A World Less Feral

PENANCE

They should be terrified.

But Man has forgotten to fear the deep, dark woods.

For we have let him.

Now our forests are theirs.
Demons and the living dead frolic freely between the concrete stains of gaudy nations.
The wilderness is their plaything. Their sanctuary.

Humans fell all things oaken, ashen and thorned to sow mutant seeds and mutilate the land into monuments for themselves and their absent creator.
 

Dwarfish greed disembowels of the world, hollowing hills to fill their coffers with the mined marrow of the deep.
 

And the children of Larihei obsess over profane magics, their starward gaze turned from all that is good and green. They sacrilegiously coax the Void into our world, besmirching a forgotten balance Malin had warned their forebears against tampering with.
 

Man thinks itself apart from the world. Above beasts. Above instinct. Above the natural order.

Then asks himself:

“Why do our continents sink?”

We have failed the Aspects in letting descendant-kind think the world can be owned. Black magic, politics and material obsession has made them blind. 
It is our duty to help them see again.

Cerridwen craves renewal, not tolerance.
Cernunnos yearns for the hunt, not chivalry.

Nemiisae wills death upon the the foes of the balance.
May we return the anathema to the Mother and embolden the Father with soil and meat.

Do you remember your purpose, druii?

What brothers and sisters remain of the Shadow Circle, I beg you return from your solitude and bear witness to the world we must correct. A time of blood is upon us once more.

To the wider groves I ask you to look inward. To recall the purposes of your craft. To answer the Aspects’ unanswered summons. To be deaf no more to the screams of nature, and act.

We must remind them to fear the deep, dark woods.

Aspects forgive me for my complacency;
I will stand idle no longer.

My penance is nigh.

The Moon Druid

The first part of the script was written in a  twisting scrawl of swirls and dots - a foreign script, untranslatable lest they knew the language, that was then followed by the translation in Common. ]

AGARWAEN KYERMË

[BLOODSTAINED PRAYER]

TO THE BLOOD THAT FLOWS WITHIN MY VEINS,

I THANK THAT WHICH BREATHES LIFE INTO MY BODY.

TO THE FLESH THAT NOURISHES MY MIND,

I THANK THAT WHICH ALLOWS MY FORM TO CONTINUE ANEW.

MOTHER, I THANK THEE FOR BIRTHING A BEAUTIFUL SOUL.

FATHER, I THANK THEE FOR NURTURING AND TEMPERING A WARRIOR'S SOUL.

BLESS THE LIFE THAT HAS BEEN TRIUMPHED,

BLESS THE LIFE THAT IT SHALL FUEL.

OOC CREDITS:

“To bring upon the scourge of blight, a calamity far greater than the succor of civilization can bear. Judgment day will separate the weak from the strong. This is my final missive. Acael’fiyemal.”

The final notes and ramblings of the Koi Druid Valor Caerme’onn, pieced together by his final faithful followers. His descent into madness, obsessed with the true face of nature at its depths. Finally his words are transcribed, published from an unknown source. Perhaps to fall on deaf ears, the scrolls in which these words are written can be found in places you had not expected to find them.

—

Long have I watched and observed the pride of man and Druii alike. They take refuge in the forgiving nature of their walls and their communities. They truly do not understand the true ferocity of nature, how greatly it has been disbalanced. Nature has been torn asunder and left broken, nations drawing arbitrary lines in the dirt, as Druii fight over the righteousness of their philosophy. In the barren wake of true adversity the children of the Aspects have grown weak. I have tried to show them the Way. I have but one more ploy to elevate the strong men and annihilate the weak. Let it be known; the day shall come.

Acael’Fiyemal.

True unity and strength is displayed in those with the willingness to unite to fight the common enemy. Worry not of the ideas that have crafted me. It is my power that has elevated me above judgment. For when the day comes, you shall look to me as your shepard. There will be no deliverance. Understand that your weakness will be your undoing, as the true weight of the balance shall be dropped upon you. To those loyal to the Way, rise. Your lessons and teaching will allow you to reach heights you could not have imagined, for I have seen them.

Acael’Fiyemal.

When the blight consumes the land we rush to quench the scourge, as we see it as such. Understand that this is a gift from our Gods. We deserve this, for what have we done to prevent it? We allow those who blight our land to live, only to mitigate the chaos they leave behind. We are postponing an inevitable cleanse. I say allow this scourge to take route, even strengthen it. Allow the hubris of man to wash themselves away. Healing is not the answer. Power. Control. The blight is but another tool to a Druii. You wish to bring upon the horrors of the land? I say allow it, for I will rise to be the King of a blighted land.

Acael’Fiyemal.

Why should I wait like prey for the arrogance of man and Druii alike to bring upon my demise. I shall not be accounted for amongst the weak and unready. I shall be the one to rip open a hole in the realms, bring towards this realm a calamity greater than the Gods influence. I welcome its horror, for I have walked the abyss already, I am unwavering. The power to control the fire that will purge this world is held in the hands of those who initiate it. So I say allow me to use all my power to bring upon this great calamity as I sit at its throne of death.

Acael’Fiyemal.

First my brothers and sisters, learn to harness the power of the sundered world. I have studied the Kaitoyami as it has shown me a glimpse of the world I will bring about. If I can free myself from this self imposed prison, then when the cage bears down upon us, I shall free myself once more. Subject yourself to great horror, find strength in your adversity, so that you may walk on the bones of the weak. Let them find no succor or mercy at your feet.

Acael’Fiyemal.

Kuila crystals, blood magic, blight magic, whatever it takes. If enough magic is brought to bear then it will inevitably cause a rift between the realms. Welcome back Iblees and his followers, so that we might subjugate him ourselves. His power will not be greater than those who have mastered the blight that was meant to destroy us. With his tools of destruction usurped from him, elevate yourselves to the realm of Godhood as I intend to. If I do not survive, allow my soul to be torn from the eternal forest in this calamity. I will rule as a Lich amongst men if I must. My vessel matters little, the New World will be defined by our rules. Our sovereign rule, eternally.

Acael’Fiyemal.

Are you scared? You will read this and weep, excuse and blaspheme. I take no orders from an entity above myself, because I have witnessed true power. I will never be granted it, so I will rip it from their hands. Let the Gods understand that when Acael’Fiyemal is upon us they will be usurped. This weakness in stagnation will be made known, and those who have perfected their tools of tyranny shall rule as they have always meant to. Acael’Fiyemal brothers and sisters. The day of reckoning will come, to bring upon a calamity and purge this world with a scourge. To control it and build it anew, with sovereign rule. Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared?-

—

The phrase repeats in more and more chaotic handwriting until there is no paper left.

[Rites of the Ichor Way]

Music for thought [Contains Lyrics]

Traditions which stifle, but do not temper. Rites which only draw blood, yet never bring it to boil. The true meaning of Ichor has been lost, and the message has strayed from what the Koi intended. Though I did not know him, it brings me great mirth to continue his work as his Caerme’onn seed brother.

We are creatures of Ichor, of material most divine; We are of flesh, of blood, of power. Ichor is not simply what we bleed. But like blood, it is the passion that courses within us and fuels us. It is the pain, sorrow, rage, and joy that has tempered us into the creatures we are. Without passion, we can never truly be bound to duty. 

It is ever the way of nature that the strongest should be poised to rule. Strength is no mere feat of brawn, nor the apex of intellect. While these are tools that you may employ, and I encourage you to do so, to thrive amongst the ebb of nature is to follow in the footsteps of those who call it home; Beasts. It is the instinct and impulse of a beast that is honed, most, above all else. A great adaptability and passion for that which they stand by.

The wilds are a realm of constant strife, a battle of longevity under the weight of nature; each creature suffering so it may survive. Only those that adapt live, and those who stop at nothing thrive. Hear me, auld Ichorians. Your Herald, The Ichor Druid, is naught but a loveless crone. She does a disservice to her people, her Creed, by teaching them through senselessness. Pain inflicted only for pain’s sake, as if to say that nature itself is nonsensical. Nature’s chaos is its sense, an orderly chaos hand-hewn by the Aspects.

Nothing is taught by pain without purpose, experience without meaning. Nature is cruel, true, but never without reason and cause to be. Sacrifice has no meaning if it lies in vain. Passivity is the greatest sin to the Ichorian, causing little surprise to know that this dogma festered in the hands it does now.

Red Herald

The Herald is a valuable role, tasked with the upbringing of Aspirants and maintenance of the Ichor Way. It is a Herald that is looked to, when the time comes to profess the Creed, and lead its sacred rites. Heralds are chosen, for they exemplify the passions an Ichorian strives to embody. They alone are tasked with erecting new tomes and epithets of the Ichor Way, and the appointment of Heralds.

Ichorian

 A Creedbrother who has undergone all requisite trials, and completed their rite of marking. They understand and have performed the rites well, and join the fold to profess and uphold the tenets of our creed. They may hold rites as needed, and profess the tenets to the public. To teach the Aspirant seedlings, and guide them as they do their trials under a Herald.

Aspirant

The veritable life of the Ichor Way comes in the great spirit of new blood and faces. The Aspirant undergoes the trials to learn wholly of our path, and the care we take as it relates towards our goals and veneration. They are students first, but even they may shed light on mysteries not yet revealed even to Heralds themselves. 

To find their stride as a Creed-sibling, a newblood must partake in the Rite of Expression before they are exalted into the state of an Aspirant and begin their trials to join the faith. The point of such a rite is to foster kinship between pupil and teacher. Permutations on the rite depend on the wills of the Ichorian Elder, but always contain a binding of the eyes and nature-walk with student and teacher. During the Rite, the pupil will speak their truths to the Elder, professing their life’s strifes, its woes, and great happinesses: from where the student’s fervor derives itself.

At the end of the memory-walk, the student and teacher will join one another in a great release. This may take the form of screaming at the exalted sky, crying, but the student must be able to expunge themselves of the passion they have bottled and allowed to well. To forever remove the levee of their mind and begin the constant flow and churn of their emotions. All the experiences should be used by the instructing Herald to inform their trials therein, tailored to the pupil’s needs while teaching them of our Creed’s rites and practices.

The Tome of First Blood, as dictated by the Koi Druid; Reimagined by the Buzzard Druid.

“Harmony doesn’t exist, there is only the rage of survival, a never-ending chaos for supremacy.” 

    To live towards your true self is what it means to walk perfectly alongside nature, not until you have suffered like nature shall you understand what it means to walk like it. Nature is a never-ending fight for survival, and the pain and chaos it continuously lives in can be echoed in yourself. Only then when you look past the serene nature of a forest, or a grove and look deeper at some plants struggling for sunlight, or a fly’s final flight will you understand that even if you cannot see it, or choose to ignore it, nature is always wrought with survival and chaos. 

    Harmony is a simple word that we use to describe things that we do not truly understand, for there is never peace nor harmony in nature. We are always hungry, always tired, always emotional. We act often out of someone else's expense. To try to live your life passively, to hide from the extremities of nature is pure cowardice. A simple sign that you lack the fortitude to accept how nature truly behaves, and what our instinct brings us to achieve. 

    “In the passion of nature, my emotions bring me strength, to go beyond convention.”

    We mustn’t ever stagnate, for our passiveness can lead us to rest upon our laurels. To stop striving for greater. We should always be prepared to evolve, adapt and overcome. There is no end, for if we slow down eventually we will be overtaken. No matter the title you hold, it will mean nothing in chaos, or to nature. Passion is what keeps creatures alive, to continue to strive for survival. Should they ever begin to slow down marks the end of their life. 

    To believe that as descendants we are without the need of our simple passions and conventions alongside the creatures we live amongst is a lie. What you have achieved, what you have done will mean nothing in time. Those of the future will forget, or they will not care. Never stop, continue to drive. It’s our passion that will keep us on top.    

    “I will continue to stack my victories, until nature and I are free from this burden.”

    The vices of civilization make us weak, soft. Many burden themselves behind walls, with a keyhole look to the world around them. While the mass production of voidal witches continues to grow, whilst atrocities go untested. The haven of the walls around you make you weak, we used to fight for our survival yet no we no longer need to. We've lost our touch with nature. Many druian look at the strife of nature from their high horse, it’s one thing to recognize the true face of nature, but do you live among it?

    I forfeit the vice of civility, I do not need a weapon to hunt. I do not need to rely on my eyes to see. As I have shown my students, you rely on the things most precious to you too much. The constructs of civilization, they have made you weak. You are used to the read supply of food, these comforts keep you from experiencing nature. It’s only when you break away from your old comforts can you really be free, to walk among nature as if it were your own. He who has achieved victory whilst shattering all restrictions has walked closest with perfection.     

    “I am taught of Nature; Guided by Wild Hands.”

When we, Children of Malin, departed from our first father’s gilded halls, the ‘ame forged their own paths and gathered in great kinships. These olden tribes lived in great accordance with the wilds, and adopted the reverence of the Wild Gods; Aspects and Mani to guide them. We have always called Mother and Father; Sanctuary and Hunt, the wisdom behind our cause. 

However, I believe, in this new age of Ichor, that our eyes ought to fall upon the guidance of creatures who are more kin to the wild than we. The Mani exemplify the ideals that the ‘ame can strive for. Bolomormaa is the matron of clan-kinship, and ferocious motherhood; as Amaethon is the stalwart patron of guidance.

We are fools to ignore them as they are, and fools-more not to emulate them in service to the balance.

As long as you have blood to spill, you will find your strength. This is the belief of the Ichor Way, and those who follow it. The path is difficult to walk, but those who do can hold themselves in high regard. That which is difficult is not always bad, and that which is easy is not always best. 

I pledge myself to these tenets and my blood to this oath, for I am Ichorian.

Passivity is a sign of cowardice. To refuse to act is a refusal to perform your duties.

Refusing violence is an ultimate sign of cowardice, not all things can be resolved in words, nor should they be.    

Always be prepared to fight for what’s just. Allowing yourself to stagnate is allowing yourself to fall victim to the cycle of redundancy. Regardless of your old achievements, you will be forgotten. 

As Mali, as I assume the majority of Aspirants will be, we should not allow a long life to delude us into believing we must succumb to futile patience and idleness. A life, however long, should be spent moving upward.

Allowing fear to control your actions, or preventing you from making a decision is cowardice, let fear make you stronger. Release yourself from your passivity.    

Civilization breeds weakness in the hearts of our kin. Learn what it means to survive.

Always be prepared to give up your vices, what is closest to you. To become dependent is weakness. If you want something, always be prepared to fight for it.    

To not be able to hunt or fight is pure weakness, these are completely necessary in finding strength.    

If you need weapons and armour to fight or hunt, then learn to act without them. Always be prepared at the worst of times.    

To rely on only one of your senses is naive, learn to act with your ears, with your smell. Utilize what the Aspects have given you fully.    

Strive for greatness, never let yourself fall off.

Regardless of your titles and achievements, you can always continue to press yourself towards greater. As they can mean nothing in time. 

Never allow yourself to become passive, don’t let fear or your position stop you from gaining more.    

Regardless of the beliefs of others, you can take what you deserve with a heavy hand. But always be prepared to face the consequences.

Protect and teach, but teach those to stand on their own.

The young ones among us are impressionable, but must eventually rise as you have. Give them the teachings they need, protect them while they are still being honed, and teach them to fight their own battles.     

Make your kin strong, only by inciting these teachings can we as a nation, seed, family, begin to show true excellence.

Learn from your history, your ancestors. Honor tradition, for they walked closer to nature.

 Examine the legends of the past, the Oracles and ancestors who shaped your kin to how they are. There are many lessons to be learned from them.  

 Inherit their strength, for they survived in strife for you, do not pass on your weakness, pass on the strength that flows through you.    

Keep good to your oaths. There’s no greater sign of weakness than unloyalty.

 Whether to the Aspects, clan, or Seed; Your oaths are binding, to disregard them is an absolute sign of failure.

 Bring greatness and victory to them, you have the potential to bring greatness to your kin in the name of the Aspects, use it well.

 Making an oath is not a passive task, always make them with a clear conscience, don’t forget what you stand for.

Achieve what you must by any means necessary.

Never be afraid of extreme actions, but do not take them lightly. Many big extremes have caused our kin greatness. 

You may be disparaged by those near to you, even your own kin, by the decisiveness you employ. Do not let it stifle your resolve. Teach those who doubt  that action, above all, is most important.

Always bear purpose. Partaking in senselessness is tantamount to idleness.

To act in any way without cause is to admit your ambition has died, and passions run dry.

Pain is sacred only when it bears purpose. Nature is in constant bloodshed for necessity and survival. Blood spilled through torture is wasteful.

You are a being of raw, powerful fervor. Never stifle yourself.

Our emotions and experiences provide us with power beyond our own understanding. Do not be afraid to be fueled by hatred, rage, passion, sorrow, or pleasure. Calmness is not clarity.

Fear is a tool, cause it as you see fit and use your own to foster survival.

It is wasteful to pin your emotions. Scream when the desire overcomes you. Cry when you are cleaved by sorrow or joy. Be true: never silent, and seldom stoic.

Credit goes solely to the original author of the Ichor Way, mitto. All writing is based off of original texts and threads. Extra thanks to frankdh, 248pengin, and rathat for their help.

The Ichor Way (Original by mitto)

Ichorian Practices (by mitto)

[To the Ichor Way Creed Hub]

To aid in our adherence, and stoke ourselves like the great, burning flames we are. Rites, practices, and deeds that do not dictate who we become- but instead, let us see the power in who we already are.

An example of Ichorian Exaltation Markings, featuring red ilmyumier and scarification embellishment.

The acts of giving and receiving markings are a pillar of what it is to be Ichorian. The body, especially that of Mali’, is an ageless work of art, and a vessel of great memory and timeless experience. An Ichorian body which is marked, be it through ink, or scar both intentional and not, is a body that understands pain and perseverance which strives for the freedoms of emotion and expression. They are acts of dedication and burden-bearing that the Ichorians revere. Intentional scarification is a part of the Creed Markings, as well as many rituals where adherents anoint themselves in dyes, in scars, permanent tattoos for the passion of their cause. When done intentionally, it is often to depict experiences or emotions felt by the Ichorian.

    Above all markings, most noted are those of Ichorian Exaltation, given to newbloods upon the completion of their trials as they move forward into the fold. Given from Elder to student, it is a devoted and private process shared between the two. Rather than ceremonial, the Rite of Exaltation is a tender moment between teacher and pupil, where the markings are bestowed with compassion, and appreciation of the student’s strength.

An excerpt of the First Tome, as dictated by the Koi Druid (credit to Mitto for the original Ichor Way):

 Scarification is one of the many practices of the Ichor Way, by the carving of the skin either through natural means, or by ritualistic patterning. The natural ways of scarification can vary, often from pain related trials of endurance and perseverance. The wounds of determination through pain should be cherished, as they also double as a sign of struggles past.

Through ritualistic scarification, certain symbols can be engraved into the skin. The lengthy and painstaking process is a true sign of dedication and can even be used over traditional tattooing. An Ichorian can use these to double up their current tattoos or add more over them. It's not an easy or soft process.

Ichorian Anointment

The Ichorians brand themselves in their blood, and sometimes also the blood of their enemies or last hunt. Depending on the pattern is dependent on the emotions felt, even to mark yourself with a debilitating emotion is a sign of strength, because it shows despite that emotion you show determination and commitment through it.

 Two lines from the eyes

This marking is synonymous with mourning or sadness, often when someone has suffered loss yet is still challenged with a great task they will display their sadness this way. The markings themselves aren't reserved strictly for combative scenarios, some may even choose to bear this mark at memorials.

Hand on face

A bloody hand is a literal translation to feeling suffocated, which has become a symbol of fear. Some can wear it on their face, others on their neck. Fear has become known as weakness, however Ichorians know that fear can breed greatness, so they show their fear with pride.

Two horizontal lines

These markings show someone’s calmness, sometimes in the grueling experience of certain struggles, someone becomes completely desensitized to them. This can be a sign of someone’s dominance in a certain aspect, but to wear it falsely can mark anyone a fool.

Two lines under cheekbones

Lines starting from the ear under the cheekbone and sometimes straight down to the jawline is a sign of determination, bravery and loosely happiness. Someone's unwavering solidarity can be displayed through them, and in vast numbers it's a sign of camaraderie and perseverance.

One line from bottom lip to chin

To bring a line from either over the lip or under the lip down to the chin is a sign of a personal vendetta. If someone has a message to send, or a problem to settle. The wearer will often don this until such a time when the vendetta has ended, be it a score to settle with another,  or they possess something to prove to themselves or others.

Sacrifice is vital in many things, and especially integral to the practice of the Ichor Way. It is a Rite that can be employed in any circumstance, for any reason. As simple as one’s daily offering, to great ceremonies cloistered around the carcass of a grand hunt. Sacrifice is a tool utilized in all of Aspectism, not solely our path. But our path has elevated the concept of Sacrifice, and turned the very act into something to be revered. Pain is to be worshiped, as much as love and mirth.

Revering the Body of the Beast is a rite performed after its’ hunting, or before a great hunt or battle. However, the rite can be employed as a facet of any Ichorian ceremony or Aspectist teaching. To exalt the flesh of the beast is to dedicate your heart and soul to the wild itself. It is a rite that can and should be performed for any beast and respectful game, as small as the hare or as large as the buffalo. The carcasses of larger game, however, go on to be used in further ceremony, to be crafted into art pieces as gifts and offerings, even totems for sites of worship.

The ceremony begins as the beast is cut into. The ceremonial head, being the beast’s hunter, will be anointed in the warmth of its blood, either done by their own hand or that of a Herald presiding over the event at large. Following that, the heart of the creature will be excised first of all, keeping care to maintain the wholeness of the carcass until the heart is removed from the body and ultimately eaten raw by the ceremonial head as the ichor will stain their face and be swept into markings. After which the head is severed, cleaned in and out of hide, flesh, and excess.

The rest of the carcass body is treated as normal, the pelts are moved on for use in clothing, some pelts are often worn around the shoulders for the rest of the ceremony to be repurposed later. The meat is divided for a feast, the inedible is used as fertilizer as aforementioned. Bones and skulls are used for a specific purpose known as bone raiments, and token-hewing.

An example of a Herald’s raiment.

The raiment is a piece worn by every initiated Ichorian, hewn by their own hand soon after their marking rites. As extravagant as a head-dress and spaulders, or as simple as a collar of bones. Each piece is sacred and symbolic to the Ichorian that crafts them, worn either day-to-day, or during sacred moments. Those moments of ceremony, during battle, prayer, the Ichorian will anoint their raiment in dyes, inks, and blood- their own, and the ichor of the enemies after a victory. The raiment consists of a bone token, but is of the Ichorian’s making otherwise.

When an Ichorian dies, their raiment will be placed upon a site of relevance, either willed by the Ichorian before their death, or at the choosing of a Herald. Typically, it will be placed at the site of their dedication Totem, and left with an offering of fresh spider lilies, bone tokens, fruit, and freshly-hunted game.

The proof of an honored hunt and a source of Ichorian pride, bone tokens are an essential part of Ichorian culture. More often than not, bones obtained in hunts will be transformed into art dedicated to the Aspects, as well as to the creature it was sourced from, to show respect for the life taken. Individual tokens themselves are often carved and embedded with intricate designs to represent Cerridwen’s beauty and grace while bones such as skulls are often turned into ornamental adornments of shrines, representing Cernunnos’ watch. The decorated bones are often taken care of wherever they end up, representing and celebrating the beast’s new life within the Eternal Forest.

Smaller bones are turned into decorative chips and pieces to be used within necklaces or other crafts of importance by the Ichorian who created them. Commonly laced with old elven and other ornate designs, these crafts are considered sacred symbols which can signify concepts such as luck, bravery, vitality, etc. While these accessories are mostly worn by the Ichorian responsible for them, they are occasionally given out as gifts or used as offerings in ceremonies or to the deceased. 

Rite of Bone-Hewing

An ancient tradition of the Ichorians, totems are symbolic, and act as a physical representation of the respect and reverence given to every animal killed in the wilds at the end of a hunt. Carved by hand and created with care, these totems use a variety of resources mainly gathered from nature, including but not limited to rocks, branches, twigs, bark, flora matter such as fiber, and most importantly bones. The totems represent the ancient tradition of passing on stories, each one possessing a tale of its own behind its creation. These totems act as beacons of hope as well as representing the perseverance one must have to become strong and disciplined.

Bone totems also serve as a core part of an Ichorian Aspirant’s trials within the Ichor Path. All aspirants are tasked with creating a totem of their own, which is then adorned by their first bone tokens. These totems are then anointed in the blood of an Aspirant in order to represent dedication and vigor, proof that one’s will and vigor is one with the hunt they partake in.

Ichorians often find themselves before the totems of their creation when they are lost in defeat. The totems revitalize their confidence, reminding them that they are always capable of growing and that surviving defeat is nothing more than a call to become stronger.

By Raphael Lacoste

Sensefasting

Sensefasting is the practice in which Ichorians willingly strip themselves of their senses on a consistent basis to ensure they never lose touch with what they pride themselves on. Utilizing various tactics, most commonly a blindfold, Ichorians revel in the basics of nature as they hone themselves day and night even amongst everyday life.

Childbirth Ceremonies

To celebrate and bless the birth of a new child to an Ichorian, one to several members of the Creed will gather around the prospective mother and mark her stomach. This is done typically a month or two before the expected arrival date. During this marking, the Ichorians will use a dye made of vervain and spiderlily to anoint the mother’s stomach. Designs can fall to the interpretation of the artists, but a circle is most common, followed by a bear.

Upon the safe birth of the baby, the Ichorians will anoint them in similar designs and spend a night in revelry, adorning the newborn and mother in wreaths of flowers, bramble, bone, and wicker.

Heartbeat Drums

In festivities and some rituals, Ichorians are inclined toward the use of chanting and the beat of drums, to symbolize the harmonious heartbeat of the collective. Rarely is this practice used when an Ichorian is alone, though it has been seen when an Ichorian is honoring a fallen creed member on their own, or wishes to perform a deeply personal ceremony or ritual.

Feast of Bones

Before the frosts creep upon us and bring chills to the bark of our bones, the passionate Ichorians may gather for a potluck feast, each member or invitee tasked to bring something gathered of their own hands, prepared by their own selves. During the feast of bones, each member will be adorned in colorful paints and dyes of their desire while feasting with their own hands. We are creatures hungering for survival, let us thrive as the gluttonous lion.

The day before the feast is to take place, the main course is to be hunted. A local predator of great renown large enough to accommodate the hungry. Their meat will be served at the feast, their bones used for broth and table adornments.

Rite of Red Tears

At the core of the Creed is trust, love, and freedom among Creedsiblings. Our bond is thicker than blood, hewn of sentimental ties and the expression of our burdens. We find lightness and emotional strength in togetherness. An Ichorian does not burden themselves with emotion, as our passions are our strength.

Gathering around a smoking bowl, inhaling the herbs and fungi, we divulge our secrets and burdens to one another. We find solace in the comfort of our Creed siblings, and build one another up. Pain is never to be forgotten, but appreciated as necessary. Our pains become the burden and blessing of the group, so that we might foster a greater strength in one another. Oftentimes, we may burn possessions tied to these weighing memories, and free ourselves from negative sentiment.

ICHORIAN BY DEFINITION:

Ichorian is a path for those who are willing to withstand pain and anguish, those who follow this path will serve the aspects alone. For an Ichorian it is the core duty for them to endure pain and agony so that the balance may be maintained. Self-sacrifice is the word all Ichorians learn to uphold for true glory, it is what they shall revel in; for the Aspects can not be served and the balance can not be preserved if those who serve it are not willing to put themselves in harm's way. Through emotions, Ichorians are fueled.

“Do not forget your duties, young one. Aspects guide you, you shall be reborn in ichor.”
Teachings and practices of the Koi Oracle Valor Caerme’onn. 4th of the Grand Harvest 1661.

THE HIERARCHY OF ICHOR

Diraar Tal’taliyna

Diraar Tal’taliyna are seen as the cultural leaders of the Ichorian Path. Ceremonies and rites can only be hosted with the oversight of a Diraar as their knowledge within the Ichorian Path extends above the norm. These individuals are specifically chosen for these tasks as it is not a requirement of a Diraar to be an Ichorian Elder. Despite this aspect: Diraar are treated with the same amount of respect as an Ichorian Elder.

Ichorian Elder

The title of Elder is often granted to Ichorians who have spent a total of twelve years of active practice within the faith and hosts great respect amongst the collective community. The lessons spoken by Elders are often revered and taken with great honour as they themselves have endured the brutish bite of the Ichorian practices. 

Ichorian

A member of the faith who has successfully passed the Trials of Ichor. Ichorians are seen as the bulk of the Ichorian Path, though these men and women are not seen as above the elders and Diraar. 

Ichorian Dedicant

An aspiring Ichorian who has both shown interest and willingness to endure the hardship of the Ichorian faith, a dedicant will often partake in a two year dedicancy and will then be deemed as a fully-fledged Ichorian upon the successful completion of their dedicancy. 

TRIALS OF ICHOR

Trial of Determination 

Trial of Determination is created as a first method to ensure the dedicant is prepared to follow through with the harsh and barbaric nature of the Ichorian Path, meanwhile it teaches the dedicant of the amount of pain which must be endured once able to hear the screams of the balance. The dedicant must walk across heated rocks, most often the heated rocks within the firelands, ten times back and forth as a show of determination for the road ahead. 

Trial of Escape

Trial of Escape is created to ensure the dedicant is able of utilising their mind to escape all forms of predicaments which might arrive throughout their time as a dedicant and druid. It is meant to represent one of the worst scenarios for the dedicant to release themselves from should the scenario arise in the future. One must be tied to a tree with both feet and hands -- feet tied individually to the tree and the hands locked together within a knot and tied to a different branch -- hereafter the tutor of the dedicant allows fire ants to crawl and bite, using communion to anger the ants, whereafter the dedicant must free themselves to halt the ants. 

Trial of Aid 

Most drui will be injured sometimes within their inquiries throughout the realms and therefore the vital knowledge of medicinal utilisation of herbs and tools is important to the new drui. An array of different herbs and medicinal tools are displayed before the dedicant, whereafter the palm of the dedicant is sliced into a wound. It is the trial of the dedicant to utilise the herbs and tools before them to patch the wound created.

Trial of Craft 

Dedicants must show a certain level of skill within the arts of craftsmanship from nature to a product -- however the staff of a druid is of vital importance and shall therefore be created within the dedicancy. One must find a branch of a tree which suits the history and nature of the individual, this might be all sorts of trees within the realms. Hereafter one must craft such a natural branch into the product of a druidic staff: the dedicant must think of their design and then create it through the craft of their own abilities. 

Trial of Technique 

Ichorians shall never use the arts gifted to them by the Aspects within combat and therefore must learn to fight without druidic abilities available to them. Dedicant and tutor, or any other individual around, must fight hand to hand within a closed environment until the first drawn blood.  

Trial of Silence

The Balance is under a constant silence from the pain of which it suffers, at least in the perception of an ichorian, as one must learn to understand this silenced nature of the balance while under immense agony to understand the balance more than before. One must be tied to a tree to be unable to leave the area, whereafter the tutor utilises a thorned whip to slash towards the back of the dedicant without the dedicant allowed to scream or shout: silenced as the balance. This shall continue till the dedicant reaches unconsciousness. 

Trial of the Voices

To ensure the voices of the balance can be handled once attuned, the dedicant must enter a Fae Ring to hear the overwhelming shouts and screams and noises of the balance around them. One must stand within the Fae Ring and listen to the voices of the balance until deemed enough in the perception of one's tutor.  

Trial of Companionship

As a trait of the thulean, one must show their abilities to understand the nature around them -- the physical product of the natural world: the animals. The dedicant is led to a forest wherein the tutor shall call on the animals within the area to ensure one of the animals around approaches the dedicant -- hereafter the dedicant must make the animal a companion for themselves: utilising whatever means deemed appropriate in the eyes of the dedicant. 

Trial of Survival

The Dedicant is sent out into the wilderness without armor nor weapons at hand to aid the dedicant. Dedicant must survive within the wilderness for a year, as a sign of their abilities learnt throughout the process of the ichorian teachings with their tutor. 

Grand Trial of Ichor 

The Grand Trial of Ichor stands as the final trial of the Ichorian dedicant as a mixture of all which has been taught throughout the trials of the dedicant. There exists no certain grand trial of ichor as the trial shall vary from dedicant to dedicant: it is the duties of the dedicant to find a suitable trial for themselves, whereafter the tutor shall allow the specified trial and the dedicant shall complete it. 

Rite of Marking 

As a final rite after the grand trial of ichor, one must receive their thulean markings as a sign of the path which the dedicant has walked throughout their successful trials and shall continue to walk down after their final trial. 

THE GATHERINGS OF ICHOR

Commonly known as a Moot within the other practices of druidism, the gathering of Ichor is an occasional summons only able to be enacted by the Diraar Tal’talyina. However, members of the faith are within their right to request the Diraar to call for a gathering, yet the decision is often discussed amongst the other collective Diraar before immediately arranging the date. In aims to maintain order and sensibility during these summons, only the Diraar Tal’talyina are able to speak freely, yet members present are permitted to raise their hand and be called upon by the seated Diraar. Even amongst the gathering of Ichor, there is a hierarchy. Diraar Tal’talyina will be seated upon chairs structured from either bone or wood, the Ichorians upon benches at both the left and right of the central Diraar, whilst dedicants are seated upon the ground.

ICHORIAN CREEDS

As written by the Koi Druid - Valor Caerme’onn

i) Passivity is a sign of cowardice. To refuse to act is a refusal to perform your duties.

- Refusing violence is an ultimate sign of cowardice, not all things can be resolved in words, nor should they be.

- Always be prepared to fight for what’s just.Allowing yourself to stagnate is allowing yourself to fall victim to the cycle of redundancy. Regardless of your old achievements, you will be forgotten.

- Allowing fear to control your actions, or preventing you from making a decision is cowardice, let fear make you stronger. Release yourself from your passivity.

ii) Civilization breeds weakness in the hearts of our kin, learn what it means to survive.

- Always be prepared to give up your vices, what is closest to you. To become dependent is weakness. If you want something, always be prepared to fight for it.

- To not be able to hunt or fight is pure weakness, these are completely necessary in finding strength.

- If you need weapons and armour to fight or hunt, then learn to act without them. Always be prepared at the worst of times.

- To rely on only one of your senses is naive, learn to act with your ears, with your smell. Utilize what the Aspects have given you fully.

iii) Strive for greatness, never let yourself fall.

- Regardless of your titles and achievements, you can always continue to press yourself towards greater. As they can mean nothing in time.

- Don’t allow yourself to become passive, don’t let fear or your position stop you from gaining more.

- Regardless of the beliefs of others, you can take what you deserve with a heavy hand. But always be prepared to face the consequences.

iv) Protect to teach but teach those to stand on their own.

- The young ones among us are impressionable, but eventually they cannot become passive and dependent, protecting them as we have with students, but to give them strength to fight their own battles.

- Make your kin strong, only by inciting these teachings can as a nation, seed, family we begin to show true excellence.

v) Walk with the Aspects, and none else.

- Only the Aspects will show you the way. Let the Aspects guide you as they have our kin.

- Pass on your knowledge of the Aspects, let those know of their excellence and continue to demonstrate the potential of the Aspects through your strength and victories.

- The mani remain as nothing more but messengers of the Aspects, nor should they ever be worshipped, simply a being of the Mother and Father’s creation.

vi) Learn from your history, your ancestors. Honour tradition, for they walked closer to nature.

- Examine the legends of the past, the Oracles and ancestors who shaped your kin to how they are. There are many lessons to be learned from them.

- Inherit their strength, for they survived in strife for you, do not pass on your weakness, pass on the strength that flows through you.

vii) Honour your oaths. There’s no greater sign of weakness than unloyalty.

- Whether it’s to the Aspects, to nation or to seed. Your oaths are binding, to disregard them is an absolute sign of failure.

- Bring honour and victory to them, you have the potential to bring greatness to your kin in the name of the Aspects, use it well.

- Making an oath is not a passive task, always make them with a clear conscience, don’t forget what you stand for.

viii) Achieve what you must by any means necessary.

- Never be afraid of extremes, but do not make them lightly. Many big extremes have caused our kin greatness. My old mentor turned student Kairn and I have learned a lot from each other in this.

- Phaedrus liberated the elven people from persecution, yet he went to extremes to achieve it. Regardless of the status quo, always be prepared to contest it for the greater good of you and your kin.

ix) Do not steal from the balance. 

- There is no greater sign of damnation than taking from the Balance in which we are untrusted to safeguard, only draw what is necessary for our survival in natural means. 

- Do not cut into the hills or mountains for the ores that build mortal weaponry and armour, for the balance weeps when the soil is overturned and the rocks are torn apart. 

SCARIFICATION

Scarification is one of the many practices of the Ichor Way, by the carving of the skin either through natural means, or by ritualistic patterning. The natural ways of scarification can vary, often from pain related trials of endurance and perseverance. The wounds of determination through pain should be cherished, as they also double as a sign of struggles past.

Through ritualistic scarification, certain symbols can be engraved into the skin. The lengthy and painstaking process is a true sign of dedication and can even be used over traditional tattooing. An Ichorian can use these to double up their current tattoos or add more over them. It's not an easy or soft process. 

Other scars can be obtained from battle or trials, some of the common trials are having aspirants move through natural tundra like thorn bushes unprotected. The pain of this process can weed out the weak but bring up the strong. Other combat with dull blades can cause lacerations on the skin, which can be respected as a sign of willingness to fight. 

MARKINGS IN ICHOR 

The emotions are the catalyst of greatness in our kin, but they come in many forms. Especially before a challenging event such as battle, it’s looked down upon to reserve your true feelings. Regardless of the emotions you feel, you can utilize them for greatness.

The Ichorians brand themselves in their blood, and sometimes also the blood of their enemies or last hunt. Depending on the pattern is dependent on the emotions felt, even to mark yourself with a debilitating emotion is a sign of strength, because it displays that despite that emotion you show determination and commitment through it.

CEREMONIES AND CELEBRATIONS

Sacrificial ceremonies are a sacred part of Ichorian practice, they can take place no matter the occasion. The attendees can vary from other Ichorians, Aspectists or even the unconverted. It's a way of demonstrating the core values of Aspectism and the Ichor Way. Though progressing from the sacred years of the Koi Druid’s teachings, the way of Ichor progressed in turn and ventured to other variants of ceremonies. 

Ceremony of the 

Beast Carcass 

Common occasions are generally after a hunt, or in preparation for bigger events such as monster hunting or battles. However, Ichorians can do it as a rite to the unconcerned or Aspectists to solidify their dedication to the Aspects.

The beast doesn't matter however, it generally applies to bigger game as there are many offshoots from the main ceremony revolving around the by-products of the carcass. This ties into one of the main Aspectists tenants' offerings, as well as the common practice of recycling and leaving little waste.

The beginnings of the ceremony generally start the same. To honour the beast’s death, an Ichorian will cut its heart out raising it all to see. The Ichorian will recite a prayer or a speech in Aspects name, honouring the life and death of the beast. Traditionally the ceremonial head will eat the heart raw, marking his face in the blood.

The next stage is removing the head of the beast, cleaning it off any meat and excess, this can either be repurposed into food for the attendees or as fertiliser for new crops. An Ichorian would comment on how in death, the fruit of the beast can be used for the growth of new life.

The skull of the beast can often be used for ornamental purposes for the rest of the ceremony, although it’s very traditionally worn as a headdress. This is seen as a representation of Cernunnos, as the ceremony continues the ceremonial head is acting as the spiritual vassal of Cernunnos’ will.

The rest of the carcass body is treated as regular, the pelts are moved on for use in clothing, some pelts are often worn around the shoulders for the rest of the ceremony to be repurposed later. The meat is divided for a feast, the inedible is used as fertilizer as aforementioned. Bones are used for a specific purpose known as bone tokens.

Ceremony of 

the Seasons

The natural shift between seasons is a sacred change for all followers of the aspects, the celebrations of these changes differ amongst the druidic paths. For those of the path of Ichor, a much different rite of celebration is taken in comparison to the rest. 

Ceremony of
Childbirth 

The blessing of childbearing is a feat celebrated in all forms of elven kind, yet such jubilation differs for Ichorians. Most Ichorians spend the duration of their lives dedicated to the servitude of the faith, either through fruitful combat or preaching of druidic duties thus making the gift of a child rare. Yet, when a new birth is brought, such is a time spent where Ichorians rejoice.

Ceremony of
Passage

When the child of an Ichorian, or a young Ichorian aspirant comes of age, they are often trailed with fighting a fully-fledged Ichorian, a match they will ultimately lose. However, it's not about winning, a demonstration of true determination and unwavering passion alongside the knowledge learnt from the elders. It's these which mark the passage of a young one who has passed into adulthood.

Ceremony of
Marriage

It is not often within the lives of the Ichorians, that an individual is allowed to halt the duties of the chaotic woodlands and momentarily reach a trance of calmness and satisfaction; though the ideals of matrimonial relations remain vital for the Ichorians, as one with the dedication of Ichor cannot walk within their lives towards the Eternal Forest without aid from another. Consequently such carries the notion of the Ichorian ceremonies of union an overall tone of happiness wherein those of the Path can hold a brief moment of calm within the storm.

Ceremony of
Death  

Within Ichorian ideals, death means almost naught, as it remains within the natural binds of the Balance and intertwines with the eternal duties which an Ichorian must commit their lives to. Although death is an foreseen reality of the Ichorian, there is a certain sadness behind the loss of one's fellow brother or sister which is celebrated and mourned within the rites of death. 

On the death of an Ichorian, the Diraar  ensures a hunt is hosted amongst the Ichorians as a beast is hunted down and killed in honour of the dead Ichorian. On a successful hunt of the Ichorians, the animal is skinned and its pelt is utilised as a form of burial wraps  for the brother or sister.   The meat produced from the hunt is often cooked and prepared upon the conclusion of the burial. Once the pelt has been securely wrapped around the body of the fallen Ichorian, the gathering of kin are encouraged to step forward and make a small incision against their palm - the blood produced used for the making of a handprint against the pelts. There is a great significance to the marking of a handprint within the theme of death, one that differs drastically from the day-to-day marking of a handprint to one's face, instead within this rite it symbolises the hands of their people carrying them safely into the Eternal Forest. Upon the marking rite concluded, each Ichorian gathered will draw to a kneel as the commencing Diraar begins the ceremonial prayer, in which each Ichorian repeats.

Upon the evening drawing closer to its end, a handful of Ichorians draw the responsibility to carry the body to its final destination of rest; commonly within the forests.  The remaining Ichorians accompany this walk in a single-line formation, remaining in silence until their arrival. When each Ichorian is finally present, the body is then placed within a created hole, dirt  covering the body entirely. A young sapling (of the deceased’s choice) will be planted above them and from their remains, new life grows. 

Ceremony of
Combat
 

When words fail, it's not unlike us for our passion to take over. However, unlike the past senseless violence has been looked down upon. Ichorians can often challenge other Ichorians or any descendant to a trial by combat for the winning argument. The terms of this trial are agreed on mutually, but the result is final. Ichorians who lose these battles especially to non-Ichorians can often go on to do the ceremony of retribution for penance.
 

Ceremony of
Retribution
 

A trial of retribution can vary in many ways, some like to mark their failure through scarification. This can be through combat unarmed against someone with a thorny whip or unarmed against a beast with sharp claws and teeth. What specifically marks a retribution trial is the Ichorian will always be unarmed, to show that they don't need vices such as swords to be strong.

Ceremony of the
Monumental Totems

After the occurrence of a significant event such as a grand monster hunt or a battle, an Ichorian will use his control to erect a totem pole. This can be carved by hand to signify the events that occurred there, as well as those who participated.

This practice is synonymous with ancient traditions of passing on the stories of old to the descendants. As well as a beacon of hope to all who come past it, a totem of perseverance to install strength and dedication into the hearts of its observers.

Often, we wander in our defeats, but what we gain in them is strength and these displays of strength are immortalized in wooden symbols of excellence, lest we forget them. They can be adorned by bone tokens and marked in blood also, as per other Ichorian practices.

Ceremony of the
Bone Tokens

The bones are often cleaned and used for offerings, there are often enough for many of the attendees to participate to remove themselves and clean. This process can be a sign of dedication of Cerridwen's beauty, with bones being made into intricate designs such as carvings or necklaces to be offered at a shrine.

Certain bones such as the skull can also be mounted in sacred locations as an ornament as a symbol of Cernunnos’ watch. Ornamental bones often adore sacred locations such as shrines, as a symbol of the beast’s new life in the Eternal Forest, which is a status worth celebrating.

Smaller bones are again often carved and or made into decorative pieces, often necklaces. These necklaces are often cared for with sacred symbols signifying concepts such as; luck, bravery, good health and many others. These can be given as gifts, with personally or laid upon a burial site. Carving old elven into bones is also very common.