The Spiritual Guide to Estahs/The Collection Of Stories

The Creation

The universe was empty, and the Gods filled it with their loneliness. But after a while, the Gods felt lonely, and decided to create something to keep them busy, that would distract them from boredom. It took the Gods a thousand years to create Universe, and everything in it. Really everything had to be created by the Gods, from the World we know, to the Stars on the far outer side of Universe.

The Creation of the Universe and the Stars

At first, the Gods wanted to cheer themselves up. They had seen Carozar giving spectacular shows with his art of light and fire, and decided that it would be much better if there was a continuous show of light and fire. So they asked Carozar to create this show for him.

Carozar said that that was good, and he asked Vorkaz to create a special arrow for him. The arrow should be filled with a special herb, that Carozar gave him. So Vorkaz created an arrow for Carozar, and put the herb in it. Next, Carozar asked Hurk to shoot the arrow as far as he could. Of course, Carozar should have known that he should have said: "not too far". Hurk took the bow and the arrow, and he shot the arrow far into the empty Universe. And by far, you should read very far. The arrow disappeared from sight, and the Gods thought that they would never get to see the spectacle. But then, all the sudden, there was a huge explosion in the Universe, and fire and light spread everywhere. The Stars were born, and the blast created a space that is now called the Universe.

The Creation of the Earth

After the huge blast in the Universe, the Gods enjoyed the show. But as always, the Gods got bored. They wanted something new, something that they could all create. So Aisen came up with the idea to create the Earth.

The Creation of the Earth took a very long time, because every God had to contribute to it in some way. And every God did contribute. The creation of the Earth had brought the Gods closer to each other, but some say it was also the reason the Gods began a war. It seems that Earth has been both blessed and cursed at the same time.

The Creation of Humans and Animals

When Earth was created, it was empty. There was nature, but nothing to use the nature. Therefore, the Gods created Humans and Animals. They were created to live peacefully next to each other, but some Gods wanted it different. Humans were given the skill to hunt, which means that Animals were now in danger. The Gods had disputes about this, and they then decided to give the animals the skills to defend themselves against humankind. The task of creating all the animals fell to Ochenes, God of Humanity and Animals. To do such a large task, requiring such creativity and skill, he got the help from his children; Warin, Serpiz, Tzôt, Posa, Sikor, Hurm, Anmias and Ocline. Together they created all animals in such a way to keep nature at balance, so all animals could survive in harmony with each other.

The War of the Gods

A long time ago, there were two alliances in the Divine Kingdom of Hirzuan. But at a certain moment, these two alliances clashed with each other, which resulted in the War of the Gods.

The story that you can read here, is written down in the Guide. It is a piece of history, because it tells us about the past. It will also explain why there is no Hirzuan any more, and why there is now Estahs. I will begin with the Alliances, because they are the important factors in the War.

Alliances

There were two alliances, warring each other. Each Alliance was a symbol for a certain way of living. Both their goals was to rule Hirzuan, and control human faith. Both sides had as well evil and good plans.

The Enlightened Alliance

The Enlightened Alliance, also known as The Alliance of the White Crown. The Enlightened Alliance was formed by two gods: Aisen and Ochenes. They had several loyal gods, such as Maneva, Carozar, Siama, etc.

The goal of the Enlightened Alliance was not only to rule Hirzuan and secure it from the evil forces, but also to give men a positive way of living. For this they tried to use their voices as much as possible, but at a certain point even they were forced to use violence.

The Alliance of Tôtzul

The Alliance of Tôtzul, also known as The Thunder Alliance. The Alliance of Tôtzul was formed by Izmir, Sakka and Sachner. Many loyal gods, from the "dark" side, joined them.

Besides controlling Hirzuan, which was in fact just a second goal for this Alliance, they wanted to destroy mankind. They saw mankind as a creation that was made by The Enlightened Alliance, and one that was a danger to them. It was the Alliance of Tôtzul who began the War of the Gods.

The War

For long the Gods had lived in peace. However, at the point that humans were given the ability to hunt on animals, the Gods were divided into two parts. The Enlightened Alliance wanted to give the Humans even more abilities, so that they could control the earth instead of the Gods. The Thunder Alliance however, who were more in favour of keeping everything under the control of the Gods, wanted to keep it the way it used to be.

The Thunder Alliance gave the animals many more abilities that the Enlightened Alliance could ever imagine. Stories were told about giant eagles eating entire villages, or hordes of mice attacking cities and killing every single human. There were even stories written down about Dragons, but it is assumed that these stories were written down by false religions.

The war lasted many years, bringing destruction upon all of the earth. The gods fought with their power, their mythical units, with animals and with human armies. Millions died. It came to a point where the God's looked down on earth and saw the destruction they had caused, and knew it had to stop.

The two Alliances met in the centre of Hirzuan. Aisen spoke. "This must stop. There must be peace. We are destroying the world."

Izmir spoke in reply. "Then you must perish Aisen. There will be one final battle. And we will triumph."

"As you wish Izmir. It is obvious this is the only way there will be peace. Gather your army and prepare to fight."

Within a day the entire armies of the two alliances were gathered on either side of Hirzuan. At exactly noon, when the sun was at it's highest, the two armies charged. There was great bloodshed and pain and death. No one won the battle, for there was no army left standing at the end. It was just the Gods. Hirzuan was completely destroyed.

The Gods then gathered. And once again Aisen spoke. "Now we have destroyed Hirzuan, we need no longer fight, for the very thing we were fighting for is gone. There must be peace now, and this must never happen again. The two alliances must end, and we must compromise with each other, and create one alliance, the alliance of the Gods."

A compromise was made. Mankind would have domination over all other animals and the earth, but the animals would have power to defend and live their own lives not under the influence of humans. The Gods would always be there if they were needed, but mankind were given power. To avoid another war, the Gods split themselves into new factions, to fairly represent all aspects of existence so they could sort out their differences through word not conflict. The factions of Lore, Humanity, Nature and Creativity were created.

It was decided that a new city should be built in place of Hirzuan. And the place would be called Estahs.

The Light City of Estahs

After the War of the Gods, the Gods created a new city to replace the destroyed Hirzuan. Ilimis, Goddess of rivers, created Veioror, river of birth and Zeakar, river of death. She let them flow into one another, creating Ziksor, river of Life and Death, at the center of Estahs, where all things shall go when they depart from mortal earth when they die. Ulsa Nakam, Goddess of the Woods, then created the Blazimir Forests, for the souls of the dead to rest eternally in Estahs. Eimir, God of the mountains, created mountains that were infinitely high, to surround and protect the city. Each God added their own ideas to the city. And so Estahs was created.

The Dark City of Ulgu

A group of Gods rebelled against the ending of the War of the Gods and the thunder alliance. They spoke out against their leader Izmir, the other Gods, and the compromise that was made, as well as the creation of Estahs. They cast themselves out into darkness. They called themselves the Faction of darkness and in spite they created their own city, a city of darkness known as Ulgu. Not much is known about Ulgu, but it is believed to be the source of all evil on Earth and where the unnatural spawn. Some believe that those mortals who wish to follow the path of evil, and follow the faction of Darkness, willingly give themselves to Ulgu after death, never making it to Estahs.

The Chronicles

Aisen, God of Wisdom

He was the third on earth, to give mankind his wisdom. He gave them the basics of life, and told them to teach what they had learned from him. All knowledge, from love to warfare, goes trough him. He knows all about the world, even about the gods. He knows more about one man, then the man himself knows about. He can tell you more about the world then you would ever have dreamt of.

But after the born of mankind, he decided to never go back to earth (civilised, Estahs is not considered earth) again. The year before he left, he asked the seven kings of the world to build places to teach men and women. These place are named Academia, or in common: University. The Academia are well spread all over the known continents. Every honourable city has at least one. The Academia is not only to spread the wisdom, but is also used for praying to Aisen. Every academia has its small place of meditation, most of the time it’s located in the middle of the building. In the building itself you can find teachers, who are at the same time priests of Aisen. Priests of Aisen are called Murvan, which is originated from an inscription in the first academia on the world. The first academia, however, was destroyed by Segul, god of Chaos. The Murvans could only save one big rock. But on that rock were all inscriptions made by Aisen. The rock is now held on a secret place, and only two members of the Protectorate of Aisen know where the rock is. But even if you know where the rock is, and you aren't a Murvan, you cannot destroy or steal it. That is because the location is guarded by the Xinfen, those who also guard Estahs.

Ochenes, God of Humanity and Animals

Already did the gods exist for an unknown period, when Ochenes was looking for complete separation of the other gods and Goddesses. For this he travelled unknown lands. Twelve oceans and three deserts he crossed. He had to face the creatures of Sachner, which were even more feared then savage Xinfens. The creatures of Sachner were called to be undead. They die actually, but every year they will come back to terrorise the gods and all their servants. Besides these monsters he had to kill, he had to survive dehydration. As you must know, a god never dies. But Gods can stop living, until Lonraca revives them. Ochenes could turn into a stone statue if he ran out of water. Luckily Ilmis placed rivers on his path where he could refill his waterskin.

But then, finally, Ochenes reached his isolated place where he was looking for. He started meditating for years, even centuries some said. He didn't need any water while meditating, because he was only living with his mind. But after some while Carozar came to him. He wished to surprise Ochenes, by giving him light. So Carozar created light, but on his quest for a symbol of light, he faced the undead too. See the story of Carozar for all the rest.

He could spread light through the empty spaces, and he could fill Ochenes’ heart with the heat of the sun. As other gods saw this, they came over and added something of their own. Nine days the gods came, to complete this work. And on the tenth day, Ochenes woke up and he saw that everything was changed, and was beautiful. Still he noticed that there was one extra to be added. He was missing something that should resemble to him. So he created mankind, with two arms and two legs. He said they needed one arm for justice, and the other one for wisdom. That man needed one leg to walk, and one to stand on. But of course, his mankind was quickly changed by others...

Izmir, God of War

When the Gods finally agreed to peace with one another, they withdrew from the earth and left their armies (which were almost all human armies) at the ruins of their great constructions. All the Gods were happy with the peace treaty. And so were the humans, they all went back to work on the fields and enjoyed themselves telling great tales about the War of the Gods. But in the Estahs, things were very different as the Pantheon began to divide into different factions.

Izmir, the former God of Peace, did not follow his once allies into the Underworld, instead joining the Gods representing Humanity, knowing full well that it would not be long before bloodshed began again on the earth. Still, the humans would need a push and Izmir realised that if humankind was not taught to defend themselves, they could never hope to defeat the machinations of the Gods of Darkness on their own. Izmir hatched a plan to persuade the humans to engage one another in conflict once again.

In secret, Izmir gathered his former comrades together for one last task. Together, he and three other gods would begin a new war between humans. Fyeks, Goddess of Twist and Discussion, turned the humans against one another with her lies. Sakka, God of Looting, taught humans how to loot and raze everything to the ground in addition to simple butchery. Finally Voxar, God of Evil, began to collect all the perished soldiers in order that he could one day lead them against mankind.

It was by Izmir's very own hands that humans learned to make weapons for themselves but without him, they might never have learned to defend themselves from the forces of darkness in the world. Thus, Izmir ensured that war would exist for all eternity and it was good.

Maneva, Goddess of the Peasants, Protector of the State and the Ruler

It was not so long that Izmir had changed the mentality of mankind, when Maneva entered the life of the gods. Maneva was clearly a god who loved the humans as they were. But Maneva wasn't just a Goddess. She was one of the captured, when the gods were still at war with each other. She was born out of human, but brought to Estahs as a trophy for the victories. There she was kept alive in the dungeons for a long time, and was only given food and books. But when the Great War was over, all the captured were released. However these humans couldn't get out of Estahs, because only Gods knew the right way. So she had to become a God. Years and many years more she was taught by Aisen. It was Aisen, and only him, who could turn a human into a god.

So Maneva became a god, but her love for the homeland was too big. One day she asked Aisen if she could go back to her people. But that of course was now impossible. Gods cannot turn back into human. But Aisen had the solution, Maneva would be sent to the continents to take care of the peasants, who are her people. And she also had to take care of the State, since the Great War was over. And with her passion for the State, the love for the ruler came.

Carozar, God of Light and Sun

It was dark and Carozar was alone, walking in the mountains around Estahs. At a certain moment, he heard loud cracking noises in the woods. He went to take a look, drawing his sword. When he arrived at the woods, thousands of demons jumped at him. Carozar fought bravely and killed all of them, but he went mad. He was paranoid, and saw demons everywhere from that day. He forged himself a sword of hot gold, and a horse of clouds. He swore that he would chase the demons until the end of times, and he rode on his horse, chasing darkness. Every day you can see his shield and his horse passing the sky. Sometimes he has no horse with him, because it is in Estahs. The demons still flee from him every day, but be careful at night - demons wander around then!

Voxar, God of Evil, Bearer of the Undead, Monsters and Daimons

Voxar was the one that created all the evil in the world, and the evil in persons. The earth had only just been created, as Voxar appeared in sight again. At his birth he had been granted with an ability which allowed him to get into others minds and influence them from the inside. Such an ability hadn't been seen before, and that way he could influence many of the other god-children when he was still young. Once the elder ones found out what he could do, they made a barrier between their minds and the outside, so he couldn't get in any more. In the war of the gods he fought on the "evil " side too, and he developed an evil that had never been seen before on the world. He had found a spell with which he could resurrect fallen soldiers from the grave, forming fearsome undead armies. Though this was not enough to balance the war in their advantage. Another race came into his mind, evil, fearless, just like him, but with incredible strength. They would never come in large groups, but had awesome strength, he called them monsters. Though this still did not overpower the light Gods, and the war was ended with a compromise between the two sides. Voxar, seeing only winning and losing in his evil mind, felt, and is believed to still feel, great bitterness towards all other Gods for not winning the War of the Gods.

When mankind was created, his head started buzzing again, thinking of ways to exsert his bitterness and lust for revenge upon the other Gods and all else in existance. The gods had forgotten to make barriers in the minds of normal people too! He saw his chance, and took it immediately. He went into the minds of each man and woman, filling them with fearsome thoughts, evil thoughts, about murdering, raping, stealing and much more. Too late the gods figured out what he was doing. They saved some people from having evil thoughts, as Voxar didn't get that far yet, this is also the reason why some people are incredible evil, while others let see that they haven't even had such a thought yet.

Because he hadn't fully succeeded in his evil mischief, he decided to send at random times, groups of monsters and undead to the world, to murder the ones that didn't have the bad thoughts, so only the ones that did would stay alive and the full power of evil would be let loose upon the earth. He failed again though, since mankind was braver then he thought, and defeated his legions, with great losses however. He still wanders around Ulgu now looking for a better plan for revenge. Though with the advent of daimonry, and the fourth Invasion of Beluaterra, some begin to wonder whether he has finally found it.

Skadhi, Goddess of Pleasure

Compiled by Attila Osha, Third Prophet, after weeks of research in the fallen Hedonist temple in Latlan

A long time ago on the continent of Beluaterra, a realm called Vice was founded in the aftermath of the Second Invasion. It was a realm dedicated to pleasure and the restoration of happiness to Beluaterra after the terrible evils she had suffered. In time, that small realm gave birth to the faith of Hedonism, which was similarly dedicated to the spread of pleasure throughout the lands. The one responsible for this was the goddess Skadhi Storm, who brought unbridled joy to all who knew her when she walked the earth and for a time, the people of Western Beluaterra lived in paradise and harmony. Alas, it was not to last.

With rumours of the Third Invasion beginning to grow, the forces of pleasure began to fail. Fear overwhelmed happiness and pain overcame pleasure. Civil war came to the Western Desert, Hedonism began buckling in strife and disharmony. The ability of Skadhi to bring joy grew weaker and weaker, until one day she simply disappeared, much to the dismay of her people and the adherents of Hedonism. A few short months later, the Third Invasion began in earnest, and Beluaterra would not know joy or pleasure again for many seasons.

It was only after the end of the Third Invasion that happiness and pleasure could once more return to Beluaterra, though Skadhi did not return and neither did her realm or faith. It was the duty of all those loyal to her to battle against evil and those things that would bring misery over pleasure and in this, humanity failed. It is said that one day she will return. Perhaps when the realms of pleasure are borne anew or perhaps when humanity finally succeeds in ridding herself of the evils of daimonry.

Until then, Skadhi can only battle on alone in the Estahs against Voxar and all those things antithetical to Pleasure.

Nanaye, Goddess of Names

When the Gods created the universe, it was decided that one amongst them should name all the things they had created. But who was deserving of this honour? To find out, the Gods decided that the one who could remember the most names of their fellow deities could name everything in creation. Nanaye was the only one who could recite the name of every single God and thus she became known as the Goddess of Names.

It is said that Nanaye decides the names of each and every child before it is born and buries the idea like a seed in the heads of a child's parents. Likewise, she is said to remember the names of all those that have existed and shall exist, whilst some maintain she also hangs on to the names of a handful of Gods that have disappeared from existence and often those names will be found inscribed at her shrines and temples as a symbol of her great omnipotence.

The allegedly missing Gods are Viemsoe, God of the Union; Wikmos, God of Explosions; Jilkon, Goddess of Yelling; Vikkal, God of Chocolates; Frikal, God of Meat and Trokof, God of Candy.

Ocline, Goddess of Spiders and Darmgas, God of Poison

Compiled by the High Priest Nikkitanilas, from previously lost scriptures of the Guide to Estahs

When Earth was created and the Gods created Humans and Animals to fill its empty space, Ocline, daughter of Ochenes was required to help. Ocline was a quieter Goddess, who disliked the company of most other Gods, including that of her father. When he requested she aided in the creation of the animals she was reluctant. As a young Goddess, the youngest of her siblings, she disliked being told what to do.

She found a place where her father couldn't find her, a secret place in Estahs she created that was only hers. One day she sat in her place thinking when another God has found her; Darmgas, God of Poison. They began to talk and the young Goddess found she did not dislike his company as she did the other Gods. They spent many days alone in their secret place and slowly began to fall in love.

One day Darmgas came to meet her, to find her curled up and crying. She told him her father had once again requested her help to create the animals that were to dwell on earth, but she had no ideas and it had ended in an argument. Darmgas comforted his lover and suggested they created a single animal together, an animal that was to be unique to all others and as deadly and viscous as the largest predictor, but small and dark. They gave their creature eight legs, for they were different to insects. Then they gave them the power to hunt, to be terrifying and feared. The creature was to be a land animal, but to catch flying creatures it was given a unique way to hunt. It was given a large abdomen with the ability to create silk, and so the creature could create a web in order to catch their pray. Once the creature was created, Darmgas added his personal signature to the creature, giving it venom to make it deadly.

Soon after the War of the Gods began, and Darmgas as a darker God joined the alliance of Tôtzul. Ocline found herself torn between her father and her lover, but when Ochenes came to her demanding she joined the enlightened alliance, and protesting of her relationship with Darmgas, she rebelled against her father and joined with her lover. When the War of the Gods was over she went with Darmgas to Ulgu, the city of darkness, joining the Faction of Darkness and marrying Darmgas.

Gol'dean, Phoenix of Rebirth

From a sermon delivered by the Prophet in Twillen

"People of Twillen, before I consecrate the temple you see behind me, I would tell you a tale. A tale of the barest shadow of a whisper that once echoed amidst the peaks of central Beluaterra. A tale of a time where you would occasionally hear the name of Gol'dean pass through a persons lips. The men and women who uttered that name were few and far between, as anonymous as Gol'dean himself. But they were steadfast in their whispers. In their veneration of the Phoenix, of the cleansing fire of rebirth."

"What I speak of was, at best, a small cult residing in a small realm. That small realm soon became pray to a bigger realm and it wasn't long before that small realm was obliterated in every conceivable way, from inside and out. Yet the acolytes of Gol'dean were not unduly worried at the fate of their home. The Phoenix would protect them and what was lost would be reborn. They went on about their daily lives and they waited for the resurrection."

"The peaks of central Beluaterra do not echo the name Gol'dean any more. The word is alien to the lips of her denizens. The acolytes had waited and waited until they died and so now I ask that you mark well the lessons of the acolytes of Gol'dean. The gods can be fickle as well as kind. When some things burn to ashes, they remain ashes. Rebirth is too precious a gift. It is something we must work for and prove worthy of. This is where the acolytes singularly failed."

"This temple has been raised from the ashes of Twillen. From the scorched bones of a city that once symbolised the strength of humanity, her enlightenment, her magnificence. Now it is a symbol to all of our weaknesses, all of our failures. One amongst a litany as Beluaterra burns and humanity faces a grave realisation. That whether this continent entirely burns to ashes or is forged anew in these fires is entirely down to us. A responsibility no man wishes to bear and yet one we all must bear."