In the early 1400s, Bailifes the Hammer unified most of Seshnela
under the war banner of Saint Rokar. One of his more powerful followers was the Count
Jeffrey. It so happened that in the consolidation period after the Great War, jealous
enemies conspired against Count Jeffrey and managed to arrange for his exile. Count
Jeffrey was forced to gather up those vassals who would follow him into exile and then
disappeared from Seshnela.
After many adventures, Count Jeffrey managed to win the favour of
the Pharaoh who gave him and his followers a settlement grant in northern Heortland (near
present day Carse). Worship of Malkion was common in the area, though mainly by
Henotheists. Anyway, with the patronage of the Pharaoh, Count Jeffrey and his Rokari
followers were allowed to settle in peace.
Peracles and his family are descendent of the original count's
followers. Ethnically they are westerners, though culturally, with the notable exception
of their religious beliefs, they are Heortlanders. His family is of the priest caste and
has provided the settlement with most of the true wizards. Traditionally, they have not
mixed much with their Henotheist and Lightbringer neighbours but their community has come
under increasing pressure to assimilate with the disappearance of the Pharaoh.
Peracles was trained as a Rokari wizard-priest. He has proven to be
one of the most adept practicioners of magic that the community has ever produced. He has
mastered the meagre collection of magical tomes that the community possesses and he hopes
to travel to Seshnela one day to study at the great temples there. Indeed, it is his dream
that he will return from such a trip, and carry the word of Saint Rokar to the confused
(choice of adjective depends on the relative strength of the heretics) Henotheists that
dwell near his home. The present Count has given him leave to pursue this vision but has
warned him that the community has no resources to spare to assist him (ie. he better not
expect help if he gets into trouble).
To prepare himself, Peracles has decided to travel in the lands of
the Henotheists and Pagans. This is to give him an opportunity to both improve his arcane
skills and to study the lifestyles of his potential converts.
Peracles first stop on his voyage of self-improvement was a years
apprenticeship to Melianus, a rather tolerant Henotheist Priest with whom Peracles had
often debated theology. A letter of introduction from Melianus took him to the Shadowlands
where he spent a some time living with the dark brethren. A second letter from Melianus
introduced him to a Praxian Stormlord (Sax Bolderson), who led him through Sartar and into
Prax. It was at this point that Peracles was introduced to the party.
Peracles still hopes to travel to Seshnela one day. Presently he
travels with the party and lives out (his interpretation of) the Rokari ideals:
- there is only one god and his principle saints are Malkion, Hrestol
and Rokar (other gods are simply powerful good/bad spirits)
- there is a place for every man and every man should know his place
- live in good faith (Joy of the Heart), do good deeds (Solace of the
Body) and you will ascend to a better place (His Solace Eternal) after your life on this
plane is finished.
Curious to learn more about the Rokari
Church?
On to the next page. Back to the Table of Contents.
Last modified September 24, 1998. Copyright Jeff
N.. and Oliver B.
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