Lofrim
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| Lofrim | |
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| Religion | |
| Pronunciation | Low-free-im |
| Founder | Unknown |
| Category | Polytheistic |
| Deities | Lofrim, Bormir, Thenrir, Bureya, Smor, Elunda, Danzleikr, Taeli, Skepa, Heillga |
Lofrim is both the name of the religion and the name of the god of creation. Lofrim is a polytheistic religion practiced by the people of the Kingdom of Solgardsborg and is popular amongst the people of Northern Galudon. The Followers of Lofrim live a heavily ritualistic lifestyle with emphasis placed on nature, strength, unity, and battle. Those who worship Lofrim and the multitude of other gods in the religion are often warriors, sages, and mystics. Each god represents an aspect of the harsh environment and people bred from the north. The Followers of Lofrim often turn to their gods during times of need to ask for things like success in battles, fertility, and bountiful harvests. The common phrase “Lofrim hagr fa” - meaning “Lofrim will provide” - sums up the spiritual and physical reliance The Followers of Lofrim have on their gods.
History
(TBD on Solgardsborg Lore)
Deities
Listed below are the major gods of Lofrim. There are over a hundred minor gods that appear in stories, but the gods listed below are the most known among the Followers of Lofrim. Minor gods outside of these exist, but they are often unique to a specific tribe, clan, or culture.
(OOC Note: Your character may reference gods that are not listed below as gods of something that isn’t listed, but this would be something unique to either your characters’ family or tribe. The religion is heavily based on storytelling, and stories often change and shift over time.)
| Lofrim | ||||||
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God Of: | Creation, Wisdom, the Sky, Lightning, Storms, Thunder, Parents, Stars, Knowledge, Scholars, Beginnings | ||||
| Appearance: | Lofrim is depicted as a large man with a large, grey winter coat made of wolf furs. He is often depicted as both tall and strong with glowing eyes swirling with storm clouds and flickering with lightning. His clothing is often explained differently in stories, but his large frame, wolf furs, and stormy eyes are shared characteristics in each story. | |||||
| Personality: | Lofrim is seen as a curious god. Many stories portray Lofrim as a wise being of creation, always looking to learn more. He is also often portrayed as a great innovator as he is often seen as the God who breathed life into the universe. | |||||
| Origin: | Lofrim’s origins are a mystery. Followers of Lofrim believe the universe started and will end with Lofrim. | |||||
| Bormir | ||||||
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God Of: | Destruction, Chaos, Finality, Decay, Cruelty | ||||
| Appearance: | Bormir is depicted as a large, monstrous creature with 4 arms and dark, purple skin. He is often described as wearing a ‘cloak made of shadows’. Bormir’s clothes change depending on the story, but he is always depicted wearing tattered clothes. His eyes are always dark with most drawings of the character’s eyes are made with charcoal. | |||||
| Personality: | Bormir is often portrayed in stories as a cruel being. Despite being a god, Bormir is often referenced as a Giant, the enemy of the Gods. He is normally seen in stories about torture, destruction, and death. Not many stories are told referencing Bormir by name, as many Followers believe it will bring bad luck. | |||||
| Origin: | Bormir is said to have been the eldest son of Lofrim before he was slain in battle against his brother, Thenrir. The most popular story about Bormir’s origin says he was born when Lofrim condensed the darkness in the sky to form the first being. | |||||
| Thenrir | ||||||
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God Of: | War, Warriors, Battle, Bravery, Combat | ||||
| Appearance: | Thenrir is often depicted as a large god that is rivaled only by Lofrim. Thenrir is depicted as a master of weaponry, having been described in many stories as having almost every weapon woven into his long braided hair and beard. He is often seen wearing only dark clothed pants and nothing else as “a warrior only needs armor if they plan on being hit.” | |||||
| Personality: | Thenrir is often portrayed as the strongest of the gods. He is brave, strong, and wreckless. Still, his strength is oftenportrayed as being the tool he uses to get out of dangerous situations. | |||||
| Origin: | The most popular story portraying Thenrir’s creation says that Thenrir was born when Lofrim and Bormir engaged in combat for the first time. Lofrim and Bormir clashed, creating Thenrir out of the destroyed space between the two after. | |||||
| Bureya | ||||||
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God Of: | Hate, Betrayal, Darkness, Evil | ||||
| Appearance: | Bureya is described as having skin as pale as snow with hair as dark as the night sky. Her eyes are often described as a bright light that is both blinding and alluring. She is often said to wear silk dresses with an unrivaled beauty meant to entice and deceive those who foolishly trust the Giantess. | |||||
| Personality: | Bureya is often shown as an unspeaking Giant daughter of Bormir. Despite not being considered an actual god by the Followers of Lofrim, she is often portrayed as the goddess of all things evil and dark. Much like her father, not many stories are written referencing her personality, only what she represents. | |||||
| Origin: | The most popular story portraying Bureya’s creation says that she was born when Bormir created the Everwinter: A place where crops never grow, the sun never shines, and the Pannotia domain of the giants. When Bormir escaped the first battle against Lofrim, he created the Everwinter by pulling together the clouds in space to form snow, building a kingdom out of it. Bureya rose from the remaining clouds to be the overseer of the Everwinter. | |||||
| Smor | ||||||
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God Of: | Construction, Smithing, Hearths, Metals, Fire | ||||
| Appearance: | Smor is often described as having a rotund build. His large belly is often thoroughly described with stories as well as his shaved head and long beard that flows from his face to the ground. He is often portrayed as having a rather large toolbelt that could “wrap around the stars” and eyes of fire that could warm a village. | |||||
| Personality: | Smor is often portrayed in stories as a warm and kind god. He is often portrayed as the god closest to Lofrim. He is also seen as the god most likely to bless the home. | |||||
| Origin: | Smor’s most popular origin story references Lofrim’s creation of Pannotia. Lofrim first created the stones, mountains, and minerals in which he would build his domain The stone kingdom Smor made was vastly superior to the Everwinter, surrounding and encompassing the Giant’s liar. To get a better vantage point into Bormir’s liar, Lofrim used the stone and minerals to create the largest mountain, causing Smor to break free from this mountain. | |||||
| Elunda | ||||||
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God Of: | The Moon, Plants, Animals, Rivers, the Ocean, Farming, Fishing | ||||
| Appearance: | Elunda is often depicted as a large Reinsheep with stunning white fur which “holds the stories of the Earth, Moon, and Stars.” Elunda is often not described by her physical appearance but by the stories people find woven within her wool. | |||||
| Personality: | While Smor is often portrayed as the kindest, Elunda is often portrayed as the most peaceful of the gods. She is often portrayed as gentle and patient. Stories don’t normally have her speaking as she is often seen in the form of a Reinsheep. | |||||
| Origin: | Elunda’s most popular origin story references the creation of nature. The story states that the Everwinter began to expand into Lofrim’s domain. However, when the snow spread too far over the stone from the center, it would melt and fill the deep crevices created by battles between the gods and the Giants, creating the oceans. The oceans, in turn, caused plants to grow and grass to spread across Lofrim’s domain. The blood of the gods would fall onto the grass and plants, causing animals to grow from them. During an intense battle between Thenrir and the Giant Osleph, Thenrir’s blood began to pool into a large hole in one of the mountains, forming a volcano of lava in which Elunda was born. | |||||
| Danzleikr | ||||||
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God Of: | Song, Dance, Romance, Love, Sex, Musicians, Art, Alcohol | ||||
| Appearance: | Danzleikr is often depicted as a tall and slender androgynous figure with tanned skin and covered in jewels. As a master of music and art, they are often described as having at least one or multiple instruments with them at all times. Their long, flowing hair is described as having waves that could rival the seas. | |||||
| Personality: | Danzleikr is often seen as the least serious of the gods. They are a partier, always getting into trouble for doing whatever they want, whenever they want. They are also often portrayed as a hopeless romantic who is often tricked due to their inability to think when seduced. | |||||
| Origin: | Danzleikr was born after Thenrir defeated Bormir. The gods celebrated, creating alcohol and music. Legends say the gods partied for so long and so vigorously that Danzleikr formed from the atmosphere. | |||||
| Taeli | ||||||
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God Of: | Jokes, Trickery, Lies, Deceit, Shadows, Greed, Wealth | ||||
| Appearance: | Taeli is often described as appearing different in almost every story. Most stories don’t share that a certain character is Taeli until after his trickery is discovered. Because of this, Taeli can look like anything. | |||||
| Personality: | Taeli is seen as a mysterious figure. He is often portrayed in stories as a silver-tongued god who often tricked the gods and Giants alike into dangerous situations for his own amusement. | |||||
| Origin: | The most popular origin story for Taeli references the creation of humans. When the union of Skepa and Bureya was complete, Skepa decided, in his ignorance, to create a perfect being to be a beacon of a new beginning. However, while creating humans out of natural elements, Bureya secretly added shadows and darkness into the mix, creating a flawed creation. This trickery angered Skepa, causing him to try and destroy his creation. Lofrim, watching from above, created Taeli by cutting off half of his tongue. Lofrim sent Taeli to trick Skepa into allowing humans to remain. | |||||
| Skepa | ||||||
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God Of: | Humans, the Sun, Heroes, Quests, Adventures | ||||
| Appearance: | Skepa is described as a tall god with long red hair tied back by a scroll of endless length. Skepa’s clothing often changes to match the environment as he is quite adaptable as the god of adventures. He is often depicted as carrying around a large gourd of ink on his back and a quill in his hand to add stories and quests onto the large scroll keeping his hair contained. | |||||
| Personality: | Skepa is often portrayed as a great explorer. He is seen as being blessed (or cursed) with great wanderlust. He is often portrayed as a good god, blessing travels and adventures. | |||||
| Origin: | The most popular origin story for Skepa references Lofrim’s pursuit of balance. After the death of Bormir, Lofrim feared that Bureya would continue the war in her father’s stead. To prevent this, he created Skepa out of part of his skull. Skepa as then presented to Bureya as a sign of peace and a way to keep tabs on the Giants. | |||||
| Heillga | ||||||
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God Of: | Women, Mothers, Fertility, Medicine, Health | ||||
| Appearance: | Heillga is often described as a large woman with a sack full of herbs hanging over her shoulder. Her hair is often described as being shorter and her clothing is described as comfortable. Her right hand is often described as scarred and callused while her left hand is described as smooth and gentle to portray both the strength and the beauty of mothers. | |||||
| Personality: | Heillga is often portrayed as a strong woman with a firm yet motherly charm. She is often seen as the caretaker of the gods. She is also seen in stories guiding women while harshly judging men. | |||||
| Origin: | The most popular origin story for Heillga references a fight between Skepa and Thenrir over who was the bravest. Arguments broke out, creating storms and disasters until Elunda plucked fur from each reinsheep on Pannotia, forcing them together to form Heillga. Heillga then reached out to the two brothers, forcing them into a slumber to soothe their spirits. | |||||
Organized Hierarchy
- Chiefs / Chieftess
- Chiefs or Chiefstesses are leaders of tribes, clans, or warbands within Lynfangr and play an important role in Lofrim. They are seen as both physical and spiritual leaders blessed by the gods to lead. Chiefs often partake in or lead rituals for their tribes alongside a Shaman. People look up to and respect Chiefs and Chieftesses for leadership, but not for spiritual guidance as they would a Shaman or a Seer. Chiefs and Chiefstesses often claim to be direct descendants of a specific god. While all Followers of Lofrim believe themselves to be indirect descendants of Skepa, only Chiefs and Chieftesses have the right to claim to be direct descendants of their chosen god. This gives a Chief or Chieftan great respect within the Followers of Lofrim as they believe to rule you must be blessed by the gods.
- Shamans
- Shamans are ritualistic leaders within Lofrim. Shamans are not bound to a tribe or warband as Chiefs or Chieftesses are, but they are often a part of one nonetheless. Shamans are in charge of conducting rituals, organizing festivals, and gathering sacrifices. They do not have as much physical control over a tribe, clan, or warband, but they are seen as the spiritual leaders of the community. Shamans often wear relics and robes while painting their bodies with images representing their chosen god or goddess.
- Seers
- Seers are seen as mystical members of Lofrim. They are often not a part of a tribe, clan, or warband. Despite this, Seers still play an important role within Lofrim. They are often turned to for spiritual advice as Seers are the only people able to hear directly from the gods. While all followers may pray to the gods and sacrifice to them, only Seers claim to have the power to speak directly to and hear directly from the gods. This makes Seers the givers of quests and advice as many in the community turn to them for guidance in their times of need. Seers often cover their bodies in tattoos of images of all the gods and are the only role within the community to not choose a singular god.
- Followers of Lofrim
- Followers of Lofrim are the average followers. They worship the gods, pray to them, and make sacrifices in their name. While they are not spiritual leaders, their worship and devotion are crucial parts of any religion.
Dogma, Tenets, and Beliefs
- Strength, Honor, Loyalty, and above all, Glory
- Lofrim has bred a group of followers who seek glory above all else. All followers of Lofrim seek to be known and to have their names written in the history books. They dream of tales to be written of their exploits. This causes a high emphasis on strength in combat and honor. Loyalty drives the kinship between the Followers of Lofrim. Murder and thievery within a tribe, clan, or warband are often seen with harsh punishments, often causing extradition from religious ceremonies and events. Followers also believe that cowardice and betrayal are met with the gods disgracing them, causing them and their descendants to suffer the wrath of the gods.
- Rituals and Sacrifice
- Lofrim is filled with many different rituals to please the gods. Every tribe or clan does their rituals differently, but there are often key elements that play a part in all rituals regardless of clan. All rituals require sacrifices of animals or material goods to garner the gods’ attention. For minor requests, only a minor sacrifice is needed; however, major requests often require a higher price. Historically, Followers of Lofrim would make human sacrifices during large festivals and events, but this has slowly fallen out of fashion. This does not mean it doesn’t happen.
- Men and Women
- Men and women are considered equal by the Followers of Lofrim. Both can hold any rank within the religion and both can gain glory in the eyes of the gods. It is not uncommon for many women to make up a sizeable portion of a warband as combat is seen as something both men and women should excel in.
- War and Plunder
- Being a Follower of Lofrim means you follow the harsh realities of the North. Resources are scarce, requiring many tribes to take what they need by force. Going to battle is seen as something to revel in when the time comes as it is a way to both earn glory but also resources for your clan.
- The Gods Decide Your Fate
- Followers believe that everything is left in the hands of the gods. This affects every aspect of their lives. When in battle, Followers do not fear death, as they believe whether they live or die is left up to the gods. If a positive thing happens in a Follower’s life, it is because of the grace of the gods. If a negative thing happens in a Follower’s life, it is because they have angered the gods and must make amends.
- Death
- Followers believe that death is only the beginning of their journey. Followers believe that if you live your life in line with the tenants and die pursuing fame and honor, you will be granted a place amongst the stars to watch down over those who follow after you. However, if you live dishonorably or cowardly, your soul will be buried, unable to see the world above.
- Renaming Ritual
- Upon reaching the age of 18, Followers go through a ceremony called the “Renaming Ceremony” where the follower ritualistically sacrifices an animal of their choosing for the first time. During this time, the follower also adds a god of their choosing’s name in the middle of their name. For example, Floki ‘Bormir’ Lothr. (OOC Note: Your OC may choose one of the ‘minor’ gods from his or her tribe to make their middle name)
- Word of Mouth
- Followers of Lofrim do not write down their stories. It is seen as disrespectful to the oral tradition of the religion. At most, followers are able to draw pictures or carve them into stone representing the stories as an aid to be told in the future. Stories are generally told differently between tribes as stories slowly change, are added, or removed. Outside of the more well-known stories of the gods, most tribes tell their own versions of stories about the gods. The only thing in common that is shared amongst all stories is how the gods are portrayed and act. For example, a story about Thenrir will not have him run from battle cowardly.
- Centers of Faith
- While rituals and ceremonies can happen anywhere, most tribes have a ceremonial area within their lands in which to invite Seers and Shamans to practice on behalf of the tribe. These areas are usually where ceremonies and rituals are held, but again, ceremonies and rituals can happen anywhere. These Centers of Faith are usually long mead halls with large courtyards in the front and back of the building used for rituals. They are generally placed centrally within the tribal lands.
Prominent Events
- Renaming Ceremony
- The renaming ceremony happens when a follower reaches the age of 18. The ceremony is a large gathering of everyone in the community to celebrate the person’s coming of age. The ceremony often consists of large feasts, mud wrestling, and challenges of strength and wisdom to be played amongst the guests. During this ceremony, the follower changes or gains a middle name that aligns with the god they believe they most align with to help them remember to stay on their path.
- Lofrim Weddings
- Lofrim weddings are another large community event. They are usually held within the Center of Faith for everyone in a tribe, clan, or warband to attend. The ceremony is often overseen by a Seer who informs the couple what kind of rituals to do and what kind of sacrifices to make, making each wedding unique. A common theme that runs through all weddings, of course, is heavy drinking, dancing, and feats of strength and wisdom. Men and women alike usually drink until they all pass out within the Center of Faith.
- Nyolor Máni
- Nyolor Máni, also known as the “New Moon Celebration,” is a celebration that happens every month at the start of the lunar calendar. During this celebration, people wear all white and gather outside caves. Followers remain quiet as they take turns sacrificing an animal while the Seers watch over them. The Seers will use this time to pick a new Seer, bringing them into the cave. What happens inside is only known to the Seers, but large parties happen at the end, encouraging the followers to grow as muddy and dirty as possible, turning their white clothes brown and black.
- Ritual of the Hunt
- A ritual that is usually done before a large hunt. Hunters gather together and cover each other in dark paint, drawing symbols over each other's bodies to represent unity in a hunt. This is also often done before large battles between warriors of the same tribe.
Trivia
- Followers of Lofrim are heavily against curses due to Solgardsborg’s conflicts with Lycans during ancient times. Those who follow Lofrim and are cursed are generally outcasted, causing unique groups of cursed followers of Lofrim to form.
- Followers of Lofrim who are also warriors often enter battle shouting praises to their gods as a way to thank the gods for the opportunity to prove themselves and as a way to intimidate the enemy.
- Scholars struggle to keep up with how many gods there truly are in the religion, as every tribe tells a story differently, and many of the minor gods have different names between different tribes.
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