The Sianaean Pantheon is a complex political and religious cycle that governs the lives of all Sianaens.

The Greater and Lesser Pantheons

Power in Sianae is governed by the turning of the cycle of what is known as the Greater Pantheon. The Greater Pantheon are the eight animal-based gods that rule over all human lives.

• Zhyor the Dragon (Chaotic Evil)
• Imtiau the Raven (Chaotic Neutral)
• Ragane the Lion (Chaotic Good)
• Hurir the Horse (Neutral Good)
• Charad the Phoenix (Lawful Good)
• Arkal the Hawk (Lawful Neutral)
• Samal the Wolf (Lawful Evil)
• Urskil the Serpent (Neutral Evil)

The Lesser Pantheon is made up of various heroes and demi-gods that appear in the legends of Sianae. Some popular figures include:

• Leolo the Lucky
• Omodeo the Strong-Armed
• Meliore the Beautiful
• Tedescha the Oathbreaker
• Pellario the Chaste

The Cycle

Political power in Sianae is tied to the turning of the great Cycle of the Greater Pantheon (or the Cycle). Each faction (Dragon, Phoenix, etc.) rules as monarch for 8 generations before the cycle turns again (though there have been occasions where the Cycle is “turned” because the current faction has no heir to take the throne). Each noble house has devoted themselves to a particular faction. Ascendancy within the factions is determined by each faction individually.

Of course, the temples associated with the Ascendant church directly benefit from the change of cycle—and pay the costs of that change when in decline.

Creation Myth

Before the world was spun from the Great Cycle, the universe was not but struggle. Light against Darkness. Order against Chaos. Creation against Destruction. The struggles of these eternal forces spun out the Greater Gods and the Cycle. The Cycle, in turn, spun out the world, separating light from dark, order from chaos, and creation from destruction.

But the world was empty and lifeless. So each of the gods created some new thing to place upon it. Earth. Fire. Beasts. Plants. Finally, to rule this world in their name, the gods created humanity, each god imbuing it with some gift in its creation. Thus are men and women varied and each possess some aspect of the gods.

Priestly Ranks

Rank	Honorific	Minimum Level
Novice	Novice	0
Disciple	Lightbearer	1
Priest	Elder	4
Deacon	Honored One	7
Arch Priest	Reverend One	11
Arch-Deacon	Most Reverend One	15
High Priest	varies according to faith	19*

• = There can only be one person of this rank

High Priest Honorifics

Faith	Honorific
Arkal	Binder of the Winds
Charad	Bearer of the Flame
Hurir	Rider of the Mare
Imtiau	The Wings of Shadow
Ragane	Roar of the Lion
Samal	Binder of the Pack
Urskil	Venom-tongue
Zhyor	The Dragon’s Breath