The Faith of War

The faith of the War Goddess, revered by many cultures but especially honored by the orcs, is a creed that values war as both a crucible for personal evolution and a forge of unity. Followers see strength not as raw power alone, but as a combination of endurance, adaptability, and the wisdom to wield one’s abilities with purpose. Through discipline, leadership, and skill, worshippers are encouraged to become versatile warriors, strategists, or artisans of war, each seeking to hone their weaknesses into strengths. For them, war is not just destruction, but a pathway to knowledge, unity, and the continuous improvement of one’s self and one’s allies. While celebrated by orcs as a goddess of fierce battle prowess, she also commands respect from other peoples for her role in cultivating strength through intelligence, unity, and resilience.

"Weakness is merely a moment before growth; only those who refuse to change remain bound by it."

Structure

At the highest level, the faith is collectively referred to as The Sword of War, with each component of the sword representing a unique order. Each order cultivates and exemplifies its particular strength, recognizing its vulnerability to another, and is led by a council that reports to the central  leadership. At the pinnacle of the faith is a council known as the Swordmasters of War, each one having mastered all aspects represented by the orders. These Swordmasters are few and highly respected, responsible for unifying the orders and ensuring the faith remains balanced in all its pursuits. They are the final authority on doctrinal matters, wartime strategy, and diplomatic decisions. The Swordmasters work to harmonize the orders, ensuring none become over-dominant and that all followers remain focused on the goddess’s vision of war as a balanced path. They also train elite disciples known as Wardens, who represent the faith in significant conflicts or negotiations and act as emissaries to external powers.
Order of the Blade (Strength)

• Purpose: Followers of the Blade are the martial arm of the faith, focusing on physical training, combat mastery, and enduring fortitude. They embody raw power and serve as protectors and defenders within the faith, often deployed for the faith’s military actions or as guardians.
• Core Teaching: Strike with purpose, for true strength does not falter.

Order of the Guard (Strategy)

• Purpose: This order comprises the tacticians, commanders, and leaders who keep the faith aligned with its goals and focus on battlefield strategy, logistics, and intelligence. They provide guidance to the warriors of the Blade, ensuring that actions are taken with foresight.
• Core Teaching: Control the field, and victory will find you

Order of the Grip (Skill)

• Purpose: This group is dedicated to perfecting combat techniques, martial arts, craftsmanship, and precision. They uphold the value of skill mastery, not only in weapons but also in disciplines like weapon forging, strategy refinement, artisan work, and survival. This order supplies the faith with masterfully crafted weapons, gear, specialized tactics, and typically make up a specialized forces group.
• Core Teaching: Skill sharpens strength; technique refines power.

Order of the Sheath (Endurance and Restraint)

• Purpose: Members of the Sheath are the sentinels and keepers of patience within the faith. They teach restraint, endurance, and adaptability, embodying the wisdom of knowing when to act and when to hold back. They serve as spiritual guides, reminding others that strength also lies in waiting for the right moment.
• Core Teaching: Restraint is the edge of wisdom; patience, the sharpest weapon.

Culture

The culture of the war faith is shaped by discipline, resilience, and a deep reverence for the balance between strength, skill, strategy, and patience. The faith views war as a sacred endeavor and sees conflict not merely as a path to victory but as a means of self-improvement, testing one's limits, and achieving unity among followers. War is honored as a tool for survival, defense, and sometimes expansion, but it is never undertaken lightly or recklessly.
Core Values

Balance in Warfare

• Followers believe true power lies in balancing strength with wisdom, aggression with restraint, and strategy with adaptability. They see balance as the source of enduring power, emphasizing that warriors should cultivate more than one form of strength to become effective.

Strength and Self-Improvement

• Personal strength is highly valued, both physically and mentally. This is not limited to brute force but includes the courage to face one’s fears, overcome personal limitations, and continue to grow stronger. They view every challenge, conflict, or hardship as a chance to become better.

Strategic Wisdom

• Followers are taught that raw power alone is shortsighted and must be tempered by tactical thinking and foresight. They believe that only through wisdom can power be wielded effectively, so they train in strategy, recognizing it as the mind’s weapon.

Patience and Restraint

• They view restraint as a virtue that tempers power, teaching followers that impulsive action can lead to ruin. Patience is seen as a necessary weapon, and followers are trained to wait for the opportune moment, strike with precision, and only unleash their full force when necessary.

Loyalty and Brotherhood

• Warriors are bonded by mutual respect and loyalty, valuing unity within the faith as essential for strength. This extends to respect for those who show valor, wisdom, and dedication, even if they belong to opposing forces. They honor worthy adversaries and respect those who fight with skill and honor, even if they stand on opposing sides. For this faith, enemies are not necessarily to be despised; instead, they are seen as worthy tests of one’s abilities, and defeating them is a means to self-betterment.

Mythology & Lore

A popular legend tells of a day when the war goddess encountered the sun god Felotl whose arrogance led him to challenge her to a duel, each determined to prove their strength superior. The sun god, basking in his divine radiance, believed he was invincible and underestimated the mortal goddess. As the myth tells it, their duel became legendary, known as the Duel of the Two Suns. The war goddess used strategy to draw the sun god into a rhythm, testing his patterns and weaknesses with each strike. Over time, his brilliance dimmed as he tired, while she fought with steady focus, her resolve unbroken. In the end, she overpowered him not with sheer might but with calculated moves, precision, and patience. It is said that, after the duel, the sun god, humbled and in awe of her skill, knelt before her. He promised to grant light to her faithful forever, blessing her with victory and ensuring that her followers would always have the strength to face any battle, even against forces far beyond mortal reach. This myth teaches that humility and preparation can conquer any force, no matter how powerful.
In ancient times, the goddess of war faced the dark goddess, Krorone, who sought to extinguish the sacred fortress-city of Kal’ethin, where the war goddess's champions trained. Cloaking her army in shadows, Krorone aimed to smother the city and reclaim her power as mortals turned to the light of war. The war goddess chose only her most skilled warriors to defend Kal’ethin, teaching them to draw strength from within despite the darkness surrounding them. For weeks, they endured the siege, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When the moon hung high, the war goddess commanded her champions to unleash their assault. Armed with weapons ignited by their own focused strength and skill, they illuminated the fortress in a fierce glow. The shadows faltered, and Krorone herself appeared but found her darkness unraveling under the onslaught. Defeated, Krorone vowed never to confront the war goddess directly again, instead resorting to whispers and subterfuge. The tale of the Siege of Shadows serves as a reminder to the faithful of the war goddess to wield both patience and power, ensuring they remain vigilant against encroaching darkness.

Divine Origins

The faith surrounding the war goddess did not emerge immediately but grew as stories spread of a formidable warrior who fell from the heavens and appeared in times of great conflict, leading armies to victory or defeating powerful tyrants singlehandedly. Over time, different cultures recounted sightings of her, and legends of her mysterious presence became revered. In her wake, she left a trail of warriors whose lives she had changed, each of whom became the first disciples of her war faith. Her followers grew as these warriors founded groups dedicated to her teachings, creating a doctrine around her deeds and words. Over generations, these teachings formed the structured “Sword Triad,” and eventually evolved into the more organized sects representing each of the four virtues—Strength, Strategy, Skill, and the newly discovered virtue of Restraint (symbolized by the Sheath). Many believe that she has adopted a wandering, nearly nomadic lifestyle as a lone warrior or ronin, guiding the faithful through example rather than direct commands.
Though she is still rumored to walk among mortals, the faith now spans continents, thriving among warrior cultures, military organizations, and any who believe in the honor of the warrior's path. Temples to her are rare, as her followers prefer shrines at battlefields, arenas, and secluded mountain peaks where warriors train. Her presence remains elusive, and her followers believe she watches, guiding her faithful subtly while testing their resolve. The faith has adapted her wandering, independent spirit, emphasizing a culture of personal growth, rigorous self-examination, and resilience. Her continued existence among mortals is seen as a reminder that even deities are not beyond self-improvement. The faithful believe that when they encounter her, they are witnessing her journey to perfect herself, just as they strive to do the same in their lives. Some even believe that each follower who embodies her ideals is a part of her, that they are not only her followers but also her living extension, spreading her beliefs as she herself might.

Tenets of Faith

Strength in Unity

• The faithful are taught that true strength comes from collaboration and mutual support. No warrior stands alone; all must support one another in battle and in life.

Honor in Combat

• Engage your foes with respect and integrity. Victory should never come at the expense of honor; the faithful are encouraged to show mercy to the defeated when possible and to uphold the dignity of the battlefield.

Mastery of Skill 

• Pursue excellence in all forms of combat and strategy. The faithful are encouraged to continually hone their abilities, whether through training, education, or experience.

Leadership through Example

• The most effective leaders are those who embody the values of the faith. Leaders should inspire their followers by demonstrating strength, wisdom, and courage in all endeavors.

Courage in Adversity

• In the face of fear or danger, the faithful are called to show resilience. Courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to act despite it.

Respect for the Fallen 

• Honor those who have sacrificed their lives in battle. The faithful must care for the fallen and their families, ensuring their legacy is remembered and respected.

Seek Knowledge and Wisdom

• In addition to strength and skill, the faithful are encouraged to pursue knowledge and understanding. Wisdom gained through study and experience enhances one’s ability to lead and fight effectively.

Embrace Change 

• Adaptability is key to survival in war. The faithful must be willing to change tactics, strategies, and even beliefs in response to new challenges and insights.

Protect the Weak 

• The faithful are called to defend those who cannot defend themselves, showing that true strength is not only measured in battle but also in compassion and protection.

Worship

Followers start their day with prayers to the goddess, asking for guidance and strength in their daily challenges. These prayers may include personal reflections on courage and integrity. Practitioners engage in moments of meditation, focusing on their goals, the lessons learned from past battles, and strategies for future endeavors.
Followers may participate in friendly combat demonstrations or tournaments, showcasing their skills and honoring the goddess through displays of valor. These events foster camaraderie and reinforce the warrior spirit. Followers may present offerings of weapons, armor, or crafted items to the goddess during rituals, symbolizing their dedication to her cause. These items are often imbued with personal significance, representing the follower's journey and growth. In times of great need, followers may take blood oaths to commit themselves to the goddess’s service, pledging their lives in defense of her values and the protection of the innocent.

Sects

The Emissaries of Wrath embrace a radical interpretation of vengeance, believing that any slight or injustice must be met with disproportionate retribution. They see themselves as the instruments of the goddess’s wrath. Members often engage in acts of retribution against not only enemies but also perceived slights from allies. They may hold rituals that celebrate violent retribution, turning the act of vengeance into a communal affair. The Emissaries of Wrath aim to instill fear in both enemies and allies, believing that chaos will lead to a stronger community forged through adversity. Their extreme views can lead to cycles of violence and vendetta.
The Bloodbound Order believes that true power comes from bloodshed and conquest. They view war not just as a means of protection but as a form of worship itself, glorifying violence and aggression. Rituals often involve sacrificial offerings, where followers may perform blood rites to invoke favor from the goddess. Members are encouraged to seek conflict and prove their worth through combat, regardless of the consequences.
The Disciples of Enlightened Warfare takes a philosophical approach, advocating for a balance between strength and wisdom. They believe that true warriors must be well-versed in strategy, ethics, and the consequences of war. Members engage in study, seeking knowledge about tactics, history, and the moral implications of their actions. They hold debates and discussions on the ethics of warfare and the responsibility that comes with power. The Disciples aim to reform the faith by promoting a more thoughtful approach to conflict.

"To know war is to know yourself: your limits, your fears, and your purpose. Face them, shape them, and become stronger."

Deities

• Angelina Goddess of War

Divines

• Angelina Goddess of War

Location

Kragthor Territory