RELIGION Those in Torvaldsland respect the Priest-Kings but do not worship or revere them as gods. Instead, the worship gods like Odin and Thor, gods from the Norse mythology of Earth. The Initiates of Kassau and to the south treat this religion as heresy and vehemently try to suppress it. Using the power of secular leaders, the Initiates will have those who worship this religion either tortured or executed. Some of these methods may include being boiled alive, roasted alive on a spit over an open fire or having an adder forced into your mouth and then having the snake tear its way free through the side of your face. The Initiates will not tolerate any other religion to exist where they have the power to suppress it. One of the prohibitions they try to enforce includes making the sign of Thor. This is simply making a fist over your drink but is a sign of respect to Thor. Initiates know of this sign and any seen making it will be summarily arrested. The Torvaldsland religion has its own priests, rune-priests, to preside over its rites. They are commonly long-haired men, garbed in white robes. They generally reside in Temples of Thor and the high council of rune-priests very rarely meets. The temple contains the temple ring, a heavy, golden ring of Thor. This ring has been stained with the blood of a sacrificial bosk. Sacrifices are important to them. Years ago they had sacrificed thralls but they eventually ceased this practice. This was not stopped because it was cruel or savage. It was simply thought that like urts and tiny tharlarion, thralls were not worthy sacrifices. This decision did increase the popularity of the rune-priests. Rune-priests also carry a bag of omen chips. These are pieces of wood, soaked in the blood of the sacrificial bosk. The omen chips are thrown like dice and then interpreted by the priests. They may be thrown several times for a reading. Runes are considered a form of magic for them. Rune stones are placed around the area and are generally colorful and able to be seen from a distance. They are freshly painted each year, usually on the vigil of the vernal equinox. Religious rune stones will be repainted on the vigil of the fest-season of Odin, which is in the fall. The most famous rune stone is the Torvaldsmark on Einar's Skerry. Runes may also be carved into wood or leather to be luck signs or grant other magical benefits. |