Aspects of the Flame

Presently this page is being used for notes and developing a new religion. The religion will later be moved to its own page, and this page will detail Cayden's experiences with it.

Aspects of the Flame

Creation

In the beginning, there was the Great Ocean, and no land farther than the eye could see. Galtea, daughter of Dalai heated the ocean floors to create the currents that allowed life to flourish beneath the waves. Galtea, however, quickly grew bored of these sea creatures that her mother created. She tried to make her own life, but under her mother's demanding conditions, the life simply ceased to exist. Galtea raged against the harsh conditions of the sea, time and again to create life, but each time it simply died. Summoning all of her power, Galtea raged once more throwing her powers at the ocean, erupting in a blaze of passion, she created the first lands. Seeing her creation, she rose up through her volcano to find that what was once nothing but endless ocean, was now land.

Her first order of business was to create life. Once more she tried her hands at creating creatures. The first few starved to death. Unlike with the ocean, there was no balance to maintain, no food, no resources. She could not maintain a balance without assistance, and refused to let her mother see her struggle like this. Concentrating her powers once more, she decided to give birth to the first life that would not need her help. Birthed from her mind was Ulyn, the Lady of the Seasons, bringing change and balance, but as things grew unchecked, Ulyn also struggled, flawed more than her mother. Using her own power, the light of the sun, and a tear for nurturing, she gave birth to twins Baigal and Anmal, the Great Farmer, and The Groundskeeper, keepers of life and balancing nature's growth with her changing of the land.

Dalai watched her daughter's growth with mixed feelings of pride and anger. How dare she be so defiant with her, shunning the watery gifts that she offered. At first, Dalai tried to bring rains to the land, a peace offering to help their creations grow. Galtea only responded with anger, trying to protect her creations from the water that killed them so many times before. She strengthened Ulyn's power, and that of the sun making an eternal summer. This was folly, as everything would only burn, and for a short time, it did.

Dalai had to do something about the sun. The sky was an extension of the sea, a sea of air and nothingness, clouds and rain. Like her daughter before, Dalai gave birth to a new being that she called Shuga, Lord of the Winds. The flames and heat were only harming her daughter's creations, so she sent Shuga, and unknown, to guide the winds and rains and storms to Galtea's people. While he was doubted at first, Shuga demonstrated his gifts before his sister, and she agreed to let him help. Crops grew more abundantly in her lands. Baigal and Anmal got along well with their uncle, and used his powers to amplify their own in guiding new life to the land, but the creatures were tired.

The creatures were tired because there was nothing but endless sun and rain. When they found shelter, many just passed out, enjoying a break from the harsh light and weather. Dalai once more tried to assist, this time, extending her reach out to the sea that was the sky. Sho was her next son, and he would gain strength from the sun. Enough that he could block it's harsh rays for a period of time using the starry sea as his strength. Sho quickly realized that his powers waxed and waned with Ulyn's work. Someone who could affect a being of his strength quickly caught his attention. The God of the night quickly became infatuated with her, and as winter came, would try to woo her with his new strength, but she never took notice.

Galtea raged at her mother once more. She needed to stop interfering with her work. Dalai claimed to know best, but this only angered Galtea further. Her volcano erupted once more. New lands began to appear around the world. Dalai fought back, not wanting to be covered over by her daughter's willfulness. In a great storm of fire and water, ashes and ice, to wills collided over and over again until they were worn out. Lakes were filled, rivers began to flow, rocks rose up from the depths, and the tides began to turn. Dalai and Galtea stared each other down as the ash settled and mist cleared away. Neither dared take a step, lest the other one gain the upper hand, watching, waiting. A sound of wailing came from the side, and both turned to look. A young woman was on the ground, crying, but not just any woman, a woman born from their power.

The Goddesses named her Khelta, and agreed that she should have a place in both halls. They named her Khelta, The Goddess of the Scales, The Gatekeeper, and The Lady of the Horizon, the boundary between Galtea and Dalai, who would allow travel between the Emberic and Oceanic Courts.

Emberic Goddess

• Galtea - The Goddess of Flames, The Avatar of the Volcano, Earth-mother, Light-bearer, Goddess of Passion

Lesser Emberics

• Ulyn - Daughter of Galtea, Lady of the Seasons
  • Baigal - Son of Ulyn, The Great Farmer, Lord of Feasts
  • Anmal - Son of Ulyn, Lord of the Hunt, The Groundskeeper

Emberic Rituals

• The most common ritual is the use of various ash compounds to alter the colors of the flames. This is typically only done in a temple, but wealthy nobles may buy small supplies of the ashes required to use in their own private shrines. Each flame is meant to be a piece of a whole, and while we may dedicate ourselves with
• Lighting five candles in a ring before saying prayers.
• Thanking a fire source for its light, warmth, and protection before putting it out
• Offering food cooked over a flame to Galtea

Oceanic Goddess

• Dalai - Mistress of the Depths, Shadow-mother, The Avatar of the Ocean, Goddess of Wisdom

Lesser Oceanics

• Shuga - Son of Dalai, Storm-bringer, Lord of the Winds
• Sho - Son of Dalai, Star-keeper, Lord of the Star Sea

Oceaninc Rituals

• Casting salt over the earth to give Dalai power where she would not
• Offering food to Dalai when salting it
• Saying a prayer over a well to thank Dalai for her waters

The Goddess of Scales

• Khelta - The Gatekeeper, Lady of the Horizon

Symbols and Talismans

The symbol is typically done in a circle, star, shield, anything that can house the points. The Aspects are considered equals, each an integral part of mankind, and can be placed in any order. The top flame is used to mark your chosen path in the faith, however, it is also traditional that the Red Flame is at the top if one does not wish to disclose the path of their devotion.

Many adherents also like to carry stones with them, made by the pressure of the earth, and, like obsidian, symbolizing the conflict between Galtea and Dalai, they are used as talismans and prayer objects

The Aspects

The Aspects of the Flame are represented in various colors of flames, signifying the power that the Goddess of Flames used to give life. All of life is like a flame, once snuffed out, it ceases to exist, and like the many colors, no life is the same as another, and is made of many different aspects.

Red Flames

The Avatars of the God are known by their eyes, red flames cloud their mind and give way to visions, rage, etc... Red flames are the sign of the Goddess Galtea.

Devotees to the Red Flames typically carry a ruby, garnet, or other red gem on their person.

Gold Flames

These flames are the light of the sun, nurturing life and crops. Traders and Farmers often favor this path.

Devotees to the Gold Flames typically carry a topaz, a piece of gold, or another golden stone on their person.

White Flames

These flames are the flames or righteousness, justice, and honor. The morals of mankind were poured into golden flames as a sign of warmth and home, something worth fighting for and defending.

Devotees to the White Flames typically carry a diamond, a pearl, or another white stone on their person.

Black Flames

The flames of violence and mankind's baser nature. These flames are not necessarily a sign of evil, but a sign of acceptance that some things must be done. The Black Flame is a welcome home to Infiltrators and Adventurers, though none are restricted here should they wish to seek another path.

Devotees to the Black Flames typically carry a black diamond, a piece of obsidian, or another black stone on their person.

Blue Flames

All must die at some point. People who say they've seen spirits have seen the goddess' will on the world in the form of the blue flame. These Wisps are echoes of what once was. Often they are seen in areas with lingering regrets, or around the undead, twisted remains of what they once were, and wish to aid in freeing their bodies from this cruel fate. Followers of the Blue Flame deal in life and death, are arms merchants and traders, those who seek to commune with the dead, or seek to destroy undead.

Devotees to the Blue Flames typically carry a sapphire, a lapis, or another blue stone on their person.

Songs and Prayers

Seekers of the Flame

We were chosen by Galtea's hand Sent on a mission to make a holy land We saw her beauty all our days We were soldiers under her gaze

We kept the faith before our fame We knelt at the Altar of Flame We sought her Ash in Pelnora Vents And found mystic symbols in tunnels of ancients

Humbled by her passion, raw Blackened skies were all we saw Protecting us day and night Find your warmth, Galtea's light.

Festivals/Holidays

• Fireworks are a traditional display at founding festivities, or the building of a temple. It is considered a display of the god's power raining down as a cleansing to start or end festivities.
• Lovers Day - A Spring Holiday watched over by the Emberic Goddess Ulyn to celebrate new life, and life coming back together.
• Harvest Festival - Every Fall/Autumn, a holiday lasting three days is held to celebrate the completion of the harvests, and for Baigal's bounty
• Summer Sea Festival - Every Summer, a three day holiday is held to thank the God of Storms, Shuga, and Dalai for the safe return of the fisher folk, and for the bounty of the sea and rains pray for good rains for their harvests.
• The Long Night - Sho's celebration comes with the turn to winter. People celebrate with a huge bonfire for one night and send their prayers to Sho to protect them during the short days and long, cold nights as much of the land sleeps.

Miscellany

The Texts of Bahn the Illuminated

Controversial texts aimed at educating children in the ways of the Faith. Some think they are a cruel joke by an unfaithful priest, but for some reason they sell really well.