Within the Metamor Keep universe there are two major faiths: the Lothanasi and the Ecclesia.
The Lothanasi (LÓ-þə-NÄ-sē), or Lightbringers, are an order of priests that represent an ancient polytheistic religion, with the gods of good and evil locked in an eternal struggle. While most Keepers are not actually members of the Lothanasi, they will seek out the priests of this order when they need counsel, advice, or favors from one of the gods.
The Ecclesia (ə-KLĒ-zē-ə) is analogous to the Roman Catholic church during the Middle Ages; its adherents are called Ecclesiasts or the Followers of the Way. Followers are currently only a small percentage of the Keeper population, but their numbers are growing.
Other religions
There are other religions in the MK universe, but they aren't as popular as the main two.
Disciples of the Pantheon
The Lothanasi devote themselves to service of the Pantheon as a whole. Most lay believers in the "old ways" only pray to the gods when they need something from one of them. But some individuals form strong personal attachments to one of the deities and dedicate their lives to serving him or her to the best of their ability. These people are called disciples by the Lothanasi, and most of them are treated as holy people who are worthy of great respect.
Well-known disciples include the druids of Artela, who organize themselves into small groups practicing their faith in the forests and other wild places; disciples of Akkala, who abstain from sex, drugs and alcohol and travel the countryside healing the sick; the Oracle of Samekkh, who lives on a remote mountaintop and provides prophetic counsel to those who seek her out; and the Maeril (merfolk), whose entire race are considered the chosen people of Wvelkim.
The dark side of the Pantheon has its disciples, as well, though these are more often greeted with fear than respect by the commoners. Vampires and lycanthropes usually bow to Lilith, the Mistress of Dark Life, while many servants of Agemnos can be found in the halls of the wealthy and powerful. Most terrifying of all are the Moranasi, the dark priests of Ba'al who work to destroy the Lothanasi and all that they hold dear. The only servants of the daedra lords who find any welcome in civilized lands are the disciples of Nocturna, who are often sought out to attend funeral services and pray for safe passage to the First Hell for the souls of the deceased.
Rebuilders
Not all those who worship Eli are loyal to the Patriarch. With the growing corruption in many parts of the Ecclesia there are movements within the Ecclesia to reform the religion, and movements outside the Ecclesia that wish to rebuild it in a "purer" form. This is the MK equivalent of the Protestant reformation. While they are nowhere near as strong or powerful as they are in the modern real world, they have taken root far sooner than any equivalent movement in RL history.1 Because of this, the Rebuilder movements represent a real threat to the religious dominance of the Ecclesia and the Patriarch. There are several different factions of Rebuilders, few of which have any involvement with each other; all of them have different agendas and motivations for leaving the Ecclesia. Poorly organized, ignored by most Lothanasi and banned in those lands that are loyal to the Ecclesia, they are a majority in only one country - Marigund. In spite of their sometimes conflicting ideals and views all Rebuilder groups do have a loose sort of loyalty to each other. Various Rebuilder groups do come to the aid of each other in times of emergency. All these groups are united on one thing - they are not a part of the Ecclesia and refuse to recognize the authority of the Patriarch. Because of this changed situation from our world, they have to stick together for mere survival.
Important Rebuilders:
Misha Brightleaf. Born and raised in Marigund, his family were early converts.
The Yehudim
Their real world counterparts are the Jews. Present in most countries, their treatment ranges from acceptance to hatred. They were forcibly ousted from their homeland, Ainador, by the Suielman Empire, and the Ecclesia (which has its headquarters in the holy city of Yesulam) has discouraged their return. While a few hard-line Lightbringer fanatics see no difference between them and Followers, most Lothanasi respect them as quiet, devoted servants of their chosen god.2 The Ecclesia is far less sympathetic to them, and refers to them disparagingly "The Predecessors" (implying that their faith is obselete since the rise of Eli's "true" chosen people).
Coexistence
Unlike many places in the world, the different faiths at Metamor Keep get along fairly well. Though they may not be open and friendly towards each other, they tolerate each other's presence.3
