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Aderyn is said to prize individualism above all else. Elders of his faith teach that it is from one’s relationship with oneself that inspiration for new crafting springs. His cosmic role is inspiration. Aderyn is born of Light energy. Aderians, thus, conceive of their god using the imagery of light. Followers of Aderyn claim to sense his influence via inspirational flashes, which spur new innovations. He is also said to be present in the consistent, spiritual glow that fills one with the lifelong drive to craft and build. Like a light permeates the void of empty space, so do inspiration and drive overcome the cardinal sins of idleness and apathy.
In order to properly foster individualism, Aderians pride themselves on the value of free will, and the ability to follow whichever path one chooses through life. All in all, this keeps Aderians quite satisfied with their daily lives, able to go about them as they choose in peace. However, free will itself is a very chaotic force, because it naturally introduces a measure of disorder to the social environment. Acting in individual interests increases diversity and free variation to society, which is often a source of strife.
Furthermore, their free-will based society, in the times leading up to the Soulfire Crisis, began to value profiteering over both ecological and social balance. An example of this imbalance exists in the illegal, underground slave trade which emerges alongside increased industrialization in the Quarry. Here, individual Aderians are seen to prioritize craft and building above human rights and social justice, undermining Aderyn’s individualistic values in the name of increased production and individual profits. <br //>
== Faith ==
Aderyn allowed his people to worship whichever of the Five they chose, or to create their own faiths. Aderians also enjoyed more freedom of movement than the people of other lands, there were no restrictions placed by Aderyn or the society as a whole on where they went. The only thing required of a person to truly be a part of Aderian was that they spend their life crafting and creating. The key parts of Aderyn’s teaching all revolve around acts of creation and ingenuity, and any lifestyle that fostered that was welcome. While complex rituals to worship Aderyn existed, they were not considered necessary. <br //>
All of this combined to make Aderians some of the most widely traveled people in the world and Aderyn’s Cradle the site of mass emigration. People from all across Anora made their way to live in the permissive and prosperous society that had emerged under Aderyn’s guidance. Many of them brought aspects of their cultures from their original homes with them, creating an ever widening array of styles and thoughts on many topics. Soulfires, the main sites of worshiping Aderyn, and his open hand sigil became common sites in lands belonging to other gods. On the eve of the Soulfire Crisis nowhere was as grand, diverse, or powerful than Aderyn’s Cradle. <br //>
== Love ==
Aderians were taught by their religious leaders to consider love a difficult to master artform. As a highly individualistic people, Aderians were slow to form relationships and were called cold and callous by some, although rumors about Aderian “love making” secrets were also quite common. Marriage was viewed as just one of many forms love could take and it was expected that a young Aderian person would spend much of their youth trying different romantic arrangements with different people, although usually only forming deep bonds with a few life-long friends. Long term and stable marriages were actually relatively rare in Aderyn’s Cradle, with most households consisting mainly of one parent and their children along with current friends and romantic partners. Those who managed to stay married for long periods of time were regarded with some degree of suspicion, envy, and a grudging respect. <br //>