Vortumnus
The God of Honor and Chivalry, worship of Vortumnus is at the heart of a schism in the Imperial Church. The Koramian Heresy, based on a tome found on a mystical flying ship in Koramia, states that Lord Ptharos surrendered his throne as king of the gods, recognizing his tendency towards tyranny, and bestowed the crown to Vortumnus, his great-grandson and youngest of the gods. The Imperial Church vehemently denies this and actively persecutes those who follow the Koramian belief.
Where the Koramian Heresy dominates (mainly in Duria and in Narbonne on Aurea), Vortumnus is celebrated as the regal defender of truth, justice and civilization. In much of the rest of Aurea, he is viewed as a minor diety of war often seen as far too restrictive in his rules of war for the common soldier to pray to. On the continent of Gallorea, he is Argistinese, the Warlord of Just Battle. There are remote cults that worship Vortumnus as Cambre, the Hunter, who travels the dark forests at night to strike down the wicked and kill demons, though the worshipers of Cambre have no real heirarchy or church organization.
| Vortumnus |
| God of Honor |
 |
| Descriptive Info |
| Gender: Male |
| Avatar: Argistinese, Warlord of Just Battle; Cambre, the Hunter |
| Allies: Fides (father), Meliboea (mother), Innus (paternal grandfather), Majestas (paternal & maternal grandmother), Zelos (maternal grandfather), Evander, Galea and Sarpedon. |
| Foes: Dagon, Kratos, Mania, Phlegethon, Polydorus, Tethys and Thanatos. |
| Spiritual Info |
| Rank: Intermediate |
| Nature: Ordered |
| Ethos: Benevolent |
| Major Influence: Honor |
| Minor Influence(s): Virtue, Chivalry, Feudalism; as Argistinese, War |
Depictions
Vortumnus is usually depicted as wearing silver full plate armor, with a red plumed visored helm under his right arm and a shield with his insignia on his left arm. In his right hand is, typically, his clear blue, Lapis Lazuli blade. Often, he is depicted riding his great warhorse, Trollslayer. Usually, he is depicted as having blonde hair. In the Empire, he is depicted as wearing golden cuirass armor, in the style of an Imperial Legionnaire, with dark, curly hair.
As Argistinese, he is depicted with a sword of hematite, with long, black hair and a dark gaze. As Cambre, the Hunter, he is depicted with his golden tipped spear, wearing hunting leathers and, typically, standing over a slain stag.
Vortumnus wields a large two handed sword named Calivar, which is much renowned not only as a sword of great power, but for its clear blue crystal blade and emanating lights. He also sometimes wields a spear known as the Vindicator, which is usually depicted as being the main weapon of his avatar Cambre.
Symbols
The Koramic symbol of Vortumnus is a blue or red cross, pointed at its base; red represents a Crusader or priest at war for Vortumnus. The Imperial symbol is similar, but always golden. Hematite is an important stone to Vortumnus, and is considered to be pieces of his blade that fell off during its construction. Any priest of Vortumnus who uses Hematite in the creation of a magick item, or uses it in spell casting, receives a +1 DR bonus to the casting or castings in question.
Dwelling Place
The Fortress of Mos, on the Empyreal plane.
Servants
Saint Julius of the Golden Gladius, Saint Alexandros, Saint Garimund of Ryard, Saint David Gaelsman the Wodesman, Saint Catherine, Saint Ian Terraltos, Saint Jeremiah Red Rose, Saint Matilda, Saint Josephus the Avenger.
Doctrine
No information available on the doctrine of Vortumnus
Mission
No information available on the mission of Vortumnus
Geography
No geographic information available on Vortumnus
History of the Church
No historic information available on Vortumnus
Organization
No information available on the Organization of the Church of Vortumnus
Priesthood
There are few requirements for priesthood within the boundaries of Koramia. Even non- Practitioners can attain a fairly high level of status within the priesthood, though they can rise no higher than the position of Bishop. Most non-Practitioners, however, become monks, instead of involving themselves directly in the church hierarchy. All priests are required to receive an education from the Church before attaining their posts, and are often required to move to locales that do not have a church leader before receiving the post that they request. Able-bodied priests of Vortumnus are also expected to serve for at least three years in the military, fighting a war for Vortumnus if there is a war currently being waged. Those who then choose to enter the priesthood are accorded a title appropriate to their rank, whether it be Parson, Priest, Abbot, Bishop, Archbishop or even Prelate. Those who choose to remain in the battlefield are referred to as Crusaders, and those who choose to live a solitary life, examining their inner selves for the higher mysteries of chivalry, are Monks. Those who wish to seek out injustice and evil within the ranks of the Koramic tradition are referred to as Inquisitioners, and are often the most feared priests of the sect.
One requirement, of course, is that priests of Vortumnus must obey the dictates of chivalry, including providing mercy to enemies who ask of it, respect for females of all sentient races, protection of the meek, and obeying those of superior rank, especially one's liege. Furthermore, those who follow the Koramic tradition must obey the dictates and dogma of the Prelate of Paeldain, as well as the King of Koramia, and constantly work to secure the independence of Koramia, as well as its unity.
There are several Orders within the worship of Vortumnus, most of which concentrate on a particular aspect of the chivalric tradition and/or of the two sects. The Julians, monks who follow the writings of St. Julius of the Golden Gladius, concentrate on the military aspects of chivalry, including defense of their god, emperor, and state. They are closely allied with the followers of Zelos, god of the state, and often have fortified monasteries which they share with the Zelites. The Alexi, followers of St. Alexandros, stress the care of the meek, and have many Chapterhouses which cater to the poor and crippled of society. They are not particularly popular in the Empire, as their dictates often conflict with Imperial rule, and have recently begun to garner some popularity amongst those of the Koramic tradition. At this time, the Chamberlain of the Alexi, Tiberius Mendicus, is considering moving his central Chapterhouse from Zeth to Paeldain, in support of the peace and tranquility that have begun to form in that country. The Emperor, of course, in his role as Pontifex Maximus, has prohibited this, but this would matter little should the Alexi choose to embrace the Koramic Code. The Red Band are a group of religious zealots, based in Paeldain, who serve as the guardians of the Koramic faith and answer only to the Prelate himself. They number somewhere around a score of men, and are considered by both the Imperial and Koramic traditions to be among the most powerful crusaders of the religion. They look to St. Jeremiah Red Rose as their founder, and often, unfortunately, have the same blind faith that Jeremiah was known for in his life. They are known by the red cloth tied to their right arm, and the elaborate armor they constantly wear.
The most extreme of the various sects in dedication to Vortumnus, however, is the Iosites, or Josephites, followers of St. Josephus the Avenger. Primarily followers of Vortumnus in his aspect as Argistinese, Warlord of Just Battle, they follow a rule which dictates almost constant warfare. Only when travelling or investigating a new battle are they permitted not to be actively searching out evil to destroy. It is rare for innocents to be harmed during these conflicts, though anyone seen assisting the warriors of darkness, knowingly or not, are judged guilty and executed. The Josephites have been declared anathema by both the Pontifex Maximus and the Prelate of Paeldain, and, though their numbers have been dwindling over the last half-century, they still believe they follow Vortumnus' will.
Garments
The Imperial tradition holds that a warrior of Vortumnus must wear brass or golden Legionnaire's armor, and carry a brass or golden sword, both of which are liberally decorated with the cross of Vortumnus. Koramic tradition holds that priests must wear some sort of plate armor, full plate if going into war, and often decorate themselves with blue or red robes. The Prelate of Paeldain's garments are elaborate and decorated in gold, silver, and hematite. He wears a golden helm during the most official functions and carries a blue-tinted sword. During services, he wears only a red cap and robes embroidered with the symbols of Vortumnus.
Religious Practices
The lay-people of Vortumnus are varied, and are usually constituted of clerks, record- keepers, tax-collectors, and those of less noble professions. Though the worship of Vortumnus would seem to first attract the ruling class, it is just as often embraced by those of the lower class, as it stresses a maintenance of the status quo, and respect for those of low station. Even some of the middle class are attracted to the fairness and sense of justice the faith promotes, and enjoy the safety, and trust that it instills in others, that worship provides.
Calendar
The seventh day of the week is holy to both the Imperial and Koramic traditions, and services are usually held on this day. There are numerous other holy days, most of which correspond to a historic battle or death of a saint.
The Ascension of Saint Garimund
The Ascension of Saint Garimund (often referred to simply as 'Ascension') is a high holy day for Vortumnus, god of honor. It is thought that this is the day that Saint Garimund of Ryard rose from the grave and ascended into sainthood at Vortumnus' side. It is a solemn feast day where observed, marked with a morning mass for the dead and an afternoon mass celebrating the resurrection of Saint Garimund as a demigod.
The Annunciation
The highest of holy days for worshipers of Vortumnus who follow the Koramian Heresy, the Annunciation is believed to be the day that Saint Garimund of Ryard was commanded by the archangel Michahel to spread word of what was revealed to him in the Koram aboard the Glorious Galleon. Where observed, it is a solemn occasion marked by five Great Masses throughout the day.
The Revelation
One of the high holy days for Vortumnus in the Koramian Heresy, it is believed that this is the day that Saint Garimund of Ryard first boarded the Glorious Galleon and discovered the Koram in 186 IC. Where observed, it is the start of a week-long series of tournaments where knights compete in jousts and duels for honors. In Koramia itself, a King who has acceded to the throne is formally crowned on this day (recently, this tradition has been observed in Narbonne as well). The holy week ends with the Annunciation.
Saint Garimund's Day
Saint Garimund's Day is a feast day for the god of honor, Vortumnus, dedicated to Saint Garimund of Ryard. It is believed that on this day in 198 IC Saint Garimund was martyred fighting in the Battle of Waite Crossing against giants who sought plunder from a temple to Vortumnus there. Nobility who observe the day grant their workmen a day free of labor for feasting, though there is typically a long services in the morning recounting the deeds of Saint Garimund of Ryard (though those who follow the Imperial and Aebasan traditions focus on his martyrdom and ignore the discovery of the Glorious Galleon in this youth).
Customs
The followers of Vortumnus obey the dictates and laws of Chivalry. As such, no follower may disregard or disgrace a female (whether the individual worshiper is male or female), flee a field of just battle, refuse a martial challenge, refuse to assist the meek, refuse the commands of a superior, or act in any way which disgraces his god. Recently, upholding the commands of a superior has come to mean a superior within the Church, instead of a secular superior, but the Koramic code still holds strong that whomever you have dedicated service to, whether by birth, deed, or word, is your superior, as are his superiors above him.
Followers of Vortumnus have many, many customs involving etiquette to superiors and inferiors, too many to list here, but deviation from the dictates of etiquette is not only frowned upon, but extreme examples may even be viewed as being in direct violation of the dictates of Vortumnus.
Warriors of Vortumnus often gather on holy days, or any appropriate day, to test their martial skills against one another in elaborate tourneys, the height of which is always the joust. All followers of Vortumnus who are capable of the purchase and upkeep of a horse are expected to own a horse capable of warfare, and know how to fight from that horse.
Taboos
Priests of Vortumnus may not marry after they have been admitted to the church, and may not engage in sexual behavior at any time, even if they still have a living wife or husband after they have entered the clergy. Filial responsibility amongst the lay people, however, is considered a duty to be upheld, and monogamy is stressed heavily by the church. Sex with anyone before marriage is considered to be a minor sin, though adultery is considered a deadly sin. Imperial followers of Vortumnus cannot strike or oppose a follower of Zelos, unless they have struck or provided opposition first. The Koramic tradition does not observe this particular restriction.
Almost any weapon is permitted to the followers of Vortumnus, excepting the crossbow, which is considered a dishonorable weapon used only by the weak attempting to pretend they are strong. Only those who have proven themselves to Vortumnus and his clergy are given special permission to use these weapons, and then only in the most extreme of circumstances. In Koramia, only the King's personal guard are permitted to carry and use crossbows.
