Capra

The Matter of Britain

Thanks for posting! Nice character, however there are only a few problems which I would like to address.

kingkonrad said
The Serpent

What has he done to gain that nickname?

kingkonrad said
crossbow

Remember that this is supposed to be a faux ninth century. A crossbow is way too advanced as a device for this age, especially in the hands of a Norseman.

kingkonrad said
Lindisfarne

Considering that your character is 31 (thus born in 845, considering that the current year is 876), this isn't quite possible, because the raid on Lindisfarne more than fifty years earlier in the timeline. Also, a Viking realm (Beornice) was estabilished in that region of England before your character was even born.

kingkonrad said
re-establish the weakened hold over the Isle of Man

In the current timeline, Manx is actually already a well-estabilished Norse realm. Your character's task might be that of convincing the various Viking lords of the isles to bend the knee to the king of Norway rather than conquer new lands in his name.

In general, since I'm going to post very soon a description of the various Viking realms of the isles, I suggest you to read that and then correct or rewrite your backstory.

The Matter of Britain

The Roman kingdoms of Britannia:

Dumnonia: The Regnum of Dvmnonia is one of the two former Roman colonies that have survived both the Empire's collapse and the Saxon invasions. Dumnonia was founded during the years of the Roman conquest of Britain as a vassal kingdom, and turned into a major centre of Roman power over the islands. The kingdom became especially famous during the reign of Constantine II of Britannia, the Slayer of Emperors. In 315, Constantine II led a rebellion against his father Constantine I (the founder of Constantinople). He usurped the title of Sovereign of Brythonia from the Artorians, and led a number of bloody campaigns of rampage throughout Western Europe, killing of no less than three Roman emperors (including his father); in the end, he finally managed to be crowned Imperator himself after taking Rome by storm in 351. However, he met his death a year later, when the Eastern Roman Emperor, Alexander VIII, led a punitive expedition against him and successfully reconquered Rome. Constantine III, his son, attempted to wage war against Alexander, but was soon assassinated by a conspiracy led by the Artorii, who sent his head to the Roman emperor in sign of submission. Constantine IV, only a small child, was allowed to keep the throne, however as a vassal of the Artorii. Today, Dumnonia has regained its independence, and stands proud as the last Britannian bastion of the Empire among an ocean of barbarians. Given its history, the kingdom is much more urbanized and centralized than the other Britannian states; the Rex is both head of the State and of the Church. An entire former Roman legion, the II Avgvsta, is under the command of the Rex. The current Rex of Dumnonia is Aurelius Secundus Constantinus, residing in Isca Dvmnoniorvm (often simply called Isca), and the most prominent religion of the realm is Solar Christianity.

Cornovia: The Regnum of Cornovia is the second Roman former vassal kingdom that survived the Empire's fall. The Cornovii are notoriously more militarized than their Dumnonian cousins, the reason of this being that while Dumnonia was meant to be a "all-round" state, Cornovia existed solely as a military outpost of the Empire. A proof of this is seen in the long standing Mithraic traditions of the kingdom, which have been syncretized with Christianity from the fourth century onwards. Currently, the throne is held by a cadet branch of the Artorian dynasty; Cornovia, in fact, was one of the centres of Artorian power in Britain, and the current residence of the Cornovian kings is Tintagol, the birthplace of the legendary Magnus Artorius. The Cornovian kings are still in command of the Ala Artorii Invicti, Artorius's former bodyguards. The current king of Cornovia is Magnus Quartus Artorius, residing in Tintagol, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Mithraic Christianity.

The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Britannia:

Kent: the Kingdom of Kent, although small, is notorious for being the first Saxon kingdom to be created in Britain. In fact, the kingdom was founded by none less than Hengist, a fifth century warlord, most prominent leader of the Saxon invasion of Britannia, and eventually the first one te be called King of the Saxons. He is widely considered to be the "Father of the Country" by the Saxons of the island, although he could not acquire much land from the Celts and Romano-Britons, barely holding dominion over what would later become Kent. He is most (in)famous, however, for the "Brad y Cyllyll Hirion" (Treachery of the Long Knives): at a council meeting, Hengist had several British sub-kings and lords treacherously murdered, after his supposedly unarmed Saxons hid knives in their boots. In recent times, the kings of Kent have decided to convert to Catholicism in order to become allies with the Karling Holy Roman Emperors; their Empire exists no more, but the peoples of Kent have remained Catholic and receive much support from the Church in Rome. The current king of Kent is Eadgar, residing in Fefresham, and the most common religion of the realm is Catholicism.

Suthseaxna: the Kingdom of Suthseaxna is the second Catholic Saxon realm. It was founded in the beginning of the sixth century by Ælle, a famous warlord who managed to be accepted as High King of the Saxons. While under Ælle Suthseaxna was a powerful kingdom and starting point for many Saxon incursions in all of southern Britain, this was not meant to be the realm's destiny; in fact, Ælle was defeated in battle by the Artorians, captured, and used as target practice by the Brython king's archers. Later, his descendants would prove to be masters in the art of bowing down to the most powerful lords of the moment. Recently, they have converted to Catholicism for much the same reasons the kings of Kent did, and the Church is very powerful in their realm. The current king of Suthseaxna is Eadweard, residing in Andredasceaster, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Catholicism.

Westseaxna: the Kingdom of Westseaxna is the last Pagan realm of the Saxons, and probably the most famous and feared of this people's realm. The establishment of Wessex started in the end of the fifth century when Cerdic and his son Cynric began to slowly drive out the Celts and the Romans from the area where they would later found their kingdom. Claiming descent from Wōden himself, the Cerdicing kings of Wessex remained staunchly pagan refusing to convert to Christianity. While the Cerdicing kings consider themselves to be the rightful Bretwaldas (High Kings) of the Saxons, their power has fluctuated over the centuries; arguably, they reached the peak of their power and fame in recent times, when Alfred of Wessex, the last to be universally recognized as Bretwalda of the Saxons, won an incredible victory at Ethandun in 838 over Gutrhum, the Danish King of the Danelagh, thus halting the Norse expansion into southern Englaland. Today, the kingdom of Westseaxna can be safely considered the most powerful of the Saxon realms, although it stands alone in its support of the Pagan ways. The current king of Westseaxna is Eadmund, residing in Wintanceaster, and the most prominent religion of the realm is German Paganism.

Eastseaxna: the Kingdom of Eastseaxna is considered one among the most prominent kingdoms of the Saxons, and for a wealth of good reasons. It was founded in the beginning the sixth century by Æscwine. A famous diplomat and politician, Æscwine is famous for having estabilished his dominion over what would become Eastseaxna in an almost bloodless manner; in fact, he managed to unite the various Anglo-Saxon tribes through diplomacy and because of the great support he received from the Pelagian Church. In turn, he was one of the Saxon kings who most contributed to the spread of Pelagian Christianity among his people; because of the fame of just and honorable ruler he had gained, and with the College's help, he was proclaimed High King of the Saxons, as were many of his descendants. However, the power of this ancient kingdom has dwindled recently, as the Norse have conquered their ancient capital, Ludenwic; also because of Viking invasions, the College has been forced to move from the historical seat of York to Berecingas, in Eastseaxna, where they have been welcomed with open arms by the kings of this realm. The current king of Eastseaxna is Eanhere, residing in Colneceaster, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Pelagianism.

East Engla: the Kingdom of East Engla is all that remains of the kingdom of Rædwald, first (and last) to be called High King of the Angles, rather than the Saxons. A famous ruler and warlord, Rædwald led a successful series of campaigns in the end of the sixth century, and managed to unite most of Englaland under his rule. During his reign, Saxon power in the islands reached an all-time high; however, after an indecisive, yet terribly bloody battle against the Brythons under Riothamus II Artorius at Wantage, Rædwald's dream of forging a united, Anglo-Saxon Britannia was shattered. The last years of his reign were marked by a civil war against Oswald of Northymbra, who desired to usurp the High Kingdom. Rædwald, very old, died of natural causes before the end of the war, and Oswald effectively gained an almost undisputed rule over all of Northymbra. Today, East Engla is a small but well-governed realm, and the descendants of Rædwald enjoy great prestige among the Saxons. The current king of East Angla is Eardulf, residing in Theodford, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Pelagianism.

Mercia: the Kingdom of Mercia is the Saxon kingdom which traditionally encompassed all of Middle Englaland. The kingdom is peculiar because, differently from the other Saxon realms, entertained a lot of commercial and politcal relations with the Celtic and Romano-Briton nations, this being especially exemplified by Offa the Good, king of Mercia. In 757, Offa married the Artorian princess Axyra, and shortly afterwards, following an elaborate diplomatic policy he managed to become Bretwalda of the Southern Saxons. He would rule in peace establishing good relations with the High Kings of Brythonia and Northanhymbra. Mostly concerning himself with internal affairs, Offa established a great system of burghs within his realm, while his monetary policies saw his coins being used in international commerce, his gold coins making their way as far East as the Abbasid Caliphate. Offa the Good died assassinated by his own son Ecgfrith, who would come to lose the High Kingship and his life on account of his later proven patricide. Today, although the kingdom of Mercia was severly hurt by the Norse invasions, it still remains a wealthy and prosperous realm and a major trading hub. The current king of Mercia is Cynewulf, residing in Weirwic, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Pelagianism.

Northymbra: the Kingdom of Northymbra is the realm of the Northern Saxons. It was firstly estabilished by Oswald the Great, the Divine Ruler and King of Northumbria. Oswald was a man of great ambition: his claim of being an envoy of God, his unequalled charisma and his usage of Christian beliefs and Church support to create a powerful royal cult, turned many nobles to his cause. His campaigns of unification brought the North under his rule and in the beginning of the seventh century, following the death of Rædwald, he enjoyed an almost absolute authority in the North of Englaland. Widely acknowledged as the Divine Ruler of the North, in the end Oswald managed to became Bretwalda in truth in 632. Following his death, his body remained uncorrupt. With his divinity proven, Oswald's remains became the focus of an important Saxon cult; he was canonized by the Pelagian Church, and his descendants later carrying his Invincible Right hand into battle as a relic guaranteeing victory. The kings of Northymbra, enjoy both a secular and spiritual authority among their people. The current king of Northymbra is Maldred, residing in Lonceaster, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Pelagianism.

The Matter of Britain

TheBlueShotgun said
Cool. Probably gonna wait for that post before I finalize my CS. Once again, I can not understate how pumped I am for this.

Done that! Btw, Roman, Norse and Saxon kingdoms coming tomorrow.

The Matter of Britain

The Celtic Kingdoms of Britannia:

Alba: The High Kingdom of Alba is the realm which should, in theory, encompass all of the southern part of Scotland. According to tradition, the High Kingdom was founded in the first century b.C. by Fergus Mòr Mac Earca, the legendary ancestor of the ancient family of the Gabráins and first High King of all Scotland. His descendants later split into two lines; currently the Eastern line, residing in the great stronghold of Dùn Chailleann (also called Dunkeld) hold the High Kingship, and have been for quite a long time. Although the power of the High Kings has fluctuated greatly over the centuries, the High Kingdom of Alba can be considered to be one of the most powerful nations of the North. The current high king of Alba is Kenneth mac Cinioch, residing in Dùn Chailleann, and the most prominent religion is Celtic Christianity.

Dál Riata: The Kingdom of Dál Riata is one of the lesser realms that are part of the High Kingdom of Alba, but refuse to acknowledge the house of Dùn Chailleann as rightful High Kings. The kings of this realm are part of the Western line of the dynasty descended from the High King of Alba Gabrán mac Domangairt, who in turn was a successor of Fergus Mòr. He is remembered as a prestigious and mighty ruler, and after his death in the end of the first century a.C. in the end of the fifth century the royal house of Alba decided to bear his name instead of that of Fergus. Several of the Kings of Dál Riata managed to be accepted as High Kings of Alba and ruled over the whole of the North, if only in name. The greatest King of the blood of Gabráin, Áedán mac Gabráin tried to unify Alba, Éire and the Hen Ogledd into one great Northern State; although he was initially successful, he was defeated in the battle of Degsastan by a coaltion of Saxon lords, suffering no less than 33 wounds. The current king is Duncan mac Bran, residing in Dùn Monaidh, and the most prominent religion is Celtic Paganism.

Ystrad Clud: The Kingdom of Ystrad Clud is the other realm that, while being formally part of the High Kingdom of Alba, does not recognize the current High Kings as legitimate. This kingdom in its current form was founded in the beginning of the fifth century by Artgal of Alt Clut, first King of Ystrad Clud and first (and last) High King of the Hen Ogledd. Known by the many as the Arthur of the North, Artgal of Alt Clut ruled over a vast kingdom centered around his great fortress of Dùn Breatainn, the oldest stronghold still standing in all of the Islands. His endless wars against the Picts ruined his kingdom, and while the Picts could not overcome him, the great fortress of Dùn Breatainn fell after a great siege by a great Saxon host of raiders, lasted for four months; in the end the wells of the castle dried out. In the end King Artgal and his followers decided to die of thirst rather than surrender to the Saxons. Still, the kingdom survived this ordeal, and still stands today. The current king is Meirion mac Bedwyr, residing in Dùn Breatainn, and the most prominent religion is Celtic Paganism.

Fortiu: The High Kingdom of Fortriu is the loose confederation of all the Pictish tribes and clans living in the northernmost part of Britannia. The first one to unify all these clans during the second half of the second century was Findláech mac Ruaidrí, first King of Fortriu. Findláech managed to become king after several successful campaigns throughout the North, and also managed acknowledged as High King of Alba. His rule was ephemereal, as he died at the hands of his own son Mac Bethad, Ri Deircc - the Red King. Mac Bethad would in turn become High King of Fortriu and Alba after brutally assassinating all those who would oppose him. Widely accused of using witchcraft in order to further his ambitions, Mac Bethad openly took the title of The Witch King of Fortriu. Several lesser kings are said to have died as a result of his witchery, and even Duncan, the then King of Alba, is said to have succumbed to his unholy powers. Being true to his blood, his son Mac Bethad II assassinated his own father, also taking to the title of Witch King of Fortriu with relish. The power of this ancient line has been reduced a lot over the centuries, but they are still feared enough to manage to keep the Pictish tribes somewhat cohese. The current king of Fortriu is Moireach mac Niall, residing in Craig Phadrig, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Celtic Paganism.

Caledonia: The Kingdom of Caledonia is the name given by scholars to the terriories belonging to the Pictish tribe of the Caledonians and their subjects, who do not recognize the High Kingdom of Fortriu's authorit; they are probably the most barbarous of all the Celtic tribes. Their chieftains claim descendance from Calgacus, King of the Caledoni, a true legend among his people. Calgacus achieved what many believed to be impossible; in the beginning of the second century, he united the disparate tribes of the North, to fight their common enemy: Rome. Even Tacitus acknowledged him as "the most distinguished and valorous of the chieftains". His speech before the Battle of Mons Graupius became part of the mythology of the Peoples of the North; he famously proclaimed: "Here at the very end of the Earth slavery is a thing unknown, and we would do well to die as free men rather than be the slaves of Rome." Then, he finished the speech saying that "the Romans make a desert and call it peace"", a saying often repeated throughout history. The battle was won, Calgacus died that day with honor, surrounded, yet never surrendering, prefering death to slavery. Today the Caledonians remain the fiercest of all the Pictish tribe, refusing to bow down to any High King. The current chief of the Caledonians is Maelchon mac Faolan, residing in Eilean Donan, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Celtic Paganism.

Rheged: The Kingdom of Rheged is all that remains of the Hen Ogledd, the "Old North"; which means, the last Celtic kingdom in northern Englaland. It was founded in the sixth century by Urien Rheged, King of Rheged and Sovereign Lord of the Hen Ogledd. One of the legendary Battle-Leaders of the Brythons, Urien Rheged imposed his authority over the Old North and halted the Saxon advance towards the North, thus being acknowledged as High King by the Brythons of the Hen Ogledd, and as Sovereign Lord by the Artorian kings of Brythonia. Invincible in battle and widely respected by the Brythons, Urien married the Artorian princess Morgana, and together they would sire a long line of kings. Morgana would later kill her husband and rule as Queen in her own right over Rheged and the Men of the North. While it is said that the Saxons of the South are steel, the Men of the North are stone. Now, this kingdom has been reduced in size and power by the Saxon and Norse invasions, and is the last home of the Gwyr y Gogledd - the Men of the North. The current king of Rheged is Owain mac Malcom, residing in Luguwaljon, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Celtic Christianity.

Éire: The High Kingdom of Éire is the kingdom which should, in theory, encompass the whole of the island. The first one to hold such a title in recorded history was Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, a legendary warrior and chieftain, who, according to tradition, unified the whole of Ireland under his rule in the first century a.C.. The legend says that, in a sacred ceremony on the Holy Hill of Tara, Brian married the goddess Medb, and as the ceremony came to a close Brian touched the Lia Fáil (the Stone of Destiny), and the stone sang, as it had not since time of Cúchulainn. As the rightful king of Ireland, Brian should have enjoyed a long and prosperous reign, but it was not to be; the Romans, feeling menaced by the king's ever-growing power and prestige among the Celts and fearing a Celtic uprising led by him, they decided to send a punitve expedition to Hibernia. At the Battle of Clontarf, Brian led his Fianna Fáil, his Warriors of Destiny, against a vast Roman host, and while his army emerged victorious their rightful king fell to treachery. It is said that in Sacred Tara the Lia Fáil roared with sorrow, and that since then it has fallen silent once more. Today, the kingdom of Éire is merely a shadow of the past, and its vassals are such merely in name, and govern their fiefdoms as petty kingdoms. The current high king of Éire is Murchad Ó Bradáin, residing in Bun na Raite, and the kingdom's population is evenly split between Celtic Christians and Pagans, although the king himself is Pagan.

Gwynedd: The Kingdom of Gwynedd is one of the three kingdoms in which Cymru has been divided since ancient times. The most important king of Gwynedd, however, was Maelgwn ap Cadwallon, who not only turned Gwynedd into a powerful and strong kingdom during the fifth century, but also managed to be proclaimed High King of the Brythons. Maelgwn remains a legendary character among the Brythons, partly because of Taliesin the Bard, his son-in-law and court bard, who immortalized him in the many great songs. Descendant of both Artorius and Constantine of Britannia on the maternal lines, Maelgwn was one of the chief supporters of Christianity in Brythonia. His agenda of turning Brythonia into a Christian nation turned the Pagan Brythons against him, and the king found his death at the hands of the Pagan priesthood, burned alive as a sacrifice to the old gods. Today, Gwynedd is still one of the major hubs of Celtic Christianity, and its beautiful and impregnable fortress-monastries are known in all the isles. The current king of Gwynedd is Rhun ap Tewdwr, residing in Aberffro.

Powys: The Kingdom of Powys is the second kingdom of the Welsh. This kingdom rose to prominence in recent times, during the reign of Rhodri ap Mawr the Great, King of Powys and High King of Brythonia. A staunch pagan, Rhodri was a legendary leader and general, and he is regarded as the main reason because of which the Norse never settled Cymru. The legend says that he was proclaimed High King because the other kings and chieftains were terrorized and impressed when he sacrificed a thousand Norse prisoners by burning them alive, as a sacrifice to the Celtic Gods. Ever impulsive and fearless, Rhodri died in battle against the Norse after charging their line alone, with his troops refusing to fight a greatly superior enemy. His death would inspire his army to victory and the name of Rhodri the Great would become a rallying cry against any subsequent Norse invasion. The current king of Powys is Alwyn ap Glynn, residing in Mathrafal, and the prominent religion in the realm is Celtic Paganism.

Dyfed: The Kingdom of Dyfed is the last of the Welsh kingdoms. The current kings of Dyfed claim descendance from Artorius himself, although they are of a cadet branch of the Artorian house. The kingdom of Dyfed is the only Celtic realm to have embraced the Pelagian religion; also, because of its vicinity with the Roman states, it is more organized and centralized than most Celtic kingdoms, and it is also heavily romanized, with Latin being the official language of the court. The current king of Dyfed is Maximus Valentinus Artorius, residing in Dinefwr, and the most prominent religion of the realm is Pelagianism.

Brythonia: The High Kingdom of Brythonia is, in theory, the state that should encompass the whole of Englaland, Cymru, and Dumnonia; however, it only holds a small fraction of these territories. Originally, it was born when Lucius Artorius, because of his military exploits as a Roman general, was named co-emperor and granted the province of Britannia, which was turned in Artorius's personal kingdom. The most famous of the Artorii, however, is undoubtely Magnus Artorius, whom, in the battle of Mons Badonicus in 500 C.E., utterly halted the Saxon advance towards the west and arguably saved Wales and Ireland from a Saxon invasion. In 537, he would die killed in sigle combat by his own son Mordred, during the Battle of Camlann. Since then, the main line of the Artorii, the Pendragons, reside in the kingdom of Brythonia, and albeit they lost much of their former power, they are still as prestigious as ever. The current king of Brythonia is Arturus Quintus Pendragon, residing in Corinium, and the main religion of the realm is Celtic Christianity.

Judah

Ashgan said
I see. Still, I realize I ran into a bit of a problem with the way I wrote my story, as, with the fact that about a hundred years passed in between the descent of the angels and the cleansing by God, it now stands that my character should be in their early hundreds (not, counting imprisonment). So, if characters in this world age normally, and thus have a life expectancy of, let's say, sixty-seventy (eighty?) years, which for the time is probably already quite generous, then that's a bit of an issue. I may have to do some reconstructing, which is a shame because I was rather satisfied with how it turned out. Hmm.Ain't nothing a covenant with an angel (or demon) would do about that, right?

Don't worry too much about that sort of things. After all, this campaign is inspired by biblical tradition, and in the Bible there are characters who lived for five hundred years. Besides, depending on which angel you decided to serve, you might find various ways to justify your aging being slowed down or halted (necromancy with Samyaza, your body being replaced by a writhing mass of humus and worms with Araqiel, etc.)

The Matter of Britain

TheBlueShotgun said
Very interested. Thinking about a Celtic pagan from Wales as my character. Quick question: how do you feel about characters of noble birth? Not necessarily rulers, but people with family ties to Chiefs and Kings and such.

No problem about that! On that note, I'll soon post the descriptions of the various kingdoms and realms of the islands, also with a short history of their noble or royal families.

The Matter of Britain

kingkonrad said
I'd love to be in for this. Save me a spot, as a Norse Huscarl.

Sure! Just for you, here's the Norse (and Romano-Briton) religions.

Religions available only to Norse characters:

Norse Paganism: Norse Paganism, also called Forn Siðr ("the old way") or Ásatrú ("allegiance with the gods") by those who practice it, is the traditional religion of the Norse people. Many gods and goddesses are worshipped and venerated, and even though adherents may specialize their worship to a particular god or goddess, all deities in the pantheon are believed in; these deities include Óðinn, Allfather and lord of Valhöll, Thórr, god of lightning and owner of Mjölnir; Týr, god of law and heroic glory; and Freyja, Óðinn's wife and goddess of magic, fertility, and love. Practices include ancestor worship and remembrance, blóts, sacrifices (sometimes humans) and the raising of runestones as signs of devotion to the ancestors or deities. Other mythological creatures, such as giants, dwarves, elves, etc. are also a part of this religion. There are also nine homeworlds which the followers believe the gods used to shape the world we live in today, some of which are Miðgarðr (land of the humans, middle land), Ásgarðr (land of the Aesir), Jötunheimr (land of the giants), Niflheimr (land of ice), and Múspellsheimr (land of fire). Religion is administered by a class of priests called goðar, in a manner vaguely similar to the Celtic druids. In Britannia, the lands in which this religion is followed are all those that have been touched by Viking colonization, with the exception of the kingdom of Danelagh. Norse religion is symbolized by the raven, found on many Viking banners and emblems.

Norse Christianity: also known as Scandinism or Kristatrú, this religion is a product of the Viking contacts with Christianity in their first raids in the Frankish kingdoms and in Britain, in the second half of the eighth century. During this time, Christian books began to circulate in Scandinavia, brought by the raiders returning homewards, thus leading to the Norsemen "discovering" Christianity on their own, without any missionary activity from any Church. In time, some pagan rulers and chieftains in Scandinavia, seeking a broader source of legitimacy than the old tribal links, decided to formally embrace Christianity; meanwhile, many of these books (mainly from the New Testament) were translated into Old Norse and re-written in the runic script by some pagan scholars and priests who too had embraced the Christian message. Thus, from a Norse interpretation of the Christian scriptures the Kristatrú church was born. Many parallels were drawn between the figure of Christ and the Norse god Baldrs, and this new Baldrs-Krist deity, seen as the son of Óðinn the Allfather and the Allmighty, has become the protagonist of a new tradition of sagas with a Christian theme. Other Norse gods are also venerated as minor deities, subservient to Óðinn and Baldrs-Krist. In Britannia, the Scandinists, a minority among the Norse, who do not have an organized clergy, often choose to unite in small communities residing in the territories of tolerant pagan lords; they tend to be more "civilzed" and peaceful than the rest of the Norsemen, engaging in activities such as trade or agriculture. A Norse Christian shrine or place of worship can be identified by the large cross-shaped symbols, covered in sacred runes.

Ragnarökic Paganism: known as Røkkatrú by its followers, Ragnarökic Paganism or Fenrirism is a particular branch of Norse paganism, focusing its worship on Fenrir, the wolf destined to devour Óðinn, and his sons, Hati and Sköll. The Ragnarökic cult sees the Aesir as gluttonous corrupts and the Vanir as debauched revellers. They believe that during the end of time, the Ragnarøkkr (Twilight of the Gods) or Ragnarök (Fate of the Gods), Fenrir will devour the Aesir, the Vanir and their corrupt realms of Ásgarðr and Vanaheimr and afterwards rule the renewed Miðgarðr with those that stood by his side, purged of the tainted influence of the Aesir and Vanir. Also, other chtonian deities are worshipped, such as Hel; according to Norse mythology, these gods will be spared during the times of Ragnarök. This cult is effectively an inversion of the traditional Norse religion, originally developed in the coldest regions of the far north of Scandinavia: the fearsome and fierce peoples living there were very jealous of their independence, and when other Norse rulers attempted to subjugate them, they asked the evil gods of Norse mythology to grant them victory; it seems that this request was fulfilled. In Britannia, the Røkkatrú are very few, and are viewed with a mixture of fear, hatred and admiration. Appearing as blood drenched, crazed beasts on the battlefield, they can be often seen in the retinues of kings or warlords, who allow them to mantain their religion in exchange for their services on the battlefield; also, upon becoming a part of the cult, they are branded for life with the symbol of a wolf on their chest or back. They say that, if you wander around too much, you can see small congregations of them in isolated places in the deep of the night, performing their strange, macabre rituals...

Religions available only to Roman characters:

Solar Christianity: Solar Christianity is a branch of Christianity (not recognized as such by any other Christian church) established in the fourth century and popularised during the reign of the Roman Emperor Alexander VII, in a desperate attempt to reconcile the two most prominent religions of the Empire; the Christian religion and the cult of Sol Invictus. Solar-Christianity claims that the Christian messiah Jesus of Nazareth is the son of God, and Sun Incarnate. While it does share basic elements with other Christian creeds, its pagan elements (such as the adaptation of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti as central holiday, or the personality cult of the Emperor as Christ's sole successor) make other Christian creeds treat their Solar brethren with suspicion and caution. Solar Christian monarchs enjoy undisputed authority, stemming from the Solar component, and supported by Saint Augustine's theory of "Civitas Dei" (City of God), according to which a strong secular state is required to protect the faithful from evil until the Day of Judgement comes and a pure Kingdom of God is created. In time, Dumnonia became a major centre of this almost "artificially created" religion: when the Empire became officially Catholic again, they kept practicing their own kind of Christianity, more or less secretly. When the presence of the Church disappeared around the fifth century, they simply let the Solar traditions resurface. Today, Dumnonia is a true spiritual hub to Solar Christians in all of Europe, with even the other monarchs of this faith recognizing the spiritual superiority of the Dumnonian Rex, who is also head of the Ecclesia Solis. The religion is very organized, and bishops and priests, dressed in golden garbs adorned with the sacred sun cross, can be seen offering animal sacrifices to the Sun-Christ and administering holy masses in richfully decorated churches and cathedrals in all of Dumnonia.

Mithraic Christianity: this religion is a sort of peculiar blend of Mithraism and Christianity. Adherents to this religious sect believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the incarnation of the Romano-Persian deity Mithras, "Mithras-Christos" (Mithras the Lord). It combines many Mithraic and Christian elements, both in the theology and in the practice, but the core belief is that Christ is Mithra made flesh as Redeemer of the World, sent by the God of Light to save humanity from the darkness. Mithraic Christianity is very different in its message from other Christian sources in that it is highly militant: the faithful believe in sacrificing themselves in "fighting evil" at all costs, in order to one day resurrect to fight again, led by Mithras-Christos, against the forces of the darkness. Just like Solar Christianity, this religion is not even considered a heresy by other Christian churches: in fact, it is seen as an outright heathen faith. However, differently from its Solar "cousin", this religion was spontaneously born when the Mithraic Mysteries and the Christian faiths, which both held a significant presence in the Roman army, slowly began to integrate with each other. Many military vassal kingdoms were originarly Mithraic in faith, so when Christianity became the state religion of the Western Empire, they adapted it to their own traditions and customs. After a very long process of synctretization, which lasted a couple of centuries, an organized church was set up in Ravenna, Italy, in the attempt to unify the Mithraic Christian faithful of the former Roman military colonies of all Europes, such as Cornovia. In Britannia, the holy warrior priests of Mithras-Christos, adorned with the symbol of the flaming cross, can be seen at the head of the armies of Cornovia, chanting sacred hymns and smiting their enemies in the name of their God.

The Matter of Britain

Religions available only to Saxon characters:

Germanic Paganism: German Paganism, also referred to as "Furistaz Siduz" (Foremost Custom) by its adherents, is the traditional religion of the Germanic peoples living in mainland Europe (mainly Germania and Frisia). While German and Norse paganism are essentially two branches of the same tradition (thus sharing many similarities), the cultures, names, and practices are different, which means that describing them as the same religion would be inaccurate. Main gods and deities include: Tiw, one-handed god of war and fair rule; Thunor, god of thunder, wielding the hammer Mjollnir; and Frig, wife of Wōden and goddess of fertility. Without a doubt, however, the most worshipped god is Wōden, the Allfather, lord of Walhall, the Hall of the Slain, and god of magic and divine inspiration. Religion is administered by the chieftains of the various tribes, who are seen both as secular rulers and as priests; typical rituals and pratcices include sacrifices in shrines located in sacred groves (called "wēoh" or "hearg"), ritual banquets called "blótan", and the raising of great wooden idols resembling large trees (known as "irminsuls"). Most Saxon rulers, upon arriving in Britannia, have forsaken the ways of their ancestors, and embraced Christianity instead. Today, only one openly pagan Saxon realm remains: Westseaxna. The Western Saxons have always staunchly remained pagan, refusing to convert to Christianity; the only Christian king they had was murdered by a heathen conspiracy led by his own son! The most common emblem of the Saxon heathens is the Valknut or Walknut, the Knot of the Slain, symbolizing warriors who fell in battle.

Teiwazic Paganism: Teiwazic Paganism, also known as Teiwazism or Tiwism, is the branch of German Paganism that places Tiw, instead of Wōden, as the most important deity and ruler of the heavens. Tiw or Teiwaz ("Shining One" or “the God”) is mainly seen as a god of war and patron of warriors; however. he is not a god of mindless slaughter and carnage in the battlefield. Instead, he represents noble battle, lawfulness, justice, honor, and courage; for these reasons, it is thought he will only grant victory to those who fight for righteous causes, such as a defensive army that fights for freedom or simply for survival. Tiw is also depicted as waging an eternal war against Hymir, his father, a god of chaos and destruction. This cult was brought by some Saxons tribes and clans from Germania to Englaland, and there a caste of warrior-priests of Teiwaz slowly developed, sponsored mainly by the kingdom of Westseaxna; the kings allowed them to mantain their creed, and in exchange they were charged with training the new generations in the arts of war and defending the borders of the kingdom against Celts, Norse, and Christians. These paladins of Tiw can often be seen presiding over peculiarly martial rituals, such as ritualistic duels, to gain the favor of Tiw and mantain a strict discipline among the soldiers. They also make sure that the Teiwazic code of law is respected, and as such, no one but them may administer the punishment against those who have wronged it. Tiw is symbolized by the Tir rune, representing a sword; many warriors scratch his name in runes on their sword-blades for good luck and bravery during battle.

Earendelism: Earendelism, known also as Wulfilism (after the legendary prophet-monk Wulfila, who is said to have introduced this religion to the Germans), is a particular branch of German paganism in which traditional focus on Wōden moves to a deity known as Ēarendel or Auzawandilaz, "the luminous wanderer", god of dawn and of the morning star, present also in the main branch of German paganism as a minor deity. This god is seen as waging an endless war against the forces of the Muþspell, "the world destroyers". This eternal conflict is destined to end in the times of Götterdämmerung, the Twilight of the Gods, a series of cataclysmic events that will cover the world in darkness and flames and destroy all the other gods; however, thanks to Ēarendel humanity will endure and rebuild. It is a very syncretic faith, incorporating many elements of Manichean and Christian theology. This religion, originating in southern Germania, spread in a capillary manner throughout the various Germanic tribes, and eventually arrived in Englaland during the Saxon migrations. The structure of this cult is reminescent of that of the mysteric cults, with a very secretive organization and different levels of initiation. For this reason, Earendelists rarely openly celebrate their light-worshipping rituals (such as the gatherings on hilltops or other elevated places to worship the dawn and the morning star) and are viewed with suspicion by the other pagans. Earendel is symbolized by the Dæg rune, representing day or daylight.

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The Matter of Britain

Religions available to all characters:

Catholicism: although Catholicism is universally (and rightfully) regarded as the most important and influent branch of Christianity in Western Europe, the Catholic Church holds actually relatively little power in Britannia. The isles were simply too far away from the main papal seat of Rome and of little importance for the Pope's interests, and the rise of the Pelagian doctrine further reduced the Church's influence in the archipelago, as we shall see later. However, Catholicism appeared again in Britain in recent times, around the beginning of the ninth century, when the Saxon kings of Kent and Suthseaxna decided to embrace this doctrine; this was a strategic move to gain the favor of the Catholic rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, which at the time was the most powerful realm in Western Europe. The two kings decided to embrace the Catholic faith in order to become a part of the Empire's sphere of influence, and thus gain its protection against their Pagan and Pelagian neighbors. Thus, the Catholic Church abruptly re-entered the islands, and using the two Saxon kingdoms as footholds, flooded the archipelago with missionaries and priests, however obtaining only scarce results in bringing back Britannia under the hegemony of the Pope. Now, Catholicism has relatively little followers in Britain; except in the two kingdoms of Kent and Suthseaxna, Catholics are viewed with suspicion in all of Britannia, and sometimes even persecuted. This religion is symbolized by the papal tiara and crossed keys, emblem of the Vatican.

Pelagianism: Pelagianism is a Christian doctrine, condemned as heresy by the mainstream Catholic Church. Its name comes from that of Pelagius, a British monk and theologian born in 390 CE. Pelagians hold that Adam, the first man in Biblical tradition, never incurred any "original sin", only that he set a bad example for humanity. Consequently, humanity is not doomed to sin, but instead chooses to sin of its own free will. Therefore, humanity has never been "tainted" by any primordial sin, and it is capable of choosing right and wrong without need of divine aid, but merely because of their own God-given free will. This belief directly contrasts with that of the Catholic Church, which claims that man is inherently evil and that man cannot come to God without the grace of God, symbolized by the Baptism. When Pelagianism first appeared, it was a mostly underground cult, opposed and persecuted by the Church and the Roman Empire (which at the time was already enforcing Catholicism as a state religion). When the Saxons invaded, many kings of this people decided to convert to Christianity; however, in order to oppose the Catholic Romans, and seeing the Catholic churches and monastries as an easy target for plundering, they decided to embrace the Pelagian doctrine. Thus, the Pelagian monks and priests, which had been forced to hide under the Roman Empire, were given the occasion the spread their creed throughout Britain, especially among the Saxons; thus, in a short time, the doctrine of Pelagius became the most widely followed Christian creed in Albion. Quickly, Pelagians set up their own Church, resembling that of the Catholic, led by a council of high ranking bishops (known as the College). The seal of the College and of the Pelagians in general is a white rose, symbol of purity. The College used to reside in York, but after the Viking invasion, it was forced to move to Berecingas, in Eastseaxna. Today, the predominantly Pelagian realms are Eastseaxna, Mercia, Northymbra, Est Engla, Danelagh, and Dyfed.

Religions available only to Celtic characters:

Celtic Paganism: also commonly known as Druidism, Celtic Paganism is the mainstream religion among the Celts. Followers worship various tribal deities, including some of the more pan-tribal deities such as Teutatis, Taranis, Lugh, Nuada, Brighid, in a fashion which has not changed much since the early Iron Age. In addition to these deities, they also place an emphasis on their ancestors and local nature spirits, often associated with stones, trees and bodies of water. Special connection to nature in Celtic Pagans' religion is also illustrated by the importance of sacred trees (especially oaks) and the usage of mistletoe as sacred medicine. In social life, the most important feature of the religion is the central role played by its clergy, the Druids, in maintaining religious and social cohesion. They are responsible for organizing worship and sacrifices, divination and judicial procedure. They preside over complex rituals revolving, for example, around sacred banqueting and animal (sometimes human) sacrifices, following a calendar based on Moon cycles. Although Druids prefer keeping away from the sphere of politics and abhor putting any sacred lore in writing, or maybe because of that, their spiritual aura goes much beyond those following the Celtic traditional religion and is widely respected, even by worshippers of other cults. Druids are also law-speakers, poets, and doctors, thus playing a fundamental role not only in the religious sphere, but also in everyday life. A typical Celtic symbol is the triskelion or triple spiral, found in many artifacts and emblems in the Celtic world. The old ways of the Celts remain strong especially in Ystrad Clud, Dál Riata, Fortriu, Rheged and Caledonia in the North, Powys in Cymru, and the western half of Éire.

Celtic Christianity: also called Hibernicism or Cúchulainism, Celtic Christianity is the result of the syncretism between Christianity and the local Celtic traditions. Christianity arrived in Britain in the beginning of the 4th Century, but as the Roman Catholic presence started to become unstable, local clerics reinterprated Christianity in a fashion more in line with their own Celtic traditions, creating a new variant of Christianity. Old Celtic traditions kept alive by Druidism slowly became more and more intertwined, and as a result, Hibernicism developed into an ever-changing, peculiar synthesis between its fading Christian background and the revived Celtic belief system. In particular, characters of the Christian Saints and Celtic heroes influence each other, to the extent that the historical figure of Jesus of Nazareth is often merged into one of the most prominent characters of the Celtic sagas, Cúchulainn. Celtic Christians do not have an organized clergy or unified church: their priests and bishops are much more similar to the druids of old than to their Catholic or Pelagian counterparts. However, they do refer to the whole of their community as the "Church of Saint Patrick". The most common symbol of the Hibernicist faith is the so-called Celtic Cross, standing tall in many Celtic monastries and churches. Today, Hibernicism has many followers among the Celts, especially in the kingdoms of Alba, Gwynedd, Brythonia, and the eastern half of Éire.

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The Matter of Britain

The peoples of Britannia:

The Celts: the most ancient of all the peoples of Britannia, the Celts have inhabited and dominated the archipelago since times long before recorded history. Traditionally, the Celts have always been divided in many different tribes, clans, and petty kingdoms, and so they are today: tribal bonds are very strong among them, and different tribes, even those that share the same language or culture, may despise or even hate each other because of ancient rivalries or feuds; sometimes, however, many different tribes may unite under a more or less powerful High King. The druids, priests and seers of the traditional Celtic religion, are also held in very high regard by all the Celtic peoples. After the Saxon and Norse invasions, the only Celtic kingdoms and tribes that have remained are the following: Dal Riata, Fortriu, Ystrad Clud, Alba, Rheged, and the Caledonians in the North; the three Welsh kingdoms of Powys, Gwynedd and Dyfed in Cymru; Brythonia, last Celtic bastion in Englaland and home to the descendants of the great Artorius; and lastly, the high kingdom of Éire.

The Romano-Britons: when Britannia was conquered and colonized by the Romans, the Empire found it wise to not only subjugate or eliminate local tribes, but also, in order to tighten its grip on the islands, found various semi-independent Roman colonies and vassal kingdoms, headed by a Rex, a sort of hereditary governor. The Empire has collapsed long ago, and only two of these colonies exist today: Dumnonia and Cornovia, both located in the south-westernmost part of Albion. Compared to the rest of the peoples of Britain, Roman society is way more organized and well structured, with both the former colonies enjoying such things as a professional army, a very efficient infrastructure, and advanced knowledge of architecture and engineering. The most common religion among the Romano-Britons is Christianity, although two different doctrines of this religion exist in the two kingdoms.

The Saxons: invading during the years of the Empire's collapse, the Saxons have become the most numerous people to inhabit the island, settling in the vast region now known as Englaland. The Saxons, however, have never been a united folk: in some regards, their society is even more balkanized and tribal than that of the Celts. Thus, while being one people, the Anglo-Saxons are divided in a myriad of petty kingdoms, in a sort of feudal society. Each kingdom is headed by a King, who rules over a varying number of earls. Although an ambitious king might manage to unite various different kingdoms and proclaim himself High King, after his death his realm will most likely split up again. The Saxons do not share a common religion: many still hold true to the Pagan ways of their ancestors, but even those who have converted to Christianity are divided between various creeds and doctrines. The Saxon kingdoms are Northymbria, Mercia, East Engla, Kent, Westseaxna, Eastseaxna, and Suthseaxna.

The Norse: the most recently arrived in Britannia and perhaps the most determined of all invaders, the Norse have descended initially upon the islands as pillagers and raiders. However, they soon started to settle on its shores, and to carve kingdoms of their own on their shores. The great Viking warlords, with hordes of warriors behind them, are often the fathers and founders of these kingdoms, and their descendants still hold their thrones. However, Viking society is simple and primitive, with personal loyalty to one's warlord (called Konung or Jarl) is the main bond uniting a king to his subjects; thus, it shouldn't surprise that raiding and trading are the most practiced activities by the Norsemen. The Norse are mostly Pagan, but a few Viking kings and lords have become Christian. The Norse realms in the islands are Sudreyjar and Orkneyjar in the North, the pseudo-republic of Ulaid, the island kingdom of Manx, the three great kingdoms of Beornice, Jorvik and Danelagh, and the small realm of Anglia.