Church of Unnyra

Author: DrMonty

Unnyra - Strength of the Storm

CONQUEST, STORMS, TYRANNY, AND FROST

Once upon a time, a young Unnyra was born and raised in a cold, frozen wasteland. Not much grew within the land, but despite that, Unnyra’s father taught her to love and work hard for the things that matter. Unnyra’s father was a hunter and shepherd who gained notoriety in their homeland. The local Jarl had been angered that the low-life hunter had gained substantial fame within the land. The Jarl feared that his rule would be challenged by the low life, so he had Unnyra’s village raided to prevent that. Unnyra’s story begins with the storm and fire that burned throughout her town. Once, Unnyra was a gentle soul, but the weak do not survive. Rumor has it that she wandered into the frozen wasteland as a weak individual.

Years later, she returned as the storm and fjord incarnate. With the storm at her back and her army full of beasts and men alike, Unnyra had returned for her father’s killer. Sagas say that Unnyra had obtained revenge for her father and had unified her homeland. She then looked outward towards the sea, gazing at the lands that had yet to be conquered and welcomed into her heart. Some say that Unnyra’s wrath is as violent as an ocean storm. Unnyra teaches that the strong survive and the weak are worthless. In order to survive in this world, one must fight their way to the top.

• Domains: Frost / Scorn / Retribution / Tempest / Tyranny / War
• Oaths: Conquest / Glory / Crown / Vengeance
• Sanctioned Orders: Witch Hunter, Marshal
• Alignments: Lawful Evil, Lawful Neutral, True Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Chaotic Good

Symbols of Unnryra

• The most common holy symbol is a fist surrounded by storm clouds and lighting bolts.
• The storm on the sea is a symbol of favor of Unnyra
• Unnyra favors Sea serpents, Bears, and sees Shifters and Shiftlings as sacred

History

A character that has Lore (Unnyra) reduces the DC of these checks by 5, this stacks with other DC reductions. A character that has Proficiency in History reduces the DC of these checks by 2, this stacks with other DC reductions. A character with lore (Barud) reduces the DC of these checks by 5, this stacks with other DC reductions. A character can use passive knowledge to gauge their base knowledge of this deity, Passive Knowledge in this case would be a character's Intelligence (Religion) skill total + 5. Checks to learn about a deity are cumulative, should you achieve a DC 15 result, you would likewise receive the results of DC 10 and DC 5 respectively. Histories above DC 20 are located in the Secrets section of this deity.

• [Religion DC 5] - Unnyra is a goddess of conquest and storms
• [Religion DC 10] - Unnyra is a viking warrior who holds the power of the storms and fjord at her fist. She was once a simple village girl but returned as a walking storm.
• [Religion DC 15] - Unnyra was once a small village girl who’s village was pillaged. Rumored that she walked into the fjord and returned years later as a storm and fjord incarnate. It is said that she was bitten by a shifter and obtained a connection with her inner beast. She was also forced to survive the fjord while being hunted by a rival clan. It is also said that Unnyra had set her sights on the lands outside of her own to force them under her iron rule.
• [Religion DC 20] - Unnyra is a complex deity, dealing with the harshness of war and storms, but where does it come from? Unnyra was once a simple village girl whose father was killed. Does her wrath and inner storm from love and the need to protect the things she cares about? Either way, the strong survive and their wishes are obtained. While the weak are nothing and must serve those who are powerful. Only those who are strong and brave will weather the storm.

Dogma

Unnyra believes that the strong are the ones who should lead the world. While the weak are nothing underneath their boots. To survive this world, one must claw their way out of the pit of weakness and not stop till they look over the horizon upon those who stand in their way. In a way, this is the natural selection of the world. She teaches her followers that nothing matters but their own strength. If they want something in this world, they must be strong enough to take it or protect it. You must be willing to lay down your life for what you believe. If someone wrongs you, you must grow and gain strength in order to punish them under your boot. Some of Unnyra’s beliefs are that violent storms are necessary since they sweep away weak structures, wash away detritus, and reveal new resources. Physical prowess is foremost in battle and often skirmishes with others about the power of strength over skill. She promotes military readiness and encourages our members to seek martial training of all sorts. Unnyra also sees the sea as a savage place, and those who travel it had best be willing to pay the price of challenging Unnyra’s tempest. To cross the seas is to test one’s strength against the world. Despite the cold and harshness of her teaching, many still follow the path of Unnyra. If one chooses to follow and swear an oath to Unnyra, you are welcomed into her hearth with a warm embrace. A warning is given: if you fail to follow her teachings or choose to break your oath, then you must be ready for the storm and the battle to come.

Home Plane

Unnyra’s originated as a mortal in Kaidryn, but in her divinity has resided in her Great Hall of Bjorn’s Rest, which is located in the plane of the Beastlands.

Appearance

Unnyra is depicted as a woman of short but sturdy stature, honed and scarred under the years of battle. Her skin is said to be as pale as the winter fjord, while her hair is as red as the autumn leaves. She wears a half-plate adored in an assortment of furs from beasts she has slayed throughout her years. For some, Unnyra's face is depicted as a warm heart whose smile welcomes her long-lost comrades into her home. Others see a cold beast whose thunderous rage is as dangerous as an ocean storm. In her hands, Unnyra wields a divine spear named Howling Abyss. A spear made of metal and ice that holds the power of the storm inside. She also wields a shield called The Fjords Roar, which is said to house the fjord and an ancient beast of legend.

Relationships

Unnyra's general view of her fellow deities is either those of comrades or a challenge to be conquered. She considered Dynn and Yndraskos her closest comrades within her divine circle. Unnyra holds Dynn in high regard out of all the deities. She believes that the man is a simple but good-hearted soul who follows his own path. Yndraskos is an exciting character in Unnyra's eyes. While her fellow gods see a mad beast, Unnyra sees a growing tide of power and respects the one who wields it. The god Torukk is neither a friend nor a foe. He is seen as a necessary being who must follow the world's natural order of how the strong survive and the weak perish. Unnyra has a questionable relationship with Eotan. To her, he is an entertaining character who she wishes would follow her, but she does not see them as a threat to her domain. Unyrra holds Andreia, Shai-Yu Sen, and Typhan in an unfriendly manner. She views these gods and their followers as a threat to her family and domain. If they were to submit themselves to Unyraa, they would be welcomed by the fire of her hearth. Until then, they are her rivals and a challenge that must be conquered.

Temples and Shrines

The temples of Unnyra are varied throughout the realm. Some see a church that traditionally worships Unnyra. While others see the battlefield as the true temple of Unnyra. In most cases, the temples of Unnyra are raucous places where beer, mead, and ale flow freely, hot food is plentiful, and physical challenges are constant entertainment. Unnyra's temples can be quickly transformed into sturdy forts. They generally contain an armory and a bell tower for sounding local alarms. When they don't have a smithy, there's typically one nearby. Rooms are set aside for quiet offerings to appease and pray for Unnyra to moderate her storms.

Regions of Popular Worship

Unnyra holds churches and cults throughout the land of Kaidryn but can mainly be found in the homelands of Barud. Her worship is primarily seen within the southern regions of Kaidryn but is now spreading to the other continents. In areas where Andreia, Shai-Yu Sen, and Typhan are worshiped, cults of Unnyra are found. These cults are set on bringing the followers of these gods under the banner or under the boot.

Followers

The faith of Unnyra is welcome to all so long as they are worthy and aspire to become stronger. The common followers of Unnyra are those who follow the call of battle. Many soldiers, warriors, paladins, and others who live a militaristic lifestyle worship Unnyra and ask for her blessing before battle. With Unnyra having domain over the storms, sailors will also worship and pray to Unnyra so that she will calm her wrath before a sea voyage.

Other followers of Unnyra include those who spread her faith and influence, such as clerics, priests, and shamans. They spread the warmth of Unnyra’s hearth to those who are worthy and welcome them into her embrace. Those who are seen as weak and unworthy will reveal the cold and dangerous bite of Unnyra’s wrath. It is rare, but not uncommon, to find a druid, inquisitor, and oracle who serves the divine path of Unnyra. Oracles who have been cursed by Unnyra are seen as her chosen few who have been selected to endure Unnyra’s test so that they might rise above the rest to a place of power.

Within the Unnyra faith, shifters and shiftlings are seen as a blessing from the Storm Maiden. Sagas say that Unnyra was raised and taught by a Spirit Walker whose strength was compared to a bear. Under the Spirit Walker’s training, it is noted that Unnyra could connect with her inner beast. Since then, shifters and shiftlings are seen as Unnyra’s children destined for strength and greatness.

Many priests and followers of Unnyra who spread her influence are seen wearing various furs from the beast they have slain. Also, many followers and worshipers of Unnyra are seen with tattoos that highlight glorious deeds of strength. Lastly, followers of Unnyra are always seen with a weapon to prove that they are strong enough to survive in the cold world that Unnyra shall bring forth.

Novices in Unyyra’s faith are deemed as Thralls. Full priests are Gothi (male) and Gythia (female). Priests have obtained a ranking order to get the title of Seiðr. Those who have risen to the highest rank and have learned the way of the fjord are elevated to a Frostborn. Amongst the warrior kin, novices similarly start out as thralls and aim to become Frostborn. Within their journey to become Frostborn, titles such as Berserker, Spirit Walker, Shieldmaiden, Valkyrie, and Bjornsgard can be obtained as honors.

Tenets

• Raise your sword to protect what is close to your heart
• Welcome your comrades and brother in arms to share your hearth.
• Fallen warriors should be respected and honored
• Retreat from hopeless battles is acceptable, but do not avoid battle itself, for there is no glory in cowardice.
• Nature is giving, so treat your home with respect. If not, be prepared for the storm that approaches

Sins

• Disloyalty towards one's kin and comrades
• Showing fear in the face of adversity
• Refusing a challenge
• Settling for complacency and not seeking improvement

Piety Progression