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Thread: Creation Myths

  1. #1
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    Mythology in BR extends back only to Deismaar, really, with a couple of
    mentions of earlier activity. There aren`t any creation myths at all.
    What have you written up for your games?

    I kind of like the theory that the tribal gods were so closely associated
    with their tribes because they arose from worship. Anduiras personified
    the ancient kings and warrior of the Anuireans, so he came into existance.
    With that version, it`s hard to say where Azrai came from, because he
    doesn`t seem to have had a tribe of his own originally.
    --
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    Daniel McSorley- mcsorley@cis.ohio-state.edu

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    Azrai was called the Shadow... Perhaps he came about because all the
    civilized tribes feared the night and the shadows... And of course, there
    also is the fact that someone would have to tell where the Adurians came
    from too...

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    Birthright Developer Raesene Andu's Avatar
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    Actually, this lack of early history is something we hope to correct in the upcoming d20 Atlas of Cerilia. I'd like to see more on the early history of the human tribes, more of the rise of Azrai, etc. What about everyone else, is there someone you would particularly like to see, or have explained from the history of Cerilia, or do you perhaps have an interesting idea you want to put forward. If so, post away, and I'll watch the forums...
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    Administrator Green Knight's Avatar
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    daniel mcsorley wrote:

    >Mythology in BR extends back only to Deismaar, really, with a couple of
    >mentions of earlier activity. There aren`t any creation myths at all.
    >What have you written up for your games?

    Always liking ancient real-world history, I invented an entire "bronze
    age-iron age" background for my game (very Anuire-centric and focused on
    military history).

    It goes something like this:

    1. (ca. 1500 BD) The proto-Andu are a fierce nomadic people living
    somewhere on the Adurian continent. They are a menace to the civilized
    realms of the area, constantly raiding. Their use of horses (chariots)
    and iron lead to their eventual conquest of the civilized lands. There
    they establish themselves as a ruling caste.

    The proto-Andu believe in a complex pantheon of gods and spirits. One of
    these is Anduiras, god of chariot warfare and the ruling elite. The seed
    of every other major god is also present in the pantheon, but are
    neither more important nor more powerful than a myriad of other gods.
    For instance, there are several other gods of war, battle and combat.
    Masela is know as the goddess of wells etc.

    Adepts are the norm among these primitive peoples, there are no clerics
    yet.

    2. (ca. 1300 BD) The new proto-Andu lands are not unifed and constantly
    war with each other, until a Great Leader emerges, unifing all Andu
    lands and conquering many other realms as well. In addition to being a
    warrior and a king, he is also the High Priest (one of the first true
    clerics) of Anduiras.

    The proto-Andu take the name "Andu" to honor the god of their Great
    Leader. The worship of Anduiras becomes the state faith for the new
    Empire, and he reaches a level of importance to the Andu that no other
    god has ever had. The link between the Andu and Anduiras is forever
    cemented by his ascension to greatness, and the Andu`s great progress in
    the lands of the living.

    Among the other "tribes", other gods acheive more prominence in a
    similar manner. Through a combination of interaction with these other
    cultures and the power of these geat gods, a pantheon of only a few
    powerful gods starts to take shape.

    Each "tribe" hold its own patron above all the others, and arrange the
    portfolios and relations of the gods according to their view of the
    world. There are also still a larger number of lesser gods. The great
    gods have an increasing number of clerics within the ranks of their
    clergy.

    3. (1000 BD) Eventually, after many centuries, the Empire of the Great
    Leader is weakened, and when put under pressure by the emerging Adurian
    Empire. The Andu eventually succumb, to a large extent because of the
    Adurian mastery of arcane magic, and are take as slaves to the Adurian
    Empire, where they labor for the greater glory of the Empire and Azrai,
    the chief god of the Adurians.

    The Andu never forget their god and their freedom. This dedication
    allows Aduiras to continue as a great god and allows the Andu to retain
    their identity as a people.

    Many lesser gods disappear during this period, for only those that were
    initially powerfull and widely worshiped survive this era, where Azrai
    reigns supreme over all the gods.

    4. (700 BD to 500 BD) The Andu rise in rebellion much later, led by
    clerics and paladins (the first in history) of Anduiras. They win their
    independence, if only for a while. Azrai does not tolerate this
    insubordination, and orders his followers to attack and reclaim the lost
    realm. The Andu resist for the longest of times, but eventually it
    becomes clear that this is a fight they cannot win. Some of the Andu
    start treking north to the newly discovered land of Cerilia, which
    appears to be beyound the grasp of the Shadow. The rest stay behind to
    cover the retreat, and are evntually defeated.

    In other places, other peoples also rise in rebellion or flee the
    Shadow. Urged on by their patron gods, the pantheon of Cerilia is
    finally established, as the five tribes and the Basarji settle. There
    are 7 gods (Anduiras LG, Basaia LN, Masela NG, Reynir N, Vorynn CG,
    Brenna CN, Azrai NE), one for each people and Azrai, who is well known
    to all.

    What lesser gods remain in Aduria does not follow into Cerilia (but some
    remain there even now).

    5. (ca. 500 BD) The first Andu come to Cerilia. Initially many settle on
    the north coast of Aduria, but some cross the Straits and settle around
    the mouth of the Maseil (btw I kicked the landbridge altogether, but
    that desn`t matter that much in this regard).

    6. (500 BD to 200 BD) In all, 5 groups or Houses settled in Cerilia in
    the years before the Gheallie Sidhe. The first House (name passed out of
    knowledge) around the Mouth of the Maseil and for some distance upriver.
    The second House (Boru) alog the coasts and river valleys of the West
    Coast. The third House along the shores or the Gulf of Coeranys (I guess
    I must call it Elin) and the Berendor River (in Aerenwe), the Fourth
    house went up the Maesil and settled the central highlands, eventually
    crossing the Stonecrows (I call them the Mhor). The fifth House settled
    on the South Coast (Deretha). There may have been many additional lesser
    Houses as well, and some may have stayed in Mieres and the other
    north-Adurian areas, but of them history has forgotten.

    7. (200BD to 0 HC) After this I stick largely to that presented in the
    books, with the wars with goblins and elves and such. It should be noted
    though, that the five Andu realms were largely on their own, and each
    House ruled as Kings over their own area. They only united in effort
    (but not more than that, Haelyn and Roele were sons of the First House,
    but not more than that) during the War Against the Shadow.

    8. (0 HC +) After Deismaar, not all were pleased to become part of
    Roeles new Empire. Especially the Boru resisted fiercely, thinking Roele
    the ultimate betrayer, for falling on his allies when Azrai was
    defeated. Their remote location and battle prowess meant that is was a
    hard fight, but eventuall the Boru were defeated and made part of the
    Empire.


    Well, that was the sort version. The other tribes figure in it as well,
    but play a much less important role. If anyone is interested in the full
    version, I`ll try and upload it to "roerules" shortly.

    Bjørn

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  5. #5
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    daniel mcsorley wrote:

    >I kind of like the theory that the tribal gods were so closely associated
    >with their tribes because they arose from worship. Anduiras personified
    >the ancient kings and warrior of the Anuireans, so he came into existance.
    >With that version, it`s hard to say where Azrai came from, because he
    >doesn`t seem to have had a tribe of his own originally.
    >
    He could have started as the god of the Beastmen - e.g. in Greatheart in
    the short story at the end Azrai brings some of his beast men, perhaps
    gnolls to the Sielwode.
    bye
    Michael Romes

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    Site Moderator Ariadne's Avatar
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    Originally posted by The Green Knight

    In other places, other peoples also rise in rebellion or flee the Shadow. Urged on by their patron gods, the pantheon of Cerilia is finally established, as the five tribes and the Basarji settle. There are 7 gods (Anduiras LG, Basaia LN, Masela NG, Reynir N, Vorynn CG, Brenna CN, Azrai NE), one for each people and Azrai, who is well known
    to all.
    I like your god alignments. I'm not of the opinion that Andurias should have been LN nor that no CG god existed. Your version is really excellent...

    If you like, post your long version. I would like to see it...
    May Khirdai always bless your sword and his lightning struck your enemies!

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    Birthright Developer Raesene Andu's Avatar
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    Although this is a minor point, Azrai would also be more LE than NE. He is primarily concerned with spreading his rules, his law across Aduria and Cerilia.
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    Raesene Andu wrote:

    >This post was generated by the Birthright.net message forum.
    > You can view the entire thread at: http://www.birthright.net/read.php?TID=1377
    >
    > Raesene Andu wrote:
    > Although this is a minor point, Azrai would also be more LE than NE. He is primarily concerned with spreading his rules, his law across Aduria and Cerilia.
    >
    Lawful as the god of lies and false promises, who tricked the elves and
    lured Prince Raesene on his side?

    Seeing Azrais power, that he could stand up to all the other gods, he
    should have followers with any alignment - perhaps he has even followers
    who do not know that they follow him ;-)
    (like the Vos, who fled him only to be charmed by him later without even
    recognizing him for being the shadow they fled)
    bye
    Michael Romes

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    Administrator Green Knight's Avatar
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    Ariadne wrote:
    Originally posted by The Green Knight

    >>In other places, other peoples also rise in rebellion or flee the
    Shadow. >>Urged on by their patron gods, the pantheon of Cerilia is
    finally >>established, as the five tribes and the Basarji settle. There
    are 7 gods >>(Anduiras LG, Basaia LN, Masela NG, Reynir N, Vorynn CG,
    Brenna CN, >>>Azrai NE)
    , one for each people and Azrai, who is well
    known
    >>to all.
    >I like your god alignments. I`m not of the opinion that Andurias
    should >have been LN nor that no CG god existed. Your version is really
    excellent...

    >If you like, post your long version. I would like to see it...

    OK, I will. I`m just formatting it and filling out some blanks. Is there
    a limit on how long a single post can be (do I need to break it up into
    several parts)?

    Cheers
    Bjørn

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    Administrator Green Knight's Avatar
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    Raesene Andu wrote:

    > Although this is a minor point, Azrai would also be more LE than NE.
    He is >primarily concerned with spreading his rules, his law across
    Aduria and >Cerilia.

    Nope, not in my book. I stand firm by NE.

    Azrai is the Shadow, the Face of Evil, the Great Deceiver, the
    Corruptor. He is also the One of Many Secrets, the Terrible Warlord, and
    a host of other bad titles :-)

    He has both lawful and chaotic traits IMO, possibly slightly more lawful
    than chaotic. However, his EVIL alignment is so pronounced as to make
    the whole law/chaos axis unimportant. Azrai is the god of EVIL above
    all, staunchly opposed to the other six gods. They all fight him, not
    because they`re all so damn GOOD, but because the EVIL of Azrai is very
    overwhelming...

    Cheers
    Bjørn

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