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[Superfluous Crow]

Unless Arga has a particularly thriving community of historians I can't really see why they'd know much about the past at all, actually. They just got there and as you said, they didn't have much of a history themselves before that.

This is really quite a pertinent question. How much do they know? Where do they know it from? How much do they care?

Are we talking oral myths only? The written records of Dura and Tellae? Archaeologists fervently studying ruins and rocks for historical information alone? Is Arga (more particularly, Argan academic culture) about the past or the present? 

[O Senhor Leetz]

Now that it's being discussed, maybe they know nothing more than the Ages. Maybe I should cut it down to 3 or 4. The First Age being everything pre-Anthos, than a cycle or two of Anthos history, the Ages split up by important events.

I may just keep it as oral myth and history, taking cues from things like Romulus and Remus, the Illiad, Odyssey, and other epic, quasi-historical works. The Dura and Tellae may have left records, but they are not human, and so their interpretation of history could be very alien and impossible to understand.

[O Senhor Leetz]

Ok, here is an idea how to make the Argan dating system interesting and practicle. As far as fluff goes, I'm thinking the dating system was first set upon by the priests of Niv, one of the first cities founded after the Wandering - the so-called Nivian Ages. (Niv would be long-dead by now, but the dating system would have been absorbed and used by most of civilized Arga). Year 0 would be when the Nivian Ages started, and anything before is simply refered to with approximated negatives, and history before then is pretty much oral myth and legend.

Every century of the Nivian Ages is a named Age (surprise). It is a mix of East and West, and would be confusing without knowing the names of the Ages and the order of them, but I'll make sure I always include the amount of years after year 0 just to be clear.

So, for example, the fifth century after year 0, also called the Nivian Epoch, would be known as the Age of Heaving Tides (or something). So the 56th Year of the Age of Heaving Tides would also be 456, which I'll include in (brackets), more for figuring out how long ago something happened then for comparing to earths own approtriate year, which is not the case as the Nivian Epoch does not match up with 0AD/ 0CE

[Kalontas]

Now this sounds rather interesting. Still a bit Mayan (with their interlocking circles of a calendar), but it's original and easy to get into.

[O Senhor Leetz]

so it's not too confusing as long as I put the normal years with it? (As I dont expect anyone, even myself, to learn the Ages, at least now)

But now I just have to think of about 10 or so good names for Ages.

[O Senhor Leetz]

Also, I've been reading into the mystery religions of Antiquity and they are so awesome: Sabazios, Cult of Mithras, Cybele, Eleusinian Mysteries- I'm going to think about revamping Argan religion.

EDIT: So here is my new idea. Religion in Arga, for the Anthos at least, is divided into three parts:

1. The Primal Powers: While I am not going to call them the Primal Powers, religions in this catagory are amongst the oldest. They focus on natural things and simple but important concepts: Sea gods, death gods, sun gods, these would all be amongst this group. Even though the same god may be worshipped in many lands, each place has its own unique way of worship. These would be great, open ended faiths with little in the way of internal structures and heirarchies.

2. The Mysteries: Newer religions, sometimes adapted from another source (Tellae, Nane, Dura) or a naturally evolved off-shoot of one of the Primal Powers, such as an off-shoot deity of soldiering that somehow came from a Primal Power of war. Would focus on more specific things such as bronze-making, sailing, or the use of a spear. The Mysteries would be "members only" religions, much like a cult, with initiations, rites, and what-not.

3. Hero-cults: These would be somewhat localized cults devoted to a certain Hero or party of Heroes. Specific in their portfolios, they could either by private, like the Mysteries, or a public affair, with open temples and clergy.

Also, key point: In Arga, religion and gods are not exclusive, it is possible, and common, to worship at least a handful of deities and belong in a cult or mystery or two. Worshiping the Primal sea god and being an initiate in a Tellae Mystery is in no way taboo or innappropiate.

[Ninja D!]

I really like the idea of hero cults. I could see a game campaign see the birth of one after a few grand exploits.

[TheMeanestGuest]

So, I noticed this a little while ago but forgot about it until just now.

From your more recent posts it seems like you're saying that both the Vorr and the Dura are extinct. If so, I think that's kind of an unfortunate way to go, as I always found Arga's non-human races to be among its most charming elements.

[LordVreeg]

I always like when religions make sense for the setting; I see too often when they do not.  I alos like that they are not always exclusive.

[O Senhor Leetz]

Just need to put in the text and it should be done.

[Superfluous Crow]

Looks great as usual! A mix of old and new designs. Looking forward to the names.