The Pantheon of the High War
The oldest and most widely accepted religion in all of Sos Lokluv, the Pantheon, as it is more commonly called, is based upon the concept of the High War, a conflict that has spanned for the literal age of the universe, since its very inception. Mainstream archivists and scholars contend that it may be a metaphor or a manipulation of the truth, but it is unknown whether it is. This central idea of war is prevalent in the Pantheon, with three of the six primary deities being war gods Hrothmund, Ingemar, and Deirdre.
Structure
Hrothmund, the Reaver, the Chief Deity and God of War and Valor, rules from his Grand Hall upon his own Jagged Iron Throne
Ingemar, Wife to Hrothmund, Goddess of Battle and Conquerors, Mistress of the Stríðstímar, the Maidens of Battle, rides among the storm clouds and leads armies to victory
Joldr, God of Judgement, Justice, and Balance, Right Hand of Adaliah, Creation Incarnate. He judges mortal souls and stands as a protector and close ally of his youngest Sister
Cianus, God of Reality, Knowledge, and The Physical World. He who made the Earth and all its wonders and horrors. He walks between spaces, weaving and sewing reality to seek greater knowledge.
Adaliah, Goddess of Time, Fate, and Prophecy, Creation Incarnate. She assumed the same role the Fireborn had, overseeing the Realms and ensures that creation is in balance
Deirdre, Firstborn of Hrothmund and Ingemar, Goddess of Death and Ruin. She walks among the fields of battle, and help the dead ascend to meet with Joldr and Adaliah to decide their fate.
And many more minor gods
Public Agenda
To prepare the world for the arrival of the High War and the Final Days.
Assets
Godhood and power over parts of reality
History
Thought to be created when Hrothmund's mortal body expired, back when his Old Kingdom was at the height of its power, the Pantheon expanded upon the idea that Hrothmund and his "siblings" were preparing mortal men for the inevitable Final Days, and the war that would proceed it- the High War
Mythology & Lore
When the world was still in its primordial days, one creature ruled over Creation- the Fireborn. With him, stood another, The Great Dragon. They acted as enforcers of creation, but had grown cruel and unjust, the Fireborn commanding the Great Dragon to incinerate countless kingdoms. One Day, an ashen maiden caught the Dragon's attention as he flew over the ash ridden plains between kingdoms, but he passed her by, naught of her and presuming that she would die.. On his Seventy Third passing, the Great Dragon wondered why she was still alive, swooping down to hear her story.
The Ashen Maiden told him that she had sworn vengeance upon those who had destroyed her home, vowing to unmake their very souls.
Unaware of his part in her life, the Dragon took her under his wing and soared high, taking her away from the accursed plains to his home.
There, the two spent countless days, the Dragon caring for her, but leaving her behind whenever the Fireborn ordered him.
The Ashen Maiden knew who the Great Dragon was, and knew she had to kill him. But their was a condition that went with his death. Only those of his blood may end his days.
So, seeing no other option, the Ashen Maiden, when the Dragon returned, seduced him, and took in his seed.
The Ashen Maiden perished
From her womb, she birthed Five.
Hrothmund, the Firstborn, the most painful of them all, killed her.
Ingemar, the Secondborn, the most furious of them all
Joldr, the Thirdborn, the most balance of them all
Cianus, the Fourthborn, the easiest of them all
and Adaliah, the Fifthborn, so frail and weak.
Then, the corpse of their mother rose again.
"I am Drakaris, and I shall have Vengeance"
Drakaris took their children, and soared far away from the Great Dragon, whos fury knew no bounds
They trained to face their father and his tyrannical overlord.
Hrothmund, the Strongest, swore to wear the Fireborns skull as an amulet. Drakaris gifted him Uroksvaal, the Reaver
Ingemar, the Wildest, swore to crack open the Dragons Hide and set it as feast for the crows. Drakaris gifted her Thukriin, her mighty steed, and Struniik, her legendary bow
Joldr, the Hardiest, swore to wear their armor as a testament of their strength. Drakaris gifted him Rodeinmaar, an anchor of balance, and the Wall of Doom, a shield of immeasurable strength.
Cianus, the Wisest, swore to learn their secrets, and tear them asunder. Drakaris gifted him Luhenvok, a catalyst for change
And Adaliah, the Kindest, swore to be stronger. Drakaris gifted her a smile and Tiidkein, a manipulator of time
And so they made War
The Fireborn and Great Dragon were both slain.
Horthmund, from the Corpse of the Great Dragon, took his blood and heart, Igniting his own and forging Rozol, the Harbinger
Ingemar, from the Corpse of the Great Dragon, took his sinew and horns, crafting the bow Dovahkriid, the Dragonslayer
Joldr, from the Corpse of the Great Dragon, took his bones and tail, crafting his mail and flail, Munbrotsjór, the Willbreaker
Cianus, From the Corpse of the Great Dragon, took his mind and talons, melding them to his own body, to harness and create Magic
And Adaliah, from the Corpse of the Great Dragon, took his soul, for it burned brighter than hers.
Drakaris named them thusly
Hrothmund, the God of War and Valor
Ingemar, Goddess of Conquest and Storms
Joldr, God of Balance and Judgement
Cianus, God of Reality and Magic
And little Adaliah, so frail and weak, Drakaris granted her the name of Goddess of Time.
Hrothmund, loving his little sister, denied his right to the Throne of the Fireborn, giving it to Adaliah.
Ingemar, loving her little sister, gave her a knife and her Loyal companion, Tímivörður
Joldr, adoring his little sister, swore to protect and guard her, and act as her Right Hand
Cianus, loving his little sister, gave her one last goodbye, in the form of Men, Elves, Dwarves, and Giants
And they rein Until this day
Divine Origins
The Pantheon of the High War was founded the day that Hrothmund, then informally known as the God of War, died, his mortal form expiring, but his consciousness and spirit living on and ascending into the sky, where he built the Great Halls. Those who followed him worshiped him in death as they did in life, and claimed that his family, close allies, and enemies, were too gods.
Cosmological Views
To live is to suffer hardship, and through hardship, mortals prove themselves worthy of the Halls.
The World was created in war, shaped by war, and will exist, so long as war is a constant.
Worship
The Pantheon is old; older than most others. For this reason, their way of worship may seem brutish and vile to many civilized folk. Those who dedicate themselves to the Pantheon prove their devotion through their own pain and suffering and that of others, often times waging wars over devotion to their chosen god. Many who follow Hrothmund emulate his godly image, waging war bare-chested, with spear and hookblade, along side pouring a mixture of salt, lemon juice, and alcohol on open wounds, claiming that it gives them his Iron Skin. Those who follow Ingemar also emulate her appearance, wielding bows of immense draw strength and size, ranging from a standard Long bow to a Great Recurve. Followers of Joldr are often seen a paragons of justice, wandering the world to balance the wrongs of men. Cianus' followers are largely mages who seek deeper knowledge than that of what can be read in a text book. Regardless of whatever deity you profess your allegiance too, one practices the religion by proving that you have a part to play in the End of Days, be it killing those who would harm you or surviving long enough to see the End of Days.
Priesthood
Those who choose to believe in the Pantheon may do so, but to ascend, one must prove themselves through hardship and slaughter.
After being inducted into the Order of the High War or the Stríðstímar, mortals may choose to prove themselves worthy of ascension by two ways; one is the Way of the Slaughter, where one proves their battlefield prowess and shows that they wish to stand among the gods as a warrior of immeasurable valor and heart, the other being the War of the Ironborn, where mortals suffer incomprehensible pains and hardships to become the hardiest of stalwart warriors. Those who distinguish themselves among their respective paths are often identified by tattoos of runic script. There is a third way, however, it is not taken upon by mortals, as it involves a process called mantling, which means becoming almost synonymous with an entity or idea. In the Order of the High War and the Stríðstímar, few attempt mantling the gods themselves, however many fail, incapable of understanding the True Meaning of War and their minds too weak to comprehend the consciousness and foreign mind of a god.
Granted Divine Powers
Many "priests" are more commonly referred to as Reavers, mortals who walk the fields of battle as pinnacles of slaughter or as unconquerable defenders. Those who follow the Way of the Slaughter are gifted with unrivaled bloodlust during battle, while those who follow the Way of the Ironborn are granted a fraction of Hrothmund's Iron Skin, making them practically impervious to normal attacks, however are still susceptible to magic and its martial forms.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Pantheon promotes a "might equals right" way of things, proving that you have a part to play in the High War and the End of Days. This has given rise to many kingdoms which prioritize its military might over other aspects, which has often lead to dire consequences for its people. It was so until recently, after the fall of the Twin Kings of Valskar, where lies and subterfuge became more prevalent than that of actual, full scale conflict between warring nations and kingdoms.
Sects
The Order of the High War- Followers of Hrothmund, the God of War. Many who follow Hrothmund emulate his godly image, waging war bare-chested, with spear and hookblade, along side pouring a mixture of salt, lemon juice, and alcohol on open wounds, claiming that it gives them his Iron Skin. They are the most common of the devoted Reavers, waging battle on a scale that rivals that of small squadrons.
The Stríðstímar- Followers of Ingemar, Goddess of Battle and Conquest. While not nearly as common as the Order of the High War, the Stríðstímar are more well known, as they hold a ceremony every year, summoning Ingemar herself to Storms Chain. Many among their ranks practice celibacy, and some hide in plain sight as Noblewomen in Valskar who fight to return to the old ways.
Joldr's Chosen- Followers of the God of Justice and Balance. They are the law in lawless territories where kingdoms cannot reach, upholding their code of honor as long as they live. They are few and far inbetween now, many of them roaming beyond the boundaries of Valskarian and Rubiconian territory, into lands unknown.
The Ebon Ascendancy- Followers of Cianus, the God of Reality. Acting more so scholars than warriors, the Ebon Ascendancy is more of a secretive order of Arch Mages that convene to practice the arts of Planemelding and World-warping, attempting to open the gate that Cianus has been claimed to use to escape this reality and work on shaping reality to best suit the Realms overall.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Alternative Names
The Pantheon
Demonym
Sons/Daughters of the High War
Leader
Deities
Divines
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Manufactured Items
Related Items
Notable Members
Related Myths
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