Today's Date: 6th St. Jacoby, Year 3636
Calendars: 3635, 3636
Paganism is officially embraced only by the Diluvian Empire. What is referred to as "the Old Religion" actually encompasses many disparate cults that are in conflict or competition with each other (depending on which gods one aligns oneself with), but that are united by belief in a common mythology.
Pontifex Maximus: Servo Maleum
Imperial Siege: Marium
Commonly Referred to As: The Old Religion, Paganism
Hierarchy and Organization: In the Diluvian Empire, where the Old Religion is still practiced, the state appoints Official High Priests or "Pontifices" to perform the necessary rituals on behalf of the people and the state. The official state-sponsored cult is separate from the cult of each god or alliance of gods. These cults each have their own "Flamens" or priests, and a High Flamen in charge of his or her cult in each major geographic region. The Flamens of different cults vie for the role of State Priest or "Pontifex." The role played by a particular cult in local politics or society will depend on how individuals and social groups perceive that cult contributing to their ability to acquire and maintain power, which depends largely on the style and charisma of the cult's High Flamen or his local followers. The cult or cults most favored by the Diluvian Imperial Court typically enjoy a pre-eminence in Diluvian society at large, since one way to curry favor with the Emperor is currying favor with his gods. For this reason, the High Flamens of Marium also enjoy a particular preeminence within their respective cults, as they represent each cult to the Emperor. The "Pontifex Maximus," or chief high priest of the empire is appointed by the emperor. Though cults of the Old Religion have been banned everywhere outside of Diluvia, in Diluvia the worship of Laa is tolerated, treated as one of many competing cults.
Alignment: The cults of the Celestials tend to be Good, the cults of the Oceanians tend to be Neutral, and the cults of the Periculeans tend to be Evil
Recognized Orders: Mystic Theurges, Hierophants, Clerics, Druids, Adepts
Gods and Goddesses: There are three competing alliances of gods and goddesses, the Alliance of Heaven (or the Celestials), the Alliance of Ocean (or the Oceanians), and the Periculeans. (See the section on theology for more information about the gods and goddesses of the Old Religion.)
Position on "Miracles": The Old Religion is a way of miracles; though for some reason, the gods no longer seem to permit them anywhere in the "modern" nations of Waltia, Masovia, or their colonies or former colonies in the Western Hemisphere (Haldeve, Nortonia, Eastonia, New Waltia or the Shushanish Empire).