Osprem (major)

Lady of the Waves, Soother of Storms, Light of the Havens, Star of the Sea

Pre-Occupation: Osprem was a popular goddess in Onnwal, given the nation’s dependence on the sea for trade and fishing. She is seen as a protective figure, watching over her faithful as they venture out upon the often stormy seas, filling their nets, steadying the ship in the tempest, and guiding them home once more. Among many in Onnwal, especially around Scant and on the Azure Coast, she is depicted as the wife of Procan, the Sealord. Her singing is said to soothe her husband’s tempestuous rage and lulls him to sleep, thus calming the seas. Though originally a Suel goddess, her faith was adopted by Oeridian settlers. Her church is strongest in the west – particularly Scant and Sornhill – and but takes second place behind Procan in the Eastern Marchlands. The faith was of course very popular with mariners of all kinds, be they ships’ masters, common sailors, or fishermen – and most Onnwalons traditionally make an offering to the Lady of the Waves. Such offerings usually take the form of a scattering of flower blossoms onto the water before setting out upon a voyage. Amongst followers, a candle is lit in the temple at the departure of each ship to keep it safe and guide her crew home. Only when the ship returns or is declared lost is the light extinguished. Dolphins, in particular, were held as sacred to the faith of Osprem, followers professing that they are sent by her to guide ships home to port.

The heart of the Church of Osprem in Onnwal was a large cathedral in Scant overlooking the harbour and the approaches to the bay. The priests maintained a beacon light upon the top of the green copper dome, to guide ships home to the haven. The clergy traditionally offered prayers for good fortune at the beginning of voyages and for the protection of the ship and sailors. Priests of Osprem also blessed every keel that was laid and some were capable shipwrights themselves. In addition, the cathedral maintained a comprehensive library of sea charts detailing the coasts and islands of Onnwal and beyond. Some priests also served with the Navy, especially in actions against pirates. Furthermore, Osprem was the patron of the Loyal Company of Pilots, who were entrusted to guide vessels through the treacherous reefs of Scant harbour into port.

Post-Occupation: The Church of Osprem was one of the first to be infiltrated by the Scarlet Brotherhood’s Office of Diplomacy in the 570s. Agents worked their way into the Church and the Company of Pilots – thus gaining access not only to accurate charts of the Onnwalish coast but to the safe passages through the reefs protecting Scant from seaward attack.

This knowledge was key to the fall of Scant, for it allowed the Brotherhood fleet to sail into the harbour and land troops unhindered. Infiltrators seized the map library early in the attack. Since then all copies except those in the hands of the Office of Sovereignty have been destroyed and most of the members of Scant’s Guild of Cartographers have been murdered. Unauthorized possession of sea charts is punishable by death. In addition, all known members of the Company of Pilots not loyal to the Brotherhood have been captured and executed by drowning.

Most of the Priesthood in Scant were captured with the fall of the city, though some few managed to flee the city in the last vessels out of the port – helping them to evade the Brotherhood pursuit. Andera, a relatively minor Priestess from the Brotherhood’s Office of Faith, has replaced the High Priestess of Scant, Breal Geremak. The clergy has been imprisoned and re-educated by the Office of Faith. Those priests of Suel descent have been taught that the Brotherhood brings the pure ideology of Osprem, unpolluted by corrupting influences, while those of Oerid descent who convert are used as examples for the rest of the populace. Under this extreme pressure most of the captive priesthood has collaborated, though those small few who resist remaining imprisoned in Scant.

In the rest of the country, many of the clergies had time to escape the invading forces – though those who were captured were taken to Scant for re-education. Most fled to Irongate or Nyrond by the sea – the majority of these having been in service with the Navy at the time of the invasion. A Church in Exile was declared in Nessermouth in the winter of 584 CY under the leadership of Marya Jernal – though this has been moved to Killdeer since the Rebellion. The Church in Exile has denounced the collaborators as pawns of the Brotherhood and its clergy are chiefly occupied with serving on Navy vessels and blockade-runners plying the dangerous route between Onnwal and Nyrond. The temples in Killdeer and Longbridge have been reclaimed and reopened. In Sornhill, the church has been instrumental in defending the fortress-beacon of OspremĒs Light. Along with the Church of Mayaheine, the church has founded the Stalwart Order of the Sea and Star – a religious group dedicated to the defence of the people of Onnwal on both land and sea. However, despite the efforts of the Church in Exile, some of those who lived under Brotherhood rule have been reluctant to return to the Church, preferring the Brotherhood suppressed church of Procan instead.

Affiliated Orders: The Loyal Company of Pilots (believed destroyed); The Guild of Cartographers of Scant (believed destroyed); Stalwart Order of the Sea and Star.

The Stalwart Order of the Sea and Star: Upon the battlements of Osprem’s Light – out of desperation and necessity – a coalition has formed between the clergy of Mayaheine and Osprem. So firm was this alliance that it led to the joint consecration of the Darkbane (built under the direction of two worthy followers of the Defender) and it being dubbed the Bastion of the Sea and Star, a new holy order under the patronage of both. The measure of the Stalwart Order is to protect the weak upon land and sea, and this is done from the walls of the fortress-temple of OspremĒs Light and the Bastion Darkbane in Sornhill

Zilchus (major)

Lord of Coin, the Flail of Propriety, the Purse of Plenty

Pre-Occupation: Zilchus is a deity who oversees affairs of money and business, but is also a temporal power concerned with prestige and influence. He looks benevolently on those who wish the better themselves through the acquisition of wealth and temporal power. Zilchus is a Power revered by those who are fair, scrupulous in their dealings, and honest; shady merchants do not look to him. In Onnwal, the church of Zilchus supported the growth of Scant as a trading port, with competition from the Church of Xerbo. When the rule of the Hertzogs of South Province became oppressive and tyrannical – the Onnwal church tacitly supported the local nobility in the rebellion.

Nevertheless, it remained in contact with the Zilchans in Ahlissa. Political matters were studiously avoided and discussions were confined to commercial matters. Despite this, in the political turmoil that followed the rebellion and the foundation of the Iron League, the Onnwalon church grew apart from its parent, establishing its independence from the Aerdi hierarchy. It then forged direct links with the Zilchan churches of Nyrond, and the Free City of Greyhawk.

The main Cathedral for the Lord of Coin in Onnwal was based in Scant, with substantial temples in Killdeer and Longbridge, though in Sornhill, Xerbo was preferred and the Zilchan temple here was accordingly smaller. As well as making offerings to the Lord of Coin to bless commercial contracts and trade expeditions (usually incense burning, and small offerings of goods), priests of Zilchus regularly oversaw that fair trading was observed in the Grand Market of Scant and in other marketplaces throughout the land. The clergy undertook and supported their own commercial ventures including providing investment, and many were wealthy merchants in their own right. More active members of the Church acted as trade scouts, travelling widely in search of commercial opportunities both for themselves and their church and making contacts with the Church of Zilchus in other lands, especially Nyrond and the Free City of Greyhawk. Along with their commercial roles – Zilchans were involved in governance, often acting as Onnwal’s de facto diplomatic staff abroad and supporting the rights and privileges of the nobility at home. The Church has traditionally had very close relations with the nobility with the younger sons of many noble houses being encouraged to enter the Church of Zilchus as a prudent career move. In addition, both the Church itself and a number of individual priests have substantial land holdings especially in the central lowlands and along the Azure Coast. The High Tradepriest of Zilchus has traditionally been an influential advisor to the Szeks of Onnwal, particularly on matters of economy and foreign relations.

Post-Occupation: When Onnwal fell to the Scarlet Brotherhood, the Church of Zilchus was outlawed by the new regime. Its main cathedral in Scant and temples in the other towns was closed by the Office of Faith, their wealth systematically stripped, and then levelled and the stone used to construct Brotherhood temples. Priests were arrested and forced to be a party to the looting of their own temple and other indignities such as being forced to scrub the cobbles of the Grand Market before being led off to slavery. The High Tradepriest of Scant was martyred by being flayed to death with flails threaded with gold coins.

Some of the clergy, especially in the eastern towns managed to flee to Irongate or go into hiding in the Headlands. In Irongate they were greeted sympathetically by their co-religionists there and given succour. Despite this, many priests were financially ruined by the Occupation and some never recovered from the shock – some preferring suicide to having to live in poverty.

Others however rallied around the court-in-exile of Duke Coriell and played key roles in negotiating with the government of Irongate for the provision of supplies and aid, first to the Onnwalish refugees and later to the Free Onnwal movement. A number of prominent members of the Onnwal church have remained in the Duke’s retinue in Irongate acting as ambassadors for the rebels led by Tradepriest Kerlan Arrand, the second most senior surviving member of the Church. Other priests have been dispatched to Greyhawk City, the Urnsts and Nyrond to plead the rebel cause, and to re-establish vitally needed trading links between Free Onnwal and the outside world.

When the rebellion retook large sections of the country, the Zilchans, with their new leader High Tradepriest Barund Laramore, returned to reclaim what they could of their lost wealth. New makeshift shrines have been erected in Longbridge, Killdeer and most recently in Sornhill, and those of the clergy who held lands in the east have begun the onerous task of reconstruction. However, most of the church’s land is currently unclaimed.

The first priority for the church is to re-establish trade, which the rebels need for the war effort and to rebuild Onnwal’s shattered economy. Trade with Irongate is beginning – though currently, it is more or less all one way. Sea trade is perilous due to the predation by the Scarlet Brotherhood vessels operating out of Scant as well as Pomarji and Ahlissan pirates. Nonetheless, a tenuous link has been established with the Nyrondese port of Nessermouth.

It is a strongly held opinion among the surviving Zilchans that overtures should be made towards Ahlissa. Xavener, the new Overking in Kalstrand is the head of the House of Darmen, the Aerdi Celestial House that traditionally was the Church of Zilchus’ greatest patron. There is a feeling among many members of the Onnwal clergy that Ahlissa under the Darmens can be trusted. With the strangling of sea routes by the Brotherhood, Onnwal would benefit from overland trade. Further, the resurgent Ahlissan navy would be powerful allies against the Brotherhood blockade. The high standing of the Church of Zilchus in Ahlissa and the opening of trade between Ahlissa and Nyrond has only reinforced calls by influential Zilchans to begin the normalization of relations with Kalstrand. Many Zilchans in Onnwal envy the power the Ahlissan church has, and privately wish that things could be similar in Onnwal. In addition, they are conscious that dealing with Ahlissa would enable to rebuild their shattered fortunes.

A small minority of Zilchans have urged caution, however. Not only have called for negotiations with Ahlissa aroused long-held, but latent suspicions as to the loyalty of the Church of Zilchus among some nobles and influential rebels, but they have watched with disquiet, the increasingly acrimonious division in the hierarchy of the Ahlissan Church. Matriarch Schleretha of Zelradton has repeatedly accused Patriarch Larissen, the head of the Church in Ahlissa, of being Overking Xavener’s puppet and of making the Church an instrument of the Overking’s political designs. The Patriarch has denied the allegations, denouncing the matriarch as being paranoid. The Onnwalons fear that the matriarch may be correct and that dealing with the Ahlissan church may draw Onnwal closer into the embrace of Ahlissa than is healthy.

Affiliated Orders: Fellowship of the Coin.

This is a group of about two to three dozen warriors devoted to the service of the Lord of Coin. The Fellowship have sworn oaths to protect merchants and travellers upon Onnwal’s roads from bandits and other parasites threatening the flow of commerce and trade. Before the wars, they were sought after as honest and efficient caravan guards. In addition to guarding trade they also on occasion hunted down bandits in the Headlands, bringing them either to justice or to an early grave.

They fought with the retreating Onnwalish forces during the Scarlet Brotherhood take-over, acquitting themselves well, though not without losses. The Fellows refused to leave Onnwal and so withdrew into the Headlands where they have fought a guerrilla campaign against the Brotherhood, putting their extensive knowledge of the terrain to good use. Though they are allied with the Rebel forces, the leader of the Fellowship, Jerrul Bardens, and many others in the band find working with the thieves and brigands they once pursued distastefully and there is no love lost between Jerrul and Rakehell Chert. Equally many with the Wreckers have lost friends and colleagues over the years due to the actions of the Fellowship and there is a definite feeling that old scores will someday be settled. Nonetheless, the Fellowship play their part in the struggle, though they generally only take orders from Jian Destron, refusing to recognize Chert’s authority.

Procan (major)

Sealord, Sender of Storms, Roar of the Ocean, Eye of the Tempest

Pre-Occupation: The worship of Procan was brought to Onnwal with the Aerdi. He is depicted as a wrathful and intemperate god, prone to venting his ire in the form of storms and tempests in which he is thought to manifest himself. In the west and south, he is described as the husband of Osprem who is said to moderate his rage with her soothing songs. In the east, however, where worship of Osprem is eclipsed by that of Procan, The Roar of the Ocean is seen as the primary god of the sea.

A small cult called the Stormseekers was based in Sornhill. This bizarre offshoot of the main church, believing that Procan is actually manifest in the heart of tempests, seeks to be closer to him by actually holding ceremonies on ships in the middle of storms, sometimes sailing directly in the heart of a tempest to commune with their god. Many do not survive which obviously keeps the cult small. However, those that do are often hailed as living saints. One such was the founder of the cult – Burisan Stormseeker, who was said to have survived three scores of “communions” before finally as an old man of 70 years he sailed away and never returned.

Procan’s temples are always placed on the seashore and are centred around a pool of seawater. Worship of Procan generally takes the form of an appeasement sacrifice (commonly an offering of salt or a small clay doll representing the sailor dropped into the pool in the temple) – generally made by sailors before setting out on a voyage. Procan was revered by all those who ventured out upon the often stormy seas around Onnwal and by those who await their return on the shore. He is also the patron of the salt harvesters of the Azure Coast and of the Guild of Navigators in Scant.

Priests of Procan make offerings and prayers on behalf of their flock to avert the rage of the Sealord and for a plentiful harvest of fish. Their knowledge of tides and sea weather is second to none and borders on the precognisant for high-ranking priests of the church. Generally, however, in the past, priests of Procan did not serve aboard vessels – though many are accomplished sailors in their own right. They worship the sea itself rather than the act of moving across it.

The main Cathedral to Procan was in Killdeer set upon the seashore. Large temples were also found in Scant, Sornhill and Longbridge.

Post-Occupation: The Temple of Procan in Scant was beset early in the fighting, and was taken only after a quick but bloody struggle. Those priests not killed in the attack were publicly starved to death, given only salt to eat. The temple itself was levelled while the Guild of Navigators was outlawed, its records seized and those members captured by the Brotherhood were enslaved and put to the service of the Brotherhood navy. Some members of the Guild either escaped the fall or were aboard ships at sea at the time. Most of these have entered the service of the Rebels.

Elsewhere in Onnwal the Brotherhood made a point of eliminating the Church as soon as possible, fearing the powers of the priests might wreak havoc on their fleets and disgusted by the local belief that Procan was Osprem’s husband. The clergy were ruthlessly hunted down, temples levelled and the church crushed. Many priests especially in Sornhill and Killdeer managed to escape on fleeing ships, their powers aiding the vessels’ escape from the Brotherhood fleets. The Head of the Church in Onnwal, Delvan Gasparen refused to abandon the Cathedral and, sending his priests into exile, alone remained to face the advancing Brotherhood forces. When the Brotherhood troops came to seize him, he summoned an enormous wave to sweep away the temple, drowning the soldiers and himself and a section of Killdeer’s waterfront.

The clergy mostly fled to Nessermouth and Irongate, though a few priests remained at large in the Storm Isles, and the rocky cliffs of the Storm Coast. This included the Stormseekers, led by their “Living Saint” Iseln Guiral, who since then has waged a savage guerrilla war against Brotherhood shipping. This has increased the profile, popularity and influence of the Stormseekers and Iseln is now treated on a similar footing with Delvan’s successor Holshend Wildren.

The main church has taken a more active role in aiding Rebel shipping. Wildren, invoking the memory of his predecessor’s sacrifice, has declared a holy war against the Brotherhood for the outrages they have committed against the church. Many priests therefore now serve aboard rebel ships and do their utmost to bring the wrath of the Sealord down upon the heads of the Brotherhood and their allies.

The Cathedral at Killdeer is being rebuilt as is the temple at Longbridge. Given the collusion of members of the other maritime faiths with the Brotherhood, many especially in the east have turned to Procan, which like them was a victim of rather than a party to the Occupation.

Norebo (major)

Father of Chance, The Dice of Fortune

Pre-Occupation: Pre-Occupation: Norebo is the Suel god of luck, gambling and risks and his name was widely invoked for good fortune whether it be in work, business, play or love. Said to be daredevil rogue at heart, Norebo smiles upon those who throw themselves headlong at life, with no mind of the odds or the consequences. He is the patron of gamblers and of gambling establishments and all in Onnwal bear a small shrine to the Dice of Fortune.

Another Suel faith adopted by the Oerid settlers, he was more revered in the towns – especially in Scant and Sornhill – and in the west. He had only a small following among the somewhat dour Oeridian folk of the Eastern Marchlands. Norebo was especially popular with sailors (who, given the stormy seas around Onnwal were not averse to making as many friends among the gods as possible) as well a large following among the Wreckers – Scant’s Thieves’ Guild.

In Scant, a temple of middling size was set in the heart of the poorer end of the city – also not coincidentally on Scant’s Street of Dice – where the gambling houses tended to cluster. Many of these were either run by priests of the temple or at least by devotees of the Father of Chance. The Priests of the temple routinely placed their blessing upon the gambling houses and most of the inns of the city – in return for generous donations from these establishments of course. As a result, the church was surprisingly wealthy. The flamboyant, and highly unpredictable High Priest Gerden Treda, prone to making decisions determined by the cast of a die, was known to distribute some of the wealth to the poor of the city, should the dice demand it. (Curiously the dice always seemed to know when the recipient was most needy).

Post Occupation: Most of the priesthood, including Gerden, remained in Scant when it fell and were subsequently absorbed by the Office of Faith. Though suspicious, the Brotherhood accepted the priest’s conversion, (though they still keep a close eye on Gerden’s movements). Given the low esteem in which the reckless Father of Chance is held in the orderly Brotherhood society, the temple in Scant was converted into the temple for the Suel pantheon. The Priests go about their business as commanded by their superiors in the Office of Faith, and are model converts.

Elsewhere, those members of the church that were forced to flee the Brotherhood have served as part and parcel of the Wrecker’s resistance cells – where they have been valued members – as much as a morale-boosting talisman as a source of clerical magic.

Xerbo (major)

Master of the Mains, the Unwavering Rudder, Vault of the Oceans

Pre-Occupation: The Church of Xerbo, popular with the Suel inhabitants of the Onnwal peninsula, was adopted by the Aerdi invaders after their conquest of the region. The Church was traditionally strong in the west of the country particularly in Scant and Sornhill, where maritime trade was the strongest – though in the east and south Zilchus proved the stronger. A long-standing rivalry existed between this faith and the Church of Zilchus. While Zilchus tended to deal more with the wealthier merchants and enjoyed the patronage of the nobility, Xerbo catered more for the humbler merchants and also for overseas traders.

The Temple of Xerbo in Scant stood close to the docks and acted as a meeting place for merchants to find ships and ship’s masters to find cargo and crews, all overseen by the priests of the temple. Many of the priests themselves own shares in merchant’s vessels and grew wealthy from the trade. Mariners and merchants alike made offerings of goods to the temple to bring the blessings of Xerbo upon the voyage. Thus, the wealthy temple in Scant vied with the Church of Zilchus for control of the devotion of the city’s merchants. Priests of Xerbo were also active in the struggle against pirates and served on both Navy vessels in actions against Pomarji, Wild Coast and Ahlissan buccaneers. Less widely known is that some high-ranking priests of the Church bankrolled Onnwalish privateers to make reprisal raids against pirate ships and ports.

Post-Occupation: The Church of Xerbo – like that of Osprem – was infiltrated by agents of the Office of Diplomacy many years prior to the Greyhawk Wars. A significant number of the senior clergy were persuaded that under the rule of the Scarlet Sign that they would have primacy over their Zilchan rivals and that they would have a monopoly over trade in exotic items from the jungles of the south. Indeed a number of the present hierarchy were “bought” by being secretly given access to goods from Hepmonaland by the Brotherhood. It was through the Church of Xerbo in Scant that the Brotherhood was able to secretly funnel supplies and aid to the Iron League early on in the Wars.

When Onnwal fell, those in the Church who were not in league with the Brotherhood were quickly seized and imprisoned, often by their own co-religionists. These have undergone re-education at the hands of the Office of Faith and many have either died in the process or been brainwashed. A small number of dissenters escaped from Sornhill – though the retreating Onnwalish forces burned the temple in Killdeer on the orders of Duke Coriell. The few priests opposing the Brotherhood are treated with universal distrust and suspicion by the rebel forces and Jian Destron has forbidden navy ships to allow them on board. This group, led by Saras Jernigan and calling themselves the Loyal Church of Xerbo, though stung by the rejection by the rebels, still fights to clear the name of the Church. Thus they act in any way it can to fight the Brotherhood – even to the point of serving with privateers – so long as they raid Brotherhood vessels.

Under the Brotherhood, the Church, led by its High Priest Elias Relho, was rewarded for its “loyalty” by being given a large portion of the wealth of the Church of Zilchus as well as the ships and goods of all merchants not of Suel descent (and therefore thralls). Traders of Suel descent (and therefore classified by the Office of Purity as sub-citizens) were allowed to keep their business – though it had to be registered with both the Office of Sovereignty and the Church of Xerbo. Furthermore, vessels belonging to members of the Church were allowed free passage at all Brotherhood ports and through the blockades of the Tilva Straits. Indeed, this traffic has proved essential in re-supplying the garrison at Scant. Some have taken to slavery and have grown rich shipping slaves from Onnwal and Idee to the south and Hepmonaland and Amedio savages north.

The Rebels have dealt with collaborators swiftly and brutally. Practically every member of the Church outside Scant has been lynched, executed or imprisoned (depending on the whim of the Rebel commander and the anger of the liberated mobs). All the priests in Scant fear the fall of the city, which they know will mean their death should they fall into rebel hands. Many have therefore thrown their full weight behind the Brotherhood, aiding the resupply of the garrison.

Jascar (major)

Lord of the Dells, Mist upon the Hills, Dweller upon the Heights, Voice of the Hills

Pre-Occupation: Jascar, the Suel god of Hills and Mountains was another faith adopted by the Oeridian settlers. Jascar is Lord of the Dells and is thought to be manifest in the hills and the vales and watches over all that dwell within his realm. His faith was always a rural one – confined to the villages and herdsmen of the Headlands and the settlements huddling about their feet – particularly in the western and northern reaches. Most villages have a small shrine of the chapel to Jascar in the centre of the settlement and many hilltops have small cairns of stones dedicated to him. Furthermore, his priesthood has constructed many dry stone huts for travellers and shepherds to take shelter in bad weather or overnight. These are mainly in the more inhabited fringes of the Headlands and along the main tracks and roads. The main temple of the church was at Notil (in Suel – hill-home) in the western Headlands. Here it said there are extensive maps of the hills and some of the caves and caverns that riddle them.

The priesthood mainly concerned itself with caring for the Headlands and the folk that dwelt there. Some, generally older priests or acolytes remained tied to particular areas. Others – generally those recently ordained and younger priests wandered the Headlands, travelling from village to village and shrine to shrine. In many of the hill villages, priests of Jascar were the only clergy ever seen. As well as a practical aid to the highland folk, most priests spend some time each day on hilltops or high places in contemplation of the beauty of their master’s realm, and their place within it. Some priests call this “listening to the Master” or “listening to Voice of the Hills”. Offerings were made to Jascar both in open-air chapels, in sanctuaries set in caves (generally upon the higher tors with cave mouths giving a grand vista over the surrounding lands), and even on top of hills at festivals. At Growfest, the festival is celebrated by the lighting of bonfires atop many hills and along the northern hills, the lines of blazing beacons make a spectacular sight.

Jascar is also revered and respected by many of the Noniz and Dwur of the Headlands. There are even a few Demi-human priests of Jascar, though generally, this is more among the Noniz than the Dwur. The Demi-humans have great respect for the priests of the faith, glad to meet humans who share their love of highlands and stone. Priests of Jascar have been known to accompany prospecting expeditions into the hills, and these are generally the more successful ones. However, this is only on condition that no open cast quarrying takes place, and that the Headlands are not defaced.

The only urban temple in Onnwal was a small chapel is set into the rock of the Palace Hill in Scant – itself a city of hills. The temple had few visitors – and even those were mainly Dwur or Noniz – often feeling a longing for the highlands once more.

Post-Occupation: When the lowlands fell to the Brotherhood, most of the clergy retreated into the Headlands – often aiding lowlanders in the process. Many a tired column of refugees or Onnwalish soldiers were led to safe places in the hills by the followers of Jascar. Although Jascar is a Suel god, he is estranged from the Brotherhood, and so his faith, led by Erveg Kosral, a venerable and hardy hill wanderer, also rejected them. Though they did not actively participate in fighting, they were invaluable to the guerrilla fighters hiding in the Headlands, acting as guides, offering their temples as shelters and tending the wounded.

In Scant, the shrine tended by the priestess Brinia Earthshadow was allowed to remain open, given that Jascar is a Suel god, even if he does not grant powers to the Brotherhood. However, Brinia is kept under close watch by the Office of Sovereignty despite the fact she has made assurances that she would not resist the Brotherhood.

Elsewhere captured priests were imprisoned or if found to be acting with the rebels, tortured for information in the dungeons of Obelstone. Several have been martyred in this way. Unusually among Suel faiths in the present time, Jascar’s remains popular in Free Onnwal – and many rebels treat priests of the faith with respect. Some of those who fought in the Headlands in the years after the Fall of Onnwal have even converted.

Recent incursions by Hochebi into the Headlands have outraged the clergy of Jascar. The church considers the hills pure and sacred in the eyes of their god-given that they have been free of the taint of humanoids for centuries. Talk of a holy war of purification has been rife among the priests of the church of late.

Affiliated Orders: The Followers of the Stone Voice

The Followers of the Stone Voice (who were once known as the Brotherhood of the Dells, but given recent events thought it political to change their name) are a little-known hermetic order based out of the Headlands. It is said the Followers have built a handful of deserted secret shrines that act as safe houses. It is rumoured that these are carved into the side of the walls and hidden from non-believers. An exact census of their numbers is difficult as few of them live within civilized Onnwal, preferring to live off JascarĒs bounty within the Headlands. It is thought they cannot number more than a score. This information was gleaned from a point of contact for these truly hermitic individuals among the clergy of Jascar in Notil.

Fortubo (major)

The Bountiful Seam, Pure Ore, Master Smith, the Unyielding Rock

Pre-Occupation: Fortubo is the Suel god of Stone, Metal, Mountains and Guardianship. However after the Suel created the Derro from enslaved Dwur during the days of the Imperium, he turned his back on his people in revulsion. In the days since the Rain of Colourless Fire, however, some humans, Suel and others, have drifted back to the worship of the Bountiful Seam and these he has forgiven.

In Onnwal his faith among humans was rooted in mining communities and among artisans working metal and stone – generally in the west and south, however. He is also held in special reverence by the Dwur and Noniz of the Headlands – actually more widespread than among the human populace and the majority of his faithful in Onnwal are among these groups. Ancient Dwur legends claim that Fortubo himself led the Dwur to the Headlands, though this is rejected by the more hard-line priests of the Dwur pantheon – especially in Nerakern.

His faith maintained a small temple in the Gate Hill district of Scant – where as well as the Dwur and Noniz communities most of the city’s artisans congregated. In the lowlands, Fortubo was mainly seen as a patron of metal and stoneworkers, and most of his priesthood there were craftsmen themselves. Nearly every forge in the western lowlands had the symbol of Fortubo set in a prominent position, and many masons carved the hammer of Fortubo on keystones and cornerstones of buildings. The faith was less strong in the north and east. Offerings of finely crafted metal and stonework were made in his temples and priests routinely blessed smithies and building materials before constructions, especially in Scant and its hinterland.

In the Headlands, Fortubo is the Bountiful Seam who bestows his great wealth upon those he favours. He was extensively worshiped in human mining villages and also had a place in many Dwur and Noniz settlements. Offerings of gems, raw ore and beautifully carved stonework were made at the shrines, which often stood at the centre of mining villages.

Post-Occupation: Fortubo has a passionate hatred of the Scarlet Brotherhood, which is shared by this faithful. When the Brotherhood took Scant – the last resistance was on Gate Hill at the temple of Fortubo. Here the priests, aided by many craftsmen and artisans (mostly Dwur and Noniz) made a valiant, but ultimately futile stand for three days against the Brotherhood’s hordes. The Sixty Martyrs of Gate Hill have not been forgotten among the people of Scant nor the Faithful of Fortubo.

The Office of Faith declared the Church impure and priests have been hunted – though efforts have been made to take them alive so that they might be re-educated. However, the clergy of Fortubo have little intention of surrendering and prefer to die rather than face capture. Those that have been captured have resolutely resisted all efforts at indoctrination despite horrific extremes of mental and physical torture. Temples to Fortubo have been claimed and occupied by the Brotherhood but not destroyed.

Elsewhere the priesthood similarly resisted fiercely, only reluctantly withdrawing into the safety of the Headlands, where they aided the guerrillas there in defending against Brotherhood probes into the hills. Priests have blessed forges making weapons, applied to heal where needed and fought where needed, often being last to retreat and even prepared to bring down caves and mines on top of themselves to kill Brotherhood forces. The Church under its leader Waddell Scohlem, has worked also to strengthen support among the Dwur citadels for the rebellion and have loudly encouraged them to march to war against the Brotherhood.

Since the Brewfest Rebellion, priests of Fortubo have once more returned to the lowlands, reclaiming the temple in Longbridge. They and their lay faithful are active as ever in supplying the rebels with materials and weapons.

Affiliated Orders: The Khazuur Maar (Hands of Stone)

Among the traditional Dwur faiths and indeed society, the monastic way of life is unknown and indeed disapproved of. Only among the Dwur followers of the god Fortubo, who turned his back on the decadent Suel in favour of the Dwur millennia ago, is the practice found. The Khazuur Maar is a group of no more than a dozen monks devoted to Fortubo. They form a small sect within the Church of Fortubo based in the Dwur Citadel of Sarakast. The monks are entirely Dwur, though there is no barrier to human or Noniz followers of Fortubo joining their small congregation. Mediation takes the form of crafting items of exceptional beauty with painstaking care – the ultimate goal being to produce a work of such perfection that it, and therefore its crafter, is worthy to take his place at FortuboĒs side. Such items are never sold but are kept in the Temple of Fortubo in Sarakast.

Pholtus (minor)

The Blinding Light, the One True Path

Pre-Occupation: Pholtus, the Oeridian god of Light, Order and Law and Resolution was brought to Onnwal with the forces of Aerdy. The Church of the Blinding Light was one of the three main churches of the Great Kingdom, especially in its early years. However with the simultaneous rise of the House of Naelax and the Church of Hextor, the influence of Pholtus within the heartlands of Aerdy began to wane. Many priests found refuge from the hostile environment of the Great Kingdom under the Hextorites in the far-flung provinces and former provinces of the Kingdom. Onnwal was no exception to this and though the numbers of priests was small, it stabilised the dwindling native clergy. Due to this influx, the Church in Onnwal had a strong LG bent (as opposed to stricter LN sects, which tended to cling on longer in Aerdy proper).

Since the days of the great Aerdi lawmaker Schandor and his famous Code of Laws, the clergy of Pholtus have been acted as Judges of the Sessions, presiding over the law courts of the land. Though the legal code was frequently ignored, overruled and openly flaunted by the South Province appointed rulers of Onnwal, after the rebellion of 447 CY, the Destron Szeks restored Schandor’s Legal Code and system, administered by the clergy of Pholtus. The Prime – or Chief Justice – of Onnwal was traditionally the high priest of Pholtus.

The Church never had a widespread following among the common folk except in the Eastern Marchlands. Among the ruling classes, the church was well respected and patronised. The temple of the Blinding Light was a shining white marble building directly adjacent to the law court in the High Quarter of Scant, and acted as the seat of the Prime. Elsewhere the chapels of the Blinding Light were usually actually inside the Session Courthouses themselves, except in Killdeer where it was a separate building. Services to Pholtus included long sermons teaching the need to follow the One True Path and singing of the hymn “Oh Blinding Light.”

Post-Occupation: Given its position in the old order, the Church of Pholtus was brutally suppressed Brotherhood, despite staunch resistance. Many of the Church hierarchy and clergy, including the Prime Tellendarn were martyred during the occupation – by being burnt alive inside their temple by the clergy of Pyremius. The temple in Killdeer suffered a similar fate – though many of the clergy managed to escape into the hills or as far as Irongate. In the countryside the clergy was ruthlessly hunted down and killed, while the legal systems was replaced by the Brotherhood’s code of laws, administered by the Office of Sovereignty with the blessing of the Church of Wee-Jas.

A few priests have survived and since the Brewfest Rebellion have been slowly trying to rebuild their shattered church in the lands held by Free Onnwal. Notably though, the survivors have turned wholeheartedly towards the intolerant teachings of the Theocracy of the Pale, and their new High-Priest, Shining Paragon Purcennd Kerondas has begun to structure themselves in a suitably martial manner. A number of missionaries have even arrived from Wintershiven to aid their efforts and to preach the Doctrine of the One True Path. This has so far had a moderate degree of success, particularly in the Eastern Marchlands, where reverence for Pholtus has always been strong, and where there is a widespread mistrust of Suel churches, given the collaboration of many with the Brotherhood.

Jian has not yet appointed a Prime for Free Onnwal yet, but Purcennd is encouraging him to do so. Even so, some of the more zealous Priests, led by the Palish missionaries have taken on themselves to administer law and order to Free Onnwal. Unsurprisingly, these self-proclaimed judges tend to be harsh in their rulings and severe in their punishments – blinding or death by crucifixion or burning being common sentences. Particularly harsh punishments are meted out to priests of Suel faiths suspected of collaboration.

Purcennd is appalled by the power which criminals such as Chert and the Wreckers have and the deference shown them by Jian. Purcennd has spoken of the danger of Onnwal becoming a bandit state and Chert and many of the Wreckers are known to hate the Shining Paragon almost as much as the Brotherhood. The Pholtines are also concerned by the rise of the Churches of Joramy and Trithereon and their disruptive and damaging influence among the peasantry. Harsh words have already passed between the Pholtines and the Pursuer’s faithful, and though matters have yet to come to blows, it is a matter of when rather than if.

Affiliated Orders:

The Radiant Brothers of the Blinding Light

The Radiant Brothers of the Blinding Light is the name given to the group of monks who are devoted to Pholtus and hail from the Theocracy of the Pale. The majority of the monks are ascetic and intolerant individuals, dedicated to the harsh teachings of the Palish, and unswervingly loyal to Purcennd Kerondas. Some even put out one eye to show their devotion to the Blinding Light.

Knights Militant

The Knights Militant is a chapter of the Knights Valorous that are active in the Pale and Nyrond this splinter-group, as with its sister organizations, follow the most rigid doctrines of Pholtus. These men seeking a just-cause to fight for and came to Onnwal at the decree of Shining Paragon Purcennd Kerondas. They are typically clad in plate mail (for the Pale is a rich country), resplendent with white tabards bearing the silver moons of Pholtus and wielding either longswords or greatswords, these templars are an elite unit in terms of prowess and morale.

Purcennd Kerondas once stated he had a hundred of these men willing to die at his command, but the precise number of knights active in Onnwal is a fact kept secret by the Shining Paragon and the Baron of Silvervale, who houses these knights within his own lands. While based in Silvervale they can oft be found roaming the land, administering the laws in its harshest forms. Their unbending nature has put them at odds with the freedom loving Knights of the Chase.

Trithereon (minor)

The Summoner, the Avenger, the Pursuer

Pre-Occupation: Trithereon is the god of Liberty and Retribution. Before the Occupation, the Summoner’s faith in Onnwal comprised a small but vigorous sect. The Church first rose to popularity in the days of the rebellion against the Great Kingdom, stirring up the common folk against the oppression of the rulers imposed from Zelradton. It has been long suspected by the faithful of Trithereon in Onnwal that the unrest among the common folk caused by their order was as much a factor in driving Onnwal’s nobility to rebellion as the abuses by the Hertzogs.

In the prosperity that followed the 447 CY rebellion, his following waned somewhat – mainly being confined to the east, which faced the greatest threats from the Great Kingdom. The church was active in the early years of the sixth common century combating and crushing a suspected slaving ring in Onnwal. However beyond there were few causes for the clergy to pursue. The only temple to the Summoner was a small chapel in Killdeer. Nonetheless, the numbers of the clergy dwindled, until before the wars there were fewer than a dozen priests in the entire country were, many of them older than the would have liked to admit. Services centred around sermons driving home the need for vigilance against the ever-present threat of tyranny from South Province, consecration of weaponry for this purpose and ringing of the chapel’s gilded bell. The priest were ever eager to participate in raids against the South Province – and though they proved their worth on many an occasion, they were viewed with a degree of light-hearted fondness by the Marines who accompanied them – for many were old enough to be the leathersides’ fathers or grandfathers.

Post-Occupation: Since the Occupation, the popularity of the Church of the Avenger has soared everywhere in Onnwal, though its base remains the Eastern Marchlands. The small numbers of old priests were active in armed resistance against the Brotherhood and have earned the enmity of the Scarlet Sign. It is a contest in which quarter is neither asked for nor given. The Trithereonites were the last to retreat from Killdeer (hiding their bell beneath the temple which was subsequently levelled by the Office of Faith) and harried the Brotherhood relentlessly, putting their years of experience to good use in organising and leading bands of guerrillas in the Headlands. This and their willingness to unselfishly sacrifice themselves for the cause won the Church many new converts. The ranks of the clergy was also boosted by priests from Nyrond who returned with Jian Destron in 587 CY. Included in the ranks of these were a number of Knights of the Chase – questing warriors devoted to the cause of liberty and the Pursuer.

The Church is now prominent in the Resistance – their leader Nialle the Wanderer is an advisor to Rakehell Chert, though the young Nyrondese priest is known to defer to the old blind Onnwalish priest Sarlen Freeman. The temple in Killdeer has been rebuilt and the bell unearthed from its hiding place once more rings true and proud over the town. Now however it draws a sizeable congregation to hear sermons decrying oppression and urging the need to fight oppression in all of its forms. Priests and lay members of the Church as well as the Knights of the Chase patrol the frontiers of the rebel held lands, striking at the Brotherhood at every opportunity and spreading the creed of the Pursuer. Small makeshift chapels have been set up in Longbridge and Sornhill and in the latter; the clergy are active in the defence of the town against Brotherhood attacks.

For all the good the faith has done in motivating the rebels against the Brotherhood, its libertarian preaching to the common folk has disturbed some nobles and in some of the more traditional faiths, Pholtus notably.

Nialle and his followers have clashed with the Church of Pholtus for its severe and strict rule of law. The Pholtites of course regard the Bluecloaks as being shameful heretics and dearly wish to deal with them in a manner befitting the Blinding Light. If Nialle is aware of these enmities, he does not show it, rather continuing his church’s untiring crusade against the Brotherhood. The Trithereonites do however get on well with the Churches of Jascar (priests of that faith often acted as guides for the guerrillas in the Headlands) and the new established faith of Mayaheine – with whom they share a common goal – if not always a common outlook.

Associated Orders: Knights of the Chase.

This loosely organised Knighthood is made up of fanatical followers of Trithereon, the majority of whom are either priests or warriors. Wanderers all, these individuals wander the Flanaess fighting oppression and freeing those who are enslaved or held for no just cause. Many half-elves and half orcs find themselves drawn into this Order. Members travelled to Onnwal from Southern Nyrond with Nialle the Wanderer to aid Onnwal in its time of need.

Knights of the Chase are highly individualistic, devoted folk who are used to acting on their own initiative. As wanderers they own only what they can carry with them or on their warhorse. The only authority that these questing warriors recognise is that of their god or a Master Priest or Priestess. Merciless opponents they relentlessly hunt those who have earned their ire and almost always deal with the transgressor as they see fit. A Knight of the Chase will never turn away from those in need of rescue or protection, as this is seen as a terrible sin, unless the person in question is himself guilty of oppression.

Usually encountered alone theirs is a life of loneliness although several have been encountered in Onnwal operating in small groups. These groups hardly ever stay together long as the highly individualistic, and chaotic, personalities of the group are not conducive to teamwork. Members of this order are easily distinguishable by their blue chain mail emblazoned with a silvered pursuit rune. Particularly devout or powerful Knights have this rune etched in gold.

Kelmur Trantis is perhaps the best known of the knights, personally having personally slain three Kesh. Given the nickname “The Scourge of the Red Sign” it is widely known that Sister Kuranyie has placed a high price on his head. Famed for his prowess and dedication, Kelmur can often be found deep in Brotherhood territory

Mayaheine (minor)

The Defender, The Protector, Shield of the Innocent

Pre-Occupation: Mayaheine is a demi-goddess who arrived on the Oerth during the Wars. She was said to have appeared to the defenders of Irongate and Chendl during the sieges of those cities and aided them in their resistance. She is the protector of the helpless, the defender on the walls.

The Church of the Defender has been imported from Irongate by returning rebels, some of whom were consecrated priests of the Church during their stay in the city. Irongate was the birthplace of the Church – it being the first place where the Protector manifested herself during the Wars. Her following is small but grows by the day, eroding the flocks of many established faiths, especially the Suel faiths that are widely regarded with mistrust by the common folk. She is revered especially among the army where her followers are active in the frontline against the Brotherhood, defending the people of the lowlands from Brotherhood raids from Scant. Thus, she also is winning a strong following among the common folk, especially in the war-torn south and west of the country.

The centre of her faith in Longbridge and the Azure Coast. Here, Jelal Mullenden the leader of the church in Onnwal, has directed the building of a fortified temple which also serves as a sanctuary for the homeless of the town and refugees from the fighting and those who have escaped the Brotherhood lands. Services include singing of hymns and the consecration of weapons.

The new church is well regarded by almost all the native churches with only the most hard-line of the Pholtines denouncing the Mayaheinean heresy of giving deference to its parent church of Pelor. They get on well with the Church of the Pursuer, often co-operating in actions against the Brotherhood as in Sornhill, where Jelal has personally led a band of her followers to bolster the defence of the town. The Church is of course hated by the Brotherhood and followers of the Defender can expect no mercy if they are captured. Those that are captured show little fear in the face of their martyrdom and go cheerfully to their deaths often singing a hymn to the Shield of the Innocent.

The Church of Mayaheine has been indispensable in the defense of OspremĒs Light and Sornhill. The faith now lends its support to the Stalwart Order of the Sea and Star (qv).

Associated Orders: Stalwart Order of the Sea and Star – see Osprem above.

The Velaeri – Oeridian Agricultural Gods (minor)

Telchur – God Of Winter And The North Wind

Breath Of The North

Atroa – God Of Spring And The East Wind

Bringer of Spring, Herald Of Storms

Sotillon – God Of Summer And The South Wind

Lady Of Summer, Sun Bearer

Wenta – God Of Autumn And The West Wind

The Corn Maiden

Velnius – God Of Sky And Weather

Arch Of The Sky, Sender Of Rains

Pre-Occupation: The Velaeri, Oeridian gods of Winds and Sky, are collectively revered as agricultural gods in Onnwal and elsewhere in the Flanaess. They are thought to control the winds and the weather that they bring, and are revered especially at the festival weeks, which are thought to be scared to each (Telchur for Needfest, Atroa for Growfest etc.).

In Onnwal they are worshiped mainly in the agricultural heartlands of Gilderond and the Azure Coast, though shrines to the winds and sky also may be found on the docks of nearly every port in the country – in the hope that they will bring favourable winds and fair weather for the vessels that venture forth from them. Inland the gods are revered as a group – in Chapels of the Wind and Sky. In their simplest form these consist of four poles set at the cardinal points, to which prayer ribbons – pieces of cloth with the entreaties or prayers to the gods – are tied and allowed to blow in the winds. In the centre is a square stone altar in which is set a pool of water mirroring the sky. Offerings to Velnius – usually flower blossoms, or the fruits of the harvest – are placed here. Larger towns, such as Bergardbridge, have more elaborate stone chapels – though they follow the same pattern as the rustic rural shrines.

The clergy of the Velaeri, tend to be devoted to them as a group, though many pick one of the five as their particular patron and assume duties appropriate to that deity. Priests devoted to Atroa bless births and often act as midwives while priests of Sotillion preside over weddings and marriages. Priests of Techur frequently lead funeral services. Nonetheless they will tend the entire shrine or chapel and officiate at festivals other than that devoted directly to their patron. The priests are called upon to bless and intercede with the gods for many aspects of rural life – sowing of crops, bountiful yields, good weather for harvest etc. Thus, in the agricultural heartlands, they were popular with the common folk and worship of the Velaeri is often seen as being more important than reverence of gods like Zilchus, Heironious or Pholtus, who have little bearing on the life of the ordinary peasant. Often when a peasant says priest – he means of the Velaeri. The clergy themselves are drawn from the common people, and are looked down upon by some of the more urban churches – who regard them somewhat as bumpkins.

Post-Occupation: As with all the other Oeridian faiths, the church of the Velaeri suffered terribly at the hands of the Brotherhood. Shines and temples were defaced and levelled, and the clergy were hunted relentlessly. Many priests were killed – though a substantial number managed to evade capture – using their superior knowledge of the land and their goodwill among the common folk, who often took great risks to shelter them. The priests too took great risks to tend to the needs of their flock – and a number paid with their lives for coming to the aid of needy peasants and being subsequently captured by Brotherhood forces.

As the church had no formal hierarchy – it proved difficult for the Brotherhood to root out or subvert, and thus despite the persecution it suffered, it survived better than some of the more rigidly ordered churches. Furthermore – its suppression only strengthened the devotion, which the common folk held for the Church and it has emerged after the Brewfest Rebellion almost as strong as ever, with common folk stepping forward to fill the gaps left by those who fell. The resilience of this faith is emblematic of the resilience of many common Onnwalish folk in the face of their oppressors. Priests of the Church have aided the rebels, but generally only in passive ways, providing guides for rebel units, healing and succour if required or occasionally manipulating the weather to give rebel troops the advantage in a fight. Priests generally only fight when it is to defend themselves or members of their flocks.

 

Heironeous (minor)

The Invincible One, the Axe of Justice

Pre-Occupation: Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honour and Valour. He is depicted as a mighty warrior in gleaming armour, doing battle against the forces of woe with his great battleaxe, Vanguarding. The Faith of Heironeous was brought to Onnwal with the conquering Aerdi general Azharadian, who was said to be a paladin of the faith. Most of his captains, who later went on to be granted lands in Onnwal and were the ancestors of the current noble houses, were also devout followers of the Invincible One. Thus since the foundation of Onnwal as an Aerdi province the Church of Heironeous was closely linked with the nobility. However ideals of chivalry and righteous battle were of little use to the common folk of the province and so they turned to more practical faiths such as Osprem, Procan and Jascar. The Church therefore remained small with few worshipers outside of the nobility.

The core of the Church in Onnwal was the quasi-religious Order of the Golden Sun (also known as the Glaives of Azharadian). Formed originally from Azharadian’s captains, who also served as his Companion Guard, the Order took its name from the Golden Sun device of the Arms of Aerdy, which Azharadian bore upon his banner. When Azharadian died in Onnwal – while his body was returned to Rel Astra for burial, his Banner and his great axe, Bardinar (both reputedly invested with powerful dweomers) remained in the keeping of the Order. Bardinar was reputedly interred inside a large pillar erected by the Order on the site of Azharadian’s death in the western Headlands. The Banner was kept in Scant in the Chapterhouse of the Order – which later came to be called the Bastion of the Golden Sun – part of Scant’s fortifications overlooking the approaches to the harbour.

The Order was at the heart of the Rebellion of 447 CY. Disturbed by the rise of the Church of Hextor in the heartlands of Aerdy and the injustices of the rulers imposed from Zelradton, the Glaives used their influence among the noble houses to encourage a rising against the Szek at the time – Prince Trevellyn of Hexpools. It was the Glaives who marched upon the Szek’s Palace and seized it in a sharp struggle from Trevellyn’s Bodyguard – the only troops willing to face the Glaives.

Traditionally Glaives of the Order have all been of noble blood, while the Glaive Superior, the leader of the Order has generally been a scion of one of the four great noble houses. Admission to the Order is by invitation only, and the candidate must be seconded by two other Glaives of the Order. Usually invitations are issued to those who have proved themselves worthy in the eyes of the Order with their virtue, their prowess and their deeds. There are three ranks of knight within the Order – Glaive Martial, Glaive Valourous, and Glaive Virtuous, in ascending order of seniority. Passage from each rank to the next requires a trial of the candidate’s prowess and virtue. In recent years this has become highly ritualised – and was before the wars generally conducted in the Bastion, in the form of a trial of arms against other knights. Priests of Heironeous have also been accepted into the Order but only as Glaives Cohort – unless they are nobility. The Cohorts generally act to support the Glaives administering healing or moral advice and performing the rituals of the Order – though the Cohort has also been known to be at the forefront of the fighting when the Glaive’s enter battle. Given the limited reach of the Church of Heironeous in Onnwal, priests have tended to be either of noble blood or commoners serving in noble households.

In terms of numbers, the Glaives at their height never numbered more than three dozen including the Glaives Cohort. Nonetheless, given that all Glaives were nobility, they could also call on a substantial force of mounted men at arms – and before the wars were able to field five score heavy cavalry, which effectively formed Onnwal’s entire contingent of heavy horse. All Glaives are at least expected to wear mail – though given the wealth of most of the Glaives, platemail was not uncommon. Lances from horseback and battleaxes for close combat are the preferred weapon’s of choice. All shields are emblazoned with the arms of the Order – a golden sun on an azure field surmounted by a silver hand gripping a lightning bolt, with the motto – “Unvanquished even in death” in Old Oeridian beneath.

Post-Occupation: The Order fought with distinction on the plains of Idee during the Greyhawk Wars. Just prior to the fall of Onnwal, the Glaives were summoned to a conclave in Scant. However on the eve of the meeting, Brotherhood assassins struck at Onnwal’s leaders, including the Glaive Superior Jian Relaster. Those knights gathered at the Bastion of the Golden Sun found themselves assailed by advance parties of Brotherhood forces, bent on disabling the city’s seaward defences. By dawn the surviving members of the Glaives and the Cohort had been trapped in the temple of Heironeous inside the Bastion. They could only look in despair as the red sailed ships of the Scarlet Sign passed unaccosted beneath Scant’s defences and began to land troops in the Inner Harbour. They fought grimly to the last man. The fate of Azharadian’s Banner, upon which all new Glaive’s swore their oaths, is unknown, but it is feared that it was destroyed by the Brotherhood.

Only nine Glaives survived the fall of Scant, all having been outside the city at the time for various reasons. They attempted to rally the scattered Onnwalish forces, but could do little to halt either the rout or the Brotherhood advances. Three further Glaives fell in the retreat with the survivors being forced to eventually withdraw to Irongate some via the Headlands. The Priests of the Cohort suffered similar losses – with fewer than a dozen surviving. Of a force of five score heavy horse – only one score remain to the Order.

The surviving members of the Order are divided by suspicion and mistrust. All suspect that the sudden recall to Scant from Idee was a trap to draw the Glaives to the city where their cavalry would be least effective. Each has questioned the others’ reason for being outside the city at the time, and there is a conviction that one amongst them must be a traitor. This corrosive mistrust has split the surviving Glaives into two camps and has prevented the election of a new Glaive Superior. The most senior surviving knight is the Glaive Virtuous Gellen Cadwale (also the most senior surviving member of the House of Cadwale). Though he should have been the clear choice for Glaive Superior – he was also the Glaive who bore the recall order to Idee. He denies any involvement in a plot and claims to be as much a victim of the Brotherhood’s machinations as those who fell. Gellen is deeply concerned that the Order is on the verge of extinction and has proposed that the conditions for membership be extended to commoners in an effort to bolster numbers. Despite the suspicion hanging over him, he has the support of two other senior knights – the Glaive Virtuous Tiren Farness and the Glaive Valourous Baernen Kelldas.

Opposing him is the Glaive Valourous Halrend Lorendren. Halrend fought with distinction in Idee and at the time of the recall leading his banner in harrying the withdrawal of South Province forces form the north of that country. He is convinced that Gellen is a traitor to the Order and refuses to acknowledge his claim of authority. Though he agrees that the Order needs new blood, he opposes Gellen’s proposals, on grounds that it is a ploy to recruit more supporters and thus gain the leadership of the Order. The Glaives Martial Dorlan Maldrenn and Milos Faskel as well as the majority of the surviving Glaives Cohort support him.

Affiliated Orders: The Order of the Golden Sun; The Glaives Cohort of the Golden Sun.

Joramy (minor)

Mistress of Wrath and Hearth, Maiden of Disputes, the Furious Inferno

Pre-Occupation: Joramy is the goddess of Fire, Wrath, Volcanoes, and Quarrels and is depicted as a women clad in blazing robes, standing unharmed in the midst of an inferno. The faith of the Maiden of Disputes is another new arrival in Onnwal. Under their leader – Jarwar Highflame, a small group of missionaries arrived in Onnwal after the Brewfest Rebellion and have set about preaching their Mistress’ angry message. This has been well received by some among the population, resentful after the years of oppression at the hands of the Brotherhood. The growing cult made its base initially in Killdeer, but has recently moved to Sornhill after growing friction with both the Pholtites and the Triterhionites. Under the influence of the priests of Joramy a number of suspected collaborators have been burned alive in Sornhill, despite the efforts of the rebel commander in the town.

A temple is being constructed in Sornhill – a red-stoned pyramidal structure housing a huge bonfire at its heart – which is the sanctuary for the building. The Church of Joramy has a longstanding feud with the Church of Pyremius and the faithful in Onnwal have carried this on by laying claim to the hot springs in Scant, which the Pyremiens have declared sacred, as well as to the Hezarin Isles in the Azure Sea. The Pyremiens have responded by declaring the Joramites anathema and both sides are on the brink of a religious war in which quarter is unlikely to be given or asked for.

The Joramites are also making enemies on the rebel side. While they may aid the rebellion against the Brotherhood, their requisitioning of valuable timber stocks and felling of trees that might otherwise be used to build and repair ships, for use as fuel in their temple in Sornhill has angered rebel commanders. Furthermore the cult is believed to have been responsible for the destruction by fire of a large tract of forest officially owned by Jian Destron in the autumn of 590 CY.

The Church does have a few allies in Free Onnwal for their attempts at rooting out spies.

Delleb (minor)

The Wise, The Learned, Father of Letters

Pre-Occupation: The Oeridian God of Reason, Intellect, and Learning, Delleb is reputed to have given the gift of writing to the ancient Oerids in the west. In Onnwal Delleb’s was the only significant scholastic faith, the church of Rao never having made much of a foothold here. The church never had much influence outside of Scant, which was the centre of learning in the country – though it was not particularly notable regionally. The priests of the small temple kept a fine, is somewhat limited library (which included the records of the state) in the High Quarter of Scant as well as a school – largely for the children of the nobility and the wealthy merchants of the city. Priests of Delleb also served as scribes for the government. One or two of the more kind-hearted clergy also taught letters to the children of some of the poorer families in Scant.

Post-Occupation: The temple, library and school of Delleb in Scant were ransacked by the Brotherhood after the fall of the City. The priests, under the direction of the Office of Purity and priests of Lydia, were forced to sort though the books and burn those deemed to contain impure knowledge. The unfortunate priests were then thrown on to the blazing bonfires. The school was taken over by the priests of Lydia who now instruct the children of the city in the manifest destiny of the Suel and the superiority of the Brotherhood of the Scarlet Sign. Though it was believed to be extinct, the faith has risen anew in Longbridge, where one Ploellin has, with the aid of a number of mages and bards founded a small academy devoted to Delleb a few miles north of the town.

Beory (minor)

Oerth Mother, Matron of the Rains

Beory is the Flan Goddess of the Oerth and believed by that people to be the Mother of their gods and to be personified in the very Oerth itself. Beory’s faith is restricted to certain Flan hill tribes dwelling in the Headlands (called Ial Iorneh- the Dreaming Hills in Flan). Here Beory is worshipped not only in her aspect as Oerth Mother but as Mistress of the Rains that come to the Headlands especially in the summer months. The clergy of Beory is almost exclusively female – and the priestesses hold a great deal of power within the tribes – being not only the religious heads of the tribe, but also variously the lore-keepers, midwives and arbiters of succession to the chieftainship. Chieftains are “wedded to the Oerth” and are considered to be “husbands of the Oerth Mother”. This, as much as their personal power, legitimises their rule.

The Brotherhood invasion has not affected the tribes of the Ial Iorneh much directly. The Brotherhood has been content to rule the lowlands, sending only punitive raids into the highlands. Indirectly though the tribes have suffered not just from more encroachment on their lands by rebel bands as well as by bands of Hochebi escaping the yolk of their Suel masters in the lowlands. Several of the tribes have suffered from these disturbances and there is a growing feeling that the tribes should once again unite to face these threats.

Phaulkon (lesser)

Master of Birds, The Feathered One, Far Reacher

Phaulkon is the Suel god of Air, Birds, and Archery. Though there was no formal church of Phaulkon before the occupation, many archers of the marines bear tattoos or talisman of Phaulkon. Somewhere along the cliffs of the Storm Coast dwells a remarkable man – Tarnedas, Hermit of the Gulls. Twenty years ago – he was a merchant in Scant. No-one knows why he left it all to become a hermit, nonetheless twenty years ago he did. Since then he has lived an ascetic life in a complex of cliff caves on the Storm Coast, with the gulls and seabirds who until recently were his only companions. He constructed a shrine to Phaulkon with his own hands in a cleft overlooking the tempestuous waters of the Gearnat Sea. Here he worshiped his master and was said to commune with the Parliament of Birds which gathers there reputedly delivering in their chaotic chorus of cries and song the wisdom of Phaulkon.

No-one has heard from Tarnedas since the Fall of Onnwal and his fate is currently unknown

Daern (lesser)

The Steadfast Stone, the Keystone

The Oerid demi-goddess of fortifications had a small but devout following in Onnwal – in Scant where the security of the city and country often depended on the stoutness of its fortifications. Popular legend has it that Daern herself drew up the plans and constructed the fortifications of Scant. Whatever the truth – they are formidable defences, so much so that even Dwur from the Headlands and Irongate are impressed. Furthermore the symbol of Daern is set into many of the keystones and cornerstones of the walls and bastions. Daern’s small cult was made mainly of military engineers and those responsible for maintaining Scant’s defences. The centre of the cult was Daern’s Redoubt, one of the bastions overlooking the approaches to the Inner Harbour.

The sect in Scant was targeted by the Brotherhood early in the assault on the city with Daern’s Redoubt falling to trickery and treachery. In the desperate fight which followed – several of the cult were forced to martyr themselves in order to prevent the full secrets of Scant’s defences from falling into Brotherhood hands. It is not known whether any of this faith or their precious plans and lore (which would be an enormous boon to the rebels) survive.

Olidamarra (lesser)

The Laughing Rogue, the Laughing Mask

Olidmarra, the god of Rogues, Wine and Revelry, has a small following in the Wreckers focused mainly around Rakehell Chert. He is also known among the common people, though there was no marked devotion to him in Onnwal before the Occupation. Chert’s role in the rebellion has raised the profile of the Laughing Mask somewhat.

Kurell (lesser)

The Envying Eye

Kurell is the Oerid god of Jealousy, Revenge, and Theft – and has a following among some of the more sinister elements of the Wreckers as well as among many of the Pirates of the Storm Isles. Worshipers of Kurell were historically powerful in the Wreckers, and earned the group and unsavoury and deadly reputation. However, nigh on twenty years ago, Rakehell Chert staged a coup with in the Guild, aided by elements in the Wreckers who felt that the old bosses had gone too far and would bring the full weight of the authorities down upon them. The followers of Kurell were overthrown, but not eliminated and have since kept a low profile, plotting revenge on Chert and his followers.

Telek Senh who is assisted by Athania leads the Office of Faith of the Brotherhood in Onnwal. Yabay Ren also aided him but he was slain in his bed by a person or persons unknown in 590 CY. Beneath Telek and Athania can be found the following faiths. Individuals in brackets are the leaders of those faiths.

 

• Bralm (Palim Loban)
• Llerg (Hilar Sharn),
• Pyremius (Kiren Granas),
• Syrul (Ara Lattaras)
• Wee-Jas (Jenna Bergal);

A mixed group of priests represents the remainder of the Suel pantheon:

• Dalt (sentinels and fortifications)
• Kord (warriors esp savage warriors)
• Lydia (Indal Nollaf) (indoctrination and re-education)
• Osprem, (sea and navy)
• Xerbo (trade and supplies)
• Phaulkon (archery)

 

The churches of Suel faiths such as Osprem and Xerbo were taken over and their clergy “re-educated” in the ways of the Pure Faith. Non Suel religions were brutally suppressed, their priests executed or enslaved and their temples levelled and the masonry used to construct temples to the Brotherhood gods.

Bralm (Suel)

Flying Queen, Hive Goddess, The Toiling Lady, The Queen of Every Hive

The Suel goddess of Insects and Industriousness Bralm is the goddess representing the world of insects and the idea of working with others toward a common goal. Images of her are invariably of an ordinary-looking human female of middle age with dark blonde hair; she is occasionally shown with insect wings sprouting from her back.

The Church of Bralm has aided the efforts of the Office of Thralls in managing and mobilizing the populace in building and other labour and in the indoctrination of the thralls to their new status. They are called upon by the Brotherhood to bless and augment various sorts of labour including mining, construction and farming. Priests of Bralm were hated for their presence on the Brotherhood’s slave mines and vast slave farms in the Onnwalish countryside before the Brewfest Rebellion. Her faith is known to have particular enmity for the Church of Trithereon, whose chaotic ideals are at direct odds with its own. They are also known to hate the Church of Joramy.

Llerg (Suel)

Great Bear, Animal Fang, Strongest Serpent, God of Force, The Feral Roar

The Suel god of Beasts and Strength, Llerg is the god of beasts and physical strength. He is depicted as a huge bear, a giant alligator or a short, shaggy man of sturdy build-wearing furs and a great fighting girdle. All his forms give the impression of great strength.

Many of the common Suel soldieries of the Brotherhood’s armies are known to have a reverence for Llerg as do many of the southern Suel savages brought to Onnwal to fight with the Brotherhood. The Church of Llerg has chiefly aided the army, lending guidance, morale and healing where needed (especially after the rebellion – when it helped stabilize the demoralized Brotherhood forces).

Pyremius (Suel)

The Blazing Killer, Demon of Venom, Hideous Assassin, the Murdering Flame

The Suel god of Fire, Poison, and Murder, Pyremius is the Suel god of fire, poison and murder. Images of the god show him as a grotesque-looking man whose head resembles that of a Jermlaine; he wears great brass bracers and carries a sword and a whip.

The Church of Pyremius is greatly feared and hated by the Rebels and the populace alike for their depravity and cruelty. They have declared the hot springs of Scant (and thus the rest of the city) sacred to their lord and have vowed to defend it to the last. They also have considerable interest in the Hezarin Isles, which they now call the Spires of Pyremius. The Clergy of Pyremius instructs the Brotherhood’s soldiery ineffective methods of killing and is known to aid their navy in the use of fire against rebel ships.

Syrul (Suel)

The Forked Tongue, the Night Hag, Oathbreaker

The Suel goddess of Lies and Deceit, every lie, deceitful act and betrayal empowers Syrul. She is shown as a dirty old hag in ragged clothing, although this visage is supposedly an illusion.

The priests of Syrul. aid the Offices of Sovereignty and Diplomacy in their efforts against the Free State.

Her followers are feared for their ability to infiltrate Rebel ranks.

Tharizdun (Suel)

The Dark One, the Slumbering One, He Who Slumbers Yet, He Who Must Forever Sleep, The Great Destroyer

In Onnwal – no temple to the Dark One has been erected and no public mention of He who Slumbers Yet is made. However, this has fueled even greater paranoia among the Rebels and the people of Onnwal – who have long heard stories of Tharizdun worship among the Brotherhood, suspect that the Brotherhood is hiding something.

Worrying rumours have begun to circulate recently about temples of the Slumbering One beneath Scant and in the dreaded dungeons of Oblestone Keep and of terrible human sacrifices and other horrific acts that are carried on there.

Wee-Jas (Suel)

The Dark-Eyed Lady, Witch Goddess, Ruby Sorceress, Stern Lady, Death’s Guardian

The Suel goddess of Death, Magic and Law, Wee Jas oversees death and the application of magic in the world. Wee-Jas’ domain is the creation and usage of magical items and spells. She is always portrayed as a stunning Suel woman dressed in a beautiful gown and often wearing some sort of skull ornament, whether a ring, bracelet or necklace.

The Church of Wee-Jas, as well as aiding in the enforcement of law and order, has close ties to the Office of Sorcery. They assist Sorcery in their efforts in using sea creatures to blockade the Straits and harass rebel shipping.

Lydia (Suel)

The Mother of Truth, the Pure Song

Lydia is the Suel goddess of Knowledge and Music. Before the Brewfest Rebellion, the priestesses of Lydia set up schools throughout the country as well as took control of existing schools such as the Dellebian School in Scant. The primary aim of these establishments was the indoctrination of Sub citizens with the ideals of the Brotherhood. This was done in association with the Office of Purity. However, while they operated they also provided a standard of education unheard of outside the noble and wealthy classes in pre-occupation Onnwal. All of these schools in rebel-held lands have been closed, with the priestesses either being captured and imprisoned by the Rebels or managing to flee to Scant. In Scant the Church still runs the former Dellebian Academy.

Kord (Suel)

The Unflinching Arm, the Brawling One

The Suel god of Athletics and Brawling, Kord is widely worshiped by the savage troops brought by the Brotherhood from Hepmonaland and the Amedio Jungle as well as by some of the civilized troops from the Tilva lands. His priests provide healing and moral support for the soldiers.

Dwur Deities

• Abbathor (Greed).
• Berronar Truesilver (Safety, Truth, Home and Healing)
• Clangeddin Silverbeard (Battle and War).
• Dugmaren Brightmantle (Knowledge, Creativity, Scholars.
• Dumathoin Mining and Exploration).
• Fortubo Stone, Metals and Mountains).
• Jascar (Hills, Mountains and Slopes).
• Moradin (Creator; Smithing, Crafts and War).
• Muamman Duathal (Expatriates, Urban dwur, Travellers, Exiles Vergadain Wealth and Luck).

Hobniz Deities

• Arvoreen (the Defender Protection, Vigilance and War).
• Brandobaris (Stealth, Thieves and Adventure).
• Cyrroallaelee (Friendship, Trust and Home).
• Kaldair Swiftfoot (Cleverness).
• Sheela Peryoryl (Nature, Agriculture and Weather).
• Urgolan (Demi-god of Earth and Death).
• Yondalla “The Creator” (Protection and Fertility).

Noniz Deities

• Baervan Wildwanderer (Forests, Nature and Travel).
• Baravar Cloakshadow (illusion, Protection, Deception and Hatred of Jebline).
• Flandal Steelskin (Mining, Smithing and Fitness).
• Fortubo (Stone, Metals and Mountains
• Gaerdal Ironhand (Protection, Vigilance and Combat).
• Garl Glittergold (Creator; Protection, Humour, Gems and Smithing).
• Jascar (Hills, Mountains and Slopes).
• Nebelun “The Meddler” (Quasi Power and Tinker).
• Segojan Earthcaller (Earth and Nature).

Olven Deities

• Aerdrie Faenya (Air, Weather and Birds).
• Araleth Letheranil (Prince of Stars/Twilight Rider/Light).
• Corellon Larethian (Creation; Magic, Arts, Crafts and War).
• Erevan Ilesere (Trickster, Mischief and Rogues).
• Hanali Celanil (Romance, Love and Beauty).
• Kirith Sotheril “The Magess” (Divination & Enchantment. Magic).
• Labelas Enoreth (Time and Longevity).
• Lafarallinn (Olven Hero Power).
• Melira Taralen “The Songstress” (Bard Patron, Minstrel, Songwriter).
• Naralis Analor “The Healer – Watcher of Souls” (Easing of Pain, and Death.)
• Sehanine the Moonbow (Mysticism, Dream, Journey, Death and Transcendence).
• Shashelas (Deep) “The Knowledgeable One” (Aquatic Olves, Oceans and Seas).
• Solonor Thelandira (Archery and Hunting).
• Tethrin Veralde “The Shining One, Master of Blades and Swordsmanship”.