History of Man -- Book 1: Westrun Part 15

Thelstan of Treft was sentenced to the High Throne in 5101. He was a good man and a strong leader by all accounts, but he was cursed to live in a tumultuous time that saw many changes. Heimar the Compromising was the High Priest of the Grand Temple at that time, and he vied with the Archmage Vecna for the ear of Thelstan, who seemed to prefer to keep his own counsel.

Heimar had been merciful to a young priest, writing him a pardon from the charge of heresy and permitting him to indulge in the worship of his so-called Forgotten God. In 5107 the priest, named Gamasiel, had gathered seven acolyte-pledges to his god and raised them to the priesthood. Then Gamasiel and the Seven ignited the War of the Gods against the other priests of the Grand Temple. The war took place in a series of ten battles of miracles, which were challenges to the power of the elder gods and ended with signs that showed the power of the Forgotten God. When the last of the battles was won, the priests either converted or deserted the Grand Temple and the monotheistic Church of Westrun was born. Gamasiel was then recognized as the Patriarch of that Church. 

In 5121 Edmun of Menea succeeded Thelstan to the Throne. During his reign, Planos became Patriach upon the death of Gamasiel.

In 5128 Edmun was followed by Eadred of Menea whose reign was only two years, but was best known for the Edict of Supremacy in Faith of 5129.

Eadred was followed by Aleranus the Pious in 5130. Halded the Militant was the Patriarch during Aleranus' reign. The High Throne and the Patriarchy saw to the creation of the Orders of Religious Knights, or Paladins, from the most devout and most charismatic from the sworn knighthood. 

In 5140 Serolgar of Rath followed Aleranus and during his reign Cronos the Blessed was Patriarch over the Church.

In 5150 Clanute of Treft was sentenced to the High Throne and he was followed by Hareld of Menea in 5159, During Hareld's reign, Planos II the Silent and Cronos II the Short served as Patriarchs and both are notable for being eclipsed by the influence of Jerebola the Compassionate -- a hermitess of Sakish royal blood who forsook her riches and lived in a mountain cave in the manner of some Hierophants. The faithful of the Church of Westrun journeyed from near and far to hear the words she spoke and encouragements she offered.

in 5187 Braolas of the Guilds became High King, following Clanute. He is known for having strengthened the guild system, securing the legacy and integrity of trades. He also reinforced the rule of law across the Eight Kingdoms, especially concerning commerce and labor. Because of his contributions, a new middle class rose from civic or mercantile leadership rather than from noble or religious backgrounds. Braolas helped to stabilize Westrun society after a century of religious upheaval and shifting loyalties by grounding authority in law and tradition. Patriarch Salan was head of the Church of Westrun at that time.

Canon 29: The Pretenders

A terrible blot remains on the history of men. As a race, we have suffered greatly for our folly and paid the price of blood and tragedy. Thanks be to the One, True God from whom all wisdom comes as a gift, for he could not remain hidden forever.

From 3744ey until 5107ey the race of men were wrapped in their ignorance in service to the Decadon -- the ten so-called gods of Westrun. These pretenders guided the fates of men and directed their affairs in matters great and small, through the Deceived Priesthood of the False Temple in Peakshadow.

In 5108ey the pretenders were at last thrown down and all the deceivers banished from the temple. In their place the divine priesthood was established and the Patriarchy established to bring light and truth to Erenth.

Anyone who still believes these pretenders or who maintains their folly, whether by the keeping of seasons and times, or the propagation of their worship is deceived and dead in faith. Anyone who hears of the one, true God and rejects him in favor of this other way is a fool and a heretic. Anyone who has received the truth of the teaching of the one, true God and yet returns to this other way is in danger of damnation.

Canon 31: The First Contest - Against Utunos

The priests of Utunos came forth boasting of their lord’s strength, saying: "Who among the new faith can rival the Smiling God, who bears the whole sun upon his back? Who can match his chain, whose clink is the dawn and whose strain is the dusk? The world itself rests upon his shoulders, and toil is holy by his endurance. Surely this Forgotten God cannot endure such a burden."

Then Gamasiel answered: "Your god is mighty indeed, but strength is no proof of truth. Let us set before the people a contest, that all may see which god sustains the world."

So the priests of Utunos brought forth chains of bronze, each link thick as a man’s arm. They yoked these to a massive block of stone quarried from the temple’s foundation. The priests called upon Utunos, and the sun blazed with midday fire. The strongest of their order, towers of men and of Northrun blood, seized the chain, but though they strained and sweated, the stone barely shifted. They declared: "See, even with a fraction of his strength, Utunos grants us endurance!"

Then Gamasiel took the chain. He called upon his Forgotten God not with a cry of labor, but in silence, bowing his head. And the stone moved as if it were light as air, sliding across the temple floor without a sound.

The crowd gasped, for there was no sweat upon Gamasiel, no straining of his arms.

He spoke: "Utunos is mighty, but his chain is not eternal. He drags because he is bound. My God is unbound, and He bears all things not with strain, but with will. To Him, the weight of sun and stars is as nothing."

At that hour, the sun dimmed, though it was not yet evening. A hush fell across the land, as if even Utunos himself had faltered in his stride. The people saw the sign, and many of Utunos’ priests cast down their chains and joined Gamasiel.

Thus the Forgotten God won the first of the Ten Contests, not by might of Gamasiel, but by his own might.

Canon 32: The Second Contest - Against Ninurtos

In the days when the contests of the gods were kindled, the second challenge fell to Ninurtos, twin of Noilos and patron of Menea. He was called Bringer of Harvests, and falsely said to cause the grain to ripen and the orchards to swell, and men and women praised him as the quiet lord of the fields. His priests boasted that none could live without his bounty, for all were bound to the fruit of the earth.

So Priests of Ninurtos came forth against Gamasiel and declared the word of their lord, saying: “If the Forgotten God is greater than I, let Him show His power upon the soil, that mortals may eat. Without me, their bellies are empty, and their lips will curse His name.”

Then Gamasiel went out into the fields with his Seven Followers. The earth was barren, for Ninurtos had withdrawn his hand, and the furrows lay dry beneath the sun. For seven days the followers prayed and sowed seed, but no stalk arose, no fruit appeared.

On the eighth day a sign was given: rain fell from a clear sky, soft as tears, and the ground drank deeply. Where the water touched, green shoots sprang up overnight, growing tall and full. By dawn of the ninth day the fields stood heavy with grain, and the orchards bent low with ripe fruit. Birds sang in the branches, and beasts of the field returned to graze.

The people marveled, saying: “This is no work of Ninurtos, who comes with toil and storm, but of a God who brings life freely.” And many of his priests cast down their sickles and joined themselves to Gamasiel.

Thus Ninurtos was defeated in the second contest, his power shown to be but shadow beside the abundance of the Forgotten God.

Canon 33: The Third Contest - Against Ninlee

After Ninurtos was undone, the priests of Ninlee of the airy heights came forth, called the wife and sister of Heinil, the Storm-Lord. Her face was fair and her voice soft, yet her dominion was no less mighty, for she was said to be the breath that sustains and the current that bears travelers safely across peril. Her priests of Peakshadow boasted, saying: “Without Ninlee no man draws breath, and without her guiding wind no pilgrim finds the way. If your God is greater, let Him prove it upon the air itself.”

So Ninlee called upon her husband’s tempests, that the skies might rage and reveal the weakness of mortals. Winds screamed through the mountain passes, tearing roofs from houses and hurling travelers from the heights. Her followers said: “See how frail are men when breath is withdrawn and the air is turned against them.”

But Gamasiel prayed with his Seven Followers, and in that hour a wonder was wrought. The winds ceased not altogether, but were bent and turned aside, as if some unseen hand caught them and made them gentle. In Peakshadow the chimes in Ninlee’s shrines rang not with the violence of storm but with a steady, melodious harmony. Pilgrims found the paths calm, and the banners of the city streamed straight and true.

Then the people said: “This is no work of Ninlee, whose favor is uncertain, but of a God who rules even the rulers of the air. For He can make the storm serve His peace.” And many who once raised their prayers to the Lady of Winds turned instead to the Forgotten God.

Thus Ninlee was defeated in the third contest, her cloak of protection shown to be no more than a veil before the might of the One who governs all breath.

Canon 34: The Fourth Contest - Against Ningula

When Ninlee was overcome, Ningula came forth, the daughter of Heimos, shadow-born and secretive. She was clad in darkness, and her eyes gleamed with malice, for she was the wife and half-sister of Noilos, the Moon-God, yet unlike him she held no gentleness, only bitterness and guile. Even the Decadon despised her, save for the patient love of her husband, who alone endured her presence. She was the patroness of chaos and evil, and her priests boasted, saying: “Let your God contend with the night, for it swallows all things. No prayer, no light, no life endures when Ningula spreads her veil.”

So Ningula gathered the shadows and loosed them upon the land. The stars were hidden, the moon gave no light, and a dread silence fell upon the people. Thieves prowled unchecked, oaths were broken without fear, and the whispers of betrayal slithered in every house. Her followers said: “See, even your God cannot pierce the blackness. None may escape the dominion of Ningula.”

But Gamasiel lifted his voice in prayer, and his Seven Followers raised their lamps. Though their flames were small, each flickered without failing, and the darkness could not consume them. Then a marvel occurred: not only the lamps, but the people themselves became as lights, their hearts burning with faith in the Forgotten God. Where Ningula cast her shadow, the faithful shone, and the night was made as day.

Then the people said: “This is no feeble warding of the moon, nor the treacherous favor of Ningula, but the might of a God whose light no darkness can overcome.” And many who once dreaded her name renounced her, turning instead to the One who illuminates even the abyss.

Thus Ningula was defeated in the fourth contest, her veil torn and her boast made void before the God of unquenchable light.

Canon 35: The Fifth Contest - Against Noilos

After the veil of Ningula was torn, her husband Noilos came forth, serene and radiant, twin to Ninurtos. He bore in one hand a staff carved with runes of old, which swayed the tides of the sea and the hearts of men. In the other he held a shard of moonfire, pale and silver, never quenched, never dimmed. His priests cried out, saying: “Behold the eternal flame, the guide of night, the keeper of secrets. Who can stand against the Lord of the Moon, who silences even the sun in his eclipse?”

So Noilos set forth his challenge. He commanded the sea to swell, and the waves rose like mountains; he commanded the hearts of men to falter, and their tongues whispered secrets not their own. He drew forth the shadow of the moon and veiled the day, saying: “See, even the sun bows to my dominion. What light remains now to your nameless God?”

But Gamasiel prayed, and the Forgotten God answered not with silence, nor with shadow, but with truth. For where Noilos compelled confession by force, the Spirit of the One drew forth confession freely, and the people unburdened their souls with joy. Where the sea swelled in wrath, the waves fell calm before the peace of His word. And though Noilos dimmed the sun in eclipse, the faithful beheld a greater wonder: a brightness that shone within their hearts, unbound by moon or star, a light no shadow could master.

Then the people said: “This is no pale reflection nor silver shard, but the living flame of truth, brighter than the sun, gentler than the moon. Noilos is but a lamp in the night; the Forgotten God is the Day itself.”

Thus Noilos was defeated in the fifth contest, his mystery unveiled and his dominion overturned by the light that endures unborrowed.

Canon 36: The Sixth Contest - Against Kinurea

When the Lord of the Moon was overcome, Kinurea advanced, the so-called matron of Menea. She came clothed in green and brown, girded with vines and crowned in flowers, and her priests proclaimed: “Behold Kinurea, goddess of the earth! She is the mother of soil, the womb of harvest, the strength of mountain and valley alike. No mortal may deny her, for she gives the ground beneath every foot and the bread upon every table.”

Yet whispers moved among the scholars, for many said: “This is no goddess, but Baere renamed." Then the people feared, for Kinurea struck the ground with her staff, and the earth trembled; she lifted her arms, and vines rose to bind the unfaithful.

So Gamasiel prayed, and the Forgotten God answered, not with tremor nor with vine, but with truth revealed. For the land did not quake at Kinurea’s command, save by hidden trickery, and the vines she raised withered at His breath. Then the people saw clearly: Kinurea’s crown of flowers was plucked and fading, her robe of earth was no more than soil gathered upon her limbs.

And the faithful cried: “This is no mother of the world, but a mask and a shadow. The true earth is Baere’s domain, and the power of life belongs not to the imitator, but to the One who gives freely.”

So Kinurea was defeated in the sixth contest, her fraud laid bare, her dominion stripped, and her name remembered only as the pretender who sought to borrow another’s majesty.

Canon 37: The Seventh Contest - Against Inossa

After Kinurea was overthrown, Inossa came forth, daughter of Heimos by Isabel, a common woman of the camps. She was blind and without tongue, yet her worshippers cried loudly in her stead: “Here is Inossa, goddess of love and fruitfulness, mistress of the womb and the battlefield alike. She is the fire of desire, the strength of mothers, and the fury of women in war. None may stand against her passion.”

But the truth was bitter. For Heimos himself, knowing not his own child, had once nearly yielded to her embrace. And when she stretched forth her hand in seduction, her father cast her down, removing her tongue so she might not speak and cursing her eyes with darkness that she might not gaze upon him again. Thus her followers worshipped a goddess of shame, made mute and blind by her own corruption.

Still, the people trembled, for Inossa’s rites were of frenzy and blood: women cried out in madness, lovers joined in reckless abandon, and warriors smeared their bodies with red clay before rushing to battle in her name.

Then Gamasiel stood and declared: “This is not love but lust without measure, not fertility but barrenness of the soul, not war but slaughter without justice. The true Giver of life is the Forgotten God, who grants children by His blessing and victory by His hand.”

At his words, the revels turned to ash, and those possessed fell into silence. The women of Rath cast down their clay and saw that no fruit was born of Inossa’s womb, nor did her armies prosper. For her eyes were sealed and her tongue stilled by her father’s curse, and her worship was emptiness.

So Inossa was defeated in the seventh contest, blind to the truth, silent before the Word, remembered only as the shame of her own house.

Canon 38: The Eighth Contest - Against Heinil

Canon 39: The Ninth Contest - Against Heiniko

After Heinil was cast down from the sky, his brother Heiniko rose up from the deep. He declared himself lord of the sea, keeper of the fountains, giver of life to man and woman alike. His dominion, so he boasted, extended not only over the waters but also over the seed of man and the wisdom of scribes. To him bowed Watersedge, which named him patron and poured libations into the tide.

Heiniko came forth bearing the trident and the scroll, claiming mastery of both the storm-swept deeps and the hidden thoughts of men. His followers said: “In him is the ocean’s power and the mind’s fertility. Who else but a god can mingle the mysteries of body and soul?”

But Gamasiel answered: “The sea is vast, yet it is bounded by the shore. The tide rises, yet it falls. No pretender may rule what was set in motion by the Word at the first. As for the seed of man, it is not by the will of Heiniko that children are conceived, nor by his hand that wisdom is given. For both the womb and the mind belong to the One whose breath quickens all flesh and illumines all thought.”

Enraged, Heiniko struck the shore with his trident, and the waves rose up to drown the land. Yet when Gamasiel lifted his hand, the waters receded, as if drawn back into the hollow of his palm. The scroll Heiniko bore was unrolled, and the letters upon it were made as sand, scattered by the wind until no meaning remained.

Seeing this, the priests of Watersedge despaired, and their city’s trust in the pretender was broken. Heiniko, lord of foam and hollow words, was revealed as powerless before the true Creator.

Thus ended the ninth contest, when the sea was bound and the pretender unmasked.

Canon 40: The Tenth Contest - Against Heimos

So came the final contest. Heimos rose from his redoubt on Ochre Island. He came with thunder at his call and lightning in his hand. He boasted: “By my voice I command nations; by my power I strike down hosts; by my seed I have given gods to the earth. Who shall gainsay me?”

But Gamasiel answered: “You are no god, Heimos, but a man who has clothed himself in terror and deceit. The lightning you brandish is not yours, but the fire of heaven you have stolen and misused. The children you claim are no more than shadows of your vanity. And the nations you boast of ruling are weary of your tyranny.”

At this Heimos cast his bolts, but they fell harmless, for the heavens obey not the thief. His voice thundered, but the wind carried it away, for the word of man is dust before the Word of the Creator. His eyes burned with fire, but they dimmed, and his followers saw only a fading spark.

Then was Heimos judged: the last and greatest pretender, silenced and shown as nothing. His children remained bound to their island, no longer lords but prisoners of their own name. From that day, their reign as gods was ended, and their temples became the shrines of memory rather than the houses of power.

Thus ended the tenth contest, and with it the false dominion of the Decadon.