Kor
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Kor revels in his role as the patron of war and conflict. His origins are said to have been tied to that of Angoron, although the wisest of clerics are uncertain of the details: tales of this connection are as diverse as they are varied, with others claiming no connection at all. Nonetheless, the contests between the two gods are the stuff of legends, as is their dual pining for Ceinara, who seems to ignore both of them.
A fickle god, Kor may favor one side at dawn and the other side at dusk, though at all times he exalts in the battle between them. His halls are wrought of iron and within them hang great shields and the armory of the gods. There his vassals engage in the Unending Battle. The sounds from it may be heard, it is said, by the most fervent of prayers--the resounding clashes, shouts, and songs of war and victory. He is known in countless cultures as the bringer of war and the master of strife. In some lands, such as Dran, he is revered one of the highest gods (often in conflict with Angoron) and most lands and cultures that value warfare or battle hold him in a place of honor amongst other Powers that are followed.
Dogma
Like Kor, his followers believe that war is simply a part of everyday life and that if you're going to do it, you may as well be the best at it. This sometimes puts them at odds with the faith of the goddess Serriel, who believes war should have a righteous cause, and with Angoron who...well, there are many reasons for those of Kor to compete with those Angoron, though it is not always unfriendly and may often take the form of grand competitions.
Kor's followers encourage and promote competition, physical strength, martial ability and battle prowess while also working to end pointless bloodshed and conflicts that are in steady stalemate. Ongoing feuds, conflicts and battles with a lack of forward motion and progress are bound to get Kor's and theirs attention and then receive a push in some fashion so that progress continues. They are not murderers or psychopaths although such do participate in warfare at times.
Clergy and Temples
Titles | |
Cleric | Herald* |
Inquisitor | ...coming soon! |
- * As in, "Herald of Battle" or "Herald of War," though at times it may be simplified to "Herald."
Kor maintains a solid clergy with churches scattered abroad. Being a god of a very broad area the people who follow him are diverse and as such his practices may differ from land to land. In places like Dran and Stormgarde, he is revered, with numerous shrines and great temples that look more like iron fortresses known as The Proving Grounds exist therein. He does not maintain an actual hierarchy with a central authority within his church and each faction tends to be sovereign entities unto themselves with the belief that they may need to support one side or another in a given battle (or sometimes, none at all). For example, The Proving Grounds has produced Warpriests that have equally fought and supported Dran. Clerics of Kor tend to pray for their either just before dawn or just before dusk. On average they tend to appear more like warlords, bodyguards and battle-chaplains than they do anyone's typical vision of a preacher or a priest.
Clerical Vestments
Kor's priests are usually powerful of build. They are often well armored and adorned in the colors and weapons of their deity. Many of them wear helms that hide their faces in deference of Kor himself for it is said that the face of War is terrible to look upon and cows even his fellow gods. In Dran, the greatest temple is in Kult the capital city. This is the largest known structure dedicated to Kor in the world. A great iron and stone fortress, these Proving Grounds are also the training grounds for Dran Juggernauts.
Avatars
Kor’s appearances are as varied as the cultures that he exists in. The most traditional view of him, which appears in his temples, is that of a powerfully built and gigantic warrior armored, with fresh scars and cuts upon his body. He may or may not be whole of limb (this vision changes over time). A great helm shields his face and hides his expression save for great red eyes and his mouth. It is said that none, not even other gods, can look upon the face of War fully revealed.
His great axe and a wide assortment of weapons are always near. The other form of Kor is that of The Herald. This is a great four-legged construct like titan wielding a mighty greatsword fused into one arm and a massive shield in the other. This behemoth is almost mechanical in appearance, a creature of full armor and staggering size of colossal scale. As The Herald, Kor thunders onto battlefields across innumerable planes, ending ongoing battles in a fell stroke that leaves no side the winner.