The worship of Yllion the Wounded and her children, lesser gods in the pantheon. Yllion is the primary religion of many of the western realms, notably Avandell and Bereth. The Yll Codex, the earliest known document concerning the goddess, discloses the origins of creation and the epic Godwar that followed thereafter.
The Song of Yllion
A chapter of the Codex of Yll, is the oldest know document which addresses the origin of Yllion and the sequence of events which lead to her wounding her and subsequent withdrawal from the material world.
Awakening
In the beginning there was the Void—a hollow nullity. This was a timelessness bereft of form or dream. Then came the flash of dawn and Yllion awakened. The Void could only relent against her brilliant glory, burning away from her righteous ken. Yllion, seeing all around there was oblivion, clothed Herself in the shape of a woman.
I am, said She.
And seeing that She was one oppose the Void, She filled the emptiness with light and song.
Creation
As the chronicle continues, Yllion conceives the cosmos and therein makes a celestial home, Ardus, where she settles briefly to rest. After her repose she creates Ard and bears twenty four children to dwell and populate the new world.
Godwar
The third piece of the holy writ deals exclusively with the betrayal of Yllion eldest son, Th'Sul, who seeks to wrest control of humanity from his kindred. Th'Sul rallies a few of his siblings and briefly gains control of Ard; his hubris leads him to march upon Ardus. Quercus forsees Th'Sul's plans and has Crintos design a citadel in Ardus to thwart the betrayer's plan, while Th'Sul's twin sister Kalamir assembles her siblings and attacks Th'Sul's regiment. Thus begins the Godwar, which lasts for generations.
The Wounding
Th'Sul breaches Ardus and wounds his mother. He is killed by Calahmere and his host is banished to the darker regions of creation, on the borderlands of the Void. Yllion departs permanently to Ardus and entrusts ministry of Ard to her loyal children.
Yllion's Children
Benefactors
- Kalamir, Warrior Spirit, Lady of Light: guardian of the Fourth Realm.
- Thala, Lady of Equity: keeper of the fates and the spiral path.
- Crintos, Lord of the Architecture: mender of the rifts caused by the Godwar; keeper of the Book of Order; guardian of the remaining Harmony.
- Gaeus, Lady of Midworld: maintainer of growth and fertility; mother of the elements; mana-giver.
- Quercus Lord of Epiphany: recorder of History; keeper of Secrets and Riddles; creator of the Languages. Twin brother of Thala.
- Selene, the Eternal Sojourner: guardian of the Ruins of Ildya and overseer of the bridge Soulsiphon.
- Calda, Lady of the Succession: keeper of time; reckoner of life and longevity; bringer of the Months and Seasons.
- Belomak, Lord of the Avenging Fire: keeper of the Candle of Days; God of the Forge.
Servitors
- Thutek - lord of death
- Shalawoth - collector of souls
- Kryg the Formless - thing of chaos
- Gurim - lady of decay (twin sister of Gaeus)
Exiles
Mortal Orders
The denominations of Yllion are diverse, and it is not unusual for a large western city to host more than one temple or church under the aegis of Yllion Herself; in some circumstances religious orders have become religions unto themselves (such as the Belosians). In most cities the Holy Church of Yllion is the central hub of the hierarchcy and as such issues decrees and proclamations to the lesser denominations.
- Order of the Aegis Radiant - the oldest order and by far the most powerful. The Protectorate are rather prolific and have established missions even in the Nebiri Desert. Magically, they are powerful clerics and are among the most feared warrior-priests in the Western Realms.
- The Luminous Hand (Ilsavites) - Formerly a branch of the Protecorate, The Ilsavite Order was founded by an Yllion Priestess, Ilsa of Avandell. Ilsavites are usually comprised of women and their religious agenda compliments that of The Order of Radiant Steel.
- Order of the Tangled Sword (Kalamites) - a secular order which oversees matters of armed conflict fought in the name of Yllion. They are the personal guard of many a bishop of Yllion.
- Order of the Lantern Ablaze (Chenilites) - secular order which maintains the libraries of the Church. Chenilites stress the strict adherence to the letter of Holy law. They believe that the Church should focus less on healing (material) and more on the intellectual (ideal)--for that is the true path to salvation. This order consists mostly of scholars.
- Gaean Triumvirate - Established by three Inyaré priestesses to honor and defend the sacrifice of Gaeus, the World Mother, by defending the interests of the wild.
- The Quercushites - a sect comprised of devout mystics.
- Eternal Fire of Purgation (Belosians) - Originally a minor order, it gained prominence among the native Belosians and ultimately became a religion unto itself.