There are many gods to offer prayer within the Midnight City, but only six of them have the honor of being central to the city’s identities as a whole– each city wedge both named after them and being the places where the majority of their followers live and work. With modernization and time, the divine influence of the gods has faded into casual respect and tribute, with only the most devout upholding regular prayer. Now, with the dipsao so virulent in the city’s streets, all that remains of the civilians who once called these city wedges home is merely the knowledge these places had once been lived in. Each wedge of the city is named after its patron deity, and this is where characters will find that their congregations’ personal sanctuary– or Aedis– lies. Each section of the city has its own aesthetics and personality… or used to, anyway. Architecture and decorations only go so far now when there are no people living among them.
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The congregations now have been summoned from death to serve their patron gods and do what they must to purify this corrupted land. They are connected to each other through a mysterious bond, one that allows them– with focus– to identify the approximate position, health, thoughts, feelings, and “scent” of their kindred. Congregants may dress however they wish, so they may identify which god they serve by the warding symbols branded into the back of their hands. They can also check their fellows’ distinct accessories at a glance to see who’s who, as each god has their own aesthetic preferences.
✧ All congregations are led by the Praecordis– the protector and leader of their group and speaker for their patron god. The Praecordis holds the important task of keeping peace and harmony among their congregation, as well as balancing the corruption within their fellows: if one is simply too overwhelmed by the dipsao to keep themselves under control, the Praecordis should either do their best to calm them or, failing that, absorb their corruption into themselves. The Praecordis have a much higher threshold for corruption than the rest of their congregation due to their divine connection. Breaching this threshold, however, may come at a permanent price. Their position over their congregation also allows the Praecordis to make use of their influence over the mutual bond itself to force their will or desire upon the target… but this is not foolproof nor does it lack consequence.
THE NINE FACES ✧ #864A97
The Nine Faces is the god of humanity, sensuality, the self, illusions, and fire. Most prayers to them consist of wishes and desires for love and sexuality, luck with performances, and even spiteful curses against others. This is the god to pray to when you want something. Their followers tend to be free with their affections and fun and easy to get along with, and though spiteful when crossed they often get over it quickly.
The followers of The Nine Faces are required to wear an almost Japanese-style white half-face (upper or lower) mask in the shape of a fox or cat, with markings in the gods’ preferred color, which will luminesce in the dark. The Praecordis is required to wear a full black mask with the same color, instead.
All followers of The Nine Faces are named after various predatory wild animals of the land. (ex: Tiger, Wolf, Mongoose)
THE SILENT RIVER ✧ #3c6d96
The Silent River is the god of storms, rivers, life, and water. Prayers to them are mostly those requesting safe passage over or through water, safety from storms and floods, and well-wishes for parents, children, and general happiness of the living. Curses of prayers wishing harm upon others is deeply frowned upon, as followers usually have a very upright set of morals. However, when insulted or mistreated, they can hold long grudges.
Followers of The Silent River are required to have almost Chinese-style silk embroidery over the back of their shirt, robes, or dress, with a circular border. The image inside may depict snakes or fish with any flower of plant, on a white background with the accents in the god's preferred color. The Praecordis must have an embroidered dragon in the same accent colors. Only the accent colors glow.
All followers of The Silent River carry the names of freshwater fish. (ex: Tetra, Danio, Corydora)
THE BLEEDING HEART ✧ #FFB8CA
The Bleeding Heart is the god of love, sacrifice, purity, death, and wood. Prayers to this god are often for good health and safety, love or affection, though there is a notable trend of invoking this god's name when attempting to barter one's own safety or happiness in exchange for another's. The Bleeding Heart is also frequently spoken of during funeral rites, regardless of the dead person in question's following in their life. Followers of The Bleeding Heart are sometimes self-sacrificial to a fault, and it takes a lot to push them past their limits, but they are steadfast friends and caring companions first and foremost.
Followers of The Bleeding Heart must wear a knitted shawl in white, with any pattern in the god's preferred color. The Praecordis must wear a black shawl. Only the pattern will glow.
Followers of The Bleeding Heart are named after plants, especially those that flower. (ex: Lavender, Plum, Sundew)
THE LOYAL GUARDIAN ✧ #AC4F4F
The Loyal Guardian is the god of protection, dedication, justice, the home, and earth. Their prayers are most frequently invoked when desiring protection of the home, especially from danger or intruders, legal or social justices, and general well-wishing for home and family. Followers of this god are loyal and steadfast companions, and will rarely sway from a decision once they've made it or a person once they've befriended them-- unless doing so grates badly on their sense of justice, of course.
Followers of The Loyal Guardian wear a collar in white with small gemstones in the god's favored color, which glow. The Praecordis must wear a collar in black with a single large gemstone in the center of their throat of the same color.
Followers of The Loyal Guardian often are named for specific breeds of domestic animal. (ex: Brahma, Silkie, Collie)
THE SCALED MIRROR ✧ #9FCF81
The Scaled Mirror is a relatively new god that arose to popularity very quickly, and for good reason-- they are the god of technology, advancement, good fortune, creativity by human hands, and metal. Casual prayers to this god often include exclamations of "PLEASE fucking work", desire for financial or business success, and well-wishes for future growth. Followers of this god tend to be fairly shrewd in many ways-- whether it's judging people, customers, or having a sharp eye for the quality of creative works. Despite sometimes coming off blunt or rude, The Scaled Mirror's followers tend to be some of the most imaginative in their creative endeavors and exceedingly honest when they do speak on feelings.
Followers of The Scaled Mirror must wear white gloves of any length with or without fingers, with circuitry patterns in the god's preferred color. The Praecordis must wear elbow-length gloves (which may be fingerless), in the same color circuitry patterns. The patterns luminesce.
Followers of The Scaled Mirror generally carry the names of insects. (ex: Dragonfly, Stag, Birdwing)
THE GOLDEN WINGS ✧ #FBE38B
The Golden Wings is the god of travel, safe passage, weather, the elements, the harvest, and air. When one prays to this god it is most often for prosperous harvests or good weather or rain, as well as well-wishes for traveling friends or family. The followers of this god exhibit a certain amount of wildness in spirit, a freedom that even the walls of Basythia cannot fully contain. There is always a sort of restlessness in them, a wanderlust, which cannot be denied-- nor would they want to. Unfortunately, they also tend to be a bit closed off and often run from their problems.
Followers of The Golden Wings are required to wear a white sash with any geometric pattern in the god's preferred color, which glows. The Praecordis must have a black sash with geometric patterns and tassels in the same color.
Followers of The Golden Wings are always named after wild birds. (ex: Kite, Wren, Cassowary)
