Religions both new and old exist in Aloria. Unionism in Regalia is the youngest, yet has the third greatest amount of followers, which is more even than the Old Gods that originated from times early in the Elven Empire. A character's religion can alter others' perception of them greatly: in Regalia, it's illegal to publicly declare yourself a religion other than Unionism.
They all, through different mouths, spoke of Ailor supremacy
Unionism is the unifying, militant religion of the Regalian Empire, and because of this, is the largest in all of Aloria. Despite these overarching statistics, Unionism has been split into multiple sects and heresies through the various schisms of its history. Some preach of the matriarchy, while others dictate that the Imperial Spirit could manifest itself into anyone. Still, other worshipers stay to the secluded mountains and dedicate their lives to that of the monk.
Thousands of years of holy oppression led to faiths that bend and waiver
Despite the sad state of its mother race, the Faith of Estel remains a close second to Unionism in terms of current worshipers. Conceptualized far before the Cataclysm, Estellians had thousands of years to spread their beliefs across Aloria. From the Faith of Estel sprouted two big faiths, as well as many derivative sects. Though one could contest that Void Worship pre-exists the Faith of Estel, modern Void Worship derives itself from the traditions of the Nelfin. The Old Gods, formed as a religion among slaves, acted as a motivating factor for the Ailor slave revolts against the Elves, who earned their freedom shortly following the Cataclysm. Further still, Avanthar, Cielothar, Saivalthar, Drowdar, and Wolathar worship their own individual religions, each with its own unique twists to the mother faith.
One would need to see a breathing dragon in person to be convinced of its divinity...
Dragon Worship has existed for thousands of years, even pre-dating the Elven Empire, however it has always been small in numbers. This branch of religion is shared by the Ch'ien-ji and the Isldar, though their faiths obviously differ in its method and the culture around it. Both faiths hold that Dragons created Aloria from nothing, and shaped it into what it is today. They furthermore hold an undying worry that if too few Dragon worshipers exist on Aloria, the Dragons will invoke an ice age and reshape Aloria again, this time instilling more rigid methods of worship. Despite this, many faithful are leaving their old beliefs behind simply due to the fact that Dragons have seemingly vanished from Aloria.
The rambunctious rebels of this day's religions...
Though these many faiths are often overlooked due to the sheer mass of the more popular religions, it would be silly to exclude them from any listings. Shama-Abdala is one such faith, actually making up the third most popular religion in Aloria, due to the Mansuriyan methods of enslavement. Others include smaller cults, isolated sects, and obscure faiths, all insignificant in relativity, but intriguing from a close-up perspective.
Religious Ceremonies
"You may now kiss the bride!"
All religious are full of ceremonies, sacraments, and rituals of their own kinds. Weddings may differ, and where a funeral may be a somber and tearful occasion in one faith, another may be rife with joy for the deceased life.
