The Triumvirate
The Triumvirate refers to the formerly three God-Kings of the Shivra people. The Triumvirate rule the three major city-states along the southern coast of the The Howling Woods, with the exception of Ashur which overthrew theirs in a bloody revolution. The Triumvirate are considered to be living gods, meaning that they exist in the material plane, rather than a heavenly realm above. They possess physical, if divine bodies that, as was discovered, can be slain. The Triumvirate appear as great beasts, rather than humanoids.
The members of the triumvirate are:
The members of the triumvirate are:
Structure
The advantage of having the divines in your midst is that they can take direct control of their church. The Triumverate leads both their church and the respective city-states that they patron. Beneath them are democratically elected administrators who handle the day-to-day business of faith and state. Beneath these are a series of both bureaucratic and spiritual leaders who oversee particular aspects of governance.
There is little separation between the affairs of kingdom and church, although there is a streak of democratic thinking in much of Shivra culture. While a limited form of democracy is enacted on matters of city policy, it is at the pleasure of the Triumverate that policy can be implemented. For their part, the Gods seldom directly interfere with matters of governance, largely serving as powerful but hands-off figureheads.
There is little separation between the affairs of kingdom and church, although there is a streak of democratic thinking in much of Shivra culture. While a limited form of democracy is enacted on matters of city policy, it is at the pleasure of the Triumverate that policy can be implemented. For their part, the Gods seldom directly interfere with matters of governance, largely serving as powerful but hands-off figureheads.
History
The official church canon is that the living gods are eternal, having been present since creation. The three have certainly been at the helm for at least several centuries. Certain ancient texts kept deep within the Great Library of Des'Alom suggest that these Gods have a less than divine origin and that there may have been several other living Gods at one point, ideas considered deeply heretical by the Acolytes. However, what is clear is that these figures led the various Shiva cities to flourish along the southern coast.
The greatest test of the Gods and their cities came when the border skirmishes with the Al'Badadi Empire exploded into all-out war. While each of the Triumverate are extremely powerful magical entities, they seldom saw frontline combat. Instead, their crucial role was administrating the war, and blessing followers with their divine powers so they could try to turn the tides of the war. Eventually, the conflict ground to a stalemate as the Wendikal Clans, caught in the crossfire sabotaged the efforts of both sides. The Shivra and Al'Badadi forces withdrew, and the Triumverate declared it a victory over the ancient empire. The people of the southern city states took this as a sign of their god's superiority over the The Civilized Gods of their enemies.
The Triumverate continued to reign over the next centuries, their power expanding with that of their cities. Along with this prosperity came envy over the other's holdings. Tensions arose over trade disputes and territory. These tensions have not abated and were only inflamed by what happened next.
Artenimous of Ashur, was killed by Johaspus the Godslayer in a bloody revolution. This shook the remaining triumvirate and their acolytes to their core. If one of the living gods could be killed, then any of them could suffer a similar fate. The floodgates have opened, and the two remaining living gods are cracking down on dissidents harder than ever
The greatest test of the Gods and their cities came when the border skirmishes with the Al'Badadi Empire exploded into all-out war. While each of the Triumverate are extremely powerful magical entities, they seldom saw frontline combat. Instead, their crucial role was administrating the war, and blessing followers with their divine powers so they could try to turn the tides of the war. Eventually, the conflict ground to a stalemate as the Wendikal Clans, caught in the crossfire sabotaged the efforts of both sides. The Shivra and Al'Badadi forces withdrew, and the Triumverate declared it a victory over the ancient empire. The people of the southern city states took this as a sign of their god's superiority over the The Civilized Gods of their enemies.
The Triumverate continued to reign over the next centuries, their power expanding with that of their cities. Along with this prosperity came envy over the other's holdings. Tensions arose over trade disputes and territory. These tensions have not abated and were only inflamed by what happened next.
Artenimous of Ashur, was killed by Johaspus the Godslayer in a bloody revolution. This shook the remaining triumvirate and their acolytes to their core. If one of the living gods could be killed, then any of them could suffer a similar fate. The floodgates have opened, and the two remaining living gods are cracking down on dissidents harder than ever
Mythology & Lore
The official teachings of the temple are that the world was born by willing itself into existence as an immaterial concept. Creation wanted to be, so it became. Present at this time were the gods of the Triumvirate as well as the gods of other peoples. Each has a duty to lead their followers to prosperity. While the other gods felt cowardice and refused to take material form, the triumvirate felt no fear and knew that they were stronger than the others. They took the forms of great animals and led their people in times of both peace, and war.
The Gods of the Triumvirate are not friendly with one another. Indeed, there are many stories both mythological and historical were the gods were at odds, or even battled. There was a particularity fearsome rivalry between Artenimous and Thremaclyse, before the former's death at the hands of Johaspus the Godslayer.
With the living gods and their acolytes, history and mythology are indistinguishable. Their deities live among them,in their cities. On a particularly lucky day, an acolyte may even see their god. Since the Triumvirate, with the exception of the late Artenimous, are the respective heads of state, they take place in some amount of public life, addressing the masses during holidays or spectating athletic events.
There are heretics that whisper the Triumvirate are not gods, but powerful mortals who anointed themselves as dictators for life. Such teachings are brutally repressed, their scrolls burned, their authors executed and their names stricken from history. Recently, their blasphemy was given some weight however, when one of the Living Gods was slain by mortal hands.
The Gods of the Triumvirate are not friendly with one another. Indeed, there are many stories both mythological and historical were the gods were at odds, or even battled. There was a particularity fearsome rivalry between Artenimous and Thremaclyse, before the former's death at the hands of Johaspus the Godslayer.
With the living gods and their acolytes, history and mythology are indistinguishable. Their deities live among them,in their cities. On a particularly lucky day, an acolyte may even see their god. Since the Triumvirate, with the exception of the late Artenimous, are the respective heads of state, they take place in some amount of public life, addressing the masses during holidays or spectating athletic events.
There are heretics that whisper the Triumvirate are not gods, but powerful mortals who anointed themselves as dictators for life. Such teachings are brutally repressed, their scrolls burned, their authors executed and their names stricken from history. Recently, their blasphemy was given some weight however, when one of the Living Gods was slain by mortal hands.
Tenets of Faith
The teachings of the Triumvirate stress different things in each city. There are several overarching themes to their wisdom, however.
- Conduct yourself with honor, your reputation is your legacy.
- Civic duty is the highest ideal, for it is by this that your liberty is granted
- Bring Glory to your house and people, great heroes are the authors of history
Priesthood
The Acolyte's highest honor is to serve as one of the divine's personal advisors. These are elected positions within the cities, adding a layer of democracy to the Shivra lands. These leaders are sometimes but not always blessed with divine magic from their deities. Champions who exemplify great heroism are invested with their god's power, regardless of status. This is often a stepping stone to greater political status but isn't required.
Granted Divine Powers
Each of the three grant powers associated with that God's ideals. There is a strong current of dramatic displays of heroism that runs through many. The gods seldom endorse subtlety or modesty, preferring to bestow abilities such as tremendous strength, endurance, or cunning. Many powers are heavily focused on martial prowess or destructive combat in general.
Submit to the Three and receive liberation.
Type
Religious, Cult
Alternative Names
The Temple of the Three, The Living Gods
Demonym
The Acolytes
Deities
Location
Controlled Territories
Related Ethnicities
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