Herbarin - The Fallen

Herbarin was the second youngest of eleven siblings chosen by unknown parents to be the Gods of the world of Tirakan. In the Third Age he was fatally struck by the demon Brahas, and sank dying and filled with hatred and bitterness onto the ice of the plains to Kaal where his trace was lost forever. Herbarin hates his siblings because they let him fall in his eyes. Despite his fall, the tales have reached the present day, and it is reported that there are even temples of Herbarin. No one has ever seen such a temple. It is also said that Herbarin is not really dead yet, but is in an eternal process of agonising death, which is mixed with anger at his fate and hatred of the world.

"So suffer with your God and it will open your eyes to the futility of being..." - Great Book of Consecrations 1500 b.EC

Nevertheless, Herbarin is still part of creation, he detests the unnatural lizards and the otherworldly shadows. Herbarin is also considered the patron god of the outcasts and the outlawed, for those whom society does not grant a place in its midst. Herbarin also stands for all the dark facets of human character, as long as they remain within creation.

Followers of Herbarin despise the magnanimity of the other churches, their pomp and symbols, and also do not celebrate high festivals. Although Herbarin believers share its resignation with the world, this religion cannot be described as generally "evil". Dark and unfathomable, always slightly suspicious to the population is probably apt. How Herbarin priests act depends far more on their religious orientation than is the case with other orders.

The priests of Herbarin

Basically there are 3 alignments of the priesthood of Herbarin:

The resignists

The brothers of this alignment give themselves over to complete resignation with the world. They pray for an early and painless death, as suicide is strictly forbidden to them because of the suffering of their god. Many resignists also starve to death on their journeys, as they are too resigned to reach out to beg. Magic is not forbidden to these brothers, but "what's the use...?".

The Reservists

These brothers see fit to organise their existence outside the human community among themselves. They live in caves under archaic conditions as they reject everything worldly. Many of them even lose the ability to speak due to their years of vows of silence. Magic is strictly forbidden.

The Activists

Probably the smallest and most secret order, they have made it their mission to atone for injustice of any kind in the world. They kill landlords who treat their workers badly, as well as priests who flaunt the insignia of other Gods too ostentatiously. Over the centuries, the Order has been credited with a myriad of highly professional murders. Brothers of the order also seem to actively practise magic. Its members are more part of a conspiratorial community than openly professing priests.

In addition to these three orders, there are a large number of sub-orders, which, however, can always be roughly divided into one of the three main directions.