ORDER OF KHELTIRUAI

[Monomakhos 1849]

 

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INTRODUCTION

The Order of Kheltiruai-- so named after the Great Ancestor Saints Khel, Koltira, and Velulaei -- is a militant religious institution. Officially a division of the Renelian military, the order serves a function that transcends martial responsibility and functions, in essence, as a sister order to the naeri priesthood of the Kervira. Encompassing a caste of militant soldier-priests who carry out the divine will of the temple, their goddess and the choice ancestral patrons to which they harken and pay reverence to for their selective worthiness in the eyes of the virtuous. To many, they are a righteous caste, men and women who devote their lives in service to a purpose greater than themselves, and to others they are brutes who enact the judgement of their faith and carry with them divine wrath for all those who would have the audacity to so much as question the divinity of Luara or the tenets by which they abide.

 

DUTIES

 

BY SWORD AND WORD

The Order of Kheltiruai fulfills a broad niche in Renelian society. A cadre of warrior-priests and ascetics, they serve the will of the ‘temple’. What they define as the temple is unclear, and while many would point to the Naeri Priesthood of Renelia, they in truth only pay lip service to the priestesses as they believe themselves and their charge to serve to a greater end in pleasing the goddess.   The core function of the Order is simple - to maintain the moral and spiritual integrity of the Renelian people, and in doing so, ensuring the strength of the nation as a whole. To this end, the Kheltiruai employ their zeal as a means to bring the word of Luara to the ignorant, and to those who would refuse to walk in her light, or worse yet to harken to heretical beliefs, they are unafraid to engage in inquest and burn heresy out by root and stem. They do not always act as inquisitors and clerical judges, however, and believe firmly in the idea that a people must be shepherded by those who know better, hosting ceremonies, religious festivities and rites, and so on to strengthen their bond with the people, and thereby the people’s bond with the goddess and the ancestors. Yet, their spiritual purpose is a broad one and not restricted to sacred violence or upholding the word. Knowledge is considered next to godliness, and for that do they strive to preserve and record what they consider pertinent to the Dark Elven people and to their faith. To that end, they are authors, record-keepers and archivists, whose diligence is unmatched amongst their people.   Their secular duties are largely tied to the military, of which they are partnered to as spiritual guides and soldiers both. As they shepherd the citizenry, so too do they shepherd the faithful on the battlefield, leading ceremonial processions and blessings in the name of the goddess on the eve of war. It is not uncommon to see members of the Order throwing themselves into the vanguard of military engagements, and their willingness to throw down their lives in the defense of their faith and their nation is only eclipsed by their contempt for those who would dare to lift a hand against the chosen of the goddess.

 

BELIEFS

 

 

THE GODDESS AND THE THREE

The Order could be considered heterodox by some circles, especially those who have conformed wholly to the spiritual pantheon of Orcish belief that has been brought into Dark Elven society. As a result of their Ravexi founders and their beliefs, the Order instead touts a more monothiestic leaning, recognizing only the goddess (and as a goddess, not a spirit, a classification they consider as blaspheming against the goddess’ stature) while forsaking the praise and blessings others would grant to what they deem false spirits and demons.   To the Kheltiruai, Luara is the Goddess; supernal in her nature and glory, that none might question. Her visage is the moon, and there are no others deserving of worship and exaltation as she for her role in delivering the ‘ker from their madness and uplifting them into her enlightenment. Beneath the Goddess are the Three; the chief Ancestor Saints who are said to have acted in accordance to the Goddess’ word as shepherds for her people. These are the Zealot, the Father and the Mother; Khel, Koltira and Veluluai respectively. While they are considered ancestors and given venerence much in the same way, they are held on a higher pedestal from mere household spirits and for their deeds are considered true paragons of virtue and godliness.

THE ZEALOT - Khel Oussana is regarded as a cunning and vicious soul who was determined to earn his people their place in the sun; a traditionalist who sought to enforce the mandate of the ancestors and instill fervor in his followers established the framework for most all that came after him. He embodies the virtues of piety, cunning and duality.

THE FATHER - Koltira Ravexi is regarded as a callous, albeit dutiful leader who sought to emulate Khel in preserving the legacy of their people and ensuring the continuation of a self-reliant Dark Elven culture. He was known for his unflinching nature, harsh treatment of dissidents and adherence to the law. He embodies the virtues of ambition, diligence and lawfulness.

THE MOTHER - Veluluai is regarded as a benevolent and wise teacher who sought after knowledge above all things, and in her quest for her knowledge, she led her people to the enlightenment of Luara and true understanding through the eyes of their goddess. As the quintessential founder of the Dark Elven people, she embodies the virtues of wisdom, forbearance and sacrifice.

 

OATHS OF THE FATHER

The Kheltiruai are bound by a strict codex that they are sworn to upon entry into the Order; what is known to them as the Oaths of the Father, a dedication to Saint Koltira, serve as guidelines for both the execution of their duties beneath the temple, as well as their lifestyles as a whole, for members of the Order are held to a greater standard than their secular brothers, and are expected to live in the emulation of the virtues of the Ancestors to provide an example from which the people of Renelia might take heed and mold themselves after.

I. THE OATH OF SUBMISSION - In service to the Temple, I must entrust myself, both body and soul, to the guiding hand of the Goddess and the Ancestors, that I shall never lift a hand against them, and in accepting my mask my fate forevermore is bound to them. For my service, my gift is the dirt, yet never shall I complain that I am given to this purpose, for I am the chosen of the nation and her gods.

II. THE OATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - In service to the Temple, I must always strive towards godliness. For there is no greater shame than to don the mask, and to sully its value through misdeeds. For we are watched by the Goddess and by the Three, we are chosen by them, therefore are we obliged to do right by the Ancestors, to protect their honor all the same as our own, for I am the safekeeper of the virtue of the nation and her gods.

III. THE OATH OF VINDICATION - In service to the Temple, I must work to punish the wicked, the blasphemer and the apostate. The raving lunatic, the uncouth mongrel and the salacious lecher, all are enemies of our people, and for their crimes only the judgement of the Ancestors can make right their atrocities. Never shall I abide by them, never shall I let their deeds go unanswered. For the virtue and strength I have been bestowed, always must I answer, for I am the sword of the nation and her gods.

IV. THE OATH OF PROSELYTIZATION - In service to the Temple, I must endeavor to spread the word; what is written and what is truth. For the greatest curse to ever grace our people has been ignorance, and I mustn't allow it to take root ever again. In my service to the Goddess and to the Three shall I walk and shall I speak, to all, those who will open their ears and those who will not. Breath is wasted not when it is dedicated to the ancestors, for I am the voice of the nation and her gods.

 

HIERARCHY

 

 

THE HIGH EXEMPLAR
	The High Exemplar is the head of order, appointed by the Tribunes from the Tribunes, their word is undisputed and while they typically act by the grace and agreement of their fellow tribunes, ultimately hold the final say in all matters. Acting with temporal and spiritual authority alike, they are expected to embody the wisdom and ferocity of the ancestors and guide their flock in battle and in the gleaning of spiritual providence alike. They answer directly to the governance of Renelia.
THE TRIBUNES
	The Tribunes are the highest rank attainable within the order apart from the High Exemplar (who is pulled from the rank of the Tribunes), of which are always three. The three tribunes each embody one of the patron Ancestor Saints, two male and one female to represent Khel, Koltira and Velulaei respectively. They hold the final say within the order and deliberate on matters pertinent to its functions. In the embodiment of the venerated ancestors, each tribune is expected to uphold the qualities of their namesake, and the masks they don are subsequently hewn in the likeness of whomever they stand to represent.
THE EXEMPLARS
	Chosen from among the most pious and devout of the Temple Knight, Exemplars have proven themselves not only capable of great feats of religious wisdom, but of cunning leadership, and great valour in battle. These priestly leaders stand out from the ranks of the Temple Knight, distinguished by their silver masks -- radiant and shimmering as the full moon -- they act as the officers of the order. Exemplars are permitted the freedom to run their own functions within the temple. The Keeper of the scrolls for example manages the order’s vast libraries, a role taken up by an Exemplar with a keen passion for knowledge.
THE TEMPLE KNIGHTS
	The Temple Knight are the sacred guardians of the order and its clerics. Clad in armour of gold and masked in the visage of their ancestors, they watch with vigilance, and strike with zeal and fury. They make up the bulk of warrior-priests within the order, and in addition to being versed in the use of maces and spears, they are themselves skilled theologians. When not guarding the Tribunes, enforcing the morality of the order, or defending the temple, the Knights can often be found in meditation -- contemplating the great mysteries and communing with the ancestors.
THE CURATES
	Curates are the initiated novices of the Kheltiruai, being those who have yet to prove through meditation, training, and loyalty, their worthiness to don the ancestral masks of the temple. The Curates will often tutor under senior members of the order, while performing tasks of humility, giving alms to the poor, and acting as the arm of charity of the order. The life of the Curate is one of honourable service, a test of piety, and a sacrifice of the decadent.

 

CEREMONIES

 

 

CEREMONY	DESCRIPTION
KA’BIRA The first and last days of the year	A ceremonial festival in which the priests of the Order lead the faithful in a mass animal sacrifice for the appeasement of the ancestors.  The doorways of ancestral tombs are marked with the hallowed moon, painted in the blood of the sacrifices. Bowls of yams, gold and gems are left within the interior halls. Prayers and blessings are made in honour of familial ancestors culminating in one last demonstration of faith and reverence towards The Three -- a rhythmic and powerful prayer given to thank them for their guidance in this life and their previous. The streets become a hallway of incense, ash flowers, and banners, feasting and dancing are common place.
MAKHNA’NUTA On the eve of a great battle	A ceremony for good fortune in battle, wherein the warriors gather around a three-faced shrine and lay their weapons down at its base. Here they call upon the ancestors -- both great and small in their clerical importance -- for their strength and cunning. Prayer is offered to Luara, beseeching her protection, and the warriors’ faces are finally painted in the blood of a sacrificial animal.
MAB’RUKHI For the joining of partners	The Mab’rukhi centres around the honouring of one's ancestral line through its expansion, but so does it demand veneration and respect be paid to that of one’s spouse to be. Each partner will begin the evening with a dedication to their ancestors: an elaborate gift to their long dead relatives in the form of art, a shrine, pottery, or for the poorer something woven or crafted crudely. Next, the partner makes a dedication to the ancestors of their spouse to be. This dedication reflects the trade of the partner: a warrior might gift a finely decorated ceremonial blade to prove their capability to protect, a potter an urn, and so on. Once this process of veneration is over both partners stand before the priest. There they vow to ‘Love one another’, to ‘honour one another and their ancestors combined’, to ‘protect one another till death depart us’, to ‘share one another’s belongings and earnings’, and ‘to keep such a vow until age lay infirm, or the honour of such a vow be broken’. Here the priest ties a sacred silk around the wrists of both partners, tying them physically together -- it is a tradition to maintain this through the celebration and dancing, taking it off only when consummation has taken place.
MO’LADT For the health of an unborn child	A ceremony generally performed in the month preceding the birth of a child. The mother is led in a procession by priests of the Order where they are ultimately brought before a shrine dedicated to Veluluai. There, they are placed in the center of a ritual glyph drawn up in the blood of a mare and incense is burned while they are made to fast for twelve hours. At the end of this period, they are fed the raw heart of the sacrificial mare and choose their child’s name, which then receives priestly blessings of protection.
DAM KHE’SHUTA For last rites and burial	The Dam Khe’shuta is a ceremony involving the funeral ceremonies and burial traditions  - upon the death of an individual, their body is taken and the organs are removed and cremated by priests, whereafter the skin is dried out before being wrapped in linen and resins. The deceased then receives several blessings before being taken on procession to a three-faced shrine. Here, their families and friends are invited to offer gifts to be carried into the hereafter for a period of three days before they are ultimately given to a fire and their ashes are entombed within sacred urns and placed into familial mausoleums for safekeeping.

 

RECRUITMENT

 

 

ENTRY

To those wishing to submit their application to The Order of Kheltiruai, they must first meet these base requirements.    I. Be of full blooded Dark Elven descent  II. Be devout believer in  Luara and the Ancestral Saints III. Be of upstanding moral character    Form:

OOC IGN:  Timezone:  Discord:

IC Full Name: Gender:  Are you of full Dark Elven descent?: State your reasoning for application as complexly or simply as you desire:

 

 

 

[Malaise 1570]

((I have not seen the name Koltira since I last played the character – years ago. This post is impressively organized and aptly sources its flavor and lore from real, player created history. Kudos to you, author mine. I am very pleased to see such efforts made by a community traditionally known for arbitrary content. Though I am certain this will be removed for OOC posting on an RP thread, I felt it necessary to share my awe towards your effort.))

[monkeypoacher 8055]

((Damn this is cool. Kudos.

[lawnmowerman 3040]

((yo this formatting is giving me a ******* aneurysm.. fix this?

[Monomakhos 1849]

Just now, gamer_guy said:

((yo this formatting is giving me a ******* aneurysm.. fix this?

((ok zoomer

[colovian fur 8360]

“That was quite a good read.” Commented Thomas Talbot, impressed by the format of the posting.