Adventures in Arcadayn
The Northlanders honor many gods, including the Bloodletter (Drumagira), the two Druid gods (Canthor and Yanira), the four Elemental gods (Ingor, Kemira, Morovira, Uralor) and the four Quadralunic gods (Kobor, Lastor, Palogira, Paranira). However, the barbarians of these tribes do not have any organized clergy. Instead, the skalds serve many of the same functions--historian, counselor, judge, oracle. Most skalds are illiterate laymen, having no special powers beyond their wits, voices and prodigious memories; however, anyone earning the title of "Skald" has a privileged status. Some of the more fortunate and skilled seekers of arcane knowledge have unlocked the power of the divine through the study of runes. Any Northlander with Magical Aptitude will eventually be drawn to this lore; there are no other magical traditions among these barbarian tribes. Experienced rune-mages will be considered holy men. This religion has several symbols: the runes themselves, plus a few others associated with the various gods (mainly animals or weapons).
Prerequisites include: Literacy, Magery 1+, Bard, Law, Rune Lore, Skaldic Lore, Theology (specialization optional), and either Charisma 1+ or Voice.
Skalds (clerics or not) gain Bardic Immunity [10] within the Northlands. They must adhere to the Viking Code of Honor [-10; p. VI26].
Those who learn rune magic are considered to be priests--one level of Clerical Rank [5]. No higher rank is possible. Rune Lore and runes are considered sacred secret knowledge; skaldic priests must swear a Vow to never share this lore with anyone but another genuine rune-skald [-10]. Patrons and Duties depend entirely on secular ties; there is no organized church.
Rune-skalds never learn any spells other than runes, except that they may cast Divination (Rune-casting) as written (p. M56) if they have Rune-Lore-15+ and know both the Knowledge and Magic runes. Divine magic (as described in GURPS Religion) does not exist in this religion. Rune-skalds have no Holy Days.
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This page last updated 8/5/1999 by Timothy E. Emrick. | Copyright 1998 Timothy E. Emrick.