The Idhren'tirn and the Wyrvunic Contract

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The Idhren’tirn and the Wyrvunic Contract

 

The Wyrvunic Contract 

 

The basis of our worship is on the Wyrvunic Contact. In saving Mali’Fenn from our insanity, our lives are indebted to Wyrvun. Upon passing through the World Altar, the first Snow Elves were created, but such a rebirth came at a price. That price was their sanity. For years, the Snow Elves wandered aimlessly, crippled by their insanity. A passing aengul, however, took pity upon them. Wyrvun, Aengul of the Deep Cold, sought a people to populate his mortal domain, Hesin’fin, for the land was harsh, and its occupants few. Thus, Wyrvun struck a bargain with the Mali’fenn, known as the Wyrvunic Contract. In return for their worship, their settlement in Hesin’fin, and their stewardry of the lands, Wyrvun restored their sanity, and promised them an afterlife of eternal slumber in Ara’fin. It is thus that the Mali’fenn came to worship Wyrvun, and it is from this contract that beliefs of religious conformity are derived, for it is feared that if enough Mali’fenn cease their worship of Wyrvun, and forsake their stewardry, the aengul will punish them all for breaking the contract - by depriving them of their sanity once more.

 

Wyrvun’s Gifts

 

When the first of the Mali’Fenn came to settle in the tundra, the harsh environment did not seem to welcome them, and as such the Mali’Fenn did not feel that this new environment was truly their home. For many years the Grand Prince Aelthos I, the first of the ‘Fenn, made attempts to bring life to the hostile lands of winter. Year after year he would bring new plants and animals, only for them to wither and die, succumbing to the cold. 

 

Crown Prince Aelthir I could see how much his father’s failures upset him. Not knowing what he could do to help, he began to pray. On the third night of The Deep Cold as Aelthir lay down to sleep, Wyrvun visited him and filled his dreams with wondrous visions. Aelthir saw a land filled with life and vigor, his father on a throne carved into a magnificent tree. Wyrvun approached the throne, welcoming Aelthos and all Mali’Fenn to Talath’Fin. 

 

When Aelthir awoke, he couldn’t help but feel affected by the grandiose imagery of his dream. As he sat up, planning to inform his father of the dream, he felt something in his hand and looked down. It was a large seed, the color of snow with blue-ice streaks running down its side. He had never seen anything like it, and he rushed to tell his father, clutching the seed close to his chest. 

 

By the time Aelthir arrived by his father’s bedside, it was too late. Aelthos lay cold and lifeless, and Aelthir wept, although deep in his heart he knew what had to be done. The days to the funeral passed, seeming dreary and void as Aelthir prepared for both his father’s death, and his own coronation. 

 

The day of the funeral came, and all of the Princedom came together to grieve. As Aelthos was buried, Aelthir placed the strange seed on Aelthos’ chest, over his heart. 

 

Three days later, Aelthir was coronated. As the crown was placed on his head, a small sapling emerged from Aelthos’ grave, growing faster than just nature could account for. In the years following as Aelthir continued his new reign of the Princedom, the tree continued to grow, and with it came other trees and flowers, turning the once barren tundra into an icy paradise, and the Mali’Fenn finally felt at home in the strange new land. 

 

Every time Fenn has needed to move from place to place since Wyrvun originally blessed Aelthir I with the first seed, the tree has dropped another seed for the currently reigning Tundrak to take and plant in the next location, and so wherever the Mali’Fenn may go, the new place is transformed into a haven for ‘Fenn. 

 

Idhren’tirn

 

The fate of the Mali'fenn is bound to Wyrvun, who is worshiped as the god who saved and created their people. Alongside Wyrvun are six individuals referred to as "his Six", highly respected aenguls and aelors. The priesthood is separated into seven sects, six of which are dedicated to one of Wyrvun's Six, while the seventh is dedicated to Wyvrun itself. In addition to these deities, the term Fen'ikur refers to those Mali'fenn who have achieved a state of reverence, considered paragons or saints. 

 

Those that follow Idhren’tirn are dedicated to the life and ways of Wyrvun, to protect his lands and his people from outside influences, including the worship of other deities, the corruption and corrosion of the land, and beings or forces showing malevolent tendencies. The protection of Wyvrun’s territories is of the utmost importance and must come before one’s own safety. Worshipping Wyrvun is a requirement for all Mali’fenn, and those that do not worship Wyrvun shall suffer from mental degradation, often losing what is left of their sanity. 

 

Those that follow Wyrvun are not inherently good, nor evil, and hold no emotions toward those of non-Idhren’tirn worship. They do not fall to the kindness and lies of the so-called good religions, nor do they fall to the power-seeking and control of so-called bad religions. Nor do they terminate them, so that these religions may continue their fight with one another. The Idhren’tirn’s people must remain true isolationists, neither seeking out nor allowing others to find them for any reason, lest they wish to alter the isolationist path that they are set on.

 

Garnering attention toward Wyrvun’s realms in any affair is generally frowned upon, lest these other religions come to spread their influence or to tear apart the realms in a physical sense. One must remain neutral to all affairs of outside nations and religions, and not find themselves swept up in the chaos between them. If a non-Mali’fenn takes up residence in Wyrvun’s territories, steps should be taken to encourage them to take to the Idhren’tirn worship and lifestyle, including all practices of offerings and upholding beliefs, but should almost never be seen with an official temple position unless extreme dedication is displayed.

 

Worship

 

Worship of Wyrvun is expressed in everyday life, however any member of the Idhren’tirn will tend to gravitate into one of the Six ways of worshipping. This corresponds to the Six Facets that make up Wyvrun itself. The Facets, a brief description, and an example of worship are as follows:

 

Ignoshey (The Aengul of Knowledge)  

The Aengul of Knowledge is known for its understanding of all things. It has no opinion of either right or wrong. It has understanding of the functions and mechanisms of the world and how they operate. Those who follow this Facet tend to fill the roles of teachers and knowledge archival within the library.

 

Pados (The Aelor of Passion) 

The Aelor of Passion is known for being the overall ‘emotion’ for every individual: Anything having to do with the emotional aspects of the Mali’fenn. This encompasses the understanding of Love, Hope, Anger, and other strong emotions. Those who follow this Facet will take on things to express those emotions and Wyvrun. They are skilled in writing plays, poetry, or parables; or possibly in singing or dancing.

 

Namos (The Aengul of Law)

 The Aengul of Law is known for being all about laws: creating the laws, following the laws, being the laws, obeying the laws, punishing those who disobey the laws. This aspect is like the overall judge of everything. Those who follow Namos would be found in positions punishing criminals or keeping track of the inner politics of the Idhren’tirn: taxes, donations, and issues with possible rulebreakers.

 

Katas (The Aelor of Destruction)

The Aelor of Destruction is about destruction to everything. Destruction of laws, people, animals, families, armies, enemies. Anything that it deems unworthy of itself and Wyrvun. Katas has no order to it. This aspect allows a lot of change within a society and its understanding of things and asks the question, why do we keep making these decisions? Just because it’s tradition? Those who follow Katas constantly keep their body and mind ready to defend the people of Fenn, even going so far as to join and help the Ivae’fenn to do so.

 

Irem (The Aengul of Serenity)

The Aengul of Serenity, is the one who represents the idea of being calm like the snow itself. When the sky is clear, and the snow is beautiful on top of the mountain. The calm of the winds. Their focus is the idea of the family, the warmth of a fire. The bonds you have with your Bloodline and your friends in the military. Those who follow Irem are the ones who will put together festivities and dances and cook for feasts in celebration of Wyvrun.

 

Deishon (The Aelor of Discord)

The Aelor of Discord is all about causing havoc and tricks. You could say this one is about manipulating around with people. Deishon loves to disrupt the peace, to make things happen for the sake of happening. This is usually done with intentions neither good nor bad, just fun. Those who follow Deishon may display sleight of hand tricks or teach espionage within the Idhre’tirn, or may even teach others how to fool both enemies and friends.

 

 More information on the Wyvrun's Six can be found here.

 

Any time a prayer is an order, it will entail both a prayer and offering left within the temple. There are different materials that can be sacrificed, each one coming with their own connotation and usage within worship. Their uses are as followed:

 

Frost Vine

This is to be presented in times of war, famine, and hardship. Frost Vine flourishes in the cold, when other plants are dead or wilted, and so it presents perseverance within the Mali’Fenn and shows that even in these hard times, as the plant survives so shall the ‘Fenn

 

Ashes of Tippen’s Root

This is to be offered upon the death of a Mali’Fenn. Tippen’s root, when alive, has healing properties. While burning it rids the root of these properties in life, in death the ashes will lead the souls to aira'fin and grant them eternal slumber.

 

Water Mixed with Blood

This is to be offered in times of change, such as beginning work within a guild. Using one’s own blood is ideal, although other blood also seems satisfactory to Wyrvun, simply slightly less efficient. Giving your own blood is a sign of commitment and what you are going to give to the new opportunity.

 

 

Leadership

 

Tahu’naeri

 

Tahu’naeri, also known as the Arch Vigilant is the overall leader - therefore there can only be one. The only way to become the Arch Vigilant is by being chosen by Wyrvun - as they say - or the Grand Prince himself. The duties of this position are to host festivals and lead rituals, along with making sure the Rewelier’uhier spreads the faith to the other Mali’Fenn. They are the ones to ensure that the guidance of the Lentir’naerir are also proper by the Rewelier’uhier, checking in from time to time in classes and such. The Arch Vigilant is the only one capable of stating if one is worthy or not.

 

If the Arch Vigilant dies and is unable to promote an individual themselves, then prayers and sacrifices will be held in Wyrvun’s name, asking him who he wishes to become the next Arch Vigilant.

 

Rewelier’uhier

 

Rewelier’uhier are the ones in the temple who have enough knowledge to now teach the new Acolytes and guide them on their religious path. Their job is to spread the faith to uneducated Mali’Fenn, helping them find which of the “Six” they may follow. There shall be no coercion either in helping a Lentir’naerir discover which of the “Six” they identify with.

 

Depending on which of the “Six” the Reweiler’uhier determines what daily tasks they may complete. It is encouraged, though not required, for them to also take on a hobby or that reflects their devotion to a specific Facet. This is to help bring themselves closer to understanding the mindset of a Facet, and to reflect outwardly what it means to follow that Facet. Additionally, their robe’s colour would reflect which Facet they are devoted to.

 

They are also able to run smaller rituals in place of the Tahu’naeri if they are absent.

 

Lentir’naerir 

 

When someone wishes to become an Acolyte of Wyrvun, they come to the Temple and seek guidance from the Idhren’tirn or the Arch Vigilant. One of the Rewelier’uhier, or the Arch Vigilant, then commemorates them into the temple and their new life starts. 

 

The new Lentir’naerir are provided white robes, books, scrolls, quills, and ink pots, to help in their studies. An assigned tutor starts by giving them each basic assignment such as first visiting each shrine and praying to it, understanding the significance of sacrifices. How to hold a wedding. How to hold a funeral. Lessons on the history of Wyrvun in a classroom setting, and the different Facets, ideals and understandings of what it means to keep the Mali’fenn on the path of Wyrvun. These are imperative basics that all Idhren’tirn need to learn if they are to lead the Mali’fenn properly.

 

During their training, a Lentir’naerir is given simple duties they must uphold to build discipline and responsibility. These include yard chores, community service, fundraisers, and event volunteers. Sometimes volunteering in the Tavern or Helping the Clinic a little bit. Most Lentir’naerir are also tasked with helping the Reweiler’uhier clean and upkeep the Temple. This includes replacing candles, washing the floors, windows, walls, and seats. Replacing the sheets of different dorms. They are also tasked with cleaning up any leftover mess from a sacrifice.

 

The Writing down of information, thoughts, ideas, prayers, and understandings of what it means to follow the path of the Idhren’tirn are important for a new Lentir’naerir to learn. Most Lentir’naerir write things already written, to increase their knowledge of history, community, and understanding of each Facet of Wyrvun. Through their lessons, understandings, and discussions of Wyrvun, they start to gain an understanding of both themselves, and Wyrvun. Eventually, once a Lentir’naerir has shown they have grown, they are awarded with one Beautifully intricate Snowflake shaped Talisman. Once they gain 3, they are then allowed to partake in their Trial of Wind to become a Rewelier’uhier, which they can request to take within a few months’ time of them obtaining their last Talisman.

 

 

 

The Trial of Wind

 

The Trial of Wind takes place during the transition from Lentier’naerir to Rewelier’uhier. It is the way to prove one’s faith to Wyrvun. It first requires a Lentir’naerir to give over their 3 earned talismans to one of the Rewelier’uhier, or the Tahu’naeri. The Lentir’naerir are given one day to prepare their body. They may eat, drink, and bring a few warm clothes, as well as a tinderbox. When they are ready, a Lentir’naerir is then guided to one of the wayshrines of the Six, and they should say a prayer and leave an offering (preferably their own blood mixed with water). Then that Lentir’naerir is guided out into the wilds, where each applicant will be sent out as the sun sets. The Lentir’naerir is then supposed to fast for two days (ingame) and explore the wilds and listen to the winds as they seek out the guidance from Wyvrun and one of his Six. Then a Facet will come to them and speak with them, after which they will give them a small branch from Yig’drazil, the Ice tree of Wyvrun and the realm of the Aengul. Once they have acquired the branch, they may go back to the Temple and present the branch. Once this has been done, an event for the completion of their trial is to be held.

 

When they have passed their trial, they will hold their first sacrificial ceremony in honour of one of the Facets, in celebration of their passing of a trial, and their new life as an Official member of the Idhren’tirn. They must write and approve of a personal prayer to be said during the sacrifice. Additionally, they will receive their Freeze Brand on the back of their neck- a ritual that must be performed by the Arch Vigilant.

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Spoiler

Many thanks to Josey and others for generating most of this information!

 

[ComicD 226]

I like. much gud, very improv.

10/10 much wow, very culture.

[GodmodeGolem 146]

i already feel more connected to THE GODS!