TULWYN RELIGION

by Trotsky

Kekamar

God of the Tulwyn

Heart of the Wind, Raging Voice of Thunder, Lord of Death Storms

Tribal Demigod [1]

Kekamar is never drawn or otherwise depicted by the Tulwyn.

Kekamar is the spirit of the wind, manifest directly when the wind is blowing. When the wind blows strongly, he is watching his people and directing his will, when it blows lightly he is resting, although still watchful. Only on the rare occaisions when the wind stops altogether is Kekamar said to be asleep. He is a cruel god, with no time for the weak, the dishonest or those who fail in their chosen aims.

Source: Tulwyn 1-4

Words of the Wind Priest

Where did the world come from?

In the beginning was a great void of perfect stillness, in which the First Gods floated. They created a world for themselves, a world of stone, heat and calm water. But nothing lived in that world, for everything was motionless, like a great carving. The First Gods marvelled in the beauty of what they had wraught, and yet they could see something was lacking. After many aeons of time had passed, one among the First Gods, whose name is now forgotten by us, conceived the idea of motion. He created the motion, gave it the name Kekamar, and placed it in the world [2]. The other gods were delighted, for Kekamar brought a new kind of beauty to the world, rushing and blowing across the surface, and now they could see what had been lacking in their creation.

Of course, many of the First Gods now began to create their own moving things, and so were born living things, and dancing flame, and flowing rivers and many other things which are now forgotten. But the First Gods kept these things as slaves only, to admire as one might admire a fine piece of handicraft. Always the First Gods would put constraints on their creations, so that they might not spoil the tranquility of the world.

Kekamar in particular was not happy with this, for he had been created to be motion itself, rushing free across the surface of the world and he would accept no boundaries to his movements. So one day, he gathered together all of the greatest creations of the First Gods, those beings that we now call the Lesser Gods. And he talked with them at length, and inspired them to rebel against their creators and throw them back into the still void from which they had come. And, after a great war that spread across all the world, in which many creatures and powers were lost to the world, Kekamar and his allies did as they had vowed.

Thus was the world made the way it is today.

Where did I come from?

Humans were created by the Lesser Gods as they were created by the First Gods. At first we were still and mindless, but Kekamar breathed on us, and we became alive and our souls awakened. The breath of Kekamar is the vital spark which dwells in all living things, and which infuses our spirits and those that dwell in animals and other things which move, such as rivers or fires. Only the hard motionless stone lacks a spirit, for it is not truly alive.

Why am I here?

As Kekamar gives us life, we must emulate his ways so that he will take pride in us. Like him, we must be active and full of life, and must fight against our enemies. We must constantly strive to better ourselves in his eyes, and then tell of our deeds so that we may serve as an example to others. As Kekamar defeated the First Gods, so we must combat the other peoples of this world, that we may make ourselves stronger. Weakness and failure are the worst things that can befall a man; he proves hismelf unworthy of Kekamar's gift of life. To be still and passive is to be defeated; we must roar and rage even as the Wind Lord does, that our enemies will fear our name.

Women are here that may may birth many warriors and make our people stronger. But they too, should be full of vigour and life, not passive like the women of weaker peoples.

What happens after we die?[3]

Kekamar is a harsh but just god. Those who have struggled long and mightily will come to his attention, and be reborn as warriors in Yashain to continue in his service and enjoy an afterlife of never-ending battle. Otherwise you will be reborn in another body, to try again. Those who are outcast, or die impure for some reason, cannot be reborn, and instead must wander the world as lost spirits lamenting their fate.

What can you tell me about magic?

There are two kinds of magic in the world. Proper magic comes from Kekamar, and is used by our priests to help make us stronger. Although our priests are not the greatest of warriors, they deserve our respect for they aid us in battle, and pass on news of our deeds as an example to future generations. All these things make us stronger, and bind us together as one people.

But there is another kind of magic, which is soulless and profane, which twists the spirits and the earth to its own ends, against the will of the gods. This magic without gods is evil, and although its very presence may corrupt you and take you further from the Wind Lord, you must destroy all those who use it. Then you must find a priest to purify you of its taint.

What of the other Gods? Tell me the Truth about... [4]

Larani

We encounter the followers of this goddess occaisionally, and have heard of her prowess. She is a strong goddess and teaches people to be powerful and honest warriors, as they should. Yet she does not understand how to use that strength properly, at times showing 'mercy' - surely a most foolish idea!

Peoni

This is a weak goddess, associated with living things. Her followers are soft and foolish, and defeating them in battle - as when we raid the lands around Firis and Shiran - is so simple that it does not count as a real victory. But that is not to say that we should not steal their food and tools when appropriate, for if they cannot withstand us, that is their fault. The only chance for glory comes when the followers of Larani protect those of this weaker goddess.

Siem

The god of dreams and Sindar rules the land beyond the Farin, where Kekamar has willed we must not travel. He is not a god that it is proper for humans to worship and is best left alone.

Ilvir

This god sends the Ivashu that occaisionally travel through our lands. He cares nothing for humans, and is not ever-present as our god is, so it is not proper to give him worship. Those fools who do so may easily be defeated.

Sarajin

This god has begun to attract followers from our ancient enemies, the Chelni. He is a worthy opponent, and like our god is a god of motion and bravery. We must never give him quarter or treat his followers as brothers, yet he is a god that can be admired in his own way.

Agrik

This is the god of moving flame, almost as ancient and powerful as Kekamar himself. Like Sarajin, his worshippers are powerful warriors who understand that no mercy should be given in battle and are worthy opponents to face. But they are a dishonest people, and fond of the wanton destruction which fire can visit and in this way they are foolish, for they rarely protect even their own allies and cannot act as one nation as we do.

Minor Spirits

There are many minor spirits in the world, made by the Lesser Gods as we were made. We do not worship them, for they are weak as individuals, but we respect them and give them their due. Some spirits are hostile, and our priests must drive them away or destroy them, as we drive away and destroy our mortal enemies.

[1] Or is he actually a Lesser God? On Harn at least, he has more worshippers than some of the civilised deities (my calculations put him ahead of Sarajin, Morgath, Save K'nor and Naveh), although this is obviously not true in the world as a whole. Perhaps he is just a Lesser God whose worshippers have not been very successful in spreading his word - probably due to a lack of desire.

[2] Therefore, to the Tulwyn, Kekamar is the first and greatest of the Lesser Gods. It is unlikely many civilised theologians would agree with this assessment.

[3] No information is given on this topic in the published material. This is entirely guesswork on my part.

[4] Not all gods are listed here. The Tulwyn have little, if any, knowledge of or contact with the religions of Halea, Save K'nor, Morgath or Naveh. They meet Halean merchants along the Salt Route, of course, but they don't necessarily know or care who they worship.