Children of the Ascended
Once the world was dark and full of terror. Nightmares ruled here, strolling our lands, dominating all before them. The old gods forgotten, the primordials long wiped away from our realm, dead or fled. Leaving us mere mortals to our fate in a world they had fumbled and then abandoned. We were small, but with great hearts. Yet we were no match for the things from the darkest realms of reality, the creatures conjured from behind the Aether, from the Void itself. We were tortured, hunted for sport, subjugated. Society ceased to exist. Empires faded, forgotten, technology, lost forever. The very essence of our world, our home, tainted.
However we survived. The children of the chosen survived. Three of man, two of elf, the titan-blooded, the gnomes, the halfmen and the dwarves. All others were twisted and tainted beyond salvation, where once they may have been our equals, they fell, forever broken shells. They fell to temptation. However we clung on, all of our ancestors, waiting, believing!!!
Their faith was rewarded, for nigh on a thousand years after the last primordial fled our realm, when we were little more than tribal nomads huddling and hiding from the terrors and monsters that ruled our home, they came to us. The Ascended, the nine champions whom would end the Sundering. The nine whom would become divine. The nine whom would lead us to freedom!
Sir Kartheart, the bold, the brave, the shield of the Tundra Realms!
Talia, the lady of the Leaves, the mistress of the wylde, for whom plants and animals would bend to serve.
Boran the Bloodhound, master of the hunt, reaver of Nightmares!
Feyheart the wanderer, master of maps, the eternal ministrel!
Varis Tomain, the blessed, the lucky, the foolish, the brave!
Deat-Kra, the time-keeper, the judge, the eternal Justice!
Cormaq Thunderhand, the inventor, the tinkerer, the master at arms!
Captain Black Jeremiah, the sea dog, the privateer, the master of the waves!
Vosana Falconhand, mistress of the clouds, Sun queen, sky-spear!
These nine individuals rallied their kindred and led the first and most whole and holy crusade across Valerick, cleansing the lands, slaying and banishing all horrors and nightmares before them, sealing the tears in reality, and eventually, earning their right and the power to Ascend well beyond our mortal realm, ousting the dead remnants of the old gods, those whom had chosen to ignore and stop care-taking their realm, and took their place. Thus did the age of Reclaimation begin. Thus did civilization as we know it begin.
An excerpt from most basic holy texts of all nine faiths, showing and selling the conceptualization of a more unified connectivity between the nine faiths than their actually always is. Though that should not be taken as to mean it does not exist.
Structure
The religous situation of Valerick is quite an interesting one to consider, and one that is oft delved into by philosphers, religious scholars, and drunken aristocrats alike. The eternal debate of course is the age old question, asked since the inception of the Ascended....is it not technically one faith, one church, with nine gods? And if this is the case, how can they so often disagree with each other, even to the point of conflict, and even minor wars, and call these disputes naught but 'sibling spates'?
One can be forgiven that notion, in part because it is in a very technical sense and fashion, true, yet in practice it is far less accurate. The Children of the Ascended is the overarching religious body, and the head of that structure is the chosen of Solarian, the Starblade, the most holy relic that is said to respond only to the touch of a woman, the truest descendant of the Mother of all Creation. This is the last remnant of the Old Gods, for the Mother of all Creation is said to have been destroyed. The Children of the Ascended claim no new realms will ever come to exist, and any new realms discovered by diviners, or the 'heretical' tamperings of the Magisterium have elicited a variety of responses from claims of heresy to bold faced, and illogical claims of obscure bits of scripture referencing the newly discovered realm or plane, therefore indicating it is not 'new' at all, merely 'new to us. The current Empress, Cyndra Fiorabrynd the III however is far more liberal, and disagrees openly with this doctorine of the sages of the nine faiths. They likely would have had her removed by now, but she does not wield Solarian as a mere office badge, she is a formidable warrior, of Koltani blood, and much to their eternal hate I am sure, she also just so happens to be a Pyromancer trained and licensed.
The Children of the Ascended, the concept of a centralized faith, was and is a long dead one. Often the various factions war and fight with each other. Sibling spates, these little holy wars are oft called. In truth, the role of Empress is mostly a figure head, with but one unique and key purpose, in that she wields Solarian, the Starblade.
However outside that unifying loyalty in regards to the most holy relic that is Solarian, the faiths are very much far more comparable to arguably seperate religions or belief systems instead of siblings under the same umbrella. If it were not for the enforced sharing of houses of worship, and a variety of complex codices and agreements, the splits would be far more observable to the regular folk of Valerick. Even so, it is not like they are not on some level, pronounced and obvious, given the unique situation of their being nine unique 'most holy' temples, each venerated as the center of faith by one of each of the groups.
There are many churches and chapels and houses of worship all across Valerick, each dedicated generally to one of the Ascended but housing shrines for the rest, as is only appropriate under the umbrella that is this concept and doctorine of one religion, many faiths. However within this truth, there is the acknowledge division where one can argue, quite convincingly, that there are actually nine religions that perhaps share one common point of faith or one core belief. For all across Valerick there are nine 'Most Holy' temples, but yet each of the faiths only acknowledge one as 'most holy' proclaiming the others are at best 'a close second' or at worst a downright lie and no more important than any other regular church. As one may guess, each one is tied to one of the Ascended, and their locations are tied to the mythos of that individual.
Far to the north, at the northern tip of the world, to hear most tell it, sits the city of Geata-Iarainn, the capital of The Kingdom of Suranth, the Tundra Realms. A city known for its mighty presence, its industrial might, its sturdiness, and the cultural stubborness of its people. With all of this, the city is also known for the towering structure that is the seat of power for the faithful of Sir Kartheart, The Valorous Armory. It is a place that needs to be seen to be appropriately appreciated, but for starters it is a towering spire of stone that rises from the depths of the bay that the city is built around and part of, a veritable fortress lancing from the ocean to the mist and sea spray above. One of three such spires that naturally protrudes from the bay, the Valorous Armory looks as militant as its name may suggest, and this is no accidental coincidence.
Center of the faith of Talia, Lady of the Leaves. Proper codex update coming eventually.
Center of the faith of Boran the Bloodhound. Proper Codex Update coming...eventually.
Center of the faith of Feyheart, the Wanderer. Proper Codex Update coming....eventually.
Center of the faith of Varis Tomain, the Gambler. Proper Codex Update coming....eventually.
Center of the faith of Deat-Kra, the Divine Judge. Proper Codex update coming.....eventually.
Center of the faith of Cormaq Thunderhand, the Tinkerer. Proper Codex update coming eventually.
Center of the faith of Captain Black Jeremiah, the Seamaster. Proper Codex update coming eventually.
Center of the faith of Vosana Falconhand, the Sky-Queen. Proper Codex update coming eventually.
Each of these temples is more or less its own defacto religion, only really acting as part of a larger whole within certain specifics of belief and very rare unifying occasions. The most prominent and most relevant to the organization and how it functions today, and its structure, along with how it interacts with the Magisterium and even national governments, is well...the shared stance on the arts of Arcanis.
One can be forgiven that notion, in part because it is in a very technical sense and fashion, true, yet in practice it is far less accurate. The Children of the Ascended is the overarching religious body, and the head of that structure is the chosen of Solarian, the Starblade, the most holy relic that is said to respond only to the touch of a woman, the truest descendant of the Mother of all Creation. This is the last remnant of the Old Gods, for the Mother of all Creation is said to have been destroyed. The Children of the Ascended claim no new realms will ever come to exist, and any new realms discovered by diviners, or the 'heretical' tamperings of the Magisterium have elicited a variety of responses from claims of heresy to bold faced, and illogical claims of obscure bits of scripture referencing the newly discovered realm or plane, therefore indicating it is not 'new' at all, merely 'new to us. The current Empress, Cyndra Fiorabrynd the III however is far more liberal, and disagrees openly with this doctorine of the sages of the nine faiths. They likely would have had her removed by now, but she does not wield Solarian as a mere office badge, she is a formidable warrior, of Koltani blood, and much to their eternal hate I am sure, she also just so happens to be a Pyromancer trained and licensed.
A pyromancer, chosen by Solarian? Ach, well lassie yer damn right we'll back yer claim, ye have the Storm Lancers, just as ye do the Wolven Guard and the Bough-striders I am sure. Let us get you a proper retinue, Empress Fiorabrynd, and begin the long journey. Worry yer head nary a bit bout the other churches. I'll pull some strings, yer the second wielder I've seen take the Holy Seat. I am sure I can get the other templar orders ta back ye and see the value. Its mostly the priests and their ilk now, in their zealotry, that take such a hardline with the magisters.
Morgrym Ironcliffe, First Tusk of the Storm Lancers upon being introduced to the young woman whom he would soon enough help put in the Holy Seat in Nightvale, ending an almost seventy year period over which the Children of the Ascended had been without a most Holy Empress.
The Children of the Ascended, the concept of a centralized faith, was and is a long dead one. Often the various factions war and fight with each other. Sibling spates, these little holy wars are oft called. In truth, the role of Empress is mostly a figure head, with but one unique and key purpose, in that she wields Solarian, the Starblade.
Show spoiler
Unbeknownst to all but the trusted elite officers and commander of each faith's templar orders, along with the First Magister and the eight Grand Magisters of the Magisterium, Solarian is actually also an artifact directly imbued with ancient magicks, primordial magicks. A last gift from the very last of the Primordials as they faded from this reality to avoid becoming tainted Abominations, being lost to the darkness of the Void. It will choose an Empress only in response to a coming surge of the Void, a weakening of the Aether, its true power awakening and choosing this unifying religious figure only when such a figure will be highly needed. The blade itself will even simply disappear after she dies, though it will be buried wtih her, and reappear when it is time again.
However outside that unifying loyalty in regards to the most holy relic that is Solarian, the faiths are very much far more comparable to arguably seperate religions or belief systems instead of siblings under the same umbrella. If it were not for the enforced sharing of houses of worship, and a variety of complex codices and agreements, the splits would be far more observable to the regular folk of Valerick. Even so, it is not like they are not on some level, pronounced and obvious, given the unique situation of their being nine unique 'most holy' temples, each venerated as the center of faith by one of each of the groups.
The Nine Temples
There are many churches and chapels and houses of worship all across Valerick, each dedicated generally to one of the Ascended but housing shrines for the rest, as is only appropriate under the umbrella that is this concept and doctorine of one religion, many faiths. However within this truth, there is the acknowledge division where one can argue, quite convincingly, that there are actually nine religions that perhaps share one common point of faith or one core belief. For all across Valerick there are nine 'Most Holy' temples, but yet each of the faiths only acknowledge one as 'most holy' proclaiming the others are at best 'a close second' or at worst a downright lie and no more important than any other regular church. As one may guess, each one is tied to one of the Ascended, and their locations are tied to the mythos of that individual.
The Valorous Armory
Far to the north, at the northern tip of the world, to hear most tell it, sits the city of Geata-Iarainn, the capital of The Kingdom of Suranth, the Tundra Realms. A city known for its mighty presence, its industrial might, its sturdiness, and the cultural stubborness of its people. With all of this, the city is also known for the towering structure that is the seat of power for the faithful of Sir Kartheart, The Valorous Armory. It is a place that needs to be seen to be appropriately appreciated, but for starters it is a towering spire of stone that rises from the depths of the bay that the city is built around and part of, a veritable fortress lancing from the ocean to the mist and sea spray above. One of three such spires that naturally protrudes from the bay, the Valorous Armory looks as militant as its name may suggest, and this is no accidental coincidence.
The Everlasting Grove
Center of the faith of Talia, Lady of the Leaves. Proper codex update coming eventually.
The Huntmaster's Lodgings
Center of the faith of Boran the Bloodhound. Proper Codex Update coming...eventually.
The Eternal Waystation
Center of the faith of Feyheart, the Wanderer. Proper Codex Update coming....eventually.
Diceman's Hall
Center of the faith of Varis Tomain, the Gambler. Proper Codex Update coming....eventually.
The Divine Courts
Center of the faith of Deat-Kra, the Divine Judge. Proper Codex update coming.....eventually.
The Divine Workshop
Center of the faith of Cormaq Thunderhand, the Tinkerer. Proper Codex update coming eventually.
The Blackened Stern
Center of the faith of Captain Black Jeremiah, the Seamaster. Proper Codex update coming eventually.
Cloudtop
Center of the faith of Vosana Falconhand, the Sky-Queen. Proper Codex update coming eventually.
Each of these temples is more or less its own defacto religion, only really acting as part of a larger whole within certain specifics of belief and very rare unifying occasions. The most prominent and most relevant to the organization and how it functions today, and its structure, along with how it interacts with the Magisterium and even national governments, is well...the shared stance on the arts of Arcanis.
Culture
To explain the culture of The Children of the Ascended as a whole would do a great injustice to the variety of within the faith and its various chapters, which are in many ways their own seperate entities. However there are some distinct unifying principles of course. Namely in the discussion and context of what is truly heretical and on their...unique stance towards the arts of Arcanis.
Within the various cults of the Ascended, there is a unifying codification to understand that worship of the Void, of any of the Forbidden Gods, along with practicing the darkest of magicks, the Arts of the Forsaken, or occult practices of sin worship, especially those involving sacrifice of others, are heresy of the highest order. Such individuals need not be treated with kindness, respect or given a fair trial, such foul folk should be executed. However where they differ, as one might expect, is the level of...zealous fervor with whic they embrace this doctorine. Followers of Deat-Kra are notorious for being thorough, and though they will mete out final judgement when it is merited, they will not do so willy nilly or easily. They are true law folk, and will exhaust every avenue of inquiry and investigation they can before making such a judgement. They are also those most willing to turn a blind eye and cut deals with minor offenders, mere cultists whom have yet to offer blood or sacrifice to the dark powers, but have fallen into the web of influence, in return for assistance. It is their belief that those whom are enthralled by the honeyed words and silvered tongues of the Forsaken are by no means the guilty party. They have merely stumbled, and to stumble is distinctly sapient. If they are willing to accept the error of their actions and make amends, their is room for mercy and rehabilition. However that attitude takes a hard shift if anyone shows any sign of having offered blood and communion to those fell powers, or wears any of their gifts of mutation. Such folk are too far gone, and should simply have their judgement passed upon them.
The other religious orders will have stances that in the broad strokes resemble this, but their lines for tolerance and acceptance will vary greatly. Sir Kartheart for example, though a diety of honor, bravery, courage, these attributes also include battle and war. There is no room for mercy to a Kartheartian believer, for the Forsaken are not a nightmare, nor just an eldritch poison, but a foe. An enemy, the great enemy. So they take a much more hardline stance as to when merciless execution is the answer, as one might expect of the dwarven god. To understand further than these examples, I would humbly suggest you seek out codexes tied to those particular faiths which interest you.
On this the Children of the Ascended are once again united, though in this unique case, it is by outside forces as well as their own beliefs. Due in part to many treaties and layers of diplomatic handling, their initial hardline stances are much more tempered now. Magisters are allowed to exist, the Magisterium is the institute responsible for them. The Children accept this, but monitor its activities very closely, and still maintain a level of ultimate authority, though enforcing it falls solely to them, with governments of the nations of Valerick unwilling to back them with anything more than permission. No direct funding, certainly no military personal, not unless hunting a magister whom has given themselves over to the Forsaken, or an Apostate whom has become a threat to society, so one whom has likely begun descending into the dark arts of the Forsaken. Because of this, those knightly orders whom enforce the religious oversight of magisters have learned over time to take great care. A licensed magister whom is in good standing with valid paperwork can in fact defend themselves, even kill templars if they are accousted and led to believe that their paperwork will be ignored and they will be treated as an apostate by those questioning them. So given this cultural shift, the Children begrudgingly, as an organization, support the Magisterium and support the organization's existence.
Privately however, there still exist a not insignificant number of zealots, true believers all throughout the ranks whom are still heavily indoctrinated, even after all this time, and simply do not see magisters as people. They are monsters, parasites, evil creatures needing to be destroyed, and the continued existence of the Magisterium grates against every fibre of faith these individuals happen to possess. So as one might expect, a fair amount of...tenseness still exists between the Magisterium and the Children of the Ascended. For the less hardline and the magisters themselves this tenseness is even more bothersome and ridiculous because, despite the claims to the contrary officially and from these more zealous followers of faith, it is an accepted and well known fact that Talia, the lady of the Leaves, was in fact an Emerald Magister herself, before such official recognition of the arts existed!
Heresy!
Within the various cults of the Ascended, there is a unifying codification to understand that worship of the Void, of any of the Forbidden Gods, along with practicing the darkest of magicks, the Arts of the Forsaken, or occult practices of sin worship, especially those involving sacrifice of others, are heresy of the highest order. Such individuals need not be treated with kindness, respect or given a fair trial, such foul folk should be executed. However where they differ, as one might expect, is the level of...zealous fervor with whic they embrace this doctorine. Followers of Deat-Kra are notorious for being thorough, and though they will mete out final judgement when it is merited, they will not do so willy nilly or easily. They are true law folk, and will exhaust every avenue of inquiry and investigation they can before making such a judgement. They are also those most willing to turn a blind eye and cut deals with minor offenders, mere cultists whom have yet to offer blood or sacrifice to the dark powers, but have fallen into the web of influence, in return for assistance. It is their belief that those whom are enthralled by the honeyed words and silvered tongues of the Forsaken are by no means the guilty party. They have merely stumbled, and to stumble is distinctly sapient. If they are willing to accept the error of their actions and make amends, their is room for mercy and rehabilition. However that attitude takes a hard shift if anyone shows any sign of having offered blood and communion to those fell powers, or wears any of their gifts of mutation. Such folk are too far gone, and should simply have their judgement passed upon them.
The other religious orders will have stances that in the broad strokes resemble this, but their lines for tolerance and acceptance will vary greatly. Sir Kartheart for example, though a diety of honor, bravery, courage, these attributes also include battle and war. There is no room for mercy to a Kartheartian believer, for the Forsaken are not a nightmare, nor just an eldritch poison, but a foe. An enemy, the great enemy. So they take a much more hardline stance as to when merciless execution is the answer, as one might expect of the dwarven god. To understand further than these examples, I would humbly suggest you seek out codexes tied to those particular faiths which interest you.
Arts of Arcanis
On this the Children of the Ascended are once again united, though in this unique case, it is by outside forces as well as their own beliefs. Due in part to many treaties and layers of diplomatic handling, their initial hardline stances are much more tempered now. Magisters are allowed to exist, the Magisterium is the institute responsible for them. The Children accept this, but monitor its activities very closely, and still maintain a level of ultimate authority, though enforcing it falls solely to them, with governments of the nations of Valerick unwilling to back them with anything more than permission. No direct funding, certainly no military personal, not unless hunting a magister whom has given themselves over to the Forsaken, or an Apostate whom has become a threat to society, so one whom has likely begun descending into the dark arts of the Forsaken. Because of this, those knightly orders whom enforce the religious oversight of magisters have learned over time to take great care. A licensed magister whom is in good standing with valid paperwork can in fact defend themselves, even kill templars if they are accousted and led to believe that their paperwork will be ignored and they will be treated as an apostate by those questioning them. So given this cultural shift, the Children begrudgingly, as an organization, support the Magisterium and support the organization's existence.
Privately however, there still exist a not insignificant number of zealots, true believers all throughout the ranks whom are still heavily indoctrinated, even after all this time, and simply do not see magisters as people. They are monsters, parasites, evil creatures needing to be destroyed, and the continued existence of the Magisterium grates against every fibre of faith these individuals happen to possess. So as one might expect, a fair amount of...tenseness still exists between the Magisterium and the Children of the Ascended. For the less hardline and the magisters themselves this tenseness is even more bothersome and ridiculous because, despite the claims to the contrary officially and from these more zealous followers of faith, it is an accepted and well known fact that Talia, the lady of the Leaves, was in fact an Emerald Magister herself, before such official recognition of the arts existed!
Public Agenda
The public agenda of the Children of the Ascended is naturally to spread the good words, to insure unity of all under the banners of the Ascended, the new gods. As such a goal may suggest they are not the only option for the spiritually inclined on Valerick, though the Ascended are the only Gods that seem of offer a direct divine link and power to their most faithful (priests, templars, and those of that ilk). The rest, if they offer any power at all, it is not well documented or understood. In particular, a large part of the mission is to of course shift people away from worship of the ancient primordials, a difficult and seemingly eternal task, as the primal elements are everywhere in the world and their influence is highly visible across people's reality and day to day life.
Show spoiler
It is this conflict of faith, as much as the dangers of arcane magick, that are the root cause of the Children's hardline stances against the arcane arts. This is because Witchs and Warlocks, or Shamans as they would prefer to be called, worship the forgotten Primordials, the great Tanes of old, the elemental forces themselves, and can wield magicks in their own right, though differently than a trained Magister can. Not limited to one elemental force, but also limited in their access and ability to call upon these powers in ways a magister is not. These shamans are rare now, though made to seem rarer than they perhaps are, due to rural communities all over Valerick valuing them for their skill in medicine, herbalism, and general knowledge, as well as for spiritual guides. It is the march of progress to see these arts dying, the righteous path, so decrees the Children of the Ascended. However as one might expect, not all agree
Assets
The Children of the Ascended as an organization are unfathomably wealthy and powerful, if one really considers and thinks about the logistics, finances and overall set up of the system. They are not taxed, their activities are not subject to any taxes of any kind. They own a monstrous amount of land if you total up all the holy sites, chapels, churches, cathedrals and other houses of worship, as well as graveyards, monument sites, memorial sites and of course Nightvale itself. The Most Holy Ascension, the center of the religious world, a city protected by magicks and divine wardings so ancient none truly understand it. A place that continues to grow organically, as pilgrims add to it. Some come and stay, some come and stay for a time. It is the center of the religious world, but also a scholarly place, its library rivaled only by the works of the Magisterium in the Arcania Tempestus Sanctum, located in Kelethan, Depenwood. They can also field a truly monstrous army if desired. Holy templars, furious crusaders, warpriests and more, not to mention how many volunteers from any nation they could levy, should they ever declare a holy war. The balance is maintained partially because the various nine chapters do not ever truly see eye to eye, and partially because the last time such a crusade was launched, it resulted in the birth of the Magisterium, because the alternative might very well have been another Sundering, this one brought about by the follies of humanoid kind.
History
The history of the Children of the Ascended is filled with minor calls of unity. Crusades, pilgrimages, cleansing holy sites, and hosts more. But they are all drops in the bucket, and in truth were not large enough to discuss as a world wide event. Better to focus those upon the smaller Temples and each individual faith. However, as noted there was a time that the Children of the Ascended almost unleashed the very thing they are sworn to guard against. A conflict so...massive and bloody in its scope, and so...widespread in its scale that it would cause a breaking of church and state. It would almost turn the common folk not only against those whom practice the Arts of Arcanis, but against the faithful as well, had the various governing bodies of the nine major kingdoms at the time come together in an unprecedented event. Unifying their military might and their political intentions, and forcing a meeting and various treaties down the throat of the Children, for they had cut a deal and taken meetings with the first true magisters as those on Valerick would come to know them, to allow and form something known as the Magisterium.
This would not be, and most certainly was not, a smooth transition. It continues to have bumps, bruises, and hiccups. But by and large, almost a millenia later, it seems to have worked. The Magisterium and the Children of the Ascended both do not look as they did when this began many centuries ago. The Children have had to accept a lessening of their hard power, their militant influence, as national governments, fully formed kingdoms, and nationalized militaries have slowly become a more normal occurence. They have had many skirmishes with the Magisterium directly and indirectly, each about individual issues that eventually the two parties sit down and solve, however this has seen the Children's hold over the Magisterium, their seemingly unlimited power, wane, and be outright reduced. This is not to say they are not still a power force upon the world of Valerick. They most certainly are, at a minimum, on par with individual countries. However their power is much more decentralized than it once was, schisms seeming to begin to form between the various Temples.
This would not be, and most certainly was not, a smooth transition. It continues to have bumps, bruises, and hiccups. But by and large, almost a millenia later, it seems to have worked. The Magisterium and the Children of the Ascended both do not look as they did when this began many centuries ago. The Children have had to accept a lessening of their hard power, their militant influence, as national governments, fully formed kingdoms, and nationalized militaries have slowly become a more normal occurence. They have had many skirmishes with the Magisterium directly and indirectly, each about individual issues that eventually the two parties sit down and solve, however this has seen the Children's hold over the Magisterium, their seemingly unlimited power, wane, and be outright reduced. This is not to say they are not still a power force upon the world of Valerick. They most certainly are, at a minimum, on par with individual countries. However their power is much more decentralized than it once was, schisms seeming to begin to form between the various Temples.
Chosen for greatness, we rise as one
Founding Date
01-01-0001 SuD
Alternative Names
Church of the Ascended
Leader Title
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