The Religion of the Thirteen

"''In the beginning there was - well - thirteen." - ''Z. Lucid, 'On the Dolorans Vol I'

The 'Thirteen' are the Gods. Once twelve mortal mages of such immense power they could shift the very foundations of the earth, they fled their homeland together to escape the tyranny of the purpotedly 'overbearing' deities that ruled it. In creating the Dolorans, the Thirteen vowed three things to one another, loosely binding their brief harmonious Godly rule with a set of guidelines which were henceforth known as The Rule of Three: However, in an ironic twist, this new land of theirs proved even more inhospitable to peaceful life, in no small part thanks the Rannock and his nefarious hobbies. The first two rules of The Rule of Three were broken during the Shattering, and not many know which of the Gods are still open to the third rule.
 * 1) Do no harm to another God, living always in harmony.
 * 2) Do no direct harm to a creature upon the isles, guiding always indirectly.
 * 3) There will be a ceremonial 'Thirteenth' spot within the pantheon, left open for aspiring mortals who might one day join our number.

THE THREE MAJOR GODS
One paragraph expln.

THE NINE DISCIPLE GODS
Paragraphs, paragraphs, etc

The Thirteenth
When the Thirteen first came

The Gods on the Material Plane
The Gods of the Doloran Isles are separate to the Deities of other Pantheons in one particular aspect: Each of them (with one or two notable exceptions) retains an exclusively permanent presence on the Material Plane, some due to fear of reprisal from the Gods of their homeland, others to keep indulging in mortals' parties, or simply to keep a closer eye on their own creations; reasons vary from God to God.

Many particulars of who 'The Thirteen' actually were have been lost to time, but we do know they were twelve powerful mages (with a ceremonial 'thirteenth' spot kept open for late additions) who sought freedom from the magical constraints of their homeland(s). They were, however powerful, once mortal, and that fact continues to inspire sufficiently ambitious/hubristic mages and adventurers toward seeking Godhood themselves.

Whether exiled, bored or simply too ambitious for a life within academies or institutions, the twelve mages - with their unerringly fearsome mastery of magic - created Doloran as their private domain. In doing so they elevated their own roles within the Isles to that of Gods, each choosing domains - or divine portfolios - to preside over. It was a uniquely nonviolent and harmonious creation story.

SCRIPTURE

"Where the sea was formless, Doro raised his arms and gave the isles form,

Where the form was lifeless, Lora raised her heart and gave the continents life,

Where the life was listless, Rannock raised his eyebrows and gave it desire, and in doing so, discord."