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Fornoss is one of the earliest [[Religion]]s of the [[Ailor]] [[Race]], that survived thousands of years of conversion by other Religions as well as attempts to be eradicated by various nations, as one of the few surviving so called [[Pagan Faiths]]. Unlike the other (mostly) dead Pagan Faiths, Fornoss has a large following, particularly among [[Velheim]] and [[Gallovian]] Ailor, though a large number of [[Urlan]], [[Dwarves]], and some [[Eronidas Ashaven|Ashaven Eronidas]] also follow it, meaning it is not limited in scope to just Ailor. Fornoss is sometimes also called the Old Gods Religion, but this is not a historically correct term. The Gods are not old from a pure chronological perspective, and it is certainly not the oldest Religion in Aloria. This term was mostly popularized by the Ailor, who when reviewing only their own history, can see Fornoss as the oldest Religion, but when taking the totality of the world's history, Fornoss is a more accurate term, which roughly translates to "Ancient us", an homage to its survival through the ages.
Fornoss is one of the earliest [[Religion]]s of the [[Ailor]] [[Race]], that survived thousands of years of conversion by other Religions as well as attempts to be eradicated by various nations, proving exceptionally resillient. The Fornoss faith has a large following, particularly among [[Velheim]] and [[Gallovian]] Ailor, though a large number of [[Urlan]], [[Dwarves]], and some [[Eronidas Ashaven|Ashaven Eronidas]] also follow it, meaning it is not limited in scope to just Ailor. Fornoss is sometimes also called the Old Gods Religion, but this is not a historically correct term. The Gods are not old from a purely chronological perspective, and it is certainly not the oldest Religion in Aloria. This term was mostly popularized by the Ailor, who when reviewing only their own history, can see Fornoss as the oldest Religion, but when taking the totality of the world's history, Fornoss is a more accurate term, which roughly translates to "Ancient us", an homage to its survival through the ages.
==Origins==
==Origins==
The birthing of the Gods and the founding of the Religion are two distinct periods. The birthing of the Gods is a mysterious period perhaps thousands of years before the first followers professed their belief in the Gods, as it is said that the Gods wandered for many ages before finding the people that would recognize their worth. It is said that the Eili Gods were born at the foot of the tree Arne surrounded by Dragons, though it is unclear if these refer to the [[Draconism]] Dragon Gods, or just the folktale version of Dragons which may also have been Skywyrms (mythical flying reptilian creatures from Velheim belief which are not Dragons, nor [[Wyvern]]s). There is also some theological debate about whether Arne is actually the Draconist Goddess Daiana, because no Tree of Life has ever been found elsewhere, but most Fornoss believers hold onto the version that states Arne is not a Dragon. The Fornoss Religion is roughly 15,000 years old, though this has an error margin of about 3,000 years, because the proto-Velheim people who were the first Fornoss followers did not have a form of writing at the time. The Religion was founded on a series of islands and part of the mainland of Oldt Tera ([[Ceardia]]), where the locals embraced a form of polytheism while most other [[Ceardian]] tribes were monotheistic. The Eili offered the faithful escape from the endless bloodshed and Oblation Magic raids under the [[Elves]] that terrorized the Oldt Tera shores, fleeing the mainland, and retreating to some island called Aldra, which cannot be found on any modern map. On Aldra however, the Fornoss believers still were not safe, so the Eili contacted the Vola, and created The Pact, which joined both Pantheons to the Fornoss believers as two distinct unions, and the Fornoss people were finally given safety in Volaheim's embrace through the Vaarda Gates. For thousands of years, the Fornoss followers spread across the world through the Vaarda Gates, until Svartskra.
The birthing of the Gods and the founding of the Religion are two distinct periods. The birthing of the Gods is a mysterious period perhaps thousands of years before the first followers professed their belief in the Gods, as it is said that the Gods wandered for many ages before finding the people that would recognize their worth. The Fornoss Religion is roughly 15,000 years old, though this has an error margin of about 3,000 years, because the proto-Velheim people who were the first Fornoss followers did not have a form of writing at the time. The Religion was founded on a series of islands and part of the mainland of Oldt Tera ([[Ceardia]]), where the locals embraced a form of polytheism while most other [[Ceardian]] tribes were monotheistic. The Eili offered the faithful escape from the endless bloodshed and Oblation Magic raids under the [[Elves]] that terrorized the Oldt Tera shores, fleeing the mainland, and retreating to some island called Aldra, which cannot be found on any modern map. On Aldra however, the Fornoss believers still were not safe, so the Eili contacted the Vola, and created The Pact, which joined both Pantheons to the Fornoss believers and the Fornoss people were finally given safety by combining Eili and Vola Magic through the Taig Gates that allowed them to transport themselves over long distances and colonize distant lands. For thousands of years, the Fornoss followers spread across the world through the Vaarda Gates, until Svartskra. In the modern era, Fornoss remains a very large religion, even if swathes of its followers have converted to other Religions, mostly Unionism.  


==Core Beliefs==
==Core Beliefs==
The Fornoss Gods are divided between two distinct Pantheons, the Eili who are generally considered mindful and virtuous but restrained, and the Vola who are generally considered opportunistic and selfish but powerful. The two Pantheons represent the two halves of any person's soul, filled with desire to do good by others, and desire to do good by one's self. It is important to stress here that there is no ontological morality that can be assigned to either Pantheon. While some Eili create the impression of being purely benign, they are in ways just as flawed as mortals and have desires and wants and needs that can cause them to commit great misdeeds, such as the time when Bard cut off Svol's arms because Svol refused to participate in Bard's punishment of the faithful for small misdeeds. While generally speaking all Gods have good intentions for their followers, they are all equally capable of cruelty, misguidedness, deceitful or selfish actions to preserve their worship, which speaks to their vanity. However, because Soldi inherently represents helping others, and Svaldi represents using others, the faithful still draw lines in the sand and dictate morality on each other based on their personal beliefs, even if there is no theological reason to reinforce it. There are some people who worship only the Eili called Eilirik, and some people who only worship the Voli called Volirik, while a person who worships both is called a Hvarkirik. These three groups tend to conflict with one another for religious reasons, but usually unite when facing an external threat, like they did during the Skagger Wars against Regalians. Fornoss does not have a strict list of Virtues and Vices, rather, source the list of Soldi and Svaldi enriching activities from the Gods and Goddesses section.
===Central Message===
 
The central message of the Fornoss faith is that the faithful are born as creations of the Dragons who in turn were blessed by Árn who is a metaphorical representation of the world, a giant tree of life to symbolize all living things, but that they live as children of the elemental Gods. The Eili Gods were the Gods that were chosen who gave the Fornoss faithful progress, while the Vola Gods were the Gods that were forced onto the faithful but gave them power. The living struggle against each other and outside elements while gaining Soldi or Svaldi, currencies of honor, until their death where these currencies are weighed to determine which pantheon their soul belongs to, before they pass into the afterlife.  
===Soldi & Svaldi===
===Soldi and Svaldi===
Soldi and Svaldi are two very important terms that accompany the Fornoss believers throughout all their lives. In the simplest of terms, Soldi is honor derived from virtue, while Svaldi is honor derived from opportunism. Soldi and Svaldi can be seen as resources that souls accrue in life as they grow older, and the goal of any Fornoss believer generally is to acquire high Soldi or Svaldi and be permitted into the afterlives of the Eili and Vola. Some might even consider trying to acquire both, a difficult balancing act, but if successful, might result in the very Gods themselves playing games of skill and wit to secure the soul for their own afterlives. This can sometimes result in a so-called Hvitdraugr, who is [[Undead]] Draugr until such a time comes that the Gods have finished their conflict over the person's soul (if they stay alive for that long in an Undead unfriendly world). Finally, it is also possible to lose Soldi or Svaldi from actions that go against the tenets of the Gods. It is in fact possible to lose all Soldi or Svaldi all at once, but this is usually not a complete disaster. Either honor can be restored, and can in fact be restored by another person. It is not uncommon for a father to lose all Soldi, resulting in their son beginning a quest to restore Soldi in his name. When offering his achievements up to the Gods, he offers them in his father's name, resulting in the Gods restoring the Soldi of his father. It is even possible to do this for people who have already died and passed into Imellomgård (purgatory), or who have come back from Imellomgård as Draugr Undead. In such a case, the living must restore their Soldi or Svaldi, after which they are released and restored to the proper afterlife, and in rare cases, to life either as a living person or a Revenant [[Spirit]].  
Soldi and Svaldi are honor currencies that are mostly spiritual, that the faithful gather throughout their life. Small and large actions can increase these individual currencies, but they can also be catastrophically lost or monumentally returned through great events. When a person dies, each of these currencies is weighed and if they reach a certain threshold of either Soldi or Svaldi, they are permitted into the afterlives of the Eili or Vola respectively. A rare occurrence happens when both values are roughly the same, in which both pantheons battle over ownership of a soul, producing a [[Undead#Godsrot_Undead|Godsrot Undead]] while they wait for final judgement. Each God represents a means to gain or lose Soldi or Svaldi, and this currency is mostly decided upon by players to define how pious their character is, but outlined below in short detail:
 
* '''Soldi:''' is gained in the name of Bard by being brave and just, and lost while being inactive to injustice. It is gained in the name of Taig by respecting and putting to rest the dead, and lost by being seduced by Demons. It is gained in the name of Leif by showing passion and loyalty to one's lovers, and lost by committing treason. It is gained in the name of Dáuw by protecting others and crafting things, and lost by letting society slip into anarchy. It is gained in the name of Eirny by defending the faithful from having their culture and stories erased either by sword or writing them down, and lost by destroying or hiding knowledge. It is gained in the name of Halfvel by protecting the environment and lost by needlessly killing animals.
===Eiliheim & Volaheim===
* '''Svaldi:''' is gained in the name of Helskorn establishing control over others, and lost from being disavowed by others. It is gained in the name of Thirun by achieving great feats or accomplishments or fame, and lost by losing Duels. It is gained in the name of Aedán by dedicating feasts and parties to others and making art, and lost by destroying cultural heritage of anyone. It is gained in the name of Blodrúna by ending a worthy life and writing good poetry, and lost by ending a weak life. It is gained in the name of Taran by making one's self or others beautiful, and lost by neglecting one's own body. It is gained in the name of Uvan by defeating others in martial combat and succeeding in revenge, and lost by showing cowardice.
Unlike all other Religions, Fornoss has two afterlives, the Eiliheim which is the paradise of the Eili Pantheon, and the Volaheim which is the paradise of the Vola Pantheon. There exists also a realm in between, but this is not really classified as a paradise and more like a purgatory called Imellomgård, which literally translates to the land in between. While Eiliheim and Volaheim are described as places filled with the luxuries of life and pleasures of mortal life made immortal, Imellomgård is a land devoid of color, song, happiness and purpose, where souls who are refused entry into the other afterlives are forced to wander for all eternity. To enter Eiliheim, a person must have high Soldi, and to enter Volaheim, a person must have high Svaldi. If a person has neither in adequate quantity, or offended both Pantheons by having negative Soldi or Svaldi, they are condemned to Imellomgård to wander the mirror-wastes for all eternity. Though, Undead sometimes come back from Imellomgård in the form of Deathveil Undead (called Svartdraugr in Fornoss), if their bodies were not properly interred in the Helbolwen burial sites.
Soldi and Svaldi can also be transferred or fought for in the name of others. It is for example possible, that if a person died with low Svaldi and Soldi and thus denied access to any afterlife, that their child might begin a quest to restore the honor of their parent, thus allowing them to move from the world in between (essentially being a Spirit/Undead) to an actual Afterlife. The Gods are merciless with violations of their virtues and sins, but graceful with the time one has to recover from such mistakes. Halfvel always brings warnings of the Black Book fate spun by Eirny before such a person would die.  
 
===The Afterlife===
===Divine Mechanics===
The Fornoss faith is somewhat unique in that it has 3 distinct afterlives. Each pantheon has its own separate afterlife with different rules and functions, and then there is to so-called land in between which is a cursed land for souls deemed unworthy. The land in between is an endless gray land without emotion and feeling. Souls wander there until their descendants or friends save their honor, or until their name is forgotten and they die one final time. The afterlife for the Eili is called Eiliheim, which is thought to be a perfect garden of forever spring and tranquility, where beautiful music and animals grace the skies and eternal peace is felt. The afterlife for the Vola is called Volaheim, which is thought to be a heat-scorched mountain land of forever summer and humidity, where the earthly delights and pleasures are tingled with endless hedonistic satisfaction. A dying soul can never arrive in both, so most faithful tend to choose which one they would rather reach, and plan their Soldi/Svaldi gain appropriately.  
All Religions provide 1 single Mechanic to their Believers that fits within the flair of their Religion. This Mechanic is lost if the individual stops believing in the Religion, or becomes a heretic, but can be regained. Afflicted can use this mechanic, but having the mechanic does not imply that they have blanket forgiveness from their Gods, just that there is more nuance to it than that.
* The Fornoss faithful can call back a person who has passed into the afterlife temporarily if they possess an image (painting, statue, carving) of the person, or know their full real name. In such a case, they must perform the calling of the forerunner ritual, and command the Spirit to hold a specific purpose in line with the Fornoss faith. This will manifest the person as a Primal Revenant, with a strong inclination to complete the Fate for which they were summoned, and if they do, they disappear again. The same Spirit can be summoned multiple times for different Fates. Remember, Spirits, even ones from Gods, are still very illegal in the eyes of the Law!
 
===Svartskra===
===Svartskra===
The Svartskra identifies a pivotal point in Fornoss history that despite its massive importance to all Fornoss believers, is mostly shrouded in mystery either by the Eili forcing the faithful to forget, or the people willingly abandoning any reference to this period to avoid the stray faithful from looking too deep into the matter and opening old wounds. As part of the Fornoss origins, the so-called Vaarda Gates, exist all over the world visited by Fornoss followers, helping their early colonizing boom. It is said by the Eili that these Gates were built by Bev, and passed through Volaheim to fold time and space together, allowing instant transportation across vast distances. At some point, the relationship between the Fornoss believers and the Eili, as opposed to the Vola and their Spirits, turned sour. It is said by the Eili that Rand (who they call the Great Betrayer) tricked them and condemned the Fornoss followers to some kind of horrible fate, thus causing their rebellion against the Pact that was meant to save the early Velheim people. From this point it is unclear if the Fornoss believers were expelled or fled from the Volaheim Gates. Whatever the circumstances, the Gates were closed shut after everyone was out with Bev's Keys (Artifact Weapons), which were then scattered across the world. The Vola maintain that the Eili fomented a false rebellion and that the followers defaced the Vola in their own home, though whichever version is closer to the truth, is hard to say as both sides have motive to lie. The last side effect of Svartskra (the day the Gates shut), was that the two Eili who had brokered the deals with the Vola the Flesh God Gro and the Metal God Jord were banished by the Eili and stripped from the Pantheon. Similarly, the Vola banished the two Gods responsible for working out the deal with the Eili being the Revenge God Asbjørn and the Greed God Frynni, who were also stripped from the Pantheon. Since this day, the Eili and Vola have been immortal enemies. As a consequence of this animosity, both sides agreed to refrain from interfering with the faithful too much, so as to prevent all out holy war within the Religion. This explains why the Fornoss Gods have been exceptionally silent during major tragedies that struck for example the Velheim people in the past 300 years, however in recent years, this policy has shown signs of cracking, with some raising concerns that if the Gods get too involved, that they will start fighting each other.
Svartskra is an important event in Fornoss history, because it changed how the Gods interacted with mortals and even changed the pantheons themselves. The event itself is historically different to date, because both pantheons are cagey about revealing too much information about it out of self-interest. The faithful are aware that both pantheons tell versions of lies to their believers to make themselves appear to be the most righteous in this divine conflict. Svartskra occurred sometime after the large colonization boom that was allowed by the portals created by Taig that traversed long distances by partially traveling through Volaheim. There is a general agreement among scholars that the event was caused by a sense of betrayal by the Eili, who felt the Vola had doublecrossed them and taken too much spiritual control over the faithful. Svartskra itself took at least a century to complete, seeing several phases:
 
* '''The re-arrangement phase:''' During this phase, the pantheons themselves were re-arranged due to the internal strife. The Eili Gods Jord of the metallic silence and Gro of the flesh amalgam were expelled from the faith by Bard for having gotten them all in this mess, since they were the ones to broker the agreement with the Vola. Elsewhere, Helskorn banished the Vola Gods Flaed of the raging oceans and Aestas the autumn rot for having failed to keep the peace on their end. Both of these pairs of Gods and Goddesses disappeared from the pantheons and much of their lore and knowledge was lost to time, only fragments remaining.  
* '''The betrayal phase:''' During this phase some decades later, one god of each pantheon switched sides but was forced to do so by their own faithful rather than Bard or Helskorn. Aedán was expelled by the Eili worshipers from the Eili pantheon because of his neglect of his divine duty. Instead of helping the faithful through times of cultural upheaval, he just partied all day long, and so he was welcomed among the Vola. Eirny in turn was expelled by the Vola worshipers from the Vola pantheon because she refused the wroth and spite inflicted on the Eili Gods by the other Vola Gods. She wishes to spend her time recording the fates she was given authority to, and thus was welcomed among the Eili for her erudite dedication. At the tail end of this, Taig shut all the Volaheim gates, thus inadvertently cutting all Fornoss faithful lands off from instantaneous transportation access, which caused many cultures to fracture.
* '''The silent phase:''' During this phase, the final conclusion of Svartskra took place nearly a hundred years after it started. The Eili and Vola, after a period that could best be described as a war in heaven, agreed to a formative truce that would make them stop fighting, which resulted in casualties among the mortals mostly. The agreement that was settled, was that the faithful lands would be divided and their power limited to where their name was invoked more. If a certain area had a strong Eili patronage among the faithful, the Eili would hold power there, and if the Vola were invoked often they would hold power there instead. The other pantheon was denied spiritual power in the areas they were praised less, and so the world was essentially divided and the war ended.  
The silent phase however had yet another unintended side effect, the boundary of authority continued to shift. The Vola would undermine Eili power by subtly causing calamity to strike an area which would cause the locals to invoke their name more in fear or in the hopes of being given more power. The Eili in turn had eventual control over any area, because peace and prosperity from the calm of their truce would eventually lead to Eili worship overtaking Vola worship which increased in hard times. Both pantheons tried to outsmart each other, but ensured a secret war would start where they tried to contest each other's authority through underhanded means. Whatever the situation, both pantheons are desperate not to start an all-out war between them again, and so their refusal to directly interface with one another causes problems to the faithful, especially when they need them to work together but neither side does anything to help.  
==Gods and Goddesses==
==Gods and Goddesses==
The Fornoss Gods are divided over two Pantheons, Eili and Vola. The Gods are always presented as Eili on the Left, Vola on the Right (if their opportunistic theming didn't give it away), though as some Gods are ambiguous as they were once Eili and became Vola, the left-right distinction has to be mentioned. Titular naming for the Gods (for example, Herald the Dark Celestial) is not necessary, it just provides a more poetic way of referring to them without using their name directly. Because both Pantheons expelled two Gods each, and because the Pantheons didn't become established all at once and some Gods joined much later, it is still possible for this Pantheon to grow. While Fornoss faithful can choose Patron Gods that they feel strong connections to, unlike other Religions, a Fornoss Follower must always worship whole Pantheons, either only Eili or Vola Pantheons, or both.  
Fornoss has a unique pantheon construction in that it has two separate and often conflicting pantheons. The Eili pantheon Gods (in blue and green) are generally seen as morally righteous but deceitful and mindful. The Vola pantheon Gods (in red and orange) are typically seen as cruel and violent but honest and powerful. Followers may choose specific Gods as their patrons or worship all equally. It is also possible to worship either Eili or Vola more than the other, or outright refuse to worship a specific pantheon. Still, generally, a believer can't get the whole core of Fornoss without acknowledging both pantheons and worshiping both.
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<gallery mode="packed-overlay" widths="220px" heights="309px">
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Bev, Doorway of the Moon'''</center></span>
File:XxxxaastatttuujjkUntitled Artwork.png|''Bard, God of justice and leader of the Eili in opposition to the Vola.''
{|
File:Xxxxaauhynew canvasujtrjytg.png|''Taig, God of life and death and the afterlife who wards away Demons.''
[[File:noimglong.png|220px|caption|left]]
File:XxxaaaarffdddUntitled Artwork.png|''Leif, God of love and the dawn and dusk who brings about renewal in all.''
|
File:XzxDwarfgod.png|''Dáuw, God of crafts and mountains who protects the faithful from harm.''
* '''Name:''' Bev, the Lord of Water, the Dead Ferryman or the All-Seeing Mirror.
File:ZzxhvvvNew Canvasujyfnmyfgggg.png|''Eirny, Goddess of fate and sagas who writes the stories of mortals.''
* '''Domain:''' Bev's domain is the mortuary cult, the death rites, and mortal aging.
File:XzxHalfvel1.png|''Halfvel, God of the wilds and demigods who guides the faithful.''
* '''Symbols:''' Mirrors, The Mortuary Cloth, rich and deep colors of Blue and Black.
</gallery>
* '''Role:''' Bev measures the Soldi of the Dead, and guards the Gate to the Afterlife.  
* '''Bard''' is the god of justice and leader of the Eili pantheon. As god of justice he is responsible for the strong sense of fairness and the rule of law among the faithful, but he also acts as divine judge for those who have transgressed and puts curses on those who require punishment. Bard together with Helskorn is responsible for the Svartskra, demanding the Eili and Vola Gods disavow each other, and refrain from interacting. He is prayed to, to wish for justice in troubled times, and for clarity to those in power.
* '''Traits:''' Cryptic, Silent, Reserved, Slow-Acting, Careful, Observant, Learned.
* '''Taig''' is the god of life and death and the demon-ward Eili. As god of the afterlife, he holds up the mirror to the other dimensions and guides the burial rites of the dead. When summer comes heralding the burial of the dead in thawing helbolwen he becomes a formless levitating robe with frozen hands to show the mirror. When winter comes heralding the torment of Demons he becomes an Urlan and protects the faithful from their wicked machinations, while the dead lie embalmed waiting for the next summer to be buried.  
* '''Temple:''' Bev's largest Temple is the Dead-Door Mortuary in Irvainvik, Drixagh.
* '''Leif''' is the God of love and change. He teaches the faithful to be kind and affectionate, to show passion to one's loved ones and care for those in need. He is often seen as the patron of parents and caretakers, and depicted with blazing chains as he drags the sun through the sky with the moon following in tow, tied to the sun by a chain of stars. Leif is prayed to for goodwill from others and kindness in one's own heart. He is also conventionally seen as the God of fire and symbolized by this primal element.  
* '''Allies:''' Ammuloa followers, priests of other societies, especially Unionist.
* '''Dáuw''' is the God of crafts and protection and the mountains. An earth-element God in symbolism, he represents the wealth and strength of the mountains and the ground. He teaches the faithful metal forging and casting, the perfection of gem cutting and the art of trade and commerce. But he also represents the sturdiness of armor and the protection of shields, defending the faithful in their time of need. He is prayed to both for protection from attacks from others, and wealth and fortune in work.  
* '''Enemies:''' Anything Ordial Aligned, especially Svartdraugr (Deathveil) Undead but not Hvitdraugr (Godsrot) Undead.
* '''Eirny''' is the Goddess of fate and sagas. She blessed the faithful with the Rune-script they still use, and weaves the stories of their lives in written runes on tomes. Also considered a Goddess of literature and record keeping, it is in her name that libraries and scriptoriums are blessed. Eirny appears as a Skyborn Elf bringing with her curiosity to the world, and to see stories unfold. And for those with low Svaldi or Soldi, she writes Black Tomes to predict their cursed fate if they do not change.  
* '''Soldi:''' Gained from tending/respecting to the dead, lost from disrespecting the dead.
* '''Halvfel''' is the God of beasts, the hunt and his demigod offspring. Halfvel is prayed to for protection from the wilds and unknown beasts and monsters, while he also offers guidance while disguised as a beggar to teach the faithful humility and warn them of Eirny's Black Tomes so they can avert their doom. He is also the only god who intentionally lays with mortals, giving birth to the Halfvel Godborn who call him the Wolf-Father as they are born self-controlling Marken (werewolves) in service of the faith.  
* '''Rituals:''' Bev rituals involve the tending of Helbolwen graves, refreshing flowers and offerings, and lighting candles by the Bev statue which can always be found in a Helbolwen. Bev is also worshiped through the singing chalice, large chalices filled with water and played somber and harrowing tunes with by gliding fingers over the rims.  
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Rand, Herald the Dark Celestial'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Randlikeaslut.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Rand, called Great Betrayer by Eilirik, or Power Arken by non-believers.
* '''Domain:''' Rand is the lord of Volaheim itself, said to never leave his realm.  
* '''Symbols:''' Rand's symbol is the red Evil Eye, bear claw scars, and bears.
* '''Role:''' Rand acts like a King of the Vola, and commander of the Volaheimr.
* '''Traits:''' Power-hungry, Domineering, Authoritarian, Strong-willed, Capable.
* '''Temple:''' Rand has no temple, Volaheim itself is one big temple to his glory.
* '''Allies:''' Rand's only allies are the Void Arken, he has no need for others.
* '''Enemies:''' Rand has no explicit enemies, except for the Exist Arken, notably Justice.
* '''Svaldi:''' Gained from establishing power and control, losing from banishment.
* '''Rituals:''' The Feast of authority involving guests choosing their preferred leader among the gathered, with the winner gaining Svaldi. The Binding of Power is respected even by the Eilirik, a ritual in which two persons agree to a binding pact in blood, that if either fails or breaks, they lose all Soldi or Svaldi when vowed to their preferred Gods.  
|}
</center>
</tr></table>
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Leif, Warmth of the Fire'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Un3333titled Artwork.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Leif, the Lord of Fire, Warmth of the Rising Sun.
* '''Domain:''' Leif is the God of Love and Affection, and of Passion and Care.
* '''Symbols:''' Leif is represented by Fire and the blazing Golden Sun.
* '''Role:''' Leif is set to bring warmth and sunlight to the world and to hearts.
* '''Traits:''' Compassionate, Loving, Parental, Passionate, Driven, Energetic.
* '''Temple:''' Leif's largest Temple is the Sun-Sky House in Kongehjem, Nordskag.
* '''Allies:''' Theomar Followers, Regulus Followers, and kindhearted Bloodcast Knights.
* '''Enemies:''' Followers of any Moon-themed Gods, Armas/Amandaros followers.
* '''Soldi:''' Gained from loyalty to Lovers/Family and Kindness, lost from Treason.
* '''Rituals:''' Many of Leif's rituals involve offering things like fruits or hunted animal carcasses to the flame, believers saying that the flames offer them up to Leif until nothing but ash remains, absorbing the life and using it to pull the Sun through the sky each day. Other rituals involve the sharing of passion with other believers in his Temples.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Thirun, Fates of the Dark Sun'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Untitled_artwork_5.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Thirun, called Pride Arken or Ott by non-Believers.
* '''Domain:''' Thirun is the God of Magic and of Pride and Vanity.
* '''Symbols:''' Thirun is represented by the Dark Sun surrounded by Light and Hounds.
* '''Role:''' Thirun is the source of all Fornoss God Magic but also the Magic Burden.
* '''Traits:''' Prideful, Vain, Sardonic, Sarcastic, Greedy, Scornful, Ego-driven.
* '''Temple:''' Thirun's largest Temple was destroyed by Regalia in the Elven War.
* '''Allies:''' Pride/Fury Arkenborn, Evolism followers, Vampire hunters.
* '''Enemies:''' Vampires, Justice Arkenborn & Followers, Publicly Weak Persons.
* '''Svaldi:''' Gained through great achievements, lost by losing Duels.
* '''Rituals:''' The Prideful Parade is one custom that involves demanding others show to a public roasting session where the aim is to praise the person who demanded they show, and roast the opponents who invited others. Another is the Prideful Feast, where each produces Food which instills pride in their cooking, and they compete over the best dish with others.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Njal, Keeper of the Light'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:noimglong.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Njal, the Herald of Spring, Keeper of the Light.
* '''Domain:''' Njal's domain is that of light, and the sky, as well as all of the arts.
* '''Symbols:''' Njal is represented by clouds and bright pastel colors and light prisms.
* '''Role:''' Njal is the diplomat and artist of the gods, providing entertainment in Eiliheim.
* '''Traits:''' Artistic, Snarky, Whimsical, Creative, Sloth, Childish, Caring.
* '''Temple:''' Njal's largest temple was destroyed when Ceardia became forsaken.
* '''Allies:''' Artists, Musicians, and Creatives of any kind, and Queer people.
* '''Enemies:''' Njal's only true enemies are those who abstain from a good stiff drink.
* '''Soldi:''' Gained by creative expression and bringing joy, lost by destroying art.
* '''Rituals:''' Njal is Bard's husband, and because of this, many of his rituals involve Bard in some way. Skysteel Forging is the act of letting an artist inspire a forger to produce a work of art and tough steel at the same time. Other rituals involve poetry duels, and Annointment of the Artist, where Artists use body paint on a strong Man dressed as Bard for Art.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Svol, The Punished Shadow'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Fhdhjfdyujfhtg.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Svol, Bard's Bane, the Dark Lightning Lord.
* '''Domain:''' Svol's domain is thunderstorms, but more metaphorically of lies and deceit.
* '''Symbols:''' Shadows, Lightning, Missing or fully Tattoo'd arms, the colors black and yellow.
* '''Role:''' Svol was once a Eili, until punished by Bard, changed teams to plot for Rand.
* '''Traits:''' Analytical, Mindful, Deceitful, Witty, Suave, Charming, Good-Tempered.
* '''Temple:''' Svol's Temple is the Copper Tower now within Life Isldar land in Ellador.
* '''Allies:''' Trickster god followers and politicians, Inth & Nox followers.
* '''Enemies:''' Justice Arken(born), Guards, Knights, Justicars, Knights.
* '''Svaldi:''' Gained in subterfuge plots, or beaten Knights, lost by being deceived/losing.
* '''Rituals:''' Svol's rituals are deceptively easily hidden as party games, especially those that involve lying. A common one is Svol's Gauntlet, where everyone produces 2 truths and a lie, and gains points each time a person in the gathering cannot guess which one is the lie, or guesses wrong. Another is punishing tyrannical/corrupt law enforcement with violence.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Dáuw, Bringer of Order'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Dwarfgod.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Dáuw, The Under-King, the Dwarf-Lord, the Last Stalwart.
* '''Domain:''' Dáuw is God-King of the Dwarves, and the Lord of all Soil and Order.
* '''Symbols:''' Dáuw is represented by the Dwarven Runes and shapes of Mountains.
* '''Role:''' Dáuw's role is to bring order to mortal society through stable structure.
* '''Traits:''' Resolute, Stalwart, Defiant, Stubborn, All-Knowing, Contemplative.
* '''Temple:''' Dáuw's largest Temple is the Great Chamber in Rammuur, Ellador.
* '''Allies:''' Historians, Legislators, Juvin followers, Justiciars, Knights.
* '''Enemies:''' Anarchists, Evolism followers, Jacobins, Drakkar, Populists, the Military
* '''Soldi:''' Gained by showing Solidarity, lost by letting society slip to anarchy.
* '''Rituals:''' Dáuw have changed over the years, changing from justice and order-reinforcing rituals, to rituals more centered around Dwarven culture, as a byproduct of the catastrophic population decline of the Dwarves. Any festival or event that celebrates, highlights, or discusses and educates on Dwarven Culture is a form of worship to Dáuw.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Hrymrök, The Charnel Chaos'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:New Canvashgdhdfkjgb.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Hrymrök, Sirannal Týmal (in Elven), or the Anarchy Arken to non-believers.
* '''Domain:''' Hrymrök is the chained guilt of the Elves towards the Fornoss believers.
* '''Symbols:''' Broken chains, cracked shields, and broken statues mended with gold.
* '''Role:''' Hrymrök was imprisoned by Rand to repent for Elven slavery by freeing them.
* '''Traits:''' Wroth, Vile, Ill-Mannered, Haughty, Snobby, Loathsome, Indignant.
* '''Temple:''' Hrymrök's Temple is the Haunting Mask Cliff in Maartasil.
* '''Allies:''' Slave-Abolitionists, Allorn-Haters, Estelley Faithful (except Cemaan).
* '''Enemies:''' Cemaan followers, Unionism followers, Archon, Draconism followers.
* '''Svaldi:''' Gained by freeing Thralls & Mind-slaves, lost by being enthralled.
* '''Rituals:''' Hrymrök is a bit of an oddity even for a Vola, because she doesn't really want to be a Goddess. Still, worship to her is more a form of satisfaction appeasement, as if the faithful are responsible for keeping her happy while she does her work freeing Fornoss slaves and oppressed from Elven control by food/wealth offerings to her Magenta Flames.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Halfvel, Father of Godly Blood'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Halfvel1.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Halfvel, the Wolf-Father, The God-Mark Bearer, The Ice-Wolf.
* '''Domain:''' Halfvel is the lord of Demigods, the tamer of Marken & other Beasts.
* '''Symbols:''' Halfvel is represented by the Cloth of Dominion & Wolves.
* '''Role:''' Halfvel's role is to purposefully produce offspring among Mortals.
* '''Traits:''' Guiding, Remorseful, Helping, Altruistic, Melancholic, Loyal.
* '''Temple:''' Halfvel's largest Temple is the Wolf Rest in the Cains.
* '''Allies:''' (self-controlling) Marken, other Godborn, and Asha & Urlan.
* '''Enemies:''' Those who hunt Transformed Persons, The Afflicted, Undead.
* '''Soldi:''' Gained by protecting the environment, lost by killing Transformed Persons.
* '''Rituals:''' Halfvel's rituals often involve the seeking out of Halfvel's Godborn children, and aiding them in their quest for Demigod status among Fornoss followers, or correcting their path if they have been led astray. Other forms of Worship involve helping those who Transform deal with their curse, or protecting them from persecution.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Eikki, Drinker of the Blood Taint'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:New Canvasgfhdhfdhgdfjhfgh.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Eikki, the Arne-Drunk, The Revel-God among other Party epithets.
* '''Domain:''' Eikki is the God of Feasting and Festivities and Joy, even as Vola.
* '''Symbols:''' Eikki's Symbol is the Beer Keg and the masks of joy and pleasure.
* '''Role:''' Eikki guards (and drinks) Arne's Blood brew that has immense power.
* '''Traits:''' Joyous, Gregarious, Wild, Festive, Good-Natured, Drunkard.
* '''Temple:''' Eikki's largest Temple was thrashed by him after a legendary binge.
* '''Allies:''' Eikki is everyone's friend and tries to give everyone a chance.
* '''Enemies:''' Eikki has no enemies, as any enemy becomes a friend with one drink.
* '''Svaldi:''' Gained with wild parties and getting stuff people drunk, never lost.
* '''Rituals:''' As Eikki was once Eili but condemned to become Vola when he transgressed by drinking Vola's Blood, his rituals and worship is relatively benign when compared to the other Vola, despite the implication that he is changing into something else. Worship of him invariably just involves getting black-out drunk, and having great parties.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Bard, Iron Lord of Protection'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Bardy.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Bard, the Steel-Father, Axe of Judgement, the Law-Bringer.
* '''Domain:''' Bard is the God of Justice and Steel, of all Crafts and Law.
* '''Symbols:''' Bard is represented by the Lynx, and the steel anvil.
* '''Role:''' Bard is Retribution, manifesting to honor-less mortals for judgement.
* '''Traits:''' Judgemental, Merciless, Headstrong, Iron-willed, Unsympathetic.
* '''Temple:''' Bard's largest Temple is the Lynx-Claw Great Hall in Ruttswyn.
* '''Allies:''' Justice Arken(born), Knights & Guards, Bodyguards & Hor followers.
* '''Enemies:''' Evolism followers, those that deface Art, Death Cultists.
* '''Soldi:''' Gained by being Just/Brave, lost by letting injustice prevail.
* '''Rituals:''' Bard being Njal's husband often has his rituals tied to him (see Njal's section). Specific worship of Bard often emulates his legendary rage being soothed by Njal's soft touch, mimicked for example by taming wild animals and breaking in wild horses. Other forms of worship involve solitary wood carving or general crafting like forging or carpentry.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Blodrúna, The Crimson Carnage'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:New Canvasghredghretd.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Blodrúna, The Blade-Queen, Red Terror to non-Believers.
* '''Domain:''' Blodrúna is the Goddess of War, Carnage, Murder, and Victory.
* '''Symbols:''' Blodrúna's symbols are the Bloodied Blade, and the Blood Crown.
* '''Role:''' Blodrúna is a savage killer-God who teaches Carnage on the battlefield.
* '''Traits:''' Cruel, Murderous, Psychotic, Violent, Contemplative, Poetic.
* '''Temple:''' Blodrúna's largest Temple is the Sanguinus Pit in Hvitskag.
* '''Allies:''' Only Vampires. No one else appreciates Blood as they do.
* '''Enemies:''' There is no such thing as an Enemy to Blodrúna, only Prey.
* '''Svaldi:''' Gained by ending a worthy life, lost by ending a weak one.
* '''Rituals:''' Blodrúna is perhaps the most unambiguously dangerous and psychotic Goddess of any Religion, but it is important to note she never turns on her own faithful. Blodrúna's worship involves prayer before, during, and after battle, all in the hopes to be given a bit of her skill with sharp things in the heat of battle, and pray for her not to turn on the faithful.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Elkonur, The Winter Hunter'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:New canvasujtrjytg.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Elkonur, the White Shepherd, the White Guardian, Snowfall.
* '''Domain:''' Elkonur is both Herald of Winter and Demon-Hunter.
* '''Symbols:''' Antler Horns, White Fur, and any shape of Snow-flake.
* '''Role:''' Elkonur's sole role is to slay Vola servant Spirits out of Volaheim.
* '''Traits:''' Pensive, Wise, Alert, Nomadic, Careful, Precise, Predictable.
* '''Temple:''' Elkonur's largest Temple is Storheim Hall in Jorrhildr (Urlan Land).
* '''Allies:''' Urlan, Suvial Elves, Aelrrigan Knights, Zealots.
* '''Enemies:''' Spirits, Theurgists, Kathar, Argentum Knights, Arkenborn.
* '''Soldi:''' Gained by banishing (temp killing) Spirits, lost by nothing.
* '''Rituals:''' Elkonur is the youngest of the Eili, and specifically joined after Svartskra explaining why he hunts errant Spirits from Volaheim while the others are inactive. Worship and rituals of Elkonur involve protecting Fornoss religious figures as well as hunting and ending Spirits, even if they are only banished temporarily.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Odal, Fear of the Dark'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:New canvasfjfrft.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Odal, Svol's Shadow Twin, Odalv Father, Spirit Father.
* '''Domain:''' Odal's domain is that of Spirits and vengeance for Blasphemy.
* '''Symbols:''' The Long Claw Hand, Odal's Burning Heart, Blue Lightning.
* '''Role:''' Odal hunts those who defile Rand's Temples and Shrines for him.
* '''Traits:''' Calculated, Emotionless, Skilled, Imposing, Relgious, Loyal.
* '''Temple:''' Odal's largest Temple is the Blue Hall in Middeskag.
* '''Allies:''' Spirits, Zealots, Theurgists with Spirit consent.
* '''Enemies:''' Suvial, Aelrrigan Knights, Those who use Spirits without consent.
* '''Svaldi:''' Gained by punishing Blasphemers, lost by showing cowardice/weakness.
* '''Rituals:''' Odal was once Eili like his twin, but willingly turned to the Vola because he felt the Eili were weak, and traded power for loyalty to Rand. Odal is very active with mortals like Elkonur is, specifically recruiting his Odalv warriors by infesting them with Spirits to fight for him and defeat those who violate Rand's name and Temples.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Nidr, Dread of the Inner War'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Spidergod.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Nidr, the Weaver of Cursed Fates, the sleeping Horror.
* '''Domain:''' Nidr weaves the Fates of those with low Svaldi and Soldi.
* '''Symbols:''' Spiders, Spider webs, battle-rage, berserkers, Skagger Warriors.
* '''Role:''' Nidr empowers the vengeful defense of Fornoss against outsiders.
* '''Traits:''' Independent, Ungovernable, Fate-driven, Dedicated, Foresight.
* '''Temple:''' The Silk-woven halls in Kvitæya, Regalia Archipelago in Drixagh.
* '''Allies:''' Tanthor and Dari faithful, Khannar Faithful, Daiana Faithful.
* '''Enemies:''' Caius Faithful, Regal-Cultured/Colonial Regalian Nobility.
* '''Soldi:''' Gained by defending Fornoss/Velheim people from cultural colonialism.
* '''Rituals:''' As Nidr is the God of the "Cursed Fate", he weaves the Fates in prophecies for those who have low Svaldi/Soldi in a last ditch attempt to save their soul. Fulfilling this prophecy is part of the rituals towards him. He however also represents the will of Fornoss faithful to be masters of their own identity and future, and so the very act of resisting colonialism and cultural assimilation is a form of worship towards him.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Stalhjart, Fury of the Outer War'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Pridedemon.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Stalhjart, Avatar of War, Dominion of Battle, the Unvanquished Bulwark.
* '''Domain:''' Stalhjart's domain is that of warriors and honorable battle and duels.
* '''Symbols:''' The flame emblazoned sword and axe, and the ochre war paint.
* '''Role:''' Stalhjart defends the Fornoss faithful in pivotal moments for survival.
* '''Traits:''' Furious, Ill-Tempered, Energetic, Violent, Melancholic, Crude.
* '''Temple:''' The Eternal Flame Temple in Helsikki, Regalian Archipelago in Drixagh.
* '''Allies:''' Caius faithful, Gladiators and Warriors, Allest and Brand faithful.
* '''Enemies:''' Pacifists, Ithanians, Those who kill or maim during duels of skill.
* '''Svaldi:''' Gained through feats of skilled combat and having a winning-spree.
* '''Rituals:''' Stalhjart rituals are as one would expect, expressed through honorable, fair, and disciplined duels, or tournaments. It is crucially important that Stalhjart does not condone killing, and is often in opposition to Blodrúna who very much relishes in it. For Stalhjart, killing is not the ultimate goal, but expressions of martial skill, strong body, and iron will to persevere in a fight, and to always seek greater heights to aspire to in martial power.  
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<gallery mode="packed-overlay" widths="220px" heights="309px">
File:Untitled Artworkraaaddd.png|''Helskorn, God of power and leader of the Vola in opposition to the Eili.''
File:Hghhuntitled artwork 5.png|''Thirun, God of magic and vanity who grants the faithful the Arcane gift.''
File:New Canvasgfhdhfdhgdfjhfgh.png|''Aedán, God of culture and art who creates the unending feasts.''
File:New Canvasghredghretd.png|''Blodrúna, Goddess of poetry and carnage who bathes in blood.''
File:Hsaaablackmanlaying.png|''Taran, God of beauty and time who glorifies even mortal bodies.''
File:Aaygddpridedemon.png|''Uvan, God of war and combat and undefeated in martial duelling.''
</gallery>
* Helskorn is the God of power and leader of the Vola pantheon. As god of domination and legacy, he is responsible for the very rebellious and unruly nature of the faithful to being repressed by outside forces, giving them a strong sense of freedom, free will, and desire to be famous or known before time gets the better of them. Helskorn together with Bard is responsible for the Svartskra, demanding the Vola no longer bless the Eili with their aid. He is prayed to for the satiating of lust for power and glory.
* '''Thirun''' is the God of Magic and vanity from the perfection of skill. It is he who the faithful believe to be the source of all Magic, which to the faithful is both a personal blessing but also a grave burden that tests the mental fortitude of the mind. Thirun preaches that Magic is a touch of divinity close to Godhood, but that it equally bears a curse on the mind that can quickly reduce a disciplined individual to a loathsome and indolent sloth. He is prayed to for greater Magical power and insight.
* '''Aedán''' is the God of culture, art, and party. Aedán was once an Eili and Bard's husband, but now spends his days and nights drinking and partying with little to no regard to his divine duties. Aedán is capable of producing the most soul-crushing beautiful art and he inspires and teaches musicians the many instruments and musics of their people. It is said from all the drunken stupors and denial of his godly duty, he is becoming something monstrous that is growing within him, and that he is cursed knowing the future.
* '''Blodrúna''' is the Goddess of poetry and carnage, and this makes her a complicated individual. She inspires both the skill of speech and wit of tongue to the Fornoss bards and skalds, but also signifies the weight of blood in the literal and figurative. She is the beauty of carnage and killing, the elegance of death, and rune-reading from splatters of blood. She demands the weight of blood-feuds and blood-pacts among the faithful, and is the reason why most warriors in Fornoss seek a poetic death bathed in blood.
* '''Taran''' is the God of beauty and time. He is known in the faith as a Hamr which means a shapeshifter who can change any part of their body. He represents the beauty of the living form, of the bodies of mortals and of the art of body sculpting. This can include tattoos, physical training, accessorizing, but also magical manifestations. Taran is prayed to for everlasting beauty and to be desired by others, while his favored often run make-over shops to draw out the designed grace and beauty in their clients.
* '''Uvan:''' is the God of war and combat. He is the glorious fury that has challenged many Gods to duels and never been defeated. When war begins, the faithful invoke his name to be blessed with strength on the battlefield, and fury in negotiations. In the arena, warriors pray to him for victory, and those who are wounded pray to him to be given the strength to survive and see to vengeance for their disgrace. Uvan is the twin-brother of Thirun, the both of them representing the opposites of Magic and Martial.
==Priestly Activities==
==Priestly Activities==
Fornoss does not have a formal priesthood associated with it, because it is a very disorganized religion. What this means, is that each valley, each fjord, each town, and each city, may have slightly altered folklore. Each priest may tell the legends and folktales of the Gods slightly differently, and some places far removed from society may even use different names altogether. The lore presented on the God listing should generally remain consistent, but players are encouraged to embellish details and fill the gaps with their own unique spin, and generally speaking even if it contradicts the views of other Characters, that is just regional variance. While there is no strict hierarchy under a Fornoss version of the Pope, Fornoss does have official religious figures with occupations within wider Fornoss believer societies.
Fornoss does not have a formal priesthood associated with it, because it is a very disorganized religion. What this means, is that each valley, each fjord, each town, and each city, may have slightly altered folklore. Each priest may tell the legends and folktales of the Gods slightly differently, and some places far removed from society may even use different names altogether. The lore presented on the God listing should generally remain consistent, but players are encouraged to embellish details and fill the gaps with their own unique spin, and generally speaking, even if it contradicts the views of other Characters, that is just regional variance. While there is no strict hierarchy under a Fornoss version of the Pope, Fornoss does have official religious figures with occupations within wider Fornoss believer societies.
===General Priesthood===
===General Priesthood===
There is no formal priesthood in Fornoss worship, any person can at any point in time proclaim themselves a priest, and some people do so even just for their own sake. Unlike Unionism, Fornoss priests are not concerned with expanding the flock of believers, they just want to live right by the Gods and help other faithful on that journey also. It is very common for priests to also double as other religious occupations like Helvigja or as Knights or even Nobles. Priesthood in Fornoss does not impede on anything, because there are no requirements. However, it is common practice for anyone who does want to become a priest, to at least seek out a mentor to learn the basics of what Priests usually do, or say, in certain situations. it's entirely possible to be a self-taught bog-priest, but in more urbanized settings, mentorship is common. Mentors hold a great importance in the lives of priests, who tend to pick carefully.
There is no formal priesthood in Fornoss worship, any person can at any point in time proclaim themselves a priest, and some people do so even just for their own sake. Unlike Unionism, Fornoss priests are not concerned with expanding the flock of believers, they just want to live right by the Gods and help other faithful on that journey also. It is very common for priests to also double as other religious occupations like Helvigja or as Knights or even Nobles. Priesthood in Fornoss does not impede on anything, because there are no requirements. However, it is common practice for anyone who does want to become a priest, to at least seek out a mentor to learn the basics of what Priests usually do, or say, in certain situations. it's entirely possible to be a self-taught bog-priest, but in more urbanized settings, mentorship is common. Mentors hold a great importance in the lives of priests, who tend to pick carefully.
===Helbolwen & Hel===
===Helbolwen & Hel===
A Helbolwen is not a person but a place, but it bears explaining because the term comes up frequently. A Helbolwen, roughly translated to Hellish Burrow, can best be understood to be a crypt where the Fornoss dead are interred in coffins in the walls, or sometimes when coffins cannot be made simply in holes in the wall as is, the frost keeping them from decaying and slowly mummifying instead. Helbolwen are always built underground or in hills, so that it can expanded by digging further down. Helbolwen always have an entryway which acts both as shrine to Bev, and the actual embalming chamber. The word "Hel", will also come up frequently. While traditionally it has been a derogatory term for Volaheim & Imellomgård, it slowly became a term used to generally describe a place one does not want to be in the afterlife or the afterlife as a whole. Hel is usually used in a negative connotation, and has even permeated in common language due to Velheim-Common interactions in language. Nowadays, the term just refers to everything to do with death.  
A Helbolwen is not a person but a place, but it bears explaining because the term comes up frequently. A Helbolwen, roughly translated to Hellish Burrow, can best be understood to be a crypt where the Fornoss dead are interred in coffins in the walls, or sometimes when coffins cannot be made simply in holes in the wall as is, the frost keeping them from decaying and slowly mummifying instead. Helbolwen are always built underground or in hills, so that it can expanded by digging further down. Helbolwen always have an entryway which acts both as shrine to Bev, and the actual embalming chamber. Helbolwen when historically built in cold places are only accessible during spring and summer, which are the burial seasons. Autumn and winter become so cold that sections of the Helbolwen freeze over, or become inaccessible. As a result, the dead are embalmed in the embalming chambers, and kept there until the burial season begins and they are interred. The word "Hel", will also come up frequently. It literally refers to Volaheim, as Helskorn's name is "born of Hel" in proto-Velheim, and he calls Volaheim Hel himself. The word has however become a derogatory term used both by Fornoss and non-Fornoss believers to describe something in negative. This is not an insult to the Vola or to Helskorn, if anything he considers it flattery, that his name is invoked in entirely unrelated matters such as "What the Hel is going on here", or "Who in Hel's name are you", both meant to mock who it is being said to, but seen as flattery to Helskorn.
===Helvigja===
===Helvigja===
Helvigja, roughly translating to death-consecrator, is one of the peripheral priestly occupations that specifically is a member of Bev's Mortuary Commune. Helvigja primarily perform the mortuary rites, in embalming, interring or otherwise burying the dead. The embalming process is always accompanied with the Song of the Dead, which is sung throughout the process and the interring process by at least one Helvigja or their protectors. Helvigja work does not end with interring however, in general they keep Helbolwen clean of vermin, other unwanted inhabitants, and in rare cases, are tasked to end the un-life of an Undead who has come back from either improper embalming, or by escaping Imellomgård. Helvigja also linger around Helbolwen to provide mourning help to those bereaved with death of a loved one, either by using Fornoss rituals to summon the visage of the dead, or by singing to the grave together.
Helvigja, roughly translating to death-consecrator, is one of the peripheral priestly occupations that specifically is a member of Taig's Mortuary Commune. Helvigja primarily perform the mortuary rites, in embalming, interring or otherwise burying the dead. The embalming process is always accompanied with the Song of the Dead, which is sung throughout the process and the interring process by at least one Helvigja or their protectors. Helvigja work does not end with interring however, in general they keep Helbolwen clean of vermin, other unwanted inhabitants, and in rare cases, are tasked to end the un-life of an Undead who has come back from either improper embalming, or by escaping the land in between. Helvigja also linger around Helbolwen to provide mourning help to those bereaved with death of a loved one, either by using Fornoss rituals to summon the visage of the dead, or by singing to the grave together.
===Helharjar===
===Helharjar===
Helharjar, roughly translated to Death Warrior, often come paired with the Helvigja and linger around Helbolwen particularly when they are at risk of being attacked or destroyed. Fornoss is the only Religion permitted to bury their dead whole, and their Helbolwen are often filled with gifts for the dead, meaning they are ripe for plundering by grave looters. Helharjar protect not only the Helbolwen itself from looting or desecration, but also the Helvigja themselves, so the embalmers are not the first and last line of defense of such a holy place. Helharjar also assist the Helvigja with carrying coffins if need be, and frequently stand guard if a Helbolwen is in an active warzone to prevent collateral damage. Helharjar are very often partners of Helvigja, or end up becoming partners of them, due to their proximity of work and coordination.  
Helharjar, roughly translated to Death Warrior, often come paired with the Helvigja and linger around Helbolwen particularly when they are at risk of being attacked or destroyed. Fornoss is the only Religion permitted to bury their dead whole, and their Helbolwen are often filled with gifts for the dead, meaning they are ripe for plundering by grave looters. Helharjar protect not only the Helbolwen itself from looting or desecration, but also the Helvigja themselves, so the embalmers are not the first and last line of defense of such a holy place. Helharjar also assist the Helvigja with carrying coffins if need be, and frequently stand guard if a Helbolwen is in an active warzone to prevent collateral damage. Helharjar are very often partners of Helvigja, or end up becoming partners of them, due to their proximity of work and coordination.  
===Andlistari===
===Andlistari===
Andlistari, roughly translated to Spirit Artist, are far more nomadic than the other priestly occupations, and travel the wider world with pencil and paper. Andlistari are scribes by nature who record history and events, but most importantly of all, do they record the names and achievements of the dead. In Fornoss faith, it is believed that a person can die twice, once in the physical sense, and a second time when their name is last spoken out loud by someone. As people die, memories of the dead pass on, and eventually there will be no one left to recite the names of the dead, this is where the Andlistari comes in, recording all names, and reciting the names of the dead to the moon before sleep. The Andlistari also serves a secondary function, in that they can make assessments of Soldi or Svaldi of the dead, and help indicate the bereaved if they should quest to restore honor.  
Andlistari, roughly translated to Spirit Artist, are far more nomadic than the other priestly occupations and travel the wider world with pencil and paper. Andlistari are scribes by nature who record history and events, but most importantly of all, do they record the names and achievements of the dead. In Fornoss faith, it is believed that a person can die twice, once in the physical sense, and a second time when their name is last spoken out loud by someone. As people die, memories of the dead pass on, and eventually there will be no one left to recite the names of the dead, this is where the Andlistari comes in, recording all names, and reciting the names of the dead to the moon before sleep. The Andlistari also serves a secondary function, in that they can make assessments of Soldi or Svaldi of the dead, and help indicate the bereaved if they should quest to restore honor.  
===Sagnaflétta===
===Sagnaflétta===
Sagnaflétta, rougly translated to Weaver of Stories, are much like Andlistari travelers though it should be said there will be more than enough work for one in Regalia never to travel. Sagnaflétta are scribes just like Andlistari, but focus more on the realm of the Gods than Mortals. Sagnaflétta travel to record oral legends and folklore from the disparate Fornoss faithful across the world, and compile them in a grand book of legends and short rhyming stories. Then, they travel to where the Fornoss faithful live in large numbers, and host gatherings where they read from the book to discuss the lives of the Gods, the inner conflict and interactions they have with one another, and some of the legendary feats the Gods perform. It is highly encouraged to make up legendary actions and interactions of the Gods by players, where that fits within their themes and design.  
Sagnaflétta, rougly translated to Weaver of Stories, are much like Andlistari travelers though it should be said there will be more than enough work for one in Regalia never to travel. Sagnaflétta are scribes just like Andlistari, but focus more on the realm of the Gods than Mortals. Sagnaflétta travel to record oral legends and folklore from the disparate Fornoss faithful across the world, and compile them in a grand book of legends and short rhyming stories. Then, they travel to where the Fornoss faithful live in large numbers, and host gatherings where they read from the book to discuss the lives of the Gods, the inner conflict and interactions they have with one another, and some of the legendary feats the Gods perform. It is highly encouraged to make up legendary actions and interactions of the Gods by players, where that fits within their themes and design.  


==Peripheral Concepts==
==Expanded Lore==
Peripheral Concepts are important thoughts from Fornoss theology, that didn't necessarily fit anywhere else on this page, but also aren't strictly necessary to know. They cover a wider range of topics which Fornoss believers have a solidified opinion of, or things that Fornoss faithful might get questioned on in Roleplay and may be useful to have answers for.  
The Expanded Lore section contains additional contextual information about the Fornoss faith. This section is not necessary to read to get a good understanding of the lore, just the background information.
===The Arken Matter===
===The Arken Matter===
One as of yet undiscussed matter, is the status of [[Arken]] among the Gods. The wider world has a scientific understanding of the Arken as some kind of advanced Spirit from a different Dimension, but to the Fornoss, they are Gods, even to those who do not worship them directly because they are Eilirik. The Fornoss faithful are not so stubborn so as to reject the scientific notion that some of their Gods were Arken long before they were their Gods, but are very resolute in rejecting any rhetoric that would then claim off that fact that they are false Gods. The Vola who are also Arken are very real and divine to those who worship the Vola, they interact and bless the faithful, and empower God Magic beyond the scope of what Void Arken normally could. To the Fornoss faithful, the Vola Arken are real Gods in every sense of the word, and some of them are even more God-like than many of the other weaker Gods of other Religions, specifically because they are so hyper-active and are able to affect the world in more far-reaching and meaningful ways than other Gods ever have.  
One as of yet undiscussed matter, is the status of [[Arken]] among the Gods. The wider world has a scientific understanding of the Arken as some kind of advanced Spirit from a different Dimension, but to the Fornoss, they are Gods, but also not actually. There are five distinct Arken Gods in the pantheons: Bard (who is Justice), Eirny (who is Scripter), Helskorn (who is Power), Thirun (who is Pride), Taran (who is Body), and Uvan (who is Fury). These Gods share consciousness with the Demon entities known as Arken, but they are distinct entities from these Arken. When one meets an Arken, that Arken has a shared awareness with the God, but they do not act the same and are not responsible for each other's actions. This is called a Refraction, when an entity has a single awareness, but multiple different bodies which all act independently, just with shared knowledge. Thus, in actuality, while there is a relation to the Arken, the Gods are distinct entities, and insisting that these Gods are actually Demons, is offensive to Fornoss believers.  
===Vaarda Gates & Keys===
===Taig Gates & Keys===
Vaarda Gates are an ongoing concern or delight depending on one's interpretation, to the Fornoss Faithful. What exactly happens when one opens is unclear, and it is even unclear if Rand will allow the portals to open from the other side in Volaheim. There exist Gates on all the major continents where Velheim settlers came to be, from [[Regalia]] to [[Oldtera]], to all the landmasses of [[Southwynd]], [[Northbelt]], and even [[Ellador]]. All these lands were once connected, but now shut off, with their Keys dispersed into the winds. The Keys are [[Artifacts]] of Fornoss power, usually weapons, each Key made for a specific Vaarda Gate. There is currently one known Artifact (belonging to the Nordskag Gate) in circulation in Regalia, called [[Ándlar]], though more could arrive in the future as collector items or loot. It is generally accepted, even among the Volirik, that opening the Vaarda Gates without the necessary protections, preparations, or considerations, is generally an awful idea. Even the Volirik have to acknowledge, that nobody knows what is behind those Gates, and that entering the afterlife as a living person, is generally a bad thing unless given protection by the Vola or Eili Gods.
Taig Gates are an ongoing concern or delight depending on one's interpretation, to the Fornoss Faithful. What exactly happens when one opens is unclear, and it is even unclear if Helskorn will allow the portals to open from the other side in Volaheim. There exist Gates on all the major continents where Velheim settlers came to be, from [[Regalia]] to [[Oldtera]], to all the landmasses of [[Southwynd]], [[Northbelt]], and even [[Ellador]]. All these lands were once connected but now shut off, with their Keys dispersed into the winds. The Keys are [[Artifacts]] of Fornoss power, usually weapons, each Key made for a specific Taig Gate. There is currently one known Artifact (belonging to the Nordskag Gate) in circulation in Regalia, called [[Ándlar]], though more could arrive in the future as collector items or loot. It is generally accepted, that opening the Taig Gates without the necessary protections, preparations, or considerations, is generally an awful idea. Nobody knows exactly what is behind those Gates, and that entering the afterlife as a living person, is generally a bad thing unless given protection by the Vola or Eili Gods.
 
==Expanded Gods Lore==
===The Magic Burden===
The Expanded Lore section contains additional contextual information about the Fornoss Gopds that gives a deeper understanding about their dogma. This section is not necessary to read to get a good understanding of the lore, it just adds more flavor.
[[Magic]] is a very sensitive subject in Fornoss faith, because they have a long history with all the benefits and damages of it. Fornoss followers generally do not buy into the scholarly theories of the dimensions (Void/Exist/Ordial/Primal). While they don't refute those alignments as being real, to them, Exist and Ordial do not matter because they do not interact with their Gods in any way. In fact, more often than not, are Exist and Ordial aligned things enemies of the Gods, because they transgress or desecrate their domains. It is not so that every Exist and Ordial thing must always be attacked on sight however, Fornoss followers are more than capable of adopting apathy. Magic among Fornoss followers is understood between Seidr (non-Magical/Dragon Magic Divination), Galdr (God-Magic), Rúnar (God Magic Runic Power) and Nid (Void Magic). There is a technical fifth category called Trolldom, which is a term usually only used by fringe Fornoss followers like Hjordi or Ellador Velheim, which is the same as Nid (Void Magic), but is always evil and used to harm while Nid is not necessarily evil. Seidr, Galdr, and Rúnar are pretty simple to understand and generally unproblematic, Nid however causes some controversy. Fornoss followers acknowledge Void Magic (Nid) as potentially being a gift of Thirun, but that it can both be a blessing and a curse. They acknowledge the effects of Nid on the world as harmful, but that this power can also lend to great strength and achievements. Purism (hating all forms of Magic) does exist in the Fornoss faith, but aims at the idea that Nid is always too risky, and should be controlled/restrained/prevented from being used by caretakers of those cursed with Magic. There are parallels in Unionism, in that the Fornoss Faith identifies Void Magic as a heavy burden, of great power if used to gain Soldi/Svaldi, and of a great terror to the people if used to be careless and flippant and weak-minded. As with any perception of the Pantheons, this is entirely up to the personal beliefs of the faithful, some will condemn Nid as unambiguously evil, some will be frightful of it, while some will welcome it. Exist Magic does exist among Fornoss faithful, but when this occurs, the faithful just believe it was some sort of taint or touching from outside the faith. If someone has Ordial powers, they should generally be put out of their misery however. There are very few situations in which Ordial power is acceptable.
==Trivia==
* Rand depictions are actually not based on what people know he looks like, but what people think he looks like. Rand is claimed to have never left Volaheim, and there are no memories of direct interaction with him. The only thing that is known to be fully accurate however, are his size, his hairiness, and the transition scars on his chest.
* Thirun and Stalhjart are twin-brothers, identical twins in fact, but both of them style themselves very differently. They are sometimes mistaken for each other, but wide knowledge of their different appearance themes are spreading to correct this.
* Blodrúna is the only God of either pantheon who was once a standalone Goddess of her own religion. Unfortunately, she killed her entire following, and only realized her error afterwards. She vows to do better as Goddess of the Fornoss faithful, hopefully.  
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Revision as of 03:13, 10 July 2024

Fornoss
Religion
PronunciationFor-noss (like Nosferatu) (clear pause between the two).
OriginsPresumed roughly 15,000 years ago.
Deities
Two distinct Pantheons of 7 Gods each.

Fornoss is one of the earliest Religions of the Ailor Race, that survived thousands of years of conversion by other Religions as well as attempts to be eradicated by various nations, proving exceptionally resillient. The Fornoss faith has a large following, particularly among Velheim and Gallovian Ailor, though a large number of Urlan, Dwarves, and some Ashaven Eronidas also follow it, meaning it is not limited in scope to just Ailor. Fornoss is sometimes also called the Old Gods Religion, but this is not a historically correct term. The Gods are not old from a purely chronological perspective, and it is certainly not the oldest Religion in Aloria. This term was mostly popularized by the Ailor, who when reviewing only their own history, can see Fornoss as the oldest Religion, but when taking the totality of the world's history, Fornoss is a more accurate term, which roughly translates to "Ancient us", an homage to its survival through the ages.

Origins

The birthing of the Gods and the founding of the Religion are two distinct periods. The birthing of the Gods is a mysterious period perhaps thousands of years before the first followers professed their belief in the Gods, as it is said that the Gods wandered for many ages before finding the people that would recognize their worth. The Fornoss Religion is roughly 15,000 years old, though this has an error margin of about 3,000 years, because the proto-Velheim people who were the first Fornoss followers did not have a form of writing at the time. The Religion was founded on a series of islands and part of the mainland of Oldt Tera (Ceardia), where the locals embraced a form of polytheism while most other Ceardian tribes were monotheistic. The Eili offered the faithful escape from the endless bloodshed and Oblation Magic raids under the Elves that terrorized the Oldt Tera shores, fleeing the mainland, and retreating to some island called Aldra, which cannot be found on any modern map. On Aldra however, the Fornoss believers still were not safe, so the Eili contacted the Vola, and created The Pact, which joined both Pantheons to the Fornoss believers and the Fornoss people were finally given safety by combining Eili and Vola Magic through the Taig Gates that allowed them to transport themselves over long distances and colonize distant lands. For thousands of years, the Fornoss followers spread across the world through the Vaarda Gates, until Svartskra. In the modern era, Fornoss remains a very large religion, even if swathes of its followers have converted to other Religions, mostly Unionism.

Core Beliefs

Central Message

The central message of the Fornoss faith is that the faithful are born as creations of the Dragons who in turn were blessed by Árn who is a metaphorical representation of the world, a giant tree of life to symbolize all living things, but that they live as children of the elemental Gods. The Eili Gods were the Gods that were chosen who gave the Fornoss faithful progress, while the Vola Gods were the Gods that were forced onto the faithful but gave them power. The living struggle against each other and outside elements while gaining Soldi or Svaldi, currencies of honor, until their death where these currencies are weighed to determine which pantheon their soul belongs to, before they pass into the afterlife.

Soldi and Svaldi

Soldi and Svaldi are honor currencies that are mostly spiritual, that the faithful gather throughout their life. Small and large actions can increase these individual currencies, but they can also be catastrophically lost or monumentally returned through great events. When a person dies, each of these currencies is weighed and if they reach a certain threshold of either Soldi or Svaldi, they are permitted into the afterlives of the Eili or Vola respectively. A rare occurrence happens when both values are roughly the same, in which both pantheons battle over ownership of a soul, producing a Godsrot Undead while they wait for final judgement. Each God represents a means to gain or lose Soldi or Svaldi, and this currency is mostly decided upon by players to define how pious their character is, but outlined below in short detail:

  • Soldi: is gained in the name of Bard by being brave and just, and lost while being inactive to injustice. It is gained in the name of Taig by respecting and putting to rest the dead, and lost by being seduced by Demons. It is gained in the name of Leif by showing passion and loyalty to one's lovers, and lost by committing treason. It is gained in the name of Dáuw by protecting others and crafting things, and lost by letting society slip into anarchy. It is gained in the name of Eirny by defending the faithful from having their culture and stories erased either by sword or writing them down, and lost by destroying or hiding knowledge. It is gained in the name of Halfvel by protecting the environment and lost by needlessly killing animals.
  • Svaldi: is gained in the name of Helskorn establishing control over others, and lost from being disavowed by others. It is gained in the name of Thirun by achieving great feats or accomplishments or fame, and lost by losing Duels. It is gained in the name of Aedán by dedicating feasts and parties to others and making art, and lost by destroying cultural heritage of anyone. It is gained in the name of Blodrúna by ending a worthy life and writing good poetry, and lost by ending a weak life. It is gained in the name of Taran by making one's self or others beautiful, and lost by neglecting one's own body. It is gained in the name of Uvan by defeating others in martial combat and succeeding in revenge, and lost by showing cowardice.

Soldi and Svaldi can also be transferred or fought for in the name of others. It is for example possible, that if a person died with low Svaldi and Soldi and thus denied access to any afterlife, that their child might begin a quest to restore the honor of their parent, thus allowing them to move from the world in between (essentially being a Spirit/Undead) to an actual Afterlife. The Gods are merciless with violations of their virtues and sins, but graceful with the time one has to recover from such mistakes. Halfvel always brings warnings of the Black Book fate spun by Eirny before such a person would die.

The Afterlife

The Fornoss faith is somewhat unique in that it has 3 distinct afterlives. Each pantheon has its own separate afterlife with different rules and functions, and then there is to so-called land in between which is a cursed land for souls deemed unworthy. The land in between is an endless gray land without emotion and feeling. Souls wander there until their descendants or friends save their honor, or until their name is forgotten and they die one final time. The afterlife for the Eili is called Eiliheim, which is thought to be a perfect garden of forever spring and tranquility, where beautiful music and animals grace the skies and eternal peace is felt. The afterlife for the Vola is called Volaheim, which is thought to be a heat-scorched mountain land of forever summer and humidity, where the earthly delights and pleasures are tingled with endless hedonistic satisfaction. A dying soul can never arrive in both, so most faithful tend to choose which one they would rather reach, and plan their Soldi/Svaldi gain appropriately.

Svartskra

Svartskra is an important event in Fornoss history, because it changed how the Gods interacted with mortals and even changed the pantheons themselves. The event itself is historically different to date, because both pantheons are cagey about revealing too much information about it out of self-interest. The faithful are aware that both pantheons tell versions of lies to their believers to make themselves appear to be the most righteous in this divine conflict. Svartskra occurred sometime after the large colonization boom that was allowed by the portals created by Taig that traversed long distances by partially traveling through Volaheim. There is a general agreement among scholars that the event was caused by a sense of betrayal by the Eili, who felt the Vola had doublecrossed them and taken too much spiritual control over the faithful. Svartskra itself took at least a century to complete, seeing several phases:

  • The re-arrangement phase: During this phase, the pantheons themselves were re-arranged due to the internal strife. The Eili Gods Jord of the metallic silence and Gro of the flesh amalgam were expelled from the faith by Bard for having gotten them all in this mess, since they were the ones to broker the agreement with the Vola. Elsewhere, Helskorn banished the Vola Gods Flaed of the raging oceans and Aestas the autumn rot for having failed to keep the peace on their end. Both of these pairs of Gods and Goddesses disappeared from the pantheons and much of their lore and knowledge was lost to time, only fragments remaining.
  • The betrayal phase: During this phase some decades later, one god of each pantheon switched sides but was forced to do so by their own faithful rather than Bard or Helskorn. Aedán was expelled by the Eili worshipers from the Eili pantheon because of his neglect of his divine duty. Instead of helping the faithful through times of cultural upheaval, he just partied all day long, and so he was welcomed among the Vola. Eirny in turn was expelled by the Vola worshipers from the Vola pantheon because she refused the wroth and spite inflicted on the Eili Gods by the other Vola Gods. She wishes to spend her time recording the fates she was given authority to, and thus was welcomed among the Eili for her erudite dedication. At the tail end of this, Taig shut all the Volaheim gates, thus inadvertently cutting all Fornoss faithful lands off from instantaneous transportation access, which caused many cultures to fracture.
  • The silent phase: During this phase, the final conclusion of Svartskra took place nearly a hundred years after it started. The Eili and Vola, after a period that could best be described as a war in heaven, agreed to a formative truce that would make them stop fighting, which resulted in casualties among the mortals mostly. The agreement that was settled, was that the faithful lands would be divided and their power limited to where their name was invoked more. If a certain area had a strong Eili patronage among the faithful, the Eili would hold power there, and if the Vola were invoked often they would hold power there instead. The other pantheon was denied spiritual power in the areas they were praised less, and so the world was essentially divided and the war ended.

The silent phase however had yet another unintended side effect, the boundary of authority continued to shift. The Vola would undermine Eili power by subtly causing calamity to strike an area which would cause the locals to invoke their name more in fear or in the hopes of being given more power. The Eili in turn had eventual control over any area, because peace and prosperity from the calm of their truce would eventually lead to Eili worship overtaking Vola worship which increased in hard times. Both pantheons tried to outsmart each other, but ensured a secret war would start where they tried to contest each other's authority through underhanded means. Whatever the situation, both pantheons are desperate not to start an all-out war between them again, and so their refusal to directly interface with one another causes problems to the faithful, especially when they need them to work together but neither side does anything to help.

Gods and Goddesses

Fornoss has a unique pantheon construction in that it has two separate and often conflicting pantheons. The Eili pantheon Gods (in blue and green) are generally seen as morally righteous but deceitful and mindful. The Vola pantheon Gods (in red and orange) are typically seen as cruel and violent but honest and powerful. Followers may choose specific Gods as their patrons or worship all equally. It is also possible to worship either Eili or Vola more than the other, or outright refuse to worship a specific pantheon. Still, generally, a believer can't get the whole core of Fornoss without acknowledging both pantheons and worshiping both.

  • Bard, God of justice and leader of the Eili in opposition to the Vola.
    Bard, God of justice and leader of the Eili in opposition to the Vola.
  • Taig, God of life and death and the afterlife who wards away Demons.
    Taig, God of life and death and the afterlife who wards away Demons.
  • Leif, God of love and the dawn and dusk who brings about renewal in all.
    Leif, God of love and the dawn and dusk who brings about renewal in all.
  • Dáuw, God of crafts and mountains who protects the faithful from harm.
    Dáuw, God of crafts and mountains who protects the faithful from harm.
  • Eirny, Goddess of fate and sagas who writes the stories of mortals.
    Eirny, Goddess of fate and sagas who writes the stories of mortals.
  • Halfvel, God of the wilds and demigods who guides the faithful.
    Halfvel, God of the wilds and demigods who guides the faithful.
  • Bard is the god of justice and leader of the Eili pantheon. As god of justice he is responsible for the strong sense of fairness and the rule of law among the faithful, but he also acts as divine judge for those who have transgressed and puts curses on those who require punishment. Bard together with Helskorn is responsible for the Svartskra, demanding the Eili and Vola Gods disavow each other, and refrain from interacting. He is prayed to, to wish for justice in troubled times, and for clarity to those in power.
  • Taig is the god of life and death and the demon-ward Eili. As god of the afterlife, he holds up the mirror to the other dimensions and guides the burial rites of the dead. When summer comes heralding the burial of the dead in thawing helbolwen he becomes a formless levitating robe with frozen hands to show the mirror. When winter comes heralding the torment of Demons he becomes an Urlan and protects the faithful from their wicked machinations, while the dead lie embalmed waiting for the next summer to be buried.
  • Leif is the God of love and change. He teaches the faithful to be kind and affectionate, to show passion to one's loved ones and care for those in need. He is often seen as the patron of parents and caretakers, and depicted with blazing chains as he drags the sun through the sky with the moon following in tow, tied to the sun by a chain of stars. Leif is prayed to for goodwill from others and kindness in one's own heart. He is also conventionally seen as the God of fire and symbolized by this primal element.
  • Dáuw is the God of crafts and protection and the mountains. An earth-element God in symbolism, he represents the wealth and strength of the mountains and the ground. He teaches the faithful metal forging and casting, the perfection of gem cutting and the art of trade and commerce. But he also represents the sturdiness of armor and the protection of shields, defending the faithful in their time of need. He is prayed to both for protection from attacks from others, and wealth and fortune in work.
  • Eirny is the Goddess of fate and sagas. She blessed the faithful with the Rune-script they still use, and weaves the stories of their lives in written runes on tomes. Also considered a Goddess of literature and record keeping, it is in her name that libraries and scriptoriums are blessed. Eirny appears as a Skyborn Elf bringing with her curiosity to the world, and to see stories unfold. And for those with low Svaldi or Soldi, she writes Black Tomes to predict their cursed fate if they do not change.
  • Halvfel is the God of beasts, the hunt and his demigod offspring. Halfvel is prayed to for protection from the wilds and unknown beasts and monsters, while he also offers guidance while disguised as a beggar to teach the faithful humility and warn them of Eirny's Black Tomes so they can avert their doom. He is also the only god who intentionally lays with mortals, giving birth to the Halfvel Godborn who call him the Wolf-Father as they are born self-controlling Marken (werewolves) in service of the faith.
  • Helskorn, God of power and leader of the Vola in opposition to the Eili.
    Helskorn, God of power and leader of the Vola in opposition to the Eili.
  • Thirun, God of magic and vanity who grants the faithful the Arcane gift.
    Thirun, God of magic and vanity who grants the faithful the Arcane gift.
  • Aedán, God of culture and art who creates the unending feasts.
    Aedán, God of culture and art who creates the unending feasts.
  • Blodrúna, Goddess of poetry and carnage who bathes in blood.
    Blodrúna, Goddess of poetry and carnage who bathes in blood.
  • Taran, God of beauty and time who glorifies even mortal bodies.
    Taran, God of beauty and time who glorifies even mortal bodies.
  • Uvan, God of war and combat and undefeated in martial duelling.
    Uvan, God of war and combat and undefeated in martial duelling.
  • Helskorn is the God of power and leader of the Vola pantheon. As god of domination and legacy, he is responsible for the very rebellious and unruly nature of the faithful to being repressed by outside forces, giving them a strong sense of freedom, free will, and desire to be famous or known before time gets the better of them. Helskorn together with Bard is responsible for the Svartskra, demanding the Vola no longer bless the Eili with their aid. He is prayed to for the satiating of lust for power and glory.
  • Thirun is the God of Magic and vanity from the perfection of skill. It is he who the faithful believe to be the source of all Magic, which to the faithful is both a personal blessing but also a grave burden that tests the mental fortitude of the mind. Thirun preaches that Magic is a touch of divinity close to Godhood, but that it equally bears a curse on the mind that can quickly reduce a disciplined individual to a loathsome and indolent sloth. He is prayed to for greater Magical power and insight.
  • Aedán is the God of culture, art, and party. Aedán was once an Eili and Bard's husband, but now spends his days and nights drinking and partying with little to no regard to his divine duties. Aedán is capable of producing the most soul-crushing beautiful art and he inspires and teaches musicians the many instruments and musics of their people. It is said from all the drunken stupors and denial of his godly duty, he is becoming something monstrous that is growing within him, and that he is cursed knowing the future.
  • Blodrúna is the Goddess of poetry and carnage, and this makes her a complicated individual. She inspires both the skill of speech and wit of tongue to the Fornoss bards and skalds, but also signifies the weight of blood in the literal and figurative. She is the beauty of carnage and killing, the elegance of death, and rune-reading from splatters of blood. She demands the weight of blood-feuds and blood-pacts among the faithful, and is the reason why most warriors in Fornoss seek a poetic death bathed in blood.
  • Taran is the God of beauty and time. He is known in the faith as a Hamr which means a shapeshifter who can change any part of their body. He represents the beauty of the living form, of the bodies of mortals and of the art of body sculpting. This can include tattoos, physical training, accessorizing, but also magical manifestations. Taran is prayed to for everlasting beauty and to be desired by others, while his favored often run make-over shops to draw out the designed grace and beauty in their clients.
  • Uvan: is the God of war and combat. He is the glorious fury that has challenged many Gods to duels and never been defeated. When war begins, the faithful invoke his name to be blessed with strength on the battlefield, and fury in negotiations. In the arena, warriors pray to him for victory, and those who are wounded pray to him to be given the strength to survive and see to vengeance for their disgrace. Uvan is the twin-brother of Thirun, the both of them representing the opposites of Magic and Martial.

Priestly Activities

Fornoss does not have a formal priesthood associated with it, because it is a very disorganized religion. What this means, is that each valley, each fjord, each town, and each city, may have slightly altered folklore. Each priest may tell the legends and folktales of the Gods slightly differently, and some places far removed from society may even use different names altogether. The lore presented on the God listing should generally remain consistent, but players are encouraged to embellish details and fill the gaps with their own unique spin, and generally speaking, even if it contradicts the views of other Characters, that is just regional variance. While there is no strict hierarchy under a Fornoss version of the Pope, Fornoss does have official religious figures with occupations within wider Fornoss believer societies.

General Priesthood

There is no formal priesthood in Fornoss worship, any person can at any point in time proclaim themselves a priest, and some people do so even just for their own sake. Unlike Unionism, Fornoss priests are not concerned with expanding the flock of believers, they just want to live right by the Gods and help other faithful on that journey also. It is very common for priests to also double as other religious occupations like Helvigja or as Knights or even Nobles. Priesthood in Fornoss does not impede on anything, because there are no requirements. However, it is common practice for anyone who does want to become a priest, to at least seek out a mentor to learn the basics of what Priests usually do, or say, in certain situations. it's entirely possible to be a self-taught bog-priest, but in more urbanized settings, mentorship is common. Mentors hold a great importance in the lives of priests, who tend to pick carefully.

Helbolwen & Hel

A Helbolwen is not a person but a place, but it bears explaining because the term comes up frequently. A Helbolwen, roughly translated to Hellish Burrow, can best be understood to be a crypt where the Fornoss dead are interred in coffins in the walls, or sometimes when coffins cannot be made simply in holes in the wall as is, the frost keeping them from decaying and slowly mummifying instead. Helbolwen are always built underground or in hills, so that it can expanded by digging further down. Helbolwen always have an entryway which acts both as shrine to Bev, and the actual embalming chamber. Helbolwen when historically built in cold places are only accessible during spring and summer, which are the burial seasons. Autumn and winter become so cold that sections of the Helbolwen freeze over, or become inaccessible. As a result, the dead are embalmed in the embalming chambers, and kept there until the burial season begins and they are interred. The word "Hel", will also come up frequently. It literally refers to Volaheim, as Helskorn's name is "born of Hel" in proto-Velheim, and he calls Volaheim Hel himself. The word has however become a derogatory term used both by Fornoss and non-Fornoss believers to describe something in negative. This is not an insult to the Vola or to Helskorn, if anything he considers it flattery, that his name is invoked in entirely unrelated matters such as "What the Hel is going on here", or "Who in Hel's name are you", both meant to mock who it is being said to, but seen as flattery to Helskorn.

Helvigja

Helvigja, roughly translating to death-consecrator, is one of the peripheral priestly occupations that specifically is a member of Taig's Mortuary Commune. Helvigja primarily perform the mortuary rites, in embalming, interring or otherwise burying the dead. The embalming process is always accompanied with the Song of the Dead, which is sung throughout the process and the interring process by at least one Helvigja or their protectors. Helvigja work does not end with interring however, in general they keep Helbolwen clean of vermin, other unwanted inhabitants, and in rare cases, are tasked to end the un-life of an Undead who has come back from either improper embalming, or by escaping the land in between. Helvigja also linger around Helbolwen to provide mourning help to those bereaved with death of a loved one, either by using Fornoss rituals to summon the visage of the dead, or by singing to the grave together.

Helharjar

Helharjar, roughly translated to Death Warrior, often come paired with the Helvigja and linger around Helbolwen particularly when they are at risk of being attacked or destroyed. Fornoss is the only Religion permitted to bury their dead whole, and their Helbolwen are often filled with gifts for the dead, meaning they are ripe for plundering by grave looters. Helharjar protect not only the Helbolwen itself from looting or desecration, but also the Helvigja themselves, so the embalmers are not the first and last line of defense of such a holy place. Helharjar also assist the Helvigja with carrying coffins if need be, and frequently stand guard if a Helbolwen is in an active warzone to prevent collateral damage. Helharjar are very often partners of Helvigja, or end up becoming partners of them, due to their proximity of work and coordination.

Andlistari

Andlistari, roughly translated to Spirit Artist, are far more nomadic than the other priestly occupations and travel the wider world with pencil and paper. Andlistari are scribes by nature who record history and events, but most importantly of all, do they record the names and achievements of the dead. In Fornoss faith, it is believed that a person can die twice, once in the physical sense, and a second time when their name is last spoken out loud by someone. As people die, memories of the dead pass on, and eventually there will be no one left to recite the names of the dead, this is where the Andlistari comes in, recording all names, and reciting the names of the dead to the moon before sleep. The Andlistari also serves a secondary function, in that they can make assessments of Soldi or Svaldi of the dead, and help indicate the bereaved if they should quest to restore honor.

Sagnaflétta

Sagnaflétta, rougly translated to Weaver of Stories, are much like Andlistari travelers though it should be said there will be more than enough work for one in Regalia never to travel. Sagnaflétta are scribes just like Andlistari, but focus more on the realm of the Gods than Mortals. Sagnaflétta travel to record oral legends and folklore from the disparate Fornoss faithful across the world, and compile them in a grand book of legends and short rhyming stories. Then, they travel to where the Fornoss faithful live in large numbers, and host gatherings where they read from the book to discuss the lives of the Gods, the inner conflict and interactions they have with one another, and some of the legendary feats the Gods perform. It is highly encouraged to make up legendary actions and interactions of the Gods by players, where that fits within their themes and design.

Expanded Lore

The Expanded Lore section contains additional contextual information about the Fornoss faith. This section is not necessary to read to get a good understanding of the lore, just the background information.

The Arken Matter

One as of yet undiscussed matter, is the status of Arken among the Gods. The wider world has a scientific understanding of the Arken as some kind of advanced Spirit from a different Dimension, but to the Fornoss, they are Gods, but also not actually. There are five distinct Arken Gods in the pantheons: Bard (who is Justice), Eirny (who is Scripter), Helskorn (who is Power), Thirun (who is Pride), Taran (who is Body), and Uvan (who is Fury). These Gods share consciousness with the Demon entities known as Arken, but they are distinct entities from these Arken. When one meets an Arken, that Arken has a shared awareness with the God, but they do not act the same and are not responsible for each other's actions. This is called a Refraction, when an entity has a single awareness, but multiple different bodies which all act independently, just with shared knowledge. Thus, in actuality, while there is a relation to the Arken, the Gods are distinct entities, and insisting that these Gods are actually Demons, is offensive to Fornoss believers.

Taig Gates & Keys

Taig Gates are an ongoing concern or delight depending on one's interpretation, to the Fornoss Faithful. What exactly happens when one opens is unclear, and it is even unclear if Helskorn will allow the portals to open from the other side in Volaheim. There exist Gates on all the major continents where Velheim settlers came to be, from Regalia to Oldtera, to all the landmasses of Southwynd, Northbelt, and even Ellador. All these lands were once connected but now shut off, with their Keys dispersed into the winds. The Keys are Artifacts of Fornoss power, usually weapons, each Key made for a specific Taig Gate. There is currently one known Artifact (belonging to the Nordskag Gate) in circulation in Regalia, called Ándlar, though more could arrive in the future as collector items or loot. It is generally accepted, that opening the Taig Gates without the necessary protections, preparations, or considerations, is generally an awful idea. Nobody knows exactly what is behind those Gates, and that entering the afterlife as a living person, is generally a bad thing unless given protection by the Vola or Eili Gods.

Expanded Gods Lore

The Expanded Lore section contains additional contextual information about the Fornoss Gopds that gives a deeper understanding about their dogma. This section is not necessary to read to get a good understanding of the lore, it just adds more flavor.

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