Circlian

Circlian is the term for the followers of the main religion in the series of books Age of the Five by Trudi Canavan The Circlian religion is based on the Circle of the Five Gods, the only gods left after the War of the gods, in which apparently all other Gods were destroyed.

The Five Circlian Gods are:
*Chaia (God of Kings)
*Huan (Goddess of Fertility)
*Lore (God of War)
*Yranna (Goddess of Women/Goddess of Beauty)
*Saru (God of Gambling/God of Wealth)

Although the gods abandoned their titles at the end of the Age of Many they are still occasionally used for historical or research purposes within the context of the novel. It is said that their titles are also an indication of their nature.

The Pentadrians are the largest other religion in the lands of the novels. It is speculated that although they are a major force in half the continent that their gods are false as the Circle of Gods destroyed all others in the war. There is also speculation that either the Pentadrian gods are the counterparts of the Circlian gods, (like Ares and Mars are the Greek and Roman gods of war) or they are in fact the same deity, masquerading as another. The latter theory was mentioned by Leiard in Priestess of the White. This theory seems likely as the Pentadrian gods' names are eerily similar in pronunciation to the Circlians:

* Chaia - Sheyr
* Huan - Hrun
* Lore - Alor
* Yranna - Ranah
* Saru - Sraal
(Circlian) (Pentadrian)

Huan is the creator of both the Siyee (a race of Humanoid/Bat people), and the Elai(a race of hairless, dark skinned mer-people with massive lungs, large webbed hands feet, a complete lack of hair, and sharp pointed teeth). The Siyee reside in the mountainous country of Si while the Elai call the islands of Borra home.

Chaia favors Auraya (much to the chagrin of the devout White, Rian) and in Last of the Wilds she finds herself having an intimate relationship with the god. It is speculated upon that Chaia is known to have many relationships with mortal women which are so intense that the woman is driven mad when he tires of her.

The leaders of the Circlian religion are The White and are powerful mystics chosen by the Gods to be their voices on 'Earth'. The most notable White is Auraya. These White are given Gifts by the gods, these range from being able to read the minds of others through to their enhanced magical abilities which they use in time of war.

Magic in the world of Age of the Five is external: all the power is drawn in from the environment, rather than from a personal store. What makes a mage powerful or weak is their ability to simultaneously draw in, refine, focus and release the energy. The more energy that a mage can channel usefully at any one time, the more powerful the mage.

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