Vayne

As the god of war, Vayne is a large man who favors stout leather pants and heavy boots over the loose tunics worn by the other gods. His constant companion is a large double-bladed battle axe called Ragna, which was forged by Gemen in the heart of the world from the power of Heaven's Gate. In battle he is never without his loyal steed Tirunn and hound Kir. He lead the charge against the devils and personally slew the Lords of Malice and Devil Prince, which broke apart their unholy army.

Vayne is an honorable warrior that has never known defeat in battle. He defends the weak and helpless, for they would never represent a challenge to his skill. He often seeks out those that feel they are unmatched in battle. He confronts them and often sends the frauds into the afterlife. Those that impress him with their will, determination, and skill will find that Vayne rewards those who present a good challenge.

As clerics dedicated to the god of battle they seek out battles so they can record the acts of heroes and disgrace of cowards. All clerics of Vayne are expected to be warriors and maintain a set of armor, shield, weapon, and horse; although they are not required by tenent to fight on horseback.

Many ruling lords have asked for the clerics of Vayne to serve as their advisors during war or lead their troops into battle. The church allows both of these if the cleric feels that the cause is just and honorable. It is not too uncommon for priest of Vayne to be on opposing sides during a battle — this is not stopped by the church. The cauldron of battle will burn out the weak and harden the strong, thus the church grows in strength with each new challenge the clerics overcome in battle.

Most of the temples of Vayne also serve as martial training centers. This tends to make many noble lords upset that their people are being trained in war, which may one day rise up and topple their rule. However, few lords would stop the church for fear of angering Vayne. The lord's fear are unfounded as few commoners have enough time and drive to learn more than basic skill in even the simplest weapons — they are far more concerned with keeping food on the table and the house in good repair. Those that seek the life of a soldier often leave after their training to join their lord's guard or one of the many mercenary companies.

The center of the temple's training ground is stone with a colored design of Vayne. At each of the four corners the visage of Vayne looks down upon the students and clerics alike. It is here that worshippers are drilled in the arts of combat and for the gifted turned from commoner to holy warrior.

Obvious symbols like weapons, with the double-bitted axe favored, upon a field of red or black is the most common. These are commonly displayed either crossed or point up for battle standards, while point down or covered in a white sash is used when a knight is questing.

Vayne has few worshippers that are not already bloodied warriors; although it is not uncommon for a simple commoner in a milita unit to turn to Vayne just before they enter combat. Most warriors will tithe a very small amount of their wages to the temple so that Vayne does not look unkindly upon them. The stronger believers may actually tithe a good percentage of their wages or take up quests for the temple. These questing warriors are often accompied by several priests, which makes the group quite formidable.

A commoner that has shown great promise will probably be visited by a cleric of Vayne in the hope of converting them. The clerics of Vayne are very active in turning converts among the commoners that show a talent in battle and those warriors that have not yet taken up arms for Vayne.

Main Article: Guardians of Order

Dedicated to turning themselves into the masters of combat, the Guardians are known as the best warriors in the land. They study every known weapon and form of combat that exists in the world. Their masters travel the world in search of new knowledge then bring it back to their temples and teach the student. The Guardians seek nothing less that the complete harmony of body, mind, and spirit in the creation of the perfect warrior. Those that reach this enlightenment are said to dwell with Vayne in preparation for the final war with the underworld.

Most of Vayne's rituals will start out with two worshippers or clerics dueling to third blood or surrender. Vayne is not bloodthirsty and sees any type of sacrifice as unnecessary. Instead, a display of skill or the re-telling of battles and personal heroisms are sufficent to gain his attention. Occasionally people have offered up prize weapons; although Vayne rarely accepts these gifts for a prize weapon should be used in battle — not being sacrificed to the gods.

All true worshippers hope that they will be selected by Vayne to stand by his side when the gate to the underworld is torn asunder and the devil horde attack Miranda. On that day, Vayne alone will stand at the edge of the Heaven's Gate and do battle with this destructive force. Although he is foretold to perish in this battle Vayne will meet this destinity with courage, strength, and honor.

The famed axe of Vayne is no mere weapon, but instead encompasses all of creation. Geman crafted it in order for Vayne to slay the creature that is foretold to devour all of the realms. This creature, typically depicted as either a snake, a bull or boar, will come to destroy Heaven's Gate and unleash the destructive power contained within. This power will grow until it consumes all of the realms and casts this existence into nothingness.

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