The Legion of the Harbinger
"Your duty is to Vanar and the Legion. Your duty is to the oathes you have spoken, before the open moon, on the shores of our mere. Rise now, Prince of the Dark, bathe in our sacrifice, that you may restore our world to its rightful state. Carry our dynasty on your shoulders, proclaim its truth in your words, embody it in your heart. The true monarchs of darkness live within you, and speak through you. Rise now, Immortal Scion of the Moon! Rise from the wine dark blood that runs through your veins, return to your throne restored, powerful, and eternal. Swear your oathes again, bear the crown that to all our right to rule, carry the standard and sword that shall guide our souls to victory! Rise now, Son of Vanar, Immortal Emperor of the Màni."- Proclamation of the Crown, the Legions of the Harbinger.
Overview:
The Legions of the Harbinger were born from the worship of Vanar native to the Màni people, the God of the Moon, the Dead, and War. They believed in the notion that the element of Dark was divine, and associated dark-attuned places of power with the moon and night. Led by the Prince of the Màni, as the embodiment of Vanar reincarnate, the Legions of the Harbinger would sweep through the land with banners of black and silver, raiding nearby villages, and enslaving whole tribes.
Originally, the Legion began as an exclusive cult of generals soldiers and tactitians. Upset with the decadence and despondence of their Prince and his court, the Legion led a divine rebellion in Vanar's name, reclaiming the throne, and painting the palace walls with the usurper's entrails. The Legions of the Harbinger became the official cult of the Màni people.
Nowadays, the Legions of the Harbinger are feared across Elementia, their worship of the Moon has extended into neighbouring countries, seeding constant suspicion in other cities and keeping these countries in check. Faith in Vanar through the rituals and challenges of the Legion have gained traction even amongst the Jormar, who marry their mastery of ice with the grim sorcery of the dark during their raids.
Mythology & Lore
Creation Myth
In the beginning, there was nothing but darkness. A vast eternal void, which nothing could satiate. The endless fields of shadow stretched until eternity. Then, as if by divine power, a single jewel shone in the gloom. The firstborn of Shadow beheld all that was around him, and rejoiced in the solitude of his being. Unfurling from the egg, the firstborn grew wary and howled the world into being, so that all that became may be his hunting ground. Creatures that dwelled in the shadows emerged from the newborn soil, hiding in the trees and gazed up at the bejewelled visage of the moon in the dark and starless sky. This, they called Vanar, and the stars that appeared by his side they named after their ancestors, whose valor in the hunt proved their worth in the eyes of the Deathless Moon.
The Vanarii believe that the world was plunged into darkness in its beginning, and that it was created as the hunting grounds for Vanar, god of the moon. They believe they will join him in his eternal glory if they prove themselves worthy enough, and so strive to dominate all things in an attempt to gain glory. The Legions of the Harbinger follow this philosophy, and so believe an honorable death will redeem for all weakness in life.
- A grim truth remains: Their constant search for valor and glory has pushed the Legions away from honorable combat, and instead towards an imperialistic, dominating agenda. The glory of ages past is overshadowed by loyalty and devotation to the Legion. People become faceless fodder for the Legion's wars, in the name of prowess and glory.
The Rite of Blood
We are born of blood, we are born of the Lord's calling. Our substance is to be returned, to be fed to the Lord. We are his food, and his greatest prize. Our sacrifice will lead us to victory, our will is the Lord's will. Through these libations, may our Dynasty endure. May our Legions rejoice as we join our forces and make the world our home. May the light of the moon be our vanquishing herald, may the blood of our enemies pave the way to our eternal life.
Vanarii believe that through sacrifice, the Legions of the Harbinger can become closer to their Moon God and that one whose sacrifice is greatest becomes one with the deity themselves. By sacrificing what one holds dear, one can curtail favour with the Lord of the Moon, and thus attain a sure victory in whatever one wishes to achieve. The Rite of Blood is the sacredmost ritual of the Legion, when a new prince rises to the throne and is anointed as the saviour of the Dynasty.
- A grim truth remains: As the greatest of all sacrifices, the Rite of Blood sees the slaughter of countless men and women, whose blood is poured into the great mere beneath Mondgrad. Those selected for the sacrifice are believed to live within the heart, soul and veins of the newly annointed Prince of the Dark.
Worship
The Legions of Vanar follow a strict doctrine of religious rituals and worship, even when on campaign and at war against the many nations of Elementia. These prayers and rituals had to be performed, else no favour would come from their God, and lead to defeat on the battlefield. Their core canon is officiated by warrior-priests of Vanar, known as a haruspex, who would perform rituals to the God of the Moon on the Legion's behalf.
- Ritual to the New Moon, executed in preparation for the new moon cycle, during which many prisoners and volunteers are sacrificed and their blood is used to mark the faces of newborn children, and drunk by the men and women of the Legion.
- Ritual to the Full Moon, executed as the zenith of the current moon cycle, during which the faithful of Vanar are gathered, get on their knees and pray until dawn. A meal is made of the goods shared by the congregation.
- Ritual of the Harvest, executed before going into battle, or any martial decision. The haruspex slaughter an animal, or a prisoner, and read from their entrails in an attempt to divine the future. Considered a most sacred ritual, this often dictates future campaigns and political decisions as well as bolsters the morale of soldiers before battle.
- Annoinment of the Blood Throne, Upon the passing of the current Prince of the Màni, the chosen prince is brought before a congregation of legatus and haruspex, who gather offerings, prisoners and willing sacrifices from the family of the deceased, as well as the heart of the old Prince. Behind closed doors, they pass on the souls of all Princes prior into the body and mind of the newly annointed Emperor.
Sects
There are multiple splinter groups from the Legion of the Harbinger, all of which believe in the Dark's divinity, but have different approaches to organisation, loyalties and dogma. Historically the faith of the Dark has spread across eastern and northern Elementia, taking various aspects and various approaches that either clash with the Legion at large, or are accepted as worthy doctrines.
Active Sects & Organisations:
- The Legion of the Harbinger is the greatest unified faith of the worshippers Vanar, under the guidance of the Prince of the Màni. Proclaim that the Dynasty of Vanar runs through their veins.
- The Order of the New Moon, a militant clan of dark worshippers who seek to violently and fanatically expand the influence and power of Vanar through war and worship. They are the protectors of haruspices and missionaries across Elementia.
- The Call of the Frost Wolves, the faith held by many of the Jormar in the north, a land where days and nights can last weeks. The Frost Wolves hate the gods, and believe that by sating the gods' appetite for death they push back the end of all life.
- The Bloodsworn Dynasts, are noblemen who gorge on the sacrifices of the faithful in an attempt to gain true immortality. They hold the Prince as their messiah, and worship its image rather than the blessed guidance of the moon. The Legion tolerates this cult, as they have many occult, disturbing uses.
- The Eternal Company, a regiment formed of the dead warriors that were executed during the Divine Revolt. Imbued by the dark, yet blessed with sentience, they wander the world in undeath to restore the worship of Vanar to its primal nature.
Nostra A Fas
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Alternative Names
The Church of Vanar, the Cult of Blood
Demonym
Vanarii
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Deities
Related Ethnicities
Priesthood and Ranks
The priesthood of the Legion is reserved to members of the military, or to the haruspices, a select caste of priests whose specialty is in the reading of entrails. Officers of the Legion are versed in the prayers of the God of the Moon, and may make use of Dark Magic; whilst haruspex are trained from a young age to learn the intricate rituals of battle and worship that are done before war and other major decisions.
- Haruspex: This rank is the solely given to those who have spent their years studying the anatomy and body of those who are about to be sacrificed. Haruspex are powerful dark magicians, capable of raising the dead, reading fortunes and granting whole regiments dreadful powers.
- Legatus: This rank is given to officers of the Legion who show any potential in wielding the powers of the Dark; they are often worshipped as saints of Vanar and carry banners into battle that protect any soldier whose heart and soul belong to the God of the Moon.
- Prince: The Prince of the Màni is the representative of Vanar on earth, and through terrifying rituals has been given full mastery over the powers of the Dark. The Prince is an inherited position through merit, given by the previous Prince. Claimants to the throne are often met with brutal retaliation.
Tenets of the Dark
The key tenets of the Legion are mostly focused on discipline, sacrifice, honour and glory; the faithful of Vanar are expected to know the basic commandments of the Legion and recite them during battle, or before any ritual.
The Tenets of Vanar:
- Great Hunter, may we hold your guidance in our arms.
- May we be blessed with victory and prowess in all things.
- May we gather the lost and weary into our midst.
- May their sacrifice sate the hunger and strengthen our people.
- May your sacred way lead our souls to eternity and glory.
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