Back to top
Excerpt from the teachings of Clan Gaarestaal
(Vulenheim, Menglana, ca. 550 TR)
Where did the world come from?
In the days before time, Kelestia was born in an instant of great
strife. The first to waken from the Nothingness were the First Gods, and
they were strong. And they fought bravely over dominion of the newly
birthed universe. And they discovered that they had the power to create
great things, and created the so-called Lesser Gods to fight for them, to
be their huscarls. The Lesser Gods in turn created still more things,
beasts and man and unspeakable demons, all to serve them as they served
the First Gods. Eventually, the First Gods all perished, leaving only
the gods they had called "lesser" to rule the realms they had created.
Our Lord is the greatest of the remaining Gods, and this cold, frosty,
forbidding land and the cruel and merciless sea were created by him to
test usand harden us, to ensure that only the strongest and bravest would
survive.
Where did I come from?
You were created by the Grey Lord, to serve him as is his due, to prove
yourself worthy and able to take up the Great Struggle when the time is
right. The Great Grey Slayer has no time to coddle weaklings, for the
Great Struggle approaches even as we speak.
Why am I here?
You are here to prove to our Lord that you are worthy. Only the
strongest and boldest will have a chance of achieving triumph when the
Great Struggle begins. Your life is a test, and your Lord is watching.
Do not fail him.
What happens after we die?
Those who are worthy wil be borne to Talagaad, to revel in the joys of
battle ceaselessly. They shall discover comraderie in competition,
comfort in skill-at-arms, and when the Great Struggle comes, they will be
ready. No day will pass that they will not be examples of courage and
might.
What of the other Gods? Tell me the Truth about...
Agrik
The Master of the V'hir was once a great warrior, but has lost sight of
his honor. While battle and bloodshed are noble endeavors, wanton
killing with no purpose and cravenly acts of cowardice merely to succeed
are not. Nevertheless, the servants of the Lord of the Four Horsemen are
quite skilled, and may be our allies when the time is right.
Halea
The Lady of Bargains is not to be trusted. The wiles of the woman have
sent many a warrior to his grave before his time. Take not her priestesses
as warbrides, lest you see first hand the true evil heart that all women
possess.
Ilvir
The Craven Lord is cagey, and not easily understood. Have caution around
him, for he is as a wild animal, unpredictable and dangerous to the
unwary. Guard well against him and those who profess to follow him.
Larani
Strong and good. Pure of heart, Larani is a true Shieldmaiden. She and
her soldiers should be treated with the respect that is their due.
Forgive their minor transgresses against the Ljarl, for their Goddess is
sometimes blinded by her hatred of Agrik.
Morgath
Servants of the Wreaker of Chaos is what men with no sense of honor,
discipline, or order become. They are cowards, striking out from the
Shadow at men who are better than they. Unable to cope with his own base
inadequacies, the Wielder of Shadow seeks to subvert his betters. Show
them their foolishness, show them no mercy.
Naveh
The Master of Deceit is also the Master of Cowardice. He strikes only at
night, and will not face his foes in open battle, as is their honorable
due. Crush them wherever they are found, lest their cowardly
machinations become troublesome.
Peoni
The Lady of Labors is good and strong in her own way, but has no heart for
that which must be done. Left to her, those like Morgath and Naveh would
run rampant over the Earth and the Heavens. Waste not your time trying
to show them the true way, for they are stubborn in their ignorance.
Save K'nor
As the holder of the Law, the Lost Guide is to be treated with the
respect given to any wyrdsmaan. He speaks only the truth, and his
counsel is wise. Though he is without skill-at-arms, he is nonetheless a
worthy ally.
Siem
The Lord of Dreams, while wise, is slow to act. He would rather talk
ceaselessly and lose than act decisively and win. If he can be
motivated, he is a force to be reckoned with, but even the taking of
Bukrai by the Lord of Chaos could not stir him to action. His words,
while sometimes wise, are ultimately useless.