The True Paragon Codex

[LatzMomo 2088]

 

The Paragons of the Red Faith are those who are beatified by that of the All Father. They are his chosen disciples that guide his adherents on the mortal realm. They are the perfect embodiment of mortal traits. 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.
     
 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 are can be either extremely good in nature or extremely evil. The All-Father gratifies 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 order and chaos attribute to the harmony of Norlandic society, and the world as a whole.
 

Thoromir “The Father” Ruric
Paragon of Paternity, Strength and Architecture.
Prayers:

• Fight, even if you may die.
• Here I stand.
• Endure.

          Thoromir was known for his grand towering castles, and his sturdy walls, but most of all, for fathering house Ruric, and being the first King of Norland, many details of him have been forgotten over the years, but it is known that he was a kind man, and a fierce enemy. People worship this man for his ability to protect the people, and his fierceness, fighting even against overwhelming odds, a common trait among Rurics. Thoromir is often described as one of the highest of paragons within ancient texts, and is one of the eldest. 
          Architects and family men may find themselves drawn to choosing Thoromir as their patron paragon.
Preffered offerings: metals, stonemasonry crafts, turtle’s blood.

Eirik “The Great” Ruric. 
Paragon of Greatness and Diplomacy
Prayers:

• Do what is right, not what is easy.
• When my fists failed me, I used my voice.
• They all know my name, but more importantly, I know all of theirs.

          Eirik is well known for his legendary feats of diplomacy, and leadership, this Norlander is the ultimate example of a great man, in his life, he usurped the throne of Norland from his brother Edvard, and saved his people and nation alike from what seemed to be an inevitable and unstoppable demise. In the process of saving his kinsmen, he turned his back on the red faith and his family was cursed by the father to forever die dishonorable deaths. 
          Politicians and charismatic people may find themselves drawn to this paragon.
Preferred offerings: heraldry, wax, lion’s blood.
 
Edvard “The Terrible” Ruric
Paragon of Evil and Sloth
Prayers:

• I do the father’s work.
• I am a man amidst a sea of enemies.
• My wroth was a terrible burden. (reflection)

          Edvard was a cruel wicked man who continuously backstabbed and betrayed all other nations, until eventually he alienated Norland from any potential allies, opening Norland up to a war on multiple fronts, his evil reign was only brought to an end when he was usurped by his brother, he is remembered as a reminder to stay loyal to father, kin, and country. 
          Loyal servants or oathmen may find themselves drawn to this paragon as Edvard is a reminder to stay loyal.
Preferred oferrings: ice, used weapons, snake’s blood.
 
Snow “The Magus” Volaren
Paragon of Flames
Prayers:

• The Miracle of my birth.
• My flames warm the hearts of my people.
• Purge the corruption in flames.

          Snow was dropped into a holy hearth as a babe and the flames did not harm him, something which was proven to the keeper and therefore declared a miracle. Growing up, Snow was well known for his abilities to wield the art of flame dancing, and has been the only wielder of flame dancing to ever hold any spot of nobility in Norland, he was considered cold, snappy, and powerful. Snow is an anomaly as the faith would normally declare such acts heresy, but because of the noble heart of the man, and the multiple miracles of his birth, the High Keeper saw no way that Snow could be a Wytch, his flames were considered to be a gift from Holy Father.
          This is an odd choice for a patron paragon, those who choose this paragon often have some connection to flames, whether it be insidious or not.
Preferred offerings: flames, reptile’s blood, ash.
 
Myro “The Wordsmith”
Paragon of Study, and Learning
Prayers:

• My pen is my sword.
• Small men hide behind big words.
• Big men place action behind their words.

          Myro was known for his way with the art of writing, he is one of the Founders of Norland, and one of the only people that prefer the pen over the sword to be well respected among the people, and it wasn’t until after Eirik’s Reign that he became a Paragon. It is said it was him whom first translated the holy scripture from old Norlandic to common so it’s scripture may be glorified among common man.

          Myro is often picked by lore masters, scribes and librarians as their patron paragon.
Preferred offerings: quills, inks, papyrus.
 
Vykk “The Founder” Volaren
Paragon of Creation and Survival
Prayers:

• Survive and endure.
• Build what you desire.

           Vykk founded Norland, and is the only Paragon living to this day, he’s become a secluded Elf, who rarely interacts with Norland anymore, however, he’s still considered a man of great influence, and power to the Norlandic people. Vykk was a Shipwright and built many great boats, and even helped with the constructions of the great walls and cities of Norland. 
          Sailors, shipwrights and rangers often pick this man as their paragon, he is among the eldest of the pantheon.
Preferred offerings: boat pieces, sailor’s knots, whale’s blubber.
 
Bjorn “The Gruff” Rayeckson Ashtyr
Paragon of Fighting and Strategy
Prayers:

• Persevere or preserve, one is for cowards.
• Care for your soldiers and they will take care of you.

          Bjorn, the son of Rayeck was the first Champion of the Red Brothers, and the strongest fighter of his time, he was a learned commander in battle, and was able to beat back the Enemies of Norland with relative ease. His strategies are revered as amongst the greatest Marshal Norland has ever had. 
          Marshalls, warriors, and guardsmen often pick this as their patron paragon as there is not any warriors or strategists finer than Bjorn on the battlefield.
Preferred offerings: war trophies, wolf’s blood.
 
Beo “The Betrayer”
Paragon of Failure and Treachery
Prayers:

• My greatest failure: Beo (by Edvard Ruric)
• A wytch in the skin of a Ruric (by Sven Ruric)

          Beo was charged with watching over the ancestral lands of Avar while the norlandic people were living in the south. Seeking to gain wealth and power Beo led a rebellion backed by dwarven armies and goblyn engineers. Beo’s rebellion lasted less than two weeks, his armies were quickly crushed and Beo spent the rest of his life in hiding, evading Norlandic justice even after death.
          Beo is not often picked as a paragon, and those who do, usually pick him in secret.
Preferred offerings: bones, failed crafts, broken weapons.
 
Sven “The Bard” Ruric
Paragon of Music and storytelling
Prayers:

• A story contains a thousand lessons.
• War and church, both start with music.

          Sven took after his father, Eirik, promoting the study of arts and literature, and even learned the arts of a Bard, though when his family needed him, he responded to the call, and took over as regent-patron of house Ruric. After his eldest brother had recovered, he graciously stepped down from his position as Patron, and resumed his work as a Bard, inspiring the Norlandic peoples with his many works and songs.
          Sven is often picked as a patron by bards, poets and storytellers, there is no finer weaver of tales then Sven.
Preferred offerings: instruments, poems or songs, bird’s blood.

 

Uther “The Old” Grimlee
Paragon of Labor and Harvest.
Prayers:

• Bountiful crops shall come
• Work hard and Prosper

          Uther was a veteran of the Ashguard in the days of the Krag isles, he had even become a thegn through his bravery in the “Siege of the Krag”. But, what he is remembered for is his indomitable work ethic which was spent toiling and laboring in the fields to make sure that the mouths of Norland did not go hungry during their days of strife. He worked through the worst of situations and managed to fill all the bellies of man and livestock with ease.

          The working class and farmers may find themselves choosing this paragon.
Preferred offerings: stems of wheat, butchered meats, bull’s blood

 

Donovan “The Bastion” Ruric

Paragon of Defense and Vigilance

Prayers:

• Stand tall against the storm
• **** the Dwed
• Remember the Krag

          Donovan is a man to remember, as he was King of Norland during the siege of the krag. Not only had the man fended off the entirety of the dwed army with substantially less forces and resources, he had done it twice, successfully. Through the light of the allfather and his own exorbitant amount of might did he defeat the dwarfs, and restore hope in the people’s of Nordengrad in a time when all hope was lost.

Guards or military officers will find themselves drawn to this paragon for his strategic intelligence, and fortitude.

Preferred offerings: Rainwater, Defensive equipment, Bear’s blood

 

Rodrik “The Governor“ Ruric

Paragon of Governance

Prayers:

• With law there is order
• Order is the key to stability
• Stability is the foundation

         Rodrik was a man of silvery tongue. He was able to become a chancellor for not one, but three separate kings. He had been the main diplomat and assisted in keeping the peace throughout multiple reigns of the Hakonsson dynasty. He single handedly wrote the entirety of the Norlandic law documents, all thirty pages of it, and was a pillar of the community that everyone looked up to.

Lawmakers, counselors, or advisors will find themselves attracted to the side of this paragon

Preferred offerings: Diplomatic writs, Silver, Fox blood

 

Last Eiriksday 1683

Rae of Nordengrad, Patriarch of the Holy Hearth, Keeper of the Twin Hearths of Nordengrad

Delia of Hightree, The Ashen Lady, Keeper of Hightree

Exander of Ruric, Keeper of Nordengrad

[Hiebe 2493]

Dwain really wishes humans would pick a different name for their prestigious people

[Anisgar 585]

"Good Shite!" Says Kjartan as he is getting ready for bed

[rukio 8924]

Astrid, Lily’s daughter, thus named for a paragon who was unlisted from the writing would raise an eyebrow. “This is not the codex I was taught. Whoever wrote this does not know their history, their ancestors. They are a scourge to the Red Faith.  A true stain upon the All-Father’s name.” She’d cross her arms, lips pursed in annoyance.

[_pr0fit 3084]

 

On 10/22/2018 at 1:02 AM, Hyena said:

Astrid, Lily’s daughter, thus named for a paragon who was unlisted from the writing would raise an eyebrow. “This is not the codex I was taught. Whoever wrote this does not know their history, their ancestors. They are a scourge to the Red Faith.  A true stain upon the All-Father’s name.” She’d cross her arms, lips pursed in annoyance.

Vykk ‘The Founder’ Volaren shakes his head “I have been in Norland since the beginning, I am it’s founder, the codex that you learned was written by the hands of an undead monster, this codex is truth, and Norland is better for it being brought to the light.”

[rukio 8924]

Lily squints at the newest addition to the codex. “Heresy against the faith.” She’d mutter. “Arthas wrote our laws, why do you hold disdain for his work? Leave the busty dark elf loving man alone, let his body rest without lies.” She coughs a few times. “Ethel.” She’d say to the door, as though imagining her sister was there, coughing thrice more. “They are slandering the faith I was raised in. Rodrik was useless in Norland. Why do they praise him now?”