Religion and Mythology

RabidFox · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:20 pm Post subject: Religion and Mythology

READ THIS FIRST: The following is an extensive article detailing the many different aspects of Arctic Islands culture. This article is NOT necessary information. Even if you are creating an Arctic Islands character, you do NOT need to read this article. This article is only for those of who are interested.

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The Pantheon

Each species has its own god or goddess, who reports to a singular supreme god. The supreme god has been depicted as a primarily human female with various animal characteristics. The animal characteristics are disputed widely, as the various species will try to make the goddess resemble themselves. Sometimes she's depicted with more masculine features. The high goddess is usually named Kukik or Kuk'ia. Other variants exist.

Amagu - Male; Wolf God

Asunga - Female; Arctic Fox Goddess

Issorartu - Male; Malamute God

Inung - Male; Dall Sheep (due to the second rebellion, Inung is portrayed as an evil god)

Kort - Male; Hare God (all types of hare identify with Kort)

Mekus - Female; Husky God

Nanuq (or Nanook) - Male; Polar Bear God

Nartok - Male; Muskox God

Negiliq - Female; Collared Lemming Goddess

Ugila - Female; Seal Goddess (previously Uglu; changed to conform with modern Feila language)

Suluk - Male; Penguin God

Raluk - Female; Caribou Goddess

The pantheon and Kukik are the only true gods to the Islanders.

Spirits also play a vital role in religion. It's believed that the spirits of those passed away watch down upon the living, usually on their relatives. These spirits live in the Northern Lights.

The crystals, which a clear, break down sunlight into different spectrums which resemble the Northern Lights. For this reason, they are considered to be immediate mediums to the spiritual world. The Crystal Island, Mairak, is a spiritual haven. To become a Shaman, one must travel to the shores of Mairak and stay in a trance for 48 hours without breaking concentration. Most Shamans-to-be usually stock up on as much food as they can before traveling, as they cannot eat from the moment the leave their village. After the complete trance finishes, Shamans can eat. It's generally accepted that they don't eat the non-sentient cousins of the main anthropomorphic natives until they get back home. (ie., a new wolf Shaman would not eat a non-sent. caribou, hare, seal, and so on..)