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Symbol of Credentist faith.
Credintism, also known as Vampiric Faith, is the collective polytheistic religion & mythology of many Qirsyllvian vampires. Followers are called Credintists.
The faith's origins are shrouded in mystery, but it had its roots planted in ancient Eurodysia some six millenniums ago before it spread across the world over the ensuing centuries, supplanting faiths followed by most other vampires of other cultures and ethnicities of the time.
This religion is governed as a whole in Zatyzrik, Ardeal, but is practiced world-wide by vampires of every ethnicity. Yet, there are still many groups of vampires who follow other major and minor faiths. In the past several centuries – about a thousand years or so – vampires of other cultures and ethnicities have been turning to religions more prevalent in their home regions, to the point that Credintism is mostly a minority in those regions. Yet, Credintism remains strong among vampires in Eurodysia, Aquilonis, and the Eurodyne colonies in Nekcroz and Ingdjiva.
While Credintist vampires don't normally see eye-to-eye with most religions, most notably Synkratic Septifidelity, this is their primary form of worship. Furthermore, it's the anti-vampire stance of the Synkratic Church that pushes many vampires away from Septifidelity and into Credintism, even with the emergence of the vampiric Curatism Septifidelity.
The faith is led by the Zodje (k2^sÈ)(a vampiric religious title equivalent to the Pope of the Synkratic Church), which has many temples to the Vampiric Gods around Ardeal, and territories of the former Amurgine Empire. There are also many more smaller temples around Qirsyllviar frequented by local vampires.
The scriptures are written in a religious text known as the Cartea Zeilor (z6E1]R khRj6Y). Written in the Cartea Zeilor are physical descriptions of the gods and other figures, as well as the proper ways to worship them.
Pantheon
Zatyzia, Goddess of Creation
Zatyzia (k1E,Ù`B`C), also known to vampires as the "All-Mother," is the vampiric supreme goddess who created the world and the vampire race.
According to vampiric mythology, she birthed a number of the gods without a partner. The first generation Gods & Goddesses, those she gave birth to, are referred to as the Galo (xj#`N), and their spouses are referred to as the Jikzi (szTk`B). Her grandchildren, the second generation, are referred to as the Vyris (r7ÙiT).
Zatyzia is held in such high renown that she's the namesake of the capital of Ardeal, Zatyzrik (k1E,Ù7zT).
Aside fro being the Goddess of Creation, Zatyzia is also revered as the Goddess of Fertility, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Mother's Milk, Motherhood, Child-rearing & Children, and is the patron deity of pregnant women and mothers. Credintists believe that when it is time for an expectant mother to go into labor, Zatyzia rubs the mother's belly to begin labor; and when it is time for the baby to be born, Zatyzia reaches into the mother via her birth canal and gently guides the baby out.
This belief gave rise to the idiom "Zatyzia rubbed [my/your] belly" as an indicator that the expectant mother was in labor. It also gave rise to the practice of not pushing at any point during labor and allowing the baby to come out on its own.
Main Pantheon
| Galo | |
|---|---|
| First-generation deities born from Zatyzia. | |
| Deity | Representation, Historicity & Other Notes |
| Ardfort uEe6Y1 |
God of Anger, Rage, & War.
One of three patron deities of Warriors. Husband of Novari and father of Gellar, Japricus & Julinar. |
| Avidar r#2%6E |
God of Earth & Mountains.
Husband of Wayhar, and father of Pardrak & Sordro. |
| Bruvalia w7r&j#`B`C |
Goddess of Peace, Tranquility, Hope, & Balance.
Wife of Larcod and mother of Logran. |
| Cravior z7r#`B6Y |
God of Warmth, Fire, & Volcanoes
Husband of Ordanfi and father of Grislow, Holro, Iza, & Taizova. |
| Elizar j$,T6E |
God of Prophecy, Foresight, & Destiny.
Patron deity of seers. Husband of Zolba. |
| Erohoris 7R9N7YiT |
God of Death and ruler of Iad.
He is one of two judges of the dead, along with his wife, Ua, and is the patron deity of Necromancers. He is also a funerary deity often paired with Ua. |
| Harhilda 96E9j%2`C |
Goddess of Theater & Performing Arts.
Patron deity of actors and performers. Wife of Krilcraw and mother of Juvzi & Qualis. |
| Helfier 9j$e`B6R |
God of the Sky, Astronomy, & Celestial Objects.
Husband of Balho. |
| Keltaria zj$17E`B`C |
Goddess of Wisdom, Reason, Knowledge, Academics, Arithmetic, Mathematics, Physics, Science, & General Learning. One of three Patron deities of scholars.
Wife of Rafiscus and mother of Drofune, Giuvaer, Ivari & Joril. The main Temple of Keltaria in the capital hosts Ardeal Royal Academy, a primary, secondary, and higher educational institution open to all social classes. Smaller schools typically have a shrine or alter dedicated to her somewhere on the grounds. |
| Kilara zj%7E`C |
Goddess of Cooking, Feasts, Banquets, Parties, & Festivities.
Wife of Xayndre and mother of Galitra, Nir & Profune. As the Goddess of Parties & Festivities, followers of the pantheon believe that Kilara blesses all festivals, even those held in honor of other gods. It is for this reason that she is considered the party-planner of the gods. As the goddess of Cooking, Feasts & banquets, she is also the patron deity of chefs. |
| Morsica t6Y8zT`C |
Goddess of […]
Wife of Uvuda and mother of Coleifa, Viia & Yophri. |
| Nardra 5uE7`C |
Goddess of Chaos, Anarchy, Discord, Hatred, Fury, Despair, Fear, Destruction, Disasters, Famine, Bloodshed, Misfortune, & Poverty.
Wife of the demon Farlkrac and mother of Tox & Varu. Sometimes depicted as a demon instead of a goddess, Nardra retains her place in the main pantheon of historical and theological reasons. |
| Nosfyritus 5iYe7Ù1TiU |
God of Night, Darkness & Shadows.
King of the Vampiric Gods, patron deity of Zatyzrik. Husband of Seyra and father of Darkh, Marava, Odaro & Raladin. |
| Zilga kj%x`C |
Goddess of Healing, Medicine, & Herbalism.
Patron deity of healers. Wife of Kaldehar and mother of Framhoff. The main temple of Zilga in the capital hosts Aurit Hospital, largest and most prestigious hospital in Ardeal. |
|
Jikzi | |
| Spouses of the Galo; deities unrelated to Zatyzia. | |
| Deity | Representation, Historicity & Other Notes |
| Balho wj#9`N |
Goddess of the Moons.
Wife of Helfier. Vampiric mythology describes her as the mother of the twin moons. |
| Farlkrac e6Ejz7zE |
A demon. (see table below)
Husband of Nardra and father of Tox & Varu. |
| Kaldehar zj#29V6E |
God of Good Health, Baths & Cleanliness.
Husband of Zilga and father of Framhoff. Bath houses of all sizes generally have a statue of Kaldehar in the main hall. |
| Krilcraw z7j%z7yE |
God of Inspiration, The Arts, Painting, & Drawing.
Patron deity of artists. Husband of Harhilds and father of Juvzi & Qualis. |
| Larcod j6Ez2^ |
God of Truth, Justice, Law, & Order.
Patron deity of judges, lawmakers etc. Husband of Burvalia and father of Logran. In Ardealian courtrooms, statues in his image normally tower above the judges panel. According to the Cartea Zeilor, Larcod decreed that a panel of no less than five judges would oversee trials and hearings of any severity. Thus is the basis of the Ardealian Criminal Justice System. |
| Novari 5r^7E`B |
Goddess of Swordsmanship, Archery, & Equestrianism.
One of three patron deities of warriors. Wife of Ardfort and mother of Gellar, Japricus & Julinar. |
| Ordanfi uY5#e`B |
Goddess of Clouds & Wind.
Wife of Cravior and mother of Grislow, Holro, Iza & Taizova. |
| Rafiscus 7eDiTziU |
God of Blacksmithing, Craftsmenship, & Sculpting. Patron deity of craftsmen.
Husband of Keltaria and father of Drofrune, Giuvaer, Ivari & Joril Father of the demigod Erudor, who forged Crepuscul. |
| Seyra 8`V7Ù`C |
Goddess of the Hearth. Queen of the Vampiric Gods, and wife of Nosfyritus.
Patron deity of homemakers and homeowners. Wife of Nosfyritus and mother of Darkh, Marava, Odaro & Raladin. |
| Ua `M`C |
Goddess of the afterlife & presider of Rai.
She is one of two judges of the dead, long with her husband Erohoris. She is also a funerary deity often paired with Erohoris. |
| Uvuda r&2&`C |
God of Dreams & Sleep
Husband of Morsica and father of Coleifa, Viia & Yophri. |
| Wayhar yhE96E |
Goddess of Magic.
Patron deity of magicians. Wife of Avidar and mother of Pardrak & Sordro. |
| Xayndre z|hE2P6É |
God of Architecture & Construction.
Patron deity of builders. Husband of Kilara and father of Galitra, Nir & Porfune. |
| Zolba kj^w`C |
Goddess of Space & Time.
Wife of Elizar. Often depicted in a black robe and a golden hourglass in her hand. |
| Vyris | |
| The second-generation deities. | |
| Deity | Representation, Historicity & Other Notes |
| Coleifa zj^hRe`C |
Goddess of Love.
Eldest daughter of Morsica & Uvuda and elder sister of Yophri & Viia. |
| Darkh 26Ez9 |
God of Money, Trade, & Commerce.
Patron deity of merchants. Second child and eldest son of Nosfyritus & Seyra, younger brother of Marava and elder brother of Raladin & Odaro. The main Temple of Darkh in the capital hosts both the royal treasury and the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Ardeal, the primary bank of the kingdom. It's not as large as the larger banks of Eurodysia, but it's the most trusted bank in the kingdom. |
| Drofrune 27eH75È& |
God of Metal, Precious Metals, & Metallurgy.
Patron deity of metalworkers, and one of two patron deities of jewelers and jewelry makers. Second child and eldest son of Keltaria & Rafiscus, younger brother of Joril and elder brother of Ivari & Giuvaer. |
| Framhoff e7t#9e'H |
God of Luck, Good Fortune, & Prosperity.
Only son and child of Zilga & Kaldehar. |
| Galitra xj#1T7`C |
Goddess of Joy & Happiness.
Youngest child and daughter of Kilara & Xayndre and younger sister of Nir & Porfune. |
| Gellar xj¸$6E |
God of Courage, Strength, Honor, & Chivalry.
Patron deity of knights. Middle son of Ardfort & Novari, younger brother of Japricus and elder brother of Julinar. |
| Giuvaer xyTr`C`V6 |
God of Gems, Minerals, Crystals, & Mineralogy.
One of two patron deities of jewelers and jewelry makers. Youngest child and second son of Keltaria & Rafiscus and younger brother of Joril, Drofune & Ivari. |
| Grislow x7iTjyY |
Goddess of Summer & Drought and the Sun & Light.
Second daughter of Cravior & Ordanfi, younger sister of Iza and elder sister of Holro & Taizova. Before the evolution of the first zyroites, Grislow was held in very low regard, viewed by most as a demon, as sunlight was lethal to the vampires of the time. With the rise of the zyroites, she was moved to the main pantheon. |
| Holro 9j^7`N |
Goddess of Farming, Agriculture, Rain, Autumn, & Good Harvest.
Patron deity of farmers. Third daughter of Cravior & Ordanfi, younger sister of Iza & Grislow, and elder sister of Taizova. |
| Ivari r%7E`B |
Goddess of Languages, Writing, & Poetry.
One of three Patron deities of scholars. Third child and second daughter of Keltaria & Rafiscus, younger sister of Joril and Drofune and elder sister of Giuvaer. |
| Iza ,T`C |
Goddess of Animals, Spring, Nature, Flowers, Trees, & Vegetation.
Eldest daughter of Cravior & Ordanfi and elder sister of Grislow, Holro, & Taizova. Often depicted as a nude woman covered in moss, ivy and flowers. |
| Japricus sqE7zTiU |
God of Hunting & Beast Taming.
Patron deity of hunters. Eldest son of Ardfort & Novari, elder brother of Gellar & Julinar. |
| Joril s7Yj% |
Goddess of Books & Keeper of Knowledge.
One of three Patron deities of scholars. Eldest child and daughter of Keltaria & Rafiscus, and elder sister of Drofune, Ivari & Giuvaer. |
| Julinar sj&5%6E |
God of Battle Strategy & Victory.
One of three patron deities of warriors. Youngest son of Ardfort & Novari and younger brother of Gellar & Japricus. |
| Juvzi sr&k`B |
Goddess of Music. Patron deity of musicians.
Younger child of Harhilda and Krilcraw and younger sister of Qualis. |
| Logran jx^75# |
God of Deals, Contracts, & Treaties.
Only son and child of Bruvalia & Larcod. In Ardeal, stamp in his image is customarily used to finalize written contracts after it is signed and sealed by the parties involved. |
| Marava t7Er#`C |
Goddess of Marriage & Fidelity.
Eldest child and only daughter of Nosfyritus & Seyra and elder sister of Darkh, Raladin & Ordaro. Vampiric marriages are often performed in her temples/shrines. |
| Nir 56T |
God of Wine & Winemaking.
Patron deity of winemakers. Eldest child and only son of Kilara & Xayndre and elder brother of Porfune & Galitra. |
| Odaro 2^7E`N |
God of Thresholds, Gates, & Doorways.
Youngest child and third son of Nosfyritus & Seyra and younger brother of Marava, Darkh & Raladin. |
| Pardrak quE7zE |
God of Storms, Hail, Tornadoes, Thunder, & Lightning.
Eldest son of Avidar & Wayhar and elder brother of Sordro. |
| Porfune q6Ye5È& |
Goddess of Mischief & Trickery.
Second child and eldest daughter of Kilara & Xayndre, younger sister of Nir and elder sister of Galitra. |
| Qualis zéj#iT |
God of Games & Sports. Patron deity of athletes.
Elder child of Harhilda & Krilcraw and elder brother of Juvzi. |
| Raladin 7j#2#5% |
God of Travels & Boundaries.
Third child and second son of Nosfyritus & Seyra, younger brother of Marava & Darkh and elder brother of Odaro. |
| Sordro 8uY7`N |
God of Water, Guardian of the Seas, Lakes, & Rivers. Also the God of Fishing and patron deity of fishermen.
Younger son of Avidar & Wayhar and younger brother of Pardrak. He's not very-well worshiped in Ardeal, given that said country is landlocked with no access to the sea, but a temple to him is maintained on the shores of Lake Albastru, the largest and deepest lake in Ardeal. |
| Taizova 1hEkr^`C |
Goddess of Winter and Ice & Snow.
Youngest daughter of Cravior & Ordanfi and younger sister of Iza, Grislow & Holro. |
| Tox 1z|Y |
God of Sickness & Plague.
Elder son of Nardra and Farlkrac and elder brother of Varu. |
| Varu r7E`M |
God of Grudges & Revenge.
Younger son of Nardra & Farlkrac and younger brother of Tox. |
| Via r`B`C |
Goddess of Lust, Sex, & Ecstasy.
Patron deity of prostitutes. Youngest daughter of Morsica & Uvuda and younger sister of Coleifa & Yophri. |
| Yophri heH7`B |
Goddess of Beauty, Virginity, & Chastity. Also called the "Goddess of Innocence" by some, but it's mostly a misnomer.
Second daughter of Morsica & Uvuda, younger sister of Coleifa and elder sister of Viia. |
Vampiric Demons
Credintism recognizes several vampiric demons, some of which are related to deities from the main pantheon
| Demon | Representation, Historicity & Other Notes | Relations to deities of the Pantheon |
|---|---|---|
| Algrask j#x7iEz |
Demon known for chilling blood of his victims into ice. | |
| Farlkrac e6Ejz7zE |
A bloodthirsty demon who allegedly drains innocents of all blood and sucks out their souls. | Husband of Nardra |
| Hraz 97,E |
||
| Zeojirac k`Vs^7TzE |
Demon that torments people's souls and drives them mad. |
Other Vampiric Figures
| Figure | Representation, Historicity & Other Notes |
|---|---|
| Muroni t7U5^`B |
|
| Waklarc yzEj6Ez |
Waklarc, also known as The Shadow, is a figure from old vampiric legend and folklore.
Popular folklore says that he seeps into the shadows of vampires, influencing their actions, making no distinction between good or evil. Vampiric theologists have debated for centuries whether to classify him as a god or a demon. Vampire parents often use Waklarc as a bogeyman to make their children behave by altering the story to make them think he devoured the souls disobedient children via their shadows. |
| Yarlyor h6Ej`Û`N6 |
Yarlyor, also known as The Great Bat, is a figure from old vampiric legend and folklore.
Depicted as a gigantic greater noctule bat, as big as a grown man, popular legend tells that he flies across the night skies searching for wayward souls. The grim reaper of Credintism, neither good nor evil, he guides the souls of deceased vampires to be judged by Ua & Erohoris, who will either grant them salvation in Rai or cast them them to damnation in Iad. |
Notes & Trivia
- Credintism comes from the Romanian word "credinţă"; which means religion, faith, etc.
- Rai & Iad are the Romanian words for heaven and hell respectively.