Synod of Seven

Written by HumNummaHumma

Centuries ago, when the land was still wild, seven unique adventurers cast aside their differences and dreams, and locked arms in order to bring beauty to this cruel and cursed land. Before they arrived, what is now known as Vibring was much worse. The ground sprouted hatred. When it rained, the drops were like acid. Rivers flowed with bitterness and poison. All creatures that crawled, did so fearfully. Those that soared through the air produced thoughts of death from above. And then there were the men. Filled with vile intentions and insipid motives, men hunted one another for power and sport.
Some believe the land was ruled by a powerful darkness that grew stronger by the surrounding pursuits of darkness. The more evil the land became, the fiercer its ruler developed. There were several names used for this cruel king. But most refer to it now as Vor – a name rarely spoken and fearfully reflected.
Somehow, the seven adventurers overthrew Vor. They could never have managed it if any of them had fallen. But together, they defeated the lich. There’s always a price with battles such as these. And the Synod of Seven (as they have come to be known) were removed from this plane by shockwaves that ripped through reality.
But their collective sacrifice freed the land from evil. A new name, Cheer, adorned the country. The name fit well too. Plants became beautiful, the water sweet and clear. Animals danced in the morning sunrays, and men cast aside their weapons for lutes and lyres. Barren plains bloomed bountifully. Full of rich blessings, Cheer was paradise. All thanks to the Synod of Seven.
Where they are now is widely speculated. Which plane holds them captive? The ether? The astral? The nether? The under? The search has lasted for generations, even studied and pursued throughout the ages by a secret sect of seers and legend-keepers. If you search, you may find tomes such as this one which reveal more of the legend.
The land has slowly returned to waves of darkness. And darkness always suppresses the light. Elementals now torment the lands that were once Cheer. Rumors abound that these elementals, normally indifferent to morality and ethics, are different. These elementals burn with evil intent. Whispers of Vor once again touch the lips of storytellers.
Cheer has been reduced to a corner of the world, its beauty a cheap fabrication of the past. Even the names of the Seven slipped away, forgotten. They’ve been lost to darkness with the repression of ages. But here, in hopes of keeping something that will remain, are the titles for which they’ve come to be known.

THE SYNOD OF SEVEN

1. The Emerald Lad
2. The Natural
3. The Recast Dreamer
4. The Shaded Vicar
5. The Shunned Ombudsman
6. The Sneak Who Cared too Much
7. The Whirler

OTHER NOTES:

In the towns of hope (those who haven’t fully succumbed to Kingdom rule), the Synod of Seven are practically worshiped. No one knows their real names, but everyone knows of these prophesies. One day, the Seven will return to restore the land back to true Cheer.
The authority in the land doesn’t believe in the old legends; the Kingdom often speaks against such fantasies. But in a stroke of genius hypocrisy, the rulers take advantage of legends such as these to manipulate and keep control over the people in Vibring. They erect sarcastic statues to the Seven in their homes and town squares. And now, because of recent increase in Kingdom pressure against any sort of rebellion, Vibring folk do not openly express what they truly believe. They are afraid of persecution.