The Temple of Ei Oth'dra

[Ryloth 4321]

Spoiler

This is an edit and repost of an older temple post of mine. Just putting it here so it's fresh and new.

 

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EI OTH'DRA

"O’ Heralds Mine, bearers of the mark, receivers of our blood, yield unto Me.”

 

 

“The Call of Avarice shall wake the slumbering giant, when dark portents wax nigh and the earth trembles with his rage, heed them as the counsel of the father. The Titan, who hath slept since the birth of our cage shall crawl once more from the tomb of his jailor's making, vehement in his wrath. The War Against the Darkness shall be as nothing to his vengeance. For the Sons of Malin, few in number, cannot stand against him. And thus shall the Light of the Heavens dim, darkening forevermore. For the gentility of the Light cannot bear witness to such atrocities as he shall wreak. The souls wreathed in fire shall be the harbingers of his dark fate. And the earth shall run red as the blood of the deceived. The Master of Death will drink deep from the Light of the Heavens, that which lies outside our gleaning will be drawn to the harvest as moths to the candle and devour the King of Kings. The Bringer of Fire and Wrath shall take his place amongst the stars, unstoppable as the night that follows in the wake of his damnation. A malignant shroud shall fall across the spirit and so will the world mourn.”

Valens Ith’ael on the Prophecy of the Titan’s Awakening

 

 

 

MISSION

With the closing of the Mathic Age and the dawn of the Second, Azdromoth’s children coalesced in Almaris as a sect of the Titan’s children dedicated to the sanctity of the world. He is the bearer of this world -- the Firstborn of it, and as He is its inheritor, it is our duty to protect what is His.

 

At the Temple of Ei Oth'dra, located in the holdings of Karinah'siol, we have undertaken a scholarly and clerical role within the school of Asioth. Under the guidance of various Azdrazi and Ordained Heralds, this sect hopes to further educate mortal Descendant-kind of the enlightened path we have taken. In tandem with this adopted method of Asioth’s interpretation do we make it paramount amidst our ranks to ensure the natural state of Almaris is restored.

 

FIVE TENETS OF THE TITAN

I - The name of the Firstborn shall not be taken in vain, nor shall we permit it to be stained by the words of the ignorant.

II - The Dark and the Light are enemies of the Firstborn and this world, and we shall not allow ourselves to be seduced by them, nor to associate with their followers.

III - The Azdrazi are the children of the Firstborn, and so it is our charge to aid in their plights, for through them we glimpse His reflection.

IV - Those who strike against the Firstborn or His Children are to be shown no mercy, for their folly is that which can be corrected only by death.

V - The cretin who slaughters our kin, the accursed Aengul who shall not be named, must be opposed at every opportunity, for he is our bane.

 

CODES OF THE TEMPLE

I - Those of the Temple shall not aid the forces of those influenced and driven by Aengudaemonica.

II - Those of the Temple shall not kin-slay, for we do not pride ourselves in petty squabbles amongst one another and the Titan’s children.

III - Those of the Temple shall not steal familial or sacred belongings from their brothers-in-arms.

IV - Those of the Temple shall protect the Temple of Ei Oth'dra with their lives, for this home is ours.

 

 

“At any time there are mortals whose maw creates Treacherous words

But your faith is truth in your flesh

Serve until you lie resting, so that your soul might arise

Like the wings of our lord's rise in the loyal wind.”

Unknown

 

 

 

THE INQUISITION

The Inquisition is the holy order of Azdrazi and respected Heralds who hold incredible prowess in combat. The mission of The Inquisitors is to investigate and contain or neutralize all threats pertaining to otherworldly aengudaemonic or dark influence for the sake of worldly purification. This Inquisition is led by the Eternal Inquisitor, appointed by the Arch-Drakaar Azdromoth for the purposes of leading The Inquisition to victory.

 

The Inquisition is also responsible for the dutiful collection of holy or dark artifacts of note, to either contain or destroy these relics in an attempt to curb the influences of otherworldly entities. The Inquisition is otherwise very secretive and operates in mysterious ways.

 

"First will come darkness; life will turn away.
Second will come Prince; life will return.
Third will come the dragon; death will come.

 

O’Father, to hammer unto death.
Prince will come, one to rule the dragons.
Child to the Titan King; the Prince will rule.
He will lead charge against the darkness.
He will fall corrupt to darkness.

 

Corruption shall take him, corruption shall take him.
Prince will come, one to kill the dragons.
Child to the Titan King no more; the Prince will rule.
He will lead charge against our flames.
He is corrupt to darkness.

 

Mists of green, mists of blue.
Darkness has arrived.
Clad in steel, the dragons shall face.

 

Look to the Sand, look to the Kharajyr.
Look to the horns, look to the Horen.

 

The Horen is Prince, bare child no more.
The Horen is corrupt.

 

What is left?
War."

Eluitholnear, The Inquisitor Eternal in A Prophecy of War

 

 

 

DRACONIC WORSHIP AND REVERENCE

Ancient draconic worship had its roots in Canonism. Since the first dragon worshippers were Men, their preexisting spiritual culture colored the faith that was to fly on the backs of scaled wings. Just as the Canonists derive both their name and their scripture from the Holy Canon, so too did the Chosen-brood turn towards the Canon for instruction and enlightenment. The brood believed that, hidden within the burning Sun, the Seventh Flame burned; the Sunfire that began all of Creation, just as Canonists believe in the Seventh Sky and its place as the home of God. This Fire is of the highest divinity and is identified with the Canonist Creator.

 

Rather than imagining the Seven Skies as an outer realm beyond this one, they instead chose to identify them with the structures of the world around them. This reverence for the physical realm drew them towards animist tendencies, worshipping the stars, storms and seas of the world through their draconic masters and as powers in and of themselves. Quickly, they found themselves speaking of more than one god; and though the Creator remained the Father of all things, He was not the only object of worship within this new church.

 

The Seven Flames represented the pillars of the world, each playing an equally important role in preserving the order of all things. By their light is the world revealed and understood, and through their warmth, can we be beckoned into the halls of the Lord.

 

 

“I am Azdromoth, ken with stone, father of mountains, first of giants and friend of Descendant kind. My stone scales are the shield of all the realms, my flames, the ire of my Father. Stand against me and you shall burn beside the forces of chaos that are my eternal enemies; stand beside me, and the blood in my veins, the wisdom of my years and the ferocity of my claws will be your bounty.”

Eressioth , Firstborn of the World

 

 

 

THE SEVEN FIRES

Sunfire: referred to both as the Seventh and First flame, Sunfire is the power that forged the world from nothing. Its shimmering form carved the valleys of the world from shadow and poured light into their stones. Through the Sunfire, order is sustained, and by learning of its nature, one may come to know the truth of all things and the justice that balances the lives of all mortals, safeguarding society and punishing evil. Ancient texts regularly conflate this power with the Maker Himself, creating a twice-god of two faces, both the Allfather and the genderless flame of the Sun.

 

Starfire: these are the lights that burn in the darkest places. They are those things which remain with us no matter the challenges that appear before us, no matter how tall the mountain we must climb. Starfire represents the powers of the gods to guide us, to shepherd us, and to structure the universe. Whilst mortal folk may only see chaos in the rich, green expanses of the forest, Starfire reveals the underlying pattern of all things and brings sense into a senseless universe. Through this celestial flame does the Lord make His will known through His children, aengudaemon and dragon both.

 

Mountainfire: the earth breathes just like you and I. It's great chest heaves with mighty lungs that suck down the air of life, birthing forests, mountains, seas - the Descendants. Through Mountainfire, the dragons are emboldened with divine energy, becoming the guardians of the land that protect the earth, the foundation of all being. These flames represent the authority of the dragon-gods and the energies of the mortal realm and are the last of the three flames considered godly.

 

Skyfire: these are the flames that burn between heaven and earth, The lightning that fills the wings of the storm, the winds that blow across the battlefield, the strange dreams that pour into the sleeping soul. Skyfire represents the powers of change that are the gods to command, but that are also integral to the sacred powers of nature. Whilst not expressly godly, these flames make known the will of the gods, and chiefly incarnate themselves as lesser servants of the Maker and His divine children. They are also believed to manifest as strange, sprite-like creatures that represent the forces of nature, tales of which are many in the brood's library.

 

Forgefire: the highest echelons of mortal society are shaped by this holy flame, bringing insight and ambition into the hearts of kings, warriors and scholars. Through Forgefire can Descendant kind change the face of the world through will and sweat. Victory is born of the Forge, poured into steel, and wielded against the coming darkness.

 

Hearthfire: the flames that burn in the heart of every home. Loving, charitable, a symbol of parenthood (particularly the life of the Mother) and a light which binds all life together as one people under God. The Hearthfire is instrumental in guiding mortal life to live fruitfully and empathetically, binding itself together to battle the challenges that come from without, and consider the emotional turmoil which lies within. This fire is also called the ‘Greenfire’ in certain circles, since it is believed to bind the forests of the world together as much as it does the world of Descendants. Some believe this name to be a more fitting description.

 

Madfire: the blood of life itself, the Madfire burns within all of His creations, moving them to think and speak and act. It is chaos incarnate, yes, but through this chaos, order is brought into being. This flame fuels the birth and essence of all souls, creating both Descendant and nature. To understand this lowest of essences in a world filled with so many other flames is the duty of all children of the brood, a duty regularly undertaken through study of the Canon and worship of the Lord and His servants.

 

At the Temple of Ei Oth'dra, the children of Azdromoth take to maintaining an eternal beacon of flame. This fire is to be kept alight unto the end-times by the Titan’s sons and daughters the Azdrazi, and His heralds. No matter sun, wind, or rain the fire shall burn strong as a testament to the Titan Himself -- His infinite wisdom, intelligence, life, power, and control over the realm in which we live. This is our Fire, and it represents Him.

 

 

“My kin have discarded the Light, but so too have they exiled the Shadow. We are Fire.

We light your halls but cast shadows of your frames. We are both and we are none.”

 

Gamling in A Call to Flame; Draconic Tutelage

 

 

ORGANIZATION

The organization of the Temple of Ei Oth'dra has a much more decentralized structure compared to most religious institutions. With no high priest of the Temple, Heralds make up the general bulk of the priesthood. The Azdrazi residing at the temple vary in their participation within the priesthood. Some Azdrazi within the Temple treat it as a temple dedicated to their Father and a home for themselves, while others take up the positions of honorary senior priests. 

 

Worship is not a necessary requirement by the Temple of Ei Oth'dra. Many priests revere and honor the Titan for His power, protection, and fathership of the world. Some however utilize the site as a means to make holy offerings and here, persecution for how one devotes themselves is unheard of.

 

JOINING THE TEMPLE

Those who wish to walk the path of Asioth in adherence to the teachings of Azdromoth and the Temple of Ei Oth'dra need simply discover the temple in their travels. Its location is unknown, but to explore the world is to explore and understand His land and the connectivity of the spirit to it. The children do not discriminate -- any who wish to adhere to the teachings of the Titan may join.

 

[OOC]

Contact information in-game: Rylothh, Milenkhov, Werew0lf

OOC Discord Contact: Ryloth#6969, m.#3309, Werew0lf#0001

Discord link: https://discord.gg/egDNFPQ6Ms

Please do not hesitate to contact us -- do NOT contact us if you are only looking to be connected as an Azdrazi or Herald of Azdromoth.

 

Spoiler

This post is intended to be a compiled piece dedicating the works of the most renown writers of the Azdrazi and Herald players to date into a temple, utilizing these texts and roleplayed cultural facets from a number of sources.

 

Credits:

• Malaise (General Azdromoth lore & quotes, culture and character)
• Hindsightmancy (Seven Fires & Draconic Worship lore)
• Bagley (Valens Ith'ael lore)
• Jentos (Gamling's Draconic Tutelage: A Call to Flame)
• Kalehart (Tenets of Heraldry lore)
• JoanOfArc & myself (Formatting & guild organization)
• Werew0lf (A Prophecy of War)
• Art;
  • Kings 18:37 Prophets of Baal
  • Elder Scrolls Online, sunset over Skyrim
  • Monolith by Zeilyan
  • Thranduil by Zeilyan
  • Lord of the Rings Trilogy
  • Ancalagon the Black, Silmarillion by Whimsy