The Guardians
"Three of the gravest failings: Want of sense, of courage, or of vigilance.
Heed these words, as the Highlord, the Vigilant, and the Watcher urge, for the price of our lands, our nations, and our families is eternal watchfulness. The Great Enemy knows no rest, and therefore neither shall we.
Peace is not happenstance: It is a living fire that must be fed without end: the fuel, our mindfulness, and the flame, our faith burning in our hearts. It must be tended with utmost care and diligence, and defended with steadfast bravery against all odds.
May the light of the Guardians be with you.
Stand firm in the face of evil. Trust in your companions as they have placed their trust in you, and hold fast the line against the tide of the Great Enemy, for they shall never stop, and so, neither shall we."
Description
Built around the Highlord Aeterius, The Vigilant Kemis, and the Watcher Voxus - the faith of the Guardians regards these deific entities as heroes in the never ending battle against the Eclipsed Bonetaker. While widely believed to be an aspect of Sodron the Shrouded, faithful adherents never speak the Great Enemy’s name aloud, for fear of drawing that entity's gaze.
As the faith has historical roots that predate the founding of all the Solum nations, it is widely suspected that the origins of reverence for the Guardians is found somewhere in Summum, most likely as a faith that was heralded when the Ancient Empires were still at their zeniths. Cathedrals to the faith in Summum are often conspicuously ruined, showing far more damage than the surrounding cities they once claimed home, giving rise to the rumor that the faithful of the Great Enemy were, perhaps, implicated in the downfall of the Empire.
Whatever the case, the more strident of the faith have poured into the continent, many bound and determined to reclaim the ancient places of worship, and re-consecrate them, hoping to create bulwarks against the endless tide of unholy abominations that stream outward from the east.
Of note is the inclusion of Aeterius among the esteemed pairing of Kemis and Voxus in the Guardian faith: While Aeterius' efforts on the part of mortals is unquestionable, their inclusion hints at perhaps a more familial bond between the three deities. While is it known that Aeterius is the offspring of Voxus, it is unclear if they share a bond of parentage with Kemis. However, one does not question the Divines' heritage, for it is simply beyond the purview of mortal knowledge.
Structure
The structure of The Guardians is notably loose, primarily strung together by various Orders that exist across the lands overseen by Witnesses. While some Orders may specifically dedicate themselves to the protection of others through military means (Paladinic) the more common local structure sees small congregations that care for one another. The religion breaks down its quadrinity into four primary roles for worship needs, following the mythology of it's four primary deific icons: The Nurturer, The Protector, The Heir, and The Stranger.
Culture
Greetings
An open palm rising from the heart like the sun, is a hand gesture used to pronounce your attachment to this faith. A symbol of the all seeing is a common greeting of the members of this faith. Announcing to those in the know that they are among friends.
Common Phrases
Acknowledgements, good or bad are frequently responded to with the phrases “It has been seen,” or “It will be seen.”
It is believed using the name Sodron is a terrible public curse and can bring famine, terrible storms and attacks on hearth and home as a result.
Idol of the Nurturer
Many families and travelers have a small rough-hewn stone or wood statue of The Nurturer who watches over them at night. They sit outside their front door or near a campfire and followers will sometimes leave baked goods or other treats outside their door at the feet of this statue and it is said Kemis and their guards remain vigilant in protecting their homes and camps, nourishing themselves as they pass on their night watch. To have your treats eaten by anything is usually considered a blessing.
Reverence
Those who guard, protect, or stand a sentry duty including shepherds and other “watchers” are revered by this faith and it is common for people to share food or treats with those who guard. Anyone, even those of another faith seeking information or forbearance from a guard would know to bring an offering.
Thankful Offerings
Farmers bless The Nurturer and The Protector for watching over crops, hearths and homesteads. Keeping good weather, safety from wild animals, the Stranger and abundance. This abundance is to be shared with the Witnesses and the faithful. As it may just be The Nurturer or The Protector passing by on their duties. Any member of the faith is invited to share hearth and table and a share of these blessings are made available. Each of the faithful is supposed to bring prime examples of their produce, and most especially fruit, to a shrine of The Nurturer as an offering of thanks.
Funerals
Bodies are buried in a sitting posture facing the east, so that if they are judged worthy to join the cycle again, they will face the Protector when he wakes from his slumber and they begin their new life at dawn. Graves may be marked by a statue of The Nurturer or a wreath representing the sun, always oriented east. Ancestors join The Stranger's guard and watch over families and friends at night for eternity.
The Sight
The Sight is holy text that is claimed to have been written at the first conclave, outlining the belief system of The Guardians. It's authors remain unnamed, but many believe that The Protector guided their hands. It is a collection of parables and tales about the tenets of the faith, decisiveness, forbearance, hope, justice, and reliability.
It is common for a Witness to have a parish copy that may have been added to or changed over the ages by conclave or by local Witnesses trying to deal with local problems. Parables included can vary widely from parish to parish. Most Witnesses will try to teach by parable and encourage that doing the right thing will always be seen.
History
The faith of the Guardians is so old as to be timeless. It has no few political arms or real estate as fields, town squares, and orchards are its holy places. The faith’s strength is based in its numbers, mostly smallfolk who will stand together in great numbers to defend hearths and homes of the faithful. There is a conclave of Witnesses every twelve years to interpret the wisdom of the guardians, seek visions, and to set down new practices or rites in the common text
Mythology & Lore
The Nurturer
Primarily seen as the personification of Kemis the Vigilant, The Nurturer is worshiped regularly for good fortune, patience, forbearance, affection, and nurturing. Orders more focused on The Nurturer are known for their healers, grove-tenders, and artisans.
The Protector
Primarily seen as the personification of Voxus the Watcher, The Protector is worshiped regularly for guidance, diligence, foresight, and reliability. Orders more focused on The Protector are known for their academics, advisors, mages, and socialites.
The Heir
Primarily seen as the personification of Highlord Aeterius, The Heir is worshiped for justice, family, protection, and hope. Orders more focused on The Heir are known for their paladins and judges and tend towards more rigid structures.
The Stranger
Primarily seen as the personification of Sodron the Shrouded, The Stranger is rarely worshiped but instead used as an entity of "Other-ness" - bad luck, misfortune, war, and famine. Other Orders may utilize the Stranger as a representation of their fears or worries, like those not of the faith, criminals, disease, or political strife.
Tenets of Faith
Worship
Religious Practices & Ceremonies
The Oath of the Guardsman
“By the grace of the Highlord, the vigilance of our Mother, and the sight of a Thousand Eyes, I take this solemn oath.
I stand as a shield to my kin and a blade against the darkness. I act with clarity, choosing what is right with courage and faith.
I will meet hardship with forbearance, holding fast my spirit, unbroken and unwavering.
In the shadow of adversity, I will guard the flame of hope, for Tomorrow’s light must not be extinguished.
I pledge to uphold justice, to protect the weak, defend the fair, and make right what is wronged.
I swear to be a figure of reliability, my word as steadfast as stone, my promise as enduring as the mountains.
Let the Eclipsed Bonetaker fear my resolve, for I stand in the light of the Guardians, unyielding, unafraid, and ever watchful.
By my honor, my life, and my spirit, I take this oath.”
The Seeing / Unseen
At noon, or as near as can, all followers take time to reveal themselves to the watching eye of Voxus, The Protector. They must be outside under his unhindered gaze. Each of the faithful is to examine their deeds in the previous 24 hours and share them with the Protector privately or publicly to be judged. Worshippers together may join hands in a circle to be seen together. This is the most important time to seek visions or guidance from the all seeing Protector.
An odd clandestine sect of this faith calls to rogues, spies, and others of secretive work. Those blessed by these Orders must do the “Unseen” work. At noon, they will find a quiet place, preferably indoors to put on a mask, hood, or other appropriate cloth or garment to hide the from the Protector and give thanks to The Stranger for remaining unseen. At night The Stranger guards their endeavors by being their lookout and luck charm, keeping them safe from detection. In both of these rituals Mistakes are declared and trespasses forgiven as the Protector sees and judges all and continues on his way to watch others. “Forgive lest the Eye see your deeds and judge them ill”.
The Welcoming
Should one witness the sunrise or sunset one utters a simple prayer of welcoming the Guardian of the next watch. If one is a laze-about and rises after the sun a greeting prayer of thanks is said upon first seeing the sun. Cloudy days are considered ill-omened.
Holidays
The Triumph of Light
Held on the Vernal Equinox, this is The Protector's annual triumph over the The Stranger. The daylight begins to grow longer and the days get warmer, indicating the arrival of The Guardians once again. It is considered an especially auspicious day to perform The Seeing in sight of a Witness.
The Gathering of Allies
An autumnal hunt and feast celebrated on the Autumnal Equinox, the Gathering is a massive celebration and sharing of abundance. It is notably the only time the faithful evangelize. “See what good fortune the Guardians bring the faithful? Come share with me.” At this time of year it is appropriate to share specifically with those outside the faith and potlucks and pig roasts are popular. The last hunt and feast to gather friends and allies to winter in before the time of shadows.
The Zenith Gaze
Performed during the Summer Solstice, the watchful eye is on us for long hours and we bask in it’s love and safety. Planting is done, crops are growing and there is respite before the harvest. It is time to get drunk and celebrate the wine and ale made from last year’s harvest. It is considered an extremely ill-omened time to perform Unseen work, the more devout followers of The Stranger outright avoiding venturing outside until nightfall.
Priesthood
Witness Bertram - A Witness formerly living in Crowne Point, now a Lantern Spirit, his Order primarily dedicated to the teachings of The Nurturer.
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
~ Dylan Thomas