Boknice275

"Hokhmat?" The spiritualist mused upon examining the missive, noticing it's striking resistance to Rah'mun language and the spiritual lexicon of Ka'tau. "Who are these pretenders who dare to forsake Heka and the blessings of the Divine Three for the void? They dare to subjugate a sovereign people to pursue their wicked machinations? Nay, these are sorcerers of Keop, master of the void and sower of darkness in our lands. May the Ra'tuhmet's light blind these agents of darkness and wreak havoc in the camps of chaos." The leopard-skin wearing elf rises from the desert sands he sits upon and looks towards the sun, stretching both of his hands outwards. "Hear me, Ra'tuhmet, these pretenders shall not remain invisible to your light for long!" The elf then went off to meditate, plan, and strategize.

Grymus Irongut sits within his quarters whlist smoking his mahogany pipe. He notices the missive come across his desk and after a few moments of reading through it, his eyes widen. The dwarf's pudgy fingers press against the temple of his head as he contemplates the matter. Ursus was his friend and comrade. But most importantly, he is a son of the Brathmordakin, a fellow dwed; he could not simply pray for his return, he would have to seek it out himself. The dwarf rises from his chair and picks up his staff, proceeding towards the exit with determination. "Oim comin' tae find ye, Ursus. One way or anothae, thae loight o' Armakak shall drive yeh from Khorvad's grasp an' back tae da embrace o' Anbella." The Dwarf mused, continuing his way to the Dwarvish capital.

Hesthor, bovine spirit of Pure Waters, Preservation, and Bovine Purging. [!] After a long time meditating within the walls of the Krugmarian capital, the Amun Prophet emerges from his chambers and pens the following missive, sending it out across the lands of Almaris. "I, Atemu-Ta, hath heard the voice of the Divine Three, the enforcers of the universal order of Ka’tau. Ka’tau is the underlying force of Creation which binds it together, and commands all denizens of reality to uphold it. Hesthor, bovine spirit mother of pure waters, preservation, and bovine purging, hath given me in specific a message for the denizens of Almaris following a recent gathering of her court. Hesthor, as a keeper of Ka’tau, has executed her judgment against the recent foes of Ka’tau. Her words are as follows: Ra’kah: “For too long has Almaris been at the mercy of thy enemies, and thy foes of Creation. As it spoken in the hidden scrolls, beloved, a time of Ultimate Judgment shall be the undoing of all those who oppose Ka’tau. I shall ride alongside Kalthet and the Lord of Eternal Sunlight Ra’tuhmet, and our combined powers shall consume the destroyers of Creation. Worry not children, for it shall come to pass. But until that time, I am come to strike down upon thine foes. The Moris, Kerr fallen far from the waters of purity, are now far beyond redemption. They spread chaos and destruction throughout the lands and harm mine children. They use corrupt sources of power to fuel their war machines and destroy the lands. No longer. I grant my Divine milken waters and their Light to purify and purge the Moris and send them back to purity’s grasp, where they belong, for further judgment. I also command the complete purging of the Moris strongholds wherever they may arise, by constructing a shrine in mine glory, imbued with thine divine authority which shall cause all contrary powers to cease. I also call for the divine transformation of the lands by invoking my power and spreading it throughout the forests. Destroy their strongholds and convert them into vibrant ponds of milk, water, and honey, divine in their formation. My name shall be the bane of all sowers of destruction upon this plane, should the wielders of Heka. Ru-ka: It is well known in my domain as well as throughout the mortal realm that Celia’nor harbors, aids, and assists the machinations of the impure. Several impure exist among their ranks, using their resources to corrupt the world. My domain condemns any and all domains who abide the impure and calls for their immediate cleansing by the wielders of Heka and all denizens of creation. Judgment has been rendered upon such fallen domains. I bequeath upon you, my children, the immaculate milken waters of my domain to bring to bear upon the allies of the impure, and the impure themselves. May the milken water fall upon and consume the whole of Celia’nor, both it’s capital city and it’s vassal states in a tidal wave of divine fury. All impure will face this tidal wave of purity soon, for mine prophecy declareth it. They shall be completely consumed by it and judged within the throne room of the Ra’tuhmet. Ho-ta: Worms, dragons, and other world-destroying creatures spoken of in false prophecies have also received mine judgment. The world of Men will not be overcome by the impure, for their weaknesses shall consume them from the inside-out, I declare. The impure shall become consumed with their own sins and devoured by them. All weapons and attacks turned against the realm of Men shall be reversed back to them; they shall fall into their own traps, I declare. Through my emissaries and faithful servants, I now release a wave of milken waters from my pools of bovine purity over the lands of the spiritualists, Aaun, Celia’nor, Nor’asath, the far reaches of Almaris, the hidden crevices where the impure dwell, in their dens and their factories of destruction. This release of my waters shall manifest in the exposure of all the impure, the failure of their plans and operations, their destruction in battle, and their complete removal from this realm. Heka shall see it through. So shall it be.” Taka-tu: The Inferi and their wicked allies the Nazterak still roam these lands, spreading afflictions and corrupting impurities with impunity. No more. I hath sent a burst of milken light to arrest the movements of these Infernal actors and their machinations. In particular, I call for my faithful to invoke my name against the great enemy Kazul and Keop. Their days upon this realm are numbered. This shall be manifest by my servants and mine prophet. I declare. My children, I leave you with the following admonition, taken from the prophecy of Milken revelation: “Drink from these sacred pools, my children, and ye shall never become thirsty.”

We are all living examples of Creation’s wonder, and it is our duty to venerate it fully Ka’tau is the organizing principle of all life. - -Excerpts from ancient hieroglyphic writings discovered in the tomb of the Amun Prophet, the founder and first priest of the Ka’tau faith. What is Ka’tau? Ka’tau, simply put, is a faith that puts emphasis on the nature of reality and the aspects therein. It is an ancient spiritualist religion once practiced by a set of desert-faring tribes collectively termed the Rah’muns. According to the lore of this ancient faith, all of Creation emerged from a void of vast nothingness upon command of the Lord of the Eternal Sun, bursting into existence upon the growth of a fireball now known as the Eternal Sun. The period from this creation event to now has been governed by what is called “Ka’tau,” the existential principle of order, harmony, and justice. From Ka’tau, Rah’muns believe they can access Heka, or divine magic, and use it towards the ends of defending Creation and strengthening its aspects. Heka is starkly distinguished from the arcane arts and other varieties of magic due to its source, which emerges from Creation as personified through the spirits. As such, Heka is only accessible to the faithful and those duly allied with denizens of Ka’tau through proper spiritual practices. Ka’tau adherents worship three major figures (named the Divine Three) in order of significance: Ra'tuhmet, Lord of the Eternal Sun; Hesthor, lady of pure waters, preservation, and bovine purging; and Kalthet, lady of Grand Warfare, Rah’mun crusades, and siege machine offensives. There are a myriad of other deities within the Ka’tau faith, but the Divine Three are the most significant aspects of creation. Ka’tau’s rays give rise to life and render it visible; Hesthor’s waters preserve the body in its proper state, and purges impurities and corruptions; finally, Kalthet’s shield and sword protects the Rah’muns from from all enemies in battle. These three entities are ubiquitous throughout Rah’munian mythos, legends, and hieroglyphic writings. They are often invoked when the time if appropriate in daily life in many different ways. During the morning, Rah’munians are expected to bow towards the sun and recite several prayers for Ra’tuhmet’s flames to burn brighter. In addition to that, they use wax figurines to represent their deities and other ritualistic tools, such as incense, water, herbs, and jewels to accompany their prayers. Rah’mun culture is full of a variety of rituals and practices: a prayer for daily cleansing, a ritual of strategy in devotion to Kalthet, and so forth. For the Rah’munians, rituals are a way of accessing Heka, upon which their entire cosmology is based. The Divine Three Ra’tuhmet Ra’tuhmet upon his throne radiating with solar power “And to ye, my children of Ra’hu, I bring light. And the light shall persist throughout your lands forevermore; kindling in your souls. You shall bear my light and share it for all to see. The forces of darkness shall not consume ye, and eternal night will never manifest.” - Prophetic Scroll of Ra’tu, 1:1 Ra’tuhmet is the spirit of eternal sunlight and solar wrath. According to Ra’humian lore, he is both the originator of the universe and its flaming source. Heka is said to reside within the core of the eternal sun, and only answers the call who first understand Ra’tuhmet’s resolute power. While Heka as a concept far transcends one entity, it presupposes the existence of creation, all of which originates with Ra’tuhmet’s primordial power. One of the most powerful of the three, Ra’tuhmet’s power is the fuel for all of creation; sunlight nourishes crops, wards off the dangers of darkness, is closely related to fire, and makes all discovery in the world possible. By this logic, any denizen of darkness (literal or metaphysical, including the void) is an enemy of Ra’tuhmet. Ra’tuhmet’s second aspect, solar wrath, manifests towards enemies of the light. In Ra’humian lore, Ra’tuhmet goes to war against a nameless primordial entity (believed to be related to a primordial spirit of darkness) called “Keop” whose goal is to consume the light - and by consequence all of creation - to bring about the end of times. It is believed that Keop’s power causes all manner of spiritual corruption. Every night, Ra’tuhmet rides his golden chariot of sunlight into Keop's domain accompanied by Kalthet surrounded by hosts of other spirits and helpers and wages war against Keop and his hosts. Sunrise is associated with Ra’tuhmet’s eternal victory, hence earning him the title “Lord of the Eternal Sun.” Furious bursts of sunlight, solar flares, stars dying out, all are said to represent some variation of Ra’tuhmet’s fury. Daily rituals to Ra’tuhmet include burning black wax figurines of Keop and stomping upon them whilst praying for Ra’tuhmet to prevail over him. Some devotees create pictures of Keop and spit upon them, then trample upon them, or drown them in blessed water while also reciting a variety of curses upon his name. Others create wooden figurines and tear them apart limb-by-limb while reciting some of the same curses. In strict lore terms, Ra’tuhmet is considered a lesser of Aztran, and some of the Rah'mun belief about him is greatly exaggerated. Hesthor, Lady of Pure Waters, Preservation, and Bovine Purging. Two prominent depictions of Hesthor. “All you bearers of my sacred milken waters of purity must hear this: I am come to deliver your souls from the temptations of all who deny mine waters. The Aengu-daemons, the deceiver Iblees and his machinations, the false idols of the humans, and the tools of Keop shall fall beneath your feet as you call forth my milken purity. Maintain your souls like pools of sacred water that reject all impurities that may assail you. Herd your soul like sacred bovines in a barn and never divorce thy conscience from thine conduct. Drink from these sacred pools, my children, and ye shall never become thirsty.” - Ancient Prophecy of Milken Revelation. Hesthor is perhaps the second most important figure out of the “divine three.” Whereas Ra’tuhmet births life, Hesthor preserves and cleanses it within her divine milken waters. Some Rah’ums contend she is perhaps more important than Ra’thumet for the mere fact that every ritual and act of Heka must involve an invocation to Hesthor. The Rah’uman culture emphasizes cleansing everything, from one’s self to dwelling places, grave tombs, buildings, religious sights, and even ceremonies before they commence. No Rah’uman can practice Heka without the Cow Mother’s blessing. In Rah’uman lore, Hesthor was birthed from a second burst of sunlight that occurred slightly after the initial creation event. This burst of sunlight was made of pure blue fire infused with divine essence which was the purest thing in existence at that time. From that, Hesthor built her domain in the spiritual realm and helped recruit the first men and elves - the initial tribe of Rah’mun, according to their lore - to the cause of purity. She particularly infused her essence into a certain crop of animals in the primitive world which are now known as cows. Initially these bovines were humanoid, bearing features of both elves and men and acting as emissaries of Hesthor’s milken waters. A catastrophic attack from Iblees, however, wiped out most of the humanoid bovines and caused the rest to hide by assuming a purely animal form. Till this day, Rah’muns believe all bovines bear the divine essence of the Cow Mother and they, along with their milk, must be preserved at any cost out of respect to her. Cow milk, pure waters, and olive oil are all sacraments to followers of Hesthor which can be used to cleanse impurities and preserve the soul. Whereas Ra’tuhmet is focused particularly on warding off “dark” creatures, Hesthor’s wrath encompasses all sources of impurity and deviant authorities, even those considered “holy” by groups like the Paladins of Xan or the Templars of Malechediael. Having said that, the Rah’muns have historically applied Hesthor to more pressing evils, such as the spawn of Keop, infernalists, necromancers, and other forces destined to corrupt Creation. Indeed, some of the most powerful and vicious forms of Heka are invocations of Hesthor against impure beings. Mythos describes priests of Hesthor conjuring bursts of white spiritual essence in the form of a giant wave or mist encompassing the targets of Hesthorian Heka and striking them with immense, crippling pain or outright killing them. Much like Ra’tuhmet, Hesthor also has a unique foe of her own, though he is merely one of many entities who have locked horns with her over the centuries. Kazul, a greater Inferi from the Moz Strimoza, is considered another prominent adversary in the Rah’mun faith along with Keop. Kazul is blamed for the destruction of the humanoid bovines, and is cited as a lieutenant in the forces of the Arch-deceiver, Iblees. He is often depicted as a towering wolf-headed brute overrun with infernal strength, bearing accursed weapons. His armor is described as leaking pools of blood red malflame, the same kind which also appears on his ears and mouth. There are numerous incantations of Heka to use specifically against Kazul, the Inferi in general, and the Arch-Deceiver Iblees, all of which invoke the power of Hesthor in some form. Hesthor is often depicted as a white cow glowing with ethereal light. She oftentimes wields a crook and flail, which are common cultural artifacts for the Rah’muns. In actuality, Hesthor is a lesser of Scorthuz whose power has waned since the near-extinction of the Rah’muns. Kalthet, Lady of Grand Warfare, Rah’mun Crusades and Siege Machines Kalthet upon her golden throne. The enemies of you, my children, may have masses of armies and weapons, but I have vested you with wisdom. With my guidance you shall see the weaknesses of your foes and strike at them at the right time. And when that time comes, my hand shall guide you to victory. - Ancient scroll of warfare, Kalthet prophecy Kalthet is the patron of grand warfare, rah’mun crusades, and siege machinery. In Rah’mun lore, she is a dedicated ally of Ra’tuhmet in his war against Keop, organizing grand strategies to outsmart and upend the horror’s machinations. Unlike a typical war god, Kalthet’s strength comes in both her strategic prowess upon the battlefield and her use of specific instruments of war, although she herself is a formidable foe throughout different mythos when she must fight directly. Kalthet worship reflects the Rah’muns emphasis on planning over sheer prowess in war. Building siege equipment, spears, and swords whilst beckoning the wisdom of Kalthet is considered a sacred ritual. Every victory in combat is considered a ritual to Kalthet, as is every modest defeat. Kalthet oftentimes appears as a lion-headed woman with a halo over her head who wields a bronze spear and sword. She is sometimes depicted as commanding an army whilst standing behind a set of siege machines. Worship of Kalthet is one reason Rah’muns emphasize purity and intellection over sheer strength. Strength can crush one’s enemy, but intellect can outsmart them ten-times over. Rah’mun texts claim Kalthet will return with the Divine Three to usher in a crusade to wage war the enemies of Creation and their deities permanently from reality. This final event is called the “Ra’Tuh.” Until that point, she grants wisdom to her adherents to overcome the enemy through her wisdom. Kalthet is a lesser of Vulka. Fallen Deities The fallen deities of Ka’tau, known as Rek’tugs, are the chief object of scorn amongst the faith’s adherents. These entities are not worshiped except by the most deviant and outcast of Ka’tau. Legends abound of dark magicians - those who pervert Heka - invoking the name of the Rek’tugs in their practices. While there are countless Rek’tugs scattered throughout Ka’tau text, only two are emphasized in daily Rah’mun life: Keop and Kazul. Keop A Manifestation of Keop “The world was made imperfect. And by my might, I shall render it perfect in MY image.” - Keop to Ra’tuhmet during one of their battles. The origins of this monstrosity are unknown, but his presence is ubiquitous throughout Ka’tauian literature. Keop is known as a powerful spirit of fearing the darkness whose express goal is to plunge the world in darkness, making him opposed to the Ra'tuhmet's eternal light. As mentioned previously, Keop is the subject of much scorn from the Rah’muns, being invoked in violent rituals to empower the Divine Three against him. Worship of Keop is quite taboo amongst the Rah’muns and is punished by death, should the practitioner refuse to be cured by Hesthor’s pure waters. Keop is constantly at war with Ra’tuhmet and Kalthet, whereas Hesthor also opposes him but in a less direct manner than the aforementioned. Keop worship includes spreading fear, bringing forth darkness into areas where it does not belong, and other actions that defy the order of reality. It is believed that a select few Keopian priests (shamans) have a direct link with Keop, and take orders from him to spread his will throughout the lands. These particular unknown individuals are called the “harbingers'' and remain specific targets for Ka’tauian priesthood. Kazul Kazul’s final form. “To the infernal hells all souls belong, for true power is found in rebellion against all.” - Unknown attribution Kazul’s origins are less opaque, but this figure still excites much terror within the hearts of Rah’muns. Kazul is known as a bloodthirsty Inferi from the Moz Strimoza who, according to legend, is a lieutenant in Iblees’s army. Kazul is said to command his own regiment of lesser Inferi that he uses to terrorize denizens of the world. In Rah’mun legend, he played a role in wiping out the original bovine humanoids who served Hesthor, igniting the ancient rivalry between the two forces. His chief adversary is indeed Hesthor, who is prophesied to overcome him during the final battle. Kazul is a lesser focus within the Rah’mun faith compared to Keop, who is seen as an all-encompassing foe, but he is still taken quite seriously. There are several prayers and rituals within Ka’tau specifically directed against infernalist beings like Kazul, most of which are recited daily by practicing Rah’muns. Some of these prayers include requests for Hesthor to eviscerate the infernalists, and others are more involved rituals which involve casting figurines of Kazul and Iblees into pools of blessed water to “drown.” Much like Keop, it is believed that certain dark magicians can commune with and even summon Kazul, and those individuals are considered targets for the faithful. Rah’mun Principles Brotherhood is immutable. Do not betray a member of the tribe unless they violate the Ka’tau, or the Heka. In this rare case, bring them before Ra’thumet for judgment. Ka’tau is everything; Heka is the essence of everything. Using Heka is tantamount to manipulating creation itself. The Divine Three are resolute and come before any other entities. They are the true deities. Purity is not a preference, it is a requirement. There must be no compromise with the impure or the wicked; Hesthor’s waters consume them. Prayer is not optional; a true Rah’mun is a praying Rah’mun. The intellect is much stronger than the sword alone. Allow your mind to guide your sword through Kalthet’s example and you shall never lose. A Rah’mun is one who recognizes his role as an agent of Creation. The impure and the allies of darkness cannot receive the blessings of the Ka’tau. Ka’tau, not one’s own opinions, is the guiding principle of everyday life. Keop and Kazul shall fall, as shall their followers. Show no mercy in the war against these forces. OOC:

Brilliant stuff. Hope this gets approved!

[!] The bronze-colored Elven man stares at the missive with his characteristic blank expression upon his countenance, conveying no visible reaction to it's contents. After a few moments pass he merely shakes his head, crumbling up the paper and proceeding to stomp on it several times. He exclaims: "Those who seek to poison CREATION with their egotistic arts dare construct a false idol to fortify their destruction? May their machinations be burnt up by the Eternal Sun, and their remnants washed away by Hesthor's pure waters!" [!] Atemu then makes his way back to Krugmar, intent on doing a ritual of praise to the Blazing Lord.

I'm not sure I like the fact that witchdoctors hexes are restricted to pre-set domains. I think it makes sense for all spirits to have similar capacities (they can do mental or physical effects) that manifest with their specific aesthetic. Not sure it makes sense to restrict a Scorthuz hex from blinding an impure because it's not in his domain, and so on. Perhaps you could consider making that detail a bit open-ended? But other than that detail, I think this is a very well done rewrite and I look forward to seeing how it develops.

[!] The Grand Inquisitor reflects upon news of Adrian victory from within the depths of the Balian Basilica. He sighs as he contemplates the various political and theological implications of the day's events. He finally musters up a few words. [!] "GOD, let not your people continue to suffer the reign of the Anathema. Let your will happen through the proper means, and may we hear your voice to find the correct path." [!] The knight then closes his eyes once more, losing himself in deep thought as he contemplates Canondom's future. [!]

[!] The following missive is distributed throughout the lands. “It has come to the attention of the Holy Inquisition that a dragon has been unleashed in western Almaris. Intelligence sources tell us that Krugmar was instrumental in unleashing this dragon, and that the Rex of the Iron Horde attempted to offer the dragon sacrifices shortly before it was unleashed. Make no mistake: the Holy Inquistion stands against any and all threats to the safety of Canondom, including rash decisions made by other state actors. Furthermore, we condemn Rex Borok’s attempt to pacify such a violent and volatile creature through unsavory means, such as sacrifice, although this is consistent with his alleged previous behavior. His actions have not only condemned the people of Canondom to an even more dangerous world than previously thought, they have also made the whole of Almaris far more dangerous. We would suggest that if the Rex Borok seeks diplomatic relationships with the Kingdom of Men he not seek their ultimate destruction. The Inquisition will investigate this matter and return with another notice of advice on how the domains of Canondom can remain safe from this draconic threat. For now, here are a few cursory tips: firstly, keep a square eye on the skies and flee if you hear roars in the distance or sight the dragon, remain out of clear view. Secondly, we advise the Kingdoms of Canondom to establish catapult defenses in and around their cities. Thirdly, we advise a summit of human nations to further discuss plans against this threat. The gates of death will not prevail against GOD or his kingdoms. The Scroll of Auspice prophesies that the Sons of Krug and the tribes of Ulgaard and Aehey will accompany Exalted Owyn in his ultimate battle against the forces of Iblees. Owyn shall raise his sword of flame, endowed with the fire of GOD’s holiness, and render destruction upon Iblees and his flock forever. No witch, warlock, or sorcerer shall withstand this event of divine retribution. We would encourage all the faithful to take solace in this fact, and for Rex Borok to recognize the inevitability of this prophecy for his own sake. The Sons of Krug will help save the world, not hasten it’s destruction at the whims of an impulsive leader. The prophecy will come true and this draconic foe, just like his master Iblees, will be consumed by the fire of GOD. Stand strong, kingdoms of Canondom and the world. Signed,

The Burning of An Occultist Darkspawn pride themselves on being able to infiltrate the lands of Canondom under the veil of secrecy and manipulate the societies of the holy from the shadows. Some use alchemical science to alter their appearance to deceive unsuspecting onlookers; others assume positions of power and use them to wreak havoc. No more. The season of the wicked and their subterfuge is over. The Holy Inquisition recently captured an infamous poltergeist who once went by the name of Orion, now nicknamed the Harbinger of Death, a known criminal who has committed several acts of terrorism across Canondom, including the charge of murder. Orion previously had a hefty bounty on his head in Petra. Upon further questioning and interrogation of Orion from Grand Inquisitor Ser Philip the Righteous and Inquisitor Galadin, the Inquisition acquired intelligence about an enclave of Shorewalkers operating in the North. Orion led us to two very important locations, one of which is a house owned by an elven woman who is our Occultist. Upon questioning of the suspect, led to us by Orion in his attempt at redemption, we encountered two things. The defensive maneuvers of a silver tongued mystic, and aggression displayed by her sister. Rejection and denial is all we received when speaking to the two, until we called upon our source: Orion. The moment the poltergeist was brought into frame and we made mention of our investigation into the Shorewalker enclave, the two began crumbling. With every word, it seemed a new story had been procured. After sufficient evidence and testimony for trial, Galadin and I had simply departed - not wishing to deal with the meanderings of the aforementioned parties. Only hours later we were surprised at the church of Karosgrad by none other than the occultist with an alternate alias. Without a second to spare, the woman pleaded guilty to her crimes, claiming that she wished for us not to pursue her sisters. It was as if we were speaking to a completely new person, considering the fact that she then revealed that she had been under guise. Her alias was used to conceal her true name changed her identity in order to go into hiding. The occultist had no other choice than to allow us to detain her after such a severe confession. She then willingly decided to leave Karosgrad and accompany us to Balian, where we engaged in further questioning. After many more hours of conversation, and more instances of the Occultist being unrepentant for her occult practices, the inquisition decided that any further delay would threaten the safety of all who reside in canonist lands. With cooperation from local authorities in Balian, we sentenced her to burn at the pyre for the crimes of heresy and practicing dark magicks in canonist lands. Many Balianites witnessed GOD’s ultimate & resolute judgment befall this witch for her misdeeds against his Creation. Behold, let it be known that the bearer of this missive stands accused of heinous crimes against the divine order. The charges brought against them include the knowing harboring of a maleficent poltergeist within the walls of their home. Furthermore, it is known that they produced a corporeal body for this spirit, through dark and unholy methods that defy all that is just and righteous. Through this body, the darkened soul committed many crimes and the blame is shared between it, and its creator. Let it be known that these crimes do not go unpunished, and that justice will be served upon all guilty parties with due haste. Let this be a warning to all occultists, darkspawn, witches, warlocks, and servants of Iblees: your time is up. Your wicked altars shall shatter; your artifacts, trinkets, goblets, and iconography will become inert; your eldritch powers shall fail you at every turn. Your curses shall break and be no more. The trap you have set for the people of GOD will ensnare you in it's measure. The season of judgment has come and will be rendered upon all of you by the power of GOD, delivered by myself and other members of the Holy Inquisition. No matter who you are, how sly you are, or how powerful, evasive, and cunning, your wickedness will be exposed for all to see. May it be decreed and declared in the name of Almighty GOD. Amen. "I am the Lord God without peer, and My Word is the holy word, and My path is the virtuous path, and all the blessings of the Virtue shall fall before the righteous who tread it." - Scroll of Virtue, 1:9 Signed,

[!] The Righteous Templar smiles at the notice of his promotion to Grand Inquisitor. He looks out of his window towards the dunes of Balian and contemplates his future missions. He mumbles a few words to himself [!] "May every darkspawn in Canondom and beyond know their time in the courtroom of the Seven Skies soon awaits them."

“My child, you come to the world to be a beacon of light and purity to all. The gates of death shall not prevail against ye..” Those words echoed in the minds of Agis, the devout servant of Pharis, lesser spirit of crystalline purity. He opens his eyes shortly after receiving such a strong admonition of his soul, allowing it to permeate his being. A short time before hearing this voice, he took a cursed goblin on a sojourn to the Queendom of Purity to be healed from an unknown curse which manifested in the form of a glowing scar. All in a day’s work, the beleaguered Elf thought. The weight of the world rests on the young elf’s shoulders. Not even past the age of a middle-aged adult according to Elven standards, he faced several challenges: he was an emissary for an immortal power he truly did not understand. He dealt with a teacher, Pamphilos, whom he greatly adored but simultaneously departed from some of his methods. After all, Pamphilos was more than willing to consort with Sokoron, the famed Inferi who he believed is a champion of Qarkah, the flaming God of culling. Borok, the Rex of the Iron Horde, also had his own issues: he was mired in darkspawn practices and mentalities; he had no issue using coercion or threats to get his way and to expand his political power. He saw the spirits merely as a vessel for control, not praise, exaltation, or wisdom. And yet, at the same time, Agis fought side-by-side with Borok numerous times to defend the spiritualist lands from excursions. Agis had even tried to recruit more people to join the Iron Horde by spreading the religion of Pharisianism, an ancient belief he resurrected by rediscovering Pharis during a spirit walk. These conflicting emotions all colored the Elf’s perception towards life and duty in Krugmar. In truth, the young elf hated no one, and held no grudges. He simply wanted a baseline of respect. In the High Elven lands, they cling to vain notions of genetic purity and racial supremacism. But Agis did not believe such falsehoods. He saw the divine spark in every soul who had not openly embraced Iblees’s power, and sought to cultivate greatness in those who would listen. But do Borok and the Orcs know that? Do they even care? Were his efforts in vain? Would they one day pay off, like a long-term investment in an unimpressive market share? These questions course through his head as he grapples with the contradictions and conflicts of his life. Another matter he contemplates is the path of Uruk honorary. Agis had been told numerous times that he needed to endure physical and mental abuse to become an honorary Orc. And he had. Borok snapped his arm once, threatened to kill him innumerable times, and even openly bragged about working with darkspawn despite such behavior displeasing the spirits Borok claimed to serve. All of these obstacles merely caused Agis to persist in his divine mission at whatever cost. In his view, none of his comrades showed such dedication to higher principles over temporal, crude, primal selfish instincts. All are born selfish, but they need not stay that way, he thought. Duty is higher than vanity. But there was another matter on the horizon: a new Orcish cub called Forgot, whom Agis had a tense conflict with. Almost every time Agis set foot in the capital of Krugmar, he was met with some kind of physical or verbal attack from Forgot. The conflict began when Forgot attacked Agis for slighting an Immortal spirit, a lesser of Ankrus whose name escaped the Elf’s mind. Since then, Agis had been mired in a war of hot rhetoric which ultimately led to no action on his part. But Borok took this matter and used it to continually torture and terrorize the Elf, he thought, all in the name of an honorary process Agis had no interest in continuing. The conflict truly exploded when Agis called forth the judgment of Pharis upon Forgot in the form of a hex, which causes the victim to become overwhelmed with a throbbing pain that accompanies vivid images of their impurities. Uruks don’t believe in fighting with any other tool than one’s own hands when challenged to combat. But Agis did not see much of a reason to follow that rule if they didn’t, as Forgot tried killing him with an ax and a bow-and-arrow on two separate occasions before he used the hex. All of these unfortunate events led Agis to one single conclusion: not only would he no longer seek honorary Uruk status, he would quietly seek asylum in Nor’asath where he knew Qudlia, a close ally and friend of his, would keep him safe from Borok’s excesses. Agis went to Qudlia a few years back to convince her to sign Al’Uk’s declaration to overthrow Borok after it became clear of his darkspawn alignment. Conditions certainly have shifted since then, but if one thing is clear it is that Qudlia cared for Agis, even if no one else did. From there, he thought, he could continue the mission of Pharis and begin recruiting more people into her fold. He would survive this ordeal and, as Pharis had prophesied, weather the forces of Hades yet still. The Elf made a move on and walked into the capital of Krugmar for the last time, or so he thought. He was immediately greeted by Forgot, the Orc cub who had been terrorizing him, and attacked instanteously. Agis tried retreating from the conflict and calling Borok and several of the other Orcs for help, to no avail. One Orc did intervene, Ghoraka, but not before the orcish cub sent his full orc strength into Agis’s chest, crushing his ribs and upper-body almost instantaneously. Defenseless, Alviss the Dwarf stole his staff, which was a special gift by Pamphilos infused with the power of Pharis. Agis saw the light fading from his eyes as he raspily begged for his staff, and simultaneously told Borok he would leave Krugmar, should he survive this. At this moment the Elf heard all the internal workings of his body in one rhythmic tune; his heartbeat, pounding head, and aching body all communicated to him one immutable fact: death was on the horizon. The land he had fought for, despite his political and moral disagreements with the Rex, is the same land that would kill him for simply having a conscience. There was no time to become outraged or even to weep; he understood that the Queendom of Pharis awaits him for his dutiful service to her. Borok turned towards him with a bone dagger in tow and admonished him for wanting to leave to Nor’asath, calling him weak and not deserving of respect. The Orc then asked him one question: how would you like to die? Quickly or with honor? Agis, having resigned himself to fate, merely uttered a single phrase: “either.” The Red orc rushed him with an ax in tow and instead of attacking him he swung it directly towards the head of Ghoraka, the only Orc who sympathized with and tried to protect him from the ravages of Forgot. At that moment, Agis saw his only friend fall to Borok’s rage. There’s few things one has in life that are constants besides friendship, empathy, or other values not immediately known to man. And all of those things were cut-down in one fell swoop. Agis screamed, attempting to attack Borok to no avail, only to see him resurrect Ghoraka shortly thereafter. This was not the end of it for Agis. The Red Uruk bellowed to the surrounding Orcs a command to drag Agis along the road. They were going to a destination unbeknownst to him. He expected death to come quickly, but what Borok had planned was everything but quick, humane, or sane. They dragged his maimed body through the dirt with no care in the world, taking him up mountainsides, slopes, and stairs carelessly. His head whacked against the various natural obstacles several times, causing severe bruising and bleeding on his face and head. Agis in that moment was no longer Agis Penweather, respected devout of Scorthuz and servant of the Bronze Band. He was little more than chattel; property whose value was dependent on Borok’s whim. They finally reached their destination: the great Maw, a sacrificial pit devoted to a spirit often praised by Ologs. Agis had seen this place quite a few times, and even devoted himself to serving the great Maw when he first moved to Krugmar. Ironically, the very object of his devotion would be his downfall. Borok announced the charges as Agis’s body was hoisted to the edge of the pit. Robbed of his dignity, staff, and the little status he had, the barely conscious elf listened as Borok smeared his name, insulted his standing with the spirits, and announced his demise. Agis took some peace in his eventual fate. In the Pharisian faith, death is merely the process of becoming one with conceptual purity. Once dead, the Pharisians believe the devout of Pharis would become divine themselves, and sit on the right side of Pharis in service to her ends in the spirit realm. All things considered, that did not sound like a bad prospect. But the Red Tyrant, Borok, had other plans. As Agis sat idly on the edge of the sacrificial pit, Borok raised his hands and began invoking the name of Ogrol, spirit of entrapment and sapped strength. Agis knew this spirit was known for trapping the souls of the afflicted and keeping him in a prison in the spirit realm. At this point, every fiber of Agis’s being screamed out in terror. He would not be relinquished to Pharis’s Queendom should his soul get captured by Ogrol. His eternity would be endless imprisonment and little more. Did he truly deserve this fate? Justice didn’t seem to matter here, only power. Perhaps the elf’s naive view of the world is to blame for his current predicament. Maybe he was too kind. Maybe he was too diplomatic. Or perhaps he did everything right and the bad guys still managed to win. Isn’t that life, after all? All these thoughts coursed through Agis’s mind as the power of Ogrol ravaged his body. Broken bones, warped flesh, and other guttural fates immediately befall Agis, leaving him nothing more than a mangled ball of flesh at the end of Borok’s ritual. The servant of Pharis met an unjust end, and now his eternity is bound to be worse than his time on the material plane. The gates of death prevailed against Agis, indeed. And not a single soul stood against it.

[!] The Scorthuzian elf shakes his head at mention of the removal of Motsham position. He rejoiced for peace and unity amongst the spiritualists, but he remained disappointed. "Another power grab by the Rex to displace wise leaders with hand-picked sycophants. The true threat will always come from within!"

[!] The Prophet of Pharis and servant of Scorthuz exhales as he gazes upon the missive. Ultimately, the spiritualist nations would not be divided by internal politics during this perilous time, but an Inferi still exists among their flock. He knew that if a cure was not pursued immediately, Scorthuz would no longer grant his favor to the people of Krugmar, nor would the lesser of Orcish purity. With a sharp exhale Agis rises to his feet and makes his way towards throughout the Nor'asthian caves to a chamber he prepared earlier. He falls to his knees and begins muttering something. "O' Pharis, crystalline Queen of Divine Purity, grant me wisdom during these times..."

Eminence is in sore need of a boost. Let's do this! +1

I am a fan. +1 Good luck on this, lads!

[!] The Scorthuzian elf merely smiled at the missive. After being threatened, berated, and manipulated by the Buurz rex, and admonished by his naive mentor, the Elf finally felt avenged. He nods his head and states. "May Scorthuz's will be done, and may judgment fall harshly upon the man who threatened my life: the Rex."

I'm a fan. +1

[!] The Scorthuzian shaman merely shakes his head in disbelief.

Pharisianism I come to you, my beloved, to bring a kingdom upon the world; a kingdom much like mine in the ethereal plane. A kingdom where all traces of grime, dust, and imperfection are eradicated. A kingdom where crystalline purity beams in the hearts of all who inhabit it. A kingdom where my sword pierces the heart of all Buurz-spawn and their father, Iblees, the Captain of deceit and betrayal, and where mine children are schooled in the art of purging. Indeed, in my kingdom there are many rooms, but all of them contain virtue. I give you power over the impure of the world and their children, should you hear my call. No serpent shall tangle you, no arrow shall pierce your breast, no voice of evil fold you into its measure, nor shall any worm or dragon entangle you. Will you hear my call and beckon my blessings to establish a fount of crystalline beauty upon your world, or will you shut your ears? My vast pools of perfection wait for you, my children. My legions of crystalline warriors and divine magus stand in my realm waiting for your invocation. But it is up to you to heed my call, for if you do I shall answer.” - An excerpt from the Scroll of Pharis, translated from Old Blah into common by her shamans. What is Pharisianism? Pharisianism is a rediscovered spiritual faith thought to be remnants of an ancient religion practiced by followers of Scorthuz, the spirit of purity. Pharisian lore dictates that the Scorthuz worshipers of old once used crystals to connect to the spiritual ideal of purity. Through these idiosyncratic practices, Scorthuzian shamans discovered a realm of shimmering crystal light during a spirit walk, and heard a soft voice coming from a woman made entirely of numerous brightly colored crystals; Zoisite, Wulfenite, Quartz, and Tiger’s Eye were the most pronounced of the innumerable materials lining her humanoid body. The woman announced herself as Pharis, spirit of divine purging and crystalline purity, and spoke on several matters concerning spiritualist lands, philosophy, and the world. Pharisianism is based off of several ‘scrolls’ which contain translated text from their conversations with Pharis. Several ancient Scortuzians became devout followers of Pharis after this, whereas many simply saw her as insignificant next to Scorthuz himself. For the latter reason, Pharis worship has been largely forgotten and was only rediscovered by Scorthuzian elf Agis Penweather. The scrolls have been preserved and contain the basic ‘ethos’ for Pharisian beliefs. Who is Pharis? Pharis is the lesser spirit of crystalline purging and divine purity under Scorthuz. She embodies Scorthuz’s emphasis on destroying impurities, through force and prayer, and she emphasizes the concept of purity through crystal metaphors. Crystals, for Pharis and her followers, are spiritual tools that connect mortals to Platonic ‘forms’ (perfect ideas) that express the true desires of purity. Crystals are often associated with light or untapped energies, all of which can be used for the purposes of purity. Pharis starts at one basic premise: everything is energy. And the difference between a spiritualist and a non-spiritualist is their recognition of their fact. Crystals, given their supposed divine connection, are conduits of this energy. Only when crystal wielders tie these tools to divine powers, like herself, can they access this universal energy. Purging is conceptualized rather viscerally under Pharis’s philosophy. Whereas crystals represent pure uses of energy, they can also be used to clear poor manifestations of energy, such as buurz spawn, voidal corruption, soul taint, and so forth. The main difference between Pharis and Scorthuz is their aesthetics and emphasis on spiritual access. Many Scorthuzians use water and other tools as vessels for Scorthuz’s power, though ideally Scorthuz’s power can be exercised through many mediums. For Pharis and her followers, crystals are an essential part of spiritual worship, because they have their own spiritual significance independent of her; though they can only be used effectively with her blessing. Unlike most Scorthuzians, Pharis also believes crystals are not merely tools, but also gateways into higher understanding. Thus, it is not odd for a Pharis follower to wear crystals all over their body, or use crystalline tools or weapons in work and combat. Pharis’s form of purity emphasizes the inherent divinity of all who seek to wield it. Mortals are merely divine spirits residing in a fleshly coil. If mortals have divinity in them, she argues, then you must remain pure of mind, heart, body, and soul as a divine being. Pharisian divinity should not be mistaken as saying her followers are Gods; far from it. Pharisians believe they are transcendent, and can overcome the imperfections of their mortal coil by applying Pharis’s wisdom and guidance throughout their life. While no mortal will ever be perfect, they can come quite close through wielding Pharis’s principles (and power) when necessary. Those who forsake purity and give in to soul taint have lost their divinity and must be purged, lest they bring the same fate upon the rest of the world. The crystalline kingdom cannot manifest in the face of corruption. Tenets of Pharisianism Remain pure in body, mind, soul, spirit. Do not entertain to words, indulge behaviors, or even eat foods that will cause corruption to any aspect of your being. All buurz-spawn must face crystalline judgment. Call upon the name of Pharis as you rid the mortal plane of their influence. Virtue is a matter of habituation. Practice daily cleansing through water blessed by Pharis, and use crystals to meditate on matters of life and soul. Show no measure towards impurity. Any action or behavior that conforms your soul to the world or contrary spiritual powers is impure. Practicing the void, consorting with buurz-spawn, consuming substances that cause your passions to inflame - all should be avoided. Pharis demands worship, but she is not a jealous deity. You may also honor other spirits of a similar nature to her, so long as she is glorified through your relationship with them. Children are the most precious manifestations of divine potential in the world. You will spare them and protect them when you can. If a child is afflicted with soul corruption, you will not harm them. Bring them to Pharis’s cleansing waters. The life of the mind feeds the soul; read and consume as much knowledge as possible, but stay wary of the knowledge of evil. The soul is more righteous than the body; do not judge others for their appearances or identities, but evaluate their souls. Excerpts from Pharis On Purging: My children, thine has gifted you the ability to tread upon the machinations of the deceiver and the impure. By calling forth my name, or any of the patrons of my Crystalline realm of purity who bear my authority, you have total dominion over all forms of corruption or taint. Let my name guide your sword and spear; may it reinforce your shield, and cover your soul from the seductions that would rend it unpleasing to my sight. Before you purge the impure, beloved, bless your blades with sacred invocations to my name, for it is the language of victory. On Virtue Children, are you not a spirit? You are a soul contained within a coil, not mere coil alone. As a being of divinity, you must order your soul in accordance to its measure. Meditate on my teachings; call my name in your times of curiosity and wonder; follow my tenets, keep your actions regulated by things of the spirit. Then and only then will you embody the true virtue of purity. On Children All descendants are souls contained in mortal coil. But my children, none are more innocent or precious than children. The youth of a child represents their future potential; a divine spark waiting to get lit into a blazing light of growth. You must preserve the soul of a child as long as possible. If a child is afflicted by the dark one, bring them to one of my priests or my sacred waters, for that is the way of crystalline light. On Canonism Children, do you not know that you are all created divinely? Pay heed not to the words or deeds of those who would convince you that divinity rests beyond the world or in the numerated skies. Divinity is in you, my children, and you must call upon my name to access the Crystalline fire inside of you. Upon death you shall join me amongst my crystalline kingdom in a pure state, should you heed my virtues and remain pure. Beloved, do not fall prey to the political and social machinations of organized churches, used by corrupted men to spread impurity and destruction across the world. Follow the Crystalline light to my realms and you shall remain forever sustained, in this life and the next. On Sacrifice Children, I have called you out from the practice of ritualistic and human sacrifice as a sacrament of worship. Such practices as sacraments are both barbaric, impure, and beneath my calling to you as transcendent beings. My name shall be honored by admissions of the spirit, not burnt flesh. However, it is quite righteous and pleasing to me to extinguish the impure & the wicked through such means. But this is no offering, children. It is merely a righteous act of purging in my name, and it shall be treated as such. On Magic True magic, my beloved, rests in the crystalline power of my kingdom. I bequeath upon you the cleansing fire of my form, my sparkling waters of my kingdom, and the brilliant sapphire light of my throne room, upon which you can transmute and transform even the most stubborn circumstances. All authority that comes from outside of the realm of the spirit, such as that of the wretched Inferi, buurz-spawn generally, or the void, are contrary to my blessing. Avoid such entanglements lest your soul be rendered null in my eyes. On Aengudaemon worship Beloved, do you not know that purity is a divine ideal? My form is established by immaculate ideals, conceptions of purity and virtue that are indecipherable to the mortal mind. If you were to gaze upon my true form, your mind and mortality would shatter into bits. Do you not know that you are inheritors of a divine ideal, moving ever-so closely towards a transcendent state through my teachings? Never shall you be greater than me, beloved; but one day shall you assume my nature, like all others who inherit my kingdom. And yet, there are those amongst you that claim the mantle for divinity for themselves. Entities such as glowing idol Xan, or the wretched Azdromoth, the deceiver Iblees, the troubled Malchediael, and others I have not yet mentioned. All of these beings presume divinity and do not recognize your innate god-spark. My beloved, be wary of those entrapped by such forces, and do not pay heed to their so-called ‘blessings’. Focus on your soul and meditate on my teachings, for they are the only true path to transcendence. Allies of Pharis A set of spirits are oftentimes worshiped and invoked alongside Pharis by her followers. These spirits are not numerous and are not seen as competitors to Pharis, but forces that compliment her goals. Okal - Spirit of the Sacred Knowledge of Crystalline Purity and The Occult - Lesser of Theruz. And there I saw a bright light manifest in the form of a man, wreathed in flowing crystalline robes and wielding a brilliant fire in his hands. He spoke to me with a golden, booming voice and said "my brother, receive the gift of the knowledge of purity, for through it your soul shall flourish!" And with a roaring crack of thunder my spirit was filled with pure bliss; I had received the knowledge of my future, should my soul remain on purity's path. - Excerpt from Scroll of Okal, divine magician of knowledge. Okal represents the divine manifestation of righteous knowledge. Pharisians call upon Okal to gain more insights into purity in general, and they invoke his power against profane words and knowledge that come from Buurz, Aengudaemons, and other contrary forces. Pharisian shamans have been known to wield him against darkspawn Magi to counteract their incantations and spells with the divine might of crystalline language. Furthermore, Okal is used to gain knowledge into esoteric matters without having to resort to seers, psychics, or other beings that may not honor Pharis or her concepts. He takes the image of a magician wearing long white robes. Dromond - Patron of Crystalline Fortitude and Strength - Lesser Aspect of Leyd And there he stands: a titan in our hearts, the giant of purity's fortitude stands at the ready upon our call. When we invoke him, our bodies become awash with supernatural strength; our spirits and morale are made unassailable; and the impure tremble in the knowledge of their eventual fate. Lo', for when I called upon his authority to best the Inferi, I saw buurz as tall as towers sputter and writhe as their infernal power would no longer work for them. They began attacking their own ranks, falling down en masse, whlist the forces of purity remained emboldened. Friends, this is the power bestowed upon us through Pharis's servant Dromond; the power over even the most intimidating of enemies. Fear no man or spirit with this bulwark of righteousness by your side. - Excerpt from the Scroll of Fortitude, spoken by an ancient Pharisian prophet. This spirit takes the form of a hulking, towering golem made of various crystals. He is the mightiest warrior in the Pharisian canon and can be called invoked to strengthen one’s own mind against impurity, and to strike at the strongest of the impure. He promises victory to all who faithfully invoke his name. His will can also be turned directly against the impure, for he represents the might of Pharis manifest into solid form. Pharisian warriors often invoke his name during battles with mighty foes, and crystal armor may be worn to express gratitude for the spirit's protection.

[!] The Scorthuzian elf meditates in the holy temple of the Ker that towers over Nor'asth, Luara's city. He reflects on the events of the day in light of several factors, including his duty to Scorthuz's Ivory kingdom of Purity and Cleansing. Sarah was only the beginning, Agis surmised; darkspawn, the impure, the spook afflicted throughout spiritualist territories -- and Almaris for that matter -- must be pursued, put to trial, and purged by the power of Scorthuz. But with the worm on the horizon and Iblees agents sprinkled throughout the continent, this would be no simple feat. He mutters a few words under his breath amidst this contemplative state "The Kingdom of Purity shall be made manifest upon this realm. I prophesy it, by the name of Scorthuz. And with the power vested in me by Almighty Dazkur, as a wielder of his Aegis, all foes to this end will find our efforts unassailable. These words shall not come unto me void.." [!] And with that, Agis returns back to his meditative state, loosing himself in the things of purity, virtue, protection, justice, pure concepts that represent the spirits he seeks out. There was much work to be done.

[!] The knight gazes over the missive for a moment with a pained expression on his countenance. After a few moments of silence, he shakes his head and speaks. "Either the church fully excommunicates these heretics and declares a holy crusade, or it loses all credibility in the eyes of the FAITHFUL. May Almighty GOD's judgment upon these deceitful darkspawn sympathizers be swift."

This makes sense to me and is a much needed addition. +1

I like it, though I would add that Nephilim flame is vulnerable to air or water evocation (malflame, for example, disperses upon being hit by a T3 Air evo spell)

[!] The Armakkakin wizard, clad in golden robes that bear the symbols of his Sunlit Patron, gazes upon the announcement from the high prophet. With a sly smile upon his face, the wizard gazes towards the steps of the Grand City and trudges forth with pride, shouting: "May Armakak's loight shoine brightleh upon our efforts, lads!"