Lands of Tyranny
Day 24 of The Black Eye, Year 415
Valthos, The First Born Son
Valthos, the Son, the first Emperor, the Speaker, the Wandering Shepherd
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Symbol: The Sword and Tablet of law
God of the Empire's people, god of Duty, of roads, of craftsmen.
Said to be the son of Jehvoss and the First Emperor of Mankind. The tale told is of Valthos and his thirty year mission to unite one hundred kingdoms of humankind by bringing them the word of The Father.
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Under this guidance four of those kingdoms rose to prominence and prosperity, under the first four judges, with these kingdoms remaining to this day as the kingdoms of man that form the heartland of The Empire.
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The tale speaks of him wandering the world with a sword in one hand, and in the other a tablet which upon it were the ten commandments of Jehvoss engraved. All who encountered Valthos bowed to his infinite wisdom, to the might of his words of law or opposed him and faced the weight of his sword.
At the end of his journey, it is claimed that The Empire was formed and so he became The First Emperor of Mankind. It was then shortly after he visited the Kingdoms of the Elves in the forests and the Kingdoms of the Dwarves in the mountains. He ventured to them knowing them to be treacherous and know no honour, but he was bound by duty to bring upon them the wisdom of Jehvoss.
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The Elves and the Dwarves both rejected The Son, casting him and the enlightenment he brought out as merely human superstitious nonsense. Rejecting the tablet, the races chose the sword. And so Valthos led the armies of Annoria on a great crusade against these wise kings of Dwarves and of Elves.
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It is here that the nature of Dwarves and of Elves finally bares its truth. Invited to a summit by the Kingdoms, Valthos met with these groups on the presumption of their joining the Empire. However this was not to be. Ambushed at the meeting, his guards fell in combat and The Son was imprisoned. After deliberation among the non-humans they executed Valthos for the war he brought to them.
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In his sorrow, The Father descended from the heavens to be by his son. Here he retrieved his son and ascended into the sky, putting his Valthos on his own throne where he resides to this day by his Father’s side.
The Curse of Ancestors
Enraged by this arrogance, this treachery, and the defiance of these races. Jehvoss himself cast a curse upon these races both living and yet to be. He condemned the Elves to be weak and lanky, he condemned the Dwarves to be short and fat.
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The death of Valthos, and honouring his memory, this galvanised The Empire, leading to the mass conquests of the continent; the worship of the man who brought humanity out of the impure paganism of the Old Gods.
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His example guides the duty all citizens have towards The Empire, no matter if it is a thirty year journey or certain death, the citizens of The Empire should do it without a second thought, just as Valthos did.
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Worship
Different to Jehvoss, Valthos is widely worshipped across the continent and has shrines dedicated to him in most places of The Empire. His shrines are often accompanied by a shrine to Minerva within the houses of law, public offices, and legion camps. It is common to see small shrines to them both in village or town halls, as well as chapels and churches along well travelled roads. He is typically depicted as a robed wanderer holding a sword in one hand and a stone tablet in the other.
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His worship consists mainly of prayer towards him. But those that hold him dearly see the most sincere form of service in fulfilling their duties towards The Empire. He is largely worshipped by the artisans and labourers of the Empire, especially by men. While women usually worship Minerva.
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His worship however sometimes includes giving expensive items as sacrifices to the churches, which are then usually taken by the priests to pay for church expenses. Also at times children are given as sacrifices that are then raised as priests.
Typical Stance On: Imperial Society
Followers of Valthos typically vary in their stance on society. Craftsmen and traders typically admire the ability to exchange resources, craft and trade freely without hindrance. Artists show their admiration through plays, songs and depictions of imperial grandeur.
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Soldiers often see society as something worth protecting, something that must be protected but also something to share with those accepting of it. And those who oppose it are crushed.
Typical Stance On: Marriage & Family
To the followers of Valthos, it is their duty to be married and raise a family loyal to the Empire. Unlike Minerva they are not so strict in restricting pleasure in marriage. However the concept of love is not a consideration for marriage, rather matrimonial matches that will generate better children for The Empire as it is the duty that is of most importance. Sex outside of marriage is frowned upon heavily and still a sin, but considered a sin to Minerva, while to conceive a child out of wedlock must immediately be rectified.
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Is it most of those families with a strong sense of faith to Valthos typically have family run businesses or prioritise abilities, skills and talents that can be of use to The Empire.
Typical Stance On: Elysium & Tatarus
Followers of Valthos all generally believe in Elysium and in Tartarus. They believe a life of diligent duty will lead them into the Kingdom of Valthos as he sits upon his throne besides Jehvoss after death. Here they fear not the mortal thirst, hunger nor pain. But find everlasting fulfilment in the creation, in talents and of abilities of humans shared with one another.
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Hell is a concept reserved for those who excessively sin or are heretics. Damnation comes for those who give into their baser desires, where those desires lead them astray and into the bosom of the Old Gods. Hell is where the Old Gods have made a playground of human souls, each tormenting the souls of man with the most twisted and warped aspects of their worship.
Typical Stance On: Non-Humans
Those that follow Valthos closely have a disdain for Dwarves and Elves that goes beyond the ‘simple’ and rampant racism of human society, and for a good reason. The curse of their race is a constant reminder of the sins of their ancestors and to see past that, requires those individuals to redeem themselves in the light of Valthos.
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This typically comes in the form of a lifetime of loyalty and service to the Empire, always asking more of them than they would a human: it is only through duty that they can hope to be redeemed. Although controversial, some have been bestowed the title of ‘Redeemed’, given to them by the Church of The Son in recognition of their service to the Empire. Holding this title often has mixed results, sometimes causing even more racism against their person, mockingly being called ‘Deceivers’ instead.
Virtues
Pride -
Those who worship Valthos recognise in each other the pride that comes with their craft. Regardless of what it is, be it woodworking, painting, smithing or war. It is viewed as a positive aspect intertwined with divine purpose and fulfilment.
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Loyalty & Honour -
Loyalty to the Empire, and to one's superiors is intertwined with one's honourable conduct. Conduct devoid of jealousy, greed or other ulterior motives which aims to push up the quality of the Empire through the simplest of acts.
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Obedience -
Adhering to the laws of the Empire, to the judgements of the Tribunal and to the will of the Three. Obedience is something expected of all followers of Valthos in their effort to emulate him so closely.
Diligence -
In all things, one needs to ensure that only their best is ever given. To be diligent is to work with purpose and regards to one’s worth in the Empire.
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Redemption -
Although not always possible, those who are seen to have overcome their own failings and worse traits are acknowledged as those worthy of respect for such feats. To be redeemed is of itself to take upon duty and master it. Such a pursuit to rectify past mistakes is often viewed very favourably.
Sins
Vanity -
Pride without justification is considered a sin to those who worship Valthos. Those who are undeserving or promote their own unjustified self-importance and frequently frowned upon by followers of The Son.
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Gluttony -
Gluttony to the followers of Valthos is to gorge oneself in excess. Although it isn't related to those who have wealth, as this is often a sign of a respectable individual with a great craft. Rather it relates to those who gorge on food, clothes, materials or such things which would alleviate the problems of the average citizen.
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Dishonesty -
There is no reason why a citizen of the Empire needs to be dishonest to another. This belief is often broken even among the followers of Valthos either by omission or white lies. However it is when such dishonesty which results in severe disruption or duty or to the harm of others that this then becomes a sin worthy of punishment.
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Desertion -
To flee from one’s duty is seen as an affront to Valthos. Rarely is there a time where this would not see scowls from their peers or friends if someone was known as a deserter. However, redemption is always open for those who repent.
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Treason / Rebellion -
Raising arms against The Three, against the Emperor or his Adjudicators and their courts is considered one of the vilest sins any individual could commit. This in turn feeds into the notion that any such raising of arms against the divine authority of those who rule is generally reacted to with disgust at the onset of it.
Rumors
Rumors circulate about the Church of The Son being divided over the title of ‘Redeemer’ being given to Elves and Dwarves who excel in their craft and show loyalty to the Empire. Although it continues to be used.
Authors: Hokan, Maya, Rashan