Phoenix Riders
We ride the sky and fight the darkness with fury, fire and faith. We are the lance as those of the north are the shield. We stand against the beasts of blackness, the nightmares, the void, and the monsters of our world with lance, and halberd, bow and gun. We are the warriors of the Phoenix Riders, the chosen faithful of the Lady of the Sun, Vosana Falconhand. We are her bastion, and we will fly high and find victory!
From the Holy Text Path of the Phoenix, page 11, paragraph 2
Structure
Another of the faiths that still holds much of its militant ties from eras long past, this one really leaning into it, more than the rest. Vosana Falconhand is the goddess of war, after all, and though many others claim partially such a title, when it comes to war, not battle, but the overarching concepts of war and warfare, strategy and tactics, she stands above, as the primary diety of choice. Favored by soldiers, mercenaries, military officers, and even many an adventurer, it should come as no surprise their structure favors a heavy military structure, even using officer titles used by militaries all across Valerick to notify rank and hierarchy within their organization. As with all the major religions they have two notable 'arms' if you will, and those are;
Sky-Riders:
The Templar arm of the Falconhand faith, these knights of the sky are another, much like Sir Kartheart's faithful, that though they embrace some aspects of modern technology, they do not let go of the imagery. Heavily armored, with lances or spears or even halberds favored, though rifles and warbows would be their primary weapon of engagement. They all ride, all of them, and raising a pegasi from a foal is part and parcel of your time as a squire. One cannot join the Sky-Riders as an adult, they still hold to the old ways in that regard. One must be pledged to the church as a youth. They have shifted from expecting nobility and the wealthy upper class to provide this however, given the changes in how wealth is accumulated, a more open market and industrializing age coming upon the world, and now oft run orphanages of a sort, getting parentless and homeless youths off the street, and educating them, whilst also rigorously testing them, seeking through this bulk the few whom would have the right moral fibre, physical ability and willful discipline to join the order. As with all strict structures, their is a hierarchy, and atop it is Sky-Queen Wyill'thyvei Tal'dasin, a Skye Elf in her third century of life. It is always a Skye Elf and always a woman, such is the creed of the Lady of Tactics.
Sun-Callers:
The order of the Cloth of the Falconhand church, though calling them of the cloth can seem a misnomer. Even the priests and priestesses of this faith are at least trained enough in basic martial combat and ability, usually with polearms, bows and in lighter and moderate armors. True war-priestesses, perhaps the best example of them across all the religions of Valerick. Like the Sky-Riders, they also hold somewhat to the old ways, converting now to scouting through the orphanages, and seeking those of a more studious nature, whom still show some physical ability at arms. Also as with the Sky-Riders, the church as a whole is very strict about whom sits atop the hierarchy. Eliana Valis'eyrie is the Sun-Queen of the faith, the Skye Elf priestess in her fourth century of life. Like the Sky-Riders the individual holding this position must be a Skye Elf and must be a woman.
Sky-Riders:
The Templar arm of the Falconhand faith, these knights of the sky are another, much like Sir Kartheart's faithful, that though they embrace some aspects of modern technology, they do not let go of the imagery. Heavily armored, with lances or spears or even halberds favored, though rifles and warbows would be their primary weapon of engagement. They all ride, all of them, and raising a pegasi from a foal is part and parcel of your time as a squire. One cannot join the Sky-Riders as an adult, they still hold to the old ways in that regard. One must be pledged to the church as a youth. They have shifted from expecting nobility and the wealthy upper class to provide this however, given the changes in how wealth is accumulated, a more open market and industrializing age coming upon the world, and now oft run orphanages of a sort, getting parentless and homeless youths off the street, and educating them, whilst also rigorously testing them, seeking through this bulk the few whom would have the right moral fibre, physical ability and willful discipline to join the order. As with all strict structures, their is a hierarchy, and atop it is Sky-Queen Wyill'thyvei Tal'dasin, a Skye Elf in her third century of life. It is always a Skye Elf and always a woman, such is the creed of the Lady of Tactics.
Sun-Callers:
The order of the Cloth of the Falconhand church, though calling them of the cloth can seem a misnomer. Even the priests and priestesses of this faith are at least trained enough in basic martial combat and ability, usually with polearms, bows and in lighter and moderate armors. True war-priestesses, perhaps the best example of them across all the religions of Valerick. Like the Sky-Riders, they also hold somewhat to the old ways, converting now to scouting through the orphanages, and seeking those of a more studious nature, whom still show some physical ability at arms. Also as with the Sky-Riders, the church as a whole is very strict about whom sits atop the hierarchy. Eliana Valis'eyrie is the Sun-Queen of the faith, the Skye Elf priestess in her fourth century of life. Like the Sky-Riders the individual holding this position must be a Skye Elf and must be a woman.
Public Agenda
Those of the faith of Vosana Falconhand see themselves as the army against the beasts of the blackness. More than any other faith, even those whom are granted divine powers to heal world-wounds and banish beings from other planes of existence, they see themselves as the spear of the conflict, as the army, the first strike force. Their most holy mission is to be the sun, the bright light, to cleanse as the sun does in light and fire. They see the Void and the Ruined Gods as the great enemy, and are zealous, tactical, and militant in their constant pursuit and conflicts with such creatures and cults whereever they are rooted out. The faithful of Vosana Falconhand never truly declare a crusade, for this faith sees it as their duty to always be at that precipice. Such is their sacred trust.
Assets
Their temples in a fashion similar to Sir Kartheart, have a very militant look to them, but a much more artistic and expressive architecture dressing it up. They value artistry and creativity, for that is a key part of being a strong tactician and strategist. Their temples are equal parts garrison and artistry in a weird but beautiful blend of form and function. As one might expect, this is another popular faith in dangerous regions, military settlements, and frontier lands, as well as being all across Valewyr. Mount Courage, the Grand Cathedral of the Falconhand Faith, is in the city of Valenwood, the capital of Valewyr, which only makes sense, since Vosana Falconhand is the Ascended Champion of Valewyr.
Tenets of Faith
Like all the faiths of Valerick, those of Vosana Falconhand have a code of sorts, their own set of core tenets, which will form at least the foundation for any conclave or congregation's particular insular rules. These overarching principles, these simple tenets, make up the core of the faith. Known as Visola de Irist or in more common parlence, the War-leader's Guide, they are as follows;
- Bravery and Brilliance
- Lead not just by word but by deed
- Fearlessness is contagious. So be the cause.
- The best plans are flexible. Be proactive, but allow for reactive response.
Fly high, burn bright!
Founding Date
0001 SuD
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Worship and Divinely Inspired Powers
Honoring the War-leader's Guide naturally is the core, its the key, the beginnings. However it is merely the foundation. One must keep well trained, both in arms and tactics, one must keep their discipline, always. The routine of a well trained soldier is seen as a form, tangentially, of worship to Vosana. Educating, providing comfort, sanctuary and safety, protecting the innocent, hunting monsters, Voidlings and cults of the Ruined Gods are very direct lines of worship and holy task. Beyond that things like organizing a militia in frontier settlements, as one common example, can also be taken in a positive light by the Sun-Spear.
As with all faiths on Valerick, the faith of Vosana Falconhand has particular hymns and prayers that allow her most favored to wield a tiny fraction of true Divine Power.
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