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Gods and Goddesses

Unionism differs from other Religions, in that it has Duo-Gods. All Duo-Gods are divine and each have divine powers in the afterlife (though some Gods may be yet living). Unionists worship all Gods equally, though they may choose specific Patron gods which they worship more. The Everwatcher acts like an overarching God of Gods, but the Everwatcher cannot directly be interacted with, so most people end up praising the Everwatcher through the Gods and Goddesses. Unionism also has the Cults further below. Cults add Gods onto the standard Pantheon, but they are not mandatory for vanilla Unionists who don't worship the Cults. It is possible to be a believer of both Cults.

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	Description	Allest and Brand are the Martial Gods of Unionism, the promoters of strength in martial arms, and of fraternity and loyalty in the military. Allest is the God of Warriors, and was also a Vessel-God in life before ascending to the Pantheon following his death in battle. Brand is the God of Gladiators, and was a God to the Emended and later Guided Unionists, before being incorporated to the unified Pantheon in recent times. Together, the Martial Gods represent the bravery and unwavering discipline of the Regalian Military, while also representing victories in battle, boisterous celebration among friends and lovers, and dependability. They are represented by two crossed swords, one with blood to symbolize the battlefield, and one dripping with tears to represent the loss of comrades in these conflicts. Their main holy place is the Divine Heroic Contemplation Temple, located in the Gloomrot Forest of the Crown Isle. Rituals belonging to the Martial Gods involve some kind of brotherly oath, a promise to protect someone until one's dying breath, or swearing fealty and undying loyalty to an overlord in war. Allest and Brand were glorious warriors each in their own right, so in many ways, prayer before battle and battle itself is a form of worship in their names, as is love persevering through war.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Martial Gods is to be loyal to the state, military, and fellow believers. While the Prophets also speak of loyalty, their lesson is more about faith and trust in general cooperation, whereas the Martial Gods preach for the actual demonstration of this loyalty, by actually pledging to support others and work alongside them through thick and thin. A secondary virtue is physical strength, as promotes reliability and the ability to help others, rather than becoming dead weight and a liability. General exercise is seen as paying respects to the Martial Gods, as a fully sedentary life isolated from others breeds inaction and a lack of comradery with the faithful.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Martial Gods is treason, and deceiving one's allies for personal gain. It is seen as the greatest betrayal of Unionists to spend decades fighting alongside brothers and sisters against common enemies on the worst battlefields, only to turncoat and become the very thing you fought against for so long. While the term backstabbing is metaphorical in most cases, to Unionists the act of deceiving one's comrades may as well be a literal knife in the back, as the harm caused may as well be the same. Finally, adultery is equally considered a Vice against the Martial Gods, as the act of marriage is considered a sacred pairing between two lovers, where there are no secrets shared between them. To betray such an intimate bond is to be the scum of the earth, and unworthy of even the Everwatcher's unconditional love.
	Legacy	In Life, Allest was known as Allestrain Ivrae Heiligenblut, later known as Emperor Allestrain I. Brand was known as Arch-Chancellor Alexander I Kade, though his divine name was taken from his nickname Bram given by Allestrain. Allestrain and Alexander were lovers in life, despite each of them being married (Allestrain to Eolaria Brunig, and Alexander to Leona Weissburg). It is believed that due to the Emperor needed to have an Empress to sire future heirs, that the four of them entered into sham marriages for political convenience, while actually being intimate with their "true spouses". Allestrain and Brand were instrumental in launching a rapid series of military conquests for the Regalian Military, while also implementing the Navigation Acts to cement Regalian authority over states that surrendered peacefully. Allestrain would be killed in battle against the Nordskaggers, after which the Concilly Council declared his ascension to the Pantheon as God-Emperor Allest. Alexander would continue to fight in the name of his deceased lover, eventually dying on the same battlefield several years later. He would be declared a God by the Emended and later Guided Unionists, before the mending of the schisms made him a Duo God with Allest.

Theomar & Thedmir, the Prophets

	Description	Theomar (left) and Thedmir (right) are the Prophet Gods of Unionism, the spreaders and founders of the faith. Theomar is also known as the first God-Emperor of Unionism, a title used to refer to the Emperors and Empresses who ascend to godhood after their deaths. In life, Theomar was the first Vessel-God of Unionism, making him the first physical speaker of the Everwatcher, and thus was responsible for proclaiming the message of Unionism through the Creed. Thedmir was a God of the Guided Unionists, but following the mending of this community with the rest of the Unionists, was included as the Duo-God with Theomar, as Thedmir was equally responsible with spreading the faith of Unionism during its beginning. Together, the Prophet Gods represent the Faith of Unionism, the spreading of it to further the Great Way, and strengthening the Religion through various rituals and practices. They are often represented by the necklace of friendship, as the bond between friends is the same type of bond that should be shared between all Unionists. Their main place of worship is the All-Beacon Temple in the center of the City of Regalia, which is the tallest temple in Unionism. Rituals of the Prophets include the preaching of Unionism to non-believers, aiding in the defense of holy places, mediating disputes between adversaries, and providing spiritual guidance to the military. There are also rituals concerning the sanctification and re-affirmation of friendship.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Prophets is to be faithful, which is practiced in a multitude of ways. First, the act of preaching and spreading the faith is an act to honor the Prophets, as well as ensuring the safety of all Unionist holy places to ensure the faithful can worship freely. Secondly, faith is practiced by supporting the Regalian Empire. As the State Religion, Unionism expects that its practitioners are good citizens, from the lowest commoner working an honest job, to the highest Duke governing fairly as a representative of the Emperor. Finally, the Virtue of Faith is expressed as friendship, or faith in one another, as only through shared bonds and experiences can the Great Way be progressed.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Prophets is to turn away from the Great Way, or to impede it. The most obvious example of such sabotage is treason against the Regalian Empire. As the State Religion, Unionism and Regalia are treated as one and the same in the hearts of Unionists, meaning that to harm the State by cooperating or aiding foreign adversaries is considered both a secular and religious crime. Likewise, the hindering of missionaries is likewise seen as a sin against the Prophets' message. As a tenet of Unionism is loyalty to the Regalian Emperor, spreading the faith to foreign nations is often a first step in incorporating them into the Empire's territory or network of alliances. Preventing the spread of Unionism to these states makes future diplomatic missions far more difficult, which can lead to setbacks in the Empire's ambitions.
	Legacy	In life, Theomar was known as Thulric Ivraan, later known as Theomar Ivrae, the First Emperor of Regalia. It was Theomar who received visions from the Everwatcher which led to the proclamation of Unionism via the Creed, and set the foundations for the religion. Theomar was the Vessel-God, and was considered to be a mortal God. Following his death, the Covenant Council confirmed his ascension to the Pantheon, maintaining the same divinity he held in life. Thedmir was known in life as Thedmir Kade, Grand Alder of Anglia and first Arch-Chancellor of the Regalian Empire. As a lifelong friend of Theomar, Thedmir co-led the Five Family Rebellion which established the Regalian Empire, before working on laying out the government structure alongside the Emperor. When Theomar recieved his visions, Thedmir became the first convert to Unionism, and aided in its spread among the ruling nobility of the Empire. Following his death, Thedmir was not immediately seen as a God, though the Guided Unionists would deify him centuries later to be a Duo-God with Theomar, a status which eventually was adopted by all Unionisms following the mending of the schisms.

Ness & Eora, the Saviors

	Description	Ness (left) and Eora (right) are the Savior Gods of Unionism, the saviors of the faithful, and the granter of mercy. Ness was the first God-Empress of Unionism, a title which refers to an Empress of Regalia who obtains Godhood following her death. Eora was a God of the Guided Unionists, but following the mending of this community with the rest of the Unionists, was included as the Duo-God with Ness, as the two were contemporaries and worked together during their mortal lives. Together, the Savior Gods represent the mercies of Unionism, to care for those in need, to heal those with illness, and to forgive those who transgress others. There are represented by the Butterfly Mask of Ness and the Habit (head scarf) of Eora, as both were notable belongings of them in life. Their main place of worship is the Temple of Salvation on the outskirts of the City of Regalia, which also doubles as a hospital. Rituals to the Saviors involve forgiving, nurturing, and healing others. The act of taking private confessions, volunteering as a medic or aid in a clinic, and visiting prisoner to offer love and kindness where there is often rejection and apathy.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Saviors is to be merciful, and show kindness and compassion to others, even if they would be underserving of it. To Unionists, the ability to forgive those who have wronged them is seen as a deep spiritual conviction just as much as it is a mental one. Even the most damned individual is still deserving of mercy, which is why this Virtue is often a struggle for Unionists to uphold at all times. Ultimately, all people are mortals with free will, and thus are prone to sin from time to time. The Saviors thus task Unionists to be understanding of this reality, and to always be willing to offer the same love and care that they would expect from their closest friends and family.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Saviors, is to be bereft of mercy, and to close off one's heart to the possibility of forgiving others. As mortals, Unionists are well aware that it can difficult, if not seemingly impossible, to forgive some people for their actions. However, the Saviors warn that unless one opens up their heart to the possibility of forgiveness and mercy, one cannot every truly recover from the harm done to them. Likewise, if one does not consider extending mercy to others, they can often become blind with grudges that rub off onto others, perpetuating a cycle of hatred and cruelty. As such, Unionists should always try to forgive those who wrong them, even if it is difficult, as they may end up being the ones who seek out such mercy, and would be defeated if they were not forgiven for their own transgressions.
	Legacy	In Life, Ness was known as Nessaria Calontir, Empress to Henri I. Nessaria lived a life of infidelity until she was blinded by her husband as punishment, eventually finding love in Henri after the births of their children. Following Henri's death, Nessaria would lose three of her children to assassins during the Years of the Three Emperors. As the Dowager-Empress, Nessaria personally forgave the assassins, an act of mercy unheard of for a mother who lose her family. She would spend the rest of her life visiting Greygate Prison at night to turn the worst criminals into repentant faithful. Following her death, the Covenant College proclaimed her divinity and ascension to the Pantheon. Eora was known in life as Eotranna Kade, serving as an Arch Chancellor of Regalia for a brief period before resigning after suffering a stroke. During her tenure and afterwards, Eotranna helped promote the medical field by funding the construction of hospitals and clinics across the Empire. Following her death, she was not immediately seen as a Goddess, though the Guided Unionists would deify her centuries later to be a Duo-God with Ness, a status which eventually was adopted by all Unionisms following the mending of the schisms.

Juvin & Glanzia, the Purists

	Description	Juvin (right) and Glanzia (left) are the Pure Gods of Unionism, the teachers of the purity of reason and logic, and the purity of the soul through magical-apprehension. Juvin is another God-Emperor of Unionism, and was the Vessel God in life before the Covenant College proclaimed his ascension as the God of Pure Reason to the Pantheon following his death. Glanzia is the Called Goddess of Pure Soul, a title which refers to mortals who ascended to Godhood through a higher calling. Together, the Pure Gods represent the purity of thoughtfulness and scholarship, and the desire to foster a lifelong passion for leaning, as well as the purity of the soul, in that one should be apprehensive of magic due to its history of unpredictability. They are often represented by Books with the Unionist Eye, as literature is a source of understanding of the wider world, and Black Granite statues of Heroes, which are mortal individuals known for their piety and service towards Unionism. Their main holy place is the Temple of Greater Understanding in the City of Regalia, which doubles as one of the Empire's greatest libraries. Rituals belonging to the Pure Gods involve the Rites of Investigation. This usually involves an in-depth investigation to some kind of mystery, for Juvin that being discovery of new information and publication to the masses, and for Glanzia to uncover hidden Mages and the Occult, and to warn the general public. General rituals and customs also just involve educating the masses on general factual information and debates of skill.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Pure Gods is the pursuit of knowledge which has not been tainted by corruption, and knowing the pure truth from lies. At a surface level, this Virtue warns Unionists from lying towards others, as being deceptive and untruthful harms the progress of the Great Way, as an open and honest individual is one who others find more receptive to cooperate with. In a deeper level, this Virtue also tasks Unionists with uncovering the truth of statements and accounts, and to hold those who record such events to higher scrutiny. As knowledge ultimately is passed down through the generations, any manipulation of the facts in the present can greatly undermine the progress of the future. Likewise, scholars are encouraged to doubt the findings of their peers until they are able to verify their findings on their own, a practice which promotes higher quality research and greater understanding.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Pure Gods is to corrupt others through lies and deceptive practices. Knowledge is a powerful tool which has the capacity to benefit society as a whole, but also has the ability to manipulate society by withholding critical information. The Pure Gods warn of these sinister agents, who withhold knowledge from others, and proclaim falsehoods in order to create various echo chambers to divide society. As such, Unionists should always seek to spread information with one another, and to seek out different viewpoints to come to a greater understanding of the subject at hand. Likewise, the faithful should also be quick to point out conflicting information, and seek out the reason for such discrepancies, lest a false narrative be passed down to future generations, robbing a future from the truth they are deserved.
	Legacy	In life, Juvin was was known as Heinrich III Ivrae Heligenblut, later crowned as Emperor Henri III. As Emperor, Henri brought about the Blessed Reign, a golden age of the Regalian Empire where the borders of the realm greatly expanded, bringing in new peoples to foster growth in scholarship and economic growth. He was also the most pious Emperor, rivaled only to Theomar himself, which set him apart from his predecessors, who often had reputations of being puppets to the Viridian Order. In fact, the revelation of a coup conspiracy within the knights led to Henri greatly stripping away Viridian authority in the Empire in an effort to eradicate corruption, which ultimately succeeded. Following his death, the Covenant College declared his ascension to the Pantheon as God-Emperor Juvin (his middle name which he often used with his closest friends). Glanzia was a mortal who grew up in the Osteiermark area of the Regalian Archipelago, which was known to harbor several Vampire covens since the days of the Sarnan Tribes. Glanzia often preached about uncovering hidden Vampires in society, while also preaching of general apprehension to magic. She ascended to Godhood after displaying an ability to create a material known as Purestone, which was used to combat hostile occult across the region. Glanzia is still alive today, and often resides in the city of Praag to preach to the faithful, also warning about manipulating her message to be a corruption in and of itself.

Allest & Brand, the Marshals

	Description	Allest (right) and Brand (left) are the Martial Gods of Unionism, the promoters of strength in martial arms, and of fraternity and loyalty in the military. Allest is the God of Warriors, and was also a Vessel-God in life before ascending to the Pantheon following his death in battle. Brand is the God of Gladiators, and was a God to the Emended and later Guided Unionists, before being incorporated to the unified Pantheon in recent times. Together, the Martial Gods represent the bravery and unwavering discipline of the Regalian Military, while also representing victories in battle, boisterous celebration among friends and lovers, and dependability. They are represented by two crossed swords, one with blood to symbolize the battlefield, and one dripping with tears to represent the loss of comrades in these conflicts. Their main holy place is the Divine Heroic Contemplation Temple, located in the Gloomrot Forest of the Crown Isle. Rituals belonging to the Martial Gods involve some kind of brotherly oath, a promise to protect someone until one's dying breath, or swearing fealty and undying loyalty to an overlord in war. Allest and Brand were glorious warriors each in their own right, so in many ways, prayer before battle and battle itself is a form of worship in their names, as is love persevering through war.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Martial Gods is to be loyal to the state, military, and fellow believers. While the Prophets also speak of loyalty, their lesson is more about faith and trust in general cooperation, whereas the Martial Gods preach for the actual demonstration of this loyalty, by actually pledging to support others and work alongside them through thick and thin. A secondary virtue is physical strength, as promotes reliability and the ability to help others, rather than becoming dead weight and a liability. General exercise is seen as paying respects to the Martial Gods, as a fully sedentary life isolated from others breeds inaction and a lack of comradery with the faithful.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Martial Gods is treason, and deceiving one's allies for personal gain. It is seen as the greatest betrayal of Unionists to spend decades fighting alongside brothers and sisters against common enemies on the worst battlefields, only to turncoat and become the very thing you fought against for so long. While the term backstabbing is metaphorical in most cases, to Unionists the act of deceiving one's comrades may as well be a literal knife in the back, as the harm caused may as well be the same. Finally, adultery is equally considered a Vice against the Martial Gods, as the act of marriage is considered a sacred pairing between two lovers, where there are no secrets shared between them. To betray such an intimate bond is to be the scum of the earth, and unworthy of even the Everwatcher's unconditional love.
	Legacy	In Life, Allest was known as Allestrain Ivrae Heiligenblut, later known as Emperor Allestrain I. Brand was known as Arch-Chancellor Alexander I Kade "the Giant", though his divine name was taken from his nickname Bram given by Allestrain. Allestrain and Alexander were lovers in life, despite each of them being married (Allestrain to Eolaria Brunig, and Alexander to Leona Weissburg). It is believed that due to the Emperor needed to have an Empress to sire future heirs, that the four of them entered into sham marriages for political convenience, while actually being intimate with their "true spouses". Allestrain and Brand were instrumental in launching a rapid series of military conquests for the Regalian Military, while also implementing the Navigation Acts to cement Regalian authority over states that surrendered peacefully. Allestrain would be killed in battle against the Nordskaggers, after which the Concilly Council declared his ascension to the Pantheon as God-Emperor Allest. Alexander would continue to fight in the name of his deceased lover, eventually dying on the same battlefield several years later. He would be declared a God by the Emended and later Guided Unionists, before the mending of the schisms made him a Duo God with Allest.

Elia & Leona, the Protectors

	Description	Elia (left) and Leona (right) are the Protector Goddesses of Unionism, the guardians of the faithful, and promoters of responsibility towards others. Elia is the God-Empress of the Watchful Gaze, and Leona is the goddess of Knights, and was a God to the Emended and later Guided Unionists, before being incorporated to the unified Pantheon in recent times. Together, the Protector Goddesses represent chivalry, alertness, mindfulness, responsibility, dedication, precision, and awareness. They are represented by Elias's Longbow and Leona's Sword, with Blacksteel in general representing the strength and durability required of defenders of the faith. Their main holy place is the Temple of Unyielding Overwatch, otherwise known as the Imperial Hunting Lodge on the Crown Isle. Rituals belonging to the Protector Goddesses involve some kind of communal or co-operative practice of the hunt or respect and support of the Knights (as well as being Knights). Knighthood is considered the greatest form of "keeping watch over society", and so many of their patrons become Knights. Other forms of rituals are couple or group hunts, and inspections of garrisons and walls and armories.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Protectors is to be responsible for society as a whole, and to protect those around you. As the world is a dangerous place, and enemies of Unionism are ever present, it is the duty of all faithful to remain vigilant for such threats, and be ready to take up the call to protect all that they cherish. It is important to emphasize that this duty is not only for those martially inclined, as the Protectors preach for everyone to contribute what they can, be it a baker providing bread for a knight, or a street sweeper ensuring that the roads are able to be traversed quickly in an emergency. By watching out for one's fellow citizen, they in turn will watch out for you, ensuring that society as a whole is well protected and cared for.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Protectors is to be apathetic and uncaring to the world around them. As Unionists are expected to further the Great Way by doing their part to bring about Paradise, the act of general apathy not only impedes the Great Way, but might also hinder the duties of fellow citizens. For example, a farmer that decides not to harvest grain for the day prevents the miller and baker from producing the bread for the village, causing everyone to go hungry due to the laziness of one person. Likewise, a careless disregard to the dangers of the world invite even greater calamities upon those who were not prepared. As such, the Protectors emphasize the need for Unionists to pull their weight and contribute to society as a whole, while also remaining ever vigilant and prepared for any emergency that arises in the future.
	Legacy	In Life, Elia was known as Eolaria Brunig, Empress to Allestrain I, while Leona was married to Arch-Chancellor Alexander I. As mentioned previously, both marriages were public fronts to placate the demands of an Emperor to have an Empress. Eolaria was a fierce warrior, but fought more so for personal glory and to train the common soldier, rather than Allestrain and Alexander's ambitions for territorial expansion. Leona was the silent supporter of her lover's work, caring for the Empress when she was injured, and taking hits for Eolaria who was not paying attention, suffering through them. Both women would outlive their spouses, with Eoalaria continuing to fight in a few minor campaigns as the Dowager Empress alongside Leona. When Eolaria died after years of sustaining battle wounds, the Covenant Council declared her ascension to the Pantheon as God Empress Elia. Leona would retire to the Thousand Blade Monastery following the death of the true love, maintaining a silent vigil and training the next generation of knights. Following her death, the Emended and later Guided Unionists would declare her a Goddess in her own right, before recent times saw her paired with Elia in the Pantheon.

The Everwatcher & Alexander, the Vessel

	Description	The Everwatcher (not pictured) is the Supreme Being of Unionism, the source of all creation, and the final destiny of all things. Unionists believe it was the first thing created at the beginning of time, holding supremacy over all other Gods and Goddesses. The Everwatcher des not manifest in Aloria, and utilizes the Vessel-God to be the living embodiment of its divine will. Alexander is the Emperor of Regalia, and is thus the current Vessel-God of Unionism until his death or abdication (as only the reigning Emperor can be the Vessel-God). Together, Alexander and the Everwatcher represent Divinity, Sageness, Wisdom, Benevolence, Inclusivity, All-Loving, and All-Caring. The Imperial Palace is seen as the chief holy place for the Vessel God, and seen as the holiest site for Unionists. There are no Rituals for the Vessel God, as they are only divine in life, and each successor takes a different approach to carrying out the Everwatcher's will, making it difficult to find any common rituals beyond the imperial coronation and other ceremonies of state.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Vessel is to be humble and aware of one's own mortality. Nobody lives forever, as even the Vessel God will one day die, so Unionists make an effort to use what time they have to celebrate their achievements and gains in life, while also preparing the way for their inevitable successors. Likewise, Unionists in positions of authority are tasked with being fair representatives of the Emperor's positive characteristics, as the Emperor in turn is representative of the Everwatcher's divinity. By being a fair and just example, Unionists demonstrate the benevolence of the Vessel-God, which helps to encourage even non-believers to emulate his characteristics to benefit the Regalian Empire and further the Great Way.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Vessel God is pride itself, and the refusal to prepare the stage for one's inevitable successor. The only way for a society to continue to improve is when one's forebears adequately prepare the next generation with the tools needed to carry on the torch of leadership. To deny and obstruct the transfer of power when the time comes not only causes the creation of incompetent leaders, but also creates cults of personality which detract from the needs of the greater Unionist community. As such, Unionists are obliged to make arrangements to ensure that stability is maintained, so that their deaths do not lead to a power vacuum or future incompetence. Likewise, the faithful should be willing to forfeit their power to another if it benefits the Great Way.
	Legacy	Alexander was born Alexander Kade, son of Arch-Chancellor Moriarty Kade and Princess Alianne Ivrae de Sange, through whom the line of Succession passed through after the death of the previous Emperor, Justinian II. Alexander was brought up to one day succeed his father as Arch-Chancellor, though the Sanction of 302 AC saw him become Emperor instead. Emperor Alexander is actually Alexander II, as the God Brand was known as Alexander the Giant in life. However, the regnal number is often omitted, as Alexander is the first reigning Emperor with that name, and also because Alexander the Giant is referred to by his divine name Brand since his death. Emperor Alexander is the only mortal to have become the Vessel-God twice, as he abdicated the throne to his brother Cedromar before being reinstated after an interregnum period. Despite the Emperor's absence in recent times, he remains the Vessel-God, as he has not been declared dead, nor has any successor taken the Imperial Throne.

Neall & Nolven, the Cultured

	Description	Neall (left) and Nolven (right) are the Culture Gods of Unionism, the teachers of the facets of culture and art, both in times of peace and war. Neall (left) is the Joined God of Visual Arts, while Nolven is the Joined God of Military Arts. Together, the Culture Gods represent creativity, artistic expression, gregariousness, welcomeness, inclusivity, and visuals. They are represented by Neall's golden paintbrush/pencil, and Nolven's golden sword. Their main holy place is the Temple of High Arts, which serves as the Imperial Art Gallery. Rituals of the Culture Gods involve the combination of cultural beauty and the art of war, whether that is a dramatic renaissance-style painting of a battlefield, or finding ways to depict what is in essence militarist propaganda in beautiful ways (statues, poetry, literature, art, etc). Because art is a skill, most worshipers of Neall and Nolven tend to perform their worship by paying artists to make art, a form of patronage.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Culture Gods is to find the beauty in all aspects of life, through cultural and artistic expressions. Unionists believe that art is a way to fill the soul with the Everwatcher's divine light, and often decorate their holy spaces with stained glass, chiseled statues, and ironic paintings. The Culture Gods also preach about the beauty which can be found in war. While the battlefield can often be seen as a bloody hellscape void of emotion, it is also the place where great heroic feats are performed that pass into song and legend, and well-planned strategies are executed with precision. It is thus a virtue to always seek the positives in every situation, and find the beauty in even the most mundane of things, as often there is a divine order to all things.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Culture Gods is barbarism, and the blind hatred of things. To lash out against the world without grace or beauty is to be no different from a wild beast, fueled off of primal instinct and lacking true sentience. To give in to one's primal urges is to cast aside one's humanity, and thus fall astray from carrying out the Great Way. Even when emotions run high, Unionists are reminded to demonstrate a sense of grace in their setbacks, and to understand that such obstacles are simply part of life's process. Failure is bound to occur, as nobody creates a masterpiece the first them they start something. To rage against one's misfortunes is to lack the ability to grow, and thus become an animal lacking any culture.
	Legacy	Neall and Nolven are Joined Gods, meaning they were once the Gods of a tribe whose name has been lost to time. They are also unique in that the Covenant College declared them as Duo-Gods decades before the concept was adopted by the Emended and later Guided Unionists. Neall is generally seen as a reserved as shy God, more focused on his artistic pursuits, while Nolven as a war God is more gregarious and prone to carnal desires. It comes to no surprise that Nolvan is one of the Unionist Gods who sires Godborn, who are often expected by Unionists to represent their divine father and uncle's pursuits of cultured warriors.

Al-Asir & Marani, the Inspired

	Description	Al-Asir (right) and Marani (left) are the Inspired Gods of Unionism, the divine inspirers of innovation and technology to better wider society. Al-Asir is the God of Invention, and often works with creators to improve their designs for greater effectiveness. Marani is the God of Inspiration, and the best friend of Al-Asir, often providing ideas for future technological advancements. Together, the Inspired Gods represent technology, resourcefulness, inspiration, altruism, conscientiousness, and discoveries. They are represented by Al-Asir's golden gears, or Qadir arm tattoo shapes in glowing gold. Their main holy place is the Telocator Temple in Al-Alus, the only one outside of the Regalian Empire. Rituals belonging to the Inspired Gods involve the act of inventing, or just tinkering with technology, reading books and improving skills, or just generally engaging in crafts from simple wood carving furniture to advanced architectural planning. The act of production for someone else, even at the cost of payments, is considered a virtuous activity for the patron Gods of Craftsmen, this is why object creations are always blessed by the Gods.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Inspired Gods is to better society through the sharing of knowledge and technology. The concept of research and development is one valued highly by Unionists, as improving the functioning of the Regalian Empire and well-being of its citizens not only makes the Empire a better place to live, but also frees up resources to focus on other areas in need of development. The ability to constantly improve upon previous systems is a strong tenet of Unionism, allowing the faith to adapt to changes in society. Even if some technological changes may come to a surprise to those unfamiliar with the science behind them, Unionists nonetheless are quite open to such advancements, and often speculate on how a new invention can make life easier.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Inspired Gods is to create machines which automate death. Technology should always be built with the intentions of improving the quality of life to those around them. To create a machine for needless killing only aims to take life from others, and does not benefit society in any capacity. There is a key difference between inventing a new firearm, which has a benefit of reducing the number of casualties in battle and preventing needless bloodshed, and creating a machine programmed only to kill, which only automates the killing process and removed the morality behind going to war. All technology much be created as a response to the saving of life or the reduction in death, and never designed for making killing more efficient for killing's sake.
	Legacy	Al-Asir was born as Nadir Al-Taqdeer, and predates the founding of Unionism by a century. He is believed to have been immaculately conceived by the Everwatcher before the Great Storm, and tasked a group of Qadir to raise him into the God he is known for today. He is also believed to be the reincarnation of the Dragon Marik, though most Unionists are indifferent with the notion. Marani, known by his full name of Marani Keita, is Al-Asir's stalwart protector and confidant, acting as an invaluable friend around the Qadir who are often too comfortable and casual around the God of Invention. Their pariing is unique, as Al-Asir is a Qadir, whereas Marani is a Songaskian. Together, they reside in Al-Alus by creating technology to help out society, but also work to mend the societal trauma between the Qadir and Songaskians which has existed for centuries during the Sariyd Empire.

Tanthor & Dari, the Preservers

	Description	Tanthor (right) and Dari (left) are the Preserving Gods of Unionism, the advocators for the weak and downtrodden by blessing them with the strength to go on. They are unique Gods in that they come from two peoples who have historically been the enemies of Unionism, with Tanthor being a Kathar God, and Dari being a Sendrassian Allar God. Together, the Preserving Gods represent the downtrodden, the forgotten, and the unwanted in a society that are often pushed around by everyone around them to fit their needs. They are represented by golden neck chains or other forms of personal restraint around the neck, giving off notions of slavery and all the connotations associate with it. The Preserving Gods have no Temple, as it was demolished in Crookback to make way for housing, though shrines to them are found in the slums and undercities of the Regalian Empire. Tanthor and Dari give hope to the lost that there is still a place for them in the Everwatcher's Grace and the Regalian Empire. Rituals of Dari and Tanthor often involve charity and bringing care and warmth to the poor, the dispossessed, the unwanted, and to show compassion and no bigotry against those who look or act different. They involve rituals to combat racism, discrimination, and general radical inclusion, perhaps even Vampires.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Preserver Gods is to see the contributions that all people make to the Great Way, even the most wretched, unwanted, and outcast of society. Regardless of one's birth or station in life, Unionists should endeavor to find a way to help everyone contribute to the betterment of society, and fight against bigotry and discrimination which aims to split society into an "us" vs "them" mentality. Unionism is first an foremost a religion for all people, and thus the act of including others as participants is seen as a virtuous act. As such, the faithful are tasked with finding sympathy with the downtrodden, and offer them alms and the ability to have their voices heard, while serving as an advocate and ally if they cannot speak for themselves.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Preservers is to find sadism and satisfaction in the hurting of the unloved. As recent conflicts have seen the Regalian Empire fight against various peoples who are often seen as the embodiment of evil to Unionism, so too has prejudices risen against individuals who simply belong to same heritage, despite not being blameless is the actions of such adversaries. To give into bigotry and to kick those who are already down is seen as a sin in the eyes of the Gods, as those who are already at rock bottom do not need to be tormented more than they already are. To oppress those who have done no wrong is to simply become the evil that is to be fought against. As such, Unionists must train themselves to be conscientious about the plights of the downtrodden, and to keep their well-being in mind, lest the Great Way be forgotten in the pursuit of oppression.
	Legacy	Very little is known about either Thanthor or Dari's past, as both of them are more concerned about the plight of the downtrodden rather than their personal histories. They appeared first during the tenure of Arch-Chancellor Morgan Kade, known for his tyranny against others. Following his execution, the duo ascended to the Pantheon as Called Gods after moving Emperor Vilgemar to begin his emancipation efforts of the many slaves across the Regalian Empire. Rather than preach to the everyday faithful, the Preserver Gods took to the slums of the Empire, hearing the concerns of the downtrodden and unwanted and advocating for them on their behalf, leading to an improvement of conditions, and a returning of faith to those who once felt that Unionism was a religion for the well-off, and could care less for those without two coins to rub together. In recent times Tanthor and Dari have been advocating for better treatment of refugees fleeing the Dread and Sendrassian Empires, reminding Unionists that the best way to defeat an enemy is to make them a friend, and any refugee who seeks out Regalia should be welcomed and offered a chance to contribute towards the Great Way.

Mendes & Hor, the Prosperous

	Description	Mendes (left) and Hor (right) are the Prosperity Gods of Unionism, the bringers of wealth and fortune, and instructors of financial wit. Mendes is the God of Fortune, able to grants boons to the faithful by giving them business acumen and blessing the lands to produce plentiful bounty. Hor is the God of Wealth, and serves as Mendes's bodyguard to ensure that the fortunes of Unionism are not squandered or stolen by enemies of the faith. Together, the Prosperity Gods represent business acumen, opulence, responsibility, self-sufficiency, insight, and bounty. They are represented by the Golden Coins of Union, which are coins with the Eye of the Everwatcher in place of the Emperor's profile. Their main holy place is the Regalian Central Bank and Exchange, which houses most of the Empire's gold reserves. One of the most common forms of worship to Mendes and Hor is paying taxes. The act of paying taxes is considered virtuous, because it both shows a willingness to part with wealth, and a willingness to trust the State to do good by the people with said Taxes, and to contribute to communal greatness. Other rituals involve squeezing foreigners for money and signing unequal trade treaties with foreign merchants, to encourage them to join the Empire and share in its prosperity.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Prosperity Gods is to share the wealth accumulated through one's actions. Not only does the pooling of money allow society to fund large projects which benefit everyone as a whole, but it also demonstrates the greatness of the Unionist faith, as worshippers are willing to part with their personal gains to benefit their fellow citizens. The giving of alms to the poor and donating to various charity organizations is a common practice for Unionists, as if the most destitute in society are given the means to life themselves out of squalor, they too will receive the means to lift others out of a terrible situation, continuing the cycle of charity and growth in society.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Prosperity Gods is greed. To hoard one's wealth and refuse to contribute to society is seen as an act of selfishness and a desire to not be part of the wider Empire. Unionists believe that while having some personal savings for emergency situation is a valuable necessity, that money which simply sits around for no good reason should be put to better use, often through philanthropic pursuits. Similarly, the act of theft is considered a grave sin against the Prosperity Gods, as the valuables stolen from others not only strips away the fortunes of a fellow citizen, thus affecting their wellbeing, but rarely do these fortunes ever go to a good use, and instead are hoarded by criminals who do not wish to contribute to wider society. As such, Unionists are encouraged to give freely to society, so that society as a whole improves, reducing the reasons for would-be thieves to take what is not theirs.
	Legacy	Mendes is a Joined God, and was once the God of a monotheistic faith called the Golden Mask, practiced by ex-Asha slaves who broke away from Baskarr worship during their years of oppression. Mendes led a large exodus of ex-slaves to Corontium, where they settled in an inhospitable area which nobody would care about. His divinity was proven to the Covenant Council when missionaries reported that the once destitute lands were not arable and prosperous due to the blessings brought by Mendes, which he later extended to the Regalian Empire as a whole when he joined the Pantheon. Hor, known previously as Horremenet, was a mortal Asha who served as a friend and bodyguard to Mendes for most of their life. He ascended to divinity as a Called God of Unionism after he fought off a group of robbers attempting a heist on the Central Bank and Exchange's artifact vault, preventing some of Unionism's cherished relics from being put on the black market. Together, the Prosperity Gods continue to reside at the Central Bank and Exchange, with Mendes advising bankers and merchants about future projects, and Hor training others to be better security guards for their clients.

Sinnavei & Eirlys, the Allies

	Description	Sinnavei and Eirlys are the Allied Goddesses of Unionism, showing non-believers and outsiders that they may find solace and alliance in the Regalian Empire. Sinnavei is the Joined Goddess of the Elves, and also doubles as an Estelley Goddess and patron of the Solvaan people. Eirlys is the Joined Goddess of the Tribes, and was once the chief Goddess of the pre-Unionist Breizh community in Kintyr. Together, the Allied Goddesses represent the glory of ages, respect, venerable of age, integration, and cooperation, They are represented by the Sollerian Mist-Gryphon, and the Breizh Santwr, feather-winged warriors. Their main holy places are the Skyward Palace in Solleria, and Bryn Dwyfol in Kintyr. Rituals of Sinnavei and Eirlys involve radical inclusion, but as opposed to Regalia's own citizens, that of outsiders. To ally with other faiths for the good in the world, to respect outsiders, to give them human decency and dignity, and to help them help the faith. It also involves healing racial tensions, and uncovering and sharing ancient lost knowledge to the world for the wisdoms that it may hold.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Allied Goddesses is to work alongside non-believers, as even they can contribute to the Great Way. While Unionists would prefer that others eventually convert to Unionism, they also accept that not everyone desires this outcome, but still wish to help the Regalian Empire out despite the difference in faith. As such, non-believers who wish to play a role in contributing to society are often accepted as valuable allies to the Empire's cause, as even they can help Unionists contribute to the Great Way by supporting the work of others. This is also extended to foreign states which may not be interested in joining the Empire, but are still open to furthering the Unionist cause by allying with the Regalians on the world stage.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Allied Goddesses is the destruction of anything alien and unknown. If one is quick to purge those they consider foreign are incompatible, they also risk losing a potential friend and ally, while also showing to others a reputation of being a warmonger unable to be trusted. history has show former adversaries whose conflicts lasted hundreds of years finally joining together to accomplish a shared goal. The Allied Goddesses preach that the best way to defeat enemies is to make them your allies, so that both parties may prosper through cooperation. By ignoring the potential for such partnerships, Unionists likewise hinder the Great Way by coming off as terrible allies.
	Legacy	As mentioned previously, both Sinnavei and Eirlys were Goddesses of their own religions before joining the Unionist Pantheon. Sinnavei has ruled over Solleria since the Allorn Empire colonized it centuries before, whereas Eirlys was a Goddess of the Breizh people in Kintyr. Together, both the Solvaan and Breizh frequently clased with the Aml Tribelands of early Anglia, even forming an alliance with one another at times. Following the Cataclysm, Sinnavei and Eirlys set aside their centuries of warfare with the Anglians and Eronidas of the Aml Tribelands, and assisted them with launching the Five Family Rebellion, creating the Regalian Empire. They would both join the Unionist Pantheon following personal visits by Emperor Theomar as the Vessel God, joining him in the Pantheon to spread the Everwatcher's message of cooperation across Aloria. Sinnavei still rules over Solleria to this day as both the spiritual and secular ruler of the Solvaan, while Eirlys resides in Kintyr, often aiding the Aelrrigan Knights with cleansing Renegade Mages of their power.

Caan & Kaldric, the Burdened

	Description	Allest and Brand are the Martial Gods of Unionism, the promoters of strength in martial arms, and of fraternity and loyalty in the military. Allest is the God of Warriors, and was also a Vessel-God in life before ascending to the Pantheon following his death in battle. Brand is the God of Gladiators, and was a God to the Emended and later Guided Unionists, before being incorporated to the unified Pantheon in recent times. Together, the Martial Gods represent the bravery and unwavering discipline of the Regalian Military, while also representing victories in battle, boisterous celebration among friends and lovers, and dependability. They are represented by two crossed swords, one with blood to symbolize the battlefield, and one dripping with tears to represent the loss of comrades in these conflicts. Their main holy place is the Divine Heroic Contemplation Temple, located in the Gloomrot Forest of the Crown Isle. Rituals belonging to the Martial Gods involve some kind of brotherly oath, a promise to protect someone until one's dying breath, or swearing fealty and undying loyalty to an overlord in war. Allest and Brand were glorious warriors each in their own right, so in many ways, prayer before battle and battle itself is a form of worship in their names, as is love persevering through war.
	Virtues	The Virtue of the Martial Gods is to be loyal to the state, military, and fellow believers. While the Prophets also speak of loyalty, their lesson is more about faith and trust in general cooperation, whereas the Martial Gods preach for the actual demonstration of this loyalty, by actually pledging to support others and work alongside them through thick and thin. A secondary virtue is physical strength, as promotes reliability and the ability to help others, rather than becoming dead weight and a liability. General exercise is seen as paying respects to the Martial Gods, as a fully sedentary life isolated from others breeds inaction and a lack of comradery with the faithful.
	Vices	The greatest Vice against the Martial Gods is treason, and deceiving one's allies for personal gain. It is seen as the greatest betrayal of Unionists to spend decades fighting alongside brothers and sisters against common enemies on the worst battlefields, only to turncoat and become the very thing you fought against for so long. While the term backstabbing is metaphorical in most cases, to Unionists the act of deceiving one's comrades may as well be a literal knife in the back, as the harm caused may as well be the same. Finally, adultery is equally considered a Vice against the Martial Gods, as the act of marriage is considered a sacred pairing between two lovers, where there are no secrets shared between them. To betray such an intimate bond is to be the scum of the earth, and unworthy of even the Everwatcher's unconditional love.
	Legacy	In Life, Allest was known as Allestrain Ivrae Heiligenblut, later known as Emperor Allestrain I. Brand was known as Arch-Chancellor Alexander I Kade, though his divine name was taken from his nickname Bram given by Allestrain. Allestrain and Alexander were lovers in life, despite each of them being married (Allestrain to Eolaria Brunig, and Alexander to Leona Weissburg). It is believed that due to the Emperor needed to have an Empress to sire future heirs, that the four of them entered into sham marriages for political convenience, while actually being intimate with their "true spouses". Allestrain and Brand were instrumental in launching a rapid series of military conquests for the Regalian Military, while also implementing the Navigation Acts to cement Regalian authority over states that surrendered peacefully. Allestrain would be killed in battle against the Nordskaggers, after which the Concilly Council declared his ascension to the Pantheon as God-Emperor Allest. Alexander would continue to fight in the name of his deceased lover, eventually dying on the same battlefield several years later. He would be declared a God by the Emended and later Guided Unionists, before the mending of the schisms made him a Duo God with Allest.