[u][b]Religions available only to Saxon characters:[/b][/u]

[b]Germanic Paganism:[/b] [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_paganism]German Paganism[/url], also referred to as "[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUHtvKKJ7iU]Furistaz Siduz[/url]" (Foremost Custom) by its adherents, is the traditional religion of the Germanic peoples living in mainland Europe (mainly Germania and Frisia). While German and Norse paganism are essentially two branches of the same tradition (thus sharing many similarities), the cultures, names, and practices are different, which means that describing them as the same religion would be inaccurate. Main gods and deities include: Tiw, one-handed god of war and fair rule; [url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/M%C3%A5rten_Eskil_Winge_-_Tor%27s_Fight_with_the_Giants_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg]Thunor[/url], god of thunder, wielding the hammer Mjollnir; and Frig, wife of Wōden and goddess of fertility. Without a doubt, however, the most worshipped god is [url=http://autocww.colorado.edu/~blackmon/E64ContentFiles/MythAndMythology/Odin.jpg]Wōden[/url], the Allfather, lord of Walhall, the Hall of the Slain, and god of magic and divine inspiration. Religion is administered by the chieftains of the various tribes, who are seen both as secular rulers and as priests; typical rituals and pratcices include sacrifices in shrines located in sacred groves (called "wēoh" or "hearg"), ritual banquets called "blótan", and the raising of great wooden idols resembling large trees (known as "irminsuls"). Most Saxon rulers, upon arriving in Britannia, have forsaken the ways of their ancestors, and embraced Christianity instead. Today, only one openly pagan Saxon realm remains: Westseaxna. The Western Saxons have always staunchly remained pagan, refusing to convert to Christianity; the only Christian king they had was murdered by a heathen conspiracy led by his own son! The most common emblem of the Saxon heathens is the [url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Valknut.svg]Valknut[/url] or Walknut, the Knot of the Slain, symbolizing warriors who fell in battle.

[b]Teiwazic Paganism:[/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0WexR6sCqs]Teiwazic Paganism[/url], also known as Teiwazism or Tiwism, is the branch of German Paganism that places [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BDr]Tiw[/url], instead of Wōden, as the most important deity and ruler of the heavens. Tiw or Teiwaz ("Shining One" or “the God”) is mainly seen as a god of war and patron of warriors; however. he is not a god of mindless slaughter and carnage in the battlefield. Instead, he represents noble battle, lawfulness, justice, honor, and courage; for these reasons, it is thought he will only grant victory to those who fight for righteous causes, such as a defensive army that fights for freedom or simply for survival. Tiw is also depicted as waging an eternal war against [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymir]Hymir[/url], his father, a god of chaos and destruction. This cult was brought by some Saxons tribes and clans from Germania to Englaland, and there a caste of warrior-priests of Teiwaz slowly developed, sponsored mainly by the kingdom of Westseaxna; the kings allowed them to mantain their creed, and in exchange they were charged with training the new generations in the arts of war and defending the borders of the kingdom against Celts, Norse, and Christians. These paladins of Tiw can often be seen presiding over peculiarly martial rituals, such as ritualistic duels, to gain the favor of Tiw and mantain a strict discipline among the soldiers. They also make sure that the Teiwazic code of law is respected, and as such, no one but them may administer the punishment against those who have wronged it. Tiw is symbolized by the [url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Runic_letter_tiwaz.svg]Tir rune[/url], representing a sword; many warriors scratch his name in runes on their sword-blades for good luck and bravery during battle.

[b]Earendelism:[/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crTw6ndFnSE]Earendelism[/url], known also as Wulfilism (after the legendary prophet-monk Wulfila, who is said to have introduced this religion to the Germans), is a particular branch of German paganism in which traditional focus on Wōden moves to a deity known as [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurvandil]Ēarendel[/url] or Auzawandilaz, "the luminous wanderer", god of dawn and of the morning star, present also in the main branch of German paganism as a minor deity. This god is seen as waging an endless war against the forces of the Muþspell, "the world destroyers". This eternal conflict is destined to end in the times of Götterdämmerung, the Twilight of the Gods, a series of cataclysmic events that will cover the world in darkness and flames and destroy all the other gods; however, thanks to Ēarendel humanity will endure and rebuild. It is a very syncretic faith, incorporating many elements of [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manichaeism]Manichean[/url] and Christian theology. This religion, originating in southern Germania, spread in a capillary manner throughout the various Germanic tribes, and eventually arrived in Englaland during the Saxon migrations. The structure of this cult is reminescent of that of the mysteric cults, with a very secretive organization and different levels of initiation. For this reason, Earendelists rarely openly celebrate their light-worshipping rituals (such as the gatherings on hilltops or other elevated places to worship the dawn and the morning star) and are viewed with suspicion by the other pagans. Earendel is symbolized by the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagaz]Dæg rune[/url], representing day or daylight.

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