Adgharhin Way

History

The people of Arcachon were historically animistic in their religious practices. Legend tells of a foreigner from the West who brought with him books and 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 Adgharhinism is dark or fatalistic; quite the contrary, followers tend to 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 Way 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 were often handled by the Illuminated Ones, events that effect the overall structure and vision of the Way were deferred to the Guardian of the Way. After the disappearance of Dormondt, there was no official Guardian of the Way.

High Priest

The High Priest or Priestess is the second highest official position in the Adgharin Priesthood. It is reserved for people who have dedicated their entire careers to studying and spreading the Adgharin Way. There is only one High Priest, Elerik Taim Olik.

Illuminated Ones

The Illuminated ones are the leadership council of the Priesthood. There are currently two; Akasha (Hand of Shadows) and Octavio (Hand of the Blade). 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 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. There is no current Hand of the Hearth.

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 the specialized knowledge of their order to attain a more general and more complete understanding of the Way.

Elder Priest

Priests who have served a long time in their profession.

Priest

The priests are the engine of any religion; these are the most dedicated Walkers of the Way, spreading Civilization and Faith across the world.

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 soothsayers. 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 or 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

Eldest

Dormondt Lankmere - Elder Guardian of the Way (Current Whereabouts Unknown)
Elerik Taim - High Priest
Octavio - Hand of the Blade
Akasha - Hand of the Shadows

Elders

Vidad - Order of the Blade
Ferber - Order of the Shadows
Anulith - Dedicant to the Adgharhin
Poison - Dedicant to the Adgharhin
Viego - Priest and Initiate

Beacons of the Way

Cerber
Caesare
Karl
Madras
Nzer Jr
Aedwin
Araia
Driazt

Followers

Cassandra
Galvin
Jonan
Wladimir
Karin
Joffrey
Daved
Abarok
Hulthathuth
Edith
Hobbs
Bah'Na
busirio
Anastasia
Dissimilis
Ryeena
Indigo
Lente
Tokeru

Past Members of the Faith

Nicholas - Priest, Order of the Hearth
Malus Solari - Follower
Lantel - Follower
Titus Van - Order of the Shadows
Alphonso - Beacon of the Way
Riverwind - Follower
Ulrich - Follower
Viator - Neophyte

Temple Locations

Wellspring Temple (Enlod)

Adgharhinism

Continent	Far East
Founder	Dormondt
Main Temple	Enlod, Arcachon
Temples	11
Followers	105,058 commoners
Noble Followers	35 nobles
Priests	2
Shrines	22

Constructed By: Dormondt Lankmere

Temple Size: Large Temple (5)

Est. Believers: 10600

The first and greatest of the temples to Adaghar.

Monastary Temple (Ecsetuah)

Constructed By: Elerik Taim Olik

Temple Size: Small Temple (3)

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: Primitive Temple (2)

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: Small Temple (3)

Est. Believers: 3700

The first temple built outside of Arcachon, constructed by Baroness Poison.

Temple of Light (Lost)

Constructed By: Count Vite LaMort

Temple Size: Destroyed (0)

Est. Believers: 4900

The Temple of Light, in Unotosa, remained a prominent focal point for the religion in the north mainland, until it was sacked and destroyed by Arfeiniel of Sartania (2007-09-02).

Temple of New Beginnings (Ozrat)

Constructed By: Duchess Poison Shadow-Stalker

Temple Size: Medium Temple (4)

Est. Believers: 7000

Poison became one of the few Duchesses of Ozrat, and continued to support the Way there with the financing of the Temple of New Beginnings.

Ossaet Temple (Lost)

Constructed By: Duke Galiard Scarlett

Temple Size: Destroyed (0)

Est. Believers: ?

Duke Galiard began as an enthusiastic new member of the religion, and for reasons still unclear he took such a disliking to the priests of his new faith that he left the order, and sacked the temple (2007-05-18) he had himself built.

Peninsular Temple (Abilotiel)

Constructed By: Baron Vidad Filador

Temple Size: Small Shack (1)

Est. Believers: 1500

The temple has a long history, with no small amount of violence from the Sartanian-Arcachonic wars. It was constructed (2007-01-18) by Vidad, but later sacked and closed (2007-05-14) by Ranulf, a new Baron of the region. Temple servants are noted for managing to save a handful of gold coins from the pillaging, at the cost of their lives. The temple was, however, rebuilt (2007-07-30) by Vidad again, and remains to this day.

Rapael Temple

Constructed By: Anulith, Count of Rapael, Marshal of the Army of Adaghar's Boot

Temple Size: Small Shack (1)

Est. Believers: 4400

The temple in Rapael was constructed less than a month following the construction of the Ossaet Temple.

Athios Temple (Lost)

Constructed By: Karl, Count of Athios

Temple Size: Destroyed (0)

Est. Believers: ?

A week later, a temple was begun in Athios, at that time newly part of Arcachon. However, the temple was sacked and destroyed by Wilson Hendrix of Sartania (2007-09-09), after that realm conquered the region.

Colasan Temple

Constructed By: Dozer, Duke of Colasan

Temple Size: Small Temple (3)

Est. Believers: 1400

Colasan's temple was constructed at around the same time as the Athios Temple, and so far has withstood time and politics much better. It is currently cared for by Duke Driazt of Colasan.

Isular Temple

Constructed By: Sir Caesare Den Snodaert, Minister of Finances of Lasanar, Baron of Isular, Marshal of the Second Army of the South

Temple Size: Primitive Temple (2)

Est. Believers: 700

Isular Temple was begun by Caesare, thought to be inspired by the Duke of Colasan and the presence of the Adgharhin priesthood in the duchy. Although followers in these southerly areas are fewer than in the north, they showed fidelity to the Way.

Itomazh Temple

Constructed By: Cerber DeRouen, Fiduciary of Arcachon, Count of Itomazh

Temple Size: Small Shack (1)

Est. Believers: 8000

Not to be outdone by the temple-building in the south, Cerber constructed the first temple of Itomazh - thought to be unnecessary in strictly-practical terms, this newest temple to Adaghar nonetheless stands as a proud symbol of the enduring faith.

Temple Of Southern Light (Paplarmi)

Constructed By: Poison Shadow-Stalker, Countess of Paplarmi

Temple Size: Primitive Temple

Est. Believers: 3055

After moving to Zonasa, Poison had nowhere to pray to Adaghar. As soon as she became Countess of Paplarmi, she built a temple dedicated to all of the Gods so that she could properly pray whenever she wished.