of Lugh and Mórrígan
Taranis	Corrach (tempestuous)	Weather, storms, and the wind	Thunderbolt	Lover of Anu
Triana	Aisteach (mysterious)	Magic, prophecy, and the unknown	Staff

Tuatha Dé Domhain

The Tuatha Dé Domhain (Tribe of Domnu), also known as the Fomhóire, are a demonic race of giants who reside in Annwyn. They are hostile to both the Tuatha Dé Danann and to humans and seek to fulfill the desire of their mother, the goddess Domnu, to destroy Danu's creation. Arawn and Dôn, members of the Tuatha Dé Danann, are responsible for keeping them imprisoned in Annwyn.

Osraí

Osraí is seen by adherents to be the divine mother of the Ossorian people and is regarded as the tutelary and protector of Ossoria as the one who taught them important skills such as how to make fire, how to create and use various tools, how to catch fish and how to preserve food. As a sign of respect, the proto-Ossorian people took her name for their tribe and their land, both of which are referred to as "Osraí" in the Ossorian language.

The deer is considered to be sacred to Osraí, and is the subject of several cultural symbols and taboos. Images of Osraí almost always show her with a deer at her side, usually a white doe accompanied by a fawn. As a result of this, consuming deer meat is a serious taboo in Ossorian culture.

Cosmology

In Ossorian religious cosmology, the universe is divided into three worlds, said to have been "woven into existence by the goddess Danu from the waters of the void", and each of which is intrinsically bound to the others. These worlds are: Tír na nÓg ("Land of Youth") which is the realm of the gods, and is also the resting place of mythic heroes and the virtuous are rewarded; Tír na mBeo ("Land of the Living") which is the realm of mortals; and Annwyn ("Very Deep") which is the prison of the Fomhóire and the place where the wicked are punished. Collectively, Tír na nÓg and Annwyn are referred to as Na Saol Eile ("The Otherworlds"). In Ossorian religious art and stories, the three worlds are represented akin to three sheets of interwoven fabric.

Morality

Suáilcí

The Suáilcí (Virtues), are the tenets which provide the basis of the Ossorian moral code. The suáilcí are:

• Cómhalartacht (Reciprocity) - The willingness to treat others as you wish to be treated.
  Proverb: "Do not to another that which you would not wish to experience yourself."
• Cosúil (Fairness) - The willingness to do as the situation normally requires, and not change the rules.
  Proverb: "Examine what is said, not the one who speaks."
• Cuibsech (Responsibility) - The awareness of your duty to others.
  Proverb: "Faithless is he who bids thee farewell when the road darkens."
• Eslabra (Generosity) - The willingness to give of yourself without arbitrary limits.
  Proverb: "The more a man gives to others, the more he has for his own."
• Étir (Capability) - The willingness to do any task to the best of your ability.
  Proverb: "The desire to do things quickly prevents their being done properly."
• Fíalainech (Nobility) - The willingness to behave in an honorable manner.
  Proverb: "A man's character is best shown in how he treats those who can do nothing for him."
• Fíréán (Justice) - The willingness to seek the truth in a situation, regardless of personal bias.
  Proverb: "A feud would never last if wrong lay only on one side."
• Forasta (Sensiblity) - The ability to show good sense and sound judgment.
  Proverb: "He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom."
• Fosadh (Firmness) - The ability to remain consistent in your position, and not easily swayed by others.
  Proverb: "We do not walk upon our legs, but on our will."
• Gart (Hospitality) - The willingness to receive guests, visitors, or strangers with goodwill and generosity.
  Proverb: "Show hospitality to strangers, for in such ways have some unknowingly hosted the gods."
• Ionraic (Honesty) - The ability to be taken at your word.
  Proverb: "Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others."
• Lessach (Beneficence) - The willingness to actively help others.
  Proverb: "To see what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice."
• Sessach (Strength) - The ability to stand your ground and not be easily intimidated.
  Proverb: "One who flees from fear may find that they have only taken a shortcut to meet it."
• Soithnge (Eloquence) - The ability to clearly convey your thoughts, ideas and opinions.
  Proverb: "Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more."
• Trócaire (Mercy) - The willingness to empathize with others and to show leniency to those who have wronged you.
  Proverb: "It is useless to meet revenge with revenge; it will heal nothing."

Geasa

The Geasa (Taboos), are what Ossorians believe lead to a life of wickedness. Some examples of specific geasa include:

• Consuming deer meat
• Consuming live animals, raw blood, and offal
• Overindulgence
• Giving false testimony
• The practice of slavery

Rites

Funerary

It is traditional for adherents to be cremated after death, after which their remains are scattered in special Gardens of Memory (Gairdíní na Cuimhne).

Temples

Important Temples

• The Great Temple of Osraí
• The Temple of Remembrance

The Druidic Circle

The Druidic Circle is the name use for the Ossorian religious hierarchy. Membership in the Circle is matriarchal, and men are not ordained as members of the priesthood. These women often live monastic lifestyles at various sanctuaries, temples, monasteries, and shrines.

The leader of the Circle is the Oracle of Osraí (style of address: Your Eminence). The Oracle is selected after the death of her predecessor by a council of the Archdruidesses and serves for life. She resides in the The Great Temple of Osraí in Carria and is the only non-monarch entitled to a Guard. The current Oracle of Osraí is Elen Beale.

The uppermost rank of the Circle are the Archdruidesses (style of address: Your Reverence). These individuals are the administrative leaders within a specific geographic region, monastic order, or department. There are no more than 74 Archdruidesses at any time.

The second rank of the Circle are the Druidesses (style of address: Mother). These individuals are the usual point of contact for the laity and are often assigned to oversee a single sanctuary, temple, shrine, or other institution.

The third rank of the Circle are the Priestesses (style of address: Sister). These individuals are the ordained rank-and-file and do the majority of the work for the various religious institutions. They are commonly assigned to support the Druidesses and Archpriestesses as apprentices and aides.

Those seeking entry into the Circle are Initiates (style of address: N/a). These individuals are those who have not yet taken their vows. They are placed in the care of a Priestess belonging to specific temples or monasteries for their education and training. This is the only clerical rank that men may join.

Not included within the Circle are the Clients. Clients are laypeople who often work to support the various religious orders. Their ranks often include but are not limited to orphans, the homeless, former addicts, and ex-criminals. In exchange for various services to a religious institution, Clients are granted sanctuary and support regardless of their past but only so long as they choose to remain.