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A Brief History of Aeortha
In the beginning, Aeortha was a empty wasteland, situated between two more lush dimensions. Then a mixed group of young Fey, a herd of Silver and Blue Dragons, along with a tribe of Dwarves and several clans of humans, chose to set out on an adventure across dimensions. They were led by two Fey; Valiel, an extraordinarily gifted mage, and Omiri, who counted among her blessings from the White Lady a gift of prophecy.
After several years of journeying between the dimensions, the group came upon Aeortha. Almost immediately, Omiri was struck with a vision of the future. She saw this barren wasteland as a lush and verdant oasis. A home, and one the group had to claim and populate immediately.
Using Valiel's talents, they brought forth their kin from their former dimension. And driven by Omiri's prophecy, the group settled on the largest continent and began planning their home. Using an ancient Fey word for their old home, they called the planet Aeortha.
The tribe of Dwarves claimed the mountains and the chasms that crisscrossed most of the landmasses, the Blue Dragons took to the seas and claimed the tiny islands and reef systems, and the Silver Dragons took to skies and claimed the northernmost landmass which they named, Qutze, a Olde Dragon word for home. The young group of Fey and the clans of humans divided the landmasses into Ten Kingdoms, known as Realms.
Council of Thirteen:
Also known as the Council of the Thirteen Realms, it is the ruling body on the planet Aeortha. It is comprised of the rulers of the Ten Realms as well as a representative of each of the Dragon Realms and the King of the Dwarven Realm. Every 100 years a new head of council is chosen by the common folk of the 13 Realms.The Council of Thirteen is the preeminent judicial system on the planet. However, each of the 13 Realms has lawmaking authority over itself. Only the three basic laws are the same everywhere.
The Three Laws are as follows:
Law of Land:
The Land belongs to all, so no extensive harm may come to it, through action or inaction of the people. (Meaning if by inaction or action a person causes permenant damage, ie. spell draining or such, they will be dealt with by the Council.)Law of Kin:
The Kin are all those who dwell upon Aeortha. Be they Fey, Human, Dragon or Dwarf. As such no Kin may cause permanent damage to other Kin be it through action or inaction, unless it is deemed self-defense. (Meaning no one can kill another of the Kin, unless their own life is threatened, or if they serve as executioner for the Council. This is a matter decided by the Council.)Law of Faith:
Faith is something decided upon by self. No Kin may force Faith upon other Kin. Faith must be a choice. (Meaning no Kin may decide to CONVERT another to their religion or faith without express permission. Nor may a war be fought over differing views of faith. Any who use Faith as a factor in a war or death, will be Judged by the Council alone.)
Trade:
Each Realm is known for its specialty trade.The Realm of Quintos, ruled by the Duke or Duchess of Adatha, is known the Realms over for their pastoral trade. Wheat, potatoes, sheep, cows and fowl are their main exports.
The Realm of Jhansi, ruled by the Mughal of Rania, is known for their export of silk and intricate weavings.
The Realm of Leosi, ruled by the Jinga of Zaria, is known for their teas and Keffa,(coffee).
The Realm of Kherah, ruled by the Sultante of Safira, is known for their metal and gem working. They have extremely close ties to the Dwarven Realm and trade freely between the two.
The Realm of Cairnmere, ruled by the Laird of Dunlosch, is known for their quarries of granite, marble and limestone.
The Realm of Iderqan, ruled by the Tyr of Os'mil, is known for their fine horseflesh and outstanding Riders of Iderqan, a group of men and women who train from a very early age to fight on horseback.
The Realm of Okazaki, ruled by the Shield of Tanass, is known for their export of herbal medicine, rice and fish.
The Realm of Banbray, ruled by the Minister of Kenwithe, is known for their forests of thousand year old Sylvantrees, and expert woodworkers.
The Realm of Ipanath, ruled by the Theon of Dusall, is known for their leather goods, and excellent cattle.
The Realm of Hybristeus, ruled by the Kyros or Kyria of Anasso, is known for their shipbuilding and fishing industry.
The Dwarven Realm, otherwise known as the Under-Realm, ruled by the King of the Under-Realm, is of course known for their export of minerals, semi-precious and precious gems, base and fine metals.
The Blue Dragon Realm, ruled by the eldest of the Blue Dragons, Ashrayoth, is not known for any export, but rather the protection they provide sea-goers.
The Silver Dragon Realm, ruled by the eldest of the Silver Dragons, Cheinath, is known for their willingness to transport items.
Worship:
Worship is varied on Aeortha. The most common religions are as follows:
The White Lord and Lady:
Worshipped by a majority of Aeorthan Fey. The churches and temples dedicated to them are scattered across the various landmasses, with the High Temple located on Quintos in the Adatha Dukedom. (Priests and Priestesses of the White Lord and Lady may marry and have children.)The Shieldmaidens of Tanass:
The Shieldmaidens of Tanass worship the Goddess Tana, a warrior goddess. The only temple to Tana is in the city of Tanass in Okazaki. The Shieldmaidens train in warrior principles daily, in the hope that they never use their skills. (Shieldmaidens may not marry, but are allowed to bear children, with the caveat that any male children be raised by the father or by a suitable male figure, and the girl children raised to be sheildmaidens.)The Jheri:
The worship of the Jheri, or Guardian Spirits, is practiced mainly by the Riders of Iderqan. The Jheri are benevolent spirits embodied by various totem animals, that guide and protect all beings. (Followers of the Jheri have no formal leadership, only clan shamans.)Flidhais, Woodland Goddess:
The worshippers of Flidhais are mainly the people of the Tree-Cities of Banbray, but also in small pockets of Ipanath. The priest class, called Vetulas, practice an ancient form of magic called Drayocht, and act as teachers and judges in the lives of the people of Banbray, in addition to their priestly duties. Their ceremonies are conducted in sacred groves of Quercus trees. Most rituals involve the ritualized death of a Cervidae, a large deer-like animal. Rangers of Banbray take an oath to Flidhais to guard the people against all evil. (Vetulas may not marry, have any relations that result in children, and live in specific communes of like sex).Theon of Dusall:
The Theon of Dusall is looked at as the spiritual leader of the people of Ipanath. He or She is also the leader of the governing body of Ipanath. The Theon leads all services at the High Temple. (The Ipanath people follow an offshoot of the White Lord and Lady Temples. The Theon may marry, but only a priest or priestess of the White Lady.)Dragon God, Baham:
The followers of Baham, although not exclusively, are mainly Dragons. A small following of Fey and Humans are located on the Isle of Ikta, at the Temple Bahamut. Followers believe that the entire multi-verse was spawned when Baham roared out the song of Creation. (There are no priests or priestesses, only the Learned. They lead all services. The Learned are not allowed to marry, but are allowed to have children.)Priests of Morsoth:
Morsoth is the Great Forger, he who created the earth, the caves and the mountains. God of the Dwarves, he is often depicted with a long, flowing white beard that never catches fire in his forge. Runes to his honor are crafted on all Dwarven Blades, which only the Priests of Morsoth are allowed to create. All Master Forgers are Priests of Morsoth. (Priests are not allowed to marry. Many do have children, however.)The One God:
Those who follow the One God, are a small group (mainly humans), but are perhaps the most universally recognized. The priests of the One God may not marry, have children or have congress with females. They are viewed by many as abberations but are still respected for their belief of a peaceful God. (Women are not allowed to become priests, but are not viewed as lower or secondclass because of it, rather they are thought to be too important to become a tool of the One God).The Dark Ones:
Those who follow the Dark Ones are the only group which is almost universally reviled. They believe in a Wrathful and Devious group of Gods and Goddesses. The followers are more often theives, murderers and wretches. In recent years the followers have joined together to form the Army of the Dark Ones, and have brought war upon peaceful realms. The Council of Thirteen has recently declared them Anathema and has said that they will wage war against those that follow the Army.
The Champions of Aeortha:
Within each Realm of Aeortha, the people name a champion. These champions are called upon to defend their Realm and seek out peace and justice. They are often called upon to act as judges, counselors, mediators or even priests. Each Realm has a different name for their champion, but the duties are much the same.
The Lightbringer of Quintos:
Every Lightbringer is chosen by the Lightbringer before them in a prophetic dream on the night they are made into the Lightbringer themselves. The dreams are generally not specific, ie. names, but rather a vision of an specific identifying mark and a birthdate.The Balideep of Jhansi:
The Balideep is a champion who is chosen by the Mughal, through an intensive right of passage. The Balideep is part warrior, part priest/ess.The Thimba of Leosi:
The Thimba is both a spiritual and war leader among the Leosian people, but is not usually a warrior, but a mage of some power.The Jhadi of Kherah:
A hereditary title, the Jhadi is one held by the eldest daughter of the Sultanate, if no daughters are born, the title goes to the eldest niece or granddaughter.The Peitan of Cairnmere:
The Peitan is chosen in a tourney held every 10 years in celebration of the Exodus to Aeortha. The Peitan is both a warrior and mage.The Marshall of Iderqan:
Given to the best Rider of Iderqan as decided at the Faire of the Jheri, celebrated every 20th season of the Black Bear,(every 20 years).The Shield of Tanass, the Champion of Okazaki:
This champion is also the Representative to the Council, and leader of the people of Okazaki. The Shield of Tanass is the High Shieldmaiden of Tana, and the mantle of champion is passed on every 25 years to the next High Shieldmaiden.The Warden of Banbray:
The Warden is a position the Minister of Banbray has to fill every 15 summers. The Wardens are chosen through a complex series of tests, both mental, physical and magical. Most Wardens are either Vetulas or Rangers.The Toril of Ipanath:
A champion chosen by the Theon of Dusall at the Festival of the White Lady, during the Theon's first year of rule. If a Toril dies before that time or following it, the position is passed to the next warrior in Toril's family line.The Theron of Hybristeus:
The Theron, is chosen by means of an olympiad. The winner is declared the Theron, and serves for 16 years, until the next olympiad.The High Priest of Morsoth:
The chosen warrior of the Dwarves, the High Priest is a true paladin, both healing the sick and wounded and fighting the Army of the Dark Ones.Dragonkind does not pick one person to lead their people into war or on the path of peace, but relies upon a volunteer base of warriors and peace-keepers.