Divines

Divines are beings that have ascended, becoming godly entities within the world. The potency and power of a divine varies from one to another, and mostly beyond mortal comprehension as to what their reach of power contains or how to ascend. Divines are typically what would be described as gods or deities.

A lesser divine is considered to be a demigod entity, usually with cult-like worship surrounding them. The Primordial Princes (the elemental lords of air, earth, water and fire) are lesser divines. The more powerful celestials of the Seven Heavens and likewise, the more powerful devils of the Seven Hells are lesser divines. Certain beings of the Overworld and Underworld are lesser divines, and other powerful creatures may also be lesser divines such as elder dragons. Any divine is capable of sponsoring a cleric, though it is the Greater Divines that are widely recognized and considered to be true gods. A divine is only capable of sponsoring a druid if they have an affinity to nature in some way.

Greater Divines are those that have existed since the dawn of mortals and for as long as they have known, and may have even existed before this. They make up the constellations and stars among the skies, as well as the twin moons. Since the inception and creation of humanity, they have ruled high above - and thus, the world measure their days and months around these beings.

There are sixteen months, with four weeks of seven days in each (28 days a month). The months go in this order (this is also the list of available patrons):

The gods are ambiguous in their creeds, their purpose and their causes. They are stars (and moons) among the skies and appear distant from the mortal world, the machinations of the gods are incomprehensible to mortals, even if clerics can ascertain some of their meaning through communion. However, this leaves the creed of the gods open to interpretation, and thus faiths and sects form rapidly and compete against one another. Most churches and orders will interpret and embody a single aspect of their Greater Divine as they see fit.

Avalon I and Zadara XVI are the twin moons, Avalon being a luminous pale moon and Zadara being a dark twilight moon. The moons are both often visible, however for the first eight months of the year Avalon appears closer and brighter, and for the second half of the year Zadara appears closer and brighter - when these moons alternate position upon the last day of these eight month periods, there is a total eclipse.

During their named month, the Greater Divine's constellation shines brighter than any other during the nights (for Avalon/Zadara the moons are a little brighter). There is also a phenomenon of lucid dreams and fragmented memories during a person's marked month, known under colloquial terms such as 'dreamdrunk', 'lunar afflictions' or 'the waking slumber'.