New Pelorian

"When a nomad wants to talk of home, when a servant wants to talk of freedom, when a priest wants to talk of the world, or when a merchant wants to talk of gods; they use New Pelorian. It is a language which turns the unknown into the known, turns the strange into the familiar, and the foreign into the intimate. New Pelorian is the greatest gift of the Goddess, for it reveals that We Are All Us." - Poem by anonymous author.

Before the Goddess was reborn, there were three great languages found in Peloria:

• In the centre was the ancient tongue of Dara Happa, inflexible and exacting, they claimed it was the original tongue of all people. To make the unchanging runes, the Buseri scribes used reed pens pressed into soft clay which was then baked; or carved with chisel and hammer into raw stone.
• In the west was the strange sounding language brought by the Carmanians. They claimed it was the original tongue of all people. The glyphs used by the Carmanian wizards were painted on papyrus scrolls, made from the reeds around Lake Oronin.
• In the south came the barbaric Therelmic tongue, which was used in Sylila and the other storm worshipping lands. They claimed it was the original tongue of all people. The ancient symbols were inscribed into wood, and scratched into the hides of animals by the Greybeard sages.

The Goddess saw this, and knew that each language was wrong, but also right. They could not all be the original tongue of all people, but they each contained seed from it. Each had a written form, but they were hidden away by knowledge hoarding cults.

The Goddess sent her daughter, the Great Sister Deneskerva, to find the truth hidden within the languages, so that her message could be spread to one and all, sage and savage. Deneskerva went abroad the fledgling Empire to speak and listen to all those who would talk with her. She heard their words, and found the right ones within them, the words that would be the True Language of the Goddess. When she had them, she went to a scribe to build that tongue. Together, she and the scribe also shaped the Dara Happan runic script into something that could be written on papyrus.

The result, New Pelorian, was a language unlike any other in Glorantha. Its words came from languages all across Peloria, but healed and repaired, so that they were as one. Although one word may come from Carmanian, and another from Dara Happan, through the miracle of the Great Sister, they could be used and understood together, as if they were always meant to be.

The Great Sister spoke to the missionaries of the Red Goddess, instructing them in this new language, which they shared with the people they went to enlighten. Its perfection made it easy to learn, and soon the foreigners could understand the missionaries perfectly. The missionaries were also able to carry sacred texts with them, for papyrus was much lighter than clay tablets.

Within the Empire, the script and words were shared with the scribes of Irippi Ontor, who were not afraid of change like other scribes. They used it to translate the ancient texts into new scrolls that could be read by anyone. They taught it to workers, to priests, and to nobles. Even when their own language was sufficient amongst their own people, New Pelorian was used to speak to foreigners, to record information, and to read the words usually kept hidden by the old priests.


The symbols of New Pelorian
New Pelorian's script was derived from the ancient Dara Happan Sacred Alphabet, but altered to make it easier to learn, read, and write. Allowing literacy to spread like wildfire.

Z        Little changed from the original Dara Happan rune, being only altered to use a pair of strokes.

T        This glyph has not fundamentally changed from the Sacred Alphabet.
U        The bottom part of this glyph has been left off, while the rest has been rounded into a simple loop.

R        This glyph has not fundamentally changed from the Sacred Alphabet.
L/Y        The ancient runes L and Y were simple dots within a square and triangle. New Pelorian has merged the two symbols, if not the sounds themselves (usually), by replacing the containers with the celestial circle.
Th        This glyph has been rounded, and the two sides have been fused at the top for less strokes to be required.
F        Once a diamond with a small line within, the line has been lengthened, and the diamond rounded into a glyph resembling the Moon Rune.
P        The bottom side branches of  this glyph has been left off, while the rest has been rounded into a simple loop.
I        The crossbars have formed a loop to the right of the glyph.
E/V   This glyph still resembles the Dara Happan rune for E, even though it has absorbed the rune for V. This has resulted in a "paddy field" effect for some names, like Everina, the goddess of rice.
M       This glyph has not fundamentally changed from the Sacred Alphabet.
S        The lower half of this glyph has been rounded.
O       The left and right extremes of this glyph have become more flamboyant, but otherwise it has changed little.
A       This glyph combines both the old A rune of the alphabet, with the feminine suffix which made the same sound, while simplifying both.
H       Like many others, this rune has been rounded, especially at the bottom.
G       This glyph has changed little, with only the characteristic rounding having taken place.
N       This glyph has not fundamentally changed from the Sacred Alphabet.
D       Like the glyph for L, the old Dara Happan D rune has been rounded, turning a oblong into a circle.
Sh      This glyph has changed little, with only the characteristic rounding having taken place.
J         The top crossbar has merged with the upper limbs of this glyph, which have themselves been curved, making it resemble a staff with an inverted stasis rune atop it.
Qu      The wings of the ancient rune have become a continuous loop, with the dark core being replaced by light.
W       While the crossbar has remained unchanged, the diagonals have become curves.
B        The lower strokes of the ancient rune have gone, taking it to a simple glyph.
K        The diagonal stroke to the top right has been eliminated from the ancient rune, and its form exaggerated into the modern glyph.

Vrimak

Vrimak depicted in the common Anaxial-era style.

Mythos and History
Vrimak first flew through the skies when the world was young. He was the Bright Eagle Lord, who carried the All-Seeing Eye within his talons. He did not land, for he was a creation of the Pure Light, and could fly even when asleep.
It was only when he looked down, and saw Avarnia, goddess of ancient Jarasan. Her beauty was unmatched in all the world, and not even the glories of the sky could match her grace. Vrimak descended through the sky, descended through the air, until his talons touched the ground.
Vrimak romanced Avarnia, and their children filled the land of Jarasan. From the running birds, to the soaring birds, the land was bountiful, and Vrimak returned to the sky, taking Avarnia with him as his bride.
As children of the High Flyer, all of Jarasan worshipped birds. The men rode upon the greatest of the Tall Birds, and were mighty hunters and warriors; the women danced among the plump birds, and provided life to the land. All was good until the serpent came.
The serpent slithered across the land, devouring all that was good. All that flew retreated to the sky to be with Vrimak, leaving only the Tall Birds, and the people.
As the people despaired, a man came amongst them. He proclaimed himself child of the All-Seeing Eye, and carried fire within his breast. He bound the serpent up with earth and shovels, but the serpent was clever, and hid inside the man, although no one knew.
All of Jarasan thanked the man, who called himself Murharzarm. He gave the people the gift of worship, allowing them to fly up to reach the sky to meet with the gods. Murharzarm was so worthy that the gods themselves descended from the sky to pay him homage. Even great Vrimak roosted upon Murharzarm's arm, declaring him to be his successor, the second Bright Eagle Lord, and that all should follow him.
One of Vrimak's children was not like the others. Where they were bright and glorious, she was dark and spiteful. Where they bore feathers of great beauty, she wore nothing like a worm. She was called Mahaquata, and had long since left the gaze of her father. When she saw Murharzarm who had tamed the serpent, she was angry, as she always was when someone could do what she could not. She met with others, such as Blows From Within and the Armless Howler, and conspired with them.
They took everything that was wrong, and evil, and impure, and created a weapon. They then entered the home of Murharzarm, and while Mahaquata distracted her father, the others plunged their weapon into Murharzarm's chest.
When Murharzarm died, everything went wrong.
Vrimak returned to the sky, despairing at the corruption of his kin. The conspirators fled in shame and horror of what they did, and all the people of Murharzarm fell upon each other in fear. The serpent, BernEel Arashagern, now freed once again, burst its boundaries to devour the world.
Fortunately, Murharzarm had a son, Jethsarum. He had been trained by his father in the arts of rulership, trained by his uncle the Red Planet in the arts of war, and trained by Vrimak in the arts of devotion. He bound BernEel Arashagern as his father did, and when the serpent tried to escape, used violence to force it to stay.
He was elected by the people as the next Bright Eagle Lord, in his father's place, and he ruled justly. But the serpent had a mother, the Mother of All Serpents, she of the blue blood and dark heart. She would crush and devour all of the world in vengeance, so Jethsarum sent his people to live on the great ship with others, while he went to face her. He died, but saved the world in doing so, so made Vrimak proud.
After Jethsarum's death, the master of the great ship assumed the role of leader, although no one ever proclaimed him Bright Eagle Lord. When they saw it was safe to return, the gods of Jarasan took the people within their claws, and departed the ship. They found the ancient city of Verapur within the lands, and Vrimak sent his son Tholm to roost within its temple. Jethsarum now had a statue before the temple of Vrimak, to bless the city, and protect it from serpents. Verapur was the jewel of the world, and the lords of east and west both came to grace it with their presence.
But goodness never stays. Although Verapur was bright, the world was not. Kestinoros, the newly crowned Bright Eagle Lord and descendent of Jethsarum, saw this when he spoke with Tholm, Vrimak's messenger. He saw the monsters coming from the north, the children of Mahaquata and worse things, and they were bringing with them a castle of ice.
Kestinoros sought the greatest soldiers in the world to war against these monsters, that he called the Erkarkest, but the others refused. They did not fear what they could not see, and would not risk danger. Knowing that Jarasan could not hold out alone, Kestinoros sent his people south, with Tholm to protect them, while he took his soldiers north to face the Erkarkest.
When Kestinoros did not return, the people knew that they were doomed, and went to Tholm, to beg for his protection. Tholm spoke with his father, Vrimak, who descended downwards once more. At first, people were frightened by his brightness, but then they saw him darken with sorrow. His wings turned black, his beak became obsidian, until only his burning eyes remained visible, as his wings mantled everyone. This was Vrimak the Night Eagle, who would protect his people with sorrow, as the world outside turned to ice and ash.
By the time the Erkarkest were gone, and Vrimak had lifted his wings once more, the people were lost. They did not know their faces from those of their neighbour, and had forgotten how to worship vrimak. They followed whatever lords and gods would protect them, and Vrimak no longer shone, nor carried the All-Seeing Eye.
It was only much later, when the people were labouring under many horse worshippers, when they discovered who they were. A man came amongst them, who called himself Avivath the spearman. He fled the horse worshippers, who intended to kill him, for he knew of the Truth. He showed the people of the land about Vrimak and Tholm and showed them how to worship the gods correctly. In one hand he bore the All-Seeing Eye, that he called Antirius; and in the other he carried the Roost of Tholm, upon which the Hawk God perched. He renamed the land Kestinaddi, after the Roost. He named a youth as the Bright Eagle Lord, and the land became well.
When the All-Seeing Eye returned to the Sky, Vrimak took it once again in his talons, and carried it from west to east, only stopping once, when the people of the land called on Avarnia to woo him once more, that they might birth a perfect god once more from the cosmic egg.
Ever since then, the people of Kestinaddi have risen and fallen, with even the name changing to Rinliddi, but Vrimak has remained in the skies.

Nature of the Cult

Lunar-style statue of Vrimak

Vrimak is the Celestial Eagle, the bearer of the All-Seeing Eye on its journey across the heavens. All across Peloria he is recognised as one of the portions of Yelm, and so his avian children are given pride of place across the land.
After death, his worshippers know that they will join with the birds of the sky world, becoming magnificent of plumage, and beings of pure fire.

Depiction
Vrimak is depicted as either a bird, or as man with the head and wings of a bird. While many Rinliddi families depict Vrimak as their ancestral bird, he is most commonly seen as the golden Sun Eagle of Peloria. He is often on fire, as befits a sky god, and sometimes bears the All-Seeing Eye within his talons or hands.
Plentonius identified the fourteenth figure of the first row of the Gods Wall with Vrimak, although later scholars have claimed this is his son Tholm (who Plentonius identified as figure seventeen of that row.)




Runes
Vrimak is the source of the Bird Rune, a specialization of the Beast Rune. He is also strongly associated with the Sky Rune.

Sky Rune
Vrimak is the Lord of the Above, the Bearer of the All-Seeing Eye, and the Wings of Shining Heaven.
His initiates are known to use the Sky Rune to illuminate their surroundings, make their swords burst into flames, reveal hidden things with the rays of the sun, see in darkness, and terrify creatures of darkness. Unusually for Solar cults, they may also use their Sky Rune to scare and burn horses.
Worshippers who are powerful in the Sky Rune Affinity are loyal, honest, and pure.

Bird Rune
Vrimak is the Father of Birds, the God of Eagles, and the High Flyer. He is the source of the Bird Rune, and his initiates can make a very broad use of its powers. His initiates are known to use the Bird Rune to speak to and command birds, grow mighty wings, change their head into that of a hawk, spot enemies at a distance, breed fine hawks, heal birds, and to summon and command lesser bird gods.
Worshippers who are powerful in the Bird Rune Affinity are just and merciless.

Particular Likes and Dislikes
Vrimak is friendly with most other gods of fire and the sky. Especially honoured is Murharzarm and his father the All-Seeing Eye (who the Dara Happans call Yelm), who Vrimak bestowed his favour. It is common for noblemen of Rinliddi blood to worship both Vrimak and Murharzarm. Also favoured is Shargash, god of the Red Planet, and uncle of Jethsarum. He is better known to the Rinliddi as Vaskaru the warrior.
The darkness is hated by Vrimak, in part because it was his daughter who brought it into existence. His worshippers will rarely have non-violent relations with any creature or worshipper of darkness.
The greatest foe of Vrimak are the serpents, that is viewed with the same vehemence other cults save for Chaos. The serpents include water gods, dragons, and other vile and low creatures.


Cult Organization and Holy Places

Rural Rinliddi shrine to Vrimak

The cult of Vrimak has a very loose structure, with each city in Rinliddi having its own traditions and rituals derived from those given by Avivath. While there's no official hierarchy, traditionally the high priest of Diavizzi has primacy over the high priests of other cities.
All priests acknowledge the Bright Eagle Lord, Vrimak's representative in the world, as their superior. This position is normally synonymous with that of the Emperor of Dara Happa, but on occasions when Dara Happa has been seduced by darkness or serpents, Rinliddi has remained pure, and a new Bright Eagle Lord has been chosen by the gods.
Vrimak's temples are circular towers, guarding a paradisal garden within, where birds of all kinds congregate in harmony.
The greatest of these towers is in Diavizzi, and is said to enclose the roost of Tholm when it is not being held by the current Bright Eagle Lord. The high priest of Diavizzi knows the truth, that the temple itself is in fact Tholm's roost, and that each supplicant who wishes to beome the Bright Eagle Lord must visit the temple to commune with Tholm and Vrimak.

Priests
Vrimak's priests, also known as Resplendent Ones for their brightly decorated feathered robes, are now a common sight in the cities of First Blessed. Where once they donned their garments in secret, fearing Pentan or Dara Happan reprisal, the Resplendent Ones now perform their ritual dances upon the re-sanctified temples of Vrimak.

Holy Days and Sacrifices
Vrimak has four major holy days, taking place on the equinoxes and solstices. On the Ninth day of Sacred Time, Vrimak's cult holds Egg Day, celebrating when Vrimak hatched from the cosmic egg to oversee the world. The festivities involve grand feasts, usually consisting of egg dishes sweetened with dried fruit.
On the eighth day of the sixth week of Youth Season (Fireday of Harmony Week in Fire Season) is the Summer Solstice, marking Vrimak's High Holy Day. This day has largely been eclipsed by Yelm's celebration, but Vrimak's temples are still open for Zenith Day, marking the point when Vrimak reached the apex of the sky on his flight. Feathered sashes are given out to the masses, and even during the most solemn of Yelm festivities, the people can be seen covered in the brightly coloured garments.
On the second day of the first week of Harvest Season (The Waterday of Stasis Week in Earth Season), the Rindliddi celebrate Nest Day, when Avarnia romanced Vrimak, and the celestial couple became one. On this day, Rinliddi woman are allowed to ask men to marry them, in what one Dara Happan emissary described as "Near Ulerian levels of debauchery."
The fifth day of the first week of Dying Season is called Mantling Day (The Fireday of Illusion Weak in Dark Season.) As the Winter Solstice, the day is sacred to the Night Eagle aspect of Vrimak, and commemorates when he wrapped his wings around the desperate exiles from ancient Jarasan. (The Dara Happans claim this is a misidentification of the Roof of Manarlavus) On this day, the Rinliddi try to stay indoors when possible, and weep for those brave enough to stand against the glacier.


Initiates

• A Prospective initiate must have a Sky Rune or Bird Rune rating of at least 1w.
• While most Vrimak initiates are men, women are not technically forbidden from the cult, and numbers of them have been increasing since the rise of the Red Moon.

Subcults
Most temples to Vrimak are centred around the worship of one or more of his children. Here are some of the more common subcults found in Rinliddi:

Jethsarum
Jethsarum is the High Heat, son of Murharzarm, nephew of Shargash, and slayer of serpents. When the Serpent tried to devour the world, he used the rituals of his father, and the spear of his uncle to bind it into impotence. When the Mother of All Serpents came, he stood with his uncle to defy her, while the good people fled. His cult provides the Enemy of Serpents Feat.

Night Eagle
Vrimak became the Night Eagle when all was lost, and the world grew dark. He took his wings and mantled the survivors of the serpents, of the Erkarkest, and other horrors. He kept them safe, when only his eyes could provide light. Worshippers can use their Sky Rune affinity to be the light in darkness.

Pre-Jenarong era statuette of Veng

Tholm
Tholm is the Descender Hawk, the god of falconry, and is visible as the rays of the sun. He is the intermediary between Vrimak and humanity, and much of Rinliddi can trace their descent from him. His worshippers can use their Bird Rune to become a hawk.

Veng
Veng is the god of Avilry, trained by Shargash in the arts of war. He rides upon the ancient augner birds, and has been persecuted since before the dawn. Only with the coming of the Red Goddess has his temples been reopened, and only with her blessing have the augners been reborn. His worshippers can use their Bird Rune affinity to hatch augners, and to aid riding them.

Devotees

• An initiate of Vrimak with a rating of 11W in their Divine Rune Affinity may dedicate themselves completely to Vrimak and become a devotee.
• Devotees are subject to the usual restrictions.

Feats
Devotees of Vrimak may perform magical feats: repetitions of his mythic deeds. Some feats are universal to the Vrimak cult, others are associated with a particular subcult.

All-Seeing Eye
Within his talons, Vrimak grasps the sun, the great All-Seeing Eye. His foes cower and prostrate themselves beneath it, for they cannot hide their foulness from his sight. Any who are impure who approach him will find themselves cleansed and burned by its brightness, but while holding the All-Seeing Eye, Vrimak cannot ignore what he sees, even when it drives him to despair.

Paradisal Aviator
As the dancer in the skies, Vrimak is the the lord of flight. He gave wings to the planets so that they might dance around him; he raised his lover Avarnia to the skies, so that they would no longer be apart; and when the Erkarkest were revealed, he stripped them of their wings and drove them to the ground. All who fly do so at Vrimak's whim, and any who displease him, he may send plummeting downwards, while raising up those he blesses.

Enemy of Serpents
Jethsarum was the great enemy of Serpents. He bound BernEel Arashagern, the Arcos River; and confronted the mother of all serpents. With his spear Entika, he could strike the secret parts, and make their life blood run free. While he stands against them, they cannot ignore him. While he wields his spear, they cannot fight others. And so he is their greatest enemy.

Lesser Bird Gods
All birds, even the least worthy, have a spark of the divine within them. The divine ancestors of the birds still dwell within the sky world, and worshippers of Vrimak can summon and command many of them.

Ivory Kestarthi charm

Kestarthi
The Kestarthi are the last children of Vrimak and Arvania, who ascended with their parents to the Sky World to provide beauty. The strongest Kestarthi are minor gods in their own right, and descended once again to aid the people of Rinliddi by carrying the words of Vrimak to them.
In their native Sky World, the Keskarthi resemble birds of every kind, made of living flame. Many of them can also take the form of a Rinliddi nobleman, but with the head and wings of a bird.
The Dara Happans count the Kestarthi as one of the many hosts of Certami.

Erkarkest
The Erkarkest are the evil false-birds, who aided Mahaquata to slay the glorious sun. For their crimes, they were stripped of their wings, and sent to crawl upon the ground like serpents. Despairing over their blasphemy, they crawled into the forbidden places, and are fit only to be hunted and killed.
The God Learners, on hearing of the Erkarkest, proclaimed the Durulz of Maniria to be their descendent. Despite this the Rinliddi use the name much as others would use demon, monster, or krjalki; and include bats, trolls, and even pentans as forms of Erkarkest.

Moonstones

Inspired by discussion on the Glorantha Google+ page here

Gold and Carnelian broach depicting the Red Goddess.

The term Moonstone is used within Glorantha to refer to a wide variety of objects. From the nearly mundane pieces of sard and onyx used as jewellery by the lesser nobility of Peloria, to the myriad charms used by the unkindled lunar worshippers, the term can refer to almost any stone; although usually only those of red, black, white, and blue are considered truly sacred.
However, these moonstones are pale reflections of true Moonstones, just as spirits and spells are pale reflections of the true magic of the Red Goddess.
True Moonstones are said to have come from the Red Moon itself, and can take nearly any form or substance; making it easier to understand how the lesser or false moonstones could be mistaken for the real thing.

What sets them apart is their power. Each Moonstone seems to glow with the light of the Red Goddess in one of her seven phases, even those associated with the dying or black moons shine a contradictory bright shadow. Lunars who have kindled their Moon Rune find this spiritual radiance calming, and those who have been crazed by Occlusion can find their madness quieted when in its presence. The Orlanthi claim to find the glow of a Moonstone irritating, and attribute this to the Moon's Chaotic nature. At least one instance of kinstrife has been blamed on poisoning by powdered Moonstone.

The effects of Moonstones have been well attested, if not well understood:

• The Moonstone may be used to summon a Lune, much as a shade can be summoned from a pool of darkness, or a campfire can be used to give birth to a salamander. The stone will typically crumble after use, or at least be lessened by the summoning.
• The Moonstone can be used to to craft a Glamour as if the Moon was full. The Moonstone can only be used a few times for this purpose before it crumbles to dust.
• Even those whose Moon Runes are not kindled can use a Moonstone to create an Evocation based upon the phase of the Moon the Moonstone is associated with. The Moonstone is always consumed by this. Regardless of the phase of the moon, this is always a stretch.

Natural Moonstone prism.

What only the most Illuminated understand about the Moonstones, is that they are not truly real.

Each Moonstone is a fragment of the Red Moon's power, substantiated in Glorantha. They are solidified Lunar magic, a Glamour made manifest. As such, they can be unwoven from their material shape, and used to shape Glamours. When used to summon a Lune, the Moonstone is instead rewoven into the form of a Lune, and some say that Lunes can be turned into Moonstones in turn.

Because Moonstones are a form of Glamour, Moonstones can be created by powerful magicians, such as the Crater Makers.  The making of Moonstones is an exhaustive process, and even then the Moonstone is lesser than those created by the Goddess and her attendants, and will fade eventually.


This of course, leads to a further revelation. As Moonstones are made from the same substance as the Red Moon, and as Moonstones are a form of Glamour; the Red Moon itself is a Great Glamour, woven by the Red Goddess to be her footstool when she ascended. This is why it waxes and wanes with the Lunar cycle, not as its cause, but as its symptom. The Goddess Rufelza, seen as the material aspect of the Red Goddess, can also be seen as the Lune manifested as the Red Moon.


Blue Moonstones
Blue Moonstones, also known as Dead Moonstones are superficially similar to normal Moonstones. They give off a spiritual light and are connected to the ancient Blue Moon of the gods age. Despite the name, Blue Moonstones are rarely blue, instead being a dull grey. It is only when viewed with magical senses, that the deep blue light they give off becomes visible.

Unlike regular Moonstones, Blue Moonstones cannot be used to create Evocations, nor can they aid the creation of other forms of Glamour.
Instead of a Lune, a Blue Moonstone may be used to summon a Selene, also known as a Dead Elemental. These spirits are invisible to normal vision, but are all too real when they engulf their victim. Those unfortunate enough to be swallowed by a Selene slowly has their soul unravelled. Their fire goes out, their breath becomes shallow, their body becomes withered and frail.
They can only take form from the invisible light of a Blue Moonstone, making them thankfully rare.

Yelm

Damaged Dara Happan Sculpture of Yelm

Mythos and History
In the beginning was the One, the great being who created the world. He created the Celestial Court to rule his creation along side him, and all was perfect. Then, the Celestial Court had many children, so many so that the One could no longer be part of the world. He went among the gods to choose a successor, to rule in his stead. He chose Bright Yelm, the shining child of Aether Primolt, one of the Celestial Court.
The One and the Celestial Court got together, and combined their powers to create the Staff of Justice, which the One gave to Yelm, giving him the power of Divine Order to rule the world.
As the leader of the gods, Yelm proved himself wise and powerful. He filled humanity with fire so that they might be worthy; he tamed the dark dragon, turning it into his throne; he married the goddess Dendara, bringing unity to the world; and he bore a son, Murharzarm, who was the Best Man.

Murharzarm tames Nestendos

When Nestendos the serpent rose against Yelm's kingdom, it crushed all gods who tried to oppose it. Yelm himself went forth to confront the serpent, but could not, for it was as corrupt as he was pure, and his purity prevented him from being corrupted by touching it.It was then that Yelm's son, Murharzarm proved himself worthy, because he confronted Nestendos. He broke the serpent's teeth with his scepter, he stared it down, and bound it with the sacred tools of the Working God, his uncle. The serpent was bound into the earth by the workers, who sang songs to please her, and in this way Nestendos became Oslira, the Great River.
Yelm, seeing his son do what he could not, was pleased, and secretly arranged for Murharzarm to complete Ten Tests which could not be done by anyone who was not the rightful Emperor. When Murharzarm completed these tests, he became the First Emperor of the Rich Land, Dara Happa, and became his father's successor.
Murharzarm ruled for fourty thousand years of peace, and none troubled Dara Happa during his reign, until the end. Some of the gods despised Yelm and Murharzarm, and denied Divine Order. They gathered in secret, and created Death. Creeping into the royal palace, they struck down Murharzarm, piercing his body and sapping his blood.
When Murharzarm was killed, the world was broken. Yelm could not bear to see his son die, and so broke himself. The rebels despaired at what they did, but could not set it right, so fled.
When Yelm was broken, his many parts separated. Some became worshipped as gods, such as Vrimak the Eagle of Heaven, and Antirius who was Yelm's staff.
Without an Emperor, the people of Dara Happa despaired, and they named the son of Murharzarm in his place. But now Death had come, men were mortal, so each Emperor lasted for only a while before another must be chosen. These Emperors always bore Antirius, so they were the rightful Emperor, but none were as great as the First.
After a myriad of years; after great Emperors, and poor Emperors, and even the Empty Emperor; after even the light of Antirius had been lost; came Khordavu. He was born with no shadow, and reclaimed the lost divine regalia of the Emperors, which had been lost.
So great was Khordavu that he united the fractured lands, and dismissed the false Emperors, showing himself to be the True Emperor blessed by Antirius. He became the Emperor, and Yelm rose once again in the sky, united once again.

Nature of the Cult
Yelm is the Sky Father, the Sun who crosses the sky each day and rules over all. He is the Fire of Life, the Source of Warmth, the Lord of the Above. Even amongst those who claim the sun is their own, lesser godling, they still know of Yelm, and fear or respect him.
Yelm is the Dispenser of Power, the Highest Lord, the Keeper of Order, and the Maker of Classes. He wields the Divine Order which governs all life, naming and taming the lawless who seek to bring down the social hierarchy, and bringing them to heel. He dispenses justice, and is the perfect ruler.

Depiction
Yelm is always shown as the perfect Dara Happan Emperor, usually sat enthroned, and holding the Staff of Justice and the other regalia of the Dara Happan Emperor. As the earthly manifestation of Yelm, any depiction of an Emperor is also a depiction of Yelm, and the two are not easily distinguished.
Plentonious identified the central figure of the Solar Court on the Gods Wall as Yelm.

Runes
Yelm is the owner of the Sky Rune and is also strongly associated with the Mastery and Stasis Runes. As such, Yelm is one of the Great Gods of Glorantha, acknowledged even by many cultures that do not worship him.

Sky Rune
As the owner of the Sky Rune, initiates of Yelm can make the broadest possible use of the powers of Sky. A very incomplete list of the abilities Yelm initiates have been to use the Sky Rune for include: burn trolls; blind foes with bright light; command and heal birds and horses; enchant gold; illuminate their surroundings; improve their spear, mace, and bow fighting; make their weapon erupt into magical flame; protect themselves against defilement and temptation; purify themselves and others; raise themselves into the air; and summon and command lesser Sky gods.
The Sky Rune aspect of Yelm is called Yelm the Warrior, and those with a strong affinity with this rune are loyal, honest, and pure.

Mastery Rune
Yelm, as the Emperor of the Universe, is the source of the Mastery Rune within Dara Happan religion. An incomplete list of the abilities Yelm initiates have been known to use their Mastery Rune for includes: awe crowd; bless citizens; command followers and citizens; command griffins; convince citizens; inspire courage; inspire loyalty; name enemy; and summon citizens.
The Mastery Rune aspect of Yelm is called Yelm Imperator, and those with a strong affinity with this rune are proud, just, and authoritative.

Stasis Rune
Yelm is the bringer of Divine Order and Justice, preserving the universe from those who bring disorder and change. He also showed people the correct way to act in life. An incomplete list of the abilities Yelm initiates have been known to use their Stasis Rune for includes: calm anger; calm winds; control flood; drive away clouds; extinguish wildfires; protect weak; recite poetry; and slow enemies.
The Stasis Rune aspect of Yelm is called Yelm the Teacher, and those with a strong affinity with this rune are stubborn, inflexible, and exacting.

Particular Likes and Dislikes
As the head of the Celestial Pantheon, all other sky gods respect and pay homage to Yelm; who responds with grace and honour to each. His sons often try to outdo each other to earn their father's respect, which Yelm encourages, for he enjoys seeing his sons perform great deeds to help his people.
Yelm is often opposed by those who reject the social order, such as the gods of Storm and Darkness. These monsters refuse him his just due, and are so banished to live outside the Rich Land of Dara Happa. When their worshippers attack, the worshippers of Yelm are well prepared to send them back to where they belong.

Cult Organization
Despite Yelm's paramount status in Dara Happan religion, he is viewed as too pure and glorious for most to worship directly. For that reason, most nobles are only lay members of Yelm's cult, worshipping the Allfather through his tangible incarnation, the Emperor of Dara Happa.

Priests
Despite Yelm's importance, he has only a few hundred priests devoted to him. These Sun Priests spend almost all of their time running the temple in each Dara Happan city, devoting themselves entirely to Yelm. They rarely congregate, and when they do it is for matters of grave importance, where the Emperor of Dara Happa himself conducts the rituals.

Centre of Power, Holy Places
Every city or town in Dara Happa possesses a temple to Yelm an their centre, which will be the largest and most impressive building in the settlement. This temple will be surrounded by those of other gods, acting as attendants and protectors, just as their gods attend and protect Yelm himself.
The greatest and most ancient temple of Yelm is the Tower of Yelm in Raibanth, the earthly residence of the sun god. The Tower is too holy to rest upon the ground itself, so Yelm raised a mighty ziggurat beneath it, so that his followers could approach him, although he has not descended there since his son's murder.

Holy Days and Sacrifices
Yelm has four holy days throughout the year, each marking a significant point in Yelm's history.
On the first day of the first week of Youth Season (Freezeday, Disorder Week, Sea Season), Yelm's return is celebrated. This day ends the long winter, and signifies the coming of warmth and light. The Emperor Khordavu, who was enthroned when Yelm returned, is remembered at this time, and it is also known as Khordavu's Day in his honour.
His High Holy Day, known as Enthronement Day, takes place on the eighth day of the sixth week of Youth Season, on the Summer Solstice (In the Theyalan Calendar, this would be Fire Day of Harmony Week in Fire Season). This day naturally celebrates his enthronement, when Yelm became the dispenser of Divine Justice. The cities of Dara Happa throw great rituals of celebration, proclaiming the greatness of Yelm and his manifestation in the Emperor. The streets throng with people, with nobles of all standings making their way to Yelm's temple to boy down in homage. Despite this, to non-Dara Happans, it seems rather sombre, with the celebrations restrained, and often likened to a funeral.
Other, lesser holy days are held on the fifth day of the first week of Harvest Season (Fireday, Stasis Week, Earth Season; also known as Marriage Day) celebrating Yelm's marriage to Dendara, this is often an auspicious day for marriages; the eighth day of the sixth week of Harvest Season (Fireday, Movement Week, Dark Season; called Doomsday) mourning Murharzarm's death, Yelm's disintegration, and the start of winter; and a final one on the third day of the third week of Dying Season (Fireday of Death Week in Storm Season). On this day, known as Ash Day, everyone in Dara Happa paints themselves in ash and mourns the loss of Yelm and the Emperor, who is traditionally kept within his chambers on this day.

Initiates

• All initiates of Yelm must possess an affinity with the Sky Rune.
• They may approach Yelm in any of Yelm's three Aspects, choosing either the Sky, the Stasis, or the Mastery Rune to be their Divine Rune affinity.
• Only male members of the Dara Happan nobility may join Yelm's cult, although in practice this means any male citizen of Dara Happa.

Subcults
Yelm had many children, siblings, aspects, and heroes whose worship are connected with his. Although some are worshipped as independent deities, others act as subcults of Yelm.

Antirius
Antirius is the Divine Order, which manifested in Yelm, but was also present in the regalia of the Emperor. He dispenses wisdom and justice, allowing all to know the true way to behave. Members of this subcult can use the Mastery Rune to dispense justice, and to know justice.

Arraz
Arraz is Yelm's brother, and servant to the celestial gods. Many foreigners assume that this makes him low in rank, but nothing could be further from the truth, for Arraz rules the people of the sky world, and many celestial beings serve him as he serves others. Members of this subcult can use the Stasis Rune to ensure their masters wishes are done, and command other servants.

Avivorus
When a decadent Emperor took the throne of Dara Happa, Avivorus rose up to oppose him with the blessing of Antirius. He struck down the Emperor, and for his great purity, was taken up to serve Yelm as his Hastatus, or Spear Bearer. This subcult provides the Sunspear Feat.

Hyraos
Also known by some as Yelm the Musician, Hyraos Truetune was appointed by Yelm to care for the Harp of Harmony. He taught the children of Yelm music and joy, and his skillful playing brought joy to the Emperors. This subcult provides the Song of Laughter Feat.

Raibamus
Also called Raiba, this god is the governer and protector of Raibanth, the greatest city of Dara Happa. All inside the city pay homage to him, but those who join this subcult are counted as guardians of the city, and may use the Stasis Rune to protect Raibanth.

Ulkamoon
Ulkamoon is the fearsome god of the Mace. When the Griffin and the Bear sought to steal the sacred Yarm Tree, Ulkamoon drove the Griffin away with his terrible strength. This subcult provides the Jugger Feat.

Urengerum
Urengerum was once the god of the lost city of Elempur, before it was destroyed by the Ram People, He was saved by the Emperor, who named him Saggitus, and given a place as Yelm's Bow Master. This subcult provides the Bow of Dominion Feat.

Sculpture of Urengerum from ruins by the Hydra Mountains

Devotees

• An initiate of Yelm with a rating of 11W in their Divine Rune Affinity may dedicate themselves completely to Yelm and become a devotee.
• Devotees are subject to the usual restrictions.

Feats
Devotees of Yelm may perform magic feats, repetitions of their gods' mythic deeds. Some feats are universal to Yelm's cult, others are associated with specific subcults.

Bow of Dominion
The Bow of Dominion connects the fires of Yelm, with the ground Below. With its power, all those in the air who deny Yelm, may be sundered, and sent crashing down to the ground below. Wielders have used its power to drive off false suns, bats, and unruly winds, driving them down, never to rise again.

Jugger
The Jugger is the Mace of Yelm, a brutal weapon that cleanses the heavens of the impure. Anything the Jugger strikes is shattered, falling broken in pieces to the ground. Even the planets and stars fear the Jugger, for its appearance signifies the anger of Yelm, and they will move to avoid his wrath.

Song of Laughter
By weaving together a trio of tunes, Hyraos could cause anyone, from Emperor to barbarian, to know joy in their heart. No one who hears this song can resist smiling, and even the most heartless barbarian will be filled with laughter and joy, rendering them unable to fight.

Sunspear
The Sunspear is the cleansing ray of light which burns the unworthy. When thrown it seeks out those who place themselves above others without the Divine Order, and pierces their hearts. When held it burns all unworthy materials, and pierces through even the thickest of armour.

Lesser Sky Gods
Yelm is emperor of the sky, and so commands all lesser Sky Gods. Most never leave the sky world, prefering to remain in that land of purity, rather than risk contamination with the ground below. Those that do are either summoned by a follower of Yelm, or are sent for some divine purpose. The most common of these are the Certami and the Furies.

Certami
These mighty beings are also known as Arrazites, Luxites, or Shanasse; and resemble winged Dara Happan noblemen clad in clothes of gold. While most are simply citizens of the sky world, those in the lower world will only ever see the warriors. Clad in radiant armour, these warriors are armed with flaming spears, maces, and bows.

Furies
At the wedding of Yelm and Dendara, the monstrous Gorgorma gifted Yelm with her furies. Yelm would have refused this gift, but could not see them, for only those who have transgressed against Yelm can see their horrific visages.
These demonic beings act as Yelm's agents of reprisal, tracking down those who have committed crimes against Yelm, and tormenting them.