tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74867311481379129922024-03-05T03:40:45.631-08:00Dagger ArtsERIC!http://www.blogger.com/profile/18251132223571608976noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486731148137912992.post-56495070431580625552022-06-23T20:45:00.000-07:002022-06-23T20:45:01.493-07:00Cloak of Feathers: Witches of Ganth<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fO3vzHZfB1hvnh1hYjwcFixO8JCSOOdw_ez_CkkGxtpxNCN5TSQ1PhIOrF-jr25clfLiYEac4R40dhEGD8P7eB39K2MGKryvLfRkMoDIYsHclTwkhxEaJzAW1_IV5kRcYwRqLL54MqQ/s1600/wildwood-seer.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fO3vzHZfB1hvnh1hYjwcFixO8JCSOOdw_ez_CkkGxtpxNCN5TSQ1PhIOrF-jr25clfLiYEac4R40dhEGD8P7eB39K2MGKryvLfRkMoDIYsHclTwkhxEaJzAW1_IV5kRcYwRqLL54MqQ/s1600/wildwood-seer.jpg" width="198" /></a> Witches are not something you choose to be in Ganth, it's a birth right, something man has dealt with since the foundations of Wynter. Not born of hate or of wickedness, like the Daughter's followers would have you think, nor tainted by foul demon blood like the Jinn of the Golden Cities. The Witch is something strange and different. They are neither bane nor boon to the lives of those dwelling in the lands of Ganth. They are here but not "here". They have the ability to see into the in between places of the Veil of Worlds, and call on those that dwell in these places. Spirits of the forgotten and lost, the dead that are not dead and the yet born and never born.</p><br />Some may think they are called by elf or by Fae but this is not right either, the elf has no understanding of the Witch's place in Ganth, the Witch's arts are not of the Fae or Seelie Courts. Witches carry the crafts of Man that harm the Fae iron and wrought metal are as natural to the witch as any dwarf or man of Ganth. Witches it is said stole fire from the gods, and tricked the Fae to bring magic to Man.<br /><br />Witches it seems are just creatures out of place, not welcomed by Man nor Fae, they exhibit a strangeness. They try their best to be left alone to remain neutral but from time to time they rise or fall for good or ill. The Hags are the result in a witch falling to the sway of power and Chaos, and the White Witches are an order of witches dedicated to the cause of Law.<br /><br />Witches it is assumed base their magic off the natural world, that like Druids they are bound to and off the natural world, this is untrue. Witches are unnatural, not of this world, as elves are to Fae so witches belong to some source or place not fully revealed. Because of this Elves avoid Witches like they disdain human cities as something not wholly natural, and Druids, Druids hate witches to the point of starting wars of genocide.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaZ2Y1HF_bGEmcUi2xG7h11ODQWp7vtQDylF_STy-lhzn-Gm8gRUVDGtTpSkgbTMJ90bGsbT7WTGZFP3M1Q4ynT-8bZO5PctIg9tD4s_2xK_6QuK67SD8QREDs9w7GO7DqqkKZAXl8Dw/s1600/The_Witch_by_ines_ka.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaZ2Y1HF_bGEmcUi2xG7h11ODQWp7vtQDylF_STy-lhzn-Gm8gRUVDGtTpSkgbTMJ90bGsbT7WTGZFP3M1Q4ynT-8bZO5PctIg9tD4s_2xK_6QuK67SD8QREDs9w7GO7DqqkKZAXl8Dw/s1600/The_Witch_by_ines_ka.jpg" width="234" /></a>Witchcraft and the practice of magic by witches is nothing that can be taught to non-witches. It is something special and unique to the Witch. Witches require the blood of life to perform much of their spell casting, either through the sacrifice of their own vitality or the vitality of another living being or creature. Usually this act is measured and balanced, however Hags regularly use the entire life's blood of a being or creature, a truly evil act. The White Witches draw only from themselves through self sacrifice.<br /><br />Witches shun armor but have had a long time practice of using swords, most use long swords crafted of blackened True Iron enchanted to be lethal against their enemies. One small coven of Witches in the Frozen North are known to use Great Swords of blacked True Iron, known as Fae Killers they serve the Queen in the North, Beira.<br /><br />Witches are always women, and male children born to a Witch are well treated, most grow up to be Warriors that serve and protect the Covens. Female children are always raised communally by the Coven where as the male is raised by his mother and father, and trained in the arts of combat. White Witches leave male children in civilized villages to be raised by normal humans, while males born to Hags are devoured.<br /><br />Witches are always born with some physical disability or birthmark, a stooped back or a lame leg, but sometime strange hair colors or skin colors. Common among the Witches in the North is pale white skin with raven or stark white hair. Witches of the Western Woods tend to be born with shades of skin color like the rich brown woods they live in. The Eastern Witches are born with olive colored skin and yellow hair. Witches of the South tend to reflect many of the surrounding cultures and appearances that they hail from.<br /><br />Among the Witches of the Western Wood, it is common to take on a name of a bird of Prey. In the North Witches are named for they different brutal environments and conditions.In the Eastern Plains, ruled mostly by Hags the Witches are named for serpents or venomous insects and in the Civilized South most Witches take common names to the cultures around them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFGWUGXmEYgTZmgdp1PqTtaxJgfpOEPiv4rsNYItE4vgQq0KCjONCm3L4CYokcdF9e4H39gmYa9v1R5Q_XYR5eK4rRl42JL9FIe21aweBLGgbXWt3YI2Dnv9A-Pil5pHvaquKE250UR8/s1600/125dfb69857c0a812a2bb3aa1038a2e7.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFGWUGXmEYgTZmgdp1PqTtaxJgfpOEPiv4rsNYItE4vgQq0KCjONCm3L4CYokcdF9e4H39gmYa9v1R5Q_XYR5eK4rRl42JL9FIe21aweBLGgbXWt3YI2Dnv9A-Pil5pHvaquKE250UR8/s1600/125dfb69857c0a812a2bb3aa1038a2e7.jpg" width="213" /></a>Little is held sacred to the Witch, True Iron for it's protection, anything in triples is considered an<br />omen for good or ill depending what it is. Witches generally are atheists, its not that they deny the existence of gods they just see them as not deserving any veneration. Witches are tuned into the spiritual world, the inbetween places of life and death, and it's here they find that the gods have no real power or influence. Creation to them is an act of the universe as a whole not the whim of gods. Witches do recognize the All-Father, Adon as an important aspect of their core beliefs but offer him no veneration, believing that Adon is nothing but the personification of the Universe.<br /><br />Witches, like Halflings are the only mortal race that can transverse the Astral Stairways that move between the planes however unlike Halflings Witches can move freely in and out of the Ethereal plane and the plane of Shades. Wyterhavian's hunt and murder Witches because of this, as they see it as a threat to the security of the City of Wynter because of it's tie to the Ethereal Plane.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRCe4da-5LuqiPUYhnbQMCLeSW5qWfCDY2rkZKfexnBC9DXKnYoU722AOswq6fXCf0B7Mn7Iw_I3nt4_DoT7fwrrjAdp5tv_2uWXM9sipGYZksOHb3DvAHeepqxqSme8kZgoC5tD0YlM/s1600/ty.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRCe4da-5LuqiPUYhnbQMCLeSW5qWfCDY2rkZKfexnBC9DXKnYoU722AOswq6fXCf0B7Mn7Iw_I3nt4_DoT7fwrrjAdp5tv_2uWXM9sipGYZksOHb3DvAHeepqxqSme8kZgoC5tD0YlM/s1600/ty.jpg" width="178" /></a>Witches have a unique relationship among the Trolls and Giants of Ganth. Giants consider the Witches as "Little Sisters" and revere and honor the Covens with recovered lore and artifacts of the Great Age when Giants ruled much of Ganth. Giants believe that Witches are the true new children of Ganth and that the gods created the Witches to rid the world of it's invaders, the Fae.<br /><br />Trolls serve the Hags of the East, their relationship is less platonic as other Witches have with Giants, Trolls are the result of males being born to Hags, and then slowly mutated and changed to their twisted shapes. They are dedicated to Chaos and utterly serve their Hag mother, even at risk to their own lives.<br /><br />Witches have no formal government, although once every few decades a conclave of all the covens unite, even the Hags in the East are bound to this. The conclave discuss issues and matters of importance to Witches. Witches chose new mates or males are traded among the more chaotic covens. Witch smiths of True Iron trade smithy secrets and techniques, contracts are made between covens and other trade is performed. The entire conclave his hidden and secret and outsider are never allowed to participate, although there has been times when outsiders where allowed to address the conclave under special conditions.<br /><br /><i><b>Gaming Notes:</b></i><br />The problem here lies in whether I want to do the witches as a race or a class. I am going with Labyrinth Lord for Ganth, and part of me thinks a racial class would be the best. Witches are technically a race with a lot of powers very specific to what they are. Of course male "witches" are just regular humans. So nothing would keep a player from being a male "witch". I think building them as a racial class similar to the Elven racial class is the way I want to go. I would pull back on the fighting side of the class, and I am looking at using a mechanic similar to spell casting in DCC for the Witches spell use.<br /><br />Part of me thinks that this may even be a "NPC" class like the old anti-paladin of the 1e era.<br /><br />If you are inclined, tell me what you think.<br /><br />ERIC!<br />ERIC!http://www.blogger.com/profile/18251132223571608976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486731148137912992.post-24418678953563693432012-11-04T18:42:00.001-08:002022-06-23T20:35:28.606-07:00A Council with Fallen Gods: Twida<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxFgNUcE-pMkV9RsrRfY4HJccmMlU1nZ0zO7Y7TOgEiM22D35vzesNBppX6ajup4Aeww2Mlt_eY0IU5V0JVXvN6kISIxVrcplK3O-s7GukUr2gjcVAgjV3dVC4wEwI40T-XggljxkbtE/s1600/Crow1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxFgNUcE-pMkV9RsrRfY4HJccmMlU1nZ0zO7Y7TOgEiM22D35vzesNBppX6ajup4Aeww2Mlt_eY0IU5V0JVXvN6kISIxVrcplK3O-s7GukUr2gjcVAgjV3dVC4wEwI40T-XggljxkbtE/s320/Crow1a.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a>"I have been here for several days, and to tell the truth, I have now idea how to get out of here. But why am I talking to you, stupid crow, go away.", Twida moved closer to the old crow perched on a branch above her, "Go on Crow, leave!" The old black bird squawk, and fidgeted on one foot. <br />
<br />
"Strange, bird", Twida remarked as she began to finally gather her things to leave. The bird turned his head, peering at Twida. It jumped from its gnarled perch to Twida's feet and with a loud "SQUAWK!" pecked at her toes.<br />
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Twida jumped, "Blasted bird, what is your problem?" The crow leaped to Twida's shoulder, were she tried to shoo it away. Then she heard it, a little whisper in here ear,"Twida, Daughter..." Twida jumped and knocked the crow from her shoulder. Clawing her the crow landed in a branch of a near tree.<br />
<br />
"Did you say that bird?" Twida asked, silly she knew it, birds can't talk. The bird cocked his head in her direction. "Come down bird" Twida asked. "Come here, I'm sorry." The bird seemed to respond, he glided down landing near Twida's feet. Then in a flutter leaped to her shoulder.<br />
<br />
"Well you old bird, which way should we go?" Twida asked. "Daughter, be at peace." Twida heard the whisper once again. She glanced at the crow,"Are you saying that crow, or am I losing my mind?" Twida worried if she was ever getting out of this forest. Why did she even come, the strange dreams, it was the dreams.<br />
<br />
The crow whispered again,"Daughter the sun sets, follow the path." the crow squawked and flew forward along the path in front of Twida.<br />
<br />
Maybe this bird knew something she didn't know, Twida couldn't guess, but as of right know she didn't know what else to do.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Animal Lords</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Divine powers come in many forms on Ganth, many struggle for worship from mortals. However the Animal Lords don't have the same need for worship, this does not mean they lack for care of the mortal races, they just move in different ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most Animal Lords are content to be the guides and protectors of their animal followers, however from time to time a Animal Lord pics a higher life form to be a protector in a more active way. To be the eyes, ears and mouth of the Animal Lords animal followers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many cultures of Ganth honor the Animal Lords in different ways, though most Animal Lords discourage open worship, Animal Lords like the Cat and the Snake have large cults in the southern lands of Ganth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snake has gone so far as to allow the crossbreeding of his divine agents and mortals creating the dreaded Snake Priests of the Kwan Jume Jungles. Cat has not gon as far but has done much to steal away worshippers of the Four Throned Gods of the Tawy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crow and Fox have had a close relationship with Man both positive and negative, while Dog has become so ingrained with Man few of the other Animal Lords even consider Dog a true Animal Lord anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Animal Lords are enemies of the creature that share animal forms the Were-Beings. Wolf hates the cure of Lycanthopy that plaques both his kind and Man, and has trained up Great Wolves and Mortal Hunters to seek out these creatures and destroy them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Most alien in thought of the Animal Lords, and creatures closest to Chaos are the Insect Lords. Beings so different and appearing to be so insane few Animal Lords have any dealing with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">ERIC!</span></div>
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<br />ERIC!http://www.blogger.com/profile/18251132223571608976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486731148137912992.post-67272689457112751042011-12-22T19:26:00.001-08:002022-06-23T20:34:19.483-07:00A Council with Fallen Gods: Jack the Thief<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jack smiled, his blade slipped loose
out of its scabbard and into his hand as he gripped it tightly, He
inched forward, with little in the way of concern for his actions.
The stupid guardsman would never see it coming. Jack raised the blade
closer, closer and slid it across the guards purse strings, Jack
smiled to himself as he caught the purse silently. Jack turned and
just as quietly he was off, his entrance into the guild was
guaranteed now. Having a purse stolen from the city guard was the
required entrance fee into the thieves’ guild of Underwood.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jack had lived all his life in
Underwood, a large city on the shores of the Whitestone Sea in the
Northern Realms, poor and hungry most of the time Jack learned a
common trade among the orphans of Underwood, thievery. As he grew
older and his success at picking pockets grew, Jack was forced to
decide, join the guild and use its influence to protect him from the
Law of Underwood or leave Underwood all together. This was of course
because the guild frowned on solo thieves in the city, the chance of
another guild forming was to great, and so the guild was a bit
ruthless in its recruitment.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jack moved through the shadows, he had
to get to Oscar before midnight or he would have to wait until the
next full moon to attempt entrance into the guild. He had waited long
enough. He needed this, he needed a family.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whispers, he heard whispers as he
crossed the bridge into the Garden quarter of Wynter. At times in his
youth he remembered them, but it had been years, Jack shook them off,
focus he had to focus.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He crossed, almost to the large
statues, they seemed to welcome him, pain slammed through his body.
Jack went to his knees, he wanted to vomit, the whispering was
loader, seemed to be shouting, did anyone hear them?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jack awoke, he was cold and wet, had he
fallen, and where was he now? A voice, was it the whisper? Jack stood
up and looked around. He was in a hall, it seemed like no other he
had seen, something maybe the nobility of Wynter dwelt in. And the
shadows they moved, but not like one would expect, they seemed to be
alive.</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
“Jack”, the whisper spoke, “you are a fool”, Jack walked
forward, angry, who was this? “You will become a guild member, not
know not ever.” Jack went to speak, he could not. Nothing came out.
“Ha! you see I have taken it, as I will take much more from you,
but not without compensation. Serve me Jack, bend knee to the
Shadows.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
Jack didn't know what to think, Shadows? What in nine hells was that.
“Jack!” the voice boomed, “Jack bend knee and all will be
answered.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
Jack thought, well he was either dreaming or dead, either way what
did he have to lose. Jack lowered himself to one knee,”good Jack, I
mark you as my first, rise Knight of Shades.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
The Shadows</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
An old power of Wynter and one of the many Fallen Gods of Ganth cast
down long ago. The Shadows pick his worshipers, and in so doing has a
very small cult. Neither true god as one might think nor demon, the
Shadows is a darker side of divinity than the standard chaotic lords
and ladies of Ganth. Evil? One might think but then the Shadows is
weary in claiming any one side in the war of Law and Chaos.</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
To be called by the Shadows has its draw backs, he is never refused
and always takes from his worshipers. However in turn he bestows
small gifts, depending on the strengths or weakness of his new
follower. To be called his First however is some what a curse and a
blessing great power can be wielded by the First or the Knight of
Shade.</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
Characters of neutral or chaotic alignment have a 1% chance of
attracting the Shadows, but only at 1<sup>st</sup> level and then
only inside the city of Wynter. The Shadows will observe the
character looking for elements that the Shadows feels are needed to
be a worshiper. The Shadows will never steal away a worshiper and
only choose a character that is not following any divines path. The
Shadows has no know Crusaders or clerics among his followers, and
blesses his worshipers as he see fit, and only when his goals are
being met.</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
To what goals the Shadows has nobody knows, not even his Knight of
the Shade. The GM can determine what these goals are, however they
will never draw attention to the Shadows and never cross anyother
divines plans, one may say the Shadows is a coward, but not to his
face.</div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<br /></div>
ERIC!http://www.blogger.com/profile/18251132223571608976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486731148137912992.post-60063253265841522202011-11-02T09:33:00.001-07:002022-06-23T18:26:45.474-07:00Of Crusaders & Cults: The Cults of Law (Part Three)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Four Throned Gods</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
South and across the Middilian Sea dwells the God Emperors and the realms of the Four Throned Gods. The lands of the south are called by many names but its inhabitants call it the The Two Lands or Tawy. The rest of the civilizations of Ganth refer to Tawy as Kemesh. In Kemesh dwell the Prophet Kings and the Peoples of the Four Throned, they are a proud folk in a civilization in it decline. The Four Throned are dying and no one knows why. Kebeb of the Bones of the Earth has stepped down from his Throne in the Celestial Sky and now wanders over all of Kemesh. Why he has done this there is much speculation but because of this the other Three Gods now wage bitter conflict over the right to Kebeb's Empty Throne.<br />
<br />
The Celestial War wages as the Kemesh Cults wage bitter wars themselves. These battles have divided Kemesh into three territories and a fourth territory being neutral in the conflict. Each territory is lead by a Prophet King. Each of the Cults of Kemesh have some stake in this war, with the Cult of Kebeb doing their best to remain neutral and find The Walker, Kebeb.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Usat and the Twin Lionesses </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Queen of the Sea and the Stars, The Pride</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cult of Usat<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Usat is a typical War Goddess, she is a mother figure and also a deity of Protection. The Cult feels that it must spread a militant order over all of Kemesh to insure stability of the region in the absents of Kebeb. The Cults Crusaders mark themselves in bright facial tattoos that denote rank and honor and cover their armor in long robe like tunics. The Crusaders carry a wide variety of weapons but tend to be lightly armored. A special Order of Crusaders inside the Cult called the Queen's Pride ride chariots pulled by the great southern Horses of Kemesh.<br />
<br />
Usat's Prophet King is a man by the name Untuni the Red and deep desert nomad that was said to be the son of Uccahu the Hound a mad wizard that once fought Usat herself on Mount Arod, Untuni is a tall ancient man who has lead his Crusaders on many battles, it is rumored however in the Cults last Battle with the Cult of Ophosis, Untuni was wounded and may be dying if he has not passed away already.</blockquote>
<b><br /></b>Kebeb of the Bones of the Earth<br />
He who Left his Throne, The Walker<br />
Cult of Kebeb<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Kebeb is lost, and the Cult is suffering because of this, unknown to the other cults Kebeb no longer answers Prayers or grants Blessing to the Cults followers. Because of this the Cult has sent out numerous Crusaders to search for Kebeb, it is feared however that one of the other deities of Kemesh may have captured or even killed Kemesh. The Crusaders refuse to fight against the other cults but will do their best to protect citizens of Kemesh and maintain order. Mercenary Guild from all over Ganth have begin offering services to the other cults and the Crusaders of Kebeb see this as a huge affront to the people of Kemesh and its culture.<br />
<br />
Kebeb;'s prophet King, and Kemesh's true Prophet King for well over one thousand years is Ahkech the Undying. Ahkech is a small man that looks no older than Thirty but has lived for nearly 1050 years. Ahkech has been given many boon and blessings over the centuries as a devout follower of Kebeb to include his most notable his White marble alabaster skin and Ruby gem colored eyes. Ahkech is in a stat of great grief as he currently hides a secret, Ahkech is dying, without the blessings of Kebeb Ahkech's extraordinary life span is quickly weakening his body and mind.</blockquote>
<br />
Ophosis of the Wolves<br />
The Howling in the Night, The Wolf<br />
Cult of Ophosis<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The wild packs of Ophosis have always raised suspicion of the taint of Chaos amoung the Cults of Kemesh but the Wolves loyalty to Kebeb could not be denied. the Cult of Ophosis however recently have dabble in raids that show little or now honor, The Crusaders have been seen practicing cannibalism and whispers among the other cult suggest that Ophosis and his Cult may have been behind Kebeb disappearance. The Crusaders of Ophosis wear animal furs and shun metal armor and weapons, to use any metal item of war is looked down upon and would throw up questions of loyalty to the Cult. Ophosis Crusaders have recently begun dying their armor red and masking their faces behind wolf headed helms, this practice alone show a lack of honor among the other cults of Kemesh as a warrior that refuses to show his face, is no less than a bandit or vagabond.<br />
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Ophosis himself has always been more creature than man and this in reflected in the Cult dabbling in Lycanthropy. The Prophet King Kroom the Bloody is from the great jungles of southern Kemesh and it was here Kroom was picked from a pack of werewolves called the Silent Howl. The Silent Howl now represents the highest member of the Cults loose hierarchy and savagely protect Kroom from challenges to his rulership. Kroom however is a dear friend of Ahkech the Undying, but because of Ahkech's sickness Kroom has not had the ability to curve his Cult's savagery and they are slipping to Chaos, as the Cult slips so does the god, Ophosis.</blockquote>
Huaht of the Eons<br />
She who does not Sleep, The Hidden<br />
Cult of Huaht<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Their is a deep and hidden secret that even Kebeb has not known until recently, Huaht is utterly mad and a servant of an ancient force of Chaos known as the Indweller. Several thousand years ago when the Four ascended to the Celestial Thrones to unite and lead the lands of Kemesh, Huaht was tempted with great power and knowledge by the Indweller, thinking that she could control this force of Chaos she was slowly over the eons changed and twisted. She was given one of the Seven Great Swords of Ayoun the All Father who had fashioned the Swords from the Seven Great Shards that broke from his Sickle when he defeated and over came Chaos to create all of reality and Law. These Swords have the ability to not only sever the link between god and followers but can slay a god and steal his power for the wielder. <br />
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Huaht possessed her Prophet, Inuah the Bright, 20 years ago and in doing so was allowed to wield the Great Sword Sky caller in an attempt to slay Kebe, however during this attempt, Kebeb was rescued by a group of adventurers unknowingly and know travels with them in a quest to recover another one of the Seven Swords. Kebeb has been severed from his godly powers and abilities and is know nothing more than a Warrior Scholar like he was before he ascended to his Throne several eons ago. Kebeb and his companion currently are in the city of Crossings in the Northern Kingdoms as he has discovered that a Demonic Cult may hold on of the Seven Swords in its underground vaults.</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">/In here lies a matter of Alignment in Ganth, Everyone of these cults are Lawful, and yet they are warring with each other. What does this mean for Alignment in Ganth? It means that while important to character concepts it is not what defines the character as a whole. Alignment is a tool and a guide line for Role play, not a weapon used by the DM to punish players. A player that forgets his role as a Crusader or Ranger in Ganth would suffer penalties of course, as these classes require certain oaths or practices to maintain game balance and their abilities, but the slipping of alignment should be something roleplayed and not simply used as a game mechanic. Law and Chaos matter more in Ganth than moral choices of Evil or Good. Alignment in Ganth therefore is separate from Good or Evil. Morality would be a way to define Evil or Good actions and ones dedication to Law or Chaos is a matter of Alignment. One could technically serve as a Lawful Crusader of some "Good" god but be morally evil. The god is more concerned with the Characters Alignment than Morality. Now of course some Cults in Ganth have the exception to this rule, and like all thing as I develop Ganth this may be better defined, thrown out or change in some way./</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">ERIC!</span></div>
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ERIC!http://www.blogger.com/profile/18251132223571608976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486731148137912992.post-28998542497661355762011-09-04T18:10:00.001-07:002022-06-23T10:35:54.939-07:00Of Crusaders & Cults: The Cults of Chaos (Part One)The Cult of Buer, Lord of Greed<br />
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Among the many merchants of Ganth the Cult of Buer for centuries has secretly held sway. Buer the Lord of Greed is on of the many demonic being that are not native to the World of Ganth, believed to arrived from some distant realm of reality Buer's cult quickly spread among the rich and powerful of Ganth. At times even the Holy Daughter's Church has seen fit to "ignore" the cult as it's influence is so tied to the wealth of the Northern Kingdoms and the Old Dominion of Ganth.<br />
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Buer's cult is on focuses on wealth and greed nothing is given for free and payment is expected in even the simplest of transactions. from Pawn Brokers to mighty Trade Houses the Cult has had some form of dealings and influence, it is said that Buer himself counts each gold coin that passes hands in Ganth. But as fast as wealth is taken it can be lost and Buer is a fickle lord at that. No worshiper is safe from the chaotic whims of the Lord of Greed. Devoted hard line Trade Houses have fallen all because the Lord of Greed on a whim brought the House down.<br />
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Buer is an agent of Chaos and it would be well that those that deal with Buer remember this. Buer is just a quickly to devour a person as he is to "bless" them with wealth. Of all the Demonic Cults Buer's has the most open acceptance and because of this Crusaders must be wary when bringing down a Coven of Buer's worshipers.<br />
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In the southern Kingdoms of Ganth Buer's worship is smaller but in recent years has gained some influence in larger cities. It must be remembered that the Cult is always well funded and has the ear of many power brokers in an area.<br />
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Buer tends to not consort with other Demonic Lords of Ganth and has very few allies. <a href="http://daggerarts.blogspot.com/2011/06/of-crusaders-cults-cults-of-law-part_06.html">Followers of the White Prophet</a> are very militant in their war with the Cult of Buer and if discovered followers of the White Prophet are quick to destroy a Coven of Buer.<br />
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Buer's symbol is a five spoke wheel. Cultist will hide the symbol in areas unfriendly to cult. Loan's can be borrowed from local Cultist's, but expect the full force of the cult and local law if influence is high enough to come down on those that default on a loan. Members of Lawful faiths will never openly deal with the Cult of Buer, although it is whispered that the Church of the Holy Daughter first gained its funded from members of the Buerian Cults.<br />
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Eric!<br />
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<br />ERIC!http://www.blogger.com/profile/18251132223571608976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486731148137912992.post-83838594307166213532011-07-26T07:41:00.000-07:002022-06-23T18:25:00.760-07:00A Council with Fallen Gods: Jhune of the North A calling of sorts, but not that it was to be misunderstood as such, when one is called by one of the waking gods of the earth one is to attend and address the nature of the call. This is what she did though, she had been called by Uthet the Forgotten one of the waking gods, the common gods of the world. They where neither as great as the star born gods, but not as small as the abundant gods of house, hearth and nature.<br />
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Jhune was what the men of the south may call a priestess but not so pompous or grand as the clerics of the great golden temples of the Hulion Gods. Jhune knew from a young age she would be called and had always seen into the little world that Edrinna called the Fast. It was here in the Fast that Uthet had called her,"Come Jhune" Uthet beckoned. Jhune was quick to announce to Edrinna of her calling by Uthet. She had laid the rite and prayed to the common gods for guidance and to discern as to the nature of Uthet's call. The house gods snickered and whirled about as they do at times, being mischievous and at times riotous. Kithkur the little god of thickets warned her, whispering,"Bewarned little woman, Uthet is a Fallen one, measure yourself and your morals when he beckons you." Jhune had little fear though, Uthet had little hold in the higher realms of man, what could a waking god do to her much less one of the Fallen. Edrinna had warned her just the same though, but it mattered little to Jhune she was no longer a pupil of Edrinna she held council in here own lodge now.<br />
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Jhune had gathered a few needed tools and totems to perform the rite, to guide here to Uthet, for as a waking god he dwelt partially on the higher realm of man. He would be bound though to some physical beast or place of this realm and Jhune would need to locate his foothold here. The rite was simple and Uthet was not far, a few days north into the woodlands. She would leave on the morrow, saying her final prayers to the little gods and invoking rites for the protection from the elements as winter would soon bring its cold hand upon her as she traveled north.<br />
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She arrived in a small clearing north of the Old One, a tree said to have been planted Umgar the Under the founder of her clan. It was a good place a place of honor and strength, she could see the little gods flutter about taunting a spirit of the snow, Jhune laughed at this. It was growing late however, and twice during her travels Uthet called her during her sleep. The rite was simple, Jhune checked and double checked her circles of protection, her totems and fetishes. All was prepared, Jhune smiled to herself, Uthet was an old god, one of the Waking Gods that saw the Star Gods forge the world, he was also one of the Fallen, but this did not frighten Jhune, she knew here strength and no Fallen could over power her.<br />
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Hours passed as Jhune sung her rites, the moon grew old over head, Jhune wondered if Uthet would come, she was a little annoyed. Common gods did this though, sometimes, to test those they called. Jhune would contiue the rite till sunrise and then break her fast, she would continue the next night. A rustle to her left starttled her, a man in animal skins stepped out into the fire light,"I heard your chants little one, why do you call on Uthet, he is Fallen." the man seemed to whisper as he spoke, even though Jhune heard every word. "I am Jhune, I commune for Rekkjar Village to the south, Uthet has called me, talked to me from the Fast." she responded, a little unnerved by the mans voice.<br />
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"Uthet is not to be treated so lightly child, it was good I saw your fires from my home." the man whispered once more. "I am no child, woodsman. I ninth in my line taught by Edrinna herself and I command the little gods of the world!" Jhune was annoyed know this rough woodsman knew little of her skill, her talents, who was he to chide her so?<br />
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"Your circle is flawed, at the Point of Herat and the Crux of the Sea you have invoked the wrong spirits even now they tear at you protection, foolish, child, very foolish." the man's voice seemed to change there, at the end, becoming more disturbing in its tone, he stepped forward towards her as a bit of panic raised in her stomach. Jhune fumbled for her knife, and the man drew closer, Jhune heard the crackle of power as the man stepped across the circle towards her. That should not have happened no mortal could cause a circle to react in such a way, "No." Jhune whispered as she realized what was happening, who this man really was, "but he was Fallen and a common god, they could not take such forms, not like this, not in this age." sh thought.<br />
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Uthet smiled,"Little girl, so prideful, so foolish, you are mine Daughter of Earth and Sky, I hold you, I bind you, you are mine." The roar of his whisper caused Jhune to cover her ears, she knew it was true, she would be bound to him, a puppet to his will, it was horrifying, she had failed.<br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New Spells:</span></u></b><br />
<b><u>Commune with Common God</u></b><br />
Level: 2<br />
Duration: See Below<br />
Range: 100'<br />
The duration of this spell is a number of turns equal to the casters level +6 turns. The Commune allows for the interaction of the otherwise hidden common gods. Common gods may or may not respond to the requests of the caster and may or may not require gifts or tasks to fulfill requests made of them. The spell requires that the caster be in a area of known common god dwellings and the caster must know the common gods name. See common god entry for more information on common gods.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>New Creatures:</u></span></b><br />
<b><u>Common god*</u></b><br />
No. Enc.: 1 (1d100)<br />
Alignment: Various<br />
Movement: 150' (50')<br />
Armor Class: -2<br />
Hit Dice: 7+10<br />
Attacks: 3 (2 claws, bite)<br />
Damage: 1d4+1/1d4+1/2d4<br />
Save: F7<br />
Morale: 12<br />
Hoard Class: nil<br />
XP: 1,000<br />
Common gods of the North are related some believe to the fey of southern realms in Ganth. This may or may not be true as common gods are very powerful creatures and hold sway as much in the natural world as they do in the realms of man. Common gods represent the most common parts of nature and man, from pots and pans to bushes and trees everything has a common god that rules over it. This may seem a bit much but the common gods have very little to do with anything but what objects or natural elements they rule over. Common gods are ancient beyond understanding but as society develops new common gods are born. Common gods refuse to answers questions about their creation.<br />
Common gods are invisible and ethereal but can change this at will. They can appear in any shape they will but always some hint is given as to the area the common god rules. Common gods are a source for answers and will answer questions about areas they rule or the nature of the Fast given that they are appeased correctly.<br />
Common gods will always flee combat and if attacked will slip into the Fast. From that point on the Common god will do its utmost to enact revenge for the assault, from simple tricks and annoyances to out right attempts on the attackers life through trickery and manipulation of the elements the common god rules. It is very hard to gain the forgiveness of a common god but it can be done.<br />
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*Common gods in Ganth are used as a story telling element and truthfully shouldn't be used as common monster fodder. But hey I'm not telling you how to use them.ERIC!http://www.blogger.com/profile/18251132223571608976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486731148137912992.post-85944820278355430802011-06-06T22:11:00.001-07:002022-06-23T10:34:24.301-07:00Of Crusaders & Cults: The Cults of Law (Part Two)<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The White Prophet and the Cult of Anu-Asek</span></b></div>
As we continue our series on the Cults of Ganth we will move far to the east along the Middilian Sea to the Thounsad Kingdoms of the Akkadian culture. Here roams the White Prophet, son of a prostitute born into poverty and destitution. It is the White Prophet who now weilds one of the Seven Great Swords of Anu-Asek the most High God. The White Prophet with his army of zealots have for five years now been on a war against the ingrained demonic cults of the Akkadian Kingdoms. From the Highlands of Sankara to the coasts of the Fated Sea the White Prophet has torn down the temples of the Demon Lords of Akkadian and time and time again in personal combat slain the Demons of each temple.<br />
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The White Prophet brings the teachings of the most High God, Anu-Asek by tounge or by blade and either the heritics bend knee in eternal service to Law and Anu-Asek or they die. The followers of the White Prophet are zealots to the extreme, blinded in their faith to the White Propjet and the teachings of Anu-Asek. Mercy is given only children and women as the White Prophet teaches that Anu-Asek sees an ability for the young and women to come easier to his fold.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image of Anu-Asek</td></tr>
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Many of the White Prophets closet advisors and protectors are woman. Called the Handmaidens of Anu-Asek these Warrior Brides of the most High God demostrate incredible skill with the long bow and blade. The Handmaidens are served by the elder women the White Prophets followers, that are to weak to fight. They help in raising the children and orphans gathered by the White Prophet and his folowers.<br />
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Once devouted to Anu-Asek and his White Prophet much is expected of oneself, service to the cause and the defeat of the Demonic host require an ever vigilante mind and body. Life is deemed to precious to be wasted if foul hardy attepmts at battle and so the Handmaidens take a personnel investment in the training of every new member to the faith that is able to wield a weapon. Even the common footsoldier is taught that his life is special and meant to be protected and defended, no life should be wasted. With this attitude the battles fought have been slow and decisive engagements ment to risk as few lives as possible, the White Prophet teaches their is no glory with Anu-Asek in a man that would throw his life away like a stone in the sea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yjHktB_Eqofa3Reo_IO-OzXAW5tSalAS8lhQd513jSXNGULbmma0oKzndGwpOdSgmC9b5V1koE3Oj8khMiYz87tyDdz-iRACQU2RSoTAUGEoxzbE37mY-UNYjWhY55yZpzAmjluyJzA/s1600/gutians_sumer_ziggurat2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yjHktB_Eqofa3Reo_IO-OzXAW5tSalAS8lhQd513jSXNGULbmma0oKzndGwpOdSgmC9b5V1koE3Oj8khMiYz87tyDdz-iRACQU2RSoTAUGEoxzbE37mY-UNYjWhY55yZpzAmjluyJzA/s320/gutians_sumer_ziggurat2a.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anu-Asek Ziggurat built on the shatted ruins of a Demon Lord's Temple.</td></tr>
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Only women are allowed to become Crusaders of Anu-Asek with the sole exception of the White Prophet. Men may become a part of the priesthood of Anu-Asek but in doing so must never take the life of any living sentient being. The Crusaders of Anu-Asek swear an oath of celebacy promising their full commintments to the most High God Anu-Asek and the White Prophet. Demons must always be destroyed and bargins with chaos and its taint never met.ERIC!http://www.blogger.com/profile/18251132223571608976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486731148137912992.post-75845131519887483512011-06-01T14:16:00.001-07:002022-06-23T10:25:19.170-07:00Of Crusaders & Cults: The Cults of Law (Part One)The Crusaders of Ganth are broken up by Alignment. That being said Ganth is the home of three varied typed of religious collections. The Crusaders of Law represent what one might find as "good". The Cults of Law tend either to follow the idea of a monotheistic type of cult or that of a philosophical type of cult with no real deity. The Cults of Law tend to have very little to do with each other and try their best to be as far away from each other as possible. This isn't to say that conflicts between the Cults of Law never happen, they just seem to be more subdued in their conflicts.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Church of the Holy Daughter</b></span></div>
The largest of the Cults of Law is called the Church of the Holy Daughter. The Church follows the teachings of an unnamed woman that was martyred several thousand years ago in the Southern City of Terrinth. The Holy Daughter stood in opposition of the then Emperor Claudius and his tyrannical judgments and violent treatment of those he considered lesser breeds of humanity. The Holy Daughter was believed to be the very daughter of the Emperor and because of this for a time she remained unmolested. But as she pushed for more and more civil liberties to what the Emperor considered lesser humans it became harder for the Emperor to ignore the workings of the Holy Daughter.<br />
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The Holy Daughter soon was spirited away from the public eye and an outcast in her fathers nation. For several years she worked to protect the downtrodden and afflicted, it would be soon that open rebellion would raise its ugly head and chaos would reign in the streets of Terrinth. The Holy Daughter wish nothing more than to stop this from happening, her and her closest advisers knew the Emperor must die.<br />
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In what seemed like an unstoppable plan to assassinate the Emperor, The Daughter was refused victory. The Emperor's spies where every where and his daughter was captured. All trace of her likeness and history was removed from the public record, she was publicly burned at the stake as an operative of the forces of Chaos. But the populace failed to believe a single piece of propaganda released form the Emperor's court. Soon after her death the city was set a blaze in open rebellion, something the Daughter neither wanted in life nor death.<br />
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On the seventh day of rebellion as the city burned around him the Emperor was given a vision from his Daughter. She appeared to him in a bright halo of white flames surrounded by angels. There she spoke one final plea for him to turn form his evil ways. The Emperor did as he was asked, and in the coming weeks the Emperor stepped down from the throne and became the Grand High Bishop of the Church of the Holy Daughter. His successor to the Throne was believed to be the lover of the Daughter and the Emperor's own Military Adviser Antonius Regulus, became the Benevolent Emperor of the new Terrinth Republic.<br />
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With this the Church of the Holy Daughter was founded. And while the name and image of the Holy Daughter is forbidden to be revealed, Millions of worshipers bow knee in her Temples across the Kingdoms of Ganth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXcYHtwEw2zb-OkT1W6VVknkzoWDD9dw7Y_Zn2kg_bMHETwrETOK1fvnPC3PD761sXklT8xnldNpn9dowfFD5VX-lzTLy7n-4T6qKnPQCSqzmynbYk4hmNbjgOhEVjuCK7LtMqHh5K-k/s1600/Temple+of+the+Holy+Daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXcYHtwEw2zb-OkT1W6VVknkzoWDD9dw7Y_Zn2kg_bMHETwrETOK1fvnPC3PD761sXklT8xnldNpn9dowfFD5VX-lzTLy7n-4T6qKnPQCSqzmynbYk4hmNbjgOhEVjuCK7LtMqHh5K-k/s320/Temple+of+the+Holy+Daughter.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Temple of the Holy Daughter in the City of Terrinth</td></tr>
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Since it's founding two schisms of the Church has rocked its foundation the First happened almost directly parallel to the Churches original founding. It was said a woman some believed to be the Holy Daughter appeared to many of her once most devoted followers. On that seventh night of rebellion. She talked with and counseled each member on penning what is know as the Apocrypha of Acantha. The Apocrypha of Acantha is a large tome claiming to be the true history of the events leading up to the Holy Daughter's martyrdom. The book is considered a work of heresy and it's followers as agents of Chaos by the Church of the Holy Daughter. The followers of this schism are called Lightbringers and have shown to be ardent in their opposition of the Church and its practices, claiming even that the Woman called Acantha taught that the being that appeared to the Emperor that night was a powerful demonic entity called the Maelstrom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acantha, a statue in a hidden Lightbringer Temple</td></tr>
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The other noted schism has appeared only in the last several decades this group is inside and hidden among the Churches hierarchy and they have serious doubts as to the existence of a literal Holy Daughter and see more of her story as mere allegory. The group calls themselves the Fraction and wishes to see a turning away from the worship of the Holy Daughter as a deity and merely follow the teachings they believe was all allegory taught by the First Grand High Bishop as a way to stabilize a falling empire.<br />
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Crusaders belonging to any of the three sects of the Church of the Holy Daughter are all able to wield the divine blessings core to their belief. All Crusaders of the Church and its two schisms are Lawful in alignment. Should a Crusader switch from one sect to another or even to or from the Church of the Holy Daughter, lose all their powers and abilities for one year and a day.<br />
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Whichever group is right in its beliefs and its teachings is as of now still up in the air, it seems something is going on as all members of the three groups display blessings and abilities from somewhere, but as to that source it may never be known.<br />
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EricERIC!http://www.blogger.com/profile/18251132223571608976noreply@blogger.com0