Religions of Carolingia

This post was originally going to have mechanics allowing every single PC to potentially gain divine blessings (with a material sacrifice in the case of Aeternean polytheism and a HP cost for Sjóhaf-Lofthimn).

Aeternean Polytheism

There are two main religions in Carolingia. The first, we'll call it Aeternean polytheism, after the fallen empire it came to approach its present form in. It has many hundreds of gods worshiped in many hundreds of places, as it is the main religion of the majority of Carolingia, but there are several listed here who are extremely popular. Aeternean polytheism has a very strong monastic tradition. Nothing presented here is an absolute truth but is generally a common belief in the time the game is set in. Players should certainly feel welcome to create their own minor gods or their own traditions about worship of other gods, although veneration is owed to all gods by all.

Medeis-Arvum

Medeis-Arvum is the Twofold God and ruler of all the gods. They are a manifestation of two separate beings, Medeis and Arvum. Medeis is the goddess of magic and stars; Arvum is the god of the earth and fertility. Portrayals in various myths present them as a singular being, spouses, siblings, mortal foes, or some combination of the above. They are usually reserved and noble.

• Sacred Objects and Symbols: Staffs, wands, jays, jewels, and rowans for Medeis; axes, lions, elephants, wheat, and laurels for Arvum.
• Preferred Sacrifices: Honey, passerines, magical items and bronze for Medeis; wine, sheep, farming equipment, and platinum for Arvum.
  

Proellia

Proellia is the goddess of war and the sea. She is often portrayed as a daughter of Medeis-Arvum, and is married to Amare. She is usually kind, respectful, and fierce.

• Sacred Objects and Symbols: Spears, slings, falcons, gulls, ships, and cedars. 
• Preferred Sacrifices: Mustelids, arms and armor, ships, and steel.

Amare

Amare is the goddess of love and practicality. She is generally the daughter of Caelos and a wind-nymph, and is married to Proellia. She is usually arrogant and faithful.

• Sacred Objects and Symbols: Ropes, knives, carts, cats, and willows.
• Preferred Sacrifices: Spirits (alcohol, not ghosts), cows, fine cloths, high fashion, and gold.

Venatus

Venatus is the god of hunting, trees, and the moon. He is generally considered to have been born of a lightning bolt hitting a fir tree and is married to either Caelos or Fidea (occasionally both). He is usually angry and intelligent.

• Sacred Objects and Symbols: Bows, lances, horses, hawks, the moon, and all trees (but especially beeches and spruces).
• Preferred Sacrifices: Cider, wheat, hunted game, and silver.

Caelos

Caelos is the god of the sky and of artisans. He is often portrayed as a son of Medeis-Arvum, and is often married to Venatus. He is usually inveterately unfaithful and righteous.

• Sacred Objects and Symbols: Javelins, eagles, crows, amethysts, looms, and firs.
• Preferred Sacrifices: Perfume, incense, goats, tapestries, and arsenical bronze.

Fidea

Fidea is the goddess of honor, fealty, and loyalty. She is generally the twin sister and foe of Medeis, and is often married to Venatus. She is usually condescending and honorable.

• Sacred Objects and Symbols: Swords, arm-rings, dogs, horns, and cypresses.
• Preferred Sacrifices: Mead, boar, pigs, dogs, statuary, swords, and gold.

Shamolis

Shamolis is the goddess of the sun, fire, and of song. She is originally of Limosian origin, and a relatively new introduction to Aeternean religion. She is generally born of an ash tree, and is usually proud and reckless.

• Sacred Objects and Symbols: Clubs, chariots, cheetahs, stringed instruments, and sunflowers.
• Preferred Sacrifices: Deer, antelopes, chariots, instruments, and electrum.

Luitgarda

Luitgarda is the Quadian queen who, some 40 years ago, established the Aeternorum sive Quadiorum Imperium (Empire of the Aeterneans and Quadi). Since her death, she has become the object of a great deal of reverence. She had several husbands in life, outliving all of them, and a raven companion supposedly sent to guide her by Proellia, who she is often associated with.

• Sacred Objects and Symbols: Lily flowers, ravens, aquamarines, swords, and heather.
• Preferred Sacrifices: Flowers, antelopes (especially chamois), aquamarines, and weaponry.

Sjóhaf-Lofthimn

Sjóhaf-Lofthimn is the bitheistic religion of much of the far south of Carolingia. It is named for the twin Gods it worships (capital G because this is most certainly not a polytheistic religion): Sjóhaf, God of the sea, and Lofthimn, God of the sky. The two deities have somewhat different domains, with Sjóhaf's including war and fertility, and Lofthimn's including magic and poetry. All faithful of this religion are followers of either Sjóhaf or Lofthimn depending on whether they were born during the day (Lofthimn) or night (Sjóhaf), and have an ethereal animal spirit accompanying them from birth, although it's almost never visible. Followers of Sjóhaf can have sea animals, followers of Lofthimn can have air animals, and both can have land animals. Making this animal manifest and able to interact with the world takes an extreme toll both physically and mentally, and as your companion dies when you do, only the extremely hardy and strong of will (read: those with enough HP to not immediately die) can generally use their animal companions to much effect.

Humans are viewed as inhabiting the neutral ground (land) between the holy domains of the sea and the sky. Sjóhaf and Lofthimn are simultaneously foes, lovers, and, according to some, the same being. Their worship is not an organized faith by any means, so there's a profusion of beliefs and ethical stances all falling under its name. Generally, there is belief in reincarnation upon death, the holiness of righteous sacrifice and death in battle, and in the holy joy of singing.