Aetherion stepped into the Religious Studies classroom, his thoughts still lingering on the earlier Protection Magic lesson. He had made progress, but there was still much to learn. As he found his seat in the spacious room, he noticed the intricate murals on the walls—depictions of gods, temples, and celestial beings that spanned different cultures and faiths.
The air in the room was heavy with reverence and knowledge, and at the front stood Professor Aranith, an older man with a dignified presence. His robes were adorned with ancient symbols, each representing a different god or goddess from the world's many religions. His expression was calm, but his eyes gleamed with the wisdom of someone who had spent his life studying the divine.
"Welcome to Religious Studies," Professor Aranith began, his voice soft but commanding. "In this course, we will delve into the 12 major religions of our world, as well as several smaller, yet equally important, belief systems. We will study their gods, their practices, and how their faith shapes the cultures they influence."
Aetherion leaned forward slightly, his attention fully captured. Religion was more than just a subject of study for him—it was the key to understanding how gods gained and maintained power in the mortal realm. If he was to increase his influence, knowledge of the world's religions would be crucial.
Professor Aranith moved to the center of the room, his hands clasped behind his back. "To begin, we will discuss the 12 major religions that hold sway over much of the world. Most of these are polytheistic, meaning they worship multiple gods, each of whom has dominion over different aspects of life, nature, and the cosmos."
With a flick of his wrist, a magical map appeared in the air, showing the world and its major religious regions. "These religions are not confined to specific nations or borders," he explained. "They often overlap, with different gods and practices intermingling as cultures interact."
He gestured toward the map. "Now, the most prominent religion, known as the Pantheon of Stars, is centered in the northern regions. Its followers worship a vast array of gods, each tied to the stars and celestial bodies. Then there is the Tidemother's Faith, a maritime religion dominant in coastal regions, focusing on gods of the sea and storms."
Aetherion listened intently, already beginning to piece together how these religions shaped the world's divine power structures.
"The Eternal Flame Cult, primarily found in the southern deserts, worships gods of fire, light, and purification. The Earthbound Pact, a nature-based religion, is widespread in forests and rural areas, honoring gods of the earth, plants, and animals."
Professor Aranith continued listing the religions, each one connected to different elements, aspects of nature, or domains of power.
As the professor spoke, Aetherion's mind raced with questions. These religions weren't just systems of belief—they were direct channels through which gods gained power, drawing strength from the faith of their followers. But something caught his attention: the professor hadn't yet mentioned how many gods each religion worshipped.
Curious, Aetherion raised his hand.
Professor Aranith paused and nodded in his direction. "Yes, Aetherion?"
Aetherion met the professor's gaze, his voice calm but pointed. "How many gods does each of these religions worship? You've mentioned that most are polytheistic, but I'm curious about the exact number. Does it vary greatly among the different faiths?"
The professor smiled slightly, clearly pleased with the question. "An excellent inquiry. Yes, the number of gods worshipped varies among religions. Some faiths have vast pantheons with dozens, even hundreds, of gods, while others are more focused, with only a few central deities."
He began listing the numbers. "For instance, the Pantheon of Stars has 37 primary gods, each representing a different constellation. The Tidemother's Faith reveres 9 main deities, while the Eternal Flame Cult has 5, though one of them, the Flamebringer, is considered the most important."
Aetherion scribbled notes in his book, absorbing the information. It was clear that some gods held more influence than others, depending on how centralized the religion was.
Professor Aranith continued, his voice steady and scholarly. "Let's go into more detail about the specific gods of these major religions. I will start with the Pantheon of Stars. Their primary gods are the Stargazer, the Dawnbringer, and the Nightwarden, who each govern different parts of the day and night cycle, with others overseeing various constellations."
He moved to the Tidemother's Faith. "In the coastal regions, the Tidemother herself is worshipped as the supreme goddess of the seas, with her consort, Stormlord, and their children, the gods of winds and tides. The faith centers on the balance between peace at sea and the storms that come without warning."
Aetherion took detailed notes, intrigued by the balance of power within these pantheons. He was beginning to understand that the way gods interacted with each other was as important as how they interacted with their followers.
Next, the professor discussed the Earthbound Pact, where gods like Verdantis, god of forests, and Gaiora, goddess of mountains, were revered. These gods often worked in harmony, representing different aspects of nature's cycle of growth and decay.
"The Eternal Flame Cult, as I mentioned, is more centralized. The Flamebringer is at the top, but the Lightbearer and Purifier play important roles as well, maintaining balance between destructive fire and the warmth of light."
After discussing the major religions, Professor Aranith shifted his focus. "Now, while these are the major religions that dominate the world, there are also several smaller faiths that are worth noting. Though they may have fewer followers, they still hold significant power in their regions."
He gestured toward a different part of the map. "For example, the Windspeaker Clan, a small but devout group in the eastern mountains, worships only two gods—the Skyfather and Windwalker. Their faith is based on the belief that the gods of the sky control all aspects of life, from weather to fate."
Aetherion took note of this. It was clear that while smaller religions didn't have the same widespread influence as the major ones, they could still be powerful in their own right, especially if their gods were concentrated in one area.
"There is also the Ironclad Faith, practiced by nomadic tribes in the southern plains, which venerates the Steel Titan, a singular god of war and protection."
Aetherion was particularly interested in these smaller religions. They could potentially be sources of strength for a god who was trying to build their influence, especially if he could offer something that other gods couldn't.
As Professor Aranith continued to lecture, Aetherion found himself deeply immersed in his thoughts. He had always known that gods drew power from their followers, but hearing it laid out so clearly made it even more apparent how critical religion was to divine influence.
Each religion had its own unique structure, its own way of venerating gods and maintaining faith. And within each of those structures was a potential opportunity for him. If he could plant his Divine Realm Seed in the right place, he could grow his own influence,drawing followers and building his own religion. The key was finding the right balance of power and influence, while remaining hidden from the other gods.
He wondered how the different gods of the High Heavens viewed these mortal religions. Did they actively encourage their worshipers, or did they simply let faith grow on its own? Aetherion would need to understand these dynamics if he was to succeed in building his own following.
The system's voice echoed in his mind. [Understanding the faiths of this world will be vital for your own rise, Aetherion. You've seen how many gods exist, but remember, your power as a Primordial is beyond theirs. When the time comes, you can reshape this world's faith.]
Aetherion nodded subtly as he continued to jot down notes. "I know. But for now, we need to be patient. I'll learn as much as I can about these religions—about their gods, their followers, and the way power flows between them. When the time is right, I'll create my own path."
By the end of the class, Aetherion's notebook was filled with detailed information about the 12 major religions and several smaller ones. Professor Aranith had moved on to discussing how religious ceremonies worked and how different gods required specific rituals to maintain their power, but Aetherion's mind was already working on a larger plan.
He knew that creating his own domain and gathering followers would be a complex process, but now, he had a foundation of knowledge. Each religion had its own structure, and if he could build something different—something powerful—he could grow faster than the other gods expected.
As the class came to a close, Professor Aranith dismissed the students. Aetherion packed his things and stood, his mind buzzing with possibilities. Today, he had learned more than just facts about the world's religions—he had gained a deeper understanding of how gods ruled, and how faith shaped the balance of power.
As he left the classroom, Aetherion's thoughts turned to his Divine Realm Seed. Where would he plant it? What kind of realm would he create? These questions weighed heavily on him, but he knew that the answers would come soon enough. For now, he had all the time he needed to plan his next move.