The Laurir'ker Faith

[Tentoa 3161]

The Tanfuksham (Tan-fuuk-shumm) are greater spirits recognised by the Laurir’ker (Dark Elves), respected for their influence over the world they are held above all other deities due to their direct influence and strength. They are what guide the honor code and lives of the Laurir’ker and act as the caretakers of the Ancestral plane, where all honorable Mali’ker dwell beyond death. The Tanfuksham are divided into three separate pantheons based upon their domains.




[Map-roh-gull = Protectors]
The Maprogul are the spirits whose power is hoped to be used to bring the Laurir’ker prosperity and good fortune. They ensure the honor and faith of the Laurir’ker by way of their boon, by showing them the benefit of being on of the Spirits’ flock. Their aspects are favourable to the Laurir’ker and are ones they would have seen in themselves.

The Maprogul Consist of the following spirits:

The Immortal Spirit of the Hunt, Votar is revered by the Laurir’ker for their controlled ferocity spawned in true need and is represented in shrines by wolf statues made of ivory and painted red along the mouth. These statues represent Votar’s chosen form, that of a great, white wolf, with a bloodied muzzle.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Order, Hard Work, and Self-Sacrifice. Jev, ex is one of the most honored of the immortal spirits among the Laurir’ker as his domains are key within their society. Jevex is represented in shrines by a great, iron mallet. This represents their domain, a gavel for order, a hammer for work, and the iron represents the strength forged from self-sacrifice.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Love, Caring, and Tranquility. Isuz is revered among the Laurir’ker for her domains, they represent what both family and community should have for one another. They are represented in shrines by a statue of an open-armed woman made of polished carbarum or iron. The Symbolism is two fold, to depict both her chosen form and the strength and value of love.

 

The Immortal Spirit of the Sea, Fishermen and Safe Travels. Ankrus is revered for their aid in fishing and guiding travellers safely to their destinations be it on sea or land. Ankrus is represented in shrines by a stone statue of a scaled woman wielding a trident. This represents Ankrus’ chosen form of a scaled, aquatic woman.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Memory and the Recording of Knowledge. Kotrestruu is revered for their domains, Laurir’ker value the memories of their ancestors and the knowledge passed down from them. Kotrestruu is represented in shrines as a large, unsoiled tome left open to expose its pages. This represents Kotrestruu’s domain and it’s chosen form, an endless book.

 

The Immortal Spirit of the Dead. Kor is among the most revered of the Tanfuksham for their aid in watching over the dearly departed in the ancestral plane as well as acting as the guide of departed souls. They are represented in shrines by a stone statue depicting a cloaked man with an outstretched hand. This represents Kor’s chosen form and duty as the guide of departed souls to The Ancestral Plane.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Fertility, Harvest and Farming. Arwa is revered for their aid in both the harvests of the Laurir’ker and the minute chances of Laurir’ker siring children. They are represented in shrines by a wooden statue of a plump woman holding an egg, clothed in a dress of wheat stalks from a laurir’ker farm. This represents Arwa’s chosen form and her domains of harvest and fertility.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Health, Vitality, and Healing. Akezo is revered for their aid in resisting injury and disease as well as their healing. They are represented in shrines by a statue of a winged and feathered snake with a bottle of medicine in its mouth. This represents its chosen form and its domain of healing.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Hope and New Beginnings. Ublulhar is revered for their aid in the morale and oaths of the Mali’ker. They are seen as the gateway for Mali’ker to begin new lives under the banner of the condor. They are represented in shrines as a carved totem depicting a young tree bursting up from the ground. This represents its chosen form and the domain of new beginnings.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Cleasing and Purging. Scorthuz is revered for their aid in cleansing the earth of dark magics, blights and disease as well as purging false prophets and the wicked. They are represented in shrines as a vial of clear water stood atop a sword. This represents Scorthuz’s domains of Purging and Cleansing.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Intelligence and Learning. Theruz is revered for their aid in in the mental prowess and learning of the Laurir’ker. They are represented in shrines by a statue of an old, bearded man in scholarly robes. This represents Theruz’s domains as well as their chosen form.

 

[Dan-oh-jull = Punishers]
These spirits are the one’s seen by the Laurir’ker as the challengers of their honor and faith, however they see this not as a spiteful action but as a test in order to make them stronger. Their domains are not to be emulated but they are held in just as high regard as the Maprogul for their duties.

The Danojul consist of the following Spirits:

 

The Immortal Spirit of Bloodlust, Savagery and War. Enrohk is revered for his challenges, the potential for savagery is within every single individual and it is seen as a great honour to fight off these urges in favour of civilization. Its domain of war is seen as a challenge not to the mind, but the body. Enrohk is represented in shrines by an empty set of armor splattered with the blood of farm animals. This represents Enrohk’s chosen form and his domains.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Hindsight and Excuses. Letrothak is revered for their challenges, it is the easy path to make excuses and say what could have been done to prevent something, but more difficult to own up to the truth and your responsibilities, it is seen as a great strength to accept the fault in one’s actions. Letrothak is represented in shrines by the bust of a man with eyes in the back of his head and half a tongue. This represents Letrothak’s chosen form and their domains.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Revenge, Plots and Stealth. Shezept is revered for their challenges, Revenge can be tempting and tug at the heart of any mortal, plots of secrecy and nefarious stealth are cowardly tools to the Laurir’ker, and Shezepts temptation can be difficult to resist. However the strong of will might endure these temptations and disregard them. Shezept is represented in shrines by a statuette of a woman with the lower body of a snake, a dagger clutched in hand. This represents Shezept’s chosen form and their domains.

 

 

The Immortal Spirit of Despair, Sapped Strength, and Entrapment. Ogrol is revered as the source of tribulations for any and all whom find themselves in a hopeless situation or a time of great despair. His challenges are an honor to overcome, as it proves strength, willpower and devotion. Ogrol is represented in shrines by a small iron cage with a gnarled wood carving of a man locked within. This represents Ogrol’s chosen form and their domains.

 

 

The Immortal Spirit of Destruction, Malicious Intent, and Internal Strife. Anyhuluz is seen as one of the most vicious challengers, for its domains lurk within the recesses of the heart, within all mortal beings. It is an everyday battle against one’s internal conflicts and malicious intent, it is only the unbendable whom do not sway into Anyhuluz’s domains from time to time. Anyhuluz is represented in shrines by the statuette of a half-armored man covered in lacerations and wounds. This represents their chosen form and domains.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Arrogance and Stupidity. Paxahru is revered as a large challenge to the everyday life of the Laurir’ker, it is easy to become boastful and narrow minded without proper discipline, and to overcome these requires diligence. Paxahru is depicted in shrines by a golden statue of a painted jester with a wide open mouth. This represents their chosen form and domains.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Assassinations and Poison.  Rolfizh is seen as a great challenge to those in political power or in a position of wealth, assassination and poisons are the tool of cowards and all must show the restraint to not give into the temptation of cowardly tactics. Rolfizh is represented in shrines by a dagger whose blade is painted green and stuck into a wooden pedestal. This represents Rolfizh’s domains.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Pain, Suffering and Starvation. Krathol is seen as the director of trials that all Laurir’ker may be subjected to. All might bend to pain and suffering, but it is better to die or overcome with your head held high than to depart this world pleading and begging. Krathol is represented in shrines as a pile of sun-bleached and intricately carved bones, this represents their chosen form and domains

 

The Immortal Spirit of Illusion, Tricks, and Thievery. Veist is seen as a challenger who tempts Laurir’ker with his domains, it is easy to fall prey to his domains and attempt to enact them upon others. His tools are for cowards and may challenge the wit of any Laurir’ker or mortal. Veist is represented in shrines by a bust of a goblin with four eyes and a sinister grin. This represents their chosen form and domains.

 

The Immortal Spirit of  Greed and Obesity. Glutros’ temptations are in the hearts of all mortals, and all have the potential to fall prey to greed and gluttony. Those who take only what they need and no more are seen as charitable and strong of heart. Glutros is represented in shrines as statue of a fat snake made of gold. This represents Their chosen form and domains.

 

The Immortal Spirit of Lust, Pleasure, and Beauty. Thulezia’s temptations have been known to fell Mali’ker in the past, and it takes a great deal of discipline and modesty to overcome them, it is a constant battle. Thulezia is represented in shrines as a bust of a bare woman in an iron collar. This represents her domains and chosen form without offending the minds of worshippers with its obscenity.

 

Spirit of Disease, Pestilence, and failure. Orgon is seen as a challenge to the will and body of every Laurir’ker, disease and Pestilence can wrack the body and destroy it, but failure can desimate the mind and will. It is seen as a great feat to make no mistakes, and a greater one to learn from them. Orgon is represented in shrines as a wooden statue of a six-armed man with six rusted, broken weapons laid around it. This represents Orgon’s chosen form and domains.

 

The immortal Spirit of Envy and Jealousy. Kesaroth is seen as a challenge to the mind and heart of every Laurir’ker, jealousy may strike upon neighbor, upon spouse, friend or sibling, and it is seen as a great ordeal to overcome, those whom can are seen as strong and willful. Kesaroth is represented in shrines by a small golden statue in the shape of a bull. This represents Their chosen form and domains.
 

[Gaj-ull-bot = Living World]
The Gajalbot are revered not through direct worship but through recognizing they are the directors of the natural world and are worthy of respect and fear. They are not located among the temple shrines, but are worshipped through totems scattered around the world in places where their domains are prevalent.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Life, Ringat’s domain encompasses all mortal beings and living things and as such he is among the most powerful of the Spirits, his shrines are found alongside his brother’s in groves dedicated to the Ancestors of the Laurir’ker.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Death, Ringat’s domain eventually affects all living beings, even the divine and as such he is extremely powerful. His totems are found alongside Ringat’s in the groves dedicated to the ancestors of the Laurir’ker.

 

The elemental Spirit of Space, it is far too powerful to care for mortal whims as its domain encompasses all things, it is depicted as a red snake, intertwined with its mate, Sandru. As Sandru and Omnizan’s existence expands over the aeons it is believed that their forms struggle to and fro causing anomalies throughout the cosmos, in these cases the two are seen to bound together in a state of neutrality before the powerful forces which they wield.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Time, similar to Omnizan it cares little for the affairs of mortals, as its domains encompasses all things. It is depicted as a blue snake, intertwined with Omnizan. As Omnizan’s wills expand through the Aeons so too do that of Sandru. However, unlike the domain of Omnizan, the mortals may never travel from tongue to tail upon the spectral entity but rather only ever forwards from tail to tongue. In rare cases both spirits merge in the presence of an anomaly creating that of purple neutrality between these two beings, some suspect the true form of Sandru and Omnizan once held before a sundering of these bodies.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Light, it is depicted as a snow-white cat with shining pupils, more often than not fighting with its brother Radzanib Its totems are placed in the center of sundials to act as their arrow. Not held by the morals of the descended races, the struggle of Binazdar and his younger brother Radzanib is a tale of war where each has vied for power since the times of Aegis. Each spirit, attempting to force its existence upon the races, had caused catastrophic damage until an eldritch agreement between the pair was met to preserve stability as well as acknowledgement.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Darkness, it is depicted as a jet-black cat with no eyes. Its totems are placed at the mouth of pitch-black caves to act as a warning and an acknowledgement. Utilizing a bargain with the spirit Fanzra, the shadows of Radzanib fought the ignorant light of Binazdar. However, in consequence the entrance of Arznaf ceased this feud of siblings to ensure that existence did not suffer.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Chaos, depicted as a many-headed hydra of ever-shifting color. Its totems are placed in areas where the weather is extremely volatile and the earth is without rest. It is said Fanzra is what causes this. Much is attributed to Fanzra as it is that which causes the first sparks of change, for instance the existence of all anomalies including that of Order. Although unwanted by Fanzra and made by it, chaos, Order has decided to make itself ever present.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Order, depicted as a great, grey dragaar. Its totems are commonly placed in towns or in calm plains or atop peaceful mountains. It is said that one of Arznaf’s totems might calm even the harshest of environments. Wrought from the cauldron of tempests, that which is dubbed ‘Chaos’, the existence of Arznaf has manifested itself as a counterbalance to Fanzra. When the amusement of the uncontrollable spirit Fanzra is unchecked, Arznaf is there to correct it.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Earth, depicted as a large tortoise made of stone. Its totems are placed usually in wide plains, cliff peaks or mountain valleys.

 

The Elemental Spirit of fire, depicted as a great wolf coated in flames. Its totems are commonly found at the bases of volcanos, or in the center of bonfire pits in cities, carved into hearths or forges.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Air, depicted as an albino hawk. Its totems are found usually in high places, such as mountains, rooftops or spirit isles. Usually in hopes that the isles will remain floating or the wind will remain calm. With a single beat of the wings, Fiarza conjures the wind’s currents, including the common breezes in Malinor.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Water, depicted as a blue carp with iridescent scales. Its totems are usually found by great bodies of water such as oceans, rivers or lakes in hopes that they do not flood over or dry up.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Storms and Lightning, it is often depicted as a great lion with a mane of arching bolts of electricity. Its totems are common in stormy areas or forests to stave off lightning. The coming of Neizdark is often seen in the presence of dark clouds grazing the heavens and its guttural roar.

 

The Elemental Spirit of Metal, depicted as a snake made of polished silver. Its totems are usually found in forges and armories in hopes that its presence will bless the metal with strength.

 

The Laurir’ker hold their ancestors almost as high as the Tanfuksham, the dearly departed are found to be worthy of respect and praise. Most Laurir’ker carry a trinket of some kind to remind them of a lost progenitor such as a mother or father. It is expected that the Laurir’ker houses hold a shrine to the progenitors of their clan, though there are several deceased Mali’ker held especially high.

The ancestors that have passed into the afterlife are seen as those that have endured the trials of life, the proving ground of all mortal beings and have done so with honor, earning their place within the ancestral plane. They are worthy of respect and reverence.

The following are the greater Ancestral Spirits of the Laurir’ker:

 

Kaldo Raven’kor the Prophet, he is seen as the writer of the virtues of the condor and the first to recover the ancient traditions of Mali’ker and share this knowledge with his clan and his fellow ker. Kaldo is an ancestor most often prayed to for wisdom in times of confusion.

 

Khel Oussana the Purifier, he is seen as a liberated slave of the Mori’quisseir, one of those that followed the writings of Kaldo despite this, and one of the progenitors of Condor law. Khel is an ancestor most often prayed to for guidance in times of vulnerability.

 

Lolindar Xivilis the Merciful, he is seen as a generous soul who took on the many orphaned of the second undead war, giving them shelter and nurturing out of the kindness of his heart. Lolindar is an ancestor most often prayed to in moral dilemna.

 

Lith Elibar’tossair the Unbreakable, twin to Yimatu and he who withstood the tortures of Iblees and his horde for more than four years before escaping. In later life he lead a charge with his twin to take down one of Iblees corrupted dragons. Lith is an ancestor most often prayed to for willpower in times of great tribulation.

 

Yimatu Elibar’tossair the Unbending, twin to Lith and he who unrelentingly pursued the archdaemon and his hordes in search of his captured sibling. In later life he defeated a dragon with his twin. YImatu is an ancestor most often prayed to for perseverance in times of hopelessness.

 

The Virtues of the Condor are seven virtues that the Laurir’ker model themselves after, it is seen both as a code of honor to follow with the utmost conviction to honor one’s ancestors and the Tanfuksham, but also to test the will and honor of those whom seek to join their progenitors in the ancestral plane.

 

 

Respect is imperative among the Laurir’ker, treating others the way you would wish to be treated is a virtue due to the disciplined required for such an act. Friend, foe or stranger, all fall under this guideline until they have done wrong.

 

Intelligence refers to the drive to learn and teach one another, to seek out the truth and question oneself and those around them, it is a necessity to prepare not only the body for the trials of life, but the mind as well.
 

Modesty is an absolute for the Laurir’ker for they must be humble in their strength, to wear concealing clothes, respect one’s heritage and never forget that unwarranted attention can lead to arrogance, carnal desires and dishonorable behavior.

 

 

Restraint is seen by the Laurir’ker as the ability to hold control over one’s self and to not be ruled by petty emotions. It also refers to the act of holding to pacifism until true need arrises. To allow yourself to act on emotions and instinct alone is to be no better than a mere beast.

 

 

Patience is a must for Laurir’ker, it is the act of thinking before you act, taking time and care with all things and seeking to spend your time wisely. It is known that all good things come to those who wait until the time is right. Rash action leads to mistakes that can be avoided.

 

 

Courage is to face the trials of life without the burden of one’s own fear restraining them. It is a great virtue to be able to stare down trials greater than one’s self and march on to conquer them. Cowardice leads to weakness and submission to the world’s force, these are great dishonors.

 

 

Loyalty is arguably the most important of the virtues, one’s honor is judged solely by the value of their word, to betray those you have sworn oath to is to devalue your word and leave your honor worth nothing more than a mere hobby.

 

 

Kaushatars, otherwise known as rituals are the traditions and rites held sacred by the Laurir’ker, they consist of celebrations that span from reverence to the dead to simple sayings of gratitude. All Kaushatars are important to Laurir’ker society and imperative to their beliefs as a people

 

 

The following prayers are held in esteem by Laurir’ker as they are everyday sayings that hold great significance.

“The Prayer of New Dawn.”
Spoken every morning, at the first available opportunity Laurir’ker bow their heads with folded arms and repeat the following: “ Vadonuk Motshami, pamuurzuman mubi latz raudautas.” Roughly translated this means: “Departed Ancestors, blessing upon you for the new day.”

“Prayer of Respect.”
This particular prayer is extremely versatile, but its main use is to express gratitude or as a formal greeting or farewell. Laurir’ker hold their fists against their hearts and repeat the following: “Frumz Pamuurzum mubi latz gijak”
Roughly translated this means: “Spirits’ blessing upon your blood.”

 

 

When Laurir’ker pass on, all available whom knew the deceased are invited to the ceremony of their cremation, where their remains are laid out upon a stone slab, wrapped in an oil-soaked shroud and lavished in fire until only ash remains. The purpose of this is two-fold, to release the soul of the body into Kor’s possession that they might guide the deceased to the ancestral plane to rejoin their progenitors and revel among them. And to keep the body from being misused and defiled by foul magics.

The ashes are then given to the family to dispose of as they see fit, mroe often than not the ashes of the deceased are spread among the ancestor grove so from their demise might be born new life and to ensure that the area within the groves holds a deep connection with the deceased that they might have an anchor in which to commune with their descendants.

 

 

Each clan is entitled to a shrine within their hall dedicated to their ancestors, this is usually an altar formed of stone with small bits of bone collected from the honored dead resting within a box atop it. This is to ensure that their spirits rest easy knowing that they are still mourned and loved by their descendants. Commonly incense and dim candles are placed around the shrine during times of mourning in hopes that the recently deceased might feel the warmth of light or the sweet scent and know they are remembered.

[Ilikefooddude 430]

Very nice, you've quite outdone yourself, actually! With this, hopefully some brilliant new spiritual roleplay between the Orcs and the Dark Elves will bloom. Well done!

Edited December 20, 2014 by Raptor
RP thread.

[hellfiazz 879]

"Bub'hozh am id, dat duh Burz'Albai wuz gruk duh pahwur agh duh zuuprehmuzi ub duh Zpiritz."

((Bootiful))

[spqrSancus 175]

((So did you guys decide to take on the orc's faiths and rename/redepict some of them? If so, perhaps we'll be seeing some dark elven shamans in the future, which I will be greatly looking forward to.))

[The Great Mongol Khan 1110]

((I am deeply indulged into the Church of the True Faith, but I must say this is rather marvelous. Bravo!))

[Zarsies 6795]

[[i am still captivated in that you put actual characters of the past as revered ancestors among the other spirits. Praise Lolindar, praise the Ancestors.]]

[Dakirennis 959]

((Vurry nice))

[HardstyleRaver2 56]

((Well done!))

[lawnmowerman 3040]

((A very enjoyable read.))

[Birdwhisperer 1174]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.