The Wolfguard of Risir
Long ago, the Risir tribes were enslaved by the Giants. Even in enslavement, they found gods to hold onto. At first the great wolf that heralded that all things eventually end, even the empires of Giants. When that end came and the Risir were free to worship what they wished, their faith expanded as well. 1 became 6, and the lone wolf become the Wolfguard. Protectors of the Howling Coast, these gods are:
- Fenrir the Void Wolf: Leader of the Pantheon, God of Destruction, Renewal, and Strength
- Faris the Aegis Wolf: God of Hope, Protection, and Wisdom
- Kyna the Sky Jay: Goddess of Love, Magic, and Nature
- Neris the Raven Queen: Goddess of Death, Fate, and Time
- Nyna the Law Bear: Goddess of Justice, Light, and Reason
- Tharn the Tempest Griffin: God of Aggression, Oceans, and Storms
Mythology & Lore
The beginning is when the universe is nothing but a void. In that void lies one being, Fenrir, the Primordial Wolf. He is the sole survivor of the previous universe and its destroyer. In his grief for what he lost, he sheds tears and from these tears are born the other gods of the pantheon that will join him. In this cycle, the first one made in his image but stark white. Faris awakens, the brother to Fenrir, and with him comes hope of existence. From this hope, the universe is born along with the planes of Avestra.
But his desire for existence brings about chaos and from that chaos is born Tharn the Tempest Griffin. When Faris tries to create, Tharn fights and tries to destroy. Not seeking to have his role supplanted, Fenrir battles with Tharn, causing even more chaos. To stop the chaotic universe, order is brought into the equation. And from this order comes Nyna the Bear of Law. She wrestles the Griffin to a standstill and subdues him, bring order and chaos into balance.
The void was overtaken by the universe but it's core, it's heart, was made to be the center of the universe. This core would be Avestra, repurposed to be a source of life for the cosmos instead. With life came death, and from that, Kyna and Neris were born. Kyna, seeking to make an abundance of life, brought nature and magic to the world. To aid her, Nyna created the sun. And Tharn, forced into aiding, took the oceans as the storms from it suited his wrath. Last but not least, Neris created time so life would age and die and fate so the sum of their actions would judge their afterlife.
But this process weakened the six of them and made them targets for the first beings that would rise from the creation. Their enemies were the Giant Gods, the Jovungan and Muspel Ignaris. The Wolfguard found allies in the the Drakon Gods in their war against the Giants but the Drakons betrayed them. Kyna, Nyna, and Neris were able to escape due to Fenrir, Faris, and Tharn fighting to their last ounce of strength. The victors chained them and took the world of Avestra for their own. The Giants and Dragons, their descendants, were able to take the world as their own while the Gods dealt with other matters.
Life on the realm was enslaved by the Giants, especially the Wolf Fera. But the wolf blood that ran through their veins gave them a connection to Fenrir and Faris. The twin brothers convinced them to rebel against their masters. Meanwhile the goddesses set about creating creatures that would destroy the empires of the Giants and Dragons. These creatures were set loose and did exactly as expected. Fenrir and the other gods are free and bring their wrath upon the children of their enemies, forcing them to flee. After it is all said and done, they reunite with their allies. However, they leave the mortal races to their devices as they walk their own paths.
Tharn throws himself into the endless conflict that erupts around Avestra, bidding his time in the sea when there is none. Neris heads to the far reaches of the afterlife and looks through prophecies that will predict the coming of the Wolfguard's fell enemies once again. Faris sets about to protect the universe with Nyna by his side to temper his hope and wisdom with reason and council. Fenrir, used to being alone, wanders the lands of Avestra in wolf form. Sometimes, a bird of some type comes to visit and keep him company. Often a blue jay as Kyna makes sure that he is safe in his travels.
Divine Origins
The faith was first started as a rebellion against the Giants and their enslavement of the Wolf Fera. Fenrir was the only member at first as he was soon as a great wolf who would come and free them from their bondage. When the collapse of the Giant Empires came, the survivors spread stories of two giant wolf like creatures: one black and one white who laid waste to the Giants but left them in peace. From then on, Fenrir was no longer alone as he had his twin brother, Faris.
The Goliaths and Fera were at odds until the Lunari appeared, bringing peace and protection to both peoples. As such, the god of Aggression, Tharn, and the goddess of Nature, Kyna, were integrated into the pantheon from the Goliath tribes. The Lunari brought with them, Nera, who was renamed Neris, but kept her title as the Raven Queen and even her forgotten portfolio of prophecy and time. The two sides also wanted to take back the domain of the sun that had been defiled by the Giants. As a result, Nyna, a bear goddess of order in Goliath tribes, took the domain of the sun as well, shining the light of justice upon evildoers in their pantheon.
When the Eternals returned to Avestra, many faiths changed their ways to accomodate this revelation. The Risir people refused, claiming that the Eternals were descendants of the Wolfguard. The two leaders of the Eternals, Eno and Ano are seen as the aspects of Faris and Fenrir, however. This is likely due to their power compared to the other Eternals, and their colors matching the great wolves that set them free so long ago. And due to the increase in wolves seen with purple or white eyes since their arrival.
Cosmological Views
In some tribes, the story of the Wolfguard is a cycle of creation and destruction. They are the ones who created the planes and the universe and will eventually bring both to an end as well. Tales have been spread that Neris foresees the end, when the Wolfguard have their final war against the gods of the Giants. In their victory, Tharn will be overcome by bloodlust and kill Neris, so she can't foresee his actions. He goes to war against the remaining gods and in the ensuing struggle, both Kyna and Nyna die, sacrificing their lives to bring down the insane god. Grief-stricken, brother will turn against brother and Fenrir will kill Faris. He will then take back the core and return the universe back to the void where the cycle will begin anew.
Tenets of Faith
- Fenrir: Destruction brings about Creation. Creation brings about Destruction. Accept this and have the strength to bring both into fruition when the time is right.
- Faris: Protect those you care for. Protect those that cannot protect themselves. Never lose hope in yourself or in others and use your wisdom to benefit others.
- Kyna: Love people, love nature, and love the magic spawned from the culmination of these two.
- Neris: Your fate is written by the sum of your actions. Accept that and accept your ultimate fate of death when it comes for you.
- Nyna: Temper the chaos of the world with reason. Do not allow any evil deed to go unpunished.
- Tharn: When a foe is near, strike first and fast like lightning, and drown them in your fury like an ocean.
Worship
- Fenrir: The Void Wolf isn't directly worshipped except through prayer when times are hard. Showing feats of strength is another way, and most Risir consider fighting against the Giants a way to praise the Wolf.
- Faris: Protecting the innocent is the greatest form of worship for the Aegis wolf. Lunari are his most common worshippers as they defend the Risir tribes down to their last breath. Giving hope to others or giving wise council are always ways to worship him. Of course, direct prayer is always an option.
- Kyna: To worship the sky mother is to be kind to nature and kinsman. it is to live, laugh, and love no matter the darkest times. It is to host festivals and events that give praise to her gifts of nature and animal alike. And it is through understanding the leylines she blessed the world. This is why many totems of the different gods are able to interact with the leylines of Avestra.
- Neris: Bury the dead with honor and hunt down any scourge of undead that exist on the Howling Coast. With the war raging, this is more common as spirits and bodies vengeful from their demises roam the land. Oracles give prayers to the Raven Queen for gifts of prophecy, interpreting these visions as her will and offering guidance through them.
- Nyna: The Bear is given worship by respecting the laws of the tribe. By accepting punishment for the breaking of tradition or law, even if done in good faith. It is through using reason to guide their actions, not just impulse. And it is through protecting the symbol in her name from those who would hunt them.
- Tharn: Pray to the Tempest for safe travel on the seas and they may be lucky enough to find it. Crush your enemies beneath their boots and offer them no quarter, especially those who subjugated the Risir long ago. And should one lose themself in the battle, so be it. Behave like a storm and lash out against those that stand against them.
Priesthood
- Preists of Fenrir are rare for the Void Wolf requires no one to spread his teachings. The few priests there reside in isolation just like he does, only coming to light when strength is needed in calamitous times. With Sgand bearing down on the Howling Coast, these priests have taken to spread the word that now is the time to stand against the evil that comes at their shores.
- Faris's priests preach protection and goodwill towards those who are deserving. As the Risir tribes are threatened, his priests gain more influence as they proclaim that the innocent need protectors in these troubled times.
- Kyna's priests are lovers of nature and life, who improve the lives of their kinsmen. Often, this is by helping with agriculture or hunting but this can also be through helping with ceremonies such as marriage or coming of age. Other priests are also heavily involved in magic, teaching it to those who have the aptitude to learn.
- Neris's many priests are often caretakers for the dead and guardians against any necromancy or fell magic. Some priests of Neris are even granted divination which allows them to predict fates should actions be unchanged.
- Nyna's priests are wardens of order and teachers to the populace. They spread her belief that reason must temper life against the ever influential chaos. Priests of her sometimes serve as guards in settlements or borders and are often targeted by the Muspel Giants due to her connection to the sun.
- Tharn's priests are those who are best in conflict. They whisper in the ears of warbands to go out and destroy their enemies, almost leading to conflict between the tribes many times. With the Giants on the move, they call that the Great War is at and they must finish what the gods started and eradicate their enemies. They often divine storms and the movements of the ocean as signifiers of Tharn's mood.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Risir tribes owe the Great Collapse of the Giant Empires to their gods. As such, they are stubborn about their faith, refusing to change it even when being such as the Eternals appear. With the appearance of the Giants once more, their faith serves as a backbone of their determination to fight and and the source of extreme fanaticism for those that wish to exterminate all Giant kind.
Sects
The Destroyer
There are several cults that believe Fenrir calls for his followers to take an active role in the destruction of the world. Rather than simply wait it out and live life, they slaughter innocents and destroy settlements in an attempt to hasten the end. These are often followers of the Tempest as well, overcome by the wanton need for destruction and bloodshed. Some, however, are calm and focused, displaying a drive to end the world that rivals even the Muspel Giants.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Demonym
Risir
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Location
Related Ethnicities
Comments