Hroli

## Beliefs

Hroli is a belief of strength, honor, and courage. It is a faith not for the weak or faint hearted. It is the native faith of the Njord’volk humans in the Nordic region of the continents’ Western side. It's a belief that focuses on the warrior mentality of the culture and the honor of their gods.

Brave warriors that die in battle go to the realm of Knarla with the gods to feast forever in the great mead hall of the gods called Jorallan.

Cowards or the dishonorable aren’t worthy of the presence of the Gods after death and are thought to go to the realm of Firja to pay for their weakness, cowardice, and betrayals.

Those that die of natural causes will either go to Firja for ill deeds and weakness, Knarla where the gods will grant them a peaceful farm forever blessed with bounty for living faithful and true to them, or Enna if they have accomplished nothing of honor or glory in life.

Hroth, the God of Forges

Rol, the God of the Sun

Nemana, Goddess of the Moon and Stars and sister to Rol

Scafti, Goddess of the Forest and Nature

Njolld, God of the Sea

Hagalath, Goddess of Death

Oran, Chief God of Kings and Warriors

## Myths/Stories

Oran and the six other deities of the faith were said to have created the world from the cut branch of a mighty oak tree and thrust it into the earth to sprout a new. The world that came about was called Ronar. It is believed that this is where the humans and all other cultures dwell. The gods are said to dwell in the skies above in the great trees’ canopy called Knarla. The roots of the tree are said to pierce and draw strength from 3 realms deep under the earth of Ronar.

Enna: The Void Realm of Nothingness

Ronar itself

Firja: The Realm of Flame and Punishment

## Sacred Texts

There are no texts of the faith known to man at the current time. Only a system of runic stone carvings are found amidst large standing stones across Njord’volk lands. They tell stories of the Gods and great warriors passed. Some are said to even be wards and spells to aid in battle and protect the realm they control.

Oral tradition is the main way the religion is taught and carried forward.

Shaman priests called Lorki are the main religious figures in the faith.

Seerers, or those that divine messages of the gods are also prominent figures in the faith. They are known as Drodgr and while they are not priests they are thought to be touched by the gods and able to have visions of what is to come.

## Ethics and Morality

Honor and glory in the warrior society is above all else.

Abide the law of the land, unless you are raiding or at war in the foreign realms.

Keep your word as it is a bond to the gods.

Fight with no fear of death, the Gods watch always.

Kill not the feeble or those that can’t carry the axe or shield, doing so is dishonorable to Oran and a path to Firja or Enna.

Honor the Gods always and never falter in faith and devotion to them.

Battle is where the spirit is tested but peace is where the soul is measured. Never neglect one for the other.

## Rituals

Gungar: Ritual combat to settle disputes and rivalries.

Harli: Marriage ritual

Blot: Sacrifice and feast ritual. Often called for a festival or social gathering by a noble or a Jarl.

Fjoral: Njord’volk funeral ritual, the body of the dead is burned or buried with riches and spoils from their life to take to the next world. The highest honored ones go with a ship that is burned, treasures and spoils of past raids and wars, and sacrifices of animals and even slaves.

Skalla: Standard worship of the Gods. Can be either at home, in gatherings, or at sacred sites.

## Social Structures

Jarls are the regional leaders and are supposed to be the ones to curry favor of the gods for the people they rule.

Lorki are the religious figures

Drodgr are the diviners and witches of the faith (spell weavers and herbalists, etc.)

Sacred sites tend to be things ranging from standing stones to stone circles, sacred groves to shrines, and hill or mountain temples

## Religious Experience

Battle and war, pillaging and raiding hold religious meaning to the Njord’volk.

Bounty and fortunes in peacetime are a sign the gods are with them.

Deep and fervent reverence in ritual and sacrifice are typical.

***(Written by Ricortix)***