Canon of the Allfather

The Canon of the Allfather is the holy book of The One Faith.

This tome is bound in blackened iron with reinforced corners of tarnished silver. The book is chained to an iron loop to signify the weight of its divine authority. The pages are made of velum and their gilded edges are dyed a deep red, symbolizing the blood of martyrs who gave their lives to spread the faith. A sigil of the Allfather’s Eye encircled by a halo of spiked radiance is embossed on the cover.

The Canon is the primary religious text of the One Faith, the foundation of all doctrine - containing the collected teachings, parables, laws, and prophecies of the Allfather as revealed to his prophets. The faithful believe it to be divinely inspired, even if its origins are shrouded in the oral traditions and writings of early priests.

Due to its age and poetic style, the Canon is open to interpretation, leading to centuries of theological debate and schism. Different passages emphasize mercy, justice, or wrath, depending on the agenda or perspective of the reader. It is also a book of contradictions, containing not only the holy decrees of the Allfather but also his most terrifying warnings. For every blessing described, a corresponding curse is detailed. The faithful believe this duality represents the Allfather’s perfect justice, where grace and wrath are balanced eternally. Heretics, however, claim this makes it impossible to pin down a single truth within its pages. Reading the Canon requires immense wisdom, for misunderstanding its paradoxical teachings can lead to devastating consequences, making it both a unifying symbol of the faith and a flashpoint for conflict within its clergy.

Historical Artifact: The Canon also serves as a historical record of the life of Nyseris Aralon and the rise of the One Faith, documenting early struggles, divine visions, and even conflicts with rival gods and heretics. While some passages may exaggerate or mythologize events, it is considered the most reliable account of the Faith’s early years.

Illuminated Masterpiece: Most editions of the Canon are meticulously hand-copied and illuminated by master scribes. Ornate illustrations, gilded lettering, and vibrant depictions of holy events make it not only a sacred text but also an artistic treasure. Wealthy lords and high-ranking clergy commission personal copies, while simpler versions are used in everyday worship. Unlike some holy texts restricted to the clergy, the Canon is intended to be read and studied by all followers of the Faith. However, literacy remains rare among commoners, so priests often hold public readings, where the faithful gather to hear the Word of the Allfather.

Mythical Qualities:

• Indestructible Yet Temperamental: True copies of the Canon, said to be delivered by the Allfather himself, are few. They cannot be destroyed by mundane or magical means. Flames extinguish around them, blades dull, and no mortal hand can tear its pages. However, when the faith of the one wielding it falters, the book will often grow heavy and nearly impossible to carry, as though punishing them for their lack of devotion.

• Possession of a true Canon is a divine mandate to lead armies, unite kingdoms, and root out heresy.

Heretical sects and rival gods have sought to steal or defile the Canon, but all such attempts have ended in ruin. Some whisper of an apocryphal tale: a forsaken Canon exists, twisted by betrayal and dark sorcery, a weapon of the unholy against the faithful.