Old Gods/Core

Central Tenets

The Followers of the Old Gods are many and their practices are varied, for this is a faith of the individual. Orthodoxy and hierarchy are shunned in favour of exploration and curiosity. This has lead the faith to splinter off into many unique interpretations down through the years. Despite it all there is one core that unites the Followers no matter where they might be found: The Followers will triumph over adversity through the strength of the human spirit and in so doing, win the love of the Gods and Beluaterra for humanity. This truth has united both the great and the low, the warrior and the farmer, the scholar and the merchant in their quest to achieve excellence. For the Gods do not wish prayer, nor sacrifice, they wish worthy champions in all fields and skills. To this end Humanity stands as the black champion of the Dark Mistress in opposition to the white champion of the Wolf Lord, his Children the monsters. With their strength and unity the Children of the Gods hold an exalted position, but our spirit is greater and we will overcome any challenge through our excellence. This is why we fight. One day the tests of the Old Gods will end, and humanity will see itself the victor. One day we shall be the favoured of the Old Gods, and Beluterra shall be ours to command.

Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver

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"A curious sort eh? Alright I'll explain." Nerta plays her spoon through the stew, her cloak still on. "There are five Gods... well six, but before we get to that. We don't believe in a lot of things. No one 'believes' in the trees and the mountains, they just are. So are the Gods. There's Life & Death, Fate & Fortune, Light & Dark. The raw essence of the world." "Now on Monster World, in the old tongue Beluaterra, these essences have opinions about our existence. Humans have tried to tame this land and the monsters fight to retain their home. All while the Gods watch and judge." "The Wolf Lord, Life, wants the strong to survive. He delights in testing us, and everything else, constantly. By contrast, Death accepts is all as we are. The Dark Mistress is a kindly bitch who's eases the burdens of the harsh world and provides tools to push back against the terrors of the woods." The pause for ale seems more than just thirst. "Those two are the most popular with new Followers but we all have a Fate, the Ice Queen sees to that. Thankfully Fortune, the Mist Walker, helps when that destiny overwhelms. Usually. Sometimes he just messes with travel. Tricksters are like that." "The Masked One is the last of the five, and a strange one. Syncretism from another faith, or so the scholars say. They represent balance and judgment, yet gets attention from infiltrators and rogues. The Light can be complicated what can I say?" "Nothing complicated about the Dark. The Crystal Maiden is the patron of the selfish and the desperate, handing out her dreaded necromancy in exchange for suffering and pain. For that reason few Followers trust water, or those who sail." "But I doubt I need to tell you much about the sixth Goddess. The Sunken Kingdom has been doing too well chewing through nations as it is. First Nova, then Shattered Vales, and now Nothoi..." Rubbing her eye the woman grimaces. "Anyway, that about sums it up. So what about you? Want to know more, or are you going to tell your tale?"

Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)

Core Belief

Humans are fooling themselves if they think force of arms alone will defeat the monsters. For mankind to truly control the continent we need to win the love of those who control this land, the Old Gods. If we do not, the monsters will continue to thrive, and we shall never know peace.

The Gods

The Old Gods are a mighty forces that stand behind the workings of the World, rewarding the brave, destroying the weak and confounding the corrupted. They respect strength, courage, independence, and determination; those who display such qualities receive their blessings; those who do not, fall to the harshness of the world.

Monsters

The Gods created the Children to be strong and free, the masters of Beluaterra. Yet the incursion of humans has cast doubt in the eyes of the gods as to the strength of their Children. So while man fights to win the favour of the Gods, the Children fight to keep it.

Worship

The Gods are swayed by acts of courage, and strength of both character and force. For them the battlefield is a temple, the cities of man a testament to their ingenuity, the taming of the wild lands a demonstration of their determination. As each man honours his kin and struggles against the world, the Gods become pleased and should a man distinguish himself in their eyes, he is blessed. To earn the respect of the Gods, one must do great things with and for his kith and kin, honour the holy places, and demonstrate the strength of the human spirit.

Priests

Those who dedicate themselves to the Gods, truly swear themselves to their kin. The Gods have no need for those who hide away tending to the 'flock' rather they respect those who stand unwavering on the front lines, whether they be the battlefield or the farmer's field, struggling against the enemies of mankind. Those who swear to be priests are expected to prove the worth of humanity in all that they do, and never flinch from their duty. Thus they do not preach so much as offer wisdom to those who wish it, guiding and honing themselves and others into the peak of excellence.