The Age of Rekindling

The Dawn of a new

Issued by High Keeper Sissel Freysdóttir av Ruric, on the 8th Thoromirsangr of, IAÁ ASKR AR 605, AGE OF REKINDLING; 

The Age of Dragonfyre has ended. Let no soul mourn its passing in silence; let them instead raise their eyes to what comes next. The Tribe of Vjardengrad has been brought to its knees, and the tribe of Verdengrad, birthed in its image, was decimated by Orthasiel and butchered by the Southron. It has been driven into the smouldering ruins of what was once a living people, a breathing society, a flame that lit the far north. We have known trials that no saga had ever warned of. We have suffered losses that would have unmade lesser folk entirely. We have witnessed the False dscension of the Allfather, the split of Freysson and the war of Vansk, the Rurikidd murdered, and the Kingdom of Norland raided and slaughtered. And yet we have prevailed.

 

In remembrance of those lost
High Keeper Ellenore Eriksdóttir · King Haakon Konánsson · Lord Purifier Ægir Erikisson · and all the Rurikid clergy and Innconcents of Norland slain upon the day of the Great Massacre — may their names be spoken so long as the fire burns.

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF THE FATHER,

as Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable
Sissel av Freysdóttir Ruric,

As High King of Norland, High Chieftain of the House of Ruric, Chieftain of the Clan Edvardsson, Jarl of Verdrfrad, Blood of the Herald & Lord of the Ashwood Throne, Protector of the Highlanders,

Haraldr av Edvardsson Ruric, 

The Rurikids were brought to slaughter on that most grievous of days, and all that remained in their wake were the young, the Bairns of Eirkisson, of Freysson, of Edvardsson. Heirs not by design but by no choice of survival. Children thrust into the cold with no shelter but one another and the memory of those who fell. From that ruin, they have risen. We have risen. And the blood of Thoromir has prevailed.

The High Kingdoms of the south once sought to destroy us. Has now taken steps to accept and stop the prosecution of our people, which has continued since the reign of King Balon Eirkisson. Haraldr Edvarsson has brought peace upon our lands and continued the great mission that Haakon Edvardsson had started. Change is upon us. Though let us not forget the roots that our faith has blossomed from. Let it be known across every hold, every hearth, every cold shore and frozen ridge of the Allfather's land: the Age of Rekindling begins this decade. It is not an age of forgetting. It is not an age of easy comfort or false peace. It is an age of purpose and remembrance hard-won and hard-kept. We do not rekindle this flame because it is easy. We rekindle it because it is ours.

From Iron we were forged.
From Ice we endured.
From Ash we burn anew.

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF OUR ALLFATHER,

as Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable
Sissel av Freysdóttir Ruric,

As High King of Norland, High Chieftain of the House of Ruric, Chieftain of the Clan Edvardsson, Jarl of Verdrfrad, Blood of the Herald & Lord of the Ashwood Throne, Protector of the Highlanders,

Haraldr av Edvardsson Ruric

The Whispering Plague
The Fel

Issued by High Keeper Sissel Freysdóttir av Ruric, on the 5th of Eiriksstanda, IAÁ 598, AGE OF DRAGONFYRE

PREAMBLE

Today, we confront a plague once proclaimed by High Keeper Arthas as the Second Dawning. Though his reign sought the eradication of the Fel, it can never be wholly excised. There is no Eldr without Edirt. Thus, we find the Faithful once more at risk, facing a perversion of creation. The High Hearth now sets into motion a renewed declaration of war against the Fel. As before, we have been exposed and infected, warped by unnatural presences and arcane forces that infest the tribe, like flesh-eating mites upon the soft skin of creation. Often, the Fel rewards its followers with oddities and power rather than mere discomfort. Yet, take heed: those who bear the Fel shall be consumed, alive or dead.

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF THE FATHER,

as Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable
Sissel av Freysdóttir Ruric,

As King of Norland, High Chieftain of the House of Ruric, Chieftain of the Clan Edvardsson, Jarl of Verdrfrad, Blood of the Herald & Lord of the Ashwood Throne, Protector of the Highlanders,

Haraldr av Edvardsson Ruric, 

The Fel itself represents the quintessence of the Dark, made manifest within the corporeal reality of our realm.

The infection is not some form of malady or ailment of the flesh. It is not a consistent, obvious corruption, nor is it singular to one’s mind. Rather, it is an entire fundamental perversion of the natural order ordained by the Allfather within His grand purpose. Where the Father embodies creation and the epitome of justice and goodness itself, as evidenced by the sacred text of Dawning 1:10 and expounded upon in Aeyn’s Summae Patriae, the Fel is the true antithesis of these divine attributes.

CONTENTS

1. The Nature of the Fel
2. The Mechanism of Corruption 
3. The Afflicted
4. Who is affected by the Fel
5. The Authority of Discernment and the Duty of the Faithful 
6. The Imperative of Purification 
7. The Keepers Sacred Mandate
8. The Ramifications
    

The Nature of the Fel

The contagion emerges from excessive exposure to the agents of the nefarious soldiers of the Dark, that tenebrous limbo in which nothing changes or grows, and stagnancy reigns for all eternity. It is the Dark’s insidious method of infiltrating our world, corrupting the Father’s children from within and transforming them into vectors of spiritual contagion. The infected become, whether knowingly or not, and often through tragic circumstance, agents of that which the AllFather forever battles in unending perpetuity. The Fel is like fragments of the dying abyss that have leaked into our realm, and none are beyond its reach. For this reason, the Fatherists must remain vigilant, as survival is inherently their responsibility.

The Mechanism of Corruption

Unlike the honest blade or the Father’s forthright flame, the Fel gradually appears upon one’s soul as a serpent lying in wait for its prey. Through deception and gradual subversion, it seeps its way into the guarded hearts and active minds of even the most Faithful. It is resistible through adherence to the Father’s tenets, yet its reach extends to all who falter in vigilance. When you think of plague, you think of the overt afflictions such as dysentery, a full attack upon one’s body, a weakening of the lungs, and soreness of bones and marrow alike. It is not something you seek, for it is indeed an illness that will latch itself onto anyone with a pulse. The Fel is much the same. However, with the Fel, it does not always spread by merely physical contact, but through the metaphysical taint that leeches upon the soul itself, as High Keeper Arthas so astutely recognised when he was first spoken to by the AllFather himself.

Those afflicted often fail to perceive that their connection to the Father’s light grows ever weaker. What once blazed as a glorious and unyielding flame, a portion of the Father’s soul and by virtue creation itself, now dwindles. Where an individual once bore this flame and illuminated a righteous path, now only a shadow remains, influencing every choice and aspect of mortal life. Such is the terrible efficacy of the Fel: it severs the infected from the source of all benevolence, rendering them incapable of true communion with the AllFather by his divine right. Many do not perceive how the cords tethering one’s soul to the Father are gradually cut, one by one. Those touched by the Fel share a lamentable kinship with Parian heretics, who through folly have severed themselves from the Father’s grace, though the Fel-infected may still bear the virtue of unwilling victimhood. Some are misled into thinking that mere honour will shield them.

The Afflicted
 

Sacred doctrine instructs us to recognise three categories of those touched by the Fel, each demanding distinct pastoral and martial responses.

The Salvageable: Those in the early stages of infection can be brought back through a deft return to the All Father’s light, drawn away from the precipice. Those souls that have been touched by the Fel but are not yet entirely consumed are redeemable. To effect a cure, they must be quarantined with all due speed and haste. The Hearth maintains this sacred duty not from sentimental weakness but from theological necessity, for each soul preserved is a victory against the Dark’s advance.

The Irredeemable: Those who have followed such a path beyond the threshold of any form of recovery, whose corruption has so thoroughly pervaded their flesh, marrow, soul, and mind that they become clear abominations to the Faith. These wretched creatures, though not always at fault through their own intent and sometimes victims of circumstance, have now become instruments bent to the Dark’s will. They cannot be simply left to the consequences of their sins, as such a doctrine of Tyrian belief would have us think. Such tolerance permits the contagion to spread among those most worthy, most pious, and most amenable to salvation itself.

The Willing Servants: These are those most perfidious of all. Those who, in full knowledge, embrace their condition with malice and in flagrant violation of the Father’s covenant, wield the Fel for temporal advantage. The edict concerning secular conflicts, written by Keeper Arthas, makes the All Father’s wish and will abundantly clear. Even now, the ardour of his holy command, an almost atavistic flame, continues to burn, carried with impelling fidelity from messenger to paper, its authority preserved by the mandate bestowed upon the writer. The fate of such apostates is clear: immediate expulsion from the Father’s embrace, enshrinement as anathema, and purification through the righteous flame.

Who Is Affected by the Fel
 

To approach the Fel as though it were a monolithic condition is to commit a grave error in both doctrine and praxis entrusted to the Faithful. The Fel defies any form of simplistic categorisation. It is neither white nor black, for it is not a singular affliction but rather a vast constellation of many collected corruptions. Like the branches of a malignant tree, grown neglected through the absence of Sól and Vatan, they bear no new sprouts, for they have been forsaken and deprived. What grows was once fruit, varying now only in its differing qualities of rot. The severity of the infection varies profoundly across individuals. Some rot is evident, the apple has fallen, and the maggots have set to feast. Others are slow, viscous, and lingering. And some still struggle for a lease on life, cursed to be sweet fruit yet taste so bitter. Sour. It is only the Keepers and the High King who possess the spiritual authority and acumen to determine the degree of one’s soul and affliction. Per evident Grendel Kith.

The Evidently Corrupted:
Certain afflictions announce themselves with unmistakable clarity. Those of Grendel Kith bear it within their dead flesh, and those of vampyric origin carry the plague as surely as the night follows day, for they are sustained by the vital essence of the Father’s children. Those touched by necromantic arts or bearing curses of sufficient magnitude harbour corruption that admits little doubt. In such cases, the Keeper’s discernment primarily concerns the severity of infection rather than its presence.

Practitioners of the Arcane:
Mages and sorceresses present more nuanced considerations. Those drawing upon the Void and other Ruinous Powers often engage in dealings with the agents of the Dark. Yet the degree of corruption varies substantially based on the nature of their practice, its duration, and their overall involvement. A naive youth experimenting with minor cantrips differs profoundly from a wytch who has spent decades consorting with infernal entities. Likewise, not all those touched by the arcane are unsalvageable from the Father’s holy flame while still living as His creation.

The Ostensibly Untouched:
The Fel does not speak solely of wretched Etir or arcane practitioners. Like all illnesses, it is multifaceted. The ostensibly untouched are among the most insidious cases, wherein men and women bearing no evident contact with arcane forces nonetheless become willing servants of malice. Pride, avarice, and wrath are the fundamental corridors that enable the Dark to enter one’s heart. Not all require tomes or grimoires to become agents of the Long Dark. The systematic violation of the Father’s tenets, pursued with sufficient persistence and willful blindness, can itself be a form of the Fel and its infection. It does not require study. It requires pure malice seated within the soul. This truth underscores the Tenets and their importance. The draw toward corruption is an inherent flaw of the mortal condition, and those who surrender to it, whether through arcane practice or simple moral degradation, become vulnerable as vectors for the Dark’s influence.

Considerations for Discernment:
A Keeper must consider the weight of an individual’s soul under adversity and hardship. A Keeper must understand the following:

The Nature of Exposure: Was the contact voluntary or involuntary? Deliberate or accidental, sustained or momentary?

The Degree of Knowledge: Did the individual understand the weight of trafficking with the Dark’s influence? Were they deceived by false doctrine and dulled of mind, or did they fall in full awareness of transgression?

The State of the Soul: Does evidence suggest a capacity for genuine repentance? Can the connection to the AllFather’s divine light be restored, or has it been irreparably severed?

The Practical Risk: Does this individual, regardless of culpability, pose an active threat to the Faithful of the AllFather’s community? Would tolerance of their continued presence facilitate the spread of corruption?

The Temporal Context: In times of relative peace, more extensive efforts toward cure and rehabilitation may be required as necessary. During periods of crisis, such as the present surge, which bears parallels only to the Second Dawning, does immediate and decisive action become justified?

The Authority of Enlightenment  and Duty of the Faithful
 

By the power invested in the Keepers of the Holy Hearth, we bear the sole authority to render judgment upon the afflicted regarding the presence and severity of Fel infection. Yet we acknowledge the faithful tribe’s sacred duty to defend themselves and their kin against manifest threats. Equally, the tribe must remain mindful and must not allow their blades to dull upon those who are the embodiment of the Long Dark and its creation. If it smells like death and looks like death, kill it.

When confronted by creatures of evident corruption, such as attacking Grendel kith or rampaging abominations whose nature admits no doubt, the faithful must act in immediate defence of life. Let sagacity and a thoughtful mind prevail before judgment is rendered, even when slaying those of evident threat. However, all cases requiring discernment of the presence of infection, its severity, or the appropriate response must be brought before the Keepers for proper judgment. Vigilante purification without Keeper sanction is strictly forbidden, for it undermines the very mechanism through which the Father has chosen to order His Hearth militant and risks the burning of the innocent, a violation of righteousness itself. A Keeper can discern whether rehabilitation is possible at all.

The people of the AllFather’s realm have a duty to expel the darkness, but such a duty must be exercised with wisdom. For death, for most, is irreversible, and to burn the salvageable is to grant victory to the Dark, just as surely as tolerating the irredeemable.

The Imperative of Purification
 

The peace of fire and burning represents not mere punishment. It is mercy, bestowed upon the afflicted and, perhaps, upon the faithful as well. It is why, when we suspend the condemned upon the Ashwood, their bodies are soon entombed in heat, as life drains away and breath becomes a choking struggle, if the noose has not already snapped the neck. This is a moment of mercy, granted both to the afflicted and to the faithful of His devout community.

Firstly, this rite separates the corrupted soul from its tainted flesh and provides even the most far-gone victims a singular opportunity, in the moment between life and death, to accept the Father’s light into their heart before entering the halls beyond or falling into the abyss. For the AllFather is the embodiment of all that is good and justice incarnate. Even He understands that those among us may stray from His path. The cleansing flame strips away mortal corruption, allowing the soul to stand fully bare before His divine judgment.

Secondly, and of equal importance, purification protects the greater masses of the faithful tribe from contamination. The Fel spreads not merely through intention but also through proximity to its agents. It does not always reveal its corruption immediately. To allow the corrupted to persist among us is to invite the Dark into our very Hearth, into the places where Mothers and Fathers raise their children and Elders retire, if they are not granted the honour of dying with sword in hand. To seat corruption among us is to allow it to spread like a slow-moving river carrying true plague. From such a source, all are made unclean. This is a violation of the first tenet, “Suffer not the Unworthy.” For too long, the tribe has compromised sacred precincts where the Father’s presence dwells within the Hearthflames we keep.

Thirdly, the act of purification demonstrates to the AllFather that, in a time when the faithless have never been so apparent, we yet remain bound to the Father’s Grand Purpose. To shrink from such duty is sacrilege. To permit tolerance to supersede righteousness is to embody the very sin of unworthiness that the first tenet explicitly forbids. Tolerance has rightly been named cowardice. And tolerance is unworthiness. To know one’s duty as a Fatherist and to recoil from it out of fear, fear of discomfort or fear of upheaval, is the height of clerical failure, a failure we have only recently committed.

The Keepers Sacred Mandate
 

As Keepers of the Hearth, we derive our spiritual authority from our custody of the Hearthflame, the flamebrand, that portion of the Father's very essence entrusted into a Keeper's care. We are not called 'Keepers' through simple nomenclature, but because we have a portion of the divine harvested within our grips. A Keeper without a flame possesses no more sacred authority than any common layman; indeed, such a one is reduced to a madman bereft of their office.

It follows inexorably that our responsibility regarding the Fel admits no means of compromise. We must move forward:

Pursue the Cure with Unflagging Diligence: Those of the Hearth and its clergy and Fatherists among will maintain the commitment to discovering all means of redemption for those lost to the Fel and its plague upon the tribe of Norland in stages of salvageable infection. This research serves the Father's Grand Purpose. And as his rightful protectors upon the mortal coil, we must dedicate all we have to reclaiming any souls from the dark grasp of the abyss and oblivion.

Maintain Rigorous Quarantine: Those who possess the potential for a cure must be removed with deft speed and zero hesitation from the tribe in action. Absolute discipline must be adhered to. Laxity in quarantine periods serves neither the infected nor the faithful in mind, body and soul. It merely ensures that both shall fall to corruption.

Administer the Peace of Fire Without Hesitation: When confronted with the irredeemable or those of a willing apostate, we must act with decisive clarity. The purifying of the flame serves both mercy and justice, and to withhold it is to fail in our most fundamental duty.

Root Out Fel-Trafficking with Extreme Intolerance: The recent surge of the Fel infection is quite parallel to the one Arthas once witnessed. And so it is more imperative than ever, by the declaration of the Second Dawning, that we demonstrate our vigilance. Those who would employ the Fel for advantage in secular conflicts violate not merely the prohibition against fratricidal warfare, but the very structure of covenant with the Father and his Holy flame and spirit.

The Ramifications 

We, the Fatherist faithful, must never lose sight of the ultimate consequence of growing complacent to the Fel. The consequence of failure is that this most holy and sacred struggle is most dire. The Father battles eternally against the Long Dark. A limbo where nothing can thrive or wither. A cycle of perpetual consistency that threatens to bring the end of days to the mortal realm as we know it. Consumed to an eternal tenebrous nothingness. Should the Fel continue to spread unchecked, we fail to raise our torches to illuminate the darkness and expose these grievous agents of the Long Dark; we do not merely fail our contemporaries: we hasten the arrival of the end itself. The Infected Fel are not just victims of a terrible affliction. They are the essence of soldiers upon battlements fighting against our Allfathers' shield wall. This is why our response must be comprehensive and unyielding. Rooted in unshakeable certainty rather than the shifting sands of pragmatic accommodation.

Let no singular false mercy still our warriors' hand. Let no doctrine of tolerance or those of corrupt purpose infiltrate. The Fel must be opposed at every turn through cure where possible, through quarantine where necessary. And when no other option presents itself. Holy Purification. We serve the Father in life, and if afforded such. Death. It is our sacred privilege that we continue to pass the Hearth flame to those of future bairn and kin alike.

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF OUR ALLFATHER,

HER EMINENCE, Sissel Freysdóttir av Ruric,

Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable

HIS MAJESTY, Haraldr Sigmar Haakonsson,

King of Norland, High Chieftain of the House of Ruric, Jarl of Vjardengrad & the Lowmarch, Blood of the Herald & Lord of the Ashwood Throne, Protector of the Highlanders

titles, descending from greatest to lowest
 

RAUN HINNA BRENNDU

ON THE PROHIBITION OF CURSED CHILDREN

issued by High Keeper Sissel Freysdóttir av Ruric, on the 10th of Eiriksstanda, IAÁ 591, AGE OF DRAOGNFRYE

PREAMBLE

Let the tribe of Norland, all within and without the borders of the Ashen Kingdom, know this decree. From this day forth, no Devil, Cursed Child, nor any being bearing the infernal mark of demonic corruption shall be permitted to dwell within the sacred Hearth of the Kingdom of Norland, its vassal territories, or any lands subject to Red Law and the authority of the Ashwood Throne, without first enduring the Trials of Raun Hinna Brenndu, for the Ashen Realm and High Hearth are not without mercy..These beings, born from the corrupted touch of the infernal, Devils and Cursed Children draw protection from warlocks and demons alike. Their blood is thick with corruption, and their souls are already claimed at birth. 

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF THE FATHER,

As King of Norland, High Chieftain of the House of Ruric, Chieftain of the Clan Edvardsson, Jarl of Verdrfrad, Blood of the Herald & Lord of the Ashwood Throne, Protector of the Highlanders,

Haraldr av Edvardsson Ruric, 

as Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable

Sissel av Freysdóttir Ruric,
 

CONTENTS

1. THE PATH OF REDEMPTION
2. TRIAL OF SANNLEIKI
3. TRIAL OF REIÐISVÍSDÓMR
4. TRIAL OF TRIAL OF SJÁLFBOÐIÐ

THE PATH OF REDEMPTION

All Devils residing within the vassals of Ledna, Mechanikas, Solgaard, and the Capital of Verdengrad are hereby summoned by the Kingdom of Norland to depart, or face trial within the High Hearth, by the end of the year following the issuance of this edict.

Those who do not wish to prove their worthiness may leave under the King’s Peace. No harm shall come to those who gather their belongings and depart in good order. Any citizen who violates this protection shall answer to His Majesty’s Army. Once the grace period has expired, any Cursed Infernal found within Norlandic territory shall be seized by the Purifiers and subject to immediate purification by fire.

FROM THIS DAY ONWARDS,

• Infernal children may enter Norland only after heavy vetting, including examination of the skin for marks of impurity and a thorough search to ensure no infernal or arcane items are carried upon their person.
• No devil may take up residency within the borders of Norland without enduring the Trials of Raun Hinna Brenndu
• Any citizen who aids a devil in evading this edict for nefarious purposes shall be charged with treason and suffer the Father’s Mercy.

TRIAL OF SANNLEIKI
 

The Trial of Truth is the first trial that a Cursed Child must endure. They must submit to questioning by the High Hearth and provide at least one person who will advocate for their honour, after which all their belongings must be surrendered and searched by a Purifier. For words are not merely enough, actions of loyalty and trust must be displayed.

The Cursed will then demonstrate unto the High Hearth that there are no markings, tattoos or sigils dedicated to the infernal beings. Finally, they must swear before the First Flame to never take up the practice of Warlockry or associate with its kind, upon pain of death, should the oath go broken. For the Flame Imperishable suffers no oathbreaker to live.

TRIAL OF REIÐISVÍSDÓMR

The second trial is known as Reiðisvísdómr, a proving of temperateness in the face of provocation. Norland is a land of hunters, warriors, and watchful folk. Among its people, vigilance is as natural as breath. Yet the High Hearth recognises that strength is not born solely of the blade.

This trial is not bound to the walls of the Ashen realm. It is set upon the land itself, the very earth consecrated by the Allfather when he slew Envy and Greed, and their corpses evolved the land that we know. From corruption, it blossomed into a sanctuary. The cursed must enter these wilds.

A cursed child may travel alongside companions, but they shall not shelter within the walls of the Red Kingdom. During this pilgrimage, the Cursed will encounter many dangers. Beasts, bears, direwolves, and wild boar. They will also face harsher trials of hunger, cold, and exhaustion.

To return, one must appear again bearing the head of the spoken quarry. It is not always warriors who are sought. It is resourcefulness that is truly valued. Any killing must be clean and honourable, unless it is of Grendel ilk.

At the end of the pilgrimage, the Cursed may return to the Hearth to be questioned. They must recount and record what they have done.

Reiðisvísdómr is passed not by who spills the most blood, but by who proves mastery over it.

TRIAL OF SJÁLFBOÐIÐ

The final trial is the Trial of Selfless Service; a devil must stand upon a burning platform and make good upon an oath to the tribe, where those among will include these words:

“You will never join the Father's Halls. Your service has no reward but the grave. You fight for a faith that will never fully accept you.” At the end of their oath, one must speak,

“I serve the Father not for salvation, but because the fight is just. I am damned, but through me, others may live. Let my life be the shield, and my death be meaningless, if it means the Flame endures.”

If any of those swear without a morsel of hesitation, anger, or bitterness, that devil shall pass and be welcomed into the arms of the tribes and their families. For those who will find a forever home. Every ten ashen years, singular testing will take place, issuing a test similar to the first, testing the conduct of their spirit. No harassment will come to those who pass. They may not become Keepers, purifiers or hold high office. They must display their brand openly when requested.

A Keeper will bestow a tattoo in the Father's fire, the symbol of the Hearth's flame. The brand will be placed and leave a permanent scar. They are declared Sviðinn (Scorched Ones), tolerated, not embraced

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF OUR ALLFATHER,

HIS MAJESTY, Haraldr Sigmar Haakonsson,

King of Norland, High Chieftain of the House of Ruric, Jarl of Vjardengrad & the Lowmarch, Blood of the Herald & Lord of the Ashwood Throne, Protector of the Highlanders

titles, descending from greatest to lowest
 

HER EMINENCE, Sissel Freysdóttir av Ruric,

Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable

Verðrgarðs Eldthing

THE VERDRGRAD HEARTHSMOOT

Issued by High Keeper Sissel Freysdóttir av Ruric, on the 11th  of SÓLSMÁNAÐR, IAÁ 587, AGE OF DRAGONSFYRE

PREAMBLE

Long has it been known that the faith has endured a turbulent age, weathering trial and tribulation to ensure its braziers remain burning. The Hearthmoot of Verdegrad has now concluded, and with its end begins the long work of regrowth. What was once fractured has been drawn together again, though none among us deny the cracks that still run through our foundation, nor the devastation of the loss of High Keeper Ellenore Eiriksdóttir. The people shared a collective melancholy as they mourned the loss of their esteemed leader. And in such loss, whoever should take the seat of High Keeper would face the daunting prospect of living up to her great renown.

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF THE FATHER,

as by the Will of the Hearth Council,

henceforth as of this day, the 5th of Edvardsawnd, Inn Askr Ar 587, Keeper Sissel’s appointment shall now hereby style her High Keeper Sissel Freysdóttir av Ruric of the Flame Imperishable.

APPOINTMENT OF HIGH KEEPER

The path of the newly consecrated High Keeper is one of arduous stewardship, where the living Flame of the Allfather must be guarded with unwavering vigilance in a time of growing shadow. The clergy stands as a single, bound unit, dedicated to mending the visible fractures within the foundation of the faith and the temporal realm. Their purpose is to navigate the tempestuous currents of a post-Hearthsmoot world by reconciling ancient statutes with present necessities, ensuring the old wisdom is neither lost to dejection nor corrupted by the external darkness that long plagues. From nurturing the young and guiding the leader to chronicling the deeds of the forgotten, the unified intention is clear: to see the great renown of their predecessors upheld, the tribe made whole, and the sacred fire burning fiercely against encroaching Etir.

The assembled Keepers stand with a purpose of unified resolve. The sacred flame and the segment of the All-Father’s truth and spirit of Norland itself shall not falter. It shall be protected by steel, by sacrifice, and by a stringent hand. The Keepers pledge that this divine charge will be defended no matter what the cost - be it life or limb.

Comprehend this verity: Irrespective of circumstance or trial, the divine luminance of the Allfather’s spirit shall forever persist, an Inextinguishable and Eternal Flame

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF OUR ALLFATHER,

HER EMINENCE, Sissel Freysdóttir av Ruric,

Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable

Luminary, Mimir Beskytte yr Vjardengrad

Master of the Temple of the Triune Covenant, Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable

Keeper, Amlodhi yr Ailmere

Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable

Keeper, Orin

Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable

Scribed by,

Initiate Emaria

HIN RAUÐA TRÚ

THE RED FAITH

Issued by Keeper Amlodhi, on the 28th of EDVARDSAWND, IAÁ 588, AGE OF DRAGONFYRE

HEED MY WORDS,

Knowledge of the Allfather has always permeated throughout the tribes, who each had their own understanding of the Dawnlord, in many cases these beliefs went back hundreds of years. Slowly the dark Narvaaukian deities had made their way into these tribes. From invading foreigners forcing their vile faith upon the tribes to warlocks whispering into the ears of chieftains, convincing them with lies and promises of power. 

Thoromir Ruricsson Armahnk would unite the remaining faithful tribes and flee his homeland in search of new lands, but was caught in a terrible blizzard, during his search. On the edge of death, the Dawn-Lord appeared before Thoromir and his people, in a spirit-like form. For his and his peoples eternal faith, the Allfather would lead them out of the blizzard and lead his people to a new home. It was on the Day of Mercy that Thoromir received the First Flame, the essence of the Allfather.

Thoromir the Herald would become the first leader of what would eventually evolve into the Red Faith as we know it today.

The Red Faith has existed as an organized church for six centuries. The Flame Imperishable has been passed on from the Herald Thoromir to his disciples, to their disciples and so on. Leading up to modern times, it is the very same Divine Flame granted unto the Herald that resides in every Temple hearth and which is carried by every single Keeper of the Faith, a symbol of their status as priests and judges. 

The religious order in which all clergy of the Red Faith belong to is officially named the Order of the First Flame, sometimes referred to the High Hearth. It is an organized society of followers of the Sacred Flame, who profess the Will of the Father under the authority of the High Keeper, who is elected by an order of Keepers. The High Keeper is elected on the basis of divinity and closeness to its invisible authority, ‘the Herald’, Thoromir Armahnk Ruricsson.

It is through a strict Ecclesiarchy, the holiness of the Hearth Temple, and the Red Laws does the Order find purpose and task sanctified.

The Order of the First Flame is further split into sub-orders of Keepers and Purifiers, the orders of priest-judges and warriors of the faith.

PAST LEADERS OF THE FAITH

Prior to Arthas’ reign, there was no High Keeper position. The head of faith was also the King of Norland, in some writings they are named High Priests. 

Rather than convert all the reigns into the Ashen calendar, it has been opted to continue using the First Age system, as all High Keepers up until High Keeper Ellenore are named in the First Age

Thoromir Ruricsson Armahnk, 1476-1529

Established the Kingdom of Norland and the Red Faith as we know it today. Known as the Prophet and the Herald. Was granted visions his entire life by the Allfather.

Edvard I Thorsson Ruric, 1529-1539

Firstborn son of Thoromir, succeeds Thoromir as King of Norland and High Priest of the Red Faith through Kingsmoot. He is the founder of the Clan Edvardsson. He constructed the fortress of Frostholm and the coastal city of Seahelm. He would join the Grand Kingdom of Urguan as a mercenary against the Holy Orenian Empire, raiding and sacking cities. Although the Empire would retaliate and set their sights on Seahelm. His actions doomed Norland. He would climb the highest mountain in Avar and succumb to the cold.

Eirik Thorsson Ruric, 1539-1551

Elected King via Kingsmoot in 1539, shortly after the death of his older brother. Eirik is best known for his actions in saving Norland from the Orenian Empire. Forced to reconcile the horrible political situation he had inherited from his brother, Edvard. His diplomatic acumen secured Norland peaceful vassalization, rather than complete annihilation, under the Orenian Empire. This also allowed the Red Faith to continue to operate freely in the lands. He looked inwards, recovering the Norlandic economy and forming the Ashguard to protect Norland. He abdicated in 1551

Sven Eirikson av Ruric, 1551-1556

Replacing Eirik was Sven Eiriksson, elected through legal Kingsmoot. Sven pursued a life as a bard, spreading words of virtues of the arts, leading to further growth in his rule. He is remembered as a Paragon of the Faith, having a day of celebration dedicated to him. Named Svensday, where Nords come together to celebrate, often leading to the destruction of a part of the city. Svensdays are considered dull if no burning buildings or injuries occur.

Thomas Eiriksson av Ruric, 1556-1571

Thomas was the son of Sven I Eiriksson Ruric. Thomas was a lord of the Riverlands within the Principality of the Dreadlands. His time as leader of the faith is unremarkable, he spent most of his time fighting. He had his knees shattered for kneeling. It is unknown how he died.

Arthas I Edvardsson av Ruric 1621-1651

Considered one of the most intelligent and powerful High Keepers of the Red Faith. He would make numerous reforms within the faith, such as the Red Scrolls, starting crusades on magic. He is credited with the regrowth of the Red Faith, having restored an arguably dead religion. He is also well known for introducing the rank of High Keeper, separating leadership of the Red Faith and Kingdom

Hod Svensson, 1651-1655

Made High Keeper by Godden Ruric. His time as High Keeper was marked by a distinct lack of leadership, which led to a decline in loyalty and discipline overall. He was removed from office after only four years. Having reigned the least amount of time.

Galen van Grimrich, 1655-1673

Made High Keeper after the Hod incident. Unfortunately Galen was a similar issue, rarely participating in the Red Faith, but he was a font of knowledge, passing it to Godden Ruric and other initiates of the Faith. He remained High Keeper, after the sack and dissolution of the fourth Kingdom of Norland. He would disappear in 1673

Rae Arden, 1677-1690

Was made High Keeper during a time when the Kingdom of Norland did not exist. Appointed by Earl Thoromir II, who established Nordengrad after the dissolution of Norland. High Keeper Rae Arden would begin massive proselytization efforts in Nordengrad. Rae would also establish a temple encouraging more Fatherists to become priests. He would also make minor additions to the Red Scrolls. Rae would fall to an unknown Renatian soldier in the Siege of Nordengrad

Aeyn Edvardsson av Ruric, 1611-1716

Would release some missives and lend his signature to secular missives as well. Most notably perhaps he would issue a proclamation denouncing Doran Freysson Ruric. His reign was cut short as he was murdered by a man named Vladimyr.

Tyr Faretto, 1716-1740

Assumed the mantle of High Keeper after the assasination of High Keeper Aeyn. He would launch expeditions into infested lairs, fighting undead and mages. He safeguarded the Red Faith’s principles throughout the tumultuous dissolution of Norland and the founding of Pinemarch. He would undertake a pilgrimage, only to find when he reappeared his wife Sølvi had replaced him as High Keeper. He would burn himself by the Ashwood in 1751.

Sølvi Faretto, 1742-1752

Became High Keeper after the believed disappearance of High Keeper Tyr. Sølvi would lead for a decade, diligently doing her work. She would release a missive, detailing laws, rules and the guidelines of the Red Faith. She would be assassinated in 1752

Alisa Camian, 1754-1824

For two years Chadmyr Edvardsson ruled as High Keeper, until an election could be held. Rising as the new High Keeper was Alisa Camian. She was chief of the Camian clan. She was elected High Keeper in a Hearthmoot in Morsgrad. She would crown and advise four different Kings of Norland. She was instrumental in the revitalization efforts in Morsgrad after the AIS war. High Keeper Alisa led several successful investigations and inquisitions against dark mages in Norland, Fenn and Vi’stige. In a similar endeavor she would reform the Order of Purifiers, who performed a key part in the Inferi war.

She was a renowned diplomat, eventually becoming regent of Norland when King Haldvar Edvardsson Ruric took on a pilgrimage. She is one of the longest leading High Keepers. She also survived two assassination plots, one from an ancient keeper named Alifer Amice and one, Jexton Skorsgard, a disgruntled aspiring keeper. Posthumously she was made a paragon

Dramyr Edvardsson av Ruric, 1824-1844

Dramyr’s tenure as High Keeper was marred by absence. But alongside Lord Purifier Viktor Eldrsson, they formed the Hearth Forum. Which allowed for all members of the Red Faith to voice their opinions and be heard.

Mera Camian, 1879-1887

Succeeding Dramyr was Mera Camian, grand-daughter of Alisa Camian. High Keeper Mera would release a few public missives regarding the Red Faith. Her reign would be marked more with internal family politics than stewardship of the Faith.

Grigori Ruslanovych, 1888

High Keeper Grigori would release many declarations regarding Paragons, like raising new ones. Standardizing the method of becoming a Keeper. But his reign would also be marred by lack of action. Promises of action, but no action.

Ellenore Eiriksdóttir Ruric, 1910-2041

Ellenore is perhaps the most well known and longest ruling High Keeper. Ellenore would enact several reforms and rule as regent of Norland, until Haakon Edvardsson Ruric was elected King of Norland. She created several important documents, such as the funerary and marital rites. Ellenore would also create the Ashen calendar, which is used to this day, by all Nords. High Keeper Ellenore is regarded as an extraordinary diplomat, leading the talks on many diplomatic missions.
 

DOCTRINE

Known by many names; the Red Faith, the Red Church, the High Hearth, the Faith of the Allfather, etc. is the state religion of the Kingdom of Norland. It is so intertwined in secular politics that one cannot exist without the other. The faith is Monolatry, where the Allfather is the central deity, but revering the Allfather as the one true God. Who is believed to be the incarnation of growth and order. He is not believed to be the creator of the universe, but is the creator of the earth all descendants reside upon. It is believed that faithful Fatherists who have cleansed their souls sufficiently are welcomed to the Allfathers Hall, standing with Him eternally against the Long Dark.

Fatherists must adhere to the belief that the Dawnlord descended from the heavens and delivered unto Thoromir the Herald the Flame Imperishable, choosing him as his prophet.

There are those who are unlit and those who are heretics. Those unlit are not hunted and killed, they are merely ignorant and are shown the Flame of the Allfather and given the opportunity to join the Allfather’s embrace. Heretics are those who knowingly turn away from the Allfather.

The Red Faith revolves heavily around the Three Tenets; Suffer not the Unworthy, Spread the Flame, and Stand against the Long Dark. Flames and Fire, especially ones surrounded by the dark are popular symbols of the Faith. Representing a figurative and literal eternal struggle against the Long Dark. These are the only words given directly to Thoromir the Herald. Innovation of the Faith comes from visions which are granted to the leader of the Faith by the Allfather. There exist the Red Scrolls, which is a collection of writings from past leaders of the faith; only Keepers of the Faith are permitted access to the Red Scrolls.

Under the guidance of the Three Tenets the faithful commune primarily with those ancestral members of the Red Faith who performed extreme acts, rendering them worthy, making them Paragons. Each paragon is representative of a different aspect of the world. Paragons may be invoked in support of a relevant cause. Every member of the Red Faith is required to select a paragon upon their indoctrination into the Red Faith

The Rurics are the chosen bloodline, they can trace direct patrilineal descent from Thoromir the Herald. From birth, through the Allfather’s will, they are tasked with leading and guarding the faith. Rurics are born as Ashes or Ashen and must complete the Trial of Kindling to become recognized as Rurics. Failing the rite or not doing it at all, deprives the Ruric of any titles or inheritance. They must earn their inheritance.

The ultimate aim of all Fatherists is to die worthy and to cleanse your soul of corruption and join the Allfather in his Hall.

On a far grander scale the Faith seeks to triumph over the Long Dark. 

Read more of the doctrine here.

Read more about the Three Tenets in detail here.

PARAGONS

The Paragons of the All Father are those select figures of the All Father’s children who embody singular virtue and service far beyond the norm. These figures are those who have performed the highest level of service. A paragon is raised from the ranks of the ancestral spirits that have joined the ranks of the All Father. This ascension is then conferred unto the ranks of the clergy in the form of a series of vividly realistic visions concerning the feats and deeds of the risen ancestor. Each paragon serves as an aspect of a specific virtue prized by the Father in the pursuit of his great mission. The following compendium details the pantheon of Paragons acknowledged by the Holy Hearth. 

Paragons are not necessarily virtuous in nature, however. Every Paragon has been raised to the Father’s service due to extreme virtue or through undeniably grand feats of skill, will, strategy or power. These virtues and feats can be either positive or negative in nature. The All-Father recognizes both, as peace and chaos are both sides of the same coin, for good cannot be known without seeing evil, and evil does not exist without a greater good. Both contribute to the harmony of Norlandic society, and the world as a whole.

Read more about Paragons here.

THE ASHEN CALENDAR

The Ashen Calendar is a centurial system beginning with the Descent, year 0, which was the Day, the moment when Thoromir the Herald and his people, the Narvaaukians were graced and, yes, even saved by the Dawnlord.

The time before the Descent is considered a period of uncertainty, faithlessness and chaos. So any time before this is known as the Age of Myth, and thus ascends numerically in reverse. Each age is named by the reigning High Keeper, they are divinely interpreted in communion with the Will of the Father.

Read more about the Ashen Calendar here.

STRUCTURE OF THE ECCLESIARCHY

High Keeper of the Flame -

The High Keeper is the Master of the Order of the First Flame and the supreme spiritual authority within the Red Faith. The High Keeper functions as the interpreter of the Father’s Will, and is the guiding authority on all matters pertaining to the Faith.

Luminary -

The Luminary is an eminent Keeper chosen by the High Keeper to maintain the workings of the Order of the First Flame and the discipline of all subordinate faithful. They are charged with taking the High Keeper’s place in their absence.

Hearth Council - 

An ancient ecclesiastical institution tasked with raising new Keepers, engaging in theological debates, drafting new rites, and so on. The Hearth Council consists of the High Keeper, the Master of the Hearth Council, and the Luminary, second to the High Keeper. Keepers may be raised to join the Hearth Council as well and join their proceedings.

Hearth Court -

It is the Hearth Court that deals justice amongst the faithful. It is the solemn duty of the court to hear the testimony of both the accused and the prosecutor and fairly mete out justice. Justice can be paid to the harmed party, imprisonment, blood, or even execution. These courts usually only have one Keeper overseeing disputes, but for more grievous offenses, more Keepers will join the court.

Keeper of the Flame -

A trusted, ordained and judicial member of the Faith, appointed by the High Keeper and given the right to bear a Flamebrand. Two distinct types of Keepers exist, a Wandering Keeper and a Hearth Keeper. Wandering Keepers are given the sacred task of seeking out certain localities and enacting the Father’s Will. Hearth Keepers are given the sacred task of establishing or inheriting a Hearth Temple so as to tend to the adherents in a certain city or town.

Hearth-Brother & Hearth-Sister -

An aspirant to Keepership. Raised by the High Keeper to their position they are expected to carry out the Father’s Will. Often assigned to a Hearth Temple or Wandering Keeper as they gain experience in matters of Faith.

Acolyte -

The lowest member of the clergy, having gone through the Rite of Kindling, the acolyte is expected to study, learn and embody the Sacred Tenets and the Red Zeal.

Initiate -

An individual who has gone through the Rite of Induction and is recognized as a confirmed member of the Red Faith. They have proven their Faith in the Father and knowledge of His teachings. Most often this is the first step to either becoming a Keeper or Purifier. Initiates are instructed in scripture, dogma and combat. Initiates select and take oaths to their chosen Paragon before the Sacred Flame

Adherent -

Simply, a follower of the Red Faith. They know of the doctrine and mostly adhere to it, but have no interest in taking up a larger role within the High Hearth.

STRUCTURE OF THE FAITH MILITANT

Lord Purifier -

The Lord Purifier is the highest honor a Neophyte can be granted, often an experienced First Brother, the Lord Purifier is the leader of the Faith Militant and answers only to the Luminary and the High Keeper. They are granted a seat on the Hearth Council.

Castellan -

Castellans are the most populated high rank of the Purifiers, being outranked by the Lord Purifier himself. Because of this, most Castellans are in charge of a Chapter, a separated smaller sect of the Purifiers, set under their leadership and traditionally dedicated to a Paragon.

Sword-Brother & Sword-Sister -

After passing their Rite of Kindling, a prospective Purifier is inducted as a Sword Brethern. This position is of great renown and prestige for any Purifiers able to pass their assigned trials. The Sword Brethren are often tasked with duties of utmost importance and it is they who are candidates for Castellans and even the Lord Purifier.

Brother-Purifier & Sister-Purifier-

Upon completion of vigorous training and studies an Initiate may be raised to the rank of Purifier by a Castellan or the Lord Purifier. Purifiers are expected to be models of excellence in their roles as order-bringers and monster hunters. Their knowledge of the dogmas and scriptures of the High Hearth should be equal to that of a Hearth Brother.

Acolyte -

Acolytes are Initiates chosen for their martial ability and aptitude for upholding the Red Law. Having proven their ability in combat, the dogmas of the High Hearth, and swearing the sacred Sword Oath of the Purifiers, the Initiates are tasked with enforcing the Red Law and defending the faithful. This may include guarding the sacred grounds of the Hearth Temple, remaining at the sides of Keepers when in foreign soil, or ensuring ceremonies and rites go smoothly with no interruptions.

DÓMSFELLI

LEVYING JUDGEMENT

Issued by the High Hearth, on the 12th of 10th of EIRIKSSTANDA, IAÁ 587, AGE OF DRAGONFYRE

HEED THE WORDS OF JUSTICE,

On a day which should have been one of kindling, a day in which a child becomes a Ruric, raised from ashes to worthiness, a position of authority. It would instead be interrupted by two citizens of Norland, who had in their hearts good intentions, but were wholly ignorant of the sacred ceremony taking place. Rather than hold their tongues and stand away and observe, Faith. They thought it was in their best interest to intervene. They were wrong. Instead, the child is still a child, forced to go through the ritual once more.

Such actions cannot go without punishment. This is unprecedented; this has never occurred before. The High Hearth has discussed the issue, and a fitting punishment has been reached in consensus. One has already received their punishment, but this still leaves one:

TO THISTLE

Your punishment for intervening in the Rite of Kindling shall be banishment from the Ashen Realm. You shall undertake a pilgrimage, go on a road of penance, and come to understand your faults and master yourself. As was spoken by the Dawnlord in the First Tenet;

“Amongst you, and within you will dwell the shadow. In your hearts, in your minds, in your souls. These shadows will bleed to your words, your deeds. I task my sons and daughters to look inward, to cleanse the foulness within themselves. Suffer not the Unworthy.” (Fire I)

Return unto the High Hearth only when your pilgrimage is complete. When you are ready to reveal unto us your mastery of yourself. Only then shall your banishment be lifted.

AND SO IT SHALL BE, 

BY THE WILL OF THE ALLFATHER

Signed,

Luminary Mimir av Vjardengrad

Keeper Amlodhi of Ailmere

Keeper Sissel av Freysdóttir

Keeper Orin Vel’Venest

THE VERDEGRAD HEARTHMOOT

COUNCIL OF FAITH

Issued by Keeper Amlodhi, on the 12th of EIRIKSSTANDA, IAÁ 587, AGE OF DRAGONFYRE

To my brothers and sisters in Faith. It has become more apparently visible that there is a void within the High Hearth, a void which must be rectified. Ever since that day of horror, that massacre in Vjardengrad. The Ashen Realm has suffered, but with a new young King, our fervor has never been better. Our Kingdom begins to churn once more as new decrees are already being made by Haraldr-King.

As the secular continues, so too must we. I dare say that I am not alone in this thought, this missing link. We Keepers have none to turn to, we have enacted our will as a council well enough, but we have our own wills, our own opinions and it is clear that we need a leader to take charge. A lantern in the dark to guide us all amidst storms of sin.

All Keepers of the Flame are summoned to the Temple of the Triune Covenant in Verdegrad. The following shall be discussed:

1. The Election of a new High Keeper
2. Establishing the Fatherist seminary of Verdegrad
3. The assignment of Keepers to the Norlandic vassals

INVITATIONS,

To Luminary MIMIR av VJARDENGRAD, we request your presence at the Hearthmoot.

To Keeper SISSEL av FREYSDÓTTIR, we request your presence at the Hearthmoot.

To Keeper ORIN VEL’VENEST, we request your presence at the Hearthmoot.

FYRIRMÆLI HINNA HELGU RAUÐU TRÚ

A PRIMER ON THE HOLY RED FAITH FOR THE LAYFOLK

Issued by Keeper Amlodhi, on the 12th of SVENSMÁNAÐR, IAÁ 582, AGE OF DRAGONFYRE

PREAMBLE

We have all made a grand journey from Aevos to this new continent named Azuras, rich in wonders and uncharted regions. For now that eagerness must be quenched. We have laboured tirelessly to transfer the sacred holdings of the Temple of Divine Revelation into the newly sanctioned Temple of the Triune Covenant. It was during this process that many writings of High Keeper Ellenore were discovered, initially kept secret from the public as well as the High Hearth, until the news were ready to be released.

The Clergy and the remaining Rurics have debated these writings for several years now and feel. At last the time has come to reveal to all the findings of High Keeper Ellenore. In brief the stars have shifted, the heavens are no longer as once believed and the High Keeper was granted visions of this change and diligently documented them. Her words have been interpreted, challenged and at long last fully ratified. As more and more new knowledge of the Faith makes its way to the public. Let this document serve the layfolk as an undiluted and primer into the Red Faith, allowing all regardless if they are Heartlanders, unlit Fatherists and even Fatherists to read and use as a tool. 

This is the truth and it burns.

Table of Contents

1. The Father and His Flame
   1. Who is our Allfather?
   2. What is the Red Faith?
   3. Who is Thoromir the Herald?
   4. What are the Three Tenets?
   5. How did the Red Faith first ignite?
   6. What does it mean to be a Fatherist?
2. On the Mortal and the Divine
   1. Who forged the world?
   2. What is the Long Dark?
   3. Who are the Paragons?
   4. Why are the Rurikkid important?
   5. What is the First Flame?
   6. Is there life after death in the Red Faith?
   7. What is Eldr and Eitr?
3. The Path of Flame
   1. How do I worship?
   2. What makes someone a Heretic?
   3. Who are the Unignited?
   4. Can non-humans walk the Father’s path?
   5. What beings belong to the Long Dark?
4. Keepers of the Flame
   1. What are the Red Scrolls?
   2. What is the Order of the First Flame?
   3. Are there different Fatherist traditions?
   4. How is justice carried out among the Faithful?
   5. The Hearth and the Court
5. Sacred Rites and Living Flame
   1. What are the Sacred Rites?
   2. What are the sacred elements?
   3. What is the Father’s Mercy?
   4. What is the importance of the Burning Sun?
   5. What is the significance of tattoos and brandings?
   6. What are the teachings on sacrifice and martyrdom?
6. Living as One of the Father’s Own
   1. What is the ultimate goal of a Fatherist?
   2. How do I cleanse my Soul of corruption?
   3. Can a person be punished or exiled for violating the Tenets?
   4. On Conversion and the Flame’s Spread
   5. I am having a Fatherist baby, what do I do?
   6. On other Faiths
   7. On Magic

The Father and His Flame

Who is our Allfather?

He is known by many names: the Father, Dawn Lord, Flame-Bearer, He-Who-Is-First. However, he is best known as the Allfather. Before Him, there was nothing; there was the Howling Dark; Oblivion, where the ancient Olde Ones, the embodiments of terrible evil, slithered. The Allfather was conceived when Greed wronged Jealousy, for the briefest moment, the concept of Justice was conceived, and thus the Father was born. The Allfather is benevolence and goodness incarnate. It is asserted that the Allfather is not omnipotent due to the existence of the Abyss.

It is through His eternal efforts that the Long Dark and the Abyss are held at bay, a myriad of hordes, all seeking to torture and consume the mortals that dwell within the Father’s embrace. It is through Him that salvation from corruption and the Abyss may be achieved.

What is the Red Faith?

The Red Faith was organized into what we know it as today over five hundred years ago. It is the sole faith of the Ashen Realm. It is a monolatry faith, where the Father is the central deity, being the incarnation of growth and Order. The Father’s faith revolves around the Three Tenets. It teaches that the world is a battleground between the good of the Flame and the corruption of the Long Dark. This eternal struggle pushes Fatherists to live with strength, discipline, and devotion.

Who is Thoromir the Herald?

Known as Thoromir Ruricsson, he was the first Ruric chieftain of the Norlandic people. He united the proto-Norlandic people, the Narvaukiaans, and led them on the path to faith and stability in their new homeland.

What are the Three Tenets?

The Three Tenets are without a doubt the most debated topic by scholars and theologians, but this is not the document for such; the Tenets shall be described here as is decreed orthodox. The Three Tenets are as follows;

Suffer not the Unworthy.

As one reads those words, it may seem simple, the Unworthy are servants of the Long Dark; voidal mages, undead, or other corrupted beings, but the Allfather also bids us to look within, in our heart, mind, and soul. To first cleanse the foulness within ourselves. It is a demand to master and conquer oneself.

Spread the Flame.

It is generally understood as a demand to convert the unlit and to create more Fatherists. It is also understood to be the establishment of faithful domains.

Stand Against the Long Dark.

It is to be the flame against the dark and the warmth in the cold. Where the first Tenet focuses on the self, the third focuses on the world. Simply put, it is to devote oneself to rooting out corruption and decadence wherever it can be found in the name of the Faith. The existence of the Purifiers is a testament to the adherence to the tenet.

How did the Red Faith first ignite?

The Red Faith had existed for a long time as various cults amongst tribes, all of them knowing that there was something greater than themselves, but never quite agreeing on what it was.

In an attempt to escape those worshippers of evil in his homeland, Thoromir gathered his people and ventured forth in search of new land, but was caught in a terrible blizzard while in his search. On the edge of death, the Dawn-Lord appeared before Thoromir and his people, in a spirit-like form. For his and his peoples eternal faith, the Allfather would lead them out of the blizzard and lead his people to a new home. It was on the Day of Mercy that Thoromir received the First Flame, the essence of the Allfather. 

Over the years, Thoromir would be granted visions which were eventually recorded and translated into the scripture called the Red Scrolls.

What does it mean to be a Fatherist?

It means to believe in the divine nature of the Father, who protects our world from the Long Dark, to believe in the Hearthsfire and the teachings of the Red Scrolls. It is to uphold the Three Tenets, in word, action, and spirit. It is to reject corruption wholly, honoring the worthy, and spreading of the truth, that is His Flame. It is not just believing, but to do and act, to walk with Red Zeal and stand unwavering against the Long Dark.

On the Mortal and the Divine

Who forged the world?

The Allfather, having ended his first war against the Olde Ones, turned His Light to craft. Into Eitr, He cast His Eldr, binding the two into roots. The world in which we reside consists of the corpses of the Abyss primordials Greed and Jealousy, those which gave birth to the Allfather. The Allfather’s essence leaked onto the clay of the earth, and from it life sprang forth. Thus, all life retains a spark of the Father’s essence. Intentional or not, he would call these new beings his own.

What is the Long Dark?

We understand that upon the fields of the dead the Father made his dominion. By His own hand, he kindled life upon Midgard. Where His Flame shone, there was life, law, and order. Beyond His borders creeps the Abyss; the antithesis of the Father’s Flame, ever ready to snuff out all life as we know it. It lays waiting beyond the Allfather's realm in eternal struggle to wrestle the Allfather’s creation from Him.

Who are the Paragons?

Named Paragons in the Tyrian Rite and Priarchs in the Arthasian Rite. They are those select few men and women who embody virtue and service far beyond the expected. They are raised from the ranks of the ancestral spirits that have joined the Allfather’s hall. The ascension in rank is conferred upon the High Hearth in a series of visions. Each paragon serves as an aspect of a virtue prized by the Dawnlord. Paragons are not necessarily good in nature. For the Allfather recognizes both order and chaos, for they are sides of the same coin.

It is generally accepted that for one to have their prayers answered, it must be addressed to one of the Hallowed Dead. If the sacrifice to them is sufficient, they will intercede on the appellant’s behalf and bring it to the Father’s attention or solve it themselves.

Why are the Rurics important?

The Rurikkid or Rurics are those who can trace direct patrilineal descent from Thoromir I. From birth they are charged with the same twin tasks that were placed upon Thoromir. To serve as beacons of the faith and bulwarks of the faithful. But all Rurics are born as ‘Ashes’ or ‘Ashen’. And are not considered full Rurics until they complete the Rite of Kindling, a series of trials which test the worth of the Ruric-to-be. Failing the rite or not doing it at all, deprives the Ruric of any titles or inheritance. If found worthy they are baptised anew as Rurics and their dual-tasks begin in earnest. 

The Seat of Thoromir, appointed to him by the Allfather must always be occupied by one of his heirs. Who keeps the faith and fulfills his divine obligation. It is from this tradition that the Rurics divine right to rule originates.

What is the First Flame?

In return for the eternal fealty of the Norlandic people, the Allfather delivered unto us the First Flame; that which all Hearthfires and Flamebrands are descended from. This is why they are of such importance. It is his essence given physical form.

Is there life after death in the Red Faith?

It is often debated where the believing Descendant goes when their life upon the world is complete. The truth is, it is ambiguous. It has not been revealed unto any Prophet or High Keeper, what exactly the afterlife is like. What we do know is the Hall of the Allfather, Verðrhölla in the old tongue. It is where his most worthy go.

It is a common belief that all faithful join the Allfather in His hall regardless of status, prowess and worth. Others believe that only the most worthy, like the Paragons join him and the rest go to a middle place, which is neither the Allfather’s hall nor a cruel fate in the Abyss - Only the Allfather truly knows where and what the afterlife is like.

What is Eldr and Eitr?

Eldr, also named fire or flame, is the divine flame-essence derived from the Allfather that rests within every mortal being. Eldr is the sign of worth. The more we align with the Allfather’s will, through Red Zeal, the brighter our inner flame burns.

When the Allfather carved the void in twine, with burning spears, he slayed many of the nameless things of the Void. A long war was kindled, and in the end, the husks of the Old ones were flung, broken and rotting. From their abominable carcasses seeped out a black rot, their blood. Poison it was, and Eitr it is known to us, ichor of the ancients, which came before the Allfather.

This Eitr is also known as corruption or decay. It is the subversive influence exerted by the Long Dark and by those who interact with it. Despite the Holy Hearth’s abhorrence of corruption, all mortals are inherently corrupted. This grants mortals the ability to stray from goodness and perform acts considered evil or corrupt. In our capacity to do both good and bad, and to stray from the righteous path. It is our utmost charge to rid ourselves of corruption before our death. We must look within as we also look without

The Path of Flame

How do I worship?

The method of worship is dependent on the reason. Different ends require different means. For minor requests, one might attend a relevant paragon shrine, recite a prayer, and provide an offering. You do not worship the paragon, but instead pray for the paragon to intercede on your or another's behalf. It is very important to pray to the right paragon. The Faithful may also pray directly to the Allfather, but the truth is that He is often occupied with warding our world against evil and is unable to always answer our prayers.

The Allfather does not demand us to congregate in temples every day of peace and speak of his words; it is instead to live his Flame, the faith is present in our lives every day, it is in the Hearth, the field, in battle, and in every breath of life. Find worship in action.

What makes someone a Heretic?

A heretic is someone who has once claimed to follow the Red Faith but now corrupts or rejects the faith. This can come in the form of rejecting the Three Tenets, practicing forbidden magic, or preaching false interpretations of the faith. Heretics are worse than the unignited, for they know of the Allfathers' Light, but knowingly turn from it.

Who are the Unignited?

The unignited are simply put, those who do not practice the Red Faith. This can be because they live outside the faith or are ignorant. They are not the enemy. They must be offered the Flame, not forced it. If they refuse the truth after it is revealed or they defend the Long Dark, they risk falling into heresy or corruption.

Can non-humans walk the Father’s path?

The path may be harder, but it is not closed off to other races. To walk the Father’s path, regardless of race, one must cast off their false gods and spirits and take the Allfather's Flame unto themselves and only Him. Non-humans and human converts are welcomed in the Father’s halls like any child of Norland. His Fire burns for all who are worthy, regardless of whether they are human, elf, dwarf, or otherwise. Origin matters not, faith does.

What beings belong to the Long Dark?

All things that twist and mock the soul, or defy the natural cycle, belong to it. These can be the undead, necromancers, voidal mages, daemons and demons, corrupted beasts, and so on. These beings are not simply evil; they are broken souls, animated to something alien to the Flame. The only righteous response is resistance, purification, or destruction.

Keepers of the Flame

What are the Red Scrolls?

The Red Scrolls are the compiled list of all the revelations imparted by the prophets, combined with several comments and parables from said prophets regarding the matters of faith. In regards to access to this holy scripture by the laity, the answer is and shall always be no. Such will prompt uneducated interpretations of the scripture, in addition to debasing their sacred nature.

What is the Order of the First Flame?

It is the religious order tasked with ministering to the layfolk of the Ashen Realms and beyond. It is where all the Hearth Brothers and Sisters, Keepers, Luminaries belong. The Order is led by the High Keeper, of which there is only one. It is the duty of the clergy to uphold the dogma, maintain the chronicles, provide services, and enforce the Three Tenets.

Are there Fatherist heresies?

There are several heresies of the Red Faith. It is vital that we know of them, so we learn of their mistakes and steer clear of them.

• Parians profess themselves as Fatherists, but deny the importance of Paragons.
• Presians deny the importance of the Sacred Flame, implying that His presence is not important or can be found in every mundane flame.
• Progenians claim that the Allfather and the Canonist deity are one and the same, merely bearing different names and different theological differences.
• Convertian are those individuals who deny the fundamental clause of the second tenet. These individuals believe that the Allfather’s flame must be spread through any means necessary.
• Hubrites deny the heirs of Thoromir or the nature of Thoromir himself in addition to the divine obligation placed upon the Rurikid. Denying the initial happenings from which all our divine revelations originate

How is justice carried out among the Faithful?

The Keepers of the Red Faith are not only priests, but also judges. It is the Hearth Court that deals justice amongst the faithful. It is the solemn duty of the court to hear the testimony of both the accused and the prosecutor and fairly mete out justice. Justice can be paid to the harmed party, imprisonment, blood, or even execution. These courts usually only have one Keeper overseeing disputes, but for more grievous offenses, more Keepers will join the court.

What is the Hearth Council?

The Hearth Council is an ancient ecclesiastical institution tasked with ministering to the faithful, raising new Keepers, engaging in theological debates, drafting new rites, and so on. The Hearth Council consists of the High Keeper, the Master of the Hearth Council, and the Luminary, second to the High Keeper. Keepers may be raised to join the Hearth Council as well and join their proceedings.

Sacred Rites and Living Flame

What are the Sacred Rites?

Sacred Rites are rituals performed by Keepers and witnessed by the laity. There are moments when Eldr meets flesh, and the Allfather’s will is made manifest. They are not mere ceremonies of pomp. They are acts of transformation, judgement, devotion, and even love.

What are the sacred elements?

There are four elements sacred to the Red Faith they are: salt, ash, liquor, and fire.

• Salt is a reminder of endurance and pays homage to Norland and the proto-Norlanders, who are coastal people who sailed the brine waters of the vast ocean. 
• Ash is the symbol of death, purification, and rebirth. All things that return to ash, so too do the faithful. For example, it may mark the faithful as cleansed and remade in Flame, a product of the Flame Imperishable. 
• Liquor is the gift of joy and belonging; it is the fruit of our labors, and it reminds us that there is more to life than hardship. 
• Hearthsflame is the holiest of all; it is the sign of the Allfather Himself. It burns away corruption, gives warmth, and lights the way in the darkness.

What is the Father’s Mercy?

The Father’s Mercy is the act of ritually burning someone alive to release their soul from the corruption of the flesh. It is performed on those who are deemed beyond salvation, either by corruption of their soul or their flesh. This radical solution is intended to free them from further developing their corruption. It is so they may at the very least have a small chance at achieving residence in the Allfather’s Hall.

What is the importance of the Burning Sun?

The Grendelkind fears the Burning Sun; when it shines brightly in the sky, all life flourishes, and the Eitr retreats to the darkness. This is because the Sun above us is the Allfather’s eye; it is He who watches over us, keeping the Darkness at bay and us safe. It only becomes nighttime because the Allfather must take His eye away from us mortals to fight the ever-encroaching Long Dark.

What is the significance of tattoos and brandings?

They are signs of devotion made into the flesh itself. It is the faith carried openly and permanently. It is to declare your faith to the world and say that one’s faith cannot be hidden. Tattoos and brandings may tell of trials or battles fought in the Allfather’s name; they can also signify rites of passage, penance, or oaths, much like a book to be read, in the same way one can read a person's history on the flesh. These are not marks of vanity; they are scars proclaiming one's belonging. It is not uncommon for men and women to paint their bodies in preparation for battle.

What are the teachings on sacrifice and martyrdom?

It is the highest form of sacrifice, to lay down one's life for the faith, for one's people in complete and utter defiance of the Long Dark. Such souls burn the brightest in the Allfather’s hall; their names are carried in stories and songs. Death is not death, for you shall join the Allfather. Though the body has perished, the Flame it bore spread to others.

Living as One of the Father’s Own

What is the ultimate goal of a Fatherist?

It is to live and be Worthy, so that when death comes, the soul may join the Father in his Hall. This is, however, not achieved only in death, but throughout one's long life. In the end, the goal of the Red Faith is nothing less than triumph over the Long Dark.

How do I cleanse my Soul of corruption?

Fatherism is an ascetic religion, eschewing excess or indulgence in any variety, these are viewed as distractions from the path and submission to one’s innate corruption. The most immediate apparent method of cleansing is the practice of self-discipline, both physical and emotional. It is expected to avoid indulgence and excess of consumption or expenditure. Beyond that, it is the practice of one’s craft. Consistent prayer and reflection. Participation in crusades, missions or great deeds done in the name of the Faith.

Can a person be punished or exiled for violating the Tenets?

Yes, a person may be punished or rather be given a penance for violating the Tenets; these punishments are levied only by the Keepers, who are judges of the Faith and Norlandic law. In very severe cases, people may be exiled from the lands, often with a penance, and once complete, they are welcomed back to their lands.

On Conversion and the Flame’s Spread

To become a Fatherist, one must find their local keeper and ask to be initiated into the faith. You will then be asked to pick a paragon and to vow an oath, one which you must adhere to as best you can.

It is of great importance that the Faith be spread, not through threats and war, but through peaceful conversion. Together we stand strong against the Long Dark. Divided, there are only squabbles and bickering, which further divide the descendants and strengthen the Long Dark and its servants.

I am having a Fatherist baby, what do I do?

As soon as you are able, you must bring it to your local Hearth Keeper. You and your spouse are expected to take oaths guaranteeing to care and provide for the child, while leading it to a pious and moral life. You must also select a paragon for your child, one most in line with its future profession. At which point the Keeper will bind your child to the paragon and your child will have been formally inducted into the faith.

On other Faiths

There is only the One True Flame Imperishable; the Father who lit the world and gave us life and purpose. Yet, other beliefs are not seen as the enemy outright; they are misdirections concocted by the Long Dark and its servants. The Red Faith does not call those of other faiths heretics and evil men; there is instead a sadness felt for them, for they do not know that they are being misled by the Dark and unknowingly become its servants. 

They are all trials to overcome and strengthen one's character and faith.

On Magic

Magic is the product of the Abyss and a distortion of the Earth and of life by exploitation of boons from the Abyss. There is little as dangerous and subversive as magic. In nearly all cases magic is strictly forbidden. The exception being magics like housemagery and bardmancy, which use one’s innate mana and not the Abyss for fuel. However there have been extremely rare circumstances, where sorcerers have been permitted limited licenses to operate within Norland.

Letter from the High Hearth

APPOINTMENTS OF IAÁ 573

Issued by Acolyte Soren Aldares, on the 11th of THOROMIRSANGR, IAÁ 573, AGE OF DRAGONSFYRE

CONTENTS

1. ASCENSION TO FLAMEBEARER
2. CLERICAL APPOINTMENTS
3. ADDENDUM

ASCENSION TO FLAMEBEARER

Mimesis yr Vjardengrad,

It is with great satisfaction that I write this evening the conclusion of your duties as Hearth Brother. In this time of the fairer part of a decade, you have tutored much under the attentions of both Lord Purifier Ægir & myself, the High Keeper. Your dedication & service, including spending many of your days educating the masses upon the word of the Red Scroll & the Tenets of our Allfather, have not gone unnoticed. Your trialing as a Hearth Brother concludes what has been nearly a century of stagnation. Long has it been since one was worthy - worthy enough that I am compelled now to raise your station within the High Hearth.

It is with this promotion of duties that I also include herein a suggestion. You are a Sorvian, one of the few men-of-the-clay who now walk the world once more. Your kind has an intrinsic desire to not only find purpose & meaning, but also to submerge oneself in the culture & ways of those with whom your time is spent. With this adherence to the customs & religious rites of the Kingdom of Norland, it would be more fitting for you to take up a new name, Narvaukiaan in ancestry.

I will pen here a list of suggestions: Mim, Mimir, Modi, Meili, Mikkel, Manning, Mundi.

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF OUR ALLFATHER,

as Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable, I,

Ellenore Eiriksdóttir,

henceforth raise Mimesis yr Vjardengrad to the status of Keeper of the Flame. It is to be expected of him to attend the First Flame of his Flamebrand with all reverence & capability he has, & to ensure its light never fades, so long as his own endures.

Yet with such exaltation comes duty - & thus do I charge you with further office

CLERICAL APPOINTMENTS

Mimesis yr Vjardengrad,

It is with your promotion within the High Hearth as a Keeper of the Flame that I am also charging you with the unique rank & title of Luminary - a title that hasn’t been used in nearly two centuries. I believe you are most fit amongst your peers for this duty, seeing that you hold a sword whose edge’s of tolerance & intolerance are both keenly sharpened. I hope you find the Temple of the Divine Manifestation, & perhaps the next Hearth Temple of our future capital, fitting dwellings for the Hearthsfire.

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OF OUR ALLFATHER,

as Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable, I,

Ellenore Eiriksdóttir,

henceforth appoint Mimesis yr Vjardengrad as the Luminary of the Temple of the Divine Manifestation. It is to be expected of him to attend the Hearthsfire within with all reverence & capability he has, & to ensure its light never fades, so long as his own endures. He will tend to all previous duties, though now including those of keeping the Temple of his appointment in fair condition, that its halls are well maintained to the best of his ability & able for Red Rites. He is charged with the safety of his flock, & that all evil remain banished from the Hearthsfire’s sanctuary.

ADDENDUM

There is an ease in lighting a flame. Though to keep it alive is a far greater task. Being a Luminary isn’t just a title– it is a charge, a covenant, an oath, to protect what burns eternal. Mimesis, or whichever name you'll take up, we have only met briefly; yet, if Ellenore entrusts you to this, her words shall endure.

With the passing of Ellenore Eiriksdóttir, High Keeper of the Red Faith, there is a need for another to carry the torch, tending to the remaining embers. Her words are left as written, for it isn’t my place to mold the dead, nor alter the previous fire. Yet, it is my upheld duty to see this carried through– so that the flame Ellenore once carried is still present. 

With that, I bind her testament, her decree– so that those of the Red Faith might remember the passion of her words, & find this letter as a place to move forward. Let her fire join the pyre– unencumbered, & unshaken, past the shackles of mortality.

Acolyte Soren,

Temple Librarian

AND SO IT SHALL BE, BY THE WILL OUR ALLFATHER,

HER EMINENCE, Ellenore Eiriksdóttir,

Master of the Order of the First Flame, High Keeper of the Red Faith & the Flame Imperishable

Acolyte Soren,

Temple Librarian

A New Purifier

Blood of the Slayer

Beneath the Ashwood tree of Vjardengrad, deep within the halls of the Temple of the Divine Manifestation, there is a burning Altar. The Sacred Flame that blazes at the heart of all Norland. It stands surrounded by Paragons old and new, their stony features an inspiration, a reminder, and a warning for the Faithful.

Before the Flame stood two warriors of Norland. One was born of winter, dark haired and steel eyed, the blood of Ruric in his veins. The other was autumn, reddish hair and ruddy skin, adorned with ancient arms and armour. 

“I bid thee kneel before the Red Lord’s presence.” Aegir Edvardsson, Lord Purifier of Norland, said to his companion. “For you shall speak the words that shall bind you, in sacred oath, to this righteous cause!”

Norlanders do not bow, they do not kneel to any, bar the All Father himself. In that holy place, the All Father’s presence was absolute. And so Uhtric Vildr knelt before the Sacred Flame.

“I shall take up my blade in the name of the All Father, whose flame shall guide the way. By His light, I am found. By His Flame, I am proved. By His will, I endure.” 

Said the Lord Purifier. And so did Uhtric repeat the words:

“I swear to Suffer not the Unworthy; to cut down weakness where it festers, and guard the faithful against corruption.” 

The First Tenet

“I swear to Spread the Flame, not in word alone, but in deed; through flame and steel. I shall bring His Wisdom to the faithless, and where mercy is folly, I shall bring His Wrath.” 

The Second Tenet

“I swear to Stand Against the Long Dark; never shall I abide weavers of Shadow, nor servants of Oblivion, for it is they who beacon the End of All.” 

The Third Tenet

Then Aegir clasped Uhtric by the shoulders as a comrade.

“Arise, Brother Uhtric. Arise as a Purifier of the Order of the First Flame.”

When he did, the Lord Purifier placed before Uhtric the robes and armour of a Purifier.

“Now armour yourself against the Long Dark.”

Then Uhtric stepped aside, allowing the next Initiate to take his place before the Sacred Flame.

A Thesis on the Analysis of the Paragons of the Red Faith and their Influence on the Evolution of Norland

The paragons of the Red Faith serve as guiding figures in Norland, embodying the ideals and virtues that have shaped the nation's identity across generations. As symbols of leadership, culture, warfare, and faith, their selection reflects the shifting priorities and challenges faced by the Norlandic people. From the foundational paragons who laid the groundwork for the nation’s survival to the modern paragons, each era introduces new figures that highlight Norland’s growth from a fledgling society to a thriving civilization. Analyzing the progression of these paragons provides valuable insight into Norland's cultural development, revealing how its values have adapted to meet the demands of changing times while remaining rooted in tradition and faith.

The first paragons reflect Norland’s formative years, when survival, governance, and unity were paramount. The focus during this era was on leadership and structure to form the nation, as seen in paragons such as: Thoromir, Edvard, Eirik, and Vykk. This era highlights Norland’s initial struggle for survival and identity, focusing on leadership, loyalty, and unity. It suggests a people focused on building a strong, self-sufficient nation. These early paragons show that Norland initially valued pragmatic and martial virtues to establish itself as a sovereign entity. This period is characterized by a blend of ambition and structure, seeking to balance internal unity with external assertion.

As Norland expanded, new paragons reflected the need to defend and solidify its presence, both militarily and culturally. This era saw an increasing focus on protection, knowledge, and celebration of Norlandic heritage. Paragons such as Myro, Bjorn, Sven, and later Donovan marked this Era as one transitioning from survival to consolidation, valuing both martial might and cultural expression. It suggests Norland had become confident enough to celebrate its identity rather than solely fight for its existence. The presence of cultural paragons like Sven and Myro indicates that Norland began to see itself as more than a warrior nation—it had stories to tell, traditions to uphold, and a unique identity to nurture. Additionally, Arthas and Tyr were added, this transition to a stronger spiritual foundation suggests Norland moved beyond mere survival and expansion; it now sought meaning and deeper cultural identity through religious fervor and expansion, as well as ideological unity.

The most recent additions to the paragon roster reflect a matured, complex society that values law, trade, family, and innovation. This era marks Norland’s transition into a structured, interconnected world. Edward and Alisa were paragons that portrayed value in structured law and order, while Caedric was A sign of progressive attitudes, balancing tradition with necessary change, and fostering national pride in new ways. And Finally Olaf, marking A recognition of economic expansion and the importance of trade in the sustained growth of Norland and influence of the Red Faith across the world. The emphasis on justice, reform, and trade suggests Norland is evolving into a balanced society that respects tradition while embracing economic and social development. The inclusion of paragons like Olaf signals a shift toward viewing wealth and commerce as vital parts of national identity, signaling a nation ready for long-term sustainability.

The evolution of Norland’s paragons mirrors the growth of the nation itself—from a fledgling society built on survival and strength to a mature civilization with rich cultural, spiritual, and economic dimensions. Each era's paragons demonstrate an evolving understanding of what it means to be Norlandic, balancing tradition with progress and spirituality with pragmatism.

[Written in an old, worn journal]

=  Entry 1 =

As I write, I do not yet know who I write for, I do not know why, other than the dream I had this night before. I've dreamed of my words, set on paper, my thoughts and my wonders. This dream, this vision, I've come to realize was given to me by the All Father, the great and powerful, the savior of my soul. Perhaps these words will be for none but me, perhaps these words are simply the way the All Father has guided me to my reflection. Let them be found by none or by many, for I do not question when such visions are presented to me. Who am I to ignore this? Less than that of the All Father, that I know to be true.

As I sit and I think deeply on which words to place and for what purpose, it comes to me, that of my salvation. When young, I had little, I had few. When I look upon those who have many, I know this to be true, I could see at a young age, my misfortune. Though with the little that I had, my mother, my sister, and not much more...what I had was mine and I was glad to have it. I am a highlander, as was my mother, my sister, my father before me, and his father. Our blood had been cursed it had seemed with little mina, no steady home. My home was among the trees many times, found in tents, in caves, on top the hills. 

Our food was not obtained from farms, it did not come from taverns, or delivered to us on silver plates, with a kneeling servant and a ******* crown placed upon our heads. It came from blood, sweat, suspicious trades, from taking the few we needed, from those who did have the many. We all survive in this world, in the ways that we know, though I think it is few, those who have survived the ways that my family and I have. To many in these times, survival looks like hoarding, it looks like deception in political pursuits, and cunning minds of business folk. 

This is important for all that I am. My lowly place in this land, the struggles I've had before me, these have shaped my hands and my heart. Where once my heart was full of youth and awe of but a simple butterfly, now, this heart is hardened like stone and cold like the ice. Though coldness and hardness are nothing compared to the rage within my blood, the anger that days onward, will continue to threaten to consume me. This I know to be true, it is what I am. My mother and my sister did not leave me silently, they left me screaming and bleeding, it was the same day my eye was taken from me.

Many moons ago this has happened and yet as I write, I can not write the details. The little I had before me, was taken from me. The day the warmth left my body, as if I had died once already and now live as something else. I am Brandr but not the same Brandr once known by those I once loved. See now, this anger, this rage, this need for vengeance and blood that had nearly corrupted me, was the strongest and most intimidating foe I have met. For this corruption to be one with me, to know me deeper than I know myself, to strike at all the parts I am weak, in a violent silence, it nearly guided me down a path far from that of the flame.

"Suffer not the unworthy"

In this corruption, I had been unworthy. Though through all of the darkness, through the blackest of nights, the flame of the All Father guided me home. I have asked to myself, to the All Father even, when in isolation 'Why did I have no home? Why have I never known this?' and to that, I received an answer. My home is no structure, it can not be contained within walls, for it is too grand, too powerful, my home is with the Red Faith, my home is in my duty to spread the flame, it is in purpose where I find my place, the greatest purpose to stand against the Long Dark.

And so I write with this entry, through a path of thorns and corruption, one can still find the Faith and one can still be saved. To Elle - The Justiciar, I say, for those who deny this truth, for those who dare stand unworthy and say to me "There is no way", let my hands guide them to the flame and let them find peace through the burning of their corrupted flesh.

Disturbing manuscripts have been posted outside of Norland, behind the foul imagery  is a message..

"Just as thy ash sect hath fallen, so too shall thee.. Serve as they do, or serve in death. It matters not to us."

"Heed the wisdom of the crimson lich, he whom wields the master's blade."

     To my brothers and sisters within the Flame,

     You may very well not know my name, I am a fledgling member of the Red Faith, and one that I doubt many of you will find reason to listen to, however I feel that for those few out there who may find guidance somewhere within my web of words, I must say my piece. When the High Keeper asked of me and my sister our paragon choices, I struggled to choose. I had always admired the Wordsmith, and I feel that now, I may be able to see for certain whether the path of the quill is the correct one for me. So to any and all who desire to hear me out, listen well, and with an open mind. Though this may be my first writing, I have been ruminating the ideas in my head for quite longer than I frankly should have.

     I would like to begin by bringing forth a prior interpretation of events under the teachings of the Faith. Penned by my very own cousin, this passage attempts to rationalize the suffering and indignations inflicted upon our people by the Mori’Quessir. While I bore no witness to the bloodshed and havoc they had wrought, I believe my perspective as a fresh set of eyes may be invaluable to such an outlook. I believe that if we shift our viewpoints slightly, we may be able to truly stand tall, and our glorious nation may attain a life everlasting for eons to come.

     “The All Father’s Warning” makes the claim that the period of darkness in which we were forced to stand against the Mori alone, without the Father’s Flame, was a warning. That we had grown too weak and unworthy of the Dawnlord’s grace, and that in his eternal struggle against the forces of the dark, we had all but abandoned our savior in our own complacency.

     My brothers and sisters, I would like to bring you back to the first descension of the All-Father. When all hope had seemingly died, Thoromir Ruricsson Armahnk was visited by the Father himself, carrying his ever burning flame, shining brightly in the night. He guided Thoromir out of the snowstorm, and into a new age for his people, choosing him to be his prophet and the first Keeper of the Red Faith. I ask you, my fellow kinsmen, to compare this situation with that of the Mori’Quessir. My cousin believed that the flame did not appear for us because we were not worthy of it, however, I believe it to be a different reason. The Herald was not visited by the Dawnlord until the time was right, and he was on the brink of death and defeat. He intervened to save his chosen prophet, and to guide him out of the night and into the heat of day. Our people were not yet close enough for him to intervene, I do not believe this to have been a warning, no…I believe it to have been a test.

    The question of worthiness was raised within this ruling interpretation, and it’s one I’d like to revisit, and offer my opinion of. I believe that, to be truly worthy of the respect of the All-Father, you must be able to stand tall without his help. Only when you become a force able to stand against the Long Dark, will you be worthy of the greatest ally above all. I believe that, in an effort to test our own worthiness of his grace, the Father decided not to intervene until the situation was desperate. I believe he desired a certain outcome, one that we had accomplished to his liking. He desired us to demonstrate our ability to band together, all descendants, under the shared goal of stopping this encroaching threat. He desired us to cultivate our own Flame, one borne not from his intervention, rather born from our camaraderie and the strength within each and every one of us. A flame that would burn so brightly one might mistake it for the Dawnlord himself. And I believe that we succeeded, and were granted our second chance, a life anew on the land of Solheim. And that is why we named it Solheim, is it not? After so long under the dark caves underneath Nyrheim, we were granted a new land on the surface again, a new home; a brand new light. 

     Brothers and sisters, I will not ask you to place your faith within my interpretation of events. After all, I am but a simple Norlander taking note of the things around me. I am not a great man, like my father, nor a stunning intellectual, like my mother. However I ask that you consider my words, for their mere existence may bring some of you to look at the will of the Father in your own ways, and perhaps ignite some of you to bring about your own interpretations as well.

     Until that time in which I speak with you yet again, take care my brothers and sisters.

Penned by Hilda Freysson, 130 SA

In the restless hours of the night, as sleep eludes me and contemplation consumes my weary mind, an unyielding question persists: Why? Why have our people endured such suffering? Why have the Mori, those sinister invaders, unleashed their malevolence upon our cherished lands? Why has our abode, once a sanctuary of light, succumbed to their oppressive darkness? Why do I find myself composing these words by the flickering campfire, rather than within the comfort of my ancestral abode? The answer, dear reader, is woven within the tapestry of faith, or rather, the lack thereof.

In a time preceding the divine inception of the All Father, our realm dwelled within a perpetual shroud of darkness; a natural state unaltered by the touch of light. It is through the benevolent intervention of the Father that we were bestowed with illumination and vitality. However, we, the descendants, are not entitled to these blessings. For as mighty as the All Father is, he remains tethered to an eternal struggle against the ancient olde ones, whose existence he cannot entirely erase. Thus, it becomes our sacred duty, as children of the All Father, to join His noble cause during our transient existence. Our enlightened forebearers recognized this solemn responsibility and forged formidable orders to stand resolute against the encroaching Long Dark. However, Norland, once a bastion of valor, has succumbed to a lamentable state. The Nordish populace, once renowned for their fortitude, now wavers in the face of adversity, their hearts succumbing to weakness and despondency. Our offspring are bereft of the foundational teachings that once intertwined Faith and culture, setting them upon a path of ignorance that perpetuates this tragic state of affairs.

Undeniably, the ancient malevolence has discerned our people's inherent flaw, a weakness that renders us vulnerable to their insidious machinations. The Mori, serving as harbingers of the Long Dark, have been dispatched to herald its arrival, seeking to reclaim our world’s primordial obscurity, before the All Father's divine flame graced our existence. Though I hold steadfast optimism that the Long Dark has yet to envelope our entire realm, it has certainly cast its oppressive veil upon Almaris, poised to expand further should our people persist in complacency. The darkness wrought by the Mori, while not an irrevocable defeat, serves as a dire clarion call–an urgent reminder that the All Father finds himself engaged in a battle of diminishing odds.

Let us not falter in the face of this encroaching night. May this solemn reminder ignite the flames of resolve within us, urging us to rekindle the dwindling embers of faith and rally against the relentless darkness. Our sacred duty beckons, and it is only through our collective resolve, guided by the All Father's eternal flame, that we may yet illuminate the path to salvation.

Penned by Hilda Ash, age 16

In the course of my tutelage under the esteemed guidance of Eyvind Kvitravn, I have extensively immersed myself in the profound tenets of the Red Faith and the teachings of the All-Father. As my understanding of my own faith has expanded, so too has my inquisitive spirit, drawing me towards the study of alternate systems of belief. Naturally, I began with a thorough exploration of the preeminent creed among the descendants: Canonism.

Upon initial examination, I could not help but discern certain similarities between these faiths. Notably, both acknowledge the existence of a divine creator who shaped the mortal realm. Moreover, the Canonists, akin to our own devotion to paragons, hold reverence for their saints. However, beyond these initial semblances, the paths of these two faiths diverge significantly, leading them on distinct trajectories.

The most salient divergence concerns the nature of the creator and the extent of his dominion over all planes of existence. Canonists maintain an unwavering belief in their god's omnipresence, asserting his sovereign watchfulness over the world in its entirety, from the celestial realm above to the depths of the netherworld. In contrast, adherents of the Red Faith deny the All-Father the exalted status of an omniscient entity. Our Faith proclaims that the All-Father reigns supreme over the heavens and our mortal realm, yet withdraws his presence from the abyss. Although seemingly a minute discrepancy in matters of doctrine, it exposes a profound flaw in the Canonist worldview. For if their god is indeed omnipotent and inherently benevolent, as the Canonists contend, then how does one explain the existence of evil in the world? The truth is, there exists no satisfactory answer. The followers of the Red Faith perceive this incongruity as evidence that the creator, the All-Father, remains absent from the abyss of malevolence. Hence, it is incumbent upon us, his children, to dutifully adhere to his precepts in exchange for his protection against the inexorable Long Dark. 

Secondly, the manner in which the Canonists venerate their ancestors pales in comparison to the practices of the Red Faith. While the Canonists hold their saints in high regard, their homage extends little beyond naming their bellicose holy orders in honor of these revered figures. On the contrary, the children of the All-Father, upon initiation into the Faith, select a patron whose influence shall shape their choices throughout life's journey. Furthermore, adherents of the flame undertake the regular act of offering oblations to their chosen patron. Consequently, the ancestors occupy a far more significant role in the lives of the All-Father's progeny.

Moreover, when exploring the realm of magic and witchcraft, a chasm of disagreement looms between the Red Faith and the Church of the Canon. The Canonists, in their tolerance, extend a measure of acceptance to those who wield magic without prostrating themselves before a distinct deity. However, such magnanimity is viewed with profound disquiet within the Red Faith. We firmly maintain that the employment of magic disrupts the delicate harmony of the natural order, for it draws its power from the sinister abyss, the abode of demons. Thus, the practice of magic inevitably engenders a burgeoning malevolence within the mortal realm, perpetuating the encroachment of evil forces. This stark contrast in perspectives further exacerbates the impassable chasm that divides our faiths, impeding any semblance of amicable coexistence.

Lastly, the proximity to the creator in the afterlife diverges between the two faiths. The Canonist doctrine maintains that the heavens are partitioned into seven ethereal spheres, forming a hierarchical structure wherein the first sky resides closest to god, while the seventh resides farthest. Within the Red Faith, we also share a similar perspective, positing that the truly devout shall forever find their place by the side of the All-Father, while others may dwell at varying distances from his presence, albeit not necessarily estranged entirely. However, the Canonists err in their belief regarding the determinants of this celestial hierarchy. Rather than suggesting that their god exclusively determines the company he keeps for eternity, the Canonists have arrogated to the High Pontiff the authority to declare only the sainted ones worthy of the highest heavens. This presents an inherent quandary, for it is not the prerogative of mortal beings such as ourselves to ascertain the rightful place of others in the afterlife. Indeed, it is beyond the purview of mortal perception.

In conclusion, it is evident that the Red Faith and the Church of the Canon do find limited common ground in their beliefs, yet these concurrences remain sparse and widely dispersed. Therefore, it becomes manifestly clear that genuine adherents of the sacred flame can never dwell harmoniously among Canonists, nor can the latter find solace within the folds of our sacred creed, as the very bedrock of our respective doctrines diverge profoundly. Nonetheless, while cohabitation remains an unattainable aspiration, coexistence is not nearly as unthinkable. Despite the profound disparities that separate us, it is not beyond reason that the Canonists possess the latent capacity to assume a pivotal role in our ceaseless struggle against the encroaching Long Dark, should they but awaken to their senses and stand in unison with their brethren, rather than persistently endeavoring to vanquish us.

The few Higherlanders that escaped the Mori’quessar’s wrath in Alisgrad watched as the flames consumed their city. Thoughts on why the All-Father would allow this to happen passed between friends through muffled breaths till one’s voice broke loudest over the murmurs. Eyvind Kvitran II saw how Norland had long since deviated from the old ways, how debauchery and complacency ruled the lives of Highlanders. They had fallen away from the All-Father’s will, that was why they lost. As the refugees limped their way to Savoy, Eyvind gathered up those who would listen and told them of the stories of his youth, of how those truly loyal to the All-Father had once saved Norland from dissolution once, how the All-Father rewarded them with a 100 years of success for their service. Now they would need to prove themselves worthy of his flame again. From those murmured conversations came a resurgent order. The Brotherhood of The Flame dedicated now to Thoromir, for when all was lost, all the few had left was their loyalty to one another.

Introduction 

The Brotherhood of The Flame: Order of Thoromir, a successor to the Brotherhood of the Flame: Order of Beowulf, draws heavily on the principles of its predecessor. Much akin to the Order of Beowulf, its main focus lies in venerating the ancient paragons and upholding the tenets of the Red Faith. The Order of Thoromir serves the All-Father directly, owing its allegiance solely to his will.

Tenets:

1. “Suffer not the Unworthy.”

2. “I beseech thee, go forth and spread my flame unto the hearts and souls of the blind.”

3. “I say unto thee, of the Holy Fire. You must stand against the Long Dark.”

Ranking

Ashbringer: Entrusted with overseeing the entirety of the Brotherhood, the Ashbringer is regarded as the highest commander within the Order. In the event of a former Ashbringer’s passing or abdication, a new Ashbringer is selected through a moot among Veteran members. The goals of the current Brotherhood are shaped by the patron ancestor of the reigning Ashbringer, resulting in the emergence of a new iteration of the Brotherhood with each new Ashbringer. 

Veteran: In second command to the Ashbringer, Veterans have demonstrated their prowess in battle and unwavering loyalty to both the Order of the Flame and the All-Father. The privilege of nominating oneself and voting for the rank of Ashbringer is exclusively reserved for Veterans of the Brotherhood.   

Hearth-Brother: Hearth-Brothers and Sisters have proved themselves capable and proficient in both prowess and faith. Upon promotion to the rank of Hearth-Brother, the individual will undergo a complete induction into the Order. This involves an official oathing ceremony and receiving a flame branding on the forearm, symbolizing their commitment to the cause.

Neophyte: Neophytes, as the newest recruits to the Brotherhood, are yet to prove themselves within its ranks. Their journey towards induction will test aspiring members of the Order in both mental fortitude and physical endurance, to determine whether they possess the necessary qualities of an inducted member.

Recruitment

IGN:

RP Name:

Discord:

Current Affiliation:

The Alisgrad Hearthmoot

Issued by Ellenore of Nordengrad during the 15th of Snow’s Maiden, SA 114

(OOC: Saturday February 4th 5PM EST)

To my fellow servants of the Father. The increasingly apparent void in the High Hearth Council must be rectified. For too long has our faith lacked the guidance of a High Keeper. A lantern in the dark to guide us all amidst the storms of sin burdening the mortal realm. All keepers are called to gather at the Alisgrad Hearth Temple to discuss Faith business. The following shall be discussed.

I. Election of a new High Keeper

II. The state of the Order of Purifiers

III. Determining the Hearth Keeper of the Alisgrad Hearth

IV. Establishing the Fatherist Seminary of Alisgrad

INVITATIONS

To Keeper Orin of Varhelm we request your presence at the Hearthmoot  

To Keeper Aeva of Alisgrad we request your presence at the Hearthmoot  

PENNED BY

Ellenore of Nordengrad

The Trial of Zemzy Oakheart

By Command of the Lord Purifier

Issued on, 14th of Malin’s Welcome, Year 95 of the Second Age

There has been much debate recently about banishment, kidnapping, conspiring with the long dark, and a myriad of other problems around the figure known as Zemzy Oakheart. To find proper evidence of these claims, the banishment of Zemzy Oakheart will be lifted and a trial will be held in the Hearth Temple in Alicegrad, to see if there is some truth to the matter. Should Zemzy Oakheart not appear at the trial it will be considered an admission of guilt and all crimes put to their name, rumors or not, will be considered true and their banishment will be reinstated as well as whatever other punishments the overseeing Keeper sees fit to add.

By Order Of,

Orin Ve’lvenest, Keeper of the Holy Flame, Lord Purifier of the Purifiers

“The Reclaimer”

A paragon is raised from the ranks of the ancestral spirits that have joined the ranks of the All Father. This ascension is then conferred unto the ranks of the clergy in the form of a series of vividly realistic visions concerning the feats and deeds of the risen ancestor. Each paragon serves as an aspect of a specific virtue prized by the Father in the pursuit of his great mission. Through heavy prayer and interpretation the High Keeper of the Red Faith has been delivered with the revelation of a new Paragon.

Caedric Edvardsson Ruric

Caedric Edvardsson Ruric inherited the Duchy of Morsgrad, a derelict and broken nation, purposefully descended from greatness by his grandfather King, turned Earl, Edvard II Edvardsson. All allies of the nation had been dissuaded, defeated or subjugated by the Holy Orenian Empire during the Rubern War and only recently had the Duchy of Morsgrad entered a regency, lead by Caedric’s uncle Chadmyr Edvardsson, after the passing of Duke Godric Edvardsson. The men of Norland all dead from the war or turned traitor to escape the horrible situation that befell the Duchy. It was when Caedric turned twenty and three in the year of 1761 FA that he would answer the calling to rule, begrudgingly at first. It was during his first few years as Duke of Morsgrad that Caedric would reinvigorate the population, appointing young and able councilors to aid him and even recommending that the, then novice, Keeper Alisa Camian, become High Keeper in place of the old and tired previous. Caedric’s most famous act would be his Declaration of Norlandic Pride in 1764 FA, which asserted his position as the King of Norland, and reformed the Duchy into a Kingdom. With this he would go on to order the reconstruction of the old city of Morsgrad, establish a high law in his Kingdom, and divided his government so as to more easily delegate authorities and duties unto his councilors and the Faith. Though not all Caedric had done was wise, as he can be remembered well as a very temperamental and brash man; “Wisdom is for my Councilors.” He was recalled telling a foreign dignitary. Caedric was a very adventurous King, when not on his throne and listening to his Councilors he was exploring the lands of Arcas, meeting men from Helena to Al-Faiz, he was always up to test his skills as a swordsman, archery, or horse riding. His exploits brought him fame and allies in the far reaches of the continent. Caedric reclaimed much in his time as King, but the most vital thing he had reclaimed was the inherent essential identity of the Norlandic people.

Ascension

Caedric Edvardsson Ruric is hereby ascended to the status of Paragon within the Red Faith, Caedric Edvardsson Ruric will from hereon be styled Caedric “The Reclaimer” Edvardsson Ruric, Paragon of Reformation, Patriotism, and Adventure, and his emblem will be a crowned ashwood flanked by a chain to the right and a northward arrow  to the left.

Relegation of Fictitious Paragons

Promulgation of Relegation

It has plagued the faith of the All-Father for many generations on how to approach the paragons of old that have been proven to never have existed, yet created to fill a niche role to serve as an example to the faithful. Some have chosen to embrace them and their stories, some have chosen to tacitly tolerate them, so as to placate those who would raise issue with their demotion, and others have chosen to outright reject them, seeing these so called “Fake” paragons as a lie and a stain upon our faith. In accordance with the precedence set forth in this document, these paragons proven to never have existed in flesh are to be relegated to parabolic stories, so that the faithful can still yet benefit from their morals, yet know that they were never a part of our true history. The promulgation of this relegation is effective immediately from the day this document is released.

On Parabolic Stories

Parables are those stories which teach us our morals, stories and tales which illustrate the universal truths of our world. Our parables are to be used to educate ourselves and to help guide us on our treacherous paths of this world, through the lessons of these narratives we may find ourselves cannily prepared for the Father’s Judgment.

The following characters have been relegated to parabolic stories either because they have been proven to have never existed in the flesh, they have been supplanted by another Paragon, or their actions while extraordinary or exceptional, are contrary to what the All-Father stands for:

1. Gunthrum Hammer hand

2. Astrid the Maiden

3. Jeorg the Storm Rider

4. Hjarn the Ox

5. Arthas Ruric

6. Aethelflaed the Weaver

7. Aelfwynn the Fleet

8. Snow the Flamesinger

9. Beo the Betrayer

10. Amice the Fool

Ascendancy 

of

 Lord Purifier Orin Ve'lvenest

By Holy Command of the High Keeper

This Holy Dictate is issued on, 11th of Malin's Welcome, Year 92 of the Second Age

To the Faithful,

It is by the Holy Command of High Keeper Grigori Ruslanovych that Keeper Orin Ve’lvenest is hereafter elevated to Lord Purifier, Shield of the Faithful and granted his rightful position on the Hearth Council. Their service to the Faith, by scroll, sword, and word, has shown all they have no equal in the service of the Red Lord. They are to execute the Holy Mission of the Purifiers, represent that Holy Order in all affairs, and defend all of Creation in the name of the Father.

Upon receiving this letter Keeper Orin Ve’lvenest and all the Purifiers will make a pilgrimage to the Hearth Temple of Alisgrad to receive blessings of the Paragons and take their Sacred Oaths before the Holy Flame.

By Order Of,

His High Holiness, Grigori Ruslanovych, High Keeper of the Red Faith, Keeper of the Holy Flame

“The Matriarch”

A paragon is raised from the ranks of the ancestral spirits that have joined the ranks of the All Father. This ascension is then conferred unto the ranks of the clergy in the form of a series of vividly realistic visions concerning the feats and deeds of the risen ancestor. Each paragon serves as an aspect of a specific virtue prized by the Father in the pursuit of his great mission. Through heavy prayer and interpretation the High Keeper of the Red Faith has been delivered with the revelation of a new Paragon.

Alisa Camian

Alisa Camian was the most prolific High Keeper in the history of the Red Faith. Through sword, quill, and faith she has not only uplifted Norland, but significantly impacted the world. Among Alisa Camians many achievements some of the most well known are being the longest led High Keeper in the history of the Faith, reigning for over ninety years, authoring ‘The Red Faith: A Primer’ the most prolific book in the history of all time, as well as leading the world against the Inferi scourge in Arcas and directly assisting in the slaying of the aengul Gazardiel.

Ascension and Supplantion

Alisa Camian is hereby ascended to the status of Paragon within the Red Faith, supplanting Arthas as the Paragon of piety and assuming the roles previously held by Aethelflaed the weaver. Alisa Camian will from hereon be styled Alisa “The Matriarch” Camian, Paragon of Piety, Motherhood, and Family, and her emblem will be the flame upon the cover of a tome.

Descension & Deliverance

The Northern isles of Thales, a land united as Norland by Vykk ‘the Founder’ Volaren, was in peril. Nature, corrupted by vile Voidal influence, had elongated the length of the winter, as the moon cycled the snows of winter remained, the lakes and shores unmoving as ice, hard as iron, covered the waters which many depended upon. The chieftains of the many clans and peoples would send men South, before the blizzards would completely isolate the Northern isles, to build for the Norlanders a fleet to seek new refuge. With many Norlanders sent South, the rest remained, to survive the endless winter which cursed their home. The first to die were the outsiders, those who claimed no clans nor people and denied Vykk’s efforts for unity, for during the summer months they could only reap the harvest of one man. After two cycles of the moon, the outsiders would either find common cause with the Norlanders or perish. Next were the old or sick, the ones who could not be looked after or continue to feed upon what may better be used by the young. Oftentimes they would depart their homes, giving their families final farewells, and wander into the unending blizzards which had cursed the isles. Eventually word reached the Chieftains of Norland, the fleet was completed but poor tides and worse storms had forstopped the fleet upon the Eastern coast of the Isles, twelve leagues from the Norlandic town. The Exodus began, the Norlandic people sought one to guide them through the harsh terrain and elected one man, Thoromir Armhank.

In the land of endless winter, upon the accursed isles, the Norlandic people marched. The people took what belongings they could carry, foodstuffs and valuables, but nothing would prepare them for the greatest peril of the journey East. Halfway through the journey, after one day and one night, the column of Norlanders was beset upon by what many now call the Great Blizzard. It is said that during the height of the misery the harsh winter storm caused the many gods of the North had died or abandoned their followers, as the Night had swallowed them, and their power no longer had any sway upon the mortal coil. Others believed that, rather than the gods, they themselves had been swallowed by the Night, as the day had shortened to but two hours. Whatever the case, we know that the northmen were dwindling in number each day the Great Blizzard blew for the winds were so strong and the ice filled the air, no man could kindle a flame for more than two seconds, and the embers would snuff out before the blink of an eye. In these conditions, the marchers could not survive for long. As the moon stood tall above the Norlanders, the sun had only shone thrice for two hours at a time, babes were starved in their cribs and fathers gave themselves to the Night so their sons may be unburdened by their presence, and Thoromir, tasked with the safe passage of these people could not bear to see any more death.

Thoromir set out before the snow logged tent, in the short light of the fourth day he stood before his people and before the gods and prayed. It is said he invoked the names of hundreds of gods, ancient and contemporary, and as the moon gazed down upon Thoromir, he continued his prayers for the deliverance of his people. As the night drew on, the lips of Thoromir quaked, yet he persisted, stammering out prayer after prayer, before coming to the final god he could recall. Some of the Norlanders called Him the Red Lord, others Rethiael, and to others the Dawnlord, Thoromir after these events took to calling Him the Father for, he had given the Norlandic folk guidance and discipline. Nevertheless, as the final word passed Thoromir’s tongue, an ember would fall before Thoromir, then another, and soon before Thoromir a hail of embers, burning little things, would be followed by His descension. He spoke a few words to Thoromir, setting forth His Tenets, now known as the Tenets of the Father, before imparting His glorious boon unto Thoromir and the Norlandic folk. A flame, which melted the snow and ice away, even in the darkest hour of that winter night. He quickly vanished, returning to his Realm, the Father’s Halls which stand about all Creation. The clans rallied about Thoromir and dubbed him ‘the Herald’ as he used the flame to ignite a great many torches and guided his people to the Eastern shores where the Norlandic fleet awaited them eagerly. At their reunion, the story of what transpired but a night previous spread like fire, the sailors would listen well and all who heard would thereon commit themselves to the Tenets of the Father and follow their Herald's teachings; for only the Father answered Thoromir’s prayer.

Clerical Ascension

Adapted from the Alisan methods of clerical advancement

Induction into the Red Clergy

When inducting new initiates into the clergy, it is necessary to ensure the prospective initiate’s readiness for the position. This has, historically, been accomplished through a variety of methods. In the early days, there was little need for a priesthood, as those who joined the Faith were joining to fight with the Red Brothers in the All Father’s name. In other times, prospective initiates have been asked to put pen to paper and take oaths to prove their knowledge and piety. In more recent times, under High Keepers Tyr and Sølvi, the would-be initiates were put through a gauntlet that tested the depths of their dedication and  commitment. These gauntlets included such things as brandings, bloodletting, and drowning; Ordeals that pushed the limits of mortal tolerance. Upon completion of the gauntlet, be it in the manner of Tyr or the manner of Arthas, the prospective would be granted the rank of Initiate, at which point they would embark upon the path to becoming a fully-ordained Keeper. 

Our faith is our history, therefore our methods of induction into the faith should reflect our past. In the modern era, the methods of induction into the faith are a combination of the methods employed by High Keeper Arthas, High Keeper Alisa, and High Keeper Tyr.

Aspirations of Faith

Those dedicated to taking the first steps of clerical ascension are dubbed Aspirants, and while they have no Clerical powers within the Red Faith, are expected to teach themselves the Red Faith and the histories of Norland through whatever means they have available until a senior member of the clergy chooses to take them on as a student apprentice, immediately granting them the rank of Initiate within the Red Faith, where their true path of Ascension within the red clergy will begin.

Expectations of Initiation

Initiates of the Red Faith are expected to train with a senior member of the clergy to generally learn the Red Faith and the histories of Norland, however there are certain aspects of the faith that must be fully understood by any prospective Initiate before they can ascend further in the red clergy, once an Initiate has proven their ability to recite these facts, and has served the faith as an initiate for at least three years, the Initiate shall undergo three gauntlets to prove the prospective’s ability to serve the faith, through both knowledge and dedication.

Those truths which must be known before an Initiate may begin their gauntlets are such:

1. All of the Paragons of the Red Faith, their virtues, and their stories

2. The parable of Beo the Betrayer

3. The Popular Heresies of the Red Faith

4. The Three Tenets handed down from the All-Father

5. The story of the descension of the All-Father

6. The history of Norland, with focus on the following events:

   1. The founding of Norland

   2. The tragedy of Seahelm

   3. The Kraggen Isles

   4. The Highland realm and the Reformation

   5. The Inferi war and the Destruction of Arcas

   6. The Svarlandic sack of Varhelm

Once proven their ability to recite these truths properly an Initiate must undergo each of the following three gauntlets:
 

On Further Clerical Ascension 

Once the Gauntlets of Initiation have been completed, the Initiate becomes a Hearth Brother/Sister, and their path to becoming a fully ordained Keeper is nearly complete. To once again ascend to the final common rank of Keeper the aspiring Hearth Brother/Sister must hold the rank of Hearth Brother/Sister for at minimum five years and prove their understanding of The Norlandic law codes, the Red Law, and the Codes of honor to the high Keeper. Once the Hearth Brother/Sister has proven their understanding and ability and their fitness for the role of Keeper, they shall then be tasked with the creation of their Flamebrand. Then, once the Flamebrand has been crafted and the time is deemed right, the Lighting Ceremony shall be held, wherein the Flamebrand is lit from flames of  the Hearthfire. Following this ceremony, the Hearth Brother/Sister will become a fully-fledged Keeper.