Difference between revisions of "Adgharhin Way"
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Revision as of 05:15, 12 February 2007
Contents
Introduction
The people of Arcachon have historically been animistic in their religious practices. Legend tells of a foreigner from the west who brought with him books wisdom. These books were in a strange language, but were filled with pictures and diagrams. Their material covered a range of topics from farming, to tanning, to tax laws, and so the Arcachon people had begun to adopt the early qualities of civilization without knowing it. The religion of Arcachon is complex, but is concerned mainly with achieving balance in the world through thought, speech, and action. Night and day, masculine and feminine, good and evil - everything has its place. That is not to say that the religion of Arcachon is dark or fatalistic; quite the contrary, followers believe that Nature is inherently good. It is merely the acceptance that darkness cannot be completely extinguished (and in some cases must be embraced) that gives the religion of Arcachon its unique insight.
The Adgharhin Priesthood itself was rediscovered as the result of the research begun by Malus and Arcturus Solari. In a time of great need, and sensing the impending downfall of the Clan of Arcachon to corruption and decay, the brothers pland a coup of the current clan chief, Wiglaf.
After the successful rebellion, Arcturus, stepping in for the ailing Malus, introduced his findings of the Gods of the Way and the History of the Cosmos to the warlords of the Dark Island. Dormondt Lankmere lended his energy to the task of researching and completing the picture of the religion and it's practices
The Adgharhin Priesthood is the result of these findings and the continued research into the dark and faded history of the Island of Arcachon. As more information began to make itself available, a woman named Lechis from a coastal village made herself known to Dormondt and the Council of Arcachon, and started to illuminate the Way of the Old Ones to them.
Slowly and with great care, the older and more isolated inhabitants of the island began to emerge from hiding and offer their support to the new govornment in hopes that their faith would outlive them. This did not, however, come without cost.
Lechis revealed herself to be the old High Priestess of the Adgharhin, walker of the Way of the Old Ones. She vowed the support of the people of Arcachon, and provide insight into the Way to the nobles of the island, provided she was to teach them personally, and advising from behind the Pontifex.
The Levels of the Priesthood
Guardian of the Way
The Guardian of the Way is the active and recognized leader of the Adgharhin Priesthood. His or Her job is to advise and look after the welfare of the Way as well as its Priesthood. Until her passing, Lechis held this position
Dormondt Lankmere took the seat of Guardian of the Way upon the death of Lechis and became the final decision maker in matters of spiritual practice. While everyday matters of operations are often handled by the Illuminated Ones, events that effect the overall structure and vision of the Way are deferred to the Guardian of the Way.
High Priest/ess
The High Priest or Priestess is the second highest position in the Adgharin Priesthood. It is reserved for people who have dedicated their entire careers to studying and spreading the Adgharin Way. At this time, there is only one High Priest, Elerik Taim Olik.
Illuminated Ones
The Illuminated ones are the leadership council of the Priesthood. There are currently three. They provide expertise in their given roles, while also serving as the main decision making body for the members of the Priesthood and walkers of the Way. They are expected to handle day-to-day operations of the Priesthood, involving the High Priest/ess when needs arise, or if the decisions have an impact upon the direction of the Way.
Hand of the Hearth
The Hand of the Hearth oversees the religious practices of the Way as well as being the head of the Order of the Hearth. Dedicated to Omorthion, the Hand of the Hearth ensures that Holidays are observed and sacrifices are followed.
Hand of the Blade
The Hand of the Blade provides expertise in matters of military significance. As head of the Order of the Blade, he ensures that the Warbands of the Arcachon as well as the Units of the Mainland Nobility have the blessings of the Gods in their endeavors.
Hand of the Shadows
The Hand of Shadows takes pride in understanding the ways of finances and darker diplomacy, working in ways that many fear to use. They use these abilities to assure influence in the halls of government as well as making sure the populace, as well as the priesthood is well fed and funded. As head of the Order of Shadows, he oversees actions of a group that can be seen as courtiers and bankers as well as, when the need arises, secret police and enforcers.
The High Clergy
Those who have dedicated themselves to a monastic order, but have surpassed general knowledge of their order.
Elder Priest
Priest
The Clergy
Those who have dedicated themselves in service to the people and to the spread of the teachings of the Ways of the Adgharhin. They are the celebrants at the temples, the providers of weddings and the soothssayers. They generally hold a general knowledge of all of the Orders and use these skills to better serve the people of Arcachon.
The Monastic Orders
The monastic orders are housed within the halls of learning. They are the training centers of the Priesthood
Order of the Hearth
The members of this order pride themselves their research and study of methods and practices of trade and industry. Advances in the trades, such as milling, tanning and brewing on the Island have all benefitted by the knowledge of this order. It is also their duty to assist the Clergy in the celebration of holidays.
Order of the Blade
The members of this order are those that study the history and technology of combat. Soldiers are often a superstitious lot, so it is not uncommon to find a member of this order amongst a warband or other unit of soldiers, making sacrifices to the Old Ones in hopes that it will sway the tide of an upcoming battle.
Fearless and often seen as touched by the gods, members of this order often run in front of the shield wall, taunting the enemy, trying to get them to break formation. or charge out of rage, creating an opening in the defenses of the enemy.
A diary entry from a noble in the Army of Arcachon illustrates their role quite well, highlighting the strange path that these monks walk:
As the Army of Arcachon traveled through the mainland, I watched as the monks of the Order of the Blade underwent a startling transformation. Upon landing upon the mainland, they dropped their monks robes and their hair became unkempt and dirty. They braided feathers into their hair. They split up and integrated into the units of the various nobles. Once there they started accepting requests for prayers and preparing small sacrifices to the ancestors and the Gods. As they moved out with their units, these monks started to take on the aspects of madmen, talking to the Gods and to spirits, foreseeing the future and searching out animals which became their clothing. One such monk, Meghan, a very beautiful Sister of the Blade who had taken my unit as her charge, became fierce and terrible, howling at night and seeing visions of the soon-to-be slain. They ate only the animals they killed, supplemented by herbs steeped as tea and the portion of mead that the soldiers were rationed.
Order of Shadows
Where the other orders look after the affairs of industry for the common folk as well as providing for the welfare of the fighting classes, The Order of Shadows finds it's home within the walls of nobility.
Holidays and observances go a long way to make the common folk comfortable but Nobles often feel that they are above such things. Money and influence, justice and honor, however are never taken for granted. The Order of Shadows makes sure that the nobility remember that the Gods are aware of them as well...
Dedicant to the Adgharhin
The Dedicants to the Adgharhin are those whom have proven to be bound to the traditions of the way, but have not chosen a monastic order to devote themselves to.
Beacon of the Way
Beacons of the Way are the Clan Chiefs of Arcachon of Landed Nobility on the Mainland who have been entrusted with a region to control, but have not dedicated themselves to a monastic order.
Candidates and Inductees
Neophyte
One who has undergone the initiation ceremony but has not made the effort to dedicate themselves to further study and responsibility. Generally, it is expected that they will spend some time with the current Priesthood and help to further it's aims.
Follower
Followers are those who have listed themselves upon the Roles of Membership within the Priesthood. They are considered amongst the Priesthood and after due deliberation, they are either asked to continue and undertake the initiation ceremony or they are asked to walk another path.
The Walkers of the Way
Dormondt Lankmere - Elder Guardian of the Way
Elerik Taim - High Priest
Octavio - Hand of the Blade
Akasha - Hand of the Shadows
Vidad - Priest
Vite - Order of the Blade
Titus Van - Order of the Shadows
Alphonso - Beacon of the Way
Cerber - Beacon of the Way
Anulith - Follower
Riverwind - Follower
Ferber - Follower
Ulrich - Follower
Viator - Neophyte
===Past Members of the Priesthood===
Nicholas - Priest, Order of the Hearth
Malus Solari - Follower
Lantel - Follower
Temple Locations
Wellspring Temple (Enlod)
Continent | Far East |
Founder | Dormondt |
Main Temple | Enlod, Arcachon |
Temples | 5 |
Followers | ~150,000 commoners |
Noble Followers | 18 nobles |
Priests | 2 |
Shrines | 20 |
Constructed By: Dormondt Lankmere |
Temple Size: Medium Temple |
Est. Believers: 10600 |
The first and greatest of the temples to Adaghar.
Monastary Temple (Ecsetuah)
Constructed By: Elerik Taim Olik |
Temple Size: Primitive Temple |
Est. Believers: 7700 |
Ecsetuah was once home to the Deletuah Monastary, which fell into disrepair and was long abandoned until Elerik Taim rebuilt it into a new temple to Adaghar. It is now called the Monastary Temple.
Mnalor Temple
Constructed By: Alphonso |
Temple Size: Small Shack |
Est. Believers: 6800 |
The third temple to Adaghar, built in a well-travelled region of Arcachon.
Oasis Temple (Nbasah)
Constructed By: Baroness Poison Shadow-Stalker |
Temple Size: Primitave Temple |
Est. Believers: 3690 |
The first temple built outside of Arcachon, constructed by Baroness Poison.
Temple of Light (Unotossa)
Constructed By: Count Vite LaMort |
Temple Size: Small Shack |
Est. Believers: 4900 |
Peninsular Temple (Abilotiel)
Constructed By: Baron Vidad Filador |
Temple Size: Small Shack |
Est. Believers: ? |
Temple of New Beginnings (Ozrat)
Constructed By: Duchess Poison Shadow-Stalker |
Temple Size: ? |
Est. Believers: ? |
Ossaet Temple
Constructed By: Duke Galiard Scarlett |
Temple Size: ? |
Est. Believers: ? |
Visions, Omens and Portents
A catalog of the various events in the search for the Relics of the Way.