The Wolfguard of Risir

When the Void was overwritten by the great universe, it formed beings to serve as its avatar and herlad. The Void Wolf, Fenrir, was one of several gods formed this, greeted by the Arbiter who read the omens that heralded his birth. The wolf traveled with her for a time, recognizing her as a kindred spirit of the Great Void. During his time with Her, he learned of the great cycle and the birth and death of the universe which made the wolf weep. One of these tears became his brother, a stark white wolf to contrast his black fur, Faris. While Fenrir accepted the Great Cycle for what it was, Faris had hope that perhaps they could find a way out of this cycle. Faris was his wise council but they soon found themselves beset by a new enemy.

Another tear of Fenrir was influenced by his wrath and the chaos of the young universe, forming Tharn a griffin of the mighty tempest. He attacked the two brothers and the Arbiter with ferocity fit for his domain. It was enough to call the attention of even The Unbound who clashed with the mighty griffin. While He could easily defeat him, the griffin returned to tight until the blood shed by Faris created a being who could keep Tharn in check. Nyna the Law Bear wrestled Tharn into submission, bringing his conflict with them to an end.

The two members of the Seven were keen to not see such a situation repeat itself and kept this Wolfguard close to them as they explored the known universe once again. According to stories, the Arbiter's time amongst them began to cause Her to change. Caused Her to feel once again. However, that was a dangerous sentiment for one such as Her with the power and position She held. So She tore that piece of Herself out and with the influence of Fenrir, Kyna the Sky Jay was born.

With the advent of The Blood War, the Arbiter and Unbound left them, the former advising them to stay out of the conflict. They did exactly that, avoiding The Infinite Planes and the chaos rampant across them. However, they took notice of The Unbound's war against the Devils to aid the forces of Good and His killing of the First King of Hell, suggesting they were not oathbound to stay out of these conflicts as The Arbiter suggested.

They came under His wing, each of them agreeing with His ideal of freedom. It shouldn't have been a surprise when these ideals pushed them to join The War of the Gods. At first, they joined forces with the Drakon in the main conflict between them and the Jovun since the latter wished for their children, the Giants, to enslave the lesser species of Avestra that were only starting to gain their sapience.

Unfortunately, they soon realized the Drakon were just as bad and soon found themselves fighting alone. Tharn's betrayal was the final straw as he sought vengeance for their defeat and binding of him before, leaving them all to be captured and imprisoned on Avestra by the Jovun gods in what would becoming The Howling Coast. It was their imprisonment that brought an end to the war as that was the final straw that made The Unbound disobey the other members of the Seven, bringing the gods to the table to end the war.

Because of the forbidden magic used to cast the Wolfguard down to Avestra, none of the Gods knew how to free them, even with the God of Freedom threatening them. As such, they were left to their fate imprisoned on Avestra. They became the chained gods who the Risir people turned towards, both seeking their freedom. And the two groups found freedom when the Giant and Dragon empires fell, the Augmented Dragons dooming these once great nations.

Their chains were broken through unknown means but it was suggested that The Unbound and the Arbiter found a way to aid them. And these gods found themselves as some of the only few on the plane, giving them leeway that no other god did. And they used it to aid their people, especially during The War for Avestra. And that has continued even as the barrier broke and the other gods began to be with their followers once more.

The faith was first started as a rebellion against the Giants and their enslavement of the Wolf Fera. The gods were well known even with their prisons being hidden and they were able to enact miracles and blessings despite their confined states. Their influence caused the rise of abolitionists amongst the giant-kin and slaves alike. And once the gods were free during the fall of the Empires, they rose to claim their role as gods of the Risir culture.

The Wolfguard were born of the Void and such, they have a deep connection to it. It is believed at the End, they will be the ones to herald the beginning of the end of the Universe. Whether they will end it themselves is up to debate, especially with The Lone Wanderer existing. It is theorized that Tharn will finally go insane from his bloodlust and attack, beginning the final war between the gods when the stars in the sky are gone.

• Fenrir: Destruction brings about Creation. Creation brings about Destruction. Accept this and have the strength to bring both into fruition when the time is right.
• Faris: Protect those you care for. Protect those that cannot protect themselves. Never lose hope in yourself or in others and use your wisdom to benefit others.
• Kyna: Love people, love nature, and love the magic spawned from the culmination of these two.
• Neris: Your fate is written by the sum of your actions. Accept that and accept your ultimate fate of death when it comes for you.
• Nyna: Temper the chaos of the world with reason.
• Thane: Do not allow evil deeds to go unpunished. Do not allow others to be chained and enslaved.
• Tharn: When a foe is near, strike first and fast like lightning, and drown them in your fury like an ocean.

• Fenrir: The Void Wolf isn't directly worshipped except through prayer when times are hard. Showing feats of strength is another way, and most Risir consider fighting against the Giants a way to praise the Wolf.
• Faris: Protecting the innocent is the greatest form of worship for the Aegis wolf. Lunari are his most common worshippers as they defend the Risir tribes down to their last breath. Giving hope to others or giving wise council are always ways to worship him. Of course, direct prayer is always an option.
• Kyna: To worship the sky mother is to be kind to nature and kinsman. it is to live, laugh, and love no matter the darkest times. It is to host festivals and events that give praise to her gifts of nature and animal alike. And it is through understanding the leylines she blessed the world. This is why many totems of the different gods are able to interact with the leylines of Avestra.
• Neris: Bury the dead with honor and hunt down any scourge of undead that exist on the Howling Coast. With the war raging, this is more common as spirits and bodies vengeful from their demises roam the land. Oracles give prayers to the Arbiter for gifts of prophecy, interpreting these visions as her will and offering guidance through them.
• Nyna: The Bear is given worship by respecting the laws of the tribe. By accepting punishment for the breaking of tradition or law, even if done in good faith. It is through using reason to guide their actions, not just impulse. And it is through protecting the symbol in her name from those who would hunt them.
• Thane: Defend the freedom of all who wish to keep their free will, cast down any slavers and tyrants that threaten it. See that justice is done in accordance with law and that vengeance does not consume you.
• Tharn: Pray to the Tempest for safe travel on the seas and they may be lucky enough to find it. Crush your enemies beneath their boots and offer them no quarter, especially those who subjugated the Risir long ago. And should one lose themself in the battle, so be it. Behave like a storm and lash out against those that stand against them.

• Priests of Fenrir are rare for the Void Wolf requires no one to spread his teachings. The few priests there reside in isolation just like he does, only coming to light when strength is needed in calamitous times. With Sgand bearing down on the Howling Coast, these priests have taken to spread the word that now is the time to stand against the evil that comes at their shores.
• Faris's priests preach protection and goodwill towards those who are deserving. As the Risir tribes are threatened, his priests gain more influence as they proclaim that the innocent need protectors in these troubled times.
• Kyna's priests are lovers of nature and life, who improve the lives of their kinsmen. Often, this is by helping with agriculture or hunting but this can also be through helping with ceremonies such as marriage or coming of age. Other priests are also heavily involved in magic, teaching it to those who have the aptitude to learn.
• Neris's many priests are often caretakers for the dead and guardians against any necromancy or fell magic. Some priests of Neris are even granted divination which allows them to predict fates should actions be unchanged.
• Nyna's priests are wardens of order and teachers to the populace. They spread her belief that reason must temper life against the ever influential chaos. Priests of her sometimes serve as guards in settlements or borders and are often targeted by the Muspel Giants due to her connection to the sun.
• Thane's priests are arbiters of justice and abolitionists. They spread his teachings that all are born with the right to freedom
• Tharn's priests are those who are best in conflict. They whisper in the ears of warbands to go out and destroy their enemies, almost leading to conflict between the tribes many times. With the Giants on the move, they call that the Great War is at and they must finish what the gods started and eradicate their enemies. They often divine storms and the movements of the ocean as signals of Tharn's mood.

The Destroyer