Credasvar
Credasvar is the ancient faith of the Achiad, which was also adopted by subsequent populations of Ulnosti who settled the Autumnvale across the years in which the processes of cultural exchange took place. It remains the majority religion in the Autumnvale, and other faiths are exceedingly rare among the Valesmen.
Beliefs
Although the dragon-turned-divine Svarcliste is the most immediately recognizable aspect of Credasvar, he is part of a much wider theology whose view extends beyond the Autumnvale.Cosmology
Within Credasvar, the earth is cosmologically situated between a higher concept of heaven, and its counterpart, the underworld. These equals and opposites are each understood by believers as both a place or destination for souls after death, and a higher state of being. They are the perfect embodiment of their constituent values, which flow forth from these palces and permeate the earth to varying degrees. The heavens, known as Esgyneamh (pronounced ES-gen-eev), are the source of order, virtue, and beauty, while Giamoch, the underworld, is the font of chaos, corruption, and vice. Glimpses into the higher forms of each of these traits can take the form of witnessing the sublime. For instance, Credasvar holds that the breathless beauty, awe, and terror felt when witnessing the truly sublime in the natural world indicates a place, whether physical or metaphysical, where the veil between the earth and Esgyneamh is thinnest. As such, pilgrimages to sites which evoke this phenomenon are a common component of the faith. The aspects of Giamoch are able to do the same in a more horrible, but no less potent, manner; someone who has witnessed true evil is said to have “seen the face of Giamoch.”Deities
Between the earth and the poles of Esgyneamh and Giamoch are ranged, according to Credasvaric thought, actors who can be considered “deities” of each. Every land, and the people who belong to it, is appointed an intermediary to these higher places, which Valesmen interpret as the gods or pantheons of other lands. These deities are paragons and shepherds of their particular people, and either align more closely with the divine order embodied by Esgyneamh, are manifestations of Giamoch intent on upending it, or fall somewhere in between. Where a deity, and thus their followers, fall along this spectrum is contingent on the nature of their basic values and teachings, the presence or absence of practices which evoke Giamoch such as necromancy or human sacrifice, or collective actions or characteristics, such as war, aggression, or virtue. The Sages of the Autumnvale maintain an ever-growing series of tomes known collectively as the “Book of Emissaries” in which known deities of other lands and peoples are described in detail and accordingly positioned in relation to the earth and the poles of Esgyneamh and Giamoch. Notably, these are not eternally fixed positions; a given deity’s status could shift throughout history based on whether they are perceived to induce their followers towards good or evil throughout the ages. Alternatively, if the deity and faith in question retains admirable qualities according to Credasvar, yet its followers carry out evil on earth, those people are thought to have strayed from the path to Esgyneamh laid out for them by their god(s).Svarcliste: Guardian of the Autumnvale
Svarcliste himself is particularly associated with Esgyneamh due to the circumstances of his elevation to divinity. Dragons have traditionally been associated with unbridled greed, hunger, and monumental self-aggrandizement, enabled by the awesome power of their physical and magical abilities. Before settling in the Autumnvale, Svarcliste joined many of his race in the staggering violence and destruction which took place during the centuries of war involving the dragons, dwarves, orcs, and dragonborn. After the latter revolted against their creators, Svarcliste survived by concealing himself in what would become the Autumnvale. Using powerful magic to assume an aquatic form in the depths of Lake Bardalmere, he had at first solely been focused on survival and defending his territory from the vengeful Dragonborn and the rapidly expanding tribes of Orcs which would also later clash with mankind. The long centuries of his isolated rumination, hidden and estranged from his surviving kin, saw Svarcliste instead turn to nursing the Autumnvale into his garden, projecting his immense will outwards from Lake Bardalmere and creating the lush vegetation, stunning landscapes, and natural bounty that the area would enjoy ever afterwards. In so doing, the dragon began to see the worth of creation, dedication, and toil, as well as the tranquility and beauty they wrought. While these notions came to supplant the draconic inclinations of dominance, power, and ruthless ambition, the jealous protectiveness his kind felt towards their hoards shifted to a desire to preserve the fruits of his own work. Credasvaric teaching holds that these shifts in thought and behaviour were the first steps of Svarcliste’s reach towards Esgyneamh. Setting the stage for adherents in the millennia that followed, he had through his actions allowed the aspects of Esgyneamh to enter the world more fully. However, his ascension into the divine would come only after he had overcome a crucial hurdle: this was to ensure that his work would enable the same for others during and long after his own lifetime. Left alone for so long with only the nagging, guilty voice of his conscious, Svarcliste began to resent his role in the centuries of war, and the misery he and his kind had caused. When the Achiad, seeking respite from crises which had their distant roots in the dragon wars, entered the Autumnvale, he realized it was an opportunity for his life and efforts to benefit others for years to come. Svarcliste’s singular potency as a deity stems from his ascension from earth to a divine form following this long, difficult, but ultimately rewarding process of reforming his formidable power and previous abuses into forces of good and order; an aspect of Credasvar which is particularly appealing to followers. The Achiad, and all those who would subsequently inhabit the Autumnvale, would not be conferred the blessings and responsibility of the land without proving their dedication and worthiness; hence the central role of Ulabhra Silver-Tongue and his people’s early travails and exploits in establishing the human aspects of Credasvar, most famously in the “Battle Under the Boughs.” Svarcliste was able to impart unto Ulabhra the full truths of the divine order, through a series of visions in Lake Bardalmere, after his own death and ascension to his station between earth and Esgyneamh. The reverence, dedication, and stewardship towards the Autumnvale that Svarcliste had preached to the Achiad during his life was now firmly linked to the upholding of Esgyneamh’s influence on earth versus that of that of Giamoch. Thus, Credasvar teaches that if the Valesmen keep their faith to Svarcliste and uphold the proper tenets, the Autumnvale will remain a special link to Esgyneath and a lynchpin in connecting the earth to it.The Autumnvale and Other Deities
The sanctified position of the Autumnvale itself within Credasvar has heavily influenced the politics and culture of the region. When facing an external threat, the Valesmen have historically been able to unite with a cohesion and conviction stemming not only from the natural desire to protect hearth and home, but also from a deeply ingrained belief that the land is also the key to the proper ordering of the world. Their need to protect and maintain it is divinely ordained, and their ability to do so is critical to ensuring that the chance at salvation is afforded to them and their descendants. Conversely, the Valesmen have often found offensive wars difficult to justify. While not as central as the Autumnvale to the greater cosmology, other lands and the deities who watch over them provide a similar path to Esgyneamh to their people. If said people and deity are not actively and demonstrably acting in the interest of Giamoch, Credasvar teaches that it is sinful to ruin through violence and conquest their opportunity to uphold the divine order. Whether the war is offensive or defensive in nature, Valesmen view the contest in both spiritual and temporal terms; Svarcliste will be grappling with the opposing deity as armies clash on earth. Since foreign gods, if they and their people are acting in accord with Esgyneamh, can be positive actors in the world, it is not uncommon to see Valesmen respect or at least acknowledge them when travelling through their lands, usually in the form of small offerings at local temples and shrines. This same paradigm also means, however, that attempts by other religions to proselytize in the Autumnvale itself are met with hostility, as it can be seen as an attempted “takeover” by a hostile deity, or a blasphemous implication that Svarcliste is not adequate as a guardian for the Autumnvale and its people.Practices
Pilgrimages
As the cosmology of Credasvar holds that some places, by virtue of their nature, can act as wellsprings of aspects from Esgyneamh or Giamoch, the former are often sought out by the devout. To believers, the world is a landscape usually in equilibrium between these higher and lower conditions, permeated by the aforementioned “fonts” from heaven or the underworld, which may occur naturally, or are the product of divine or even mortal activity. For instance, necromancy and other types of black magic are tantamount to a ready invitation of aspects of Giamoch. Just as such forces may corrupt those practicing or near to them, those of Esgyneamh may enrich the lives of whomever seeks them out. These beliefs have given rise to a rich tradition of pilgrimage in the Autumnvale that coincides with the popular folk character of the well-meaning, carefree, and genial country rambler. Valesmen traditionally seek out Esgyneamh in areas of dramatic natural splendor which convey the sublime, or in quiet, secluded areas such as glades, groves and brooks for peaceful reflection and prayer. The tombs of the especially devout and righteous are also believed to resonate with the same holy aspects they embodied in life, and are visited by all from lone pilgrims to the prestigious assemblies of the Annual Progress.Magic
Artifice
In keeping with the Autumnvale's rich craft traditions, a distinct form of Artifice is the most prevalent form of magic employed by the Valesmen. Hard, honest toil and skillful creation- especially with the fruits of the land one has been entrusted- are concepts which, although not geographically fixed like other wellsprings of Esgyneamh, naturally allow its aspects to enter the lives of those who embody them. As such, the most learned and venerable craftsmen of the Autumnvale enjoy a reputation of almost mystical skill, as their work sees them blur the edges between mundane and magical craft. This unique combination stems from centuries of religious thought and accompanying magical practice permeating the lives and industries of the Valesmen. Whereas elsewhere Artifice is seen as a specific, codified field, in the Autumnvale it is viewed as the natural consequence of initially worldly crafts made sacred and powerful by the hallowed techniques and traditions of their practicioners.Dreams
Dreams occupy a special position in a person’s interactions with the divine. When the perceived importance of various worldly concerns and the overstimulation of one’s mind and senses melts away during sleep, the Valesmen believe that the consciousness is more open to the influences of local wellsprings of Esgyneamh or Giamoch, and even Svarcliste himself. When Leighton Allister contended with the Amber Lord in the Dreamstride over the fate of Vesser Highmore, he afterwards recounted that Svarcliste lashed out and defended him from the Aela’s touch. Conversely, dreams experienced when sleeping near unholy sites may be frightening, otherworldly and bizarre. A similar effect is believed to be caused by the cumulative effects of a person’s unrepentant sins. Various figures in the Autumnvale’s history- most prominently those who have betrayed their oaths and abused their people- have been recorded as eventually succumbing to nightmare-induced madness. The dreams which noticeably occupy a liminal space between a person’s life and the divine have been classified by the Autmnvale’s sages into several categories. The exact criteria for determining whether a person has had such an experience is not hard and fast, and may include reliance on gut instincts, prayer and reflection, or discussion with a Sage or other learned figure. • Tachswef: These types of dreams are premonitions and may or may not be lucid depending on the context. For instance, it may be a single, meaningful image, or a whole sequence of events in which the dreamer actively participates. • Swefmynda: These dreams take the form of a full set of sensations and experiences from a given time in a person’s life: in other words, a complete memory. These can be entirely similar to how the person remembers the event or feature key differences to get a message across. Examples can include hiraeth, strong wishes, hopes, or fears. • Sinswefnian: Similar to Swefmynda, these dreams have a basis in past events; however, the memory or experience belongs to someone else, and the dreamer's consciousness is seated within the owner’s during said occurrence. These shifts of consciousness are far more likely to occur along ancestral or familial lines. As part of their spiritual direction, the greatest Sages are trained to use prolonged prayer and meditation to enter a trance-like state of mind where they possess agency in seeking out such dreams. This is a process rich in religious symbolism, and is seen by its practitioners as mirroring, in their own small way, Svarcliste’s reach towards Esgyneamh; if they are well-prepared, disciplined, and virtuous, Esgyneamh will reach towards them also.Oaths
In addition to the significant social weight they carry in the Autumnvale, the strongest oaths in the area's history have been shown to be magically binding, and constitute a distinct form of magic associated with invoking aspects of Credasvaric faith. The first, and arguably most significant oath to operate in this manner was that between Svarcliste and the Achiad chieftain Ulabhra, which in exchange for the latter's swearing to defend the Autumnvale, granted him insight into Svarcliste's use of powerful magic associated with the land, and the ability to teach it to his followers; this is, according to legend, the foundation for the forms of magic practiced by the Sages ever since. It is a widely-held belief that this oath is still in effect to this day, holding the Autumnvale's rulership accountable to their land and faith. The most striking example supporting this claim was the fate of Baelendian the Ill, a Lord of House Ashdowne in the pre-Imperial era. By all accounts a self-absorbed and dispassionate man, his reign coincided with a series of unusually severe winters which, in addition to inflicting hardship upon his subjects, drove groups of brigands and orcish tribes from the mountains to launch raids into the Autumnvale, seeking food in desperation. Stockpiling food within Ardingly and paying little heed to the plight of those in the surrounding countryside, Baelendian aroused the ire of his subjects, who when caught between poor harvests and freezing conditions, outside raiders, and uncaring rulership, began to grow resentful and foment revolt on a growing scale. Before this could even take place, however, Baelendian was struck with a series of crippling ailments both physical and mental, coming to exhibit such rampant fear and paranoia as to be driven to madness. He claimed to see horrors stalking him in both dreams and the waking day, eventually becoming so impervious to reason or attempts to console him that he withered away alone in his chambers until his early death. Attempts to bring him to holy sites or the aid of Sages before his death only exacerbated his condition, leading many to recall the old Oath of Ulabhra and come to the conclusion that this man must have failed to uphold it; henceforth, his story would form a cautionary tale about both ruling wisely and honouring sacred pacts. Far from applying strictly to the ruling classes, the morals of tales such as these have been extrapolated to many relationships and contracts dictated by oaths in Valic society, including husbands and wives, parents and children, and master and apprentice. In addition to the powerful stigma against oathbreakers, the effects of this tradition creates additional emphasis on the central roles of oaths and obligations in the culture of the Autumnvale. As a product of this, "true oaths" sworn by invoking Svarcliste and Esgyneamh are rarely used in a Valesman's life, except on occasions of great personal significance and solemnity around which his entire life may revolve, such as the decision to take up arms for a cause, in marriage and family relations, or on embarking upon the studies to become a Sage or healer. One of the most important and enduring practices involving oaths is Teogryth, which is at the heart of the ritual performed when a knight or lord inherits his father's titles, assumes the full duties involved, and becomes patriarch of his house. After the funeral of the departed notable, a Sage will administer Teogryth to his heir, usually in a secluded ritual location in their holdings accompanied by any close family members. There, the new knight or lord swears an oath derived from that between Svarcliste and Urlabhra, promising to uphold the tenets of Credasvar, rule wisely and with care, and defend his land and people to the extent of his power. The Sage then ceremonially confirms the oath, and the assembled family departs before he lays his hand upon the head of his charge, and for a few minutes, the consequences of breaking this sacred oath are revealed, usually in a brief but incredibly potent experience of sublime terror and awe that few can sufficiently describe afterwards. Following this, the Sage also departs, and the man is left at the site for a single night of recovery, contemplation, and prayer. The next morning, he returns to his lodge, hall, or castle, takes his father's seat at the table, and a great feast commences.Curses
Curses operate along a similar framework to oaths, and may be associated with a particular oath (usually as the condemnation for breaking one) or on occasions unrelated to oaths but possessing a similar gravity. Also brought into being by invoking Svarcliste and either Esgyneamh or Giamoch, curses are usually more immediate and apparent in their effects. Although anyone mustering sufficient conviction may emply a curse, the absolute certitude necessary to do so is strong to the point of requiring potent, deeply-felt emotions such as grief, despair, and malice usually only brought on in exceptional circumstances. The exception regarding curses is the ability of the greatest Sages to employ them when they can muster sufficient willpower and training, employing their sheer mental focus and emotional discipline, not requiring the profoundly affecting events which usually spawn curses. Curses sworn into being using this method can be used as some of the most potent forms of offensive "magic" that the Sages can employ, though the hallowed nature of oaths and curses mean that even this form is reserved for the most dire of circumstances, such as if the Autumnvale itself is existentially imperiled. The effects on the recipients of such curses are accordingly severe, with some examples resulting in grotesque injury, illness, delusions, and even outright insanity or mental collapse.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Permeated Organizations
Related Ethnicities