The Seafarers of Argorn
People of coastal areas and the isles will always talk about the plight of their people after the chaos in Alus and the Scorching of Aerin. How they were tricked by a being that coveted what they knew and dogged by a being that pirates venerated but were protected by the gods of song and the gods of the elements. These stories all tie them together to the Seafares of Argorn, the faith of the Cican Isles. 7 deities find themselves as part of the pantheon:
- Kalida Yaru the Raging Flame, Goddess of Fire, Volcanoes, Metalworking, and Agriculture
- Neral the Raven Queen, Goddess of Death
- Orion the Orator, God of Poems, Epics, and Tales
- The Lurker, God of Knowledge, Deep and Dark Waters, and Sunken Things
- Varri, Goddess of Currents, Fish, Plants, Crustaceans, and Fishermen
- Yarick the Rogue, God of Pirates, Thievery, Raiding, and Brigands
- Zarul the Stormbreaker, God of the Sea, Weather, and Sailors
Mythology & Lore
As the legends go, Varri and Zarul were the first gods of the pantheon to gain focus. Zarul and Varri were always prominent, governing the weather and the sealife that existed in the Elysian Ocean. They were constantly doing battle against their ancient rival, the Lurker, who constantly warred with them from the depths. All three had worshipers along the coastlines of both Alus and Edrinia. However, things changed with the Scorching of the Aerin Valley and chaos in Alus.
The Lurker used this opportunity to convince the desperate to sail into the middle of the ocean where they would find salvation. In actually, the Lurker simply wished to devour them and gain the knowledge locked in their minds. The survivors from the destruction were desperate, throwing their prays to any who would listen. Varri and Zarul did everything they could but no one could escape the Ocean depths. And that was where Kalida Yaru came into prominence.
The fire goddess was a minor god for the coastal folk as fire, while important, wasn't on the scale of Varri and Zarul until this time. It is said she created the series of Cican Isles thanks to her throne, the volcano on the main isle. The volcano burst forth from the sea, its lava and burning rocks casting a light that frightened away the deep-dwelling servants of the Lurker. The desperate sailors and their families went onto the island, thankful for salvation from the Lurker, who while vexed, saw this as an opportunity. Zarul and Varri welcomed Kalida as a sister of their pantheon now, at the same status as them.
Due to the awe-inspiring events they witnessed, the new people of the isles spread stories of their trials and ordeals and the gift they were given. As such, Orion, a master orator, gained prominence from minor to major status, pushing them to pass down their stories for generations. The last god to arise, Yarick, came to be from desperation. With even more sailing, it meant even more chances for piracy on the seas. Sailors attempted to bend the knee and worship him to appease him which only made him stronger. Eventually, brigands and pirates came under his banner and he sends them out across the seas to grow his personal hoard, coming into conflict with Zarul as a result.
And throughout all of this, the Lurker watches and waits, gaining more information. For one day, it is said he will rise from his depths to consume the isles and the other gods, gaining the knowledge that he so greatly desires. However, he is kept in check by Orion's tales of the world and the enigmatic Raven Queen, Neral, summoned by the wanton death that he and Yarick have caused.
Divine Origins
The Argorn pantheon was born from different local gods coming together as people migrated to the Cican Isles. Varri and Zarul were always common idols to worship due to their connection to water, sea life, and even weather. The latter was the patron of sailors as his storms could ruin or even end their lives. Varri was seen as the manifestation of the currents and the migratory patterns of the animals the coastal folk hunted/fished for.
Kalida was a minor goddess at best, serving as a goddess of fire, heart, and metalworking. However, she gained her fertility and agriculture status from the volcano which came to be named Kalida's Throne. It's cycle of eruption and ash fall, only to beget fertile farmland was central to survival on the isles and as such, it was attributed to her portfolio.
Yarick was a constant fixture in coastal life as pirates are always a threat, especially in times of chaos. However, as coastal folk emigrated to the Isles, some found that sustaining themselves on what was there wasn't enough. And as trade would decrease here and there, the desperate and the ambitious would turn to piracy. And since Zarul would never support this, they turned to Yarick, turning him from a minor annoyance of a god to a major figure in the pantheon and creating the sterotype that Argorn people are pirates and thieves.
The Lurker was born from fear of the unknown and fear of the depths of the ocean. He became even more terrifying when his bride, a man who chose to become a pirate lich, rose from the sea at random moments, hunting those who refused to share the knowledge the Lurker wanted or had knowledge he wanted buried. And thus, to keep the Lurker appeased, knowledge and stories was needed to keep him at bay. Which that was how Orion gained prominence as the Argorn people continued to spread stories by word of mouth so the Lurker may always hear and never have to hunt them down.
The Raven Queen was an outside goddess brought to the isles by her followers from across the world. Since the Cican Isles were a crossroads between the cultures of Alus and Edrinia, her faith was quick to be cemented in the region and she became a staple member of the pantheon.
Cosmological Views
There might've been a point where the Argorn people described the creation of Avestra but with the coming of the Eternals and the realization of how their world came to be, the faith focuses more on how the ethnicity came to be on the isles as that is the creation of their world in their view.
Tenets of Faith
- Respect the Sea and it will keep you alive
- Remember that the Throne only burns to keep your lands fertile. Never forsake the gifts that it gives you
- Spread your tales, your story and let it be heard by the world over
- Appease the Pirate Lord. But if you must serve him, do not forsake your people
- Never seek out the Lurker's name. Or you shall be dragged to the depths to join him forevermore
Priesthood
There is no structured priesthood in the Argorn faith. Priests appear all over the isles and along the coast, teaching the faithful through both oral and text as needed. Temples are built across the edges of the Elysian Ocean though Kalida's main temple is located at the peak of her throne where oracles and priests check to see if the throne will erupt soon.
Granted Divine Powers
The greatest power to be granted by the Argorn gods are those gained by the Clerics. They herald the greatest storms and eruptions of Kalida's Throne or herald the rise of a great pirate expedition depending on who they are a cleric of. They are rare and those who wish to prove themselves must go through strennous trials that can kill those who are proven to be unworthy or lying about the gifts they've been supposedly granted. Common domains include:
- Kalida: Forge, Life, Light, Nature
- Neral: Grave, Twilight
- Orion: Knowledge, Trickery
- The Lurker: Arcana, Death, Knowledge
- Varri: Life, Nature
- Yarick: Trickery, War
- Zarul: Order, Tempest
For Yarick, Neral, and Zarul, Paladins are far more common for them. Paladins of Yarick lead ships or fleets against his enemies in an attempt to get as much treasure for him as possible. Neral's paladin hunt down the forces of the Lurker and are forever searching for a way to permanently kill his bride. Zarul's Paladins are the enemies of Yarick's paladins but the two may come together to face off against a threat to their people. Common Oaths for Paladins of Argorn include:
- Kalida: Ancients, Vengeance
- Neral: Watchers, Vengeance
- Orion: Devotion, Glory
- Lurker: Treachery, Vengeance
- Varri: Ancients, Open Sea
- Yarick: Conquest, Glory, Open Sea, Treachery
- Zarul: Conquest, Crown, Glory, Open Sea, Vengeance
Oracles are common place for Zarul, Varri, and Kalida as they also predict the weather, currents, and even can hint at when Kalida's Throne will erupt. They are commonplace alongside priests and are people are quick to heed their words since it could be life or death.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Cican Confederation is tethered by their shared faith in the gods. As such, the other isles are quick to accept their brethren when Kalida's Throne erupts and forces them off the main isle. However, this faith makes the coastal kingdom and empires look down on the Argorn people because of their veneration of gods such as the Lurker or Yarick. However, they don't realize that the majority of Argonfolk are appeasing them, not actually worshipping them.
The only kingdom that doesn't look down on the Argorn is Nubia since they were founded by a great pirate fleet that chose to conquer that territory. As such, they hold deep cultural roots with Argorn that blends with the Aerin culture.
Sects
The Lurker's Bride
This sect is led by the Lurker's Bride, a pirate lich that fell in love with Lurker and chose to serve them for eternity. They have taken mainly forms over the years: whether a man, woman, or an androgynous figure, they are constantly leading warlocks and other forces in seeing knowledge across the world. So even if people don't know of the Argorn faith, they will know the Lurker and they will know to fear him.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Alternative Names
The Argorn Pantheon, the Storm Pantheon
Demonym
Argorn
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Divines
Related Ethnicities
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