Aekyric Creed

## The History of the Creed

### **The Roots - The Vakiyan Ministry of Alchemy (VMA)**

The VMA was the center of Vakiyan development of new potions, brews, and alchemical innovation. Over time, the Ministry had expanded into a wider Research & Development program for the Duchy. The Vakiyan Duke would occasionally subsidize their research, but a majority of their financial support came from the Gilded Rose company led by Florian del Rosario.

As a result, the Rosario patronage saw a sizable presence of VMA researchers present in the port of Dalmasca at its fall, which saw some of its brightest minds take part in the Dalmascan exile.

### **During the Seabound-Exile**

While aboard the exiled fleet, the remnants of the VMA conducted various experiments and studies despite their reduced resources and staff. Some of their discoveries enabled the fleet to navigate and survive in the harsh stretches of sea.

During the short stint on land in the polar regions of Avalor, they were the scouts who noted the presence of goblinoids and the different lifeforms that inhabited the area. Despite their pleas for the fleet to move on, Florian was adamant to stay a bit longer to gather materials before setting southwards. His decision was a mistake, but a lesson for the fleet and the VMA would take to heart--do not trust these new lands with their bounties.

### **Settling Down in Rabanastre**

Amidst the machinations of the Rosario family consolidating the newly formed state of Dalmasca, the scholars and scribes of the VMA would take notice of the ruins of what is now known as Sudraban. This massive, albeit unfinished granite pyramid stands out of the surrounding area like a sore thumb--to which the scribes were curious to understand who made them.

To the archeological team's surprise, there were some "people" who lived within the pyramid. However, these folks were clearly feral and had lost their humanity as they began to attack the team. After a brief chase down the hill and a swim across the stretch of water, the ghouls of Sudraban gave up their hunt. The VMA decided it be best to hire some of the Iron Shields as a liquidation squad against the ghouls, to which the Shields were more than willing to spill some blood.

The Iron Shields put down the ghoulish inhabitants after a couple of hours that comprised of ruthless slaughter and a bit of looting. Despite some damages to the pyramid, the archeologists got down to business and began to ascertain any information from the structure and its artwork. Along the walls, it depicted some pictographs and rudimentary artwork that show some human-like figures. It wasn't certain as to whether they are some kind of pantheon of deities they worshipped or rather some more *earthly beings*. However, that subject was debated constantly amongst the scholars for a time.

### **The Formation of the Dalmascan Ministry of Innovation (DMI)**

About a month since the founding of Rabanastre, the newly crowned Rey Florian sought to gather the remnants of the VMA under a new name and organization: The Dalmascan Ministry of Innovation (DMI). At the time of this decision, the Houses of Gold and Iron were left in the dark in order to allow the DMI to conduct their investigations and research unmolested by petty politics. Furthermore, it was to ensure that the DMI was solely loyal to the Crown and no other factions.

With the Royal backing, the newly christened DMI was granted access to a sizeable budget and information, which they took full advantage of. The rapid development of the capital, Rabanastre was thanks to their projects and revitalization of industrial techniques. Within a handful of months, the DMI had enabled Dalmasca to begin the mass-production of steel, alcohol, and agricultural products. These innovations allowed the dedicated miners to dig ever deeper into the untouched underground to acquire further raw materials. As a result, the local economy in Dalmasca boomed, signaling the beginning of the nation's economic dominance in Avalor.

## The One True Chapter - The Hierarchy

### The Sentinels

Provide guidance and are the main voice of the Elder.

### The Inquisition & Paladins

The Inquisition are those who investigate and conduct *business*. On the other hand, Paladins are the enforcers and disciplinarians of the Creed.

### The Scribes

Those who organize & maintain the Archives of the Creed

### The Initiates

Those who are involved and abide by the Creed but are not directly involved in its operations.

## The Aekyreis - The Lost Tome of Knowledge

### Rumors & Whispers of a Decrepit Black Book

This old leather-bound book has been the subject of legend for it is claimed to hold all knowledge of Avalor--past, present, & future. The Creed will obtain and delve into the ancient pages for *Knowledge is Strength* & *To Survive, One Must Learn*.

Many ancient regimes and societies have been noted to hold the book in their possession. The presence of the book provided untold knowledge and innovation to said society. However, they all inevitably fell, and the book disappeared from any records. The last society to be noted with the possibility of owning the book, the Pyramid People of Sudraban, only fell to ruin in recent history. This statement is based on the remnants of that society being slaughtered by the local natives of Tchita and a Dalmascan Scouting party.

The book itself came to attention of the Dalmascan Ministry of Innovation (DMI) through undisclosed means. There have been rumors that a specter of the past has enlightened the Heads of the Ministry. However, the researchers have deemed this to be simple mysticism & hysteria of the populace.

## The Acknowledged Denizens of Avalor

### **The Men**

The "Men" consist of three distinct categories: The Vakiyans, Natives of Avalor, & Constructs.

* The Vakiyans are those who have formed Dalmasca after their Exodus from the fallen Duchy of Vakiya. These individuals are new to Avalor and are somewhat naive to the workings of the land.
* The Natives of Avalor are relatively straightforward, those who have lived on Avalor for untold generations and know no other land.
* And finally, the Constructs. These beings are a subject of contested debate of whether they are truly alive or are they mockeries of life. Despite this constant debate, it was agreed upon that they will be included in the category of Men as they are made by the souls & effort of Men.

### **The Faeric Beings**

These entities, both sentient and animal-like are the embodiment of centuries of creation and Avalorian Magicks. Amongst this classification, those that are considered Faeric are:

* The Primal Elementals (or Primals for short) embody the six observed elements that make up Avalorian Magicks. The six elements are as follows:
	+ Aero, Terra, Aqua, Pyro, Lux, & Tenebris.
	+ Each Primal is recorded to be the Head of their element and the Faeric beings that harbor said element. Furthermore, they are near immortal, but not invulnerable.
* Spirits are categorized in two groupings, the earthly & the spectral.
	+ The Earthly Spirits are those noted to inhabit the nonliving essences of Avalor & functions of the environment. It is analyzed that these spirits can only maintain at most, two elements within their being from the moment of creation. Further research is required to ascertain the reasoning for such behavior.
	+ The Spectral Spirits are the lingering souls and consciousnesses of those who still cling to this plane out of malice, connection, or purpose. Only a handful of spirits have been documented to take this form, as the most notable is the current specimen dubbed [REDACTED].
* The numerous Druidic Races who embrace the whims of nature and do not mend to the wills of Men.
* The Ents, tree-like entities who will fight branch & leaf for their ecosystem. It must be noted that these creatures are not truly sentient but are *very hostile*.

### **The Blighted**

This organization of malign entities are broken down into two categories: The Blight Collective & The Afflicted.

* The Blight Collective: It is the amalgamation of a necrophage fungus that attempts to assimilate both flesh and stone as it spreads. It has no limits to its expansion if given enough time but can be beaten back by the practice of slash and burning.
* The Afflicted: These are entities that have been consumed or blighted by the Collective. When blighted, they lose all sense of self and are solely focused upon spreading the Blight through the slaughter of others.
	+ The Cave Denizens, Goblins, and Orcs are the main conduits of the Blight above the deep dark caverns.
	+ It is noted that Faeric Beings can be subject to consumption by the Blight if given enough time.

## The Blight

The source of the Blight has been recorded by Faeric scholars to originate from a Dwarven-like society which held the Aekyreis within their walls. After continual expansions into the unknown below, these Dwarves had met their match… they dug too deep. In the deep, dark depths of their society, they had unleashed an alien consumption upon Avalor–the Blight. This Blight consumes, kills, and assimilates all living and non-living entities it can get into contact with. Be it tissue or stone, the Blight will consume.

In the modern day, the Blight is colloquially called “Sculk”. Many men take the risk to delve deep to cleanse caves of the growths. However, their intentions were not for the good of the world, but for profit. This profit comes in the [mana] that the sculk has consumed which can be then used to enchant various items beyond normal bounds.

## The Final Chapter

You are not authorized to observe this. You are not worthy.