Fontaine Beliefs and Traditions

The Fontaine Family in ACA (and ACA Reloaded) have a very unique set of traditions, which constitute the core of their beliefs. It encapsulates the gods they revere and pay homage to, although they do not worship in a traditional sense, nor revere a god as a higher being. This makes them set apart from all other families, due to their own unique pantheon and depictions of the Divines, Daedric Princes and Magna Ge.

Unlike most Religions, the Fontaine family doesn't discriminate and separate the gods into arbitrary categories such as Aedra, Daedric Princes, Magna Ge, Et Ada and such. To them, it is very simple, and all gods are equal in the grand scheme of things. They are not infallible, far removed beings, but almost human like entities with distinct emotions, feelings and quirks. It means the gods are not flawless in the Fontaine belief system.

The Fontaines very clearly and cleanly separate their gods into only two categories: The Benign Gods and Malign Gods. The Benign Gods are supportive of the Fontaine Family, and were the original ones who granted Sebastien Fontaine, the progenitor of all Fontaines their blessing. The Malign Gods are those who oppose the Fontaines in one way or another, or those who have betrayed the Fontaines.

Due to the massive differences in the depiction of the standard Daedric Princes, Aedra and Et Ada, the Fontaine Family is seen to double as a daedric cult by some, and thus are marked by groups such as the Vigilant of Stendarr as sworn enemies.

Benign Gods
There are a total of Ten Benign Gods in the Fontaine's belief system. They are the Magna Ge Magnus, and the Daedric Princes Jyggalag, Hermaeus Mora, Sanguine, Molag Bal, Azura, Meridia, Nocturnal, Vaermina and Mephala. Due to how differently these gods are perceived, often in completely irregular and deviant ways from the general population, the Fontaine family has sometimes attracted ridicule. Yet, they do not waver. These Gods are not worshipped, but rather talked to and treated similarly to a venerated ancestor or hero. They are highly respected, but do not command feverent devotion.

Highest Pantheon
They are only two Gods in the highest Pantheon of the Fontaine Family. They are Magnus and Hermaeus Mora.

Magnus, Grand System Architect
Magnus is known as the Grand System Architect to all Fontaines, and to them he is the only true god worthy of worship, although even then, he is not revered in a traditional ceremony. A simple offering ceremony is performed to him every year, on the dawn of the new year, by each and every Fontaine firing their secondary power at the sun as soon as it rises.

Magnus is the architect of Nirn, and thus set up the plan for the existence of the world, even if he didn't build it as the others did. It was a noble goal in itself. Magnus' origin as the God of Magic means he is also seen as a root source of all Fontaine powers, even if he isn't the one who taught the Fontaines to actualize and use the powers. As the Primal Origin of all Fontaine powers, Magnus is therefore seen as their highest deity, above Daedra, Aedra and Magna Ge. None surpass him in the view of the Fontaines, therefore, since Magnus is the one who gave them their powers, which are tools to shape the world that he planned to be built.

The Fontaines see themselves as renovators, and Nirn as a broken building constructed by a shoddy construction organisation, the half baked work of the gods who never truly made Magnus' dream vision come true. Thus, it is their duty to use their powers to protect the people in the world, and try to make it a better place for as many people as they can. Thus, the best way to acknowledge Magnus' legacy is to care for the world he tried to build, not waste time on supplicating him.

Magnus himself is depicted as an ancient and powerful Fontaine man, with pure white hair and icy blue eyes, dressed in very simple white clothing and forever wreathed in the cerulean mists of condensing magicka that forms a translucent shroud around his body. Still, his age isn't physically shown, as he is always depicted as a beautiful male youth to signify his transcendent nature and perfect attribute. Magnus is always shown in a calm, tranquil pose set before an expanse of cosmic beauty. This depiction is based on a dream that Sebastien had, where he conversed with Magnus on the fate of his family.