Post:Kaldar and the Thirteen - 10/18/2011 - 06:36

Kaldar and the Thirteen · on 10/18/2011 07:36 AM EDT	1177
While this lore will eventually (I avoid using the s-word) find its way into the game properly, I figured I'd give you guys a little teaser here. Please let me know if you like this sort of thing being introduced through the forums, or if you would like me to sit on background lore until I can find a proper way to introduce it into the game. While worship of the Thirteen has been growing among the Kaldar for over 300 years, since Akrian Dein first introduced them, Kaldaran worship differs significantly from Kermorian traditions. Although some of these differences date from the initial lessons taught by Akrian Dein, sculpted to appeal to Kaldaran life, most of them arose in the nearly 200 years that elapsed between his death and the migration to Kermoria. The most striking deviation is that the Kaldar tend to view all three faces of an Immortal as the same being, without reference to light or dark aspects. Though they recognize the other names, they are rarely used within Kaldaran worship. The Thirteen (as according to the Kaldar): Kertigen - The god of craftsmen, commerce and merchants. He is a pacifist and inspires greed, criticism and covetous behavior. Worship of Kertigen is sparse, as those who follow him tend to be viewed as weak and flawed. Accusing a warrior of following Kertigen is considered a grave insult. His symbol is a trio of coins; platinum, gold and silver. Hodierna - The goddess of life, trial and tribulations. She freely grants life, so that she might steal it away again from the undeserving. Endurance of her machinations proves one worthy of the life she grants, while death by her hand is considered proof that one did not deserve her gift. Her favored tools are mishap, malady and murder. Her symbol is a fanged serpent. Meraud - The god of magic, passion and unrestrained destruction. Much as he is the source of volatility within magic, he is the also the source of love, desire, and adultery. While considered a fearless warrior he is known for his unpredictable rages in which he will lash out at friend and foe alike with storm and lightning. His symbol is a forked bolt of lightning. Damaris - The god of night, duplicity and vengeance. He is the paramour of Hodierna, and is frequently a conspirator in her schemes, if not the actually perpetrator. Only the most despicable of Kaldar will openly admit to his worship, though many more pledge secret allegiance. His symbol is a pair of parallel daggers. Everild - The god of warriors, battle and strength. It is he who gives the Kaldar strength to survive Hodierna's trials, and he who guides the blades of the worthy. Everild favors those who prove themselves exceptionally proficient in battle, granting them immortal life in his personal legion should they fall in combat. Worship of him is quite common, particularly among the young. His symbol is a dragon's tail flail (a two-handed flail with a concave tetrahedral head). Truffenyi - The god of parentage, civilization, and morality. A stern, fatherly figure, it is Truffenyi who taught the Kaldar of civilization and honor, and he who warned them away from the Gorbesh's empire building. While highly respected by the Kaldar, his worship has waned since exposure to Kermorian beliefs, as he has become tainted by his strong association with weaker races. His symbol is a pine tree. Hav'roth - The god of earth, flame and smiths. He is the guardian of the Kaldar; he who warms them through the winter, he who defends against the Ocular, and he who guides the hammer of the smith. Weapons and armor that do not bear his blessing are not to be trusted, and even common tools are traditionally forged in his name. His symbol is a hammer wreathed in flames. (Like all the Gods, he is traditionally depicted as a Kaldar.) Eluned - The goddess of the ocean, frost, and ruin. While Meraud's destruction rages unrestrained, sudden and violent, many find it preferable to suffering under Eluned's hand; for she will not be content until her victims are ruined in all things. Her symbol is an iceberg. Glythtide - The god of madness, depravity, and regret. While few blame Glythtide for planting the seeds of failure, it is he who makes them flourish. Worship of Glythtide is almost entirely limited to those who have already felt his touch, and have naught left to live for but to spread his misery. His symbol is a bunch of grapes. Tamsine - The goddess of peace, family, and healing. Consort to Truffenyi, it is she who enforces peace between the Kaldar and the Gorbesh, and she who shelters warriors on the field of battle so that they may return to their spouses and children. Her symbol is a kite shield. Faenella - The goddess of creativity, revelry, and pride. It is she who drives Kaldar to excel in all things, to do the impossible and prove themselves superior to all those who have come before. Celebrations are frequently thrown in her name and the greatest among Kaldar will be tempered by her flames, forever more free from chill and melancholy. Her symbol is a golden circlet. Chadatru - The god of courage, honor and law. The blinded enforcer of law and the truth, he imposes the laws as worded and trusts to Truffenyi to keep them just. He will hunt criminals and the honorless to the furthest reaches of the realms, striking them down unerringly with his great spear. His symbol is a great spear. Urrem'tier - The god of death, mercy and the afterlife. It is to him that the spirits of the dead are entrusted. While all eventually find death, only the best find it at Urrem'tier's hands -- escaping Hodierna's trickery. Few worship Urrem'tier, instead he seeks those worthy of his attention, taking them in battle or quietly after a long life well lived. His symbol is a cloven great helm.
This message was originally posted in The Races of DragonRealms \ Kaldar - The Korner, by DR-RAESH on the play.net forums.