Teachings of the Falorin
of the Temple of Save-K’nor
Catechism for New Hyn-Aelori Acolytes
Responses for the Unenlightened to some of the more minor riddles of Life Acceptance Interview questions and answers for those wishing to follow Save K'nor
As taught in the Hyn-Aelori Temple in Tashal, Kaldor (2 Ilvin 718 TR)
Where did the world come from?
“In the beginning, there was only primal chaos, without meaning or purpose. Out of this came the First Gods, the first beings who possessed consciousness. They used their will and understanding to create Kelestia, the Cosmic ‘All’, and everything in it, including the Lesser Gods and Mortals.”
How did the world come to be the way it is?
“The Lesser Gods and mortals failed to see the grand purpose that lay behind the First Gods' ordering of Kelestia. They began to fight among each other. During this first age of the world, Knowledge was possessed by all beings, both divine and mortal, and it was freely shared. The free sharing of Knowledge did not bring peace to Kelestia– but only made the war worse. Neither the Lesser Gods nor the Mortals who served them possessed the Wisdom to use Knowledge properly. Instead, they used it foolishly and selfishly, almost undoing the world itself in the process.”
“Fearful for their own destruction, the Lesser Gods finally agreed to the Concordat of the Illimitable Tome, hiding the most dangerous knowledge from both mortals and themselves. The Divine Sage, Save-K'nor, was entrusted with the keeping of this tome and named arbiter of all disputes pertaining to the Concordat. Thereby Kelestia– and the lives of all in it, god and mortal alike– were preserved.”
Why am I here?
“As a mortal, you are here because the gods created you– or at least that is the commonly accepted explanation. Other theories, there may be…but you are not yet ready for such knowledge.”
What is my purpose in life?
“As a servant of Save-K’nor, you must seek the clarity of thought and purity of intention that will allow you to learn and wield knowledge for the good of mankind. Your worthiness of doing so is judged by Save-K'nor, the Arbiter of the Concordat, and by his mortal representatives in the church.”
“As a priest of the Hyn-Aelori, your primary task will be to gather knowledge and secrete it away so that it may be used by our church, yet kept hidden from those who lack the wisdom to use it properly. Remember always that knowledge is as dangerous as it is valuable. By keeping it out of the hands of those who cannot use it well, we protect the common lot of mankind from that which is it not ready to handle, like parents keep knives from the hands of their babes. We also keep knowledge hidden for the good of the cosmos and to preserve the Concordat. As such, we help prevent Kelestia from being plunged back into the primal chaos of non-existence.”
What of the other orders?
“You shall learn more in your studies of church history, but for now I give you this:”
“Our brethren in the Rydelequyn are changed with many tasks. They make men’s lives sweeter and wiser through art, laughter, jokes, and merriment. But know this– they have a serious purpose too. They are responsible for subverting ideas that are dangerous and mocking powerful men who act with folly. Also, they are our church’s most public face, and through their outlandish foolery, help to distract attention from the grand, but secretive purposes, of our order and the Shea-al-Aecor.”
“The Shea-al-Aecor are the guiding hands of our church, chosen for their wisdom and experience. They also assist secular lords who seek competent, honest, administrators and advisors. Our temple’s Maecor, or Father-Visitor, whom we all hold in the highest respect, is of this order.”
“It may be that one day, you will be invited to join one of these two orders. If that ever happens, you may learn that they have other functions besides those that they choose to reveal to us in the Hyn-Aelori.”
What happens after we die?
“Those who have served the purposes of Save-K'nor and mankind during their lives are taken to Inor Teth, where they become Vaenya, the servants of the High Archive. There, they continue to serve the Sage of Heaven as he sees fit. Followers of other deities go to the demesnes of their chosen gods, to serve them as they, in their lesser wisdom, see fit.”
What of the other gods? Tell me the truth about...
Agrik?
“The Warlord of Balgashang is powerful, but brutish and small-minded. He possesses might, but knows not how to use it properly. He has occasionally violated the Concordat and it may be that one day he will cast it aside. As the Sage of Heaven is neutral in disputes, showing as much respect to Agrik as to Larani, we mortals must walk a fine line when dealing with his followers. We must seek, on the one hand, to convince them of the wisdom of working towards peace, order, and stability, while preparing, on the other, for the possibility that our attempts will fail.”
Halea?
“Selfish and shallow, the Empress of Opulence cares only for selfish pleasures. She and her followers are happy to acquire knowledge that will be of use to them personally, but they care not a whit for mankind as a whole. Short-sighted, they never consider the long-term ramifications of their actions or how pleasures savored in the present may lead to terrible misfortunes in the future.”
Ilvir?
“The Brooder is a puzzling one. In some ways, he is a true servant of Knowledge. He pursues his strange arts with pure intentions, great passion, and a fecund spirit. Yet, like Halea, he works selfishly, taking pleasure in the act of creating life without considering his responsibilities towards the beings he creates. Thus, he releases his monstrous children into the world without concern for what then befalls them. His mortal followers are a strange lot. As scholars, they can be creative and insightful, but they are also prone to muddle-headed mysticism.”
Larani?
“The Shieldmaiden of the Worthy Cause shares the goals of the Divine Sage. Like Save-K’nor, she seeks to protect the world against the depradations of those who seek its destruction. Her methods are different from those of the Sage of Heaven, for they are physical, whereas his are intellectual. Indeed, Larani and her followers are at times grossly lacking in wisdom and foresight. They need to be given counsel– and occasionally restrained– by those of us who have more. Also, be advised that our lord is a neutral arbiter in disputes among the gods and treats both Larani and Agrik with respect. So too must we show fairness and neutrality in conflicts among their mortal followers, regardless of what our private sympathies may be.”
Morgath?
“The Wreaker of Chaos is to be feared and opposed. Once great, he is now the herald of what will become of Kelestia if we are not zealous in our defense of it. He is far more dangerous than Agrik, for he seeks not just domination or violent ecstasy, but the negation of all that exists. In this, he is mad, for the end result would include his obliteration as well. This troubles him naught, however, for all that he once was has already been destroyed by Bukrai, the Orb That Cannot Be Viewed.”
Naveh?
“Like Morgath, Naveh was not always as he is now. Some say that, long ago, he was one of the greatest friends of man. But after seizing Bukrai, the Master of Illusion began to despair. He has since become unpredictable, reclusive, paranoid and cruel, caring for naught save himself and a handful of fanatical servants. Alas for mankind, for Naveh is cunning, disciplined, and ruthless! His loss as our ally is most unfortunate. That he now seems our enemy is even more unfortunate. His priestly followers may be admired for their discipline– but be wary– they view our knowledge as the enemy of their secrecy.”
Peoni?
“After the Sage, the Gentle Lady of White Virtue is the surest supporter of the Concordat’s Peace. Indeed, it was She who first proposed the Concordat. Loving and nurturing, she cares for everything that exists, expending all her strength to preserve it from the forces of chaos. Her way, however, is not the way of the mind, but of the heart– and it is not, in itself, sufficient to protect mankind or the cosmos. Followers of the Gentle Lady mean well, but lack wisdom and influence. Treat them well, though, for they are sheep who must be protected, and we are the herdsmen.”
Sarajin?
“The King of the Icy Waves is a young god whose influence has only recently begun to felt on our shores. Like most youths, The King of the Icy Wind has a spirited, lusty heart but is sorely lacking in wisdom. He and his followers are overly fond of violence, and believe their warlike ways will one day save the world from the forces of destruction. If only things were that simple! Still, do not scorn those who follow him. Though barbaric, the Northmen do respect those who have wisdom— and in the Northlands, law-speakers, poets, and minstrels are sacrosanct. Followers of Sarajin are also easy to manipulate and as such, can be turned into useful tools and allies allies.”
Siem?
“The Unchanging Lord of the Azure Bowl is the oldest and wisest of the Lesser Gods. It was he who was initially asked to keep the Var-Hyvrak and arbitrate the Concordat. Siem declined, however, nominating the Sage in his place. He then withdrew from the affairs of gods and mortals altogether, retiring to the Twilit Realm Beyond the Westernmost Seas. One should be respectful of Siem and his followers for they pure of heart, thoughtful, and wise in ways we can only imagine. The fact that they seem to take little interest in the world these days is a cause for sadness, but not for scorn.”