Forna Seders förbundna kyrka

Neophytes engaged in communal outdoors worship.

The Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is the Norse community folk congregation in the Benacian Union that is governed by the United Ecclesiastical Corporation of Benacia. The faith, brought into compliance with the Union Covenant, worships the Aesir as being manifestations of the Archonic powers and the celestial temple, bound in service to the Highest Divinity.

The congregations of the faith in former Shirerithian Benacia were subjected to state led purification efforts after the Auspicious Occasion of 1651 AN, so as to cleanse the surviving worshippers of the Vanic taint brought on by long association with Stormark. As such, the worship of the Vanir pantheon is prohibited under the threat of the most severe penalties for all concerned. In the modern era, the congregations tend to emphasise their historic association with Normark as a means of asserting the Humanist doctrinal purity of their religious system.

Governance

Hierarchy

The hierarchy of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is as follows:

The Fylkir: The Fylkir is the religious head of the church and has the authority to call for a Great Holy War and lead the faithful in battle.
The Temple Holders: The Temple Holders are priests who can inherit titles and marry. They are responsible for leading the faithful in worship and performing religious rituals.
The Galdrs: The Galdrs are practitioners of secret spells and are considered to have a special connection to the gods and goddesses.
The Faithful: The faithful are the members of the church who follow the faith and attend religious services.

Organisation

The organisation of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka allows for the Temple Holders to establish their places of worship in the sea and river ports of Elwynn and Normark, where they can serve the local communities and promote the traditions of the faith. It also provides for the coordination of activities and the dissemination of religious teachings among the members of the church. The Galdrs assist the Temple Holders in conducting religious rituals and providing guidance to the faithful.

Each Temple Holder is assigned to a specific sea or river port in Elwynn or Normark, where they establish a place of worship and serve the members of the local community.

Fylkirate

The powers of the Fylkirate in the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka are as follows:

The Fylkir has the authority to call for a Great Holy War and lead the faithful in battle.
The Fylkir has the power to appoint Temple Holders and oversee their activities.
The Fylkir has the power to make decisions on matters of doctrine and practice.
The Fylkir has the power to establish rules and regulations for the church.
The Fylkir has the power to communicate with other religious communities and organisations.

The members of the Thing provide advice and guidance to the Fylkir and help to ensure that the church is run in accordance with its religious and spiritual principles.

The bureaucracy of the Fylkirate rests in the following core offices:

The Steward: The Steward is responsible for managing the financial and administrative affairs of the church, including budgeting, accounting, and fundraising.
The Scribe: The Scribe is responsible for maintaining records and documents related to the church, including the Sagas, religious texts, and the records of the Thing.
The Skald: The Skald is responsible for composing and performing poems and songs in honor of the gods and goddesses, as well as for recording and preserving the history and traditions of the church.
The Seer: The Seer is responsible for interpreting the will of the gods and goddesses, as well as for providing guidance and advice to the Fylkir and other members of the church.

These administrative offices play an important role in supporting the Fylkirate in the exercise of its powers and help to ensure that the church is run smoothly and efficiently. They are essential to the operation of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka and play a crucial role in maintaining its religious and spiritual traditions.

Overall, the Fylkirate of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is a powerful and influential religious institution that plays a central role in the lives of the faithful and the wider community. It is responsible for maintaining the traditions and teachings of the faith and ensuring that its principles are upheld and promoted.

The Thing

Under the Fylkir, the governing body of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is known as the Thing. The Thing is composed of representatives from each of the Temple Holders and Galdrs, as well as other members of the church who are chosen by the Fylkir or by a council of religious leaders.

The functions of the Thing include:

Advising the Fylkir on religious and spiritual matters
Making decisions on matters of doctrine and practice
Establishing rules and regulations for the church
Overseeing the activities of the Temple Holders and Galdrs
Communicating with other religious communities and organizations
Promoting the principles and teachings of the faith

The Thing plays a crucial role in the governance of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka and helps to ensure that the church is run in accordance with its religious and spiritual principles. It serves as an important link between the Fylkir and the rest of the church, and helps to foster a sense of community and unity among the members of the congregation.

Doctrine

The Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is a religious tradition that originated in Norse mythology and has been revived in modern times. It is characterised by a belief in multiple gods and goddesses, as well as a focus on moral authority and war.

The religious head of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is known as the Fylkir, who is currently Dyre V. The Fylkir has the authority to call for a Great Holy War and to lead the faithful in battle.

The Forna Seders förbundna kyrka has a holy book called the Sagas, which is written in nunes and contains chapters on the creation of the world, the gods and goddesses, the end of the world (Ragnarok), and secret spells known as galdrs. The faith also has a standardized liturgy and a formal hierarchy of priests, known as Temple Holders, who can inherit titles and marry.

The high god of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is Geirr, and other important gods and goddesses include Thor, Odin, Frey, and Tyr. However, there are also evil gods and goddesses such as Loki, Hel, Fenrir, and Jörmungandr who are seen as enemies of the faithful. The Vanir are also considered to be hostile, albeit defeated, deities, ever since their fall in the Auspicious Occasion.

The Norse faith allows for the raiding of infidel neighbours, specifically in the Benacian context those who have not bund themselves to the Union Covenant for loot. It also permits men to take up to three concubines and to marry close kin in order to preserve ancestral Lineages. Women are also allowed to own Temple Holdings.

The Fylkirate, the position of Fylkir, is held by an appointee of the United Ecclesiastical Corporation of Benacia and can be destroyed or created by that same authority. The faith also allows for holy close-kin marriages and encourages its followers to follow the Norse principles of adventuring and seafaring.

Education and indoctrination

The process of initiation and training for each of the grades in the hierarchy of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is as follows:

The Fylkir: The Fylkir is the highest position in the church and is appointed by the United Ecclesiastical Corporation of Benacia. The candidate for Fylkir must undergo a rigorous process of initiation and training, which includes studying the Sagas and other religious texts, learning the liturgy and rituals of the faith, and demonstrating their knowledge and skills in various areas. They must also prove their leadership abilities and their commitment to the principles of the faith.

The Temple Holders: The Temple Holders are priests who are chosen by the Fylkir or by a council of religious leaders. They must undergo a process of initiation and training, which includes studying the Sagas and other religious texts, learning the liturgy and rituals of the faith, and participating in religious ceremonies and rituals. They must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills in various areas, such as chanting and singing, and their commitment to the principles of the faith.

The Galdrs: The Galdrs are practitioners of secret spells who are chosen by the Fylkir or by a council of religious leaders. They must undergo a process of initiation and training, which includes studying the Sagas and other religious texts, learning the secrets of the galdrs, and participating in religious ceremonies and rituals. They must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills in various areas, such as chanting and singing, and their commitment to the principles of the faith.

The Faithful: The faithful are the members of the church who are initiated into the faith through a process of learning and participation. They must study the Sagas and other religious texts, attend religious services and ceremonies, and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in various areas. They must also show their commitment to the principles of the faith and their willingness to follow the guidance of the Fylkir and other religious leaders.

Sacred landscapes

Neophytes, those undergoing initiation into the ranks of the faithful, are exposed to the sacred landscape. Forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, and the seashore, each is sacred and has a ritual significance which is explained as being the places where gods and goddesses dwell.

The forests are considered to be sacred not because they are the realm of the Vanir, but because they represent the natural world and the cycle of life and death. The neophytes are taught to respect the forests and to seek the blessings of the gods and goddesses who dwell there by offering sacrifices and performing rituals in their honor.

The forests are also considered to be sacred because they are the source of many of the materials used in religious rituals and ceremonies, such as wood for the altar and fire, herbs for incense and medicine, and animals for sacrifices. The neophytes are taught to respect the forests and to use their resources wisely and with gratitude.

In addition, the forests are considered to be sacred because they provide a refuge and a place of solitude for the neophytes, who can seek guidance and inspiration from the gods and goddesses in the quiet and solitude of the natural world. The neophytes are taught to respect the forests and to use them as a place of spiritual renewal and connection with the divine.

The mountains are considered to be the realm of the Aesir, the gods and goddesses of war and wisdom. The neophytes are taught to respect the mountains and to seek the blessings of the Aesir by offering sacrifices and performing rituals in their honour.

The rivers and lakes are considered to be the realm of the Norns, the goddesses of fate and destiny. The neophytes are taught to respect the rivers and lakes and to seek the blessings of the Norns by offering sacrifices and performing rituals in their honour.

The seashore is considered to be the realm of the gods and goddesses of the sea, such as Njörd, the god of the sea, and Rán, the goddess of the sea. The neophytes are taught to respect the seashore and to seek the blessings of the sea gods and goddesses by offering sacrifices and performing rituals to propitiate them.

The Highest Divinity

The United Ecclesiastical Corporation of Benacia requires the doctrine of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka to ultimately conform to worship of the Highest Divinity (Zurvan) despite its traditional and current polytheistic form. This is accomplished by interpreting the Aesir as being manifestations of the Archonic powers and the celestial temple, bound in service to the Highest Divinity.

According to this interpretation, the gods and goddesses of the Aesir are not separate and independent entities, but are aspects or facets of the Highest Divinity. They are the instruments and agents of Zurvan, who use them to carry out his will and to grant blessings and favors to the faithful.

This interpretation allows the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka to maintain its polytheistic traditions and practices, while also conforming to the requirements of the United Ecclesiastical Corporation of Benacia. It provides a way for the church to worship the gods and goddesses of the Aesir, while also recognizing their ultimate subordination to the Highest Divinity.

The Pantheon

In the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka, the pantheon of gods and goddesses is considered to emanate from the Highest Divinity, Zurvan. The high god of the faith is Geirr, who is considered to be the chief representative and agent of Zurvan. Other important gods and goddesses include Thor, Odin, Frey, and Tyr, who are considered to be powerful and benevolent deities who grant blessings and favors to the faithful.

However, there are also evil gods and goddesses such as Loki, Hel, Fenrir, and Jörmungandr who are seen as enemies of the faithful. These deities are considered to be malevolent and destructive, and are feared and hated by the faithful.

The Vanir are also considered to be hostile, albeit defeated, deities. Ever since their fall in the Auspicious Occasion, the Vanir have been seen as enemies of the faith, and their worship is prohibited under the threat of severe penalties.

Overall, the pantheon of gods and goddesses in the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is considered to emanate from the Highest Divinity, Zurvan. The faith recognizes a variety of gods and goddesses, both benevolent and malevolent, who are seen as either allies or enemies of the faithful. The Vanir are considered to be hostile deities, and their worship is forbidden.

Geirr

Geirr is the high god of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka and is considered to be the chief representative and agent of the Highest Divinity, Zurvan. He is a powerful and benevolent deity who is revered and worshipped by the faithful.

Geirr is associated with wisdom, justice, and strength, and is believed to grant blessings and favours to those who seek his favour. He is often depicted holding a spear and a shield, and is associated with war and combat.

Geirr is also associated with the natural world, and is said to be the protector of forests and wild places.

Thor

Thor is the god of thunder and is associated with strength and courage. He is often depicted holding a hammer and is said to be able to control the weather and to protect the faithful from harm.

Odin

Odin is the god of wisdom and magic, and is associated with divination and prophecy. He is often depicted holding a spear and is said to be able to see into the future and to provide guidance and advice to the faithful.

Frey

Frey is the god of fertility and abundance, and is associated with agriculture and the natural world. He is often depicted holding a sword and is said to be able to grant blessings of prosperity and abundance to the faithful.

Tyr

Tyr is the god of justice and is associated with honor and truth. He is often depicted holding a spear and is said to be able to defend the weak and to uphold the laws and traditions of the faith.

Myths

The War against the Vanir

Inspired by the Auspicious Occasion of 1651 AN, which saw the expulsion of Stormark from Elwynn, the myth of the War against the Vanir depicted the Aesir as engaged in a sacred war of purification.

According to the myth, the Aesir gods and goddesses were engaged in a sacred war of purification against the Vanir, who were seen as enemies of the faith. The war was brutal and devastating, and it lasted for many years.

The Aesir fought bravely and valiantly, and they were led by the powerful and wise god Geirr, who was determined to defeat the Vanir and to restore the purity of the faith. The Aesir fought many heroic battles and epic sieges against the Vanir, and they were able to achieve many victories.

One of the most famous battles in the war was the Battle of the Ice Giants, in which the Aesir faced off against the Vanir in a frozen wasteland. The Aesir were outnumbered and outmatched, but they fought with determination and courage, and they were able to emerge victorious.

Another epic siege in the war was the Siege of Vanaheim, in which the Aesir laid siege to the stronghold of the Vanir. The siege lasted for many months, and the Vanir fought fiercely to defend their home, but in the end, the Aesir were able to breach the walls and to take the stronghold.

Usurpation of Asgard

The Usurpation of Asgard detailed the overthrow of Odin in a coup orchestrated by Geirr.

According to the myth, Odin was the king of Asgard and the ruler of the Aesir gods and goddesses. He was a powerful and wise god, but he was also arrogant and ruthless, and he ruled with an iron fist.

Geirr, who was a young and ambitious god, grew tired of Odin's tyranny and decided to overthrow him. He began to secretly plot and scheme, and gathered a group of loyal followers who were willing to support his cause.

Geirr and his followers waited for the right moment to strike, and when it came, they launched a surprise attack on Odin and his guards. The battle was fierce and bloody, but in the end, Geirr and his followers emerged victorious.

Geirr seized control of Asgard and declared himself the new king. He ruled justly and wisely, and was loved and respected by the gods and goddesses. Odin was banished from Asgard, and was forced to live in exile.

The myth of the Usurpation of Asgard is an important and enduring story in the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka, and is told and retold by the faithful as a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance and tyranny.

Rituals

The Forna Seders förbundna kyrka follows the rituals of the Norse faith, which includes the Blot.

The Blot is a religious ritual that involves the offering of sacrifices to the gods and goddesses. This can be in the form of war captives, convicts, animals, food, or other objects. The offerings are placed on an altar or in a special location and are believed to be accepted by the gods and goddesses, who grant their blessings in return.

Other rituals of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka include:

The Sumbel: The Sumbel is a ritual of toasting and drinking, in which the participants offer toasts to the gods and goddesses and share stories and poems in their honor.

The Sumbelring: The Sumbelring is a ritual of joining hands and forming a circle, in which the participants offer their blessings to each other and to the gods and goddesses.

The Galdr: The Galdr is a ritual of chanting and singing, in which the practitioners of secret spells use their special connection to the gods and goddesses to invoke their power and receive their blessings.

These rituals are an important part of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka and are conducted by the Temple Holders and other members of the church. They serve to connect the faithful to the gods and goddesses and to build a sense of community among the members of the congregation

Ritual of the Blot

The steps of the Blot ritual are as follows:

The Temple Holder or Galdr who is conducting the ritual prepares the altar or special location, placing the offerings in an orderly manner.
The Temple Holder or Galdr lights a fire on the altar and begins chanting or singing in honor of the gods and goddesses.
The Temple Holder or Galdr offers the offerings to the gods and goddesses, speaking their names and asking for their blessings.
The participants in the ritual join in the chanting or singing, offering their own blessings and praises to the gods and goddesses.
The Temple Holder or Galdr thanks the gods and goddesses for their blessings and ends the ritual by extinguishing the fire on the altar.

The Blot ritual is an important part of the religious tradition of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka and is conducted by the Temple Holders and Galdrs on special occasions or at the request of the faithful. It serves to connect the church to the gods and goddesses and to strengthen the bonds of community.

Galdrs

The esoteric traditions of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka include the practice of secret spells known as galdrs, the interpretation of the will of the gods and goddesses through divination and prophecy, and the use of herbs and other natural substances for spiritual and medicinal purposes. The galdrs are closely guarded secrets that are passed down from generation to generation and are only revealed to the most skilled and trusted practitioners of the faith.

The galdrs are considered to be powerful spells that can be used to influence the course of events and to gain favor with the gods and goddesses. They are closely guarded secrets that are taught only to the most skilled and trusted practitioners of the faith.

The interpretation of the will of the gods and goddesses is an important part of the esoteric traditions of the church. The Seer is responsible for interpreting the signs and omens that reveal the will of the divine, and for providing guidance and advice to the Fylkir and other members of the church.

The use of herbs and other natural substances for spiritual and medicinal purposes is also an important part of the esoteric traditions of the faith. The Galdrs and other practitioners of the faith are knowledgeable about the properties of different herbs and other natural substances, and use them to create potions, ointments, and other remedies for spiritual and physical ailments.

The church militant

The Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is known for its militancy and its willingness to engage in holy wars in the defence of the faith and its principles. Holy wars are organized by the Fylkir, who has the authority to call for a Great Holy War and to lead the faithful in battle.

Preaching

The preaching for Holy War by the faith in the modern Benacian Union and Normark is undertaken by the Temple Holders and Galdrs, who are trained and skilled in the art of public speaking and persuasion. These religious leaders use a variety of methods and techniques to persuade the faithful to participate in Holy Wars, including:

Sermons and speeches: The Temple Holders and Galdrs use sermons and speeches to inspire and motivate the faithful to participate in Holy Wars. They use religious texts, historical examples, and personal anecdotes to make their case and to convince the faithful of the righteousness and necessity of the cause.
Pamphlets and posters: The Temple Holders and Galdrs use pamphlets and posters to spread their message and to reach a wider audience. These materials are distributed in public places and are used to educate the faithful about the reasons for Holy War and to call on them to join the warbands.
Social media and online forums: The Temple Holders and Galdrs use social media and online forums on the Benacian Data Network to communicate with the faithful and to encourage them to participate in Holy Wars. They use these platforms to share information, to engage in debates and discussions, and to mobilise support for the cause.

Warbands

The forms and structures of the warbands raised amongst the faithful are based on the traditional warrior societies of the Norse people. These warbands are composed of trained and skilled warriors who are skilled in the arts of combat and who are willing to fight and die for the cause of the faith.

The warbands are organised according to a hierarchical structure, with the Fylkir at the top and the warriors at the bottom. Each warband is led by a Jarl, who is responsible for commanding the warriors and for carrying out the orders of the Fylkir. The Jarl is assisted by a council of Elders, who are experienced warriors and leaders who provide guidance and advice to the Jarl and the warriors.

The warriors are organised into units known as Huscarls, who are trained and equipped for combat. The Huscarls are led by experienced warriors known as Shield Bearers, who are responsible for commanding the Huscarls in battle and for enforcing discipline and order within the warband.

In the Benacian Union, the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka is not permitted to acquire aircraft, armoured vehicles, artillery, or naval vessels, as these weapons are considered to be too powerful and destructive for use in holy wars. However, the faith is permitted a large degree of discretion in how its warbands should arm themselves, as long as they do not violate the Union's laws and regulations.

The warbands of the Forna Seders förbundna kyrka typically arm themselves with a variety of weapons that are suitable for close combat and hand-to-hand fighting. These weapons include swords, axes, spears, shields, and other weapons that are commonly used in the traditional warrior societies of the Norse people.

In addition to these traditional weapons, the warbands may also arm themselves with modern firearms, such as rifles, shotguns, and pistols. These weapons are typically used for long-range combat and for providing support to the warriors in close combat.