The Order of Olfien

The Order of Olfien is responsible for the religious well-being of the Palti people. They work during the night when they believe they are most protected from the watching Eyes of the Destroyer. They live in caves on the largest, and craggiest, island of the Palti people.

Mythology & Lore

The Palti believe that back when the world was old, the sky was open to the stars and to whatever lived among them. The people of old did not fear the sky, and they created noise and light without thought of what it might attract. Their hubris caught the eyes of The Destroyer, and the great beast landed on the world, consuming all of those who had caught its attention. It left, and those who had survived the catastrophe began to rebuild. The gods of old had done nothing to protect their world, and their worship was abandoned. Instead, those who survived began to entreat their ancestors for assistance. Their ancestors built the Skystone, a thick crust of stone that rotated between the land and the stars. Despite this protection, the Palti have sworn to never create the noise and light that once brought destruction to their world. The ancestors now live on the Skystone, protecting those below from that which lives among the stars.

Tenets of Faith

Silence and darkness are the two key tenets of the faith. If they must move about in the dark, they use a hooded lantern. If they must cook at night, they cover the fire with a roof. They do not yell or scream. Even in battle, as they die they remain silent. While living among those not of the Palti people, they speak in near whispers to offset the loud noises that outsiders make without thinking. They communicate over long distances with uneven and greatly spaced-out drumbeats to fool the ears of The Destroyer.

Priesthood

The Order of Olfien is responsible for keeping the silence. Few are let into the order, only those who as children cried but little. They observe the islands of the Palti from their lofty perch, and if they can see light or hear sound they descend on the island, dousing the fire or hushing the sound. They spend their days, when they are not on watch, fishing from the great crags of stone that make up their island, hunting birds, harvesting eggs, and growing mushrooms of many varieties deep in the moist caves.

Political Influence & Intrigue

The Order has little power outside of the Palti islands. Those not of the religion view their beliefs with some amusement. However, inside the faith the Order has the ability to excommunicate those who are too disruptive to the silence and darkness.

Related Traditions