Fahrom
The Grey Wanderer
Fahrom (Far-ahm) is the adopted child of Intrix, the trickster. He is one of the least known of the deities on Tarien, and, outside of the fervor for him found in the Carboth Desert, also one of the less worshiped. He is seen by his followers as a non-descript, barefoot Dharjan or Human dressed in travelers robe. This archetypical image always carries a walking staff, his trademark weapon, and his wanderer-priests’ symbol of office.
Outside of the mysticals living in the Deserts, Fahrom’s priesthood is small, and far spread. It is rare to find two of them in the same place at once, for Fahrom has no established church. There are, however, hundreds of small roadside shrines dedicated to the Wanderer, and his priests range wide and far to tend them. Fahrom’s dominion is the roads and paths of Tarien, and his priests are struck with a fierce wanderlust, that keeps them in one place for short periods only.
History/Relationships
Some claim that Fahrom was once a human child, orphaned at a very young age. In a sudden, rare flash of emotion, Intrix took the child as his own. Over many years Intrix taught the child many things, such as how to change shape, how to pass between the planes where normal mortals cannot tread, and how to ‘hear’ the thoughts of mortals. These things only fueled the mortal child’s insatiable curiosity. Now, thousands of years later, Fahrom is known in many child’s stories and legends for his wanderings of the planes. He visited Tarien in person on many occasions, and spawned many tall-tales of his exploits. Often he still travels the material plane, hidden in the form of a white mouse.
Dharjans, of course, beleive that while Intrix may have helped raise a young Fahrom, that he was always divine. And while they accept that their god has worshippers among the other races, they hold their devotion to him close in their hearts, secure in their knowledge that they are his favored people.
Dogma
Many outsiders see Fahrom’s priesthood as little more than vagabonds. Outwardly, the only ‘reverence’ that they seem to have is the walkingstick they carry, and the occasional shrine that they dust off, and smile queerly. Many suspect Fahrom’s ‘church’ to be nothing more than a fraud, populated by beggars and madmen. Few understand the fierce joy and wonder that Fahrom’s priests experience on a daily basis. The old saying ‘it’s not the destination, but the steps you take to get there’ is apt to describe every aspect of a Wanderers life. They relish in the experience, and offer it up as praise to Fahrom’s name.Dogma in the Emirates of the Dharja'shan is of course, stricter. Coming from a culture where travel is a way of life, always seeking the next watering hole and meal, the Dharja have created countless rules for society and worship, all in Fahrom's name. Most remain practical, ties to their harsh struggles for existence in their arid homeland. For them, their faith is less about the joys the journey and more about surviving ones travels.
Church/Priesthood
Most priests of Fahrom stand against ceremony. They pray for their spells daily, at whatever time suits them most. They have few formal ceremonies, and no official doctrine of the church. It is said that Fahrom’s church wasn’t founded… it was ‘found’. Fahrom’s priests wander… that is their only real commonality. They tread, on foot or by horseback, across the land. They stop when they feel like it, or to tend a shrine’s to Fahrom found along the way, but they always rise again after a few days or weeks, and take up the trek again. Fahrom has no specific holy day, although individual priests may regularly (annually, or a few times per decade) return to a place that they consider personally significant to celebrate.
Even within the Dharja, the structure of the church remains loose. Typically, men will worship the god but those of deep faith are generally women. They have organized as Wella Priestesses, but even that has been more a matter of attaining their own goals - survival of a tribe - than of religious order. Mysticism among the Dharja is held in high regard and being a priestess of Fahrom means more that he speaks directly to someone, granting her power, rather than being par of a larger organization. Indeed, most Wella Priestesses have other roles - from concubine to cook to cavalry - within their tribes.
"Two sacred marks, one each cheek, shall mark the oaths faithful. Eternal darkness shall be the fate for those unwilling to swear their souls to our great Lord."
Religions
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Children
Ruled Locations
White Mouse
Main Temple
Fahrom's Rest
Portfolio
Dharja, the Desert, Freedom, Travel, Wind
Domains
Wandering
Head of Priesthood
Farah al-Maziir
The Blasted Lands, Near Fahrom's Tomb