The Order of Malin

[Roll the Scroll Up to the Previous Page] [!] As you peruse further down the scroll, you continue to unlock the author's secrets on his studies and writings of the soul. The writings below depict the journey along a celestial river of souls and heavenly and hellish realms of existence - described by the Author as 'The Soul Stream' Soul Stream: The Celestial River 'Imagine a great thunderstorm; its rains pour out from the clouds, the hands of our creator. The water builds in a great lake, the result of creation. Yet water cannot remain forever. Some will be burned by the sun or consumed by beings at the lakes edge. Much, most, will flow to rivers mighty and small as their time in the lake passes - those rivers are the soul stream ' - Saneyir Melphestaus , The 4th Lecture, SA 105 The author charts the stream as a network of celestial bodies and places, that follow no specific linear path. Observant readers would note well known Aengul and Daemonic realms, as well as many others simply labeled ‘unknown’. The Journey of the Soul Every being of creation is attached to the soul stream. The great and vast basin of this stream is the mortal realm, from which all souls are poured forth into its flow. For some, like Aenguls and Daemons and other Deific beings, the stream flows both towards and away from this basin. For living beings of the mortal realm, the Soul stream flows in only one direction. Many perils await a soul on the stream and once set upon its path, only the foolish and the damned attempt to swim against its currents. The stream exists physically within the void, but one cannot taste or touch it - though it can be felt as a cool and pallid sensation of the body. For those who have had a 'near-death experience', they may have briefly touched the stream in a fleeting moment. The stream is not linear, it carries a shape that we cannot understand - there is an entrance but we know of no end. The Journey The journey on the stream begins at death. They drift like flotsam aimlessly along the current, helpless to alter their path. Their spirit takes a shape that mirrors their life; these shapes are impossible for one to comprehend, much as one can visualize what an angry or depressed or joyful spirit may appear as. These shapes do matter, much as a simple child's puzzle: certain shapes do not fit through certain gateways. These gates are the entrance to realms benevolent and otherwise. Pacts of the soul made with beings infernal and aengulic alter the soul in a way that only allow them to drift into their realms - a price paid in the mortal realm. All descendant-kind once shared a similar shape to their soul, but as the brothers were altered - so were their children. So too were new realms and realities created along the stream to match these new shapes, such as the seven skies for the Valah. The Curse When Iblees afflicted his curse upon the Mali people, he fractured their soul into its tripartite pieces. The result of this is that a Mali soul floats endlessly after death, becoming the very fabric of the stream itself. A Mali that is not mended is struck upon this path of nothingness upon their death. The gates into the elven afterlife were made impossible for Elfkin to enter, and so this realm disintegrated - if there was ever a realm set aside for them in ages past it has long been erased from reality. The Gift of Responsibility - The Guardians at the Door When Malin was given the secrets to ascension to the heavens, he used his vast power to create Malin'or. Malin'or served a dual purpose along the celestial soul stream. It was not a resting place for souls, like other realms, but a Kingdom with responsibility to the living. The greatest of Elfkind would take up for a seat in Malin'or alongside Malin - aiding descendant kind in life against the Daemon and that which would seek to claim descendant souls for malicious purpose. Malin'or also serves as the origin of Malin’s mantle - a figurative dam along the soul stream which blunts the downward flow of Aengul and Daemonic powers into the mortal realm. The Pantheon of Malin’or struggles ceaselessly to preserve the mantle, focusing its attention on the preservation of the mortal realm. No longer would such powers tread freely amongst descendant kind, only paths created by living mortals could bring these beings into reality. You again pause to consider what it is you have read, shall you put this scroll down once and for all...or continue reading.[Continue reading the Scroll - TO BE REVEALED]

[Roll the Scroll Up to the Previous Page] [!] As you peruse further down the scroll, you continue to unlock the author's secrets on his studies and writings of the soul. Descript details now accompany broad subjects from earlier in the scroll, diagrams and measures reveal an accompanying science and study of the subject. Numen: The Empowered Mali Soul 'We once knew them in the flesh, from our Father Malin to the heroes of today. They walked amongst us as lliran. They ate with us at the table of friendship, led and fought with us in battle. Yet only the worthy, the most deserving of us shall transcend . In apotheosis they try to rise on the power and hope of our prayers and worship to ascend to Malin’or; We owe it to them and our Father to provide them the best chance to do so’' - Saneyir Melphestaus , The 2nd Lecture of Numeri and Malin’or , SA 75 Terminology Apotheosis: The act of shedding one's physical self and transcending into their spiritual self. Numen: Soul-mended Elves who through ritual shed their physical bodies through Apotheosis and now exist in a more purified spiritual form. Numeni (Adj: Numenic): The source of spiritual power that Numen and Deities use to perform divine powers. Apotheosis & The Power of Mali Worship Preparing a Mali for apotheosis into a Numen is an innately difficult process to achieve. As described earlier in this text, the Mali soul is fractured into three fragments. Before any Mali can undergo Apotheosis, they must be soul-mended with a fully whole soul. This, alone, is not enough. The body, mind, and soul must be prepared further for the very divine experience a Mali undergoing apotheosis is going to undergo. An overwhelming amount of mana must be used to protect the vessel of the Mali soul as it transfers from a physical body into a pure spirit. The source of this divine spiritual power is Numeri. Lastly, the ritual requires the correct liturgical words of power, Mali, to serve as the catalyst for Numeri to activate. When the tripartite soul is mended, the Malis body and mind are fortified, enough Numeri is available and the correct words of power are used - a successful apotheosis will follow. Numeni Latent spiritual power exists in all beings capable of worship and it may also be stored or amplified in artifacts and objects. Numeni is a source of mana, though it differs in some notable aspects. Numeni dissipates and must constantly be regenerated. Like water in the hot sun, it will evaporate away unless replenished. Numeni requires a catalyst to activate; it is dormant and otherwise useless without it. An individual's mana reservoir is restricted, where an individual's Numeni is limitless - capable of drawing from it no matter how much they have. The Power of Reverent Belief. When any intelligent soul gives worship to another being, roughly a single Numeni is generated. This is the source of power for both Numen and the Mali Gods of Malin'or. This justifiably explains why those Numen and Mali Gods who have more worshippers have more power over the mortal realm. As Mali attempting apotheosis will need a large source of Numeni for their initial transformation, a wellspring of believers is required to establish the Numens Cult and prevent the Malis soul from being sent into oblivion. Each deed sung in the Malis name, every sacrifice offered at their shrine, every prayer offered on their behalf provides them new and refreshed power. The Power of Reverent Objects. Numen and Gods with excessive Numeni may channel their Numeni into objects that serve as stones of numenic power. Sometimes kept as charms of good luck, or embedded into objects as artifacts, if an Mali undergoing apotheosis were to come into possession of a Numenic Stone, they would be granted a significant source of energy to aid in the ritual. The author has written in detail the minimal design specifications for the construction of a Numenic shrine. At a minimum, it has an enclosed location, a location for offerings, a statue of the Numen’s avatar, and an underground area of at least 5x5 to house the Numen’s artifacts. Numen are aided greatly by objects that amplify the output of a soul's Numeni. This is the reason for the creation of sites of worship and altars of offering. When believers conduct worship at the Temple or the Shrines of their home - they act as a focus to amplify their Numeni. In this case, size and material matter. Silver and bronze are the minimum-quality required to amplify Numeni but high quality lumber is also appropriate. Lesser metals, such as Gold, are even known to blunt the prayers of worshippers. The Power of the Industrious Self Numeni is also generated to a lesser extent by the individual themselves. A pursuit of perfection of the mind and body, the accrual of innate powers that expand their connection to their own mana wells generates passive Numeni. One must be careful and mindful of Voidal poisoning. While greater magic prowess aids in tapping into one's mana, too much Voidal poisoning can damage the body and the soul. Alchemic potions that purify the body are highly encouraged. Specialized concoctions should be prepared as a way to expedite the transference of the soul in apotheosis. A regime of a precise concoction of alchemical ingredients designed to create elasticity of the soul to the physical body is necessary in the weeks leading up to the ritual of apotheosis. Cults must worship with the right offerings, times, and locations to best enhance the power of the Numen they worship - and thus confer the most boons upon them. Although worship is a highly individual and private affair for most followers of The Way , the Saneyir and the clergy of the Temple of Malin have a critical role in helping believers know the right method for practice. Words of Power “Words have power. They shape the stone and wind around us, they ascribe meaning to things where there was once nothing. Words are creation; and our ancient tongue molds the most primal of things” The catalyst of any numenic ritual is the ancient words of power that take all this latent numenic potential and activate it into raw deific power and energy. These words of power are the Mali language, and any Malinist ritual should use the primordial tongue in its prayers. Though in apotheosis the accuracy of the language is especially important, as improper use is doomed to condemn the Mali soul to oblivion. Everything from rituals and objects require the correct ancient Mali tongue to unlock the power of Numeni. You again pause to consider what it is you have read, shall you put this scroll down once and for all...or continue reading. [Continue reading the Scroll]

The Reformed Temple of Malin (Elven: Malin'naeri). 'MALIN LIVES!' ‘WE KNOW NO KING, BUT MALIN’ Reverence - Community-Humility-Temperance-Industry TABLE OF CONTENTS I - VISION II - OATH III - MEMBERSHIP IV - VESTMENTS V - HIERARCHY & STRUCTURE VI -RITUALS & CUSTOMS VII -AUTHORITY I. oem | VISION The Temple of Malin is dedicated to the promotion of elven ascension and the worship of Malin and his pantheon by following the five instructions. It believes that all descendant races should pay homage to the Elven Pantheon in Malin’or, and it cultivates its members and worthy Elves to ascend to join that pantheon. The Temple of Malin and its clergy answer to no sovereign save the Saneyir, the spiritual head of the temple, who guides both its living members and those ascending Numen seeking to ascend to Malin’or. As each Elf is an immortal descendant of the King, the Temple shall defend Elven interests radically at all costs. In times of Inter-Elven conflict they shall remain neutral - unless an aggressor is so egregious against the Elven kind that they must be stopped, mustering the entirety of the Order to aid in the conflict. They shall seek to establish their Chapters across all of Elvendom, defending the Elven Leaders on behalf of Malin when those Anti-Mali forces seek to bring ruin upon them. The Divine Liturgy of the Temple of Malin: The Ascension The Way of Malin and the Five Instructions Part I Part II II. niut | OATH Elder/Saneyir: “____, who do you know as King? ” Response: "I know no King but Malin" Elder/Saneyir: "We know no King but the one called Malin!" III. hael | MEMBERSHIP The Brothers and Sisters of the Order of Malin accept any Half-Elf or Elf, of any nation, willing to devote their life to the cause of the Temple, though it is believed only full blooded Elves may ascend to Malin’or. Elves younger than 30 cannot surpass the rank of Initiate. The basic requirements for enrollment as an initiate are; At least 18 years old Are an Elf or Half-Elf of any mix. Have taken no oaths that would prevent their ability to serve the order Capable of making an Oath of no less than 8 years. Have no pacts or commitments upon their soul that would prevent ascension. IV. vailu | VESTMENTS INITIATES DISCIPLES ERAMITES ELDERS Standard equipment for the Order is their 72 hours of field rations, medical equipment and survival gear. A quill and book are expected and inspected to be carried. In addition, each disciple carries on them a copy of works of “The Way of Malin”. Initiates wear a padded gambeson, and from disciple onward begin to wear more chain-mail armor. The ‘bronzing’ accent of armor designates seniority, with Eramites and Elders seeing the accents become more prominent. However, Soldiers may earn the right to bronze their uniforms if they have conducted spectacular deeds of courage on Malin’s behalf. V. kulin | HIERARCHY & STRUCTURE THE CENTRAL TEMPLE OF MALIN The order of Malin is structured as a paramilitary theocracy, but each member has a philosophical requirement to uphold and spread the teachings of Malin. The Central Temple of Malin is the primary location and repository for artifacts, knowledge, and worship dedicated to the cult of Malin. Though different temples may host cults to other deities in Malin’s pantheon, every Temple must have a central worship of Malin at its heart. The central Temple is also the seat of The Saneyir and the conclaves that meet to determine Malin's Will. CHAPTERS - THE PILGRIM TEMPLES Chapters are the foundational unit to which all members of the Temple belong, and the location of cults to Numen and other members of Malin’s Pantheon. The maintenance of shrines and relics dedicated to specific Numen are essential to the functioning of that Temple. The destruction of a Temple that was solely dedicated to a Numen may also result in the spiritual death of that Numen. Thus they are to be defended vigorously as important religious sites. The first four chapters are all assigned to defend and teach within the core territory. Each Chapter, other than the fourth, is led by an Elder, and two Eramites. These chapters are named after legendary Elves from the time of Malinor that defended the King and Elven sovereignty. These ancestors shall serve as emulated figures of the ideals on how to serve Malin. New chapters may be established focused around a specific Numen and their cult. I - Chapter of Tharsion II - Chapter of Arth’alemoth III - Chapter of Valk’edyte INITIATES Initiates are the fledgling adherents to the Way of Malin.They will spend their time under the tutelage of a Disciple, who will teach them both on combat and on His teachings. Initiates are not required to take an oath, and they generally hold no leadership within the Order. Their primary purpose is to discover the fragment of their soul they are associated with as well as become familiar with the Temple’s teachings. They will sometimes perform tasks related to the maintaining of shrines and placing offerings at them across the world. Initiates will spend many of their early years within the Temple of Malin preparing for their trials, being indoctrinated in the philosophy of Malin, and learning those skills that will save their lives and harden their mental resolve against false doctrines and those who seek to divide the Elven people. An initiate must complete the following trials to become a Disciple, relating to the five instructions. o The Trial of Humility & Reverence o The Trial of Industriousness o The Trial of Community & Temperance o Know-thy-Self o The Ritual of Legacy (Half-Elves only) All trials are supervised by Eramites and have no exact prescription for their execution only that the Eramite is satisfied of the initiates understanding of one of instructions required. ‘Know-thy-Self’ may only be performed by a Mended-Soul. DISCIPLES Disciples make up the bulk of the Temples clergy. They are expected to take on 1-2 initiates, and now begin to spread His message, potentially serving as messengers of the Saneyir, and escorts of the Eramites and Elders. Disciples are expected to actively attempt to be on The Way, and help promote Malin and his Pantheon. They are expected to support Numen. The should be fledgling scholars of his philosophy, and capable fighters. Disciples may also specialize as the need requires, perhaps as quartermasters, relic keepers, or other specialty niches the Order or their local chapter requires. Disciples also enforce the law within the Temple of Malin, ensuring the domestic tranquility of the heart of his realm. Disciples are inducted fully into the order and take an oath brought fully into Malin’s teachings by the Saneyir. Disciples should, though not required, have overcome at least one of their soul fragments to become an Eramite. Disciples shall learn to invoke Malin for the use of Divine magics and Cantrips [House Magery]. ERAMITES Eramites are mid-level members of the Order who manage the basic operations they are tasked to accomplish. Eramites take on larger missions, usually of 2-3 disciples and some initiates, into highly contested territory and in combat. Malin scholars in their own right, they must be as capable to meet an Uruk in the field of battle as well aso defend Malin’s philosophy before a Mali’Thill. They frequently give lectures on the teachings of Malin. They must also be responsible for the discipline of the Order itself, supervising trials, ensuring disciples are trained, and leading small forces. Eramites are granted voting privileges in the administration of the Order. Eramites may be called as emissaries or diplomats to foreign nations. Eramites are tasked specifically in finding and forming groups to eliminate Shades. Expected to complete the “Rite of Malin’s Might” as well as become Soul-Mended if they wish to become Elders. Eramites shall be taught the ability to create holy tinctures and concoctions [Alchemy]. ELDERS Elders are the Senior Brothers and Sisters of the Order, who have now taken lifetime Oaths to his philosophy and are Soul-Mended, often called ‘Prophets of Malin’. They conduct the majority of planning, both within the Temple of Malin and abroad. They are master scholars of The Way of Malin, fierce combatants, leaders, trainers and mentors. Elders lead a Chapter, crafting for their chapter an identity that they see fit - often preparing the Chapter to serve as the basis for their own cult if they conduct an apotheosis. Elders strictly manage the security of the Saneyir and it is them that make up the Orders council of advisors to the Malonn’Elberun. In addition, Elders are considered minor Elven lords and they may stylize themselves with the moniker of their Chapter’s ancestry. Elders shall be taught the art of soul mending [Conduits of Enlightenment] THE MALONN’ELBERUN The Bronze Brother. They are the senior operations office and are responsible for the entirety of its operations and administration. They sit on the Ethereal Council of Temple of Malin and advise the Saneyir on matters that may require the Order to intervene, or to protect Malin’s interests. They constantly seek out recruits, and threats to Malin's realm, they also determine who shall be elevated to the rank of Elder. The bulk of the administrative and secular duties of the Temple are delegated to the Malonn'Elberun for the day to day operations of the order, and ensuring the running of the Temple, its appointments, and the quasi-state like existence such as paying taxes and dealing with construction. NUMEN & THEIR CULTS Numen are transcendent spirits who have undergone apotheosis. They act as benevolent protectors and guides to the Temple - and although they are no longer bound by the strict hierarchy and daily requirements of the Temple, they must work directly with the Saneyir to see their cult promoted and their path to ascension as a deity affirmed. THE SANEYIR The Saneyir is the senior teacher and clerical head of the Temple. The Saneyir is beholden to political neutrality and the defense of all Elven realms, often called on to speak for Elven realms that are the targets of violence of their own kind. The Saneyir is charged to protect artifacts of Malin and to determine which Numen shall receive approved cults. The Saneyir is chosen from among the Elders, ensuring his Will is a continued succession elected by the scholarly followers of his teachings. The Saneyir no longer goes by any Elven subrace, not considering themselves Ame, Aheral, or Ker. They are simply "Mali". The Saneyir owes no allegiance to any Elven Prince, and is bound by Malin to not conspire or actively work against any of them. However, he actively seeks to advise and counsel those Elven Princes in an effort to lead them closer to creating Malin'or as it truly as. VI. banih | RITUALS The Order of Malin has a series of rituals that helps bring them closer to ascending to Malin’or. Most of these rituals occur at each stage of an adherents promotion within the Order, as a rite of initiation - but some can be performed independently of rank. Know-thy-Self This rite may only be performed by a mended-elf. It uses the art of soul-mending to discover which fragment of an Elf’s soul is active on the initiates life. Ritual of Legacy Half-Elves who wish to rise within the Order of Malin must undergo the Ritual of Legacy. During this rite, the Half-Elf will be fully meshed in Elven culture. They will make pilgrimages to multiple Elven realms, take up the Elven language, observe the many creeds of Malin. The Half-Elf will then spend two full nights within the Reclamation Hall, with the blessed way of Malin texts. They must endure the entire time without sleep, food, or water. Deeply immersing themselves in the Halls tomes, and artifacts of Elven history. Finally, they will stand before the Elders who shall determine if the Half-Elf has come to fully embrace their Mali heritage with a final test of their choosing. Should the Half-Elf complete these tests, they shall be deemed fully embraced of Malin's legacy. Though only the Rite of Apotheosis can purge them physically of their mixed heritage. The Rite of ah’kina (Honorable or Sacred Death) If any Elf of the Order feels they have descended into madness, no longer able to control their shattered minds from creeping trauma of centuries, they may appeal to the Council of Elders for the Rite of ah’kina. All attempts shall be made to try and heal the elf of this calamity, believing the loss of any immortal is to be avoided. If approved, the Elf shall be assigned a great challenge of considerable mortal danger and high value to the order . If they succeed, the Elf may find solace knowing that they have not lost all the faculties and are still contributing to the community, earning the right to bronze their armor even if not an Officer of the Order and earning the special address of ‘mar’paronn’ (Venerable Elder). If they fail, their death is considered to be with great honor and they shall be remembered in the chapter rolls. Rite of Apotheosis This Ritual Death enables an Elf to transcend their physical bodies, purifying their souls as they become a Numen. It is also said to completely purge mixed-elf heritage once and for all. The Rite of Malin’s Peace This Ritual is required for a Disciple to become an Eramite. It requires a pilgrimage to every Elven nation and important Elven historical site in Almaris. The Disciple must complete no less than a single task in three separate realms that contributes to the benefit of those people. There is no proscription as to the type of task, the Elf must show they are not so beguiling to choose a task of little effort, and not so foolish as to involve themselves in a task they cannot handle. The Rite of Malin’s Might An Eramite who wishes to become an Elder must complete the Rite of Malin’s might. The task is simple, yet difficult. They must defeat another Elder of the Order in single combat. If the Elf is victorious, they must prove their philosophical strength by then defending a single argument on the way of Malin to the Saneyir or the Bronze Brother. Soul-Mending If designated as an Elder or Saneyir, an Eramite shall undergo soul-mending. Restoring their soul fully and enlightening them as a Prophet of Malin. VII. laier| AUTHORITY The Order acts with the authority of the Saneyir of Malin, and is granted full jurisdiction to protect his realm and his teachings in the Temple of Malin. They may detain, and submit to the political protectors of Malin’s will those who violate his will while on Temple grounds. Outside of The Temple of Malin, they are afforded those rights guaranteed to them by what sovereign leaders of Almaris allow. However, they shall at a minimum defend members of the order, their holdings, Numen, and professed adherents to his philosophy and any Elf in distress. Chapters which are granted land or territory In another realm shall agree to defend that nation in times of war, but shall never raise arms against another chapter or other Elven nations unless authorized to do so by the Saneyir. They shall accept no positions of leadership or responsibility within that realm unless deemed by the Malonn'Eberun to be in the interests of advancing the way of Malin.

[!] By chance, or by your own dedicated labors, you have obtained the scroll rolled up before you. It smells of vermillion ink, the incense of candles and wax, a musty smell of moth riddle robes. The parchment is weighted, expensive and thick - its container gilded ornately and decorated with all manner of strange elven iconography. Crowned Elven figures with great auras, intricately carved silver inlaid symbols of magic and religion- though no outward signs of magic are present by glance or examination. At this point you may choose to put the oddity away, stuffing it back into whatever source destiny provided it to you. Your life continues as it did before and you live no more or less happy from the experience. If you choose to unfurl the scroll, however…. Further diagrams with detailed and colorful art, measurements and figures spill out in an orderly cacophony before you. The author's hand is well practiced, steady and beautiful; This is writing from someone who has spent a lifetime in scholarly pursuit. The paintings are the commissioned work that are seperate from the authors. Finally, you draw your eye to the start of the scroll, the eloquent cursive writing of the author beckons you to begin this journey… Herein lies the divinely inspired message of Malin to his people, as transcribed by his third Saneyir, Saneyir Melphestaus, in the Second Age. Terminology Apotheosis: The act of shedding one's physical self and transcending into their spiritual self. Ao: The Void Touched fragment of the elven Soul. Ascension: The means in which a Numen is deified. Soul-Mending: The act of uniting an Elven soul wholly. Those who have undergone this ritual successfully are called 'Mended-Souls'. The Creator: The very first consciousness of the universe, made all things that exist. Is a dead God whose corpse makes up the void. Eo: The spirit-touched fragment of the elven soul. Io: The fae-touched fragment of the elven soul. Malin'or: Historically the physical capital of all Elves; currently the place of the Elven Pantheon in the Heavens (Let this put to rest the silly notion of further naming grande Elven cities Malin'or) Malins Mantle: A divine barrier that originates from Malin's divine power within Malin'or and surrounds the entirety of the descendant plane of existence, preventing the intrusion of other realms such as the Fae, Daemons, and the spirits without invitation by descendant kind. Portfolio: A portfolio is the realm in which a Deity chooses to use their divine power to influence. The more powerful Elven deities have large broad portfolios, such as 'Luck', or a Numen may choose a more narrow portfolio to serve a more powerful deity and benefit from their patronage - such as 'Gambling'. Temple of Malin: Religious institution, and the physical buildings and Temples, which houses the clergy, priesthood and the ritual locations of the 'Way of Malin' Way of Malin: The prescriptive path to live as Malin did and to ascend to Malin'or. Also the religious dogma as practiced by the Temple of Malin. Numen: Soul-mended Elves who through ritual shed their physical bodies through Apotheosis and now exist in a more purified spiritual form. Tripartite Soul: References an Elven soul and its three fragments. 'There are no skies to rise, no mountain stone to return, no peace in realms of spirits - ours is the penultimate responsibility to reign and protect over creation in this world' - Saneyir Melphestaus on conveying the 'Will of Malin' The Responsibility There is nothing in death but dust. Only in the apotheosis of the physical elven coil, the mending of the tripartite soul, and the ascension, may worthy souls serve in Malin'or. To protect the descendant races. This is his will, long forgotten yet revealed here; to understand the prophetic future, there must be an understanding of ancient past. Creation There was a time when the universe consisted of nothing, but a single entity known as the Creator. This creator existed for millennia, undisturbed, until it one day became aware. The Valah have at times called him 'the' God. The Creator controlled the very elements of the universe, everything did as it commanded and willed. Yet the Creator in time grew lonely. So, the Creator poured his essence into his very first beings, the Aenguls, and made for them a realm to exist. Aenguls, filled with their maker's desire to build a new, birthed their own realms and creations. Yet Aenguls, born of the Creator's desire for friendship and love - could not disobey him. Their affection was a forced one, and though he loved them, he knew they could never reciprocate this feeling in any real manner. In his sadness and anger, the Creator had manifested the Daemons - and for them a realm was also created. The Daemons reflected all of the Creator's doubts and unhappiness for creation, and so they expressed a desire to bring ruination to all things the Creator brought to life. So, this went on as the Creator sought to perfect that which it made. The Creator poured its essence into many planes of existence, known and unknown, seeking perfection of its craft. Each new life drains and extinguishes its divine energy in every passionate attempt to find love. From him poured wondrous worlds and planes of existence for many of his children. In his last breath of creation, in his final and most perfect act, he created the mortal realm of the descendants - bestowing the last of his divine energy into his four descendant sons. Each was given a purpose, yet most important was Malins - for as the eldest and first of his sons, it would fall to him alone to safeguard the mortal realm - but in return, Malin and his children would be elevated to the heavens - given unto one thing his brothers were not: immortality. The prophecy, translated as best understood using the language of ancient Elven, spoken to Malin by the Creator "Arise an Aegis now but one, the day shall come when your seed is the cornerstone to the heavens, inheritors of the world, servant and saviors, fly unburdened" With his final wishes spoken to his sons, the Creators became undone. Its corpse expanded into an uncountable and unknowing space of power and energy - its husk becoming a vast and limitless miasma known as the Void. Realizing the Creator no longer safeguarded the realms of reality, the Daemons and their leader Iblees wasted no time in seeking to undo its pinnacle work, for this is in their nature to destroy and they know nothing else. The great Daemon would fail to undue that which was wrought by the Creator in the descendant realm as Aenguls and descendants were able to repel the demonhost to their miserable planar realms. The descendants and the Aenguls could not repel Iblees and his eternal hordes from destroying the mortal realm forever. In order to keep with the Creator's wishes, to whom the Aenguls could not disobey, the Aenguls revealed to Malin the process to transcend himself and his children to ascend to the heavens. Thus, Malin shed his physical body and founded the ethereal city of divine Malin'or disappearing from the forests he ruled as a living King. He shrouded the descendant realm within "Malin's Mantle" - a divine barrier which prevents entities from other planes of existence, such as the Aengudaemons and their minions, from entering into the mortal plane on their own whim. Malins limitless mana pours from his great and powerful soul in a constant effort to keep this barrier from breaking. Through his efforts, planar beings may only be invited by the summonings of descendant-kind who wisely, or foolishly, evoke their powers. Malin foretold to his Princely Council the Aenguls secret after the defeat of Iblees and before his ascension, but the great daemon had already left a mark on Malin's daughters and prevented their joining him in divine Malin'or. The radiant Elven soul of Malin’s Children was partitioned into three fragments: Ao, the void-touched fragment formed in Golden Pools of mana; Io, the fae-touched fragment formed by the word altars; and Eo the soul-touched fragment formed in the realm of spirits. Separated and no longer whole, the Elven soul became weak. Elves were unable to fulfill their prophetic purpose of ascension to Malin'or. Yet the mystery of the mending of the Elven fragments into one, whole, soul that was lost to his people is now revealed once more as it was to his daughters and with it the path to ascension is once more at hand. Authors depiction of Malin'or, home of the Elven Pantheon of Gods as revealed in a vision The Way of Malin The Tripartite Soul Each Elf is born with only part of their soul dominant, having only one fragment of three which constantly acts on them and the fullness of their persona - mind, body, soul. The rest of their fragmented soul is latent, present but broken. Each fragment has a series of vices that may only be overcome by the instructive virtues of Malin, known as the 'Five Instructions', through self-mastery or mentorship. When these vices are overcome, it is possible that a mending may be performed to activate a latent fragment- exposing the Elf to new vices, challenges, and strengths until their soul is perfected. Birth - The Hope An Elven child is rare. So fragmented are Elven souls, that life rarely takes root in the womb. Yet when it does, an Elven child is granted the first boon on the path to divinity: immortality. At birth the Aengul Aeriel binds the soul of the Elf-child and with it a spark of hope for all descendant kind. Conversely, the mark of the daemon also takes hold, and their soul is also shattered, and reformed with but a single fragment - unknowable at this age in the Elf's life. Adolescent Elves Young Elves become aware of their fractured souls for the first time, and it is a time of confusion and emotion. They begin to grapple with feelings of arrogance, depression and anger. The youth at this point must be prepared for adult discipleship, discerning which fragment of their soul they were born with so they may be prepared to begin the way of Malin. Disciples: Adult Elves Elves will spend most if not all of their life as a disciple of Malin, knowing or unknowing. Whether as a formal member of the Temple of Malin, or a practicing layman - Elves all over the descendant realm are in a state of spiritual warfare with themselves. Finding wholeness can take centuries, if often never achieved by most Elves. The prescriptive method for discipleship is through the 'The Way of Malin', the formal name of the Elven faith philosophy that provides detailed orthopraxy for all Elves left by Malin for the Elven people on the path to ascension. Should an Elf master their soul, they are prepared for the second step on their journey to divinity, Soul-Mending. Disciples also serve a critical role in helping young newly formed deities, the Numen, come into their full powers. In extreme cases, disciples may be called to put down a shade produced from a failed Apotheosis. Soul-Mending Mending looks different for every Elf, though there are some core elements to every ritual. Many realms have claimed dominion of the Elven soul - all three must relinquish their control, willingly or by force. An Elven Soul can be mended through a ritual that involves powerful Voidal, Fae, and Ancestor magics on the aspiring deity. Death is a strong possibility during this ritual, and any unworthiness is sure to result in the obliteration of the Elf into the void. Prophets of Malin: Enlightened Elves Mended Elves have had their souls permanently restored. They will find inner peace, a hope for descendant kind and a deep sense of understanding and wisdom. Their soul burns brightly, more than the other descendant races, with great radiance. They often see above the squabbles of the nations and states of the era, as the veil of fog that has clouded their minds is being lifted - and the path to the heavens is now seen. Now, the soul is fully prepared, one must prepare the body and mind for transformation. Mastery over the physical as well as the spiritual will be necessary for the Elf to survive apotheosis. The greatest gift given to Mended Elves is their ability to mend souls and to discern which soul fragment a young elf was born with - this makes them a natural choice for Elven leadership. Many mended feel an overwhelming desire to remain in the physical flesh they were born with, never aspiring to pursue divinity further, but will take up critical responsibilities in communing between the Elven Pantheon and the mortal realm. Apotheosis Death for any Elf prior to being mended results in nothingness. Elven souls are too weak and are obliterated without their physical shell to contain them. This is not so for mended Elves. Through the ritualistic death of Apotheosis, the Elf sheds their physical bodies. If the Elfs will be strong enough to command their own spirit without the shackles of mortal flesh, they shall re-appear as a fledgling deity, one of the Numen. If it is not successful, they have potentially become a vengeful shadow or, if lucky, the soul once again shattered back into dust and returned to the void. Numen: Ascending Elves The Numen are powerful souls on the path to divinity, though not permanent members of the Pantheon of Malin'or. They are not quite ready to enter Malin'or or fully come into their powers. For though they may answer prayers and intervene to support their followers, their powers are not enough to help maintain Malin's mantle. The Temple of Malin plays a key role in the construction of lesser shrines, the preparation of familiar objects, and the stewarding of numen to help them grow into their power. The Temple works to promote the Numen so that it may achieve full ascension. The Saneyir, who communes with Malin, helps to ensure which Numen are given priority on the path to ascension. Before one may enter Malin'or, the Numen must prepare themselves further for deification entering into one of three stages of their ascension. I.Wandering Spirit. This numen is weakened from the experience of apotheosis. They may not recall who they were or why they have changed. It is critical that disciples quickly find a wandering spirit and introduce them to familiar objects, establish their Shrine, and tend to their worship. The Wandering spirit must discover for themselves an accepted portfolio in the Heavens. Their portfolio often, though not always, should match their life prior to Apotheosis to prevent a disjointed experience. The Wandering spirit is sometimes at the whims of their aspiring worshippers. A benevolent Elf who is perceived to have been a violent one by its believers will begin to adopt the traits of its worshippers, even if this did not reflect their true personality. They should also at this time be aided in discovering their deific avatar, how they will appear to mortals, and their followers should develop iconography that will aid in their worship. Sanctified Spirit. When a numen has grown into their powers, they are prepared to continue their ascension as a Sanctified Spirit. They will commune with followers at their shrines and establish a preference for the month and lunar cycle in which followers may call on them. They should actively bestow gifts on their followers and serve as benevolent protectors of those practicing 'The Way'. When Malin alone has deemed the Sanctified Spirit worthy of entering Malin'or, they are ascended as full Deities. Shade. Vengeful and violent, Shades are numen that have garnered a set of believers who actively promote its violent behavior, are the result of a failed Apotheosis, or were rejected by Malin during Ascension. They are extremely dangerous; Sanctified Spirits and Disciples are called to end their pitiful yet dangerous existence. In some cases, the worshippers who created the lesser deity must also be eliminated to fully destroy the Shade. Authors Depiction of Malin, protecting the mortal realm. The Ascended: An Elven God in Malin'or Upon ascension, the Elf takes their rightful place with Malin in heavenly Malin'or. Taking for themselves the title of Prince, their name and portfolio. They are now committed to an eternity of maintaining 'Malins Mantle' and responding to the prayers of mortals on their chosen month and lunar cycle, within the sites of worship dedicated to them. The Path to Malin’or is not for the unworthy…. Many will, and have, tried and failed to ascend to holy Malin’or. Those who bargain their souls for any reason, those who are filled with doubt, and the unworthy shall never come to reign as our Father and King has commanded. They shall never sit on the Princely Council. Those with the dedication, the willpower, shall rise to Malin’or as a God of descendant kind - taking up their sacred duty. This scroll was ended, but not the last of this bundle - did it provide what you hoped when you unfurled it? A quick glimpse at the next few pages showed expanded, detailed documentation to elaborate on some topics written here. This was a story, however, for another time - perhaps take the time to truly understand what you just read. [CONTINUE READING THE SCROLL TO THE NEXT PAGE]