Lawful Good Most High Power
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Kreaon, commonly known as the Creator, is thought to be the first god of Kyranath. He was the one who calmed the chaos at the dawn of time. He is said to have the greatest power of all the gods, but unlike them he rarely involves himself in the workings of mankind. He is seen to be withdrawn and reclusive, not emotionally involved in the present manifestation of the world. But never the less his hand is in everything and his beneficence shines over all who walk his creation. It was his hand that set the stars in the sky, the moons to orbit the world and the great sun to give life to Kyranath. The sun that brings warmth and light, and allows the plants to grow is said to be his eye. Though emotionally disconnected his benevolence and the laws he put into place at the beginning of time are the greatest gift of good ever granted.
The Church of Creation (the Church of Kreaon)
| CLERGY: | Clerics, Specialty Priests (Truthseekers) and Paladins |
| CLERGY ALIGN: | LG, LN, NG, and N. |
The priests of the creator seek to bring truth and structure to Kyranath. As the voice of the living creation, they act for there god to defend every living thing's right to grow and experience the world around them. Creating and upholding society and the ability to be productive within it is their main concern.
Dogma and Beliefs:
The Creator stands
back from the world, concerned with the making of things, molding physical
order from chaos. At the start of time, it was his essence that motivated
the creation of all things. But now, millennia after the first forms of
life walked the surface of Kyranath, the Creator watches the activities
of mortals from afar and maintains the harmony of creation.
Above the laws
of men stand the physical laws of nature, which govern the workings of
the universe. In the beginning, the Creator toyed with, tested and tweaked
these laws, learning to make something new, whole and meaningful where
before were only chaotic particles. All his greatest creations resulted
from his knowledge that put into place the laws of nature. Followers pursue
the same course, constantly testing the limits of the natural world. Investigating
the world and all in it through precise study and experimentation to bring
about a perfect understanding is for what the followers of Kreaon live.
Rather than waste time in magical pursuits and ethereal theories, these
studies are based more in science. Science is often called the quest for
truth, with the word truth evoking knowledge of the boundaries of a predetermined
Universal Law. Having a knowing of what is real and factual and the pursuit
of hard science is one of the followers of the Creator's greatest tools.
A weapon of truth, they strip away the lies and deceit that we cloak ourselves
in to show the truth of what is known.
In addition
to knowing the outer workings of the world, one must know the inner workings
of his own soul. Enlightenment is the personal endeavor of every devout
follower of Kreaon, for to know oneself is to better know he who created
you. The Creator's clergy preach the possibilities yet to come through
attending Kreaon. Through the act of creation, hope is born of building
a better future. Improvement through understanding is one of the main tenets
of the clergy. This unbridled hope and optimism would no doubt translate
into traits found in a charismatic leader and so many of the followers
of Kreaon become heads of businesses or even kings of realms. However,
the basis for this optimism is grounded in the art of self-revelation.
Through knowing more about one's inner self, one can more properly translate
that understanding into a physical manifestation in the outside world (Creation).
And in more clearly understanding the physical world, one can create even
more perfectly in their own image (or at least that which is good in oneself).
So while beauty and confidence are a major aspect of the follower of Kreaon,
it is a by-product of the intense focus on creation... or more specifically,
re-creating the best within us to share with others, further creating a
better society.
Kreaon not only
ordered the physical world, but gave means for its sustenance. From the
first beams of light at dawn to the last glow of the sun at dusk, the Creator
caresses all things in the world with his light and warmth. The Creator
abhors darkness as anathema to his being. It is the night to his day, veiling
and obscuring all things. Light must always prevail over darkness. Dawn
is a time of worship and joy, the welcoming of the sun to a new day. The
Creator rejoices at the touch of the sun's rays on every thing, from the
smallest blade of grass to the grandest mountain. Each morning is a daily
reminder of Kreaon's benevolence and continued pledge of consistency and
continuance over all things.
But his is not
only the light of the sun, but the light of truth as well. Kreaon seeks
to dispel deceptions, illusions and all falsehoods wherever and whenever
they can be found. Such things are evils that cloud and do distort reality,
deserving only of destruction. Where falsehoods mislead and confuse, only
the truth of a situation can bring understanding and breed enlightenment.
Kreaon disdains those who dwell in the shadows of deceit. Liars, swindlers
and thieves are all sinners in the eyes of the Creator. Kreaon is also
known as "Shadow Breaker", a title given for his hatred of the dark-dwelling
undead. Undeath is neither life nor death, both of which are natural states
included in the original formula of creation. Such perversities, spawned
in the darkness, mock the great "Lord of the Light" and should be vanquished
wherever found.
The Commandments of Light and Truth
The Creator is generally seen as a wizened older male belonging to each race. He appears to people of each race as their own. One of the greater images that has been described is a pure ball of light of great brilliance. This has been seen by many and the sun itself is considered to be Kreaon's eye.
Alters and Idols:
The alters of Kreaon are generally a backless golden seat with a free floating continual light source hovering above it. Kreaon desires no sacrifice of any other than time and service. So there is no actual alter, only the Seat of Kreaon. The alter is not large but normally the size of a normal humans chair. Idols of Kreaon take on the appearance of wizened older males in white robes, his arm outstretched holding a crystal with a brilliant continual light cast on it in such a way that bright spectral light shines from it in all directions.
Major Centers of Worship:
The Creator has its main temples in Coopersville Forge and another major temple in Riveringtown. Smaller temples are found in Fairingtown Branch, Walnuttown and Heartville. Shrines can be found in almost every city or larger town in Tuth and Lithar and there is many shrines to the Creator in Edilar. There was a lunar tree in the Starwood Forest on Norben Island dedicated to the Creator that was destroyed during the recent times of trouble also known as the War of Liberation. The ground it had been growing upon is now submerged beneath the waters of Blood Lake.
Temples are central
to the worship of Kreaon. More than gathering places for followers or places
of sanctuary at times of trouble, they serve as hostels for travelers,
schools for initiates looking for enlightenment, training grounds for guards
and paladins, monasteries for those dedicating themselves to study and
the pursuit of knowledge and housing for the clergy. Clergy of a particular
temple have the responsibility to care for the numerous shrines that may
populate their region.
Temples and
shrines of the Creator are often spectacular sights. Orbs imbued with continual
light are embedded everywhere. Generally, neatness and cleanliness (physical
order) are important to clergy of the Creator and this is reflected in
their living areas. Temples are meticulously cleaned and shrines kept in
prime condition. The architecture of every temple is different, no two
temples alike. But they all have certain similarities in that they are
always very awe inspiring and of usually great size and each will have
a bell loft or tower from which the tolling of the passing of the sun across
the sky is practiced. The bells are usually not actually a bell, though
some of the greater shrines or temples have these or many of these. The
general bell found at a shrine or poor temple is a brass, bronze or gilded
disc gong, a representation of the sun. Along with the bell is also a specially
made hourglass used to measure the passage of the sun. Each time the hourglass
runs out, it is turned over, the hour marked and the gong rang the correct
number of times for the hour. The bell is often enchanted with a continual
light spell and generally placed at the highest point possible in the shrine
or temple.
Any Shrine to
the creator will be built using some creative innovation in architecture
and also include a bell. The shrine itself can be of any size and functionality
but must provide for the housing of a bell. Most will have at least one
sheltering structure for a meeting place with a bell loft or tower. But
some are just a simple structure to house the bell. The keeper of a shrine
has the as one of their duties, watching the passing of the sun through
the sky and ringing the bell at the designated time. Most shrines will
have at least a Deacon of the church and a few initiates to insure the
bell is properly maintained and rang at the correct time.
Worshipers:
The Creator is widely worshipped, or at least acknowledged, as being the primal force behind the beginning of the world, the coming about of all things and the continued maintenance of natural law. Followers worship him for the continued life-giving warmth and light of the sun. Many also follow Kreaon wherever undead threaten, as his power is a great bane to these creatures. There is a smaller segment of his followers that seriously attempt to study the physical laws of nature and another who have dedicated their lives to enlightenment and the search for spiritual clarity.
The Clergy:
The clergy of the Creator represent the principles of order and truth within society. It is their duty to make all understand they are part of something much larger than any can ever understand and yet also a representative of that whole. None are worthless or to be ignored as all are a part of creation. The clergy of Kreaon are there to help people to come to their own potential and become what they may within creation.
Church Hierarchy:
"In al the workings of creation, nothing is greater than a single one of you." As part of the dedication speech of the first temple of the Creator in Coopersville Forge– Aldoni, The Voice of Creation (125 to 202)
For the
most part, the various temples operate independent of each other. When
the collective church known as the Church of the Creation needs to discuss
something, the elder of each temple or their representative come together.
Known simply as the "Council of Elders", they meet in the largest and most
centralized temple. The council selects a speaker of the council that is
empowered with the authority and responsibility of carrying out any actions
the council decides upon. This Speaker, is then charged with leading all
of the church to achieve this goal and is considered there highest religious
leader until such time as the goal is completed or a new Speaker is chosen
by a meeting of the Council of Elders.
When an elder
dies or his status as elder is revoked, the council must convene to choose
his successor.
Initiate of Enlightenment- Those that seek enlightenment but have yet to feel they have achieved any real knowledge are the initiates of the church. These tend most day to day chores needed to maintain the temples.
Keeper of the Bells - Within the Temples of the Creator, bells are maintained and sounded at specific times of the day. These keep a toll of the passing of the sun across the sky. Those Initiates that have shown devout service and proven their reliability are given the duty to watch this passing and ring the bells.
Acolyte of Creation - Once the light of the Creator shines on you more brightly you become an acolyte of the truth. Most Acolytes aid followers in their needs and travel Kyranath in their studies and pursuit of truth. An Acolyte may be of any level of power in the church, but has decided themselves to remain on the road to enlightenment and not tie themselves to any one place in their service of creation.
Deacon of the Church of Creation- At the level of enlightenment in which an Acolyte is able to create everlasting light (cast 3rd-level spells) they may be considered a Deacon of the church. The Deacons of the church are the mid management level leaders of the religion. They preside over rituals and are the keepers of most shrines. Traveling Deacons also provide for Kreaon's worshippers throughout their temple's district. They will move from village to village and fill any of their worshipper's needs where no permanent structure has been yet built. If blessed and able, a Deacons will settle in one of these places and build their own shrine and so provide for the followers needs more permanently.
Alderman of the Church of Creation - Once one of the Deacons is acknowledge as one of the wisest and most enlightened of the clergy of the Creator, they are asked to become an Alderman of the temple. When any decision is needed to be made that will effect the temple it is done by the Aldermen. If a decision is needed that may effect all of the clergy and worshippers of Kreaon in Kyranath, it is the Aldermen of each temple that send their representative to meet and do so. There is never more than two Aldermen sent from any single temple unless it is from the district of that temple that the problem to be discussed in council is located. In this occasion the Elder of the Church may also travel to the council.
Elder of the Church of Creation - The aldermen of the temple chose from amongst them the wisest and he is given the title of Elder. The Elder is the head of the temple. The Elder is the most high priest of the Creator who makes all final decisions for the temple and the church in his district. An Elder has achieved a level of enlightenment that they are able to commune with the Creator (cast 5th-level spells).
Council of Elders - At times when the whole of the church or even Kyranath seems to be threatened, a council of Elders will be formed. These are either the Elder of each temple or an Alderman the Elder has sent as their temple's representative. For the duration of the threat, one of the council is chosen to lead the church, his prime duty to bring the problem, threat or need to a quick and expeditious end.
Speaker for Creation
- Elected to this post to oversee the ending of some problem, threat or
perceived need, the Speaker has great power to make decisions without much
debate or argument as long as it appears he is fulfilling his assigned
duty. Once the goal he was elected to is achieved, the Speaker returns
to his own district or temple and resumes his regular duties.
The amount of
time a Speaker for the church may hold this office is not measured. As
long as there is a need he will remain. Should some other need or threat
arise that is separate from what he is selected to handle, another council
is called to assign a Speaker as needed. Thus there can be multiple Speakers.
In most cases the new problem or need is just assigned to the same Speaker
if he has been proven efficient and dutiful as well as able to manage both
problems.
If there is
ever more than one Speaker, each will be given a secondary title. There
may be a Speaker for the Examination of Newly Found Facts, heading up a
problem with ancient uncovered texts that have brought new ways of thinking
to some subjects and at the same time a Speaker for the Cause of War and
a Speaker for the Rebuilding and Maintenance of the Temples. The general
title of Speaker is appropriate for any of these but as long as there is
more than one, none will be known as the Speaker of the Church.
The Voice of Creation - Chosen by the Council of Elders, the Voice is the nominal head of the entire church of the Creator. Even at times of no great threat or problem, one Elder is assigned to be the leader of the church and so handle any great decisions that need to be made more quickly than a council could be called to do so. Every Voice of Creation must be able to speak Kreaon's Holy Words (cast 7th-level spells).
Ceremonies and Holy Days:
Praising the Dawn: Reaffirmation
of Creation and the Future (Each morning)
Followers of the Creator wake each
morning and give praise to the coming of the dawn. Each morning the new
day signifies a continuance of life and creation. In temples and shrines,
the dawn is signified by a single ringing of their bell. The bells continue
throughout the day counting towards sundown at the tenth bell. Bells then
count down from there. The significance of the rising of the sun is one
of great promise and a proof that the power of the Creator is still with
the world. Short prayers are given to present the goals you have set for
yourself and mean to fulfill in the future.
Praising the Stars: Communion
with the Past (Each full moon of Zakuris)
Zakuris, the largest of Kyranath's
moons, represents the Creator's promise that even in the night he is with
you. Each full moon of Zakuris, when it is at mid sky, a service to the
Creator who placed the moons in their orbits and the stars in the sky is
performed. Prayers are sent towards the stars and for those loved ones
that have passed into the afterlife to comfort them and show them they
are remembered. This is a rededication to live a life worthy of your creation
and so gain the promise of a place in the Celestial Sea when your allotted
days are over. It is a time of looking to the past and reaffirming the
goals you have set yourself and put aside failures.
Praising the Sun; the Day of
Forgiveness and Realization of the Present (First day of each month.)
The sun is the unblinking eye of
the Creator. It warms and gives light to the world. On the first day of
each month, the Church of the Creation hold a service of praise for the
sun. Worshippers spend the day in prayer, making no business transactions,
traveling no more than one could walk between one bell and the next from
their place of rest the day before and meditate on their part in creation.
Many practice this in private sometimes exercising their bodies or skills
of their trade, others surround the temples or shrines and meditate on
one thing each hour throughout the day, changing to the next level of their
being at each bell or contemplating some deed they had done in the last
month. The Praising of the Sun is a means of looking inward and cleansing
yourself of the evil and corruption that may have entered your life. The
day acts as a restorative to the spirit and when over the worshipper should
no longer hold any guilt or regrets for their deeds and forgiven themselves,
learning from their experiences. It is customary to fast on this day.
Priestly Vestments:
There is no garb
that is uniformly used among the clergy of the Creator. However, a great
deal of priests will wear white and lighter shades of yellow or sky blue.
The temple they serve generally designates a preference. Staves with orbs
of light at one end are similarly popular. Dark colors are never worn when
it can be avoided.
At times of
war or while on missions for the church, the clergy will usually wear armor
similar to the temple guards (see The Celestial Guard in Affiliated Orders)
or some form of banded or plate mail if they can afford it. Those that
cannot will wear gilded hide armor or even leather. Whatever the armor,
a tabard with the golden disc symbol or an embroidered sun will be on their
chest. The quarterstaff, footman's mace and morning star are the favored
weapons, each generally topped by a gilded, brass or bronze plating to
represent the blazing sun.
Affiliated Orders, Societies and Guilds:
The Noble Order of the True
Heart -
This
is an order of noble paladins born to wealth and title but dedicated to
the Creator and the principles of equality. They travel their lands protecting
the citizens and fight against despoilers of creation. There focus is to
spread hope to those in need and of lesser station than themselves. Many
of them patrol along the roads within their lands or their lord's greater
holdings and aid in solving problems or helping those in peril. Exchanging
aid with shopkeepers and farmers for protection or a lessening of taxes,
they gain services which they use to help others. Many an inn have rooms
held open for the True Hearts to use or lend to those they bring them in
need. These are given gratis for favors past given or later expected.
True Hearts
generally wear a tabard and achievement representing their own noble house
but with a quarter field of red with a white cross under an emblazoned
golden sun on their left upper breast. Some bare a pennant on lance or
spear, or heraldry on their shield with similar design.
The Sons of the Holy Light-
This
group of warriors and warrior-priests have taken special vows to pursue
and vanquish undead wherever they are found. Only men may formally join
this order. These dedicated followers of Kreaon will go to great lengths
to investigate and destroy reports of undead activity. They are a militant
order and maintain ranks like an army. The leader is titled the "Marshal
of the Holy Light" and is subject to the will of the Council of Elders
or an appointed Speaker should they call the Sons to action. The ranks
in descending order from the marshal are major, lieutenant, corpsman and
cadet.
The Sons are
configured in companies of men. Companies are led by a Major and have four
platoons lead by lieutenants, which have four squads lead by sergeants
of 12 men generally made up of two corpsmen and ten cadets. The Sons of
the Holy Light at this time have four companies. One of heavy cavalry,
one of half light cavalry and half horse archers, one of foot soldiers
and one made up of half foot and half archers.
Sons of the
Holy Light wear sky blue tabards with a golden, embroidered image
of the sun, the Creator's symbol, on the front and back. Uniform armor
is platemail for the marshal, banded mail for majors, chain mail for lieutenants,
and brigandine for corpsmen and cadets.
The Order of Truth -
This
is a quasi-military organization comprised mainly of paladins and a few
warrior-priests. This elite group is dedicated to fight against the forces
of evil and defend the weak. The leader of the order is always appointed
as an Elder as well and carries great respect. Aside from the leader, there
are no formal ranks among those in the order. Mostly, paladins operate
alone or with a small group of followers, carrying out special operations.
But in times where campaigns demand a larger call to arms, the few holy
fighters who are members of the order are called to lead their footmen
into battle. This group is also subject to the will of the Council of Elders
or a Speaker given their charge.
Followers of
the Order of Truth and their followers wear white armbands with golden
edge and the symbol of the Creator embroidered on it. Actual members of
the order also wear a ring, a simple band of white-bleached steel and a
tabard of white with a golden orb on their chest.
The Celestial Guard -
This
order of warriors, paladins and priests swear their service to the protection
of the clergy and the temples of the Creator. This is the official temple
guard, specifically trained and of the highest order of perfection that
can be found. Each is raised by the Church of the Creation, either orphaned
or born to one of their members and then apprenticed to their care and
so their life is completely subjected in the ways of Kreaon and creation.
Their sacred duty is to defend the leadership of the Church of the Creator
and any protectorates, holdings and temples. The Celestial Guard are all
of the qualities of a paladin even if they have not been called to such
power and so all are beautiful and charismatic, wise healthy and strong.
(All must meet Paladin ability requirements.)
The Celestial
Guard wear bronze or gilded metal breastplates, bronzed or gilded leather
bracers and greaves (equivalent of banded armor) and carry highly polished
round brass covered shields. Their helmets are also polished brass and
nearly perfectly rounded on top with a nose guard and strapped cheek guards.
A tabard of white with a gold embroidered sun on the back and chest finishes
their uniform. The standard weapons are the spear, lance, long sword and
morning star all with gilded pommels tips or hardware.
Church Errata:
Allies
Kaldinsky ***- While the Creator represents the setting into place of the undeniable truths of reality, it is the god Kaldinsky that records them and makes them able to be learned by living thinking beings in the cosmos. Only through the principles of Kaldinsky's learning and knowledge may the secrets of the Creator ever be known.
Telk *** - If the Creator is realization and Kaldinsky is Learning, it is Telk that is inspiration. through the three all things may come to be. Though the principles of creation are already defined and immutable by normal means, learning about them and applying them is how these three allies make new and better technology and understanding to be able to be applied by the living worshippers of the three gods.
Tyre - The god of life is a creator in herself. Though the cosmos was shaped by Kreaon, it was tyre that seeded it with life and the keepers of Kyranath that needed to be taught the truth. Through birth of living things and growth is the act of creation continued.
Celenia - Celenia is generally thought of as the preserver of life, but more than this she is the preserver of creation. Though Her followers create nothing and bring no new innovation or understanding into Kyranath, it is through her and her followers that what is there is maintained. The Creator and Celenia are very close allies.
Anthor - The protector of honor is the brother to the keeper of truth. These are the allies at times of war and strife against those that would attack the living creation and see it destroyed, Both wish to spread a sense of completeness and desire to make things right and respected and so worth keeping.
Foes
Praxin - Praxin, god of aberration and of monsters of nature, though a neo-creative force is one that twists what is the correct order of creation. The Creator and all he stands for is natural order, the supremacy of rules set place at the time of creation that cover all. The god of aberation and his warping of this natural order are anathema to Kreaon.
Syth - Though a god within the same Pantheon as Kreaon, Syth's order is unnatural and forced. The Creator is the natural order of the cosmos and the dominance and force that is part of Syth is unwelcome in it. The Creator and Syth both strive for control though their means of doing it are incomparable.
Garalax - Again a god of the same Pantheon but one that would have his followers force control of order through elimination of their target rather than understanding. Garalax represents the cowards means of control and order taking things beyond the need of knowledge and enlightenment and into the shadows which Kreaon despises.
Diadria ***- The ever present and inevitable night, end of life and keeper of those less enlightened. Diadria would see all of creation fall into her control, dead, stagnant, diseased and oblivious. The Creator fights against her clutches at all costs short of breaking his own laws and principles.
Ballog ***- The unmaker, destroyer and god of chaos, in other words; the opposite of Kreaon. While the Creator would bring new, and better things into the cosmos through enlightenment and understanding, Ballog would tear what is already created, down. But for the balance between the two and the reclusive behavior and confidence in his own grand creation, Kreaon and Ballog would likely do great harm to each other personally. But Ostran maintaining both, separating them and keeping them at odds is the balancing factor that has most conflict between them through the interaction of other gods Even so, Ballog is the greatest threat to the Creator and his worshippers. If Ballog has his way all of creation would cease to exist.
*** denotes
a major factor
Appendix 1: Classes of Kreaon
The clergy of Kreaon receive 'Thardferrian Religion' and Reading/Writing-own language as a free NWP.
Clerics of Kreaon
| Requirement: | Intelligence 11, Wisdom 9 |
| Prime Requisites: | Wisdom |
| Major Spheres: | All, Astral, Charm, Creation, Divination, Elemental, Guardian, Healing, Necromantic, Protection, Sun, and Weather. |
| Minor Spheres: | Combat |
| Spell notes: | May not cast spells reversed to effect good or cause damage. |
Special Abilities:
| Races Allowed: | Any |
| Requirements: | Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 12 |
| Prime Requisites: | Wisdom |
| Alignment: | LG |
| Weapons: | Any type B only. |
| Armor: | Any |
| Magic Items: | As for clerics |
| Required Proficiencies: | Two of the following; Agriculture, Animal Lore, Artistic Ability, Astrology, Brewing, Engineering, Herbalism, Navigation, Reading/Writing, Weather Sense. |
| Bonus Proficiencies: | Religion plus one of the following; Agriculture, Animal Lore, Language-Ancient, Language-Modern, Navigation, Reading/Writing, Weather Sense. |
Special Granted Powers:
| 1st level | 2nd level | 3rd level | 4th level |
| Bless* | Aid | Continual Light* + | Cloak of Bravery* |
| Combine | Augury + ! | Create Food & Water | Control Temperature,
10' r. |
| Command | Detect Charm* + ! | Cure Disease* | Cure Serious Wounds* |
| Create Food
and Water* + |
Enthrall | Dispel Magic | Detect Lie* + ! |
| Cure Light Wounds* | Find Traps + | Locate Object* + ! | Divination + ! |
| Detect Evil* + ! | Goodberry* | Negative Plane
Protection |
Imbue with Spell Ability |
| Detect Magic + ! | Hold Person | Plant Growth | Lower Water* |
| Detect Poison + ! | Know Alignment* + ! | Prayer | Neutralize Poison* |
| Detect Snares & Pits + ! | Messenger | Protection From Fire | Protection from Evil,
10' r.* |
| Endure Heat
/Endure Cold |
Produce Flame | Remove Curse* | Reflecting Pool + |
| Entangle | Resist Fire/Resist Cold | Remove Paralysis | Speak With Plants + |
| Invisibility to Undead | Silence, 15' Radius | Spike Growth | Spell Immunity |
| Light* + | Speak with Animals + | Starshine + | Tongues* + ! |
| Protection from Evil* | Withdraw | Stone Shape | |
| Remove Fear* | |||
| 5th level | 6th level | 7th level | |
| Animal Growth | Animate Object + | Animate Rock | |
| Atonement | Blade Barrier + | Changestaff + | |
| Commune + ! | Create Water* + | Chariot of Sustarre + | |
| Control Winds | Find the Path* + ! | Holy Word* | |
| Dispel Evil* | Forbiddance | Restoration* | |
| Magic Font | Heroes' Feast + | Resurrection* | |
| Moonbeam + | Speak With Monsters + | Sunray + | |
| Quest | Stone Tell ! | ||
| Rainbow + | Wall of Thorns + | ||
| Spike Stones | Word of Recall | ||
| True Seeing* ! | |||
Appendix 3: Outer Realm of Kreaon
The Heavens
The realm of Kreaon, the Creator, is the closest to Kyranath and yet still
nearly completely out of reach. They are the Heavens that are beyond the
sky, that rich field of stars seen only at night, shining down on creation.
Those that find their way into the Heavens are able to travel from star
to star by means of pure thought and their own self awareness. After life,
the blessed of the Creator find themselves translated into beings of light
that live in the vast reaches beyond the ever-present sky. The stars are
their homes and they are able to look down upon the living on Kyranath
and watch over their ancestors and loved ones from afar, sending prayers
to Kreaon to aid them. Each of the blessed are given a star to call
home, specifically reserved for them once they are enlightened in the ways
of creation through their worship and actions to gain understanding of
their world while alive. The light of the stars, shaped at their will is
at their whim to become anything they desire, fulfilling all their needs
in the eternal afterlife.
Though they
first have to pass through the Realm of the Dead and are judged by Diadria,
Kreaon allows his worshippers little time to find their way before he comes
to the Lady of Death and asks for them. They are translated into light
rapidly so as to make their way quickly along their Road to Justification.
But it is not uncommon, because of the inquisitive nature of the followers
of Kreaon, that they chose to not immediately go to the Heavens and instead
continue to travel the roads within the Abyss to seek out the answers to
questions that have haunted them in life or to try and find others and
lead them out of their torment or confusion.
Appendix 4: The Book of Creation
The Book of Creation is the most holy of objects within the church. It
is said that all the knowledge of the act of creation is written into the
book though in such a way as to be impossible for any but Kreaon to understand.
The original book, if ever actually located in Kyranath, is not to be found.
Only translations of parts of it in different languages have been kept
and preserved. There is a copy found in each major temple of Kreaon. The
languages are preserved as the parts have been located and copied and so
to be able to seek complete enlightenment or attempt to understand the
secrets to creation held within it, you must know nine different languages:
Draconic, High Elven, Elven, ancient Dwarven, Dwarven, Sythalese (ancient
Sythian), Gnomish, Halfling, and ancient Goblinese.
The Book of
Creation is always considered complete and yet new pieces of it are discovered
or writings within it decoded through inspiration by faithful of the Church
of the Creation at times and so it may have passages or even chapters added
. As it stands it is of uncounted size though one monk had counted over
800,000 different words before he died. His notes only indicated his count
and where he had last been reading but no list of the words he had counted
was made and so no one can continue to complete his task. He was only about
half way through the Book.
Copies of the
Book of Creation outside of the temple can be found but all are very rare,
greatly illuminated and gilded, protected by heavy locked cases and of
extreme value. Small sections of the Book have been translated into prayers
and put to music as hymns and can be found and are used as prayer books.
It is said that
if a person could learn to understand the secrets of the Book of Creation
and learn every word within, not only could they create or make come into
being anything they understood but could also unmake that which they understood.
None have ever been said to have done this though the clergy through their
studies of copies and parts of the Book, known as Truthseekers, who gain
some understanding are able to increase their ability to work divine magics
and so gain more power through their faith and worship of the Creator.
Some of the
prayers and wisdom translated from the Book that are commonly printed follow.
PRAYERS
Prayer of Beginnings
“O
Creator, you have brought us together again in this glad season when we
celebrate your power of creation. Grant that thy spirit may be born anew
in our hearts this day. Open our ears that we may joyfully accept thy word.
Open our lips, that we may sing with uplifted hearts. Glory to the Creator!
Prayer of Blessing
“Supreme Ruler of the Universe,
we would reverently invoke Thy blessing at this time. Wilt Thou be pleased
to grant this enterprise be conducted in peace and fulfilled in harmony!
Blessed be the Creator.
Prayer Against Evil
“Great Architect of all Creation!
Maker and Ruler of all worlds! We humbly invoke Thee to give us at this
and all times; wisdom in all our doings, strength of mind in all our difficulties,
and the beauty of harmony in all our communications! Permit us, oh thy
Author of Light and Life, Source of love and happiness, guidance in the
destruction of this evil power before us! Blessed be the Creator!
Turning Undead
Master of all Creation, work
thine power upon this abomination of your will and make nothing prosper
for this aberrant monstrosity! Let us gain victory over this and all thine
enemies, so that the world may be healthy in thy word! Glory be to the
Creator!
Prayer of Offering
“All things come from you, O
Creator, and with prayer and thanksgiving we return to you what is yours.
You created all that is, and with love formed us in your image. All that
we are, all that we have, is a trust from you. And so, in gratitude for
all that you have done, we offer you ourselves, and all that we have so
that we may minister unto all of Kyranath! Blessed be the Creator!"
Prayers of Thanks
“It is right, and a good and
joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to You, Almighty Creator,
maker of all things, You formed us in your image and breathed into us the
breath of life. When we turn away, and our love fails you, your love loves
stays steadfast, for you are a fortress, unyielding to imperfection. You
deliver us from ourselves, speaking to us through the prophets, revealing
to us your sovereignty. And so, with your people and all the company of
heaven and earth, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy,
holy, holy, Ye of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Glory in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Creator!
Glory in the highest! Blessed be the Creator!"
BLESSINGS
Parting Blessing
“Friends, be diligent, prudent,
temperate, discreet. Do good unto all. Live in peace; and may the Creator
delight to dwell with and be with you. May brotherly love prevail and every
moral and social virtue cement us forever! Glory be to the Creator!"
Bless a new Priest
“Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty
Father of the Universe, to this our present convention; and grant that
this candidate may dedicate and devout his life to Thy service and become
a true and faithful brother among us. Imbue him with a competency of Thy
divine wisdom, that by the practice of our art he may be better enabled
to display the beauties of holiness to the honor of Thy holy name. Blessed
be the Creator!"
Blessing of Strong Character
“Most mighty Creator, stop us
from sinning against you in thought, word, and deed. Help us love you with
our whole heart; and our neighbors whole-heartedly. Make us humble and
repentant in our misdoing. Have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may
delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name!
Glory be to the Creator!“
Blessing on Those Who Suffer
"Almighty God, shield of the
oppressed, here us as we pray for the friendless and the lonely, the tempted
and the unbelieving. Be merciful to those who suffer, in body or mind,
to those who are in danger or distress, and who has suffered loss. Let
your love and surround the infirm and the age. Be especially near to those
who are near the depths of death. May they find eternal rest, and light
at evening time. Amen."
WORDS OF WISDOM
"Teach the adults to obey. Teach the children to dream."
"Joy comes from the passion of the heart, not the heart of passion."
"The riches of love last forever; the treasures of life perish."
"When the good die, speak nothing but good. When the bad die, let them die."
"Deeds are masculine; words are feminine; together, they are perfection."
"Evil to he who thinks evil!"
"Man is either a wolf or a lion; for the two cannot intermingle, but only exist within limitations."
"The gilded woman leads to death; the woman who labors overcomes all."
"Death is the shell of life;
when broken, the true creation emerges."