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.”
Gorerce Legends
Algung
Before Vaia was even a small port town on the edge of a continent in total war with itself, a tribe of Gorerce wiped out an entire kingdom of Sapiens fifty leagues to the west of the coast. Their War Chief was Algung. Possibly the latest, and maybe the last Legend of the Old Wars. His victory was sung high and low, and with it the last laid law. Oschedrere articulated as “We kill who we must to eat.”
This saying has evolved into meaning “We do as we must to eat.”
The Algung Law, Oschedrere is cited by many different cultures prior to questionable acts done as a means to an end.
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 thanks for small acts of bravery or kindness. A blessing for the moments which really matter.
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.”
Origin Deities
Am, The Life Giver, Taker
Where there is a newborn Am may be found among the shadows cast in the lights nearby. A shadow cast by nothing is present. Where there is death, two shadows cast by nothing are present. Am brings the dead into a new life or shepherds old souls to finally rest.
Am depicted in art is a second shadow cast by the recently passed, and when the depiction is of birth, an extra shadow cast by an observer who must be invisible otherwise.
El, The Shield, Sword
Before we draw our swords we must first raise our shields. El is a Lighthouse deity, lending power to those who risk their lives to protect others.
Ulmfae Spirits
“When I first began studying their religion, I was shocked by the shear volume of values they revered. At first I blamed the translation. I thought the communication concepts were describing traits of individuals. Now, as I’ve become fluent in the language. These words are as much the general concept as the names of the spirits in their pantheon. The Wordsake are living beings. All with irrefutable proof of divinity.”
Aulrufae Deities
Aescri, The Great Spirit of Scribing
The Deity responsible for the impregnation 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.
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.
Lihlel, The Great Spirit 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 in art is depicted as a graceful woman in a deep forest green gown caught mid-step in a dance nobody else knows.
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 Deity, 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 in art is depicted as someone back to back with themselves, the same face victorious on one side and defeated on the other.
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 in art is depicted as a small silhouette of a person standing on top of a mountain peering off into an endless horizon.
Vishchash, The Great Spirit of Yearning
Wanting is a constant struggle for the addicted and the eventual delight of the patient. Vishchash in wanting is the grand chaser of fulfilment, and the consequential teacher of moderation and poise. Vishchash in waiting is the great attractor, knowing the satisfaction of having.
Vishchash in art is depicted as wealthy of a kind, surrounded by their wants whether family, trinkets, or gold. A grin on their face speaking wanting with true satisfaction already in the lines of their eyes.