[Zulf tips his head a bit, trying to work out exactly where to start; that was a lot of questions, yes, but they aren't without answers.]
Let me start by saying that praying to the gods isn't something that one does when they only want blessings - I understand that in other cultures, the gods are seen as existing to protect or intercede for human beings, while that isn't quite how it works, as our beliefs go. The gods' rule is one of opposites - of concepts that are both conflicting and complimentary. It's along the lines of how darkness and light are opposing forces, but one can't exist without the presence of the other. For example, Pyth is the god of both chaos and order; in order to have true order in your life, you have to know chaos. Praying to Pyth will grant you blessings only if you've earned them - and the blessings are great if you're in the gods' favor. But there's no need to despair if you aren't, as praying to the gods is also a way to ask for a trial to purify yourself - to ensure that you're worthy of their blessing and make you a better person overall. Praying to Pyth in order to ultimately gain stability in your life won't result in the removal of any obstacles standing in the way of that stability, but it will result in a trial that will give you the strength to remove the obstacle yourself, if you choose to complete it.
Basically, the gods are our guardians, not our keepers.
[He pauses again, thinking.]
Well, I've already told you a bit about Pyth, so I'll start there. He's the god of commotion and order, as I said, taking the form of a bull. The Caels seem most fond of Pyth, as they adorn their walls with bronze statues and make plush toys in his likeness; the Ura don't agree with that, as a practice.
Yudrig is known as the Morning Stallion, the god of impulse and bravery, drawing his power from the dawn, the rising of the sun; he provides the courage to start anew and forge new paths.
Lemaign is the Mason King, and the god of hope and despair. He's considered the patron of soldiers - they would often pray to Lemaign before war, that they might be granted morale and not succumb to hopelessness in the face of adversity.
Garmuth, the Crippled Duke, is the god of purpose and folly. He lacks traditional senses that might keep one from seeing the truth for what it is; he experiences the world on a metaphysical level, giving council to the humble and the wise.
Roathus is the god of thirst and plenty, known as the Gorging Host. Constantly consuming, yet never satisfied, called upon to help with burdens such as extreme depression or overambition - things that prevent you from being unable to find happiness in your life regardless of being provided for.
Jevel is the Tower Keeper, taking the form of a person with two faces - a youth in his prime and an old man. He's the god of health and atrophy; fairly straightforward, really.
Olak is the Carefree Son, a boy who never ages because he lives outside the reach of time. The god of chance and whim; he's said to control that which is beyond the control of most.
The remaining three are goddesses - Hense is the Veiled Widow, her body covered in scratches and scars beneath her robes, but despite all her injuries she's joyful; she's the goddess of pain and pleasure.
Acobi is the Chastened Maid, the goddess of oath and abandon, taking the form of a woman in chains and shackles that she formed with her own hands; the patron of freedom in moderation, no one binds her but herself.
Micia is the Lorn Mother, the creator of all and the head of the pantheon. She removed her heart to create the world, replacing it with something known as the Star of Caelondia. She's the goddess of loss and longing; perhaps the most important duality that exists for us.
[He stops then, seeming to realize exactly how long he's been going on; his words have become incredibly rapid, almost excited - it's clear that he rather likes the topic, at least.]
...I'm sorry for having gone on so long; does that answer your questions?
[Video.]
Let me start by saying that praying to the gods isn't something that one does when they only want blessings - I understand that in other cultures, the gods are seen as existing to protect or intercede for human beings, while that isn't quite how it works, as our beliefs go. The gods' rule is one of opposites - of concepts that are both conflicting and complimentary. It's along the lines of how darkness and light are opposing forces, but one can't exist without the presence of the other. For example, Pyth is the god of both chaos and order; in order to have true order in your life, you have to know chaos. Praying to Pyth will grant you blessings only if you've earned them - and the blessings are great if you're in the gods' favor. But there's no need to despair if you aren't, as praying to the gods is also a way to ask for a trial to purify yourself - to ensure that you're worthy of their blessing and make you a better person overall. Praying to Pyth in order to ultimately gain stability in your life won't result in the removal of any obstacles standing in the way of that stability, but it will result in a trial that will give you the strength to remove the obstacle yourself, if you choose to complete it.
Basically, the gods are our guardians, not our keepers.
[He pauses again, thinking.]
Well, I've already told you a bit about Pyth, so I'll start there. He's the god of commotion and order, as I said, taking the form of a bull. The Caels seem most fond of Pyth, as they adorn their walls with bronze statues and make plush toys in his likeness; the Ura don't agree with that, as a practice.
Yudrig is known as the Morning Stallion, the god of impulse and bravery, drawing his power from the dawn, the rising of the sun; he provides the courage to start anew and forge new paths.
Lemaign is the Mason King, and the god of hope and despair. He's considered the patron of soldiers - they would often pray to Lemaign before war, that they might be granted morale and not succumb to hopelessness in the face of adversity.
Garmuth, the Crippled Duke, is the god of purpose and folly. He lacks traditional senses that might keep one from seeing the truth for what it is; he experiences the world on a metaphysical level, giving council to the humble and the wise.
Roathus is the god of thirst and plenty, known as the Gorging Host. Constantly consuming, yet never satisfied, called upon to help with burdens such as extreme depression or overambition - things that prevent you from being unable to find happiness in your life regardless of being provided for.
Jevel is the Tower Keeper, taking the form of a person with two faces - a youth in his prime and an old man. He's the god of health and atrophy; fairly straightforward, really.
Olak is the Carefree Son, a boy who never ages because he lives outside the reach of time. The god of chance and whim; he's said to control that which is beyond the control of most.
The remaining three are goddesses - Hense is the Veiled Widow, her body covered in scratches and scars beneath her robes, but despite all her injuries she's joyful; she's the goddess of pain and pleasure.
Acobi is the Chastened Maid, the goddess of oath and abandon, taking the form of a woman in chains and shackles that she formed with her own hands; the patron of freedom in moderation, no one binds her but herself.
Micia is the Lorn Mother, the creator of all and the head of the pantheon. She removed her heart to create the world, replacing it with something known as the Star of Caelondia. She's the goddess of loss and longing; perhaps the most important duality that exists for us.
[He stops then, seeming to realize exactly how long he's been going on; his words have become incredibly rapid, almost excited - it's clear that he rather likes the topic, at least.]
...I'm sorry for having gone on so long; does that answer your questions?