Īrul

The Terrible Stranger

Identity

  • Title(s) – God of War, Īrul na Krûlln, Īruyl, Terrible Stranger, The Warmaker
  • Influence – War, Athletics, Discipline, Honor
  • Appearance – Īrul is usually depicted as a bearded warrior with a ready hand holding a sheathed weapon

Attributions

  • Symbol – Crossed Swords
  • Focus – Any mêlée weapon
  • Color(s) – Red, Black, Silver or Gold
  • Element – Fire
  • Animal – Bear, Īrul’s favorite steed

Cult

  • Center of Worship – Kyrm Oryrul, Wyrðyr Tor, Ummon
  • Scriptures –
  • Leader – Prydyrim Gor, …
  • Priesthood – Gor Ordus Īrul, Īrùlyr
  • Orders – Sacred Order of the Crossed Swords
  • Aspects – Endon the Unseated, Rûn the Dekàlyn
  • Touched – Vdr. Adàmas, Vdr. Eyr, Vdr. Shojum
  • Holy Days – Nor Kalàrdam
  • Friends – All Dekàli Cults and Orders
  • Enemies – Acentyra, Eylfāe, Ortor
  • Sayings – “Engage one’s enemy only once”, “Service is the greatest honor”

Introduction

Legends abound of the Terrible Stranger, a man striding across the battlefield, tirelessly swinging his sword through the bodies of those around him. Traditionally, the Stranger is only recalled following battle as the veterans gather to dress their wounds and reflect on the passing day. One by one the warriors recall an anonymous figure carving through the enemy lines with inhuman endurance and skill. No-one can recall who he might have been, or what he looked like. Such details are forgotten in the fog of battle where your world shrinks to only that within your weapon’s reach. Finally, the storytellers’ faces grow still as each realizes the Terrible Stranger was among them.

The morning clouds were leaving the high crags, revealing dozens of banners standing around the valley walls. A few small tendrils of smoke rose from below, reaching the tops of the canyon walls before being caught in the winds and carried away. The windows of the houses on the shadowy valley’s floor began one-by-one to glow with their morning fires. Above, the banners tipped and waved, signaling to one another. Responding, the troops began their heavy march down the valley walls. Soon, one more village would be reclaimed.

The history of Īrul is an integral to the history of Dekàlas. Often referred to as The Second God in Dekàlic writings, it is believed that Īrul “adopted” Rûn because he was so impressed with the prowess of the honorable Dekàli ðard-general. Before the arrival of Rûn at Wyrðyr Tor, Īrul was the god of the Krûlln. The Krûlln were a battle-hardened people of the Teréðori highlands. Although the history of Dekàlas as a culture of war predates the worship of Rûn, he is generally credited with the power and influence of the Old Empire.

The Cult

The Priesthood

The Sacred Order of the Crossed Swords is divided into several suborders devoted to separate fighting styles. Each suborder within the Cult devotes itself wholly to the perfection of the body and soul as understood and developed through the focus of one’s chosen technique or weapon. Those inducted into a suborder may never willingly take-up another weapon-type or their teaching and focus will be corrupted and all learning and benefit lost. This does not apply to unarmed exercises.

Daily Activities

Followers of Īrul pray to the Warmaker after waking and before retiring for the night. Between prayers, each follower is expected to practice with her chosen weapon, and hone her skills. Weapon practice is not viewed as a purely physical pursuit, so in addition to the practice of technique and form each follower should take the time to reflect on their lessons and those that are literate, are to read scripture.

Followers of Īrul (and Rûn) see themselves as protectors of those that are not enabled by the graced of Īrul. This sense of protective duty does not extend to foreigners. Followers also are required to aid friends and companions by teaching the basics or warcraft and discussing the more reflective aspects of the craft.

Holy Days and Rituals

Once each year, during the Midmonth days of Eren, the Īrùlyr of Ummon hold a wide-ranging competition called the Nor Kalàrdam (Great Festival of Tests). During Nor Kalàrdam, all healthy and able-bodied followers of the Temple of Īrul join in a massive series of competitions to determine the superlatives of each fighting style, culminating at the festival’s end with a bout between the two most victorious competitors. Priests and teachers do not actively participate in the competitions, but do serve as judges. The winner of the Nor Kalàrdam receives accolades from each of the suborders, and is accepted by the Sacred Order of the Crossed Swords into paladin training. A paladin within one’s suborder is a very high honor, and very seldom is this training refused. Refusal reflects very badly on the suborder and typically results in the competitor’s banishment from the suborder. These actions are almost unknown.

Places of Worship

  • Kyrm Oryrul
  • The Ring of Shrines. There are a series of twelve shrines that circle the mountain of Wyrðyr Tor. The buildings are connected by a long and slender footpath that rings the mountain. The vertiginous path is narrow in places and non-existent in others. Centuries of travelers and weather have taken their toll on the circuit. Acolytes have one day and one chance to complete the circuit at a time not of their choosing. Typically, the better an aspiring priest does at his or her studies and achievements the better the weather conditions selected. Those who have not impressed the clergy, are given the chance to redeem themselves by completing the twelve shrine course in inclement weather (e.g., snow, high winds, thunderstorms). Needless to say, the mountainsides of Wyrðyr Tor are littered with the corpses of those who believed they were worthy of joining the Gor Ordus Īrul, but were found wanting.

Nomenclature: Irul Dekàlic: Īrul (deity), Īrùli (pertaining to), Īrùlyn (follower), Īrùlyr (followers), Pryn Īrul (priest), Pryr Īrul (priests)