Ossorian Págánacht
The majority of ethnic Ossorians (Osraí) continue to practice their traditional religious beliefs, despite repeated attempts by missionaries and other entities to convert them and to establish a foothold in the High Kingdom.
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 Influence | 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 the Otherworld. They rule and protect worlds of Danu and their mortal inhabitants from the Tuatha Dé Domhain, also known as the Fomorians.
Name | Epithet | Sphere of Influence | Symbol | Relationships |
Áine | The Golden-Haired | Love, beauty, sexuality, passion, and sexual pleasure | Rose | |
Airmid | Lady of Mercy | Herbalism and medicine | Healing herbs | Daughter of Dian Cécht |
Amaethon | Lord of Feasts | Brewing, beer, distillation, whiskey, winemaking, wine, and revelry | Drinking horn | Son of Grannos and Rosmerta |
Andraste | Lady of Victory | Victory and overcoming enemies | Sword | Daughter of Lugh and Mórrígan |
Anu | Lady of Flames | Fire, volcanoes, and the hearth | Flame | Lover of Taranis |
Arduinna | The Huntress | Hunting and the forest | Boar | |
Beira | Lady of Song | Music, song, dance, and theater | Harp | Daughter of Ogma and Druantia |
Cairbre | Lord of Verse | Poetry, prose, and satire | Quill | Son of Ogma and Druantia |
Cernunnos | Lord of the Wilds | Wilderness and wild animals | Horns | |
Credne | The Metalsmith | Metalworking, the forge | Hammer and anvil | Son of Ogma and Druantia |
Dian Cécht | The Healer of Hurts | Healing and health | Healing Staff | Father of Airmid |
Donn | The Dark One | The Underworld | Door | |
Druantia | Lady of Wisdom | Speech, intellect, learning, and wisdom | Scroll | Consort of Ogma |
Ecne | The Enlightened One | Moon, change | Moon | Son/daughter of Lugh and Étaín |
Epona | Lady of Horses | Animal husbandry | Horse | |
Étaín | Lady of the Stars | Stars and the night sky | Star | Consort of Lugh |
Grannos | The All-Nourishing | Agriculture, harvest, and grain crops | Bushel | Consort of Rosmerta |
Luchtaine | Lord of Crafts | Woodworking, sculpture, and crafts | Chisel | Son of Ogma and Druantia |
Lugh | Lord of Light/Allfather | Sun, the sky, hospitality, and King of the Otherworld | Spear | Consort of Étaín and Mórrígan |
Midir | Lord of Truth | Judgement, doorways, boundaries, and commerce | Scales | Son of Ogma and Druantia |
Mórrígan | The Avenger | Warfare, protection, vengeance, and defense | Raven | Consort of Lugh |
Néit | Lord of War | Frenzied violence of war, bloodlust, and slaughter | Axe | Son of Lugh and Mórrígan |
Niamh | Herald of Dawn | Dawn, twilight, travel, and messengers | Morning Star | Daughter of Lugh and Étaín |
Nuada | Lord of Waters/Airgetlám | Water, seas, lakes, rivers, and springs | Silver Arm | Father of humanity |
Ogma | Lord of Letters | Knowledge, writing, creativity, and the Ogham alphabet | Writing | Consort of Druantia |
Osraí | The Holy Mother | Tutelary and protector of Ossoria | Deer | Daughter of Lugh |
Rosmerta | Giver of Fruits | Fertility, fruit crops, and the earth | Horn of plenty | Consort of Grannos |
Scáthach | The Sharp-Sighted | Strategy in war, heroic endeavors, and courage | Bow | Daughter of Lugh and Mórrígan |
Taranis | Lord of Storms | Weather, storms, and the wind | Thunderbolt | Lover of Anu |
Triana | Lady of Sorcery | Magic, prophecy, and the unknown | Staff |
Tuatha Dé Domhain
The Tuatha Dé Domhain (Tribe of Domnu), also known as the Fomorians, are a demonic race of giants who reside in the Underworld. They are hostile to both the Tuatha Dé Danann and humans and seek to fulfill the desire of their mother, Domnu, to destroy the worlds of Danu's creation. Donn, one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, is responsible for keeping them imprisoned in the Underworld.
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.
Morals
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 what 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 says 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 thoroughly." - 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 on 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
Coming-of-Age
Marriage
Funerary
It is traditional for Druidic adherents to be cremated after death, after which their remains are scattered in special Gardens of Memory (Gairdíní na Cuimhne).
Important Temples
- The Great Temple of Osraí
- The Temple of Remembrance
Religious Hierarchy
The Ossorian religious hierarchy 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 Ossorian religion 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 clergy 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 clergy 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 clergy 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 Ossorian clergy 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 religious hierarchy 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.