User:Unwin/sandbox

Rhyfelism

Overview

Rhyfelism is the worship of Aran - God of Humanity. Aran often has a special interest in War, Victory, Death and Conflict. Aran is the defender of humanity who leads the dead champions of mankind against the Demon hords of The Abyss. Those found worthy by Aran enjoy an afterlife with form and function as Avatars under the leadership of Aran. All others wonder Jietheim as formless, aimless Geists. Rhyfelism teaches that success in war, victory in politics, and dedication to the greater cause of Aran are key factors used for judgement. Weaklings, cowards and true traitors have no place in Haven.

Cosmology

In the center of all creation lies Jietheim, the land of the dead and of great power. Surrounding Jietheim are seven known worlds, including the land of humans - Battlemasterra.Each of the seven known worlds has a border region within Jietheim, a place from which connections can be made from a particular outer world and Jietheim. The region of Jietheim that borders Battlemastara is known as Haven. The region that connects Jietheim to the world from which Jlrx comes is known as the Abyss.

When a living thing dies Their eternal spirit is transported to Haven in Jietheim. Those found worthy by Aran become Avatars under his rule and enjoy eternal life and great power. Those found unworthy are cast from Haven. Should a living creature of the outer worlds somehow manage to traverse the border to Jietheim, they are granted power beyond mesure. This results in the complete destruction of all but the strongest of beings. Only two greatures are known to have survived the experience, our great god Aran and Jlrx the Overlord.

Key Terms

Aran - God, defender of Haven, humanity and Battlemastara. Battlemasterra - The land of Humans Demon - A fearsome creature formed by the Overlord Jlrx Jietheim - The land of the dead and core of the universe. The Abyss - Hold of the Demons Haven - Humanities home Geist - The formless spirit of the dead. Avatar - Geists given human form by Aran. Jlrx - The Overlord of The Abyss and the demons.

The Leters

3rd day of Spring in the year of the Hog

Aran captured the city of Enecen. Aran and his host had arrived in the last days of summer just before the harvest could be collected and quickly surrounded the city. At first the folk of the country rebelled against this newcomer but Aran ruthlessly halted such notions. By his order Every act of rebellion resulted in the death of a random present. When a Rebell was discovered, the rebel and all relatives were publically tortured and executed. At the same time Aran ensured those commoners obedient to him were adequately cared for. It did not take long for resistance to be quelled.

With the lands surrounding Enecen under his oppressive thumb, Aran proceeded to attack the great city. He began by launching rotten and diseased corpses into the city. They did no real damage to the fortifications but soon sickness began to spread amongst those within the walls. Aran also used fire to his advantage by constantly bombarding the city with flaming projectiles. In most cases this did no real harm but the occasional fire did break out and the resulting damage was a toll upon the besieged.

On three occasions the King and his Lords rode forth in an attempt to drive away the armies of Aran. Sadly, each sally resulted in the death or capture of nobles and soldiers alike. The strength of the Enecen’s defenders quickly deteriorated.

Aran’s armies also suffered. While Aran did manage to capture most of the years harvest, it was barely enough to feed the soldiers and the peasants. Sickness also descended upon those in the camps, though not quite so disastrously in the city. Soldiers grew lazy and undisciplined during the long wait.

The lmost damaging blow to befall Aran’s army was a flanking attack launched by the Crown Prince and the garison stationed in Heol. The blow came in the fourth month of the siege during in the dead of winter. Aran’s army was disorganized and soft when the attack took place and several regiments were lost before the Prince’s Men were scattered. Throughout the winter the Prince continued to harass Aran’s armies.

In the last days of winter Aran discovered the Princes whereabouts. That night Aran and his men snuck into the Princes camp and killed nearly every man as they slept. The Prince was captured and held ransom. When the King refused to give Enecen in exchange for his son Aran had the Prince tortured. When the King refused again, Aran sent the Prince, bound in chains, off to a far away land on a slave boat. None know of the man’s fate.

On the first day of spring Aran launched a full offensive. His men were in fighting trim thanks to the repeated attacks led by the prince and the fair rations provided by supply train and local store. It was not long before the walls were taken. Before we all were taken.

3rd Day of Summer in the Year of the Fish

I was once the prisoner of the great General Aran. Though I have no doubt that Aran could conquer all the lands and unite them under his rule he does not. He is and always will be a soldier, a leader of men and a winner of wars. A General. Since my release I have chosen to remain by his side as an aide and to record some of this amazing mans life. To date Aran has won over three thousand wars. In each war Aran has lead from the front lines and fought alongside his men. He has become the undisputed master of combat, battle and war.

In his early years Aran would often leave the field of battle bloodied and injured. Such is no longer the case. Aran’s prowess has grown to an unprecedented level. No blow has made its way through his iron defense since I was a boy. Aran has not been caught by surprise since I was a young ban. The man’s body had become a trim sculpture of muscle and sinew.

Over the years he has grown impossibly strong and blindingly fast. Though his hair has gone white, age does not weigh on him despite being the oldest man alive. He has not been sick since he was a boy and rumors suggest that even poison can not overcome the man’s inhuman constitution. It seems that every day Aran grows stronger and more competent and every day it is impossible to imagine him growing yet stronger.

Aran has become more than a hero. He has become the deciding factor in every war. Whenever a kingdom find itself at war, it hastens to gain the services of the world’s greatest Warrior, Marshal and General – Aran. It is well known by now that whomever Aran choses to aid will be the victor.

17th day of Spring in the Year of the Oak

Two years ago an army of strange creatures appeared in the north. The beasts are slightly larger than a man but of far greater strength and speed. They sport skin in shades of black and red, clawed hands, pointed tails and great horns upon their head. These creatures seem to poses a magical affinity for fire and can even blast fire forth from seemingly nowhere. Some even have great bat-like wings which they use to fly. Aran has come to call theme Demons.

Since their arrival the Demons have taken control of most of the north. The creatures seem intent on exterminating every man woman and child. Aran has risen to the call of the Kings and Queens of the land and has rode to the north at the head of a great host to confront the Demons. I can only shudder to think of the fate that will befall the Demons.

12th day of Winter in the Year of the Oak

Aran has returned. He has managed to push the Demons back into their portals but the cost was huge. Only one man returns of every twenty gone north. The victory was not completely hollow though. Aran has captured a demon and hopes to learn much from it. Despite the losses, Aran is flush and excited – giddy like a child that hs just been given the best of gifts. He talks of finally finding a real foe. Aran plans on departing in the coming spring to lead the host through the portals to continue the fight.

17th day of Winter in the Year of the Oak

Aran has informed us all that humanity, even under his lead, can not defeat the Demons. They are simply too powerful. He has also told us that he has a plan that will provide him with the edge he needs to protect humanity. He will be spending the rest of winter studying the portal, the creatues known as demons, and the land they hail from. He must be ready for the coming spring.

2nd day of Spring in the Year of the Dragon

Aran returned from the north one week ago. He has become familiar with the realm beyond the portals and calls it the Jietheim. His findings are remarkable. He tells us that Jietheim is the land of the dead. And that all worlds border Jietheim. He tells us that when an occupant of any of the worlds bordering Jietheim, ours included, dies, they transported to Jietheim. Save for a very few who, like Aran, have gained power beyond measure, it is not possible for a resident of an outer world to travel to Jietheim by any means other than death. He reports that those who die enter Jietheim as formless geists.

He tells us that if one, like him, can enter Jietheim alive that they gain the powers of a god and can reclaim and shape some of the geists as they enter Jietheim. He reports that a powerful Demon, Jlrx, has managed to enter Jietheim alive many centuries ago and that Jlrx has been building an army of dead, shaped into demons with which he can conquer all the worlds.

Aran has chosen to travel to Jietheim and establish a stronghold on along the border of Jietheim and Earth. Then, when the dead cross over to Jietheim Aran will select the bravest of warriors and grant them new form. Form like that which they possessed on the earth but far stronger, faster and tougher. These warriors of Haven, to be known as Avatars, will join Aran’s Host and will continue the fight against the Demons.

8th day of Spring in the year of the Dragon

Aran has departed our world today to enact his plan. It was an amazing thing. Once through the portal, the earth began to shake. Portals throughout the north began disappearing. As each disappeared the portal through which Aran passed through grew larger until it was the sole portal left. The portal was ringed in fire and shadow and through it’s middle one could see clearly into Jietheim. Aran, now twice the size of a man stood on the other side glowing radiantly. He told us that this last gate would be left open to join earth to Haven in Joetheim. It would be known as Deaths Gate. Humanity could gaze through Deaths gate and see the Avatars of known warriors form in Haven and join the Haven’s Host.

6th day of Winter in the year of the Mountain

I will soon be dead. Of old age or heartbreak. I do not care. Three days past Aran closed Deaths Gate for good. A demon attack on Haven managed to penetrate the outer walls. While Aran and the Avatars defended the breach half a dozen Demons managed to sneak past and pass through the Deaths Gate to earth. It took a score of Avatars to hunt down and kill the demons but the damage done by the demons could not be undone. Aran declared Deaths Gate too much of a risk and sealed the last link between Earth and Haven in Jietheim forever.

3rd day of Spring in the year of the Sundering

The closing of Deaths gate was accompanied by great earthquake. Much damage was done and many lives lost. We all viewed it as the price of safter. It would appear, however, that the cost was much greater than we had thought. Reports have come in from the west that only ocean exists where land once was. Our great continent is gone and only the Far East portion still exists as an island. Some are urging exploration. The building of ships to traverse the sea. It is pointless. We are alone on this great sea.

10th day of Fall in the year of the Sundering

Our connection with Aran and his Avatars has not been lost! Aran has appeared before us, though not in all his glory. It would appear that portals, like the Deaths Gate, can vary in strength. A strong gate takes a great deal of time to create and allows for the most powerful of Demons and Avatars to cross into our world. lesser portals can be created however. By using such lesser portals it is possible for our God to provide guidance to his people.

There shall never again be a great portal connecting our world to Haven though. Such portals, once built radiate power and draw the demons like moths to a fire and it takes a great deal of time to close them safely and will cause massive earthquakes in our world should the portal be close in a hurry. They are too risky.

13th day of Fall in the year of the Sundering

I have learned from our God, Aran, that there may be other powers within Jietheim. One he calls the Wraiths - deadly spirits with an obsession for corpses. Another he calls the Beasts who are primitave, ferocious and ever hungry. He has not seen the lord of either faction however ans suspects that they may simply be strains of deomons lead by Jlrx. Bands of Wights and Beasts have been asailing Haven continuiously. At every oprtunity they create lesser portals to our world. This may explain the walking dead and the feroucious monsters we have fought against for so long.