Algung
The Legend of Algung
Before the new world of Ager Ethe was discovered, along the crossing rivers of Noven and Rye, Algung’s people, a calm of Kiyomen and Mescrit were nomads. They grazed the lands surrounding the river as they wandered the banks north and south over a hundred years. So deep in the wildfire territories they rarely came across other tribes, but one day, they found themselves at a wall. Not only had a city been built by Barchhra and Niym, the surrounding area was nearly clear cut of the trees which Algung’s people ate the fruit of, and the forests were hunted barren.
Violence lead to the end of the settlement. Algung’s people grew over the next hundred years, and his name became The Law of Oschedrere. “We do as we must to survive.”
The Algung Law, Oschedrere is cited by many different cultures prior to questionable acts done as a means to an end.
“Records show Algung as a reasonable leader. He wasn’t a warlord but a chieftain worthy of respect. Even so, modern interpretations of his Law often land in the realm of taking what you need or want in spite of whether it is yours or not.”
Algung in art is depicted as a mammoth of a man leading his people into conflict. The symbols the Graand of Algung bare are of a lower jaw, bare of flesh.
Halls of Algung
The Halls of Algung where his Graand meet and dine are welcome to anyone like most of the places built in honor for the legends of the Gorerce. The Halls of Algung are places where you can find the Algung Graand working to uphold the law of Oschedrere.
Those who are Gorerce, and outsiders who request it, may be brought to any of these halls in stead of being taken to other prisons where they may work in exchange for food, shelter, and proper pay.
Algung Graand
The Algung Graand have grown from judges of their own people to lawyers representing those who have fallen far into poverty or in with bad influences. Their day to day lives are spent fighting an ever growing system designed to incarcerate the poor and needy. Less than a hundred years ago they only helped Kiyomen and Mescrit peoples and families, but as the system continues to try to eat itself from the bottom up, they’ve taken to representing anyone and everyone.
Griyfe
The Legend of Griyfe
Griyfe was a simple Kiyomen mercenary soldier. During his life he didn’t stand out or make a name for himself with any one particular event. He survived thousands of battles. Performing as a simple soldier as expected. Taking heads where he could and protected his allies. When he perished during the second war his lifelong beloved began telling his endless stories of different moments making him a hero whose small exploits had made him a giant among their people.
The Griyfe Law, Parvacherthe is cited as small acts of bravery or kindness. A blessing for the moments which really matter.
“Griyfe is among the most recent legends. His exploits are often the ones which are thanked for the general acceptance of Gorerce communities. Those who became his Graand are typically beacons of community across species.”
Griyfe is depicted in art as a small soldier on a battlefield surrounded by giants of every kind. Surviving the chaos through good dead and good fight. The symbol of the Griyfe Graand is a banner of cloth with no allegiance.
Halls of Griyfe
The halls of Griyfe are gathering places for their community. They often house training rooms for people who want to learn self defense or are working towards joining a militia. These places are so welcoming communities of all kinds find themselves meeting people and going out in service of the local areas they are found in.
Griyfe Graand
Almost all of those who become Graand have spent years in service to a militia or as a mercenary. They teach good sportsmanship goes a long way, but fighting dirty is sometimes necessary to win. The Griyfe Graand are also the leaders of local crime watch militias, and will stand up for the people in their communities.
Jilt
The Legend of Jilt
Jilt was a freedom fighter for his people. When Gorerce first began integrating into other species societies they were often abused, paid slave wages, and put into dangerous jobs with little compensation. Jilt saw this disparity and fought his entire life to make sure him and his kin made a worthy living. He died for it, in a riot started during a hunger strike. One of the few martyrs in history who didn’t lead to all out war. His death is still taught in schools about how poverty erodes the lives of the people who suffer it.
The Jilt Law, Oschegremzin none shall be paid less than fair for labor of any kind, to offer compensation in abuse of ignorance of capitalism is murder.
“Jilt was an outspoken man. He was put up front and center as his rhetoric was strong. The Law of Oschegremzin may be among the simplest to understand, and the least misinterpreted laws of the Gorerce.”
Jilt, of all the legends, doesn’t have many depictions. Those few textbooks which include him have a kind looking Kiyomen, often in a setting of an interview or negotiation, and the texts read about how to spot financial abuse. The symbol his Graand wear is a pen spraying ink on the signature line of a contract.
Halls of Jilt
There is only one or two Halls of Jilt in each of the cities. They are strong centers for unions to establish outreach for the people looking for work who are often less advantaged. Many of the non-Gorerce unions will also be among the people gathered at these halls, always ready to represent anyone who is looking for work in earnest.
Jilt Graand
No one will fight harder for you to make sure you make a living wage than a Kiyomen or Mescrit Jilt Graand. Their sponsorships are legendary for getting good jobs, proper raises which align with real increases in the value of labor, and they often visit businesses with pay audits, ensuring no one is getting left behind. A famous Mescrit, Keeper Stylish, once said, “A difference in pay for the same job is an excuse for the greedy.”
Lom
The Legend of Lom
Lom is among the few Legends who wasn’t a war time hero. He was a logistics legend. He made life good for his people, and that was enough the old ways didn’t cause him to lose his life to someone who thought they could do better. His people were happy and healthy.
The Lom Law, Parvalozt is cited as the ultimate respect for the needs of the body reflect the needs of the village. Everyone must have clean drinks, and clean food.
“Without a doubt, when Lom became the Warlord in Oler Althe, his reign was the divide between the Gorerce being thousands of nomadic calms, and the Gorerce becoming a true civilization.”
Lom is depicted as a older Mescrit, sitting cross legged around a fire surrounded by other Mescrit and Kiyomen warlords with his hand held up in reasoning in stead of command. The symbol for the Graand of Lom is the trunk of a tree, an expression of having an exposed neck.
Halls of Lom
To this day, the Halls of Lom are meeting places for community leaders, business owners, and various factions. They are a sacred space where the fighting stops and the talking starts. It is nothing short of a death sentence to start a fight in the Halls of Lom. To do so is to make everyone around you pick sides.
Lom Graand
Arbiters of disputes, the Lom Graand are impartial, impossible to bribe or coerce, and are among the few who see no advantage in taking one side or another. They only settle disputes in a fair way with a ‘there is always a third option’ mentality.
Naglic
The Legend of Naglic
As the first son of Lom, Naglic took the reigns of a unified people and strengthened the integrity of their borders. As a nomadic peoples, Gorerce never had knowledge their land was owned by some other country’s people. When those people came and decided to clear out the Gorerce, thinking they were one small calm of Gorerce, they found Naglic summoned. He walked alone into their country, sought out those who killed the calm, and declared war. He was met with laughter, and not a tenday after, those whose humors echoed in his angry mind paid the price with the lives of their people.
The Naglic Law, Oschekine what is yours is yours, always be willing to die for it.
“Naglic paved the way for Gorerce to integrate into the societies of the other species. They fought tooth and nail for their territories. Their ancestral lands. They won. Now those who have come from Oler Althe to Ager Ethe find themselves able to be a part of everything as equals.”
Naglic in art is the smallest figure of a Mescrit standing at the door of a large cloaked figure who towers over him. A mask of laughter and amusement on its face The symbol worn by the Naglic Graand is a closed door.
Halls of Naglic
The halls of Naglic have become a large part of the Runscriptia Records. They deal with property rights for Gorerce and other species who request their services.
Naglic Graand
Naglic Graand are extremely serious when it comes to property and ownership rights. Still to this day, the Graand will stand up for those who hold fast in their place, even to the point of getting violent in the courts occasionally if even the slightest hint of encroachment is found and left unresolved.
Retz
The Legend of Retz
To be famous as an entertainer withstanding the test of time is a tough bit for anyone, Retz is legendary because he was a party animal. The beginning of the rage mage began with this legend. From booze to fireworks, singing, dancing, and feasting with the entire community.
The Retz Law, Parvaberrion is to treat your neighbors like family, and if you do, they become family.
“I went to one of these parties, I don’t remember that night.”
Retz in art is a topless Mescrit who is shown in the middle of a crowded room drinking from a tankard of ale. The symbol worn by Retz Graand is usually a frothy mug.
Halls of Retz
The halls are decorated for the season and every single night there is always at least a small crowd. On big celebrational nights these places are packed. On any given night you can go and get some grub and a drink or two.
Retz Graand
The best hosts, the Retz Graand welcome anyone and everyone any time of day. Their halls are consecrated, none of the militias are allowed in on duty, nor are they allowed entrapment. The Retz Graand are among the strongest warriors of all the Graand. Bouncing is tough business.
Zezzazz
The Legend of Zezzazz
The birth of the traditions of the Graands. Zezzazz is often credited which creating the pool for which all laws became possible to enforce through the strength of legends and heroes.
The Zezzazz Law, Oschechram cites there is magic in everything.
“Zezzazz reaches so far back into history we have few records of her life. According to most resources I’ve found, Zezzazz was a woman child born between an Origin and an Aulrufae.”
Zezzazz is depicted in art as a young woman standing between an Origin man and an Aulrufae woman. The symbol worn by her Graand is that of a real heart.
Halls of Zezzazz
These places are all generally unique from each other except they house teachers of magic and writing.
Zezzazz Graand
The Zezzazz Graands are true shamans of their culture. They teach others how to use basic practical magics and also visit families in their communities to help out with tasks too difficult to do by hand.
Legends of the Old Wars
“They [The Gorerce] live by laws spoken by the long dead legends of their people. Ideas of how things should be dictated by the dead. Celebrating the wise who achieved incredible feats in their lifetimes. Though, most of those feats may be summed up as the number of lives erased in violence win or lose.”
Atria
The Life Giver, Taker
We often say we leave the Giver when we are born, and we are walked to our afterlife by the Taker. Giver and Taker are one and the same. When there is a newborn, it is said you may find a shadow cast by nothing and no one. In death it is said you may find a shadow cast by nothing and no one.
Atria is the one who brings our consciousness and soul together into our bodies. She is life. He is death. Both one in the same. The fill of Atria marked the moment of Onum. The Vaia Codex says so, in its translations, when Onum began to rise, all consciousness and all souls were then trapped within our mortal coils. It is said we go through cycles until we are once again worthy to be taken by Moridoa, until then, Atria ferries us from one life to the next.
Those who align with the Atria Wordsake often claim their tenants are they only which will truly and finally make your consciousness and soul worthy of rest.
“In the records, Atria is more often made a reference as a deity who records birth and death. I find it puzzling, but when I visit Runscriptia, keeping accurate records is as close to godliness these people may achieve.”
In places of birth such as hospitals, and in the travelling packs of midwives and doctors there are depictions of Atria. A long shadow cast by an invisible observer. Those who don’t believe say the deity’s art provided by these practitioners is the only reason there is an extra shadow.
Runscriptia
Runscriptia is both a place and a concept. In their halls, their people, their only purpose is the collection of accurate information. From birth records to death records, what school people went to, what property they own. Atria’s Runscriptia keeps all records public and private. Their Pylons spend their lives performing the census, and auditing transactions.
Atria Pylons
Record keepers, all of them. Atria Pylons are inquisitive, and they keep notes. Even in their personal lives and social banter the information they collect goes into the records. They are discreet, putting anything they find in private record unless it is knowledge required to be public by the bylaws of Runscriptia.
Alter Rina
The Martyr, Sacrifice
Alter Rina was a woman from Oler Althe who traveled here in the early years of the empire before the rise of Voric. They say she found him and taught him much of what her Pylons continue to teach to this day. A well educated society who is entertained and does not need for the elements of survival is a peaceful one. Security begets decadence, certainly, but it also makes space for the arts and scientific advancement.
There are many who believe she was a deity from the old world, come to Ager Ethe to save it from needless, empty violence. As best as she could. She was humble and shared knowledge freely, and those people who believe in her continue to be beacons of hope for anyone who is falling behind or struggling to make ends meet.
There is a famous saying among those who follow Alter Rina. “If we were all willing to sacrifice until we no longer had enough for ourselves, all would live in abundance.” With the way the world is, however, this philosophy falls short time and time again.
“Alter Rina was the last of the Origin written about in the Vaia Codex. She brought organized education to nearly all the major settlements of Ager Ethe, and started what eventually became the Nutricia Conglomerate.”
Alter Rina in art is a depiction of the woman’s face. Usually with a sad look. A look which is asking for something she’ll never get. The symbol of Alter Rina are her initials, a well calligraphed A and R said to be her handwriting of her own signature.
Nutricia Conglomerate
Every building constructed within the limits of any city are required to have and maintain a garden of food and medicinal herbs which are publicly available. These gardens are cared for by the Nutricia Conglomerate and the Alter Rina Pylons. In addition, the conglomerate produces food of all kinds in the areas surrounding the cities.
Alter Rina Pylons
They are teachers, mostly. They teach people how to grow and make food, their collages study logistics, medicine, and nutrition. Most of them are kind and patient, charitable to a flow.
Dane Mor
The Orator, Conflict
Dane Mor is one of the more personable deities of the Origin. While we know in meta knowledge he was in fact a deity, his humanity to the public is both endearing and the reason why those who followed his work found it so easy to adopt his doctrines. The codex states he expressed empathy towards the living conditions of the people. When he talked the walk, then walked the talk his integrity and oration caught like wildfire among the people.
The speeches he spoke as he traveled from city to city are all in the recordings. They continue to be studied today by young and old storytellers alike.
“The teachings of Dane Mor are simple, yet, in many places unachievable. Finding common ground isn’t easy when the ground is what is in question.”
The Dane Mor depiction is an empty stage surrounded by a packed audience. His Pylons don’t have a symbol for him, but they are easy to pick out of a crowd. They tend to be entertainers, gossipers, news writers, pundits, and public speakers.
Quile Rights Advocacy
Probably the largest gathering of public speakers is the Quile Rights Advocacy. The works of Dane Mor are the foundation for many of these groups. The Quile Rights Advocacy has a few locations in every city, and for a small fee they may represent individuals who are struggling to communicate as intermediaries. There isn’t an employer in all of Ager Ethe who hasn’t had a meeting between an employee and a QR Advocate about pay or some other issue happening in the workplace.
Dane Mor Pylons
Dane Mor Pylons are quick witted, have a grasp of media laws, and serve as intermediaries in meetings where a party feels unheard and needs someone with a strong voice to get their point across. These well spoken orators support communications in families, businesses, and public relations. Outside of media and advocacy, they are also messengers who may be hired to deliver spoken-only words from one person to another.
Etre
The Shield, Sword
If someone needs saving, we are there to help. If there is dispute do not take sides, yet be the cease of violence. Peace is above all, and if achieved, settlement may be claimed. We are not arbiters. We are those who bring violence to an end.
The teachings of Etre have always been to refrain from killing, but also to put an end to violence when met. Those who follow him pick up the shield before the sword.
“We all have a hero or two. A willing guardian or someone who was willing to step in to save the day or the moment. Etre speaks of this in the dictation portions of the Vaia Codex. Protecting others is the natural response.”
Etre is one of the few deities with depictions in a wide range of scenes. Almost all of them are of heroes saving the day. The symbol of Etre is the shield. Many long line families have a Shield of Etre baring their house symbols.
The Panrike Diligence
Etre is the patron for all of the Panrike Diligence Militia. While his teachings are sung in nearly every militia, the Panrike treat his teachings as pure doctrine. They are form and orderly and willing to die for their people. The Panrike are welcome in most places, but they are strict and many consider them oppressive if they’re left unchecked in places. They’re willing to take freedoms for the sake of security. They typically work with the other militias to keep order.
Etre Pylons
True Etre Pylons are unaffiliated with the Militias. They wander with their shields in hand teaching anyone who asks how to defend themselves. They are easy to spot because they tend to wear a shield on the back and in their hand, and all someone needs to do is ask for their extra shield and they will give it.
Ferra
The Pack, Family
It is true most humanoids are capable of pack bonding with any species. Ferra is proof of the possibility of coexistence. Understanding is the core of the Ferra beliefs system. The ideal centered on mutual understanding and respect. Preserving the rights of animals and beasts as if they too had a voice and stake in the world which they live.
“When reading the Vaia Codex, Ferra is a reference commonly used when it comes to pack behavior and other interactions between people and beasts.”
Ferra in art is usually depicted as a woman surrounded by animals of all kinds. Her symbol is a simple leaf with a small mouse sitting on top of it.
In Ferra
The In Ferra has become a law in most cities over the last century which requires the cultivation of habitat to be preserved within industrialization, these laws have forced manufacturing underground where it goes unseen and does the least to disturb the world above. In Ferra is often cited as propaganda to increase costs of setting up industrial systems and those same systems tend to be biased towards secrecy. These same laws push any structure built to support growth of life over city infrastructure.
Ferra Pylons
Usually disconnected caretakers of the wild habitats between cities. Ferra Pylons fight to prevent the spread of modern construction farther into the forests and other natural landscapes. Most of them are non-violent, and do have some level of legal knowledge in their constant fight against civilization’s encroachment into the wild.
Moridoa
The Gatekeeper, Death
All who paint for death are of the Morridoan Cleft. If it is your time, your time will pass swift. There is no suffering when it comes to the end. Only the ceasing of your time in the temple of your body and with any hope, getting carried through the gates by Moridoa herself who weighs, judges, and determines which afterlife of them all you will go and remain unto infinum.
“I’ll add this note and these few paragraphs here at the end as a summary. All keeping in mind those who dig too deep on the subject of Moridoa tend to die young and of unnatural causes.”
Moridoa is not depicted in art directly, but in any one of the thousands of manifestations of death. The symbol of her is the Cleft of a broken stone revealing nothing but darkness.
Moridoa Cleft
We don’t really talk about it. For good reason. It’s just a bed time rhyme. A warning.
Moridoa Pylons
…
Voric
The Tyrant of the Vor
Almost everyone has a memory walking alongside the man. Asking his advice and getting well thought out, empathetic, and kind answers. It nearly seems unreasonable to believe it. How could a single man walk along with millions? The question is answered in the Vaia Codex in a few different ways. Either it is a mass hallucination or Voric does have the power of deities supporting his often called tyrannical reign.
“In the less evolved places, Voric is hailed as a deity. The empire provides food and other supplies to less fortunate places to help them grow. These packages are often treated like gifts from a deity. He is our living emperor, though. It’s hard to think of him as anything other than the head on top of the mountain of our civilization.”
Voric is depicted in art wearing his armor with the stone castle in the background. Few other images of him exist. The symbol he wears is two lines representing frequency.
The Empire
It exists in many states. Those who are aware of it whole see it for what it is. The preservation of every state of governance. The entire empire is a collage of our hierarchical structures throughout time. Such a strange choice for preservation, all to prevent the death of multiculturalism.
Voric Pylons
Static
Origin Deities
“We blame and beg these figures, these collections of qualities given personality, given names, and given domain. Bedtime stories with little to no truth. We turn our backs on them or embrace them to the sacrifice of ourselves in hopes of miracles. Then some day when you’re minding your business and horrible things happen followed by blessings and silver linings and we call them miracles and bow our heads once again to the Origin. I don’t believe they are different than us, I think they just have incredible power.”
Aescri
The Great Spirit of Scribes
The Great Spirit responsible for the generation of ideas and their manifestation to reality from the runes and symbols embodying their essence. As children, Aulrufae will be called Aescri by parents and tribe when they align with the passion and focus it takes to master the written languages both symbol and meaning.
“The Great Spirit Aescri is an interesting bill of thought. Writing itself has power. The uniqueness of the handwriting has as much power as the words the symbols represent. There are entire Aulrufae tomes on the subject. In the writing we predict the future as we share the past.”
Aescri in art is depicted as any scribe focused on their work. A scroll and a pen held by anyone anywhere busy at putting ink to paper is a gentle reminder of the presence of Aescri.
Shrines of Aescri
In many libraries their are tables where anyone may go to study, write notes, and practice quiet Runscriptia. Those believers and donors for Aescri often donate parchment, ink, and quills to libraries to keep these shrines stocked with offerings to the Great Spirit.
Aescri Mystics
The Mystics of Aescri have a certain kind of power with their written word. (wip)
Lihlel
The Great Spirt of Rhythm
Primarily thought of as a divine feminine of beauty and grace. Lihlel was a Aulrufae aristocrat who spent her life dancing, organizing festivals, bringing an otherwise nomadic people together. When young musicians begin to make sense of their craft and emotion becomes synchronized in the notes they play, Lihlel is thought to be both guiding and entrusting them with bringing others together.
“Lihlel is the word for the synchronicity of song and dance in Aulrufae Culture. That I found history of a living woman was a surprise to me. At the time of writing this, I’ll be visiting her in Ancrese in less than a month’s time.”
Lihlel in art is depicted as a graceful woman in a deep forest green gown caught mid-step in a dance nobody else knows.
Shrines of Lihlel
Most family homes of Aulrufae have a Shrine to Lihlel. Usually a place where they keep a few instruments in the living area. They may also be found in public at the occasional corner where musicians will pick up the instruments and play at random for the passerby on the streets.
Lihlel Mystics
There is magic in the literal sense in dance. The Mystics of Lihlel have a dance for every occasion and they send out waves of health or disaster in their movements.
Orire
The Great Spirit of Conquerors
Also known as the Joy of Victory and Anger of Defeat. Orire is the shout of celebration and the growling promise of coming retribution. Called on in frustration for blessings and thanked in resolution. Orire to the devout grants incredible strength. It is said that as a Great Spirit, Orire is unbiased and will gladly offer his boons to both sides of a war for those who offer their obeisance to his spirit. Those who blame Orire for their losses are thought ignoble. Glory is the ultimate prize.
“Orire is screamed by victors and whispered by the defeated. At first I believed this was the word for mutually ending conflict win or lose, but in the study I found he is their spirit who favors honor when it is present.”
Orire in art is depicted as someone back to back with themselves, the same face victorious on one side and defeated on the other.
Shrines of Orire
A Shrine of Orire is usually filled with trophies, achievements, and letters of defeat. A celebration of accountability and victory.
Orire Mystics
Orire Mystics are warriors through and through. They thrive in combat and tend to spend their lives sparing and fighting day in and day out. They are honorable fighters, and find joy in their conflicts.
Roshreph
The Great Spirit of Reason
Lost in contemplation, hindsight, the root of cause and effect, and discerning the difference between correlation and causation. Meditating in the spirit of Roshreph is a common daily practice of many Aulrufae. Coming to understand reasons and possible changes to better one’s life or approach and solve a problem is considered a gift from this Deity.
“Roshreph I have heard many times. It translates as, ‘Let me think about it.’ It wasn’t until I could read the words I understood another Great Spirit was at work.”
Roshreph in art is depicted as a small silhouette of a person standing on top of a mountain peering off into an endless horizon.
Shrines of Roshreph
These small boxes scattered throughout the empire are filled with books of many different kinds. Free for anyone to drop them off or pick through.
Roshreph Mystics
Often thought of as confidants and therapist. The Roshreph Mystics are excellent listeners and will wait until you’ve fully expressed yourself before offering advice, or a good silence to let you think things through.