From this thread on reddit started by the most reverent Lady Nerevar.
The Eight Divines are viewed by the Nords as a "Southern" import. They retain some of the taint of the Alessian Order, and are basically viewed as a religion for foreigners. Their gods are fine for them, but Nords need Nord gods.
Some of the gods are the same (or similar) -- significantly these are the three female gods, which are far more important to the Nords than they are in the Imperial Cult. (Kyne is in fact the de facto head of the Nord pantheon.) The Nords are perplexed and disturbed by the Imperial Cult's focus on the Dragon God -- they regard this as a fundamental misunderstanding of the universe, and one likely to cause disaster in the end. (Which fits perfectly with the pessimistic Nord view of the world in general -- things are likely to turn out badly, and it will probably be caused by some foreigner.) Lucky for the world that the Nords are so diligent about keeping Alduin asleep, while the southerners are busy trying to get his attention! Any mention of Akatosh in a Nord's presence is likely to bring a muttered invocation to Alduin to stay asleep in response.
The Nords believe that, During the Oblivion Crisis, it was Talos (Dragonborn, Martin's forefather) lending his aid, not Alduin.
I can see village medicine women or midwives also serving as a priestess to Mara and Dibella respectively, and their homes or huts are the worship space. Or great matrons of large families or clans serving as Dibella or Kyne. Every day worship would be something women do more than men, I think. Being a good wife, mother, daughter, and doing ones duty to clan, kin, and tribe.
Kyne would get more men than Mara and Dibella. Farmers, hunters, sailors, fishermen, would all offer part of their catch in offering at shrines upon cliffs and mountains for good weather and game. Maybe a yearly celebration or offering to Kyne in hopes for less harsh winters or a fertile springtime.
Men and warriors would go for Tsun, Stuhn, and Ysmir. Venerating them through feats of strength, martial skill, courage, honor, and loyalty to ones comrades. Their worship is through actions and not words. Deeds prove one is a True Nord worthy of Sovngarde.
Orkey and Herma-Mora would garner many superstitions and small rituals or tokens to ward off their evil. Like tossing salt over one's shoulder or carrying a rabbits foot sort of stuff.
Jhunal... He isn't much worshipped anymore I don't think. You don't pray to him for intelligence or logic or reading skill. You venerate him for being a teacher and wise council to Shor and follow in his footsteps to earn his good favor by giving good counsel to your chief and sons, and by passing down the songs and sagas that recall the histories of your people.
From this thread on reddit started by the most reverent Lady Nerevar.
The Eight Divines are viewed by the Nords as a "Southern" import. They retain some of the taint of the Alessian Order, and are basically viewed as a religion for foreigners. Their gods are fine for them, but Nords need Nord gods.
Some of the gods are the same (or similar) -- significantly these are the three female gods, which are far more important to the Nords than they are in the Imperial Cult. (Kyne is in fact the de facto head of the Nord pantheon.) The Nords are perplexed and disturbed by the Imperial Cult's focus on the Dragon God -- they regard this as a fundamental misunderstanding of the universe, and one likely to cause disaster in the end. (Which fits perfectly with the pessimistic Nord view of the world in general -- things are likely to turn out badly, and it will probably be caused by some foreigner.) Lucky for the world that the Nords are so diligent about keeping Alduin asleep, while the southerners are busy trying to get his attention! Any mention of Akatosh in a Nord's presence is likely to bring a muttered invocation to Alduin to stay asleep in response.
The Nords believe that, During the Oblivion Crisis, it was Talos (Dragonborn, Martin's forefather) lending his aid, not Alduin.
I can see village medicine women or midwives also serving as a priestess to Mara and Dibella respectively, and their homes or huts are the worship space. Or great matrons of large families or clans serving as Dibella or Kyne. Every day worship would be something women do more than men, I think. Being a good wife, mother, daughter, and doing ones duty to clan, kin, and tribe.
Kyne would get more men than Mara and Dibella. Farmers, hunters, sailors, fishermen, would all offer part of their catch in offering at shrines upon cliffs and mountains for good weather and game. Maybe a yearly celebration or offering to Kyne in hopes for less harsh winters or a fertile springtime.
Men and warriors would go for Tsun, Stuhn, and Ysmir. Venerating them through feats of strength, martial skill, courage, honor, and loyalty to ones comrades. Their worship is through actions and not words. Deeds prove one is a True Nord worthy of Sovngarde.
Orkey and Herma-Mora would garner many superstitions and small rituals or tokens to ward off their evil. Like tossing salt over one's shoulder or carrying a rabbits foot sort of stuff.
Jhunal... He isn't much worshipped anymore I don't think. You don't pray to him for intelligence or logic or reading skill. You venerate him for being a teacher and wise council to Shor and follow in his footsteps to earn his good favor by giving good counsel to your chief and sons, and by passing down the songs and sagas that recall the histories of your people.
