Eos

Divinity: Eosaani, believed to take the form of a bird
Adherents: Independent farmers, common in Caliharah
Practices: A dawn prayer before entering the fields; the autumn harvest festival
Sacred Season: Autumn, during which no other work is undertaken
Favour: Earned by hard and careful work rather than by observance

Eos is the religion of the harvest, common among the independent farmers of Caliharah and practised wherever the land is worked. Its Divinity is Eosaani, and its year turns with the growing season rather than a calendar.

The four seasons

Spring is planting, and is treated as a time of life in every sense — conception is common alongside the sowing. Farmers say a brief prayer at dawn and may step onto their fields only once the light has touched the soil.

Summer is protection: irrigation, and daily training in martial disciplines.

Autumn is sacred. The dawn prayer returns, and no task but the harvest may be undertaken until it is finished. Its completion is marked with three days of lights, music, dancing, feasting and games.

Winter is repair and planning. Tools are mended, crops planned, training resumed. Many communities hold a solstice gathering to discuss what the year's experiments taught them.

Birds

Birds are read as omens, and migration timing tells a farmer whether to plant and harvest early or late. A bird present during a task is lucky. Bird figures are carved along fence posts, door mantles and roof eaves; predatory shapes are set out to keep crop-eaters off. Injured birds are nursed back to health, and domestic birds are kept everywhere.

Eosaani

Eosaani is held to be ever-present, and favour is earned by working hard and working well. There is no settled view on whether Eosaani is male or female, and the general understanding is that Eosaani takes whichever is meaningful to the believer.

In their own words

Bevel Dart, The Musings of a Wanderer

Common among the independent farmers of Caliharah is the religion of Eos. Eos teaches a devotion to the harvest, and its meaning flows with the temperament of the season. I am pleased to report personal observation of the miracles of Eos.

Seasons

Spring is, of course, a time of life and planting. Those of the faith accompany planting with a sense of purpose and vitality. The conception of children is common in this season in addition to the vigors of planting. Springtime planting includes the ritual of a brief morning prayer at dawn. The moment the light touches the soil, the farmers may step upon the dirt of their fields and begin their day’s work.

Summer is a time of encouraging forth and protecting life. Irrigation efforts play a major role here. Additionally, in the spirit of protection, the act of practicing and training in martial disciplines plays a major role in the course of a normal day.

Autumn is the most important time of year for the followers of Eos. Like in the Spring, farmers say a prayer as they step upon the fields at first light. Autumn is absolutely sacred. Except for emergencies, no other task can be performed during Autumn until the harvest is complete. The completion of the harvest is marked with a massive three-day celebration featuring lights, music, dancing, feasting, drinking, and games.

Winter is a time for repair, planning, and reflection. Tools are mended and sharpened. Crop planning is done. Martial training is revitalized. Many communities hold a solstice celebration wherein any learning and experimenting of the past year’s crops are discussed.

Birds

Have you ever considered being a bird?

Birds are generally observed as omens, good and bad. Timing of migratory patterns often tells farmers if they should plant and harvest early or late. Birds present during any task are considered lucky. It is believed that Eosaani, Divinity of Eos, takes the form of a bird. Bird figures are often sculpted along fence posts. To keep away birds that might damage crops, predatory bird figures are placed about. Carvings of birds decorate door mantles, roof eaves, and fabric patterns.

Injured birds are carefully nursed back to health. Domestic birds are common.

Eosaani

Eosaani is believed by the followers of Eos to be ever-present. Favor is gained by hard and smart work in the fields. There is a general lack of consensus over whether Eosaani is male or female, and it is generally observed that Eosaani takes the gender meaningful to the believer.

Miracles

There came a day in my quest’n when I came upon a family practicing Eos. They were mid-harvest. The crops were cut and ready to be threshed the following day. A flock of small birds had spent the day above the field swirling, diving, and playing above the workers - a lucky omen. The next morning, several bundles had been threshed and sorted! The family merely smiled knowingly, thanked Eosaani at their dawn prayer, and got to their work. To reverent practitioners of Eos, these minor miracles appear to be commonplace. There is clear evidence of Eosaani’s hand upon the world.

Among the followers of Eos there is a spirit of helping other farmers, just as Eosaani helps them. If a farmer finds himself with a bit of time, he will often assist their neighbor. This is especially common in major projects, such as barn-raising. Such actions are believed to curry favor with Eosaani.

Other

Eos is common in Caliharah and is not uncommon among farmers elsewhere throughout Aropria.
One of the allures of Eos is the manifestation of Eosaani’s will through minor miracles.
There are several noble families throughout the continent whose coats of arms include birds, which appear to date back to their ascension to nobility through agriculture.