The Zakharan pantheon greatly influence the culture on the continent of Zakhara, which was shaped by the Law of the Loregiver—a set of common values including honor, hospitality and the importance of one’s family that date back to the Loregiver’s teachings. Altogether this is called enlightenment.

Accordingly the commonly worshiped deities of Zakhara are seen as enlightened and differ from other deities, as they do not have a precise portfolio. Instead, each exemplifies a single characteristic or trait important to Enlightenment. They stand above the classifications of alignment, as these traits could be found in good and evil folk alike.

Other gods are seen as either savage (opposed to enlightened) or ajami (coming from outside), or perhaps both.

The enlightened deities are grouped into major or Great Gods, worshiped throughout Zakhara, and local or common gods, worshiped only in a certain region, sometimes just a single town. In the Cities of the Pantheon, in particular, only five deities are worshiped, these being the Great Gods Kor, Hajama, Najm, and Selan, and the local god Jauhar.

Besides the deities almost all Zakharans believe in the power of Fate. It is not seen as a god and not worshiped, but Fate is believed to influence mortals and deities alike. Because of this, Fate is often paid homage, and sometimes called on during times of great peril. The whole of Zakhara is called the Land of Fate to signify its importance.  Some sages speculated that Fate is an Overgod.

The eight Great Gods are:

  • Hajama: God of bravery.
  • Hakiyah: Goddess of honesty and truth.
  • Haku: God of freedom.
  • Jisan: Goddess of fertility and productivity.
  • Kor: God of wisdom.
  • Najm: God (sometimes goddess) of adventure.
  • Selan: Goddess of beauty.
  • Zann: God of knowledge, learning, and intellect.

Of interest however, is the Temple of Ten Thousand Gods which is  an unusual faith in Zakhara. Its adherents believe in the enlightened gods, but hold the opinion that they, and each deity represented there, were only facets of one supreme divine being. The credo of the Ten Thousand also includes that there was a divine spark in every creature, and that the variety of mortals also reflected the theme of diversity in unity. The ideals of the Temple of Ten Thousand Gods were therefore tolerance and acceptance. Its symbol is a nautilus shell.