Religion
Pords are a very religious people who follow a polytheist religion of sorts. Nalydian Mythology is centered around a number of core deities:
Jlokhemit, the god of winter, the cold, and all related to snows and ice;
Rekazhnar, the brother of Jlokhemit and the god of the seas, oceans and all things pelagic;
Polynya, spirit of north poles;
Amaruq, spirit of south poles;
Reknu, god of hunters and animal-predators such as wolves and bears;
Voznayte, god of conflict and strife;
Jlokhemichka, daughter of Jlokhemit and lesser spirit of winter;
Klovnar, god of wolves and second father to the Nalydian people
Winter and the cold are central to Nalydian culture. Nalydya orbits at far from her star and is cold and unforgiving. Legends state that in the beginning Reknu, Klovnar, Amaruq and Polynya gathered to craft a planet - a perfect world, a place where a people could be crafted and would flourish. They created this planet, Nalydya, and it was paradise. Jlokhemit and his brother Rekazhnar, gods of their elements, saw the planet after it had been created. Rekazhnar was first to add his touch; he sunk his spear deep into the soil and oceans soon gushed forth. He looked upon the glistening waves of water and was content. Jlokhemit followed the lead of his brother and swung his trident across the great northern plains; a fierce Chlümüchgrazhni crashed down upon the world and winter wrapped it in a chilly embrace. Life soon sprung forth upon the cold landscape of Nalydya, and by the will of Jlokhemit and supreme craftsmanship of Reknu and Klovnar, was made capable of living in the extreme clime.
Jlokhemit, the god of winter, the cold, and all related to snows and ice;
Rekazhnar, the brother of Jlokhemit and the god of the seas, oceans and all things pelagic;
Polynya, spirit of north poles;
Amaruq, spirit of south poles;
Reknu, god of hunters and animal-predators such as wolves and bears;
Voznayte, god of conflict and strife;
Jlokhemichka, daughter of Jlokhemit and lesser spirit of winter;
Klovnar, god of wolves and second father to the Nalydian people
Winter and the cold are central to Nalydian culture. Nalydya orbits at far from her star and is cold and unforgiving. Legends state that in the beginning Reknu, Klovnar, Amaruq and Polynya gathered to craft a planet - a perfect world, a place where a people could be crafted and would flourish. They created this planet, Nalydya, and it was paradise. Jlokhemit and his brother Rekazhnar, gods of their elements, saw the planet after it had been created. Rekazhnar was first to add his touch; he sunk his spear deep into the soil and oceans soon gushed forth. He looked upon the glistening waves of water and was content. Jlokhemit followed the lead of his brother and swung his trident across the great northern plains; a fierce Chlümüchgrazhni crashed down upon the world and winter wrapped it in a chilly embrace. Life soon sprung forth upon the cold landscape of Nalydya, and by the will of Jlokhemit and supreme craftsmanship of Reknu and Klovnar, was made capable of living in the extreme clime.
Throughout the year, Pords celebrate a number of festivals. Many of these correspond to local customs and what the Pords of a region view as important, but there are a few that are overarching: Schalchnu and Nezhötnu - the first and last hunts of the year - as well as the celebration of the arrival of winter. These festivals often include feasting, animal sacrificing, and displays of ritualistic waterbending.
Jlokhemit, overall, is the most revered of the gods while Rekazhnar is a close second. Polynya follows in third and is often found more often in smaller festivals and celebrations. The Great Houses of Yamsai and Natynozh primarily serve Jlokhemit, while the Hunters of Mürsk, Zhyso, and Nävsh follow Rekazhnar. In addition to following a primary deity, most Pords also realize that, as creatures guided by Reknu, animals have spirits as well and are thus to be respected. Not only this, but nature in general is pure and should be treated as such - the plants, animals, and the living planet itself. Many High Hunters and even lower Hunters and other non-Hunter Pords find spiritual connection by meditating deep in the tundra and can disappear for days at a time seeking such connections.
Places of worship include shrines and secluded areas far from cities or population centers. Most shrines consist of a pool of water or a flowing waterspout and a symbol or item of some sort - usually a trident (the weapon of Jlokhemit) or something similar. Beyond these, there are spiritual areas that Pords may visit. These places include planetary poles and places with a great amount of latent spiritual energy - such as certain glaciers or even grave-sites.
Jlokhemit, overall, is the most revered of the gods while Rekazhnar is a close second. Polynya follows in third and is often found more often in smaller festivals and celebrations. The Great Houses of Yamsai and Natynozh primarily serve Jlokhemit, while the Hunters of Mürsk, Zhyso, and Nävsh follow Rekazhnar. In addition to following a primary deity, most Pords also realize that, as creatures guided by Reknu, animals have spirits as well and are thus to be respected. Not only this, but nature in general is pure and should be treated as such - the plants, animals, and the living planet itself. Many High Hunters and even lower Hunters and other non-Hunter Pords find spiritual connection by meditating deep in the tundra and can disappear for days at a time seeking such connections.
Places of worship include shrines and secluded areas far from cities or population centers. Most shrines consist of a pool of water or a flowing waterspout and a symbol or item of some sort - usually a trident (the weapon of Jlokhemit) or something similar. Beyond these, there are spiritual areas that Pords may visit. These places include planetary poles and places with a great amount of latent spiritual energy - such as certain glaciers or even grave-sites.