The Words of Wisdom
"The first law of the Martyrs, Honor Above All. The second law of the Martyrs, Honor Demands Blood."- Duunmor'keth of the Two Laws
The Words of Wisdom is a monotheistic faith centered on the worship of an abstract singular, supreme deity known as the Burghan and the divine revelations of the Martyrs, or "Alag'dsan," who serve as its prophetic voices. This faith emphasizes unyielding submission to the Burghan’s nigh-inscrutable will, calling upon its followers, known as Ogokh'khun or "Those Who Submit", to practice honorable spiritual resilience, stoic devotion to the teachings of the Martyrs, and the relentless pursuit of absolute (and often bloody) justice. The sacred scriptures of the Martyrs, containing their commandments and divine wisdom, are compiled in the Sudar, the sacred text of the faith. Known in the Orcish tongue of Urkh'suanet as "Ghan Ves’duom," the Words of Wisdom is the dominant religion of the Urkh Mhe'daal, the Dominions of Arcesia, where it shapes both governance and daily life. As the second-largest faith in Acarcia, surpassed only by The Eightfold Faith, the Words of Wisdom commands fierce devotion among its Orc practitioners and stands as an unbreakable pillar of their cultural and spiritual identity.
Mythology & Lore
The Burghan
Bluut un'Ruktha Boutsakh
Tai-alag'dsan, the Great Martyr
Divine Origins
Erenu Aal'c Ves-Mor'ghanen
The Epoch of the First Prophets, also known as "Erenu Aal'c Ves-Mor'ghanen" is the mythic period. It records history from the creation of Existence until the Breaking of the First Lands. Occult scholars consider most of this period to be pure myth. Even devout priests of the faith will, if pressed, admit most of the scripture pertaining to this epoch are allegorical.
Erenu Tai-alag'dsan
The Epoch of the Great Martyr, also known as "Erenu Tai-alag'dsan" is the ancient period. It recounts the events from the Orc Exodus from the Broken Lands until the second establishment of the Ghan Ves’duom following the execution of the Great Martyr. The majority of this period focuses on the life, teachings, and miracles of the Great Martyr. While the historical legitimacy of the Great Martyr is not a matter of conjecture, many Terran occult scholars debate the validity of many of her divine accomplishments. This line of academic debate is considered heresy by the faithful of the Words of Wisdom.
Erenu Shine Ves-Mor'ghanen
The Epoch of the New Prophets, also known as "Erenu Shine Ves-Mor'ghanen" is the modern period. It is measured from the Apotheosis of the Tai-alag'dsan until now. Though this is the common era, it was prophesied through the scriptures of both the previous epochs. Many of these prophecies have yet to come to pass, and the faithful of the Words of Wisdom eagerly await their coming.
Cosmological Views
"Life is Suffering. Our first breath is a scream and our last is a sigh. A life is measured by the suffering we endure. To live well is to suffer well. This is the First Truth."- The First Psalm of the SudarSuerec'gar, the Broken Lands
The Broken Lands of Suerec'gar are the mythic home of the Orcs. The Sudar describes Suerec'gar as a desolate wasteland of ruined settlements, irradiated skies, and barren landscapes littered with bones and debris. It was said that the few seas of Suerec'gar were blackened and befouled, the sporadic rains were corrosive, and the land was besieged by relentless howling winds that could flay flesh from bone. Scriptures spoke of countless horrid beasts, warped by vile magics, which stalked the ancient Orcs both day and night. Even the sun of this place was wrong; pale and weak, sickly and blue against a hazy violet sky. From this cruel place, Orcs learned the Aal'c-suanet or the "One Truth". Only by mastering the hellscape of that land did the Orcs discover the source of their pain. The Orcs had been abandoned. Huum, the Great Deceiver, along with his wicked acolytes had carelessly destroyed Suerec'gar long before the ancient Orc tribes united under the teachings of the Ghan Ves’duom. After disciplining themselves to the will of the Burghan through the teachings of the First Prophets, the ancient Orcs of Suerec'gar were able to leave their ancestral home forever.
Ethics
"Honor Above All. Honor Demands Blood. These are the only Two Laws."- The Second Psalm of the SudarHonor Above All
Honor Demands Blood
Worship
Ept Bagana'khun, the Five Pillars of Submission
The Ept Bagana'khun are the fundamental practices of the Words of Wisdom, commonly known as the "Five Pillars of Submission". These practices dictate nearly every aspect of the faithful's lives, providing rigid order to their society.Arun Baidaal, the Pillar of Purity
The first and most important pillar of submission is Arun Baidaal, the practice of purity. Faithful supplicants must maintain physical, emotional, and spiritual purity through daily religious habits and weekly purification rituals. Physical purity is maintained by dietary restrictions, bathing and cleansing practices, and vows of sexual abstinence and regular limited celibacy.
Zal'biraal, the Pillar of Devotion
The second pillar of submission is Zal'biraal, the practice of devotion. Supplicants of the Words of Wisdom are expected to pray five times a day while facing the Kaab'ah, the most sacred site to the faith, which is located in Kar'mak.
Zaaket, the Pillar of Charity
The third pillar of submission is Zaaket, the practice of charity. The devoted are required to willingly give a portion of their wealth to those in need. The priesthood uses these donations to maintain large storehouses of supplies for the underprivileged as well as shelters for those lacking such.
Maus'tag, the Pillar of Sacrifice
The fourth pillar of submission is Maus'tag, the practice of sacrifice. This pillar demands that the faithful participate in daily fasting during the first month of each season from sunrise to sunset. The resources saved by this fasting are expected to be offered to the priesthood as part of Zaaket.
Boutsakh, the Pillar of Pilgrimage
The final and, arguably, the most significant pillar of submission is Boutsakh, the practice of pilgrimage. The Ogokh'khun, if they are able, are expected to make a pilgrimage to the eight sacred sites of the Words of Wisdom at least once in their lifetime. Those who practice the Boutsakh, their pilgrimage is restricted to a single destination. This means each practitioner must engage in eight separate Boutsakh, although truly the devout will accompany family on their pilgrimages or repeat all eight again after they have committed their required Boutsakh.
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