The pantheon of the Ritti people is a large and diverse one. Dozens of Gods are worshiped, some more then others, some confined to specific regions and areas. The popularity of the Deities wax and wane, those who enjoyed the most worshipers and the grandest of temples 1,000 years ago, might now face obscurity, while previously obscure Gods might rise in a short amount of time. But the pantheon is always dominated by a triad of some sorts. The current triad of divine might are the Sea Goddess Nagash, the God of Law, Dagon and the Earth Goddess Ishtar. Together, they form the head of the Ritti pantheon and together they enjoy the most popularity amongst the Ritti commoners, warriors, scholars and nobles alike.
Nagash, Sea Goddess
Nagash is the Goddess of the sea, of trade and of wealth. She is the patron God of sailors, who pray to her for a successful and safe journey across the waves. In the Ritti Kingdom, the sea and trade are closely associated, as much of their trading is done overseas, rather then overland. And trade and wealth are associated with one another: there is a reason why the Ritti capital is nicknamed the “City of Gold” and that reason is because it grew extremely wealthy through naval trade and many citizens of the capital give thanks and praise to She who brought them this wealth: Nagash.
Nagash is also a fickle Goddess, however, as fickle as the sea. For while the sea brings wealth to the Ritti Kingdom, through fishing and trading activities alike, it also brings death and destruction to the Ritti. Storms are and rough currents wreck ships and drag fishermen to their death, while all manners of horrific sea-creatures prey on sailors, luring them to their doom.
Temples of Nagash are large domes with huge inner markets and storage space. The priests of Nagash are merchants and traders themselves, buying goods and wares in bulk from the Ritti docks and stalling them inside their temple to sell to the general public. The profits go towards building additional temples, or enlarging existing ones, as well as financing further trade expeditions. A temple of Nagash is thus a very welcome sight in any city, as it brings trade and wealth, along with a place to worship.
Dagar, God of Law
Dagar is the stern God of Law, of mathematics, of civilization, progress and stability. He is the protector of great cities, the patron of judges, scholars and kings. Through his wise, stable and benevolent rule, the Ritti prosper peacefully. He is King amongst the Gods and rules them all. While this causes much enmity and jealously in the other Gods, His rule is just and wise and he is frequently called upon to resolve a dispute amongst the Gods.
Dagar is the husband of Nagash, but they live separately. For while they enjoyed a happy marriage filled with children, Nagash became more and more obsessed with the sea, staying away from her home and husband for longer and longer periods of time until the sea started to change Nagash. The more time Nagash spent at sea, the more fickle she became. She was just as likely to smash a ship on the rugged cliffs as she was to grant it a safe journey. This was unbearable for Dagar, God of Law and stability, He who always strived for progress and never acted randomly or on impulse. He warned Nagash that her behavior was unacceptable, but she would, or perhaps could not listen to his warnings, so tuned in with the sea she had become. On one sorrowful night, when Nagash returned home from one of her long journeys, she found the doors and windows locked: Dagar had cast her out of their home and refused to let her back in. Howling with fury, the maddened Nagash banged on the doors and trashed around the house, summoning forth the water from the ocean to engulf their home and smash down the doors. But the doors held and her husband didn't answer her frenzied pleads. It is said that for 12 days and 12 nights, Nagash raged like a crazed witch, before she withdrew back to the ocean, sobbing quietly. Never again has she set foot on land again, accepting Dagar's judgment as her fate.
Temples of Dagar are built in the shape of layered Pyramids: Ziggurats. These Ziggurats varry in size, but the biggest are quite impressive and imposing buildings. Only the priests and holy guardians are allowed inside the temple complexes; not even the King is allowed inside. It is rumored that within the massive walls of the Dagon temples lie a wealth in different texts. Priests of Dagar are learned men: scholars, mathematicians and judges. Whenever a crime is committed in Ritti, a priest of Dagon will be the judge.
Ishtar, Goddess of Fertility
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Ashtar is the loving Goddess of fertility, of health, the land, happiness and the seasons. She is the life-bringer, blessing women with pregnancies and the land with a bountiful harvest. She is the Goddess of happiness and bliss and of the warm hearth. Especially popular amongst the peasants, for she decides if the crops fail or bloom. She is also the patron of pregnant women, as she determines whether or not the child or mother will live during childbirth. And finally, she is the patron of the ill and the sick, for she can bless them with renewed life energy, curing them of all their ailments.
When Dagar banished Nagash, he showed true emotion for the first time in history. Saddened and sorrowful, Dagar neglected his duties and failed to provide stability, law and order for his worshipers, resulting in worldwide chaos and unrest. The other Gods pleaded with Dagar to take up his duties again, for without Dagar, the world would turn upside down. But Dagar's heart was broken over his decision to banish Nagash from his home. Until he first laid eyes on Ashtar. Her warmth, love and beauty restored Dagar to his former glory, enabling him to resume his duties and restore the world again. Some even whisper that Ashtar as the Goddess of the ever changing seasons, remind Dagar of his wife: Nagash the fickle. But as the seasons are circular in nature, showing rhythm, stability and dependability, Dagar was able to accept it and embrace it. This he was unable to do with the random and unpatterned behavior of Nagash. Thus, while Dagar remained married to Nagash, he found a new life partner in Ashtar, raising her status significantly enough to be incorporated in the Divine Triad of the Ritti pantheon.
Temples of Ashtar are often building complexes: several buildings each serving a different purpose, for the priests of Ashtar serve in many different functions. The priests of Ashtar serve as physicians and midwives, curing the sick and helping the pregnant give birth. They bless those in search of fertility and the priestesses offer sexual services in return for payment. The “whore-priests” as a blasphemous traveler from the Southern lands once called the Priestesses of Ashtar are worshiped for their divinity, for the Ritti believe that during sex, one becomes closest to the Divine as mere mortals can ever get.
