Ush
(a.k.a. Lord Courage)
Ush is one of the god from the Pantheon of Twelve. Known as a god of war, justice, valor and law, he is depicted as both powerful and wise. Ush plays an important role in all cultures, on both the Northern Arm (where different Ushean cults are joined in the Northern Church of Ush and the Southern Arm, where the city state Khatwa in Uktaria stands out as especially reverent to the god of war.
Divine Domains
Ush is the god of war, justice, valor and law.
Holy Books & Codes
The most well-known scripture associated with Ush is the War Codex, established by the Northern Church of Ush and iteratively refined during centennial meetings of this church.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
In human culture, worshipers designate Ush with a closed fist, most well-known via the Fist of Ush. Among the wood elves of Qosid, Ush is associated with bears, possibly as a syncretism of Ush and Ussed. Other iconography includes an archer, a vulture (mostly among the elves, perhaps a legacy of the worship of Bird Gods) and a shield (common among dwarves).
Tenets of Faith
The Ushean faith is one of the most organized religions of the Northern Arm, due to the efforts of the Northern Church of Ush. This church has been collecting insights and beliefs from scholars across the continent, to articulate a coherent set of principles with regards to justice. These principles are collected in the War Codex, which is first and foremost a description of how wars can be foughy justly, but which also offers principles for a lawful society. The War Codex is a living document and changes each century, but its structure has been kept intact over the millennia. That structure follows the salient issues of faith:
- Nourishing Peace: principles that lead to sustainable peaceful relations with others
- Preparing for War: principles that lead to honorable, effective hostilities
- Valor and Leadership: principles that bring out the best from military forces
- The Righteous Fighter: principles for combat
- Hostile Relations: principles to deal with those who wish you ill
- Chivalry and Negotiation: principles that underlie the art of diplomacy
- Dividing the Spoils: principles that allow a group to share bounty without raising new conflic
Holidays
Celebrations associated to Ush take place after successful battles and commemorations of important wars, such as the War of the Sisters on the Northern Arm are often tied to Ushean rituals.
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