Difference between revisions of "Red Faith"

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Revision as of 13:25, 7 March 2021

The Red Faith
redfaith.png
Offical Seal of The Red Faith
Active: 1300–Present
Hearth Temple: Varhelm
Followers:

Kingdom of Norland
Earldom of Nordengrad
Duchy of Morsgrad
Kingdom of Hyspia

Deity: The Allfather
Size:

14,000

High Keeper:

Thoromir Ruric (Founder)
Aeyn Edvardsson
Tyr Faretto
Rae Arden
Sølvi Faretto
Alisa Camian (Current)

The Red Faith, also known as the Faith of the Allfather, is a major human religion and the primary state religion of the Kingdom of Norland. The followers of the Red Faith are most commonly Highlanders of Norlandic heritage however Elves, Dwarves, and even a Kha have been found to practice the Red Faith.

The Allfather is the central deity of the Red Faith, who is believed to be the incarnation of growth and order. The Red Faith revolved around the Three Tenents, Suffer not the Unworthy, Spread the Flame, and Stand against the Long Dark. The Red Faith commonly uses symbols depicting flames surrounded by darkness to represent the figurative and literal eternal struggle against the Long Dark. Under the guidance of the Allfather's Three Tenents the Red Faithful commune primarily with those ancestral members of the Red Faith who had performed extreme acts rendering them worthy of the All Father’s favor known as Paragons. Each Paragon is representative of a different aspect of the world, be it fieldwork and agriculture, defense and will, or mysticism and the unknown, as such these Paragons may be invoked in support of a relevant cause. Each Paragon has their own group of dedicants as each member of the Red Faith is required to select a patron Paragon upon their cleansing and official indoctrination into the Red Faith.

Tenets of the Red Faith

Adherents to the Red Faith live their lives in accordance with the Three Tenents as they are central to the faith. The Three Tenents were historically spoken to Thoromir whence he received the Father's Flame. The Orthodoxy of the Red Faith interprets the Three Tenents as the edicts which the Allfather set forth so as to ensure that the corruption of the Void, Iblees, or any other malevolent being is minimized in all lands which the Father's Faithful inhabit. Those who do not uphold the Tenents of the Father's Faithful are viewed as weak, dishonorable, and unworthy to claim to serve the Allfather.

The first tenet of the Red Faith is to Suffer not the Unworthy. Those defined as unworthy is debated by the clerical authorities of the Red Faith; however, the Orthodoxy of the Red Faith defined those unworthy as beings corrupted in mind, body, and soul such as Voidal Mages who have corrupted their soul by connecting it to the Void or those undead whose bodies and minds are twisted into servants of malice.

The second tenet of the Red Faith is to Spread the Flame. The least controversial of the three tenets, yet still oft debated by the clerical authorities of the Red Faith, the Orthodoxy of the Red Faith requires the Father's Faithful to endeavor to spread the teachings of the Father so as to protect the Descendants from the clutches of the Long Dark. The establishment of faithful domains and amicable conversion of those unilluminated of appropriate worthiness is paramount to the practice of the Red Faith. Forced conversions are strictly forbidden by the Father and his clergy and are considered a serious offense to any who conduct such actions.

The third tenet of the Red Faith is Stand against the Long Dark. The concept of the Long Dark and what it specifically pertains to is still debated by the clerical authorities of the Red Faith; however, the Orthodoxy of the Red Faith defines it as that which is unnatural and defies the natural laws of the world and that which is corrupted by the Void, Iblees or any other malevolent being. Those with corrupted souls such as Dark Mages or Undead often face the direct wrath of the Father's Faithful, being hunted down and exterminated when their presence is known. Though other beings such as the Inferi have been made enemies of the Faith since their latest incursion on to Arcas and the subsequent Inferi War.

The Paragons

The Paragons of the Allfather are those select figures of the All Father’s children who embody singular virtue and service far beyond the norm. These figures are those who have performed the highest level of service. A paragon is raised from the ranks of the ancestral spirits that have joined the ranks of the Allfather. This ascension is then conferred unto the ranks of the clergy in the form of a series of vividly realistic visions concerning the feats and deeds of the risen ancestor. Each paragon serves as an aspect of a specific virtue prized by the Father in the pursuit of his great mission. The following compendium details the pantheon of Paragons acknowledged by the Holy Hearth.

Paragons are not necessarily virtuous in nature, however. Every Paragon has been raised to the Father’s service due to extreme virtue or through undeniably grand feats of skill, will, strategy or power. These virtues and feats can be either positive or negative in nature. The All-Father recognizes both, as peace and chaos are both sides of the same coin, for good cannot be known without seeing evil, and evil does not exist without a greater good. Both contribute to the harmony of Norlandic society and the world as a whole.

Name Emblem Virtue Summary Preffered Offerings
Thoromir 'the Herald' Ashwood tree over a sheild Loyalty, Fidelity First Ruric Chieftain, received the Father's Flame while freezing to death. Metals, tools, well-constructed stoneworks
Alfred 'the Martyr' Downward sword infront of an open book Justice, Self-Sacrafice, Retribution Notable monster hunter and stabbed in the back by political agitators and Canonist extremists, the Hounds of St. John. Hides, bones and trophies of evil creatures, Ashwood Spirits
Edvard 'the Terrible' Upright sword over the Ashwood tree Hubris First King of Norland and founder of the Red Brothers he repeatedly struggled against foreign powers to secure his people but ultimatly was defeated. Broken weapons
Eirik 'the Great' Crown over the Ashwood tree Diplomacy Successor to Edvard he used diplomacy to navigate his people to a secured future, albiet under an emperor's dominion. Remembered in a variety of ways for his actions. Heraldry, swords, wax
Donovan 'the Bastion' Shield and Crown Defense, Governance Considered to be the greatest military strategist and defender of the Norlandic people. Successfully thwarted two Dwarven assaults on the Krag being outnumbered and undermanned. Objects of defence, anti-Dwarf curios, ales, horseshoes
Snow 'the Flamesinger' Four-pointed star Mysticism, the Unknown Blessed by the Allfather, snow communed with the Allfather through his Holy Flame with a beautiful song. First to delve into the mysteries of the Allfather. Spiced wine, glassware, coal
Arthas 'the Patriarch' Burning book Piety Credited with documentation of many previously unwritten practices of the Father's Faith. High Keeper during the schism of Javier and Jevan Eiriksson Ruric. Blank scrolls, written scrolls, pen and paper
Myro 'the Wordsmith' Quill Lore, Writting One of the founders of Norland, first to translate the holy scripture from Old Norlandic to Common Quills, partchment
Vykk 'the Founder' Hammer Labour, Craftsmanship The sole Paragon to still walk among us, dedicated to the Allfather and architect of the first Hearth Temple of Fynor. Often appears at pivotal moments to offer advice and assistance. Liquor, soulstones
Bjorn 'the Beserker' Axe War An imposing man with a violent disposition, embroiled himself in conflict and joined the Red Brothers, quickly becoming the Champoin and lead the Red Brothers to many great victories. Whiskey, buorbon, weapons, armor
Uther 'the Old' Sythe Harvest, Farming Veteran of the Krag, fed his nation with bountiful harvests and dedicated to the reaping of crops. Provided a famed meatloaf and haggis for soldiers during times of war. Crops, farming tools, mead
Athelflaed av Hurth 'The Weaver' Child's Doll Family, Child Rearing Wife to Thoromir Ruricsson Armahnk and renowned motherly figure to all the children of the Father, she often told stories of her past and of the lessons of the Father. Knit goods, homecooked meals, toys
Sven 'the Bard' Lyre Music, Poetry, Festivity Second son of Eirik he is renowned for being a great bard, creating a variety arts in the written word, poetic verse, or depictions. Rallied the Norlandic levy to defeat Beowulf 'the Betrayer'. Instruments, poems or songs, cups
Aelfwynn av Vuttelund 'the Fleet' Drawn Bow Hunting, Nature She had raised a bear which she raised as a cub, considered to be the protector of the forest, defending it vehemently against bands of vagabonds who hunt for leasure rather than survival. Bows, flowers
Tyr 'the Raven' Bird in Flight Passion, Freedom Credited for assuming mantle of High Keeper after the assassination of Aeyn. Launched investigation into undead infested lairs where he safeguarded the Faith's principles. Artisan tools, Ashwood alcohols, daggers

History of the Red Faith

The Red Faith existed for some time in various forms prior to its reorganization into the Faith we understand in the present-day. Various tribes had their own iterations of the Faith and their own understandings of the Allfather, in many cases their beliefs going back hundreds of years. This would change in the year 1300 of the Mathic Age. The Red Faith's modern form was brought to the descendants by Thoromir I Ruricsson Armahnk, founder of House Ruric. The faith would continue to be closely tied to the fate of the Rurics as centuries went on, as well as the fate of the Kingdom of Norland itself.

Notable Keepers of the Flame

Thoromir Ruricsson Armahnk

In the year 1300, in the land of Thales, Thoromir Ruric was caught in a horrific snowstorm. He was about to reach his end in the blizzard when a spirit-like figure appeared in front of him carrying a burning Flame. The figure, later identified as the All-Father, and its flame guided Thoromir out from the storm and into safety, thus sparking the beginning of the Red Faith as we know it today. Thoromir was from then known as the Prophet and was promoted to the ranks of the Paragons.

Edvard I Thorsson Ruric

After the death of his father, Edvard continued the ways of the Allfather, having it become much more successful for a large period of time until relations began to sour with the Dwarven Kingdom and the Orenian Empire. Much of Edvard's reign is noted for failed talks of diplomacy, the looming possibility of war against the Norlandic people, and the All Father's religion. It was discovered one day that Edvard had disappeared, thought to have climbed a mountain seeking absolution for his failures in leading his people. A Kingsmoot was held, choosing Eirik Thorsson Ruric as his successor.

Eirik Thorsson Ruric

Gareth Faretto

Gareth Faretto was a Keeper that had been taught by Tyr and the writings of old, he had misunderstood the lessons he was taught and had killed one of the four heroes of Renatus. due to the fact that he was an orc, and under Gareths perception he believed that under the eyes of the Faith all orcs were corrupt creatures only worthy of the Father's mercy. He met his last days as a shadow of his former self in Morsgrad, after a last failed attempt to become the High Keeper, where High Keeper Alisa Camian was chosen instead.

Sven Eiriksson Ruric

The reign of Sven saw the beginning of the Third Rurikid Uprising, a war which climaxed with the Sack of Seahelm and the slaughter of a vast amount of the Norlandic people. Sven abdicated in favour of his elder brother Hakon.

Hakon Eiriksson Ruric

After taking up the mantle of House Ruric from Sven Ruric, Hakon led his people to take refuge with their Allies in the Principality of Dreadlands where he would spend a number of years leading their warriors in raids against Oren, and constructing the Bonefort. Hakon was slain in 1571, and the Dreadlands destroyed, leading to the Norlandic people and the Faith being leaderless for some time.

Arthas I Edvardsson Ruric

Arthas was elected as head of the Red Faith by the Norlandic people during the reign of Artyom Eiriksson Ruric, and greatly reformed the Red Faith, including the creation of the title of High Keeper - which he was the first to hold. His leadership led to the Red Faith's rise to become one of the most powerful religions of it's time. Arthas is remembered as likely the most notable and powerful High Keeper, in his time participating in the Norlandic Moot Wars and starting the Norlandic Purge of Magic. (still WIP)

Elle Noctuid

Elle was a keeper during Arthas I Edvardsson Ruric' time as High Keeper. It was, in part, due to her efforts that Norland returned to the Faith after the reign of Jevan Ruric came to an end. Her feats for the Faith included the burning of the Grand Hall in Axios, and the destruction of House of Silversteed's Keep shortly after they were outed as turncoats. After the Renatus versus Norland war of Axios concluded Elle burned down most of Vjorhelm, as they still had not returned to the Faith. In Atlas she dwelled in the Monastery, later becoming one of Jory Ruric's ash wives, bearing twins to him. During her children's childhood she took part in the murder of Jory's second wife, Jordan, for her part in a plot to kill Elle's children. She was later beheaded during a Dominion versus Snow Elf conflict.

Hod Svensson

Elected by Godden Ruric, Hod only reigned for a few years due to his lack of ability to lead the faith, which led to a decline of loyalty and discipline shown to King Godden having brought up many fights and disagreements, he was removed by Godden Ruric after only serving as High keeper for 4 years, having reigned for the least amount of time in the history of the Red Faith.

Galen

Elected by Godden Ruric after the Hod incident. He rarely participated in any documents or recruitment in the Faith although he did pass along vasts amount of knowledge of the faith to Godden as well as many of the newer Norlandic recruits, he remained High Keeper after the sack and dissolution of the Fourth Kingdom of Norland, until his eventual disappearance in 1673. (still WIP)

Rae Arden

Elected by Thoromir II Ruric, in his early years as High Keeper, Rae Arden began a massive reformation of the faith, converting almost the entire population of the Earldoms capital of Nordengrad, Rae would later establish a Red Faith temple, the size of the Ruric temple, if not bigger, housing all members of the Red Faith, being home to all those who wish to offer gifts to the AllFather, Rae would then further himself by continuing minor work upon the Red Scrolls, alongside the greatest scholars in Nordengrad. Throughout the majority of Raes reign as High keeper, it remained to be rather inactive only having merely a few priests to assist him in matters, although, after the completion of the Red Faith Temple, it greatly improved the numbers within the Red faith. Although after the start of the Third Atlas Coalition War, Rae knew that it would be the end of him if they were to lose the Siege of Nordengrad, so he greatly worked to recruit numerous members to the faith, being successful in doing so, he made the faith once again an active entity within Nordengrad, although this would be a short lasted victory as when the time came of the Siege of Nordengrad, Rae fought valiantly but fell to an unknown Renatian Soldier.


Religions
Human Faiths Canonism · Red Faith · The Old Faith · Muri'jah
Dwarven Faiths Brathmordakin
Elven Faiths Aspectism · Aepheism
Orcish Faiths Orcish Spiritism
Other Faiths Halfling Spiritism · Om'echan · The Viera