The Three

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Revision as of 18:40, 24 May 2016 by Abstractsense (talk | contribs) (Added some stuff from Brother Gudazar in Rhoneis, and added some links)
The holy symbol of The Three.

Background

According to the teachings of The Book of the Moon, The Three were once mortals. They Ascended together to become gods, as there cannot be only one divine power. Without each other, The Three would not be of fruition. A hundred years ago, The Three saved the newborn kingdom of Ilmara from the Witches of Orogg. Since then, they have watched over inhabitants of the kingdoms, guiding those in need. The teachings say that they are real beings, living among us in the kingdoms. The Three are Arbenos the Warrior, Nivaria the Merciful, and Thelume the Wise. Little is known about The Three, as Arbenos and Nivaria are veiled from clerics of the faith. Thelume is known to be human-like and talks as "we" do. Unlike other cults, clerics of The Three have divine powers.

Clerics and Priests of The Three

Clerics and Priests of The Three can be found all over the Exiled Kingdoms doing good in the name of their faith. Brother Gudazar, one such priest, claims that most people in the Kingdoms pray to The Three now, instead of the old Imperial Religion. You can find priests preaching and healing at altars, setting up encampments in inhospitable places for the less fortunate, battling Undead and the forces of evil wherever it may lurk, and upholding the faith with their divine blessing. Unlike other cults, clerics of The Three have divine powers granted to them.

These powers are gained at birth, and while some of the blessed choose to dedicate their lives to the worpship of The Three, many others simply ignore the religion altogether and simply make use of these powers for their own gain. Apparently, The Three don't punish them in any way for this life choice.

Church of The Three

The Church of the Three is strong in Ilmara, and it quickly extends over the other kingdoms. It worships the three god-like beings that Ilmarans found in the Thyr Mountains. The High Temple is located in Nivarian, with Thelume's Crystal Palace nearby. The Church has influence in most areas of all the kingdoms. Its faith appeals to the common folk who do not associate with the Imperial Religion. There are no large churches of The Three in Imperial kingdoms. The brother of Baron Storme is the High Priest of the Imperial Religion and has large disdain for the "cult" of The Three. As such, members of the higher class do not follow the faith of the Church of The Three.

Arbenos the Warrior

The holy symbol for Arbenos' Might

Arbenos the Warrior, Champion of Justice and Defender of the Innocent, is the warrior god among The Three. Though it took all three to defeat the Witches of Orogg, Arbenos is the one who defeated the Sorcerer Queen of Orogg. He took into his chest, her evil spell of Doom, which would have destroyed the whole Kingdom, and locked it away. Being a god, Arbenos did not die from this feat, but grew weary and disappeared to find rest. It is said that Arbenos resides somewhere in the highest peaks of the Thyr Mountains to meditate and heal, until humanity needs a champion once more. Clerics of the faith are capable of calling upon him to grant them the power of Arbenos' Might.

Nivaria the Merciful

The holy symbol for Nivaria's Barrier

The goddess that Nivarian is named after. She built the city with her powers, for the faithful Colonists of the land had lost everything. She is the Merciful Mother, founder of the Kingdom of Ilmara, and first Holy Queen. She no longer rules Ilmara, legend says she now rests under Lake Nivar. She fell in love with Xoladan the Just, ruler of the Colonists that founded Ilmara. After the Witches of Orogg were defeated, they ruled together and made the kingdom strong and prosperous. Xoladan grew old and passed away, filling Nivaria with a deep sorrow. She then left to rest under Lake Nivar. Clerics of the faith are capable of calling upon her to grant them the power of Nivaria's Barrier.

Nivarian and Lake Nivar

Nivarian is the capital of Ilmara. It is where Queen Simarie, Holy Queen, rules the kingdom from. It is named after the goddess Nivaria, founder of Ilmara, great-grandmother of Simarie. It contains the capitol, High Temple, and Crystal Palace. It is the location of the Azure Throne.

Lake Nivar is the large lake which Nivarian is built next to. It is a major border between Ilmara and the kingdoms of Mercia and Varsllia. The waterways feeding Lake Nivar provide passage for pilgrims and Clerics of the faith to and from the kingdom. It is said that Nivaria's resting place is somewhere under Lake Nivar.

Queen Simarie

The Xoladan dynasty still lives on to rule Ilmara from the Azure Throne. Queen Simarie is the great-granddaughter of Nivaria and Xoladan, lineage of one of their three children. She is the current ruler of Ilmara. She rules the kingdom from the capitol in Nivarian. Queen Simarie is said to have "divine blood" running through her veins, being a descendant of Nivaria.

Thelume the Wise

The holy symbol for Thelume's Wisdom

Known to be human-like and talk as we do, Thelume resides in his Crystal Palace near the High Temple in Nivarian. The Holy Queen Simarie confers with Thelume and some Ilmaran Exarchs also receive his teachings. According to Brother Gudazar, Thelume instructed Simarie to only build temples in large cities that need them. It is said that he changes a man's life, with just one word. Clerics of the faith are capable of calling upon him to grant them the power of Thelume's Wisdom.