Mapaxilism

History

Duke Kepler Dolohov of the desert realm Talerium, not ordinarily a spiritual man, rode to battle against Talerium's foes in the east. At night in his tent, he performed his family's traditional blessings, but only in rote. During this campaign, however, the gods spoke to him: "Leave behind your title and your army, and go to the Vikings." He did not wish to believe that the gods had spoken to him, convincing himself instead that he had drank too much. The next night was the same, "Go to the Vikings."

Night after night, he heard the same instructions, but nothing else. It took a long time for him to give in. He handed over the seat of Mapaxal to a trusted commander, gave up his title, and went north.

Foolishly, he believed that he had been sent to convert them, civilize them. When he arrived, he decided first to learn more about them, and about their religion. He learned about Valhalla, and the Makarian ideals of battle. He found that as he got to know them, he liked them very much -- "civilizing" them seemed like a crime of the highest order! He had heard nothing from his gods despite many nights of praying, and he finally grew frustrated, and slammed down his fist on his family altar and said "No! I cannot rob them of this -- they have built themselves a paradise, and it would be a crime to take it from them!" And finally the gods opened his eyes: this was what they had wanted him to see for himself.

Teachings

Mapaxilism's teachings boil down to a simple idea: the nobles of Atamara live in a paradise created for them. Their reward for virtuous former lives is to hunt, drink, and especially to gain glory in battle. In return, the gods ask that the nobles actually enjoy the world created for them.

War

War is wonderful to a Mapaxilist, the opportunity to test one's mettle against other favored souls, and thereby gain glory, but it must be carried out properly. Warriors must show respect to each other on the field of battle: accept defeat graciously, and to be humble in victory. Battles are won by grit, determination, intelligence, planning -- and luck. The gods bestow luck for their own inscrutable reasons, and not always to punish or reward. Thank the gods for your victories, but do not curse them for your defeats.

It is better to destroy an enemy realm outright than to leave it shrunken and held down. During the war itself, pressing on an enemy so that it cannot rise is a valuable strategy, but to maintain it for too long breeds resentment and anger. It is better to despatch the enemy realm, and welcome its nobles into your own ranks.

One of the few true evils in this land is a pacifist government. It is the right of the nobles to fight and earn glory, and a King who keeps them restrained for the sake of politics has shamed himself. If the realm is not at war, and the ruler will not find them, it is up to the Dukes and Duchesses to rally armies and find a fight.

Because war is a gift from the gods, Mapaxilists consider their enemies to also be gifts from the gods, and so are respected and thanked, even as Mapaxilists kill them and drive them from their land. Defeating an enemy is glorious, taking his land is an achievement to be proud of. It is considered good form for a Mapaxilist to thank his or her enemy after a battle, win or lose. Insulting one's enemies or taunting them is a grave offense.

Cavaliers have the respect of Mapaxilists, and Heroes are revered. Knights are encouraged to consider these paths to glory. This is not to say that Bureaucrats, Infiltrators, Traders, and Priests are looked down upon, but they are encouraged to actively support their fighting brethren.

Names

People occasionally ask, "what are the names of your gods?" A Mapaxilist will not answer this question: he knows that names are powerful, and that the gods do not give them out lightly, but instead only as a great honor after years of service. Be wary of other religions that advertise the names of their gods. Either their gods have given them false names (usually bizarre unpronounceable names, given in order to mock the ones who demand to know them), or they have made up their own pet names for the gods. In the worst cases, these religions may be following demons.

Instead, the Mapaxilist will tell you, You do not need to know the names of the gods to praise them for this paradise, or to thank them for victory in battle. Moreover, knowing the names of only some of the gods will tempt you to thank them in preference to others. It is better not to know.

Peasants

Peasants look like people, and frequently sound like people. However, they are not at a stage in life where the gods permit them to truly enjoy paradise. Mapaxilists are encouraged to have as little to do with commoners as possible. Allow agents or minor nobles to perform all necessary interactions with them, including the purchase or repair of artifacts. (OOC: when speaking to an adventurer, it is best to roleplay that your character sent a retainer or other servant)

Treat commoners like your livestock -- they are valuable to you, and it is irresponsible of you to mistreat them without cause. But do not allow sentiment to cloud your judgment when dealing with them. They will receive their own rewards from the gods should they earn them, they do not require yours.

Progression and Rank

(OOC: the following information is not usually given out to outsiders, but it is reasonable to assume that your non-Mapaxilist character has heard some of it through rumor) To become a full member, one must merely have read and understood the information given here. State to all of the followers that you have completed your studies, and the Elders may ask you questions, publicly or privately, to verify. (If you have been active in asking them questions, they may choose to skip this step, so show your curiosity!) Thereupon you will be granted status of full membership, the Warrior rank.

Progressing further than this requires an act of devotion. Warriors who habitually offer prayers before battle and other outward signs of their faith will be promoted to Great Warrior, and then to Divine Warrior.

Those who show even greater material devotion to the faith may progress further, or even skip ranks.