Worldbuilding: Pantheon of Draconiquity, Part VIII - Judgement

    

Zalaurix, Lady of Judgement

The Pantheon of Draconiquity, Part VIII

Motif: A Dragon

Spiritual Weapon: A horn trumpet that conjures divine fire

Domains: Dragon, Order, Peace

Core Beliefs: 

• Remember the past and account for your actions
• Forgive your sins and seek redemption

Zalaurix is the deity of closure and renewal. She is known as the goddess of dragons, as she is always depicted as one, often fully covered in either black, gold, or platinum scales.

In addition, Zalaurix is known for uttering the Laws of Dragonkind, which are as follows: 

1. Dragons shall not worship Mortal gods
2. Mortals shall not enslave Dragons
3. Dragons shall not interfere with the politics of Mortals

Followers

Naturally, as the goddess of dragons, Zalaurix's followers are mainly composed of dragons. This is especially true, due to the fact that the Laws of Dragonkind forbids all manner of dragons from worshipping any deity besides the Lord of Judgement. Dragons will usually refuse to offer prayer to any other god, and it is folly to ask them to do so. 

However, dragons do not worship Zalaurix in the traditional sense; Instead of idolizing her, dragons instead regard Zalaurix as a mentor figure, or an old and trusted friend.

Zalaurix also has followers among the humanoid races, and they are known as Renewed. Most of these followers are people who believe that their lives have been changed by the better thanks to dragonkind, and simply aim to extend their gratitude. A few of these Renewed are aspiring Dragoons, and train in the martial and magical arts to hopefully join their ranks one day.

Rites

The rites of Zalaurix that are practiced by his dragon worshippers are largely unknown; though some have speculated that it involves some form of meditation and self-reflection.

Among the Renewed, their rituals often involve meditation and introspection, as the god of closure and renewal encourages his followers to reflect on their past and forgive themselves for their misdeeds. These rituals may include purification rites, where followers cleanse themselves of negative energy or harmful influences, and renewal ceremonies, where they seek to renew their spirit and start anew. These ceremonies may involve the lighting of candles, the recitation of prayers, or the drinking of special potions made from herbs and other ingredients associated with rebirth.

Unlike the other deities, Zalaurix does not need require prayer as payment or toll in exchange for services in any way. 

Temples

The temples of Zalaurix are often grand and awe-inspiring, befitting a god of dragons. In the past, dragons preferred to keep their faith to themselves; As a result, their temples can be found in remote locations, built into mountains, caves, or other natural formations, and are typically adorned with sculptures, murals, and other artwork depicting dragons in various forms. These temples are enormous in size, big enough to fit several large dragons. Inside, the temples may be illuminated with torches or magical fires, casting flickering light on the walls and ceiling.

After the founding of the Draconic Consociation, it was eventually agreed that temples of Zalaurix be built inside humanoid cities, despite the protests from the more conservative side of the Consociation. These temples would serve as enclaves for the Order of Dragoons, and they would also serve as hubs for Renewed volunteers to help the cause, as well as the nearby community. These temples may be built with a focus on public areas, such as gardens or courtyards, where followers can gather for communal activities or social gatherings. 

Organizations

Draconic Consociation

This organization is founded on the mutual cooperation between dragons and humanoids, and it is chiefly responsible for enforcing the Laws of Dragonkind. This partnership is responsible for forming the Order of Dragoons, an order in which dragons and highly trained individuals, including dragon-riding knights and mages that excel in the draconic arts, work in close cooperation to execute the will of the Draconic Consociation.

Seekers of Deliverance

Also simply known as "Seekers", there are a few mortals who claim that an impending doom is coming upon the world soon, and that Zalaurix will save those that atone for all their sins and fully dedicate their lives to the Lord of Judgement. These Seekers have built small temples or shrines in a few cities that yet to be claimed by the Renewed. They claim to offer Zalaurix's salvation in exchange for tribute.

Their practices run largely in opposition to the beliefs of the Renewed, and hostilities between these two groups are common.