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Name: Fialdorchan Druidism
Type: Religion
Credits: []
Consolidation Thread: NA
Description: Fialdorchan Druidism traces its roots in antiquity, before the worship of the God-Machine expanded on the Isles. Being an old subdivision of the Isles Druidism, Fialdorchan Druidism was the worship of multiple aspects of Nature. It is yet unclear at what point the Druidic practice was influenced by Entity-centric worship, although many have argued that the events described in the mythos of the Fialdorchan Druids deal with the wars between the early Fae and Man civilizations on the Isles, and the eventual devolution of the Fae, blend in with other foreign cultures that interacted with the Isles over the centuries.
The Fialdorchan Druidism is practiced in many rather diverse cultures, drawing influence from other pagan cults. Fialdorchan Druids consider themselves the evolution of the Isles Druidism, with elements of Munninar warrior-entity worshiping as well as Curian zealotry and Saint-claiming, being present in their ways, showing the long eons of exposure to foreign faiths.
Man, however, wasn’t the only influence on the Isles. Being home to monsters and Fae alike, the Fialdorchan druidism appears to have adopted several elements from the archaic Fae, in a twisted hybrid form. One example being the perception of the Eirelanni Fae as Gaia’s Executioners, being the First Children, before Man, and thus believed to hold ancient magics unattainable by Man.
Basic Information
Author(s): []
Related Cultures/Races: (Are there any specific cultures or Races that are related to this lore?)
Publication: (When was this piece of Lore published or when did it take place?)
Historical Information
Druids have existed on the Isles ever since the dawn of Man on Eroba. However, the Fialdorchan druidism traces its roots as far as the first eons of the Dominion of Man, believed to be the result of the coexistence, as violent as it may have been, between Fomor, Fae and Man, on the Isles. Although long centuries of wars resulted in the eventual dominant presence of Man, it wasn’t always so. Several events now lost in history may have resulted in shared worship of Nature, that gave rise to the Fialdorchan druidism, corrupted by the addition of either fictional, or historical events, dressed in mythic net by the early Scéalaí. Several events, such as the imprisonment of Reida, daughter of Mactirdorch, by the Fomor, may be a flavored retelling of conflicts between the Fomor and Man, or even, species now long forgotten, which were then venerated by Man as divine. Although branded as Druidic worship, the contrast between Fialdorchan and traditional Druidism on the Isles is found in the deep segmentation to rather distinct branches, the Druidic Circles, as well as the rather aggressive, and sometimes, Dark, attitude the worship may adopt.
Hierarchy
The Fialdorchan Druidic Circles have very loose organization between them, although they appear internally to share a rather similar hierarchy.
Several people that embrace the Fialdorchan dogma become Cultuir, remaining as Druidic agents, even if they are unable to use magic.
The many different cults among the Fialdorchan Druids share different practices, with some being more aggressive than others. Each of the many deities are organized in a distinct Druidic Circle, which is represented in the druidic world as a part of the grander dogma.
What is common among all Circles of the Druids, is the fact that they embrace a passive, and an aggressive aspect of the environment around them, translated through the Predator and Prey. Rites, Rituals and customs around the Predator aspect of each deity deal with the aggressive nature that can be found in almost every being. Being the wrath of the Stag, or the Hound in the face of danger to its beloved ones, or the feral bloodlust of the wolf and the carnivore to hunt, the Predator aspect of the Circles usually is drenched in Night worship and dark rituals, such as Blood sacrifices and spirit summoning, almost exclusively meant to turn Man and beast alike deranged.
The Prey aspect is quite a contrast to the Predator, being the worship of the healing and growth in Nature, and not destruction. Although blood sacrifices of creatures may be conducted during such rites, for the most part, the Prey rituals deal with blessings and taming or harnessing the natural environment.
Beliefs and Values
The Fialdorchan Druidism is segmented in several distinct Druidic Circles, which are centered around the worship of a specific deity, or set of deities, with the worshippers adopting the preached behavioral characteristics of the said deity.
Although there is no written lore on the histories of theogony and mythos of the Fialdorchan Druidism, many of the megalithic shrines and remnants of the old have carved fragments of the ancient lore that is further interpreted and fleshed out by songs and tales spoken by the Scéalaí of the many Circles that compose the Fialdorchan Druidism, with some of which may even reach contradiction, depending on who tells the tale.
The most ancient event that is described by all Circles is that of the union between Oíchmháth and Tiarnadorch; The Moon, and the Beast. The fruits of their union were several deities, of which the firstborn was the Great Wolf, Mactirdorch.
Mactirdorch was a revered warrior. Alas, his untamable nature brought him at odds many times with his kin.
Holy Sites
Type: Religion
Credits: []
Consolidation Thread: NA
Description: Fialdorchan Druidism traces its roots in antiquity, before the worship of the God-Machine expanded on the Isles. Being an old subdivision of the Isles Druidism, Fialdorchan Druidism was the worship of multiple aspects of Nature. It is yet unclear at what point the Druidic practice was influenced by Entity-centric worship, although many have argued that the events described in the mythos of the Fialdorchan Druids deal with the wars between the early Fae and Man civilizations on the Isles, and the eventual devolution of the Fae, blend in with other foreign cultures that interacted with the Isles over the centuries.
The Fialdorchan Druidism is practiced in many rather diverse cultures, drawing influence from other pagan cults. Fialdorchan Druids consider themselves the evolution of the Isles Druidism, with elements of Munninar warrior-entity worshiping as well as Curian zealotry and Saint-claiming, being present in their ways, showing the long eons of exposure to foreign faiths.
Man, however, wasn’t the only influence on the Isles. Being home to monsters and Fae alike, the Fialdorchan druidism appears to have adopted several elements from the archaic Fae, in a twisted hybrid form. One example being the perception of the Eirelanni Fae as Gaia’s Executioners, being the First Children, before Man, and thus believed to hold ancient magics unattainable by Man.
Basic Information
Author(s): []
Related Cultures/Races: (Are there any specific cultures or Races that are related to this lore?)
Publication: (When was this piece of Lore published or when did it take place?)
Historical Information
Druids have existed on the Isles ever since the dawn of Man on Eroba. However, the Fialdorchan druidism traces its roots as far as the first eons of the Dominion of Man, believed to be the result of the coexistence, as violent as it may have been, between Fomor, Fae and Man, on the Isles. Although long centuries of wars resulted in the eventual dominant presence of Man, it wasn’t always so. Several events now lost in history may have resulted in shared worship of Nature, that gave rise to the Fialdorchan druidism, corrupted by the addition of either fictional, or historical events, dressed in mythic net by the early Scéalaí. Several events, such as the imprisonment of Reida, daughter of Mactirdorch, by the Fomor, may be a flavored retelling of conflicts between the Fomor and Man, or even, species now long forgotten, which were then venerated by Man as divine. Although branded as Druidic worship, the contrast between Fialdorchan and traditional Druidism on the Isles is found in the deep segmentation to rather distinct branches, the Druidic Circles, as well as the rather aggressive, and sometimes, Dark, attitude the worship may adopt.
Hierarchy
The Fialdorchan Druidic Circles have very loose organization between them, although they appear internally to share a rather similar hierarchy.
- Ubhagán (Archdruids): Ancient and wise, the Ubhagán are perceived as the spiritual leaders of their respective Circles. Having achieved mastery of their craft, the Ubhagán reside in the holiest of sites of their Circle, guiding spiritually and in a psychic level the Feiceálaí who are brought before them by the Spirit Patrons, leading the way to the grand plan set for them, by the Spirits.
- Feiceálaí (Seers): Elders of the Fialdorchan Druidic world, the Feiceálaí are the tribal Seers, bound on either tribe, warband, or location, as they have achieved Spiritual Awakening and now follow the path dictated by their Spirit Patrons.
- Scéalaí (Storytellers): The Scéalaí are the initiated druids who undertake a journey of spiritual awakening. During that, they wander the land, interacting with the world while they also practice their craft.
- Druids: Individuals who are found to be sensitive in magic and choose to follow the path of the Spirit World, are brought to the holy sites of the Fialdorchan Druids where they are taught the traditions and inner workings of their Circle.
- Cultuir: Disciples of the Fialdorchan who are blind to the Mana Web are not discarded by the Druids. Instead, they are initiated in the crafts of their respective Circle, and operate under the service of the Druids, as cultists and champions. Some, the most durable of the Cultuir, may even receive gifts from their spiritual leaders, in the form of arcane boons.
Several people that embrace the Fialdorchan dogma become Cultuir, remaining as Druidic agents, even if they are unable to use magic.
The many different cults among the Fialdorchan Druids share different practices, with some being more aggressive than others. Each of the many deities are organized in a distinct Druidic Circle, which is represented in the druidic world as a part of the grander dogma.
What is common among all Circles of the Druids, is the fact that they embrace a passive, and an aggressive aspect of the environment around them, translated through the Predator and Prey. Rites, Rituals and customs around the Predator aspect of each deity deal with the aggressive nature that can be found in almost every being. Being the wrath of the Stag, or the Hound in the face of danger to its beloved ones, or the feral bloodlust of the wolf and the carnivore to hunt, the Predator aspect of the Circles usually is drenched in Night worship and dark rituals, such as Blood sacrifices and spirit summoning, almost exclusively meant to turn Man and beast alike deranged.
The Prey aspect is quite a contrast to the Predator, being the worship of the healing and growth in Nature, and not destruction. Although blood sacrifices of creatures may be conducted during such rites, for the most part, the Prey rituals deal with blessings and taming or harnessing the natural environment.
Beliefs and Values
- Wild Hosts
In the event of the Fialdorchan being driven through either aggression of other peoples, or overpopulation, into a state of religious zeal, the Fialdorchan spiritual leaders rally to the call of the leading Circle, which may vary, and declare the raising of a Wild Host. A vast druidic horde consisting of multiple tribes, brought together for a common cause which may be a mass migration, a campaign to reclaim, or attain what is presented as holy relic, or site, or enact vengeance to those who have defiled, or threatened the Fialdorchan peoples. Depending on the leading Circle, the Wild Hosts may have major differences, or even entirely different behavior from one another.
The Fialdorchan Druidism is segmented in several distinct Druidic Circles, which are centered around the worship of a specific deity, or set of deities, with the worshippers adopting the preached behavioral characteristics of the said deity.
- Circle of the Beast. Perhaps one of the darkest of the Druidic Circles, the worship of the Beast, an entity from the Beyond which appears to have adopted the name Tiarnadorch, is an aggressive cult of which members perceive Man’s evolution on Gaia as a defiling, and work to see Gaia as a whole be reborn through a cataclysmic event that is said to be initiated by Tiarnadorch, called the Eternal Night.
Beast Druids are deeply rooted in Deep Magics, with many of other circles not embracing them as their own, due to the radicalism that reigns their ranks. Beast Druids are war-like, and tend to utilize dark magics to pollute the realms of Man into their own twisted plans, heavily capitalizing on wars and strife. - Circle of the Wolf. A Circle that, according to many, has derived from the exposure of the Isles to the Nordur peoples of Nordurlond, the Wolf-worshippers aim to channel the Spirit of Mactirdorch, eldest son of Tiarnadorch. The worshippers of Mactirdorch are nomadic in culture, invested in taming and adopting wolf packs in their ranks, viewing them as manifestations of Mactirdorch’s own soul that was scattered, after the alleged fight between Hound and Wolf.
- Circle of the Bear. Believed to be one of the most ancient of Fialdorchan Circles, the Bear Druids are the most protective of all others, not hesitating to utilize dark rituals to gain the blessing of the Bear Spirit, Beithioch, so that their lands, or loved ones, can be protected. Each warrior of the Bear Tribes must, before starting a family on their own, undergo a pilgrimage to the highlands of Dunwyn, and visit the sacred site of Naman, the very foundation of the Bear Druids. During these quests, warriors must remain away from civilization, while many consume hallucinating mushrooms that cause them to adopt bestial behavior, becoming hostile to anyone they meet. They may return, only if they have managed to claim a Bear Skin; A hide, from a mountain bear they have slain, which they wear in pride, believing that the spirit of Beithioch resides under the hide and empowers them. In times of war, the male members of the Bear tribes march to what they perceive as holy quests, in which they are expected to prove themselves to their tribe by slaying many a foe in feral combat. Others, however, embracing the Prey aspect of the bear, rather than the Predator, adopt bear cubs, or rescued bears, which they form a bond with as their companions. They, unlike the Bear Skins, do not accept the use of Dark Magics to channel the wrath of their patrons, instead, they are overprotective of their own, and live scattered in the highlands, in rather small communities.
- Summer Solstice (Day of the Spirits)
For the Fialdorchan Druids, the Solstice is the point in which the gates of the spirit world are opened and the Mortal world of Gaia may interact with them. Great feasts are held across the Druidic world, while the holy sites and graves, have holes on the ceiling from which the light of the sun, passing through the slides, causes a beam of light that allows, according to the Fialdorchan belief, the dead’s spirit to visit the world again, for a brief time. - Winter Solstice (Night of the Beast)
During the coldest winter nights, there is a point in which the night lasts for the longest, throughout the calendar. During this time, the Fialdorchan Druids venerate the Night of the Beast. Being the longest of nights, it is believed that Tiarnadorch has finally cracked a schism through the Chain of Light, the stars, and unleashes its fury upon the Mortal plain. The celebrations of the druids vary, depending on the circle. While most celebrate the night by lighting huge bonfires, in hopes to resemble the light of the dawning sun and scare Tiarnadorch back to the void, the Druids of the Beast perform sacrifices of creatures and Man alike, seeking their dark patron’s favor.
Although there is no written lore on the histories of theogony and mythos of the Fialdorchan Druidism, many of the megalithic shrines and remnants of the old have carved fragments of the ancient lore that is further interpreted and fleshed out by songs and tales spoken by the Scéalaí of the many Circles that compose the Fialdorchan Druidism, with some of which may even reach contradiction, depending on who tells the tale.
The most ancient event that is described by all Circles is that of the union between Oíchmháth and Tiarnadorch; The Moon, and the Beast. The fruits of their union were several deities, of which the firstborn was the Great Wolf, Mactirdorch.
Mactirdorch was a revered warrior. Alas, his untamable nature brought him at odds many times with his kin.
Holy Sites
- Choimembra Ruins: The Bear King's Resting (Circle of the Bear)
Believed to be an ancient capital of a Fae realm, Choimembra Ruins are situated at the West-most reaches of Dunwyn Province, on the Heithhenni Highlands. These ruins are considered sacred by the Circle of the Bear. - Naman (Circle of the Bear)
Naman is an ancient megalithic complex in Western Dunwyn, atop of the Heithhenni Highlands, and is the very centre of the Circle of the Bear Druids on Eirelunn. Naman was built in antiquity by an unknown civilization, although legends of the Druids grant it much more mythic origins, which are most likely over exaggerated records of events that took place too long ago to be recalled.
- The Beast (Tiarnadorch)
A dark patron that resides in the Beyond, Tiarnadorch is presented by many as a violent deity that is empowered by blood and souls. Initially, Tiarnadorch was venerated as an antagonist of the Druidic pantheon, which as the eons progressed, evolved into one of the main patrons of Fialdorchan druidism. - The Moon (Oíchmháth)
The Moon is an archaic entity that is perceived as the Light Amidst the Darkness, and represents the protective mother over her Children. Although a large proportion of rituals and rites around the Moon are arguably drenched in Blood Magic, the Night Mother is venerated as a kind patron that always looks after lost children and stray creatures. - The Wolf (Mactirdorch)
Eldest son of Tiarnadorch and Oíchmháth, Mactirdorch represents the warrior’s valor and the strength to break through odds most dire. - The Hound
- The Stallion
- The Bear (Beithioch)
