Host of Hosts
in Faiths of the WorldA mythical conclave of feminine creator spirits. In their earliest form, the Hosts were patron spirits for everything: specific rocks and trees, specific clouds and animals. Everything and everyone had their patron Host that had animated them. Later on, they were ascribed to more general elements, similar to the Sixteen Pillars of the Orckid Empire. Despite their great creative power, the Hosts defer to a half-mortal god-king called the King of Kings, who was supposedly created by one of them in ancientry. Supposedly, one of the Hosts rebelled against the others. The Host of Magic (sometimes called the Host of Power) insisted that the Hosts were morally obligated to enforce their will on the physical world for the good of the mortals that lived there. The other Hosts could not stand against her power, and so laid their case before the mightiest mortal warlord. In exchange for his aid, the Host of Hosts laid their eternal blessing on his head, proclaiming him the King of Kings. The King of Kings defeated the Host of Magic and bent her to his will, making him the mortal lord of the immortal Hosts. Hierarchy King of Kings: the Mortal Lord of all Host-Keepers, the King of Kings has specific authority over all kings, who must bring their disputes to him for ruling. In practice, of course, this does not always work out. Commoners are also allowed, according to tradition, to bring grievances against their lieges to the King of Kings, but this to can prove practically impossible. Prince of Hosts: the ruler of the Holy Isle of Acciano, it is the Prince of Host’s charge to interpret holy traditions, legends, and precedent. The Prince of Hosts is usually a speller, though this is not required, as he commands a host of dozens of spellers and magicians on the Holy Isle. There was a time when the Prince was assisted by a small conclave of Wizards, but Wizards are now outlawed in Monos. Clerics: The clerics are charged with determining the laws of the Realm. There are often about twelve of them, but there is no official number of Clerics that are meant. Supposedly there was once over a hundred Clerics. The Clerics reside on the Holy Isle of Acciano. Recently, a new conclave of Clerics was established in the Pantheon at Hollymont, who establish laws for Milos; they are often called hollymen, though officially they are still Clerics. High Hostess: The High Hostesses have been granted special authority by the Prince of Hosts to interpret holy traditions out in the real world. Such Hostesses typically serve at the Holy Isle for at least ten years before receiving this honor. They usually travel through Monos and Milos, protected by an entourage of hostermen, spreading the faith and passing judgment on religious crimes; their authority on this latter case is somewhat vague, depending on the power of the local lord, their proximity to the Holy Isle, and the religious fervor of the local population. Hostermen: Holy warriors that have given up their inheritance to wander in service to the Hosts, protecting the innocent and spreading the faith. With the recent influence of the Khabarese paladins, hostermen will often receive holy quests of High Hostesses or even the Prince of Hosts himself, while others will wander in search of great deeds, declaring such causes as quests. By right, all hostermen are equal, with deference given to those of longer service and more renown. In practice, hostermen from more prominent families are typically afforded much more respect, power, and leniency with their vows. Hostesses: The foundation of the faith, Hostesses maintain local parishes and preach the faith to those who will listen. Many also wander the countryside telling legends of various heroics of ancient Kings of Kings. Many Hostesses are also spellers, though spelling is not a requirement (and is in fact frowned upon as an enemy of faith in many communities). Speller: Though technically a secular (and unofficial) position, spellers are of course an important part of the structure of the faith, especially for the Clerics. Many hostesses are spellers, as are some of the male officers, but spelling’s reputation leaves this labor to lower-ranking members of the Faith. Major Milosian Hosts Fairess, Host of Fires: The Host who gave the First King of Kings his Sword. Gleirea, Host of the Horns: Host of feting and wine, and horned beasts. Esakr, Host of Magic: The rebel Host who was defeated by the King of Kings. Rhennes, Host of Valor: Host of courage, conquest, war, and strategy Lolliseri, Host of Pilgrims: Host of adventure, also called the Temptress. Tulin, Host of Seeds: Host of fertility, sometimes called the First Host or the Mother. Bethan, Host of Foison: Host of pigs, plenty, farms. Wilminar, Host of Venoms: Host of medicines, poisons, and reversals. Penellea, Host of the Hunt: Host of dogs, predators, arrows. Verinaria, Host of Commerce: Host of coin, business, and death. Katriss, Host of Home and Hearth: The Host of architecture, home protection. Ulthran, Host of Waters: The Host of the Seas, fish, and the afterlife. The Seven Devils of the Five Hells The burning afterlife is comprised of five damned kingdoms, occupied by seven great devils. As one might expect, the land is eternally at war, each devil trying to conquer the others. Father of Serpents, called King Nathir Father of Swine, called King Bethral Father of Kine, called King Cayor Father of Vermin, called King Luchifor Father of Flies, called King Cuillion Father of Cats, called King Olcos Father of Man, called King Aduain Naberion, the guardian of the pass between the Tower of Light and the Sulfur Gates. A giant dog with a dozen heads.
Though the core beliefs are similar, the Monosi Old Faith promotes literacy, especially women’s literacy, with an eye toward awakening the old powers that allowed the Viisianari to reign over the continent for thousands of years. According to the Old Faith, high magic was the province of all the Hosts, and the ‘evil Host’ deposed by the first King of Kings was the Host of Power, not Magic, and magic is the means by which we can connect the mortal world with the eternal. The Old Faith has enjoyed stints of tolerance in Monos, frequently birthing small cults, but it has never been an official religion, and has never penetrated into Milos in any organized way. Cult of Verin
A recent sect, the Cult of Verin idolizes the Host of Commerce, Verinaria. The cult is mostly found amongst merchants, with one or two nobles amongst their numbers. Their members are found in Ethelbrand, with a few in Revelback. Knowledge of them is limited, with many saying they worship wealth above all, with some suggesting cultists believe sufficient wealth can purchase immortality. Creed of Spring
The Creed of Spring worships the “Hosts of Spring,” Fairess and Gleirea. They have frequent bonfires and great feasts, and are rumored to hold orgies and even mate with beasts of the field. Some are said to worship Esakr the Traitor, also technically a Host of Spring.