Post by Death Shade on Apr 8, 2014 16:36:50 GMT -6
This is a section of the manual I want to archive in here for a future poll, I hope you don't mind, Boaster.
Life
Those who ascribe to the Life religion share one thing in common: a healthy respect for Urak and all the living things she sustains. They have a reverence for nature and for the web of life that connects all living beings together in all ways. Most Life believers regard the conception and nurturing of new life a top priority. This is why most beings who worship this religion are especially good parents and caretakers. You will also find them working in healing houses, in nurseries, and tending to the beautiful gardens on the rolling castle grounds of the elite of Urak.
Some of the less enlightened of our world mistakenly assume that Life believers cannot be aggressive or seek glory in battle. Most of these misguided sots are dead now. While it is true that most beings who worship Life find warfare distasteful, they do not shun it outright. In their minds, the end justifies the means. If killing a few will ensure that many will have life, they will kill. But the methods of killing are usually quiet, swift - and effective. Few can match their skill at archery and those foolish enough to confront them rarely get close enough to inflict any damage. If they have any weakness it is that, in their preference for living a more natural life, they shun the wearing of any heavy armor. And while their elegance makes for powerful long-range attacks, they are less adept at the art of hand-to-hand combat. Still, for the Warriors of Life that are injured in battle, the Mages of that Faith have some of the most powerful healing spells ever known. So potent is their magic in this respect that it is said that they actually possess the ability to resurrect their fallen comrades. There are tales of Life worshippers creating items that can heal those who possess them, as well as others. There are also rumors that somewhere in their kingdom lies a shrine that will heal all those who enter and rewards all those who fight for the cause of Life and nature to heal themselves after battle.
Llanwylln rules as the Goddess of Life. Believers speak of her with reverence and respect, for she nurtures the planet and creates the life forces that sustain it. Most Life worshippers consider Llanwylln (which, translated from the s'Nai dialect, means " life spirit of all") to be the creator of all things - the ugly as well as the radiant. They understand that without the balance of light and dark, good and evil, life and death, there is nothing.
The origins of the Life Faith are shrouded in myth. Most believe that Llanwylln has existed since the beginning of time, and a few scholars are convinced that she was one of the Timeless Ones that battled Golgoth so long ago. The Eri'th du Bonan (Book of Life) explains it this way:
In the great light that was Urak after the Battle, an enormous creature rose from the living rock. This creature had no form, no energy of its own. But it glowed with a light not of this world, but from the light of the universe, the lifelight discarded from countless planets and tossed to die on Urak.
This form, seeing that life struggled to be born on the surface of the planet, coaxed and nurtured it until it burst forth in a symphony of plants, animals, and beings. This creature was Llanwylln. She became one with the land, still coaxing and gently guiding life from all that exists here.
Some subcults of Life worship the Others, a group of Great Giants who serve Llanwylln in specific duties. Brynith is the keeper of creatures and cares for the animals of the world. Mithander gives nature its music and sounds. D'naian is the goddess of childbirth, and her twin, D'hestan cares for newborns and children of all creatures.
Elves make up the majority of Life believers. These beings, the Eldren, surround themselves with the beauty of nature an choose to live in the depths of the forests and in the hollows and valleys of the mountain ranges, avoiding terrain such as desert or swamp. Of all the beings of Urak, they are the closest to the life spirit of Urak, and they consider themselves to be the caretakers of the planet. Unicorns, pixies, and other citizens of the Elflands also follow the teachings of Life. One or two stories have been told describing Elven Warriors mounted on winged horses of incredible strength and beauty while others speak of a magnificent bird that fights fiercely and is reborn again and again. The worshippers of Life are the natural foes of those who choose to serve Death and Life Mages have spells that specifically target undead monsters.
Death
Followers of this Faith are a shadowy brood. They worship in the dark corners of Urak - the dank swamps that no sunlight touches, the rotting feast halls of long-abandoned castles, and in the basements of unnoticed buildings throughout the world. Their universe is that of the dying and the dead. They have great disdain for areas of the world covered with lush life and beauty.
Those who have tasted the dark joy of death worship seldom speak of it to the living. Although there are thousands upon thousands of Death worshippers, they stay hidden and silent. But when battle rages in the land or when their god instructs them to, they rise like a terrible black army to revel in a feast of turmoil and death. They believe that it is only through Death that true redemption can be found. The highest honor is for their souls to be cast into the ghastly, undead feast hall in the depths of Karnog with their dark god Golgoth.
There are many legends of the beginning of the Death cult, so many that no one knows what the real story is. Some believe that the evil that begat this planet also spit out the god of Death in the fiery chaos of creation. Others think that Golgoth is just the shadow of Llanwylln, her opposite and her nemesis. A smaller faction is rabid in its belief that Balkoth is the true Master of Death, sent by Golgoth to Urak to rule in his place. They are Balkoth's soldiers, the minions who defend his terrible existence and will fight to a joyful death anyone who tries to stop him.
There are no tomes that detail the beliefs of this most unholy religion. At least, none that I know of. But I do know that there are two cults of Death that seem to wield some power. Although both of these cults worship Death and Golgoth, they have their different ways of practicing their beliefs.
The Bloodguard are the true believers of Death. Most Bloodguard are mortal beings who have turned from their natural Faiths to worship at the feet of Golgoth. They believe that the only way to true redemption is unshaking faith in their god and undying desire to destroy all living things for his glory. Dark Elves are the most ferocious of the Bloodguard, exhibiting all of the speed and agility of their race but with a dark intent. They are known as the "Golgothans" for their unshaking faith in their god. They kill without remorse. The lucky few who have survived a Bloodguard attack report that the Golgothans delight in the killing - even to the point of lovingly cradling their prey before they throw the final death blow. Unlike most Elves, the Dark Elves prefer edged weapons in combat, such as knives and halberds. A few humans have also turned to the darker Faiths, but they are rare. Usually Warriors, followers of Order who have fallen from grace, become Bloodguard.
Oddly enough, however, most Dark Elves have a true respect for the life they take. Life is a vital force in death - only the energy of the living can feed the power of the dead - and they understand this balance. It doesn't stop them from killing, but they are known to be merciful in their work. Death by torture is rare for an Elf. Humans who worship Death, however, have no such compunction.
The other cult of Death is known simply as the Shadow. Not quite an organized cult, it is more of an army of skeletons, shades and winged creatures that serve Golgoth and Balkoth in all ways. Whispers of the dreaded vampire, a creature that grows steadily stronger by sucking the life out of others, have given nightmares to many. No one knows where these forms come from; some believe that Golgoth himself calls forth the newly dead to serve him in his work. Country folk believe that the delicate, silver blossoms of the glimmer tree repel the body snatchers that lurk in the darkness, stealing new recruits for Golgoth's ghastly army. This is why many bodies are buried with a garland of glimmer leaves lovingly placed in the coffin. I've never had the courage to tell them it doesn't work.
Facing an army of Death is enough to make a sane being's heart run cold, and for good reason. Death is powerful in almost every aspect of warfare and adorn themselves with thick armor and powerful weapons. The minions of Golgoth have many potent spells at their disposal. It is not uncommon for Death Mages to hurl body-withering curses upon their mortal enemies. And the most horrifying power of all is their ability to raise the dead - thus increasing their army in the field during battle. I cannot describe the fear that grips your heart when you see a beloved friend, mangled and bloody, rise from the battlefield and turn to attack you. But once an Undead is destroyed, it is gone for good. No powers of Death can revive one of these pitiful creatures. Death's understanding of life and vitality is limited and no magical means to heal their wounded exists. In order to be revived they must rest or visit their Temple to appease their dark lord.
No other Faith in Urak is more mysterious and the frightening. Myths and rumors that surround Death have found their way into every corner of the world. The few that have returned from an encounter with these dark foes report great armies led by powerful Lords possessing artifacts of immense power. The mere mention of the dreaded Soul Stealer or the Ring of Azz'Taruth are enough to dissuade someone from entering Death territory. Balkoth is said to own a magical weapon of such strength that one wave of his scythe can cut down an entire army. And on the darkest nights, the citizens of Urak fear that they might be stolen away and taken to Death's notorious Altar of Sacrifice, where it is said that the living are slaughtered for the amusement of Golgoth, bestowing the murderer with great strength. Some say that Death Mages will sometimes voluntarily kill themselves, only to have their dead bodies raised. These fearsome creatures possess the mortal powers of the Mage with the added benefits of an undead body and are among the most frightening monsters that one can imagine.
Order
Devotees of Order believe that everything in the universe has its place, and there is nothing that gods or mortals can do to change it. Events happen for a reason, beings act according to their preordained scripts, and the consequences of all actions can be foretold with certainty. The world is good and evil, black and white, and nothing can ever change the path of destiny that each living thing follows.
Order followers tend to gather in large, organized groups, headed by a knight or other important leader. They prefer to construct their cities on the flat, orderly plains and avoid hectic landscapes such as mountains and swamps. They have three gods, which they refer to as the Triad, and whom they worship as one entity. I've never been too clear on exactly which god was in charge of what; my theory is that there is a god of time, one of energy, and the third of space. No Order believer speaks of his or her gods, and no outsider has ever participated in an Order service. These are very private, very small affairs that occur away from the larger gatherings. All that is known is that some are held at the Cathedral of Knighthood, where a chosen few are granted a higher level of power through a mysterious ceremony.
Open Order meetings are usually sedate affairs, because the humans who make up most of the Order followers tend to be serious to the point of boredom. Humans are drawn to Order because that Faith tends give them comfort and a sense that something outside of themselves determines their destiny. Humans seem to need to be cared for, I'm not sure why. At these gatherings the knights, soldiers, cavalry, sailors, and Mages (along with the occasional Thief) argue and discuss a course of action. When there are no wars to be fought, these meetings usually degenerate into trifling debates. When war is at hand, Order followers work together like a well-oiled ballista to prepare for battle.
A primary strength of Order is the intense and unquestioning loyalty of those who follow it and those who are in its presence. White Stags, majestic creatures who normally disdain warfare, will serve out of loyalty whenever trouble arises. Gargoyles will climb down from their towers and precipices to assist in battles. And there are stories of long dead warriors whose devotion and sense of duty is so strong that their very spirits will make their way back to the mortal realm to assist their Lords. Legend speaks of one of the finest Warriors of Order who roams the land, performing good and defeating evil, and who has taken a oath to always return to his homeland when trouble is at hand.
No other Faith has the discipline and organization that Order does and these qualities naturally lend themselves to militaristic procedures. Order Warriors are especially powerful in battle. They are strongest when in large numbers, for their energy feeds one another. They are proficient in every aspect of warfare and their weapons and armor are made with the finest of skill. Such is the quality of their work that some weapons and artifacts have gained legendary status. Many a person has heard the tale of mythical Guardian, a sword imbued with such fantastic power that the mere sight of its blade has roused smaller armies into defeating larger foes and whose sharp sting can kill an enemy with a single blow.
The Mages of Order have banded into their own sect, referring to themselves as the Accord. Their skills lie in spells that protect and inspire their armies. It is said that they can take possession of their enemies and make them fight against their own kind. Others speak of Order troops protected by a magic shield, making them almost invulnerable to attack. Their skill in combat is relatively weak, so during combat they tend to stay behind the lines, casting their powers from a safe area away from the bloodshed.
Chaos
Residing in the precipices and crags of jagged mountains, far away from the tranquility of the plains and forests, lies the most volatile Faith of Urak, Chaos. Believers in Chaos are unpredictable, angry, prone to argument, quick to laugh, and never to be trusted. Believers in the Chaotic religions have only one thing in common: they revel in confusion and delight in creating havoc wherever they go. They can be formidable enemies and strong allies - if you can trust them. Just about the only thing that assures the loyalty of a Chaotic is the promise of glory in battle and the weight of mercenary coins in their purses.
The roots of this religion lie in the very fabric of Urak. The planet was born of chaos, forming from the battle between the Timeless Ones and the Form. Followers of Chaos speak of this time as the "Age of Beginning" when the stage was set for all future life. They believe that all life forms - plant, animal, creature, beings - are part of a cosmic puzzle that can never be completed. They believe that life is random, death is unexpected, and the only glory comes from following the gods into battle and in honoring their clan kin.
Chaotics prefer to rely on the strength of their swords and their muscle to assure victory in battle. They love confrontation and prefer hand-to-hand combat to projectile weapons, which they are hardly expert at. They clothe themselves in furs and animal skins which, while not providing the greatest of protection, allow the greatest freedom of movement. They worship a wide variety of gods and goddesses, all of whom are associated with various animals and creatures of Urak. Most clans identify with a particular god or goddess and consider other clans who follow that totem to be their blood relations. Thrith, the wolf god, has the most followers. Thrith is worshiped by Warriors and weaponsmakers as the god of battle and blood. Gwynned, his wife, is a battle goddess also worshiped by Warriors. She is a fiery she-wolf, lusty for battle and deadly against her enemies. Danu, the Crow, is worshiped as the god of death. He appears on the battlefield in the form of a carrion crow, feeding on the flesh of the dead. Other Chaotic gods include the cow goddess Brigid, goddess of the hearth and home; and the bear god, Visoth, the god of strength.
A vast majority of Chaotics are human, and most of them are barbarians. They are generally a brutish group who value combat and freedom. They prefer the sureness of a blade and a good horn of ale to the vagueness of magic. Strength is everything to the followers of Chaos, a fact well exemplified by their Barbarian Arena, a theater of war where participants fight each other (as well as the occasional slave and prisoner of war) to determine the mightiest among them. They highly prize personal honor, and their society is based on trust among everyone. A promise and a handgrip are as binding as a document to them. Betrayal is punishable by death, and Chaotics know many ways to make a dishonest kinsman suffer.
A few creatures follow the Chaotic Faiths - Goblins, two headed Ogres, and Cyclops. They generally keep to themselves until they are called to battle. These creatures are very volatile, however, and have been known to turn on a fellow Chaotic during combat if they think the battle is lost. When they are not fighting, most of these creatures live far from the barbarian villages in their own small clans. Some claim to have seen a peculiar type of dragon in Chaos' territory, one with many heads that can attack multiple enemies at once. Most people have dismissed this rumor while others assume that the observer must have seen a group of dragons, perhaps a nest of newly born hatchlings.
Although Chaotics tend to shun high magic, they do call on the magical powers of their animal gods for assistance during battle. There are a few Mages in the Chaos Faith. Their Mages, whom they call Hrothark, rely on animal magics in war. Animal magic is incredibly powerful, but highly unpredictable and even the most skilled Hrothark is hard pressed to control it. Hrothark and other Chaotics have the power to Polymorph themselves and others, which is an arcane skill few can master and even the Mages can not predict what form the recipient will take on. Offensive spells take precedence, as Chaotics are prone to first attack during warfare. To attack a party of Chaos followers with a Mage is throw yourself into an unpredictable situation. There are reports of entire parties suddenly becoming confused, wandering aimlessly on the battlefield while Chaos warriors butcher them one by one. Some speak of magical blades that appear out of nowhere, cutting down entire sections of an army in a great swirling mass. And while they possess great artifacts, there are few outside the Faith that would be willing to use them for fear of becoming victim to their unpredictable nature. Myths abound of unlucky adventurers who, upon wearing a Chaotic amulet, found themselves transformed into cow or chicken!
A note on the Elemental Faiths
Little is known of the Faiths of Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. The Elemental religions are of a distant past, part of Urak's history that has fallen into myth and legend. Most of the followers of the Elemental Faiths were the Giants and creatures of the Second Age, and precious little from that time has survived to this day. But there are still those who follow the Faiths, their beliefs passed down through the generations and guarded like precious gems. Elemental creatures are rarely seen by the mortal beings who inhabit the world now, and some people today doubt that they even exist. But I can assure you that they do.
(to be continued)
Life
Those who ascribe to the Life religion share one thing in common: a healthy respect for Urak and all the living things she sustains. They have a reverence for nature and for the web of life that connects all living beings together in all ways. Most Life believers regard the conception and nurturing of new life a top priority. This is why most beings who worship this religion are especially good parents and caretakers. You will also find them working in healing houses, in nurseries, and tending to the beautiful gardens on the rolling castle grounds of the elite of Urak.
Some of the less enlightened of our world mistakenly assume that Life believers cannot be aggressive or seek glory in battle. Most of these misguided sots are dead now. While it is true that most beings who worship Life find warfare distasteful, they do not shun it outright. In their minds, the end justifies the means. If killing a few will ensure that many will have life, they will kill. But the methods of killing are usually quiet, swift - and effective. Few can match their skill at archery and those foolish enough to confront them rarely get close enough to inflict any damage. If they have any weakness it is that, in their preference for living a more natural life, they shun the wearing of any heavy armor. And while their elegance makes for powerful long-range attacks, they are less adept at the art of hand-to-hand combat. Still, for the Warriors of Life that are injured in battle, the Mages of that Faith have some of the most powerful healing spells ever known. So potent is their magic in this respect that it is said that they actually possess the ability to resurrect their fallen comrades. There are tales of Life worshippers creating items that can heal those who possess them, as well as others. There are also rumors that somewhere in their kingdom lies a shrine that will heal all those who enter and rewards all those who fight for the cause of Life and nature to heal themselves after battle.
Llanwylln rules as the Goddess of Life. Believers speak of her with reverence and respect, for she nurtures the planet and creates the life forces that sustain it. Most Life worshippers consider Llanwylln (which, translated from the s'Nai dialect, means " life spirit of all") to be the creator of all things - the ugly as well as the radiant. They understand that without the balance of light and dark, good and evil, life and death, there is nothing.
The origins of the Life Faith are shrouded in myth. Most believe that Llanwylln has existed since the beginning of time, and a few scholars are convinced that she was one of the Timeless Ones that battled Golgoth so long ago. The Eri'th du Bonan (Book of Life) explains it this way:
In the great light that was Urak after the Battle, an enormous creature rose from the living rock. This creature had no form, no energy of its own. But it glowed with a light not of this world, but from the light of the universe, the lifelight discarded from countless planets and tossed to die on Urak.
This form, seeing that life struggled to be born on the surface of the planet, coaxed and nurtured it until it burst forth in a symphony of plants, animals, and beings. This creature was Llanwylln. She became one with the land, still coaxing and gently guiding life from all that exists here.
Some subcults of Life worship the Others, a group of Great Giants who serve Llanwylln in specific duties. Brynith is the keeper of creatures and cares for the animals of the world. Mithander gives nature its music and sounds. D'naian is the goddess of childbirth, and her twin, D'hestan cares for newborns and children of all creatures.
Elves make up the majority of Life believers. These beings, the Eldren, surround themselves with the beauty of nature an choose to live in the depths of the forests and in the hollows and valleys of the mountain ranges, avoiding terrain such as desert or swamp. Of all the beings of Urak, they are the closest to the life spirit of Urak, and they consider themselves to be the caretakers of the planet. Unicorns, pixies, and other citizens of the Elflands also follow the teachings of Life. One or two stories have been told describing Elven Warriors mounted on winged horses of incredible strength and beauty while others speak of a magnificent bird that fights fiercely and is reborn again and again. The worshippers of Life are the natural foes of those who choose to serve Death and Life Mages have spells that specifically target undead monsters.
Death
Followers of this Faith are a shadowy brood. They worship in the dark corners of Urak - the dank swamps that no sunlight touches, the rotting feast halls of long-abandoned castles, and in the basements of unnoticed buildings throughout the world. Their universe is that of the dying and the dead. They have great disdain for areas of the world covered with lush life and beauty.
Those who have tasted the dark joy of death worship seldom speak of it to the living. Although there are thousands upon thousands of Death worshippers, they stay hidden and silent. But when battle rages in the land or when their god instructs them to, they rise like a terrible black army to revel in a feast of turmoil and death. They believe that it is only through Death that true redemption can be found. The highest honor is for their souls to be cast into the ghastly, undead feast hall in the depths of Karnog with their dark god Golgoth.
There are many legends of the beginning of the Death cult, so many that no one knows what the real story is. Some believe that the evil that begat this planet also spit out the god of Death in the fiery chaos of creation. Others think that Golgoth is just the shadow of Llanwylln, her opposite and her nemesis. A smaller faction is rabid in its belief that Balkoth is the true Master of Death, sent by Golgoth to Urak to rule in his place. They are Balkoth's soldiers, the minions who defend his terrible existence and will fight to a joyful death anyone who tries to stop him.
There are no tomes that detail the beliefs of this most unholy religion. At least, none that I know of. But I do know that there are two cults of Death that seem to wield some power. Although both of these cults worship Death and Golgoth, they have their different ways of practicing their beliefs.
The Bloodguard are the true believers of Death. Most Bloodguard are mortal beings who have turned from their natural Faiths to worship at the feet of Golgoth. They believe that the only way to true redemption is unshaking faith in their god and undying desire to destroy all living things for his glory. Dark Elves are the most ferocious of the Bloodguard, exhibiting all of the speed and agility of their race but with a dark intent. They are known as the "Golgothans" for their unshaking faith in their god. They kill without remorse. The lucky few who have survived a Bloodguard attack report that the Golgothans delight in the killing - even to the point of lovingly cradling their prey before they throw the final death blow. Unlike most Elves, the Dark Elves prefer edged weapons in combat, such as knives and halberds. A few humans have also turned to the darker Faiths, but they are rare. Usually Warriors, followers of Order who have fallen from grace, become Bloodguard.
Oddly enough, however, most Dark Elves have a true respect for the life they take. Life is a vital force in death - only the energy of the living can feed the power of the dead - and they understand this balance. It doesn't stop them from killing, but they are known to be merciful in their work. Death by torture is rare for an Elf. Humans who worship Death, however, have no such compunction.
The other cult of Death is known simply as the Shadow. Not quite an organized cult, it is more of an army of skeletons, shades and winged creatures that serve Golgoth and Balkoth in all ways. Whispers of the dreaded vampire, a creature that grows steadily stronger by sucking the life out of others, have given nightmares to many. No one knows where these forms come from; some believe that Golgoth himself calls forth the newly dead to serve him in his work. Country folk believe that the delicate, silver blossoms of the glimmer tree repel the body snatchers that lurk in the darkness, stealing new recruits for Golgoth's ghastly army. This is why many bodies are buried with a garland of glimmer leaves lovingly placed in the coffin. I've never had the courage to tell them it doesn't work.
Facing an army of Death is enough to make a sane being's heart run cold, and for good reason. Death is powerful in almost every aspect of warfare and adorn themselves with thick armor and powerful weapons. The minions of Golgoth have many potent spells at their disposal. It is not uncommon for Death Mages to hurl body-withering curses upon their mortal enemies. And the most horrifying power of all is their ability to raise the dead - thus increasing their army in the field during battle. I cannot describe the fear that grips your heart when you see a beloved friend, mangled and bloody, rise from the battlefield and turn to attack you. But once an Undead is destroyed, it is gone for good. No powers of Death can revive one of these pitiful creatures. Death's understanding of life and vitality is limited and no magical means to heal their wounded exists. In order to be revived they must rest or visit their Temple to appease their dark lord.
No other Faith in Urak is more mysterious and the frightening. Myths and rumors that surround Death have found their way into every corner of the world. The few that have returned from an encounter with these dark foes report great armies led by powerful Lords possessing artifacts of immense power. The mere mention of the dreaded Soul Stealer or the Ring of Azz'Taruth are enough to dissuade someone from entering Death territory. Balkoth is said to own a magical weapon of such strength that one wave of his scythe can cut down an entire army. And on the darkest nights, the citizens of Urak fear that they might be stolen away and taken to Death's notorious Altar of Sacrifice, where it is said that the living are slaughtered for the amusement of Golgoth, bestowing the murderer with great strength. Some say that Death Mages will sometimes voluntarily kill themselves, only to have their dead bodies raised. These fearsome creatures possess the mortal powers of the Mage with the added benefits of an undead body and are among the most frightening monsters that one can imagine.
Order
Devotees of Order believe that everything in the universe has its place, and there is nothing that gods or mortals can do to change it. Events happen for a reason, beings act according to their preordained scripts, and the consequences of all actions can be foretold with certainty. The world is good and evil, black and white, and nothing can ever change the path of destiny that each living thing follows.
Order followers tend to gather in large, organized groups, headed by a knight or other important leader. They prefer to construct their cities on the flat, orderly plains and avoid hectic landscapes such as mountains and swamps. They have three gods, which they refer to as the Triad, and whom they worship as one entity. I've never been too clear on exactly which god was in charge of what; my theory is that there is a god of time, one of energy, and the third of space. No Order believer speaks of his or her gods, and no outsider has ever participated in an Order service. These are very private, very small affairs that occur away from the larger gatherings. All that is known is that some are held at the Cathedral of Knighthood, where a chosen few are granted a higher level of power through a mysterious ceremony.
Open Order meetings are usually sedate affairs, because the humans who make up most of the Order followers tend to be serious to the point of boredom. Humans are drawn to Order because that Faith tends give them comfort and a sense that something outside of themselves determines their destiny. Humans seem to need to be cared for, I'm not sure why. At these gatherings the knights, soldiers, cavalry, sailors, and Mages (along with the occasional Thief) argue and discuss a course of action. When there are no wars to be fought, these meetings usually degenerate into trifling debates. When war is at hand, Order followers work together like a well-oiled ballista to prepare for battle.
A primary strength of Order is the intense and unquestioning loyalty of those who follow it and those who are in its presence. White Stags, majestic creatures who normally disdain warfare, will serve out of loyalty whenever trouble arises. Gargoyles will climb down from their towers and precipices to assist in battles. And there are stories of long dead warriors whose devotion and sense of duty is so strong that their very spirits will make their way back to the mortal realm to assist their Lords. Legend speaks of one of the finest Warriors of Order who roams the land, performing good and defeating evil, and who has taken a oath to always return to his homeland when trouble is at hand.
No other Faith has the discipline and organization that Order does and these qualities naturally lend themselves to militaristic procedures. Order Warriors are especially powerful in battle. They are strongest when in large numbers, for their energy feeds one another. They are proficient in every aspect of warfare and their weapons and armor are made with the finest of skill. Such is the quality of their work that some weapons and artifacts have gained legendary status. Many a person has heard the tale of mythical Guardian, a sword imbued with such fantastic power that the mere sight of its blade has roused smaller armies into defeating larger foes and whose sharp sting can kill an enemy with a single blow.
The Mages of Order have banded into their own sect, referring to themselves as the Accord. Their skills lie in spells that protect and inspire their armies. It is said that they can take possession of their enemies and make them fight against their own kind. Others speak of Order troops protected by a magic shield, making them almost invulnerable to attack. Their skill in combat is relatively weak, so during combat they tend to stay behind the lines, casting their powers from a safe area away from the bloodshed.
Chaos
Residing in the precipices and crags of jagged mountains, far away from the tranquility of the plains and forests, lies the most volatile Faith of Urak, Chaos. Believers in Chaos are unpredictable, angry, prone to argument, quick to laugh, and never to be trusted. Believers in the Chaotic religions have only one thing in common: they revel in confusion and delight in creating havoc wherever they go. They can be formidable enemies and strong allies - if you can trust them. Just about the only thing that assures the loyalty of a Chaotic is the promise of glory in battle and the weight of mercenary coins in their purses.
The roots of this religion lie in the very fabric of Urak. The planet was born of chaos, forming from the battle between the Timeless Ones and the Form. Followers of Chaos speak of this time as the "Age of Beginning" when the stage was set for all future life. They believe that all life forms - plant, animal, creature, beings - are part of a cosmic puzzle that can never be completed. They believe that life is random, death is unexpected, and the only glory comes from following the gods into battle and in honoring their clan kin.
Chaotics prefer to rely on the strength of their swords and their muscle to assure victory in battle. They love confrontation and prefer hand-to-hand combat to projectile weapons, which they are hardly expert at. They clothe themselves in furs and animal skins which, while not providing the greatest of protection, allow the greatest freedom of movement. They worship a wide variety of gods and goddesses, all of whom are associated with various animals and creatures of Urak. Most clans identify with a particular god or goddess and consider other clans who follow that totem to be their blood relations. Thrith, the wolf god, has the most followers. Thrith is worshiped by Warriors and weaponsmakers as the god of battle and blood. Gwynned, his wife, is a battle goddess also worshiped by Warriors. She is a fiery she-wolf, lusty for battle and deadly against her enemies. Danu, the Crow, is worshiped as the god of death. He appears on the battlefield in the form of a carrion crow, feeding on the flesh of the dead. Other Chaotic gods include the cow goddess Brigid, goddess of the hearth and home; and the bear god, Visoth, the god of strength.
A vast majority of Chaotics are human, and most of them are barbarians. They are generally a brutish group who value combat and freedom. They prefer the sureness of a blade and a good horn of ale to the vagueness of magic. Strength is everything to the followers of Chaos, a fact well exemplified by their Barbarian Arena, a theater of war where participants fight each other (as well as the occasional slave and prisoner of war) to determine the mightiest among them. They highly prize personal honor, and their society is based on trust among everyone. A promise and a handgrip are as binding as a document to them. Betrayal is punishable by death, and Chaotics know many ways to make a dishonest kinsman suffer.
A few creatures follow the Chaotic Faiths - Goblins, two headed Ogres, and Cyclops. They generally keep to themselves until they are called to battle. These creatures are very volatile, however, and have been known to turn on a fellow Chaotic during combat if they think the battle is lost. When they are not fighting, most of these creatures live far from the barbarian villages in their own small clans. Some claim to have seen a peculiar type of dragon in Chaos' territory, one with many heads that can attack multiple enemies at once. Most people have dismissed this rumor while others assume that the observer must have seen a group of dragons, perhaps a nest of newly born hatchlings.
Although Chaotics tend to shun high magic, they do call on the magical powers of their animal gods for assistance during battle. There are a few Mages in the Chaos Faith. Their Mages, whom they call Hrothark, rely on animal magics in war. Animal magic is incredibly powerful, but highly unpredictable and even the most skilled Hrothark is hard pressed to control it. Hrothark and other Chaotics have the power to Polymorph themselves and others, which is an arcane skill few can master and even the Mages can not predict what form the recipient will take on. Offensive spells take precedence, as Chaotics are prone to first attack during warfare. To attack a party of Chaos followers with a Mage is throw yourself into an unpredictable situation. There are reports of entire parties suddenly becoming confused, wandering aimlessly on the battlefield while Chaos warriors butcher them one by one. Some speak of magical blades that appear out of nowhere, cutting down entire sections of an army in a great swirling mass. And while they possess great artifacts, there are few outside the Faith that would be willing to use them for fear of becoming victim to their unpredictable nature. Myths abound of unlucky adventurers who, upon wearing a Chaotic amulet, found themselves transformed into cow or chicken!
A note on the Elemental Faiths
Little is known of the Faiths of Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. The Elemental religions are of a distant past, part of Urak's history that has fallen into myth and legend. Most of the followers of the Elemental Faiths were the Giants and creatures of the Second Age, and precious little from that time has survived to this day. But there are still those who follow the Faiths, their beliefs passed down through the generations and guarded like precious gems. Elemental creatures are rarely seen by the mortal beings who inhabit the world now, and some people today doubt that they even exist. But I can assure you that they do.
(to be continued)
