Volume 1

Considering the size and history of the Erebonian Empire, it should come as no surprise that it has a wealth of folklore, perhaps more than any other nation on the continent.

This is the first in a series of three books that will introduce a small number of the legends and traditions in Erebonia.

It is my wish that this series will stimulate new interest in the rich history and mythology of this great nation.

[Animism]

Animism is a religious belief native to the land of Erebonia, disconnected from the teachings of the Septian Church. There is no single type of animism; some animists believe that objects in the natural world have a spirit, while others emphasize the reverence of one's ancestors. The animist traditions of the past continue to live on in a number of ways in Erebonia, with the Summer Festival being just one.

While animism may be disconnected from the doctrine of the Septian Church, it does not specifically refute the church's teachings, and in many regions, animist traditions have been incorporated into the beliefs of the Septian Church. Many animists have, thus, been converted to  worshiping the Goddess Aidios while retaining their  traditional beliefs. 

Furthermore, the people of the Nord Highlands to the north east of the Empire revere the wind as a spirit, and share many fundamental aspects of their religious outlook with the people of Erebonia. 

[Fiend] 

An evil creature that differs from the 'monsters' that we know. Most are said to cause harm to humans, and while they are fundamentally similar to the devils which appear in the teachings of the Septian Church, the existence of neither fiends nor devils has been proven. 

[Fairy] 

Fairies are inhabitants of another world, separate from both spirits and fiends. Descriptions of them vary amongst different traditions. Some liken them to young winged girls, while others characterize them as small people. A number of believers also portray them as being represented by small animals. One thing they all have in common, however, is that they enjoy pulling pranks on people. 

-J. Arendt