Religion: Saints
The Saints in Trinity.
Contents
[hide]Overview
The Scions were the direct servants of the True Gods, in the time before the Fracture. After that time, they exist as the highest source of Divine power in the world, and it is from them that paladins, priests, and their ilk draw power.
When the True Gods shaped the Scions, they created two distinct groups - the Saints, and the Lucavi. The Saints were mortals, drawn from their ranks because they received great praise from their peoples, which the True Gods saw as a form of worship. The Lucavi were crafted to seek out power by offering things in exchange for worship, such as goods or favors. In this manner, the True Gods believed that the Divine presence in reality would not die out, as at least one of the two sets of Scions would prevail in the face of adversity.
Scions require faith to continue their Divine existence; without it, a Saint or Lucavi reverts to its natural form. Even so much as a single person with true faith in an individual Scion is sufficient to grant the being Divine power, thanks to the bridge formed between that individual and the Metaphysic itself.
In the absence of the True Gods, the two groups of Scions eventually set to feuding with one another; while the presence of the True Gods managed to give them a shared sense of purpose, the collapse of an overarching Divine hierarchy has left them to their own devices, and no longer do the two groups work at least in tandem. Since the Fracture, the two groups have vied nearly constantly, though their very natures prevent either group from winning entirely.
Scions: The Saints
Throughout the whole of history, there have been individuals who rose above their peers, performing deeds thought impossible or performed against overwhelming odds. The "hero worship" these people were given, especially after their deaths, paved the way for the True Gods' creation of one of the two groups of Scions - the Saints.
Unlike their peers, the Lucavi, the Saints are not simply made; instead, Saints are drawn up from the ranks of mortals, their peoples' belief and faith in them rising to the level of true faith, in a Divine sense. When a soul attains its first true believer, the soul rises from the rank and file of the afterlife and becomes a Saint, their essence becoming metaphysically linked to the Metaphysic itself. So long as the Saint has at least one true believer, that link cannot be severed, and the Saint can utilize the power of the Divine.
Worship of Saints is protected almost everywhere, regardless of which Saint is worshipped; this is primarily due to the belief that Saints are or were people deserving of such trust, and that even an evil Saint must have some redeeming qualities if there are those who choose to believe in them.
Also unlike the Lucavi, the Saints are much greater in number, not feeling the need to maintain a strict internal order as the Lucavi do. Given that heroes rise and fall in the passage of time, new Saints arise now and again, while some are forgotten and their worshipers dwindle in number. As such, the number of Saints that are active varies over time; not only that, but Saints have a tendency to have their worship focused in a given geographical area or from a specific race or culture, meaning that differing cultures will often revere different Saints. This leads to a number of Saints having overlapping portfolios, though their approaches and dogmas may differ radically.
List of Saints
What follows is a list of the Saints.
| Name | Title | Rank | Ethos | Favored Weapon | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Vannieu | Of the Gun | Intermediate | GRw | Pistol | Vengeance, orphans, self-sufficiency, protection |
| Sardon | Of the Lightning | Lesser | Wg | Lance | |
| Konoe Ishikaru | Of the Blade | Lesser | WGu | Katana | |
| Uriah Morodov | Of the Road | Lesser | Rg | ??? | Travel |
| Ajriquexl | The Lightning's Hand | Lesser | R | Longsword | Architecture, lightning, storms |
| Tamerlane | The Metal Lady | Intermediate | URg | Greatsword | War, combat, swordsmithing, technological armament |
| Luna Lorne | Of the Night | Lesser | Bu | Dagger | Assassination, stealth, contracts |
| Iocus | The Manifest Destiny | Lesser | WB | Quarterstaff | Humanity |
| Jareth Larin | Of the Labyrinth | Intermediate | Ubw | Darts | Games, laws, rules |
| Rashida | Of the Moons | Intermediate | RU | Longbow | The moons, emotions |
| Darien Hofstadter | The Eternal Braid | Intermediate | Uw | Chakram | The mind, analogies, intelligence |
| Tevra | Mistress of the Engine | Lesser | U | ??? | The analytical network, communication |
| Godellion | Of the Primes | Lesser | U | ??? | Mathematics, unsolvable problems |
| James Prochaska | Of the Vault | Lesser | Ugw | ??? | Chemistry, ingenuity, experimentation |
| Tella'mejis | Of the Feather | Lesser | Gw | Shortsword | Chocobos |
| Ashe'soleil | Tamer of Beasts | Lesser | Uw | Whip | Trainers, mementos, animal handling |
| Arcostes Germonik | Of the Book | Intermediate | Uwg | ??? | Writing, literature, knowledge |
| Samahtar | Of the Mind | Lesser | Bu | None | Psionics, the blind, revenge, secrets |
| Calixte | Of the Muse | Lesser | Gu | Rapier | Music |
| Libitina | Lady of Graves | Lesser | Ubw | Dagger | Burial, death, rebirth, water |
| Mongrel | The Stray Dog | Lesser | RG | Bastard Sword | The homeless, the destitute, the poor |
| Ayratha | Sister of Fire | Intermediate | Wb | Warhammer | Trial, transformation, the discovery and pursuit of purpose, hidden beauty |
| Sela | Sister of Stone | Intermediate | Wb | Unarmed Strike | Lasting accomplishments, stone buildings, unity |
| Shurassa | Sister of Storms | Intermediate | Rg | Trident | Storms, hurricanes, catharsis and forgiveness |
| Russna | Sister of Mists | Intermediate | U | Dagger | Wisdom, mystery, diplomacy, language, study, writing |
| Ulura | Sister of the Moon | Intermediate | UR | None | Moonlight, love and lovers, secrets, the night |
| Ahrianna | Sister of Prophecy | Intermediate | BR | Flail | Madness, insanity, aberrations, enlightenment |
The Saints
General overviews of each of the Saints follow.
Tracy Vannieu
The Gunslinger, Lady of Noon, The Huntress
Intermediate Saint
Title: Of the Gun
Symbol: Bullet in a shot glass
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Portfolio: Vengeance, orphans, self-sufficiency, protection
Worshippers: Orphans, gamblers, gunslingers
Priest Alignments: NG, CG, CN
Domains: Tracy Vannieu
Favored Weapon: Pistol
Organizations: The Gunsai
Prestige Classes: Gunsai
Description
Tracy Vannieu is a young, vaguely xianese, female human, dressed in typical Coldlands garb (denim jeans, plain shirt, boots), along with a well-made black leather trenchcoat. On her left hip is holstered a pistol of exquisite make, which her followers know to be called The Saint, and a simple but well-constructed acoustic guitar is slung across her back.
Some say that Tracy had halfling blood, which gave rise to her skills with guns and her somewhat short stature.
Tracy is the patron saint of orphans, protectors, and those who proclaim self-sufficiency. Her name is invoked by those seeking vengeance, as well as those protecting or harboring orphans.
Dogma
What can be done by many can be done by one, with enough effort. Children are to be protected at all costs, as they are precious and cannot protect themselves. Let your vengeance be swift, but only once you are assured that your mark is deserving of it. Be prepared for the unexpected; ensure that you never lose your cool. Be reliant only upon yourself, but do not refuse the help of others if it is necessary. Travel light, aim true, and be ever vigilant.
Clergy and Churches
Tracy's followers are often dressed much like gunslingers, garbed in leather trenchcoats and typically armed with pistols, when not in one of their churches. Their appearance does not readily indicate their priesthood, though some wear clerical collars. They do not usually wear holy symbols, as their weapons function in that regard.
Tracy's churches are often small and straightforward, with little decoration. Oftentimes, a Vannieuan church doubles as an orphanage and a bar (though most priests try to keep those two functions separate), meaning that newcomers to a city may visit one of her churches and not even realize it.
While Vannieuan dogma holds that her priests should uphold the weak and seek vengeance against wrongdoers, Tracy does not advocate working with law enforcement in pursuit of this goal - she encourages self-sufficiency. While this may sometimes lead to difficulties with established governments, Tracy's followers revel in this disobedience.
The primary Vannieuan church is located in Mechanicus, constructed of black marble and featuring gothic architecture. It is by far the largest and grandest of the Vannieuan churches in the world, and the only one decorated so lavishly. It is said that, beyond the main hall, there are dozens of twisting and turning passages that lead to various locations throughout the city, and that there are a good many rooms that could accomodate hundreds of children.
Rites and Rituals
Tracy has little patience for wasted words or actions, and so she has minimal rites and rituals attributed to her faith. The cleaning of one's firearms in the morning is amongst her rituals, and her priests recite prayers during this time. Another of her more commonly-practiced rituals is drinking - her clergy have narrowed this practice down to a shot of whiskey before sleeping or in celebration of successfully executed vengeance.
Holy Days
Torian 17: Tracy's Ascension
Legends
Many bars in the Coldlands Territory claim to have been visited by Tracy Vannieu during her life, though fewer have the audacity to claim that they are her preferred bar. These claims are often ignored by Vannieuan priests, who keep the truth secret. They know precisely which bar in the Coldlands Territory was the one Tracy called home, and - for them - it is sacred ground; they do not tread there, but they keep a watchful eye over it, ensuring that nothing happens to it.
Sardon
Title: Of the Lightning
Appearance: A young, bearded male human, armed with a heavy lance and geared in mithril plate.
Worship: Main church on the Isle of Thunder, featuring high spires and surrounded by water.
Titles: Son of Thunder, The Sunderer, High Dragoon
Organizations: The Dragoons
Prestige Classes: Dragoon
Luna Lorne
Title: Of the Night
Appearance: Young, breath-takingly beautiful human woman, clad in black plate and armed with a katana.
Worship: Main church in Wayveris, kept dark at all times and consisting of mainly empty space.
Titles: The Assassin, She Who Kills, Keeper of the Eclipse
Organizations: None
Prestige Classes: Assassin of the Eclipse
Konoe Ishikaru
Title: Of the Blade
Appearance: Aged male clavat, clad in black samurai gear, wielding a katana.
Worship: Main church in Elmdor Castle in Colianth, crafted of wood and made to resemble a training hall for samurai.
Titles: The Last Samurai, Keeper of the Genji, Yojimbo
Organizations: The Genji
Prestige Classes: Genji
Long ago on Distarin, there arose a clavat whose skills with weaponry were unequaled. When he came of age, he went into hiding to master his arts, as there were none who could teach him, and to build his weapons, as there were none who could craft them. He emerged again five years later, garbed in black great armor and wielding a katana. At this time, the clavat people were fighting amongst each other. Konoe rode singly against their armies and cut down those who did not surrender, and he singly united the clavat peoples into a single nation.
He was offered a position of power in the newly-formed nation, but refused - instead, he once again vanished from the sight of common folk. This time, however, he took a small number of clavats with him, who he trained in the ways of war and weaponcraft, should the need rise again. These he named the Genji, and they protect the clavat people to this day. They were forbidden to teach the more intricate secrets of their craft to any but their own lines, though they were allowed to teach others the ways of defense. These lesser Genji became known as samurai.
Since then, Konoe has been idolized as a folk hero; however, when Tracy Vannieu ascended, the clavat people recognized that Konoe, too, was a saint, and began worshipping him as such. It is said that, when all the samurai and Genji have perished, Konoe will ride again.
Uriah Morodov
The Anarch, The Traveler
Lesser Saint
Title: Of the Road
Symbol: A chaos star mounted on a signpost
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Portfolio: Travel
Worshippers: Travelers, wanderers
Priest Alignments: NG, CG, CN
Domains: Uriah Morodov
Favored Weapon: (none)
Organizations: None
Prestige Classes: None
Description
Coming soon.
Dogma
Coming soon.
Clergy and Churches
Coming soon.
Rites and Rituals
Coming soon.
Holy Days
Coming soon.
Legends
Coming soon.
Ajriquexl
The Stormchaser, Daughter of the Skies
Lesser Saint
Title: The Lightning's Hand
Symbol: A pair of crossed keys over a lock
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Portfolio: Lightning, storms, architecture
Worshippers: Architects, sailors
Priest Alignments: CG, N, CN
Domains: Ajriquexl
Favored Weapon: Longsword
Organizations: None
Prestige Classes: None
Description
Coming soon.
Dogma
Coming soon.
Clergy and Churches
Coming soon.
Rites and Rituals
Coming soon.
Holy Days
Coming soon.
Legends
Coming soon.
Tamerlane
The Swordsaint, Valkyrie of the East, The Iron Maiden
Intermediate Saint
Title: The Metal Lady
Symbol: A metal spiked gauntlet
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Portfolio: War, combat, swordsmithing, technological armament
Worshippers: Einhanders, generals, tacticians, engineers, warriors
Priest Alignments: LG, LN, LE
Domains: Tamerlane
Favored Weapon: Greatsword
Organizations: None
Prestige Classes: None
Description
Tamerlane is an older half-elven woman, garbed in armor of blue, green, and grey, often wielding an oversized greatsword. She is often depicted with a disinterested look on her face, as though bored with whatever view she is afforded.
Tamerlane was a great tactician in her time, winning a number of difficult conflicts. She is remembered well for having fought a number of battles that needn't be fought, but were against an adversary she found particularly interesting due to their tactical skill. When she finally fell in battle, both sides of the conflict stopped to pay homage to her memory, and thus she ascended as a Saint.
Tamerlane is the patron saint of einhanders, of conflicts for conflict's sake, and well-executed warfare. Her name is invoked by those entering battle.
Dogma
Conceive, plan, and execute. Consider alternatives, weigh your options, and choose the most efficient path to success. Fight a battle of attrition only if you must. Be strong where your enemy is weak, and accept that you must sometimes be weak where your enemy is strong. In the case of victory, do not gloat - instead, ensure your success and press your advantage. In the case of defeat, do not despair - instead, review your plans, find the flaws, and learn from them.
Clergy and Churches
Tamerlane's clergy is taught the art of war, and most of her priests are capable in combat. Their armor is often given the same blue, green, and grey color scheme of her armor, and as such they are almost always easily recognizable.
Tamerlane's churches are usually relatively small and efficient. They are generally built to be easily defensible in a siege, and are also designed to serve as a command post in a combat situation if the need arises.
Rites and Rituals
Coming soon.
Holy Days
Lisyllan 3: Tamerlane's Ascension
Legends
Coming soon.
Iocus
Savior of Man, The Martyr
Lesser Saint
Title: The Manifest Destiny
Symbol: A silver starburst
Alignment: Neutral
Portfolio: Humanity, manifest destiny
Worshippers: Humans, Ronkans
Priest Alignments: LN, NG, N, NE
Domains: Iocus
Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff
Organizations: None
Prestige Classes: None
Description
Iocus appears as a middle-aged, relatively nondescript human, often with plain brown hair and blue eyes. He is depicted as being dressed simply, but always bearing a necklace with his holy symbol and often bearing a book.
Iocus was the primary Saint of the Ronkan Empire, and made the focal point of the Glabados Church in the Empire's first incarnation. Before his ascension, Iocus had fought for the freedom of humanity from the elves, and sought equality for humanity alongside the elves; later in life, this turned to guerrilla tactics against the elven aristocracy, crimes for which he was executed. This event directly led to his ascension and the formation of the alliance that would overthrow the Woodland League.
Iocus is the patron saint of humans and the Ronkan Empire.
Dogma
Follow your own path, and let no other direct you. If oppressed, rebel; if rebelled against, quell it. The human spirit can never be diminished: never give up, never surrender.
Clergy and Churches
Iocus has an exclusively human clergy; while other races may recognize Iocus' free spirit and determination, Iocus also represents humanity's eagerness to overthrow other governments and put themselves in the spotlight, and as such rarely do other races revere him.
Rites and Rituals
Coming soon.
Holy Days
Sellixian 28: Iocus' Execution Quellosian 12: Iocus' Ascension
Legends
Coming soon.
Jareth Larin
Keeper of the Labyrinth, The Grim Dealer
Lesser Saint
Title: Of the Labyrinth
Symbol: A black king chess piece over a white maze on a silver background
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Portfolio: Games of skill
Worshippers: Assassins, mages; those who play games of skill, occasionally gamblers
Priest Alignments: LE, LN
Domains: Jareth Larin
Favored Weapon: Darts
Organizations: None
Prestige Classes: None
Description
Jareth is the saint of games. The games he favors are those that are one-on-one that require a great deal of skill; however, he looks upon all games as his domain. He takes each game seriously, be it a childish game of marbles or the 'game' of an assassin hunting down his prey. He has a great dislike for those who mock games, or those who flaunt them.
When he appears on the prime material plane, Jareth appears as a well-groomed gentleman with sleek black hair. He often carries implements of gaming: a travel-sized chessboard with exquisite pieces, a deck of ivory playing cards, a set of mithril-tipped darts, and the like.
Jareth is the patron saint of gaming.
Dogma
Pay well and to win. Never give quarter your enemies. Watch the movements of those who oppose you and learn from their ways; in this way can you gain advantage over them. Never underestimate the power of a game. Be cunning in all things, and never let your guard down. When a game is won, honor the winner, regardless of whether he is friend or foe. When judging a game, be impartial in all things - do not let personal bias interfere with a game. Obey all the rules of a game, but always remember to look for the loophole.
Clergy and Churches
The clergy of Jareth are almost always dressed in robes of black, white, and silver. They are easily identified by the black metal chess piece they wear around their neck, which is indicative of their rank in the church hierarchy: those who wear pawns are unimportant, but those who wear bishops or knights are more powerful. Only the high priest of Jareth is allowed to wear a queen; none are permitted to wear a king, as that is Jareth's personal symbol.
Jareth's priests are allowed to build temples in most places, so long as they obey the laws of the land - which they always do. His temples are often stocked with a variety of gaming implements, similar to the ones Jareth himself carries when he vists the prime material. His priests are also relatively common in places where gaming is a major trade, as they are highly useful in their ability to impartially judge all games they observe; they are usually carrying an assortment of gaming implements, though not usually of the same quality or quantity that Jareth carries.
Rites and Rituals
Coming soon.
Holy Days
Coming soon.
Legends
Coming soon.
Rashida
The Lunar Maiden
Intermediate Saint
Title: Of the Moons
Symbol: A silver crescent moon
Alignment: Neutral Good
Portfolio: The moons, emotions
Worshippers: Space-travelers, night watchmen, psychologists
Priest Alignments: NG, N, CN
Domains: Rashida
Favored Weapon: Longbow
Organizations: None
Prestige Classes: None
Description
Rashida appears as a tall, attractive human woman, garbed in white with gold trim, often accompanied by a silver crescent moon fans out from the back of her dress, framing her head.
Rashida's story of ascension has been lost to the ages - she has been a Saint for as long as anyone can remember, and her origins are shrouded in mystery. There is a legend that she was once a True God, but voluntarily stepped down from that post during the Fracture, saving herself in the process; in the modern world, this story has little support, but there are some who hold to it.
Rashida is the patron saint of those who travel by night.
Dogma
Coming soon.
Clergy and Churches
Coming soon.
Rites and Rituals
Coming soon.
Holy Days
Coming soon.
Legends
Coming soon.
