HIN RAUÐA TRÚ | IAÁ 588

Balthasar · November 30, 2025

HIN RAUÐA TRÚ

THE RED FAITH

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Issued by Keeper Amlodhi, on the 28th of EDVARDSAWND, IAÁ 588, AGE OF DRAGONFYRE

HEED MY WORDS,

Knowledge of the Allfather has always permeated throughout the tribes, who each had their own understanding of the Dawnlord, in many cases these beliefs went back hundreds of years. Slowly the dark Narvaaukian deities had made their way into these tribes. From invading foreigners forcing their vile faith upon the tribes to warlocks whispering into the ears of chieftains, convincing them with lies and promises of power.

Thoromir Ruricsson Armahnk would unite the remaining faithful tribes and flee his homeland in search of new lands, but was caught in a terrible blizzard, during his search. On the edge of death, the Dawn-Lord appeared before Thoromir and his people, in a spirit-like form. For his and his peoples eternal faith, the Allfather would lead them out of the blizzard and lead his people to a new home. It was on the Day of Mercy that Thoromir received the First Flame, the essence of the Allfather.

Thoromir the Herald would become the first leader of what would eventually evolve into the Red Faith as we know it today.

The Red Faith has existed as an organized church for six centuries. The Flame Imperishable has been passed on from the Herald Thoromir to his disciples, to their disciples and so on. Leading up to modern times, it is the very same Divine Flame granted unto the Herald that resides in every Temple hearth and which is carried by every single Keeper of the Faith, a symbol of their status as priests and judges.

The religious order in which all clergy of the Red Faith belong to is officially named the Order of the First Flame, sometimes referred to the High Hearth. It is an organized society of followers of the Sacred Flame, who profess the Will of the Father under the authority of the High Keeper, who is elected by an order of Keepers. The High Keeper is elected on the basis of divinity and closeness to its invisible authority, ‘the Herald’, Thoromir Armahnk Ruricsson.

It is through a strict Ecclesiarchy, the holiness of the Hearth Temple, and the Red Laws does the Order find purpose and task sanctified.

The Order of the First Flame is further split into sub-orders of Keepers and Purifiers, the orders of priest-judges and warriors of the faith.

PAST LEADERS OF THE FAITH

Prior to Arthas’ reign, there was no High Keeper position. The head of faith was also the King of Norland, in some writings they are named High Priests.

Rather than convert all the reigns into the Ashen calendar, it has been opted to continue using the First Age system, as all High Keepers up until High Keeper Ellenore are named in the First Age

Thoromir Ruricsson Armahnk, 1476-1529

Established the Kingdom of Norland and the Red Faith as we know it today. Known as the Prophet and the Herald. Was granted visions his entire life by the Allfather.

Edvard I Thorsson Ruric, 1529-1539

Firstborn son of Thoromir, succeeds Thoromir as King of Norland and High Priest of the Red Faith through Kingsmoot. He is the founder of the Clan Edvardsson. He constructed the fortress of Frostholm and the coastal city of Seahelm. He would join the Grand Kingdom of Urguan as a mercenary against the Holy Orenian Empire, raiding and sacking cities. Although the Empire would retaliate and set their sights on Seahelm. His actions doomed Norland. He would climb the highest mountain in Avar and succumb to the cold.

Eirik Thorsson Ruric, 1539-1551

Elected King via Kingsmoot in 1539, shortly after the death of his older brother. Eirik is best known for his actions in saving Norland from the Orenian Empire. Forced to reconcile the horrible political situation he had inherited from his brother, Edvard. His diplomatic acumen secured Norland peaceful vassalization, rather than complete annihilation, under the Orenian Empire. This also allowed the Red Faith to continue to operate freely in the lands. He looked inwards, recovering the Norlandic economy and forming the Ashguard to protect Norland. He abdicated in 1551

Sven Eirikson av Ruric, 1551-1556

Replacing Eirik was Sven Eiriksson, elected through legal Kingsmoot. Sven pursued a life as a bard, spreading words of virtues of the arts, leading to further growth in his rule. He is remembered as a Paragon of the Faith, having a day of celebration dedicated to him. Named Svensday, where Nords come together to celebrate, often leading to the destruction of a part of the city. Svensdays are considered dull if no burning buildings or injuries occur.

Thomas Eiriksson av Ruric, 1556-1571

Thomas was the son of Sven I Eiriksson Ruric. Thomas was a lord of the Riverlands within the Principality of the Dreadlands. His time as leader of the faith is unremarkable, he spent most of his time fighting. He had his knees shattered for kneeling. It is unknown how he died.

Arthas I Edvardsson av Ruric 1621-1651

Considered one of the most intelligent and powerful High Keepers of the Red Faith. He would make numerous reforms within the faith, such as the Red Scrolls, starting crusades on magic. He is credited with the regrowth of the Red Faith, having restored an arguably dead religion. He is also well known for introducing the rank of High Keeper, separating leadership of the Red Faith and Kingdom

Hod Svensson, 1651-1655

Made High Keeper by Godden Ruric. His time as High Keeper was marked by a distinct lack of leadership, which led to a decline in loyalty and discipline overall. He was removed from office after only four years. Having reigned the least amount of time.

Galen van Grimrich, 1655-1673

Made High Keeper after the Hod incident. Unfortunately Galen was a similar issue, rarely participating in the Red Faith, but he was a font of knowledge, passing it to Godden Ruric and other initiates of the Faith. He remained High Keeper, after the sack and dissolution of the fourth Kingdom of Norland. He would disappear in 1673

Rae Arden, 1677-1690

Was made High Keeper during a time when the Kingdom of Norland did not exist. Appointed by Earl Thoromir II, who established Nordengrad after the dissolution of Norland. High Keeper Rae Arden would begin massive proselytization efforts in Nordengrad. Rae would also establish a temple encouraging more Fatherists to become priests. He would also make minor additions to the Red Scrolls. Rae would fall to an unknown Renatian soldier in the Siege of Nordengrad

Aeyn Edvardsson av Ruric, 1611-1716

Would release some missives and lend his signature to secular missives as well. Most notably perhaps he would issue a proclamation denouncing Doran Freysson Ruric. His reign was cut short as he was murdered by a man named Vladimyr.

Tyr Faretto, 1716-1740

Assumed the mantle of High Keeper after the assasination of High Keeper Aeyn. He would launch expeditions into infested lairs, fighting undead and mages. He safeguarded the Red Faith’s principles throughout the tumultuous dissolution of Norland and the founding of Pinemarch. He would undertake a pilgrimage, only to find when he reappeared his wife Sølvi had replaced him as High Keeper. He would burn himself by the Ashwood in 1751.

Sølvi Faretto, 1742-1752

Became High Keeper after the believed disappearance of High Keeper Tyr. Sølvi would lead for a decade, diligently doing her work. She would release a missive, detailing laws, rules and the guidelines of the Red Faith. She would be assassinated in 1752

Alisa Camian, 1754-1824

For two years Chadmyr Edvardsson ruled as High Keeper, until an election could be held. Rising as the new High Keeper was Alisa Camian. She was chief of the Camian clan. She was elected High Keeper in a Hearthmoot in Morsgrad. She would crown and advise four different Kings of Norland. She was instrumental in the revitalization efforts in Morsgrad after the AIS war. High Keeper Alisa led several successful investigations and inquisitions against dark mages in Norland, Fenn and Vi’stige. In a similar endeavor she would reform the Order of Purifiers, who performed a key part in the Inferi war.

She was a renowned diplomat, eventually becoming regent of Norland when King Haldvar Edvardsson Ruric took on a pilgrimage. She is one of the longest leading High Keepers. She also survived two assassination plots, one from an ancient keeper named Alifer Amice and one, Jexton Skorsgard, a disgruntled aspiring keeper. Posthumously she was made a paragon

Dramyr Edvardsson av Ruric, 1824-1844

Dramyr’s tenure as High Keeper was marred by absence. But alongside Lord Purifier Viktor Eldrsson, they formed the Hearth Forum. Which allowed for all members of the Red Faith to voice their opinions and be heard.

Mera Camian, 1879-1887

Succeeding Dramyr was Mera Camian, grand-daughter of Alisa Camian. High Keeper Mera would release a few public missives regarding the Red Faith. Her reign would be marked more with internal family politics than stewardship of the Faith.

Grigori Ruslanovych, 1888

High Keeper Grigori would release many declarations regarding Paragons, like raising new ones. Standardizing the method of becoming a Keeper. But his reign would also be marred by lack of action. Promises of action, but no action.

Ellenore Eiriksdóttir Ruric, 1910-2041

Ellenore is perhaps the most well known and longest ruling High Keeper. Ellenore would enact several reforms and rule as regent of Norland, until Haakon Edvardsson Ruric was elected King of Norland. She created several important documents, such as the funerary and marital rites. Ellenore would also create the Ashen calendar, which is used to this day, by all Nords. High Keeper Ellenore is regarded as an extraordinary diplomat, leading the talks on many diplomatic missions.

DOCTRINE

Known by many names; the Red Faith, the Red Church, the High Hearth, the Faith of the Allfather, etc. is the state religion of the Kingdom of Norland. It is so intertwined in secular politics that one cannot exist without the other. The faith is Monolatry, where the Allfather is the central deity, but revering the Allfather as the one true God. Who is believed to be the incarnation of growth and order. He is not believed to be the creator of the universe, but is the creator of the earth all descendants reside upon. It is believed that faithful Fatherists who have cleansed their souls sufficiently are welcomed to the Allfathers Hall, standing with Him eternally against the Long Dark.

Fatherists must adhere to the belief that the Dawnlord descended from the heavens and delivered unto Thoromir the Herald the Flame Imperishable, choosing him as his prophet.

There are those who are unlit and those who are heretics. Those unlit are not hunted and killed, they are merely ignorant and are shown the Flame of the Allfather and given the opportunity to join the Allfather’s embrace. Heretics are those who knowingly turn away from the Allfather.

The Red Faith revolves heavily around the Three Tenets; Suffer not the Unworthy, Spread the Flame, and Stand against the Long Dark. Flames and Fire, especially ones surrounded by the dark are popular symbols of the Faith. Representing a figurative and literal eternal struggle against the Long Dark. These are the only words given directly to Thoromir the Herald. Innovation of the Faith comes from visions which are granted to the leader of the Faith by the Allfather. There exist the Red Scrolls, which is a collection of writings from past leaders of the faith; only Keepers of the Faith are permitted access to the Red Scrolls.

Under the guidance of the Three Tenets the faithful commune primarily with those ancestral members of the Red Faith who performed extreme acts, rendering them worthy, making them Paragons. Each paragon is representative of a different aspect of the world. Paragons may be invoked in support of a relevant cause. Every member of the Red Faith is required to select a paragon upon their indoctrination into the Red Faith

The Rurics are the chosen bloodline, they can trace direct patrilineal descent from Thoromir the Herald. From birth, through the Allfather’s will, they are tasked with leading and guarding the faith. Rurics are born as Ashes or Ashen and must complete the Trial of Kindling to become recognized as Rurics. Failing the rite or not doing it at all, deprives the Ruric of any titles or inheritance. They must earn their inheritance.

The ultimate aim of all Fatherists is to die worthy and to cleanse your soul of corruption and join the Allfather in his Hall.

On a far grander scale the Faith seeks to triumph over the Long Dark.