The High Temple of Odin All-Father
Structure
The priesthood in the temple uses the following hierarchy:
- Hoystr Gothi of the High Temple of Odin
- Gothi
- Junior Gothi
- Initiate Gothi
Public Agenda
The High Temple of Odin All-Father is the central temple and center of power in the Godholme of Skali. Home to the ruling Hoystr Gothi in the city, it is a source of great religious piety, as well as the site of most important religious activity in Enga.
Public sentiment toward the priests of the temple is mixed. At times, the people love the priests as the feel the guidance they receive is sound and helpful. Other times, they feel the priests meddle too much in the affairs of the Jarls and the people.
Assets
The High Temple
- The temple itself has been described by many as “opulent”. It started as as simple structure, but over its 4000 year history it has become a towering, gold encrusted edifice.
- The temple is also home to the largest collection of relics and divine objects in the world. These are not just relics or holy items related to Odin, but also to other gods as the temple requires all relics be stored in The Archive (Location) located within the temple itself. While the priests of the temple do not prevent priests from other temples from removing relics related to the other gods, they doggedly ensure that the relics return in a timely manner.
History
See the history of the Godholme of Skali.
Mythology & Lore
See The Creation
Divine Origins
The origins of the High Temples faith are unknown. Myth and legend say that a young man was visited by Odin and instructed to found the temple so that the peoples could know of him. This can’t be verified, but the earliest documents still surviving from 3,000 BB talk about the founding of the temple as “divinely inspired”.
Cosmological Views
The priests of the High Temple spread t the people of Enga that the world was created and beloved by Odin, who wishes them to be the most courageous and cunning warriors to join him in his great hall Valhalla where they will feast with him in the afterlife. It was for this purpose, to find men and women worthy of his hall that Odin made Enga, a world that would test the hardest of men and that the warriors of the world should strive to meet Odin's challenge.
Tenets of Faith
Glorious Death in Battle: Odin only allows those that have died in battle to join him in Valhalla. To die of sickness, old age or cowardice denies you access to Valhalla.
Thirst for Knowledge: Learn everything you can and then learn more. Always seek new knowledge and insight.
Thirst for Knowledge: Learn everything you can and then learn more. Always seek new knowledge and insight.
Ethics
It is considered a sin to show cowardice in the face of your enemies or to act in a dishonorable way. These are both open to interpretation, but a reverence for the gods “should guide you”.
Worship
Day to Day, little is done by the lay person to worship Odin. Most worship activity is in the form of honorable living and honorable battle.
Ritual sacrifice is common. Usually animals, but occasionally humans.
It is not uncommon to hear warriors crying “ODIN!” in battle. This is thought to be a “Look, Odin, see see me!” type action to draw the gods attention, but also to strike fear into their enemies.
Ritual sacrifice is common. Usually animals, but occasionally humans.
It is not uncommon to hear warriors crying “ODIN!” in battle. This is thought to be a “Look, Odin, see see me!” type action to draw the gods attention, but also to strike fear into their enemies.
Priesthood
Lay people wishing to join the High Temple of Odin must first prove their religious piety. This is either in the form of sacrifice (goods, wealth, etc. given to the Temple) or by returning a “lost relic” (i.e. any relic not already in the archive) to the temple.
Upon acceptance, the new Initiate Gothi begins their religious education.
Upon acceptance, the new Initiate Gothi begins their religious education.
- This can take several years, during which time the initiates also serve as the support staff of the temple. cooking, cleaning and providing for the senior clergy.
- Upon initiation into the temple, all initiates receive a brand on their right wrist of a stylized raven. During this process, an initiate must accept the branding without cries of pain. If they do not, they are killed and branded a coward.
- Upon promotion, a second raven is added to the wrist branding.
- Upon promotion, two wolves are branded onto the left wrist.
- Upon election, a crown is added above the ravens and wolves on both wrists.
Granted Divine Powers
- Clerics of Odin must choose the Knowledge Divine Domain.
- The priests and clerics of the High Temple are granted the use of the Light cantrip as a free cantrip in addition to their other cantrip choices.
- Gain use of Knowledge of the Ages at 1st level as opposed to 2nd.
Political Influence & Intrigue
As the leading temple in the Godholme, the Hoystr Gothi of the High Temple has extreme influence over the Jarls. At his word wars have been fought, children sacrificed and entire Jarldoms wiped form the face of the world by the faithful. For this reason, the section of a new Hoystr Gothi is extremely important, as they can change the course of history.
Founding Date
3075 BB
Type
Religious, Temple
Leader
Deities
Divines
Notable Members
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