Sharudi Faith

The faith of Hukar Sharud (Phoenix/ Golden Albatross) or simply the Hukarad faith a is an omnistic religion native to the lands of the Jagdasian Yimmu-Audal which worships the divine patronage of the Audalad Dynasty and those who help it in serving divinity. It is the oldest faith of Rathnir.

Core Beliefs
In its core principle, the faith does not deny the existence of other gods but rather interprets all religions in a holy aspect surrounding the historic success of the eternal Audalad Dynasty which has been chosen by divinity to be its Nena Shairae (Prime Servants) within the realms of Jagdas and Rathnir.

The faith considers the Audalad Dynasty not a hereditary monarchy, but rather a succession of leaders appointed by their predecessors on the basis of trust and merit which stems from Aradusu Aderrid (Tenebrous Paradise), or the world's divinity which consists of the competing Yimmu Laharae (Many Aspects) represented by the various religions of Jagdas, Rathnir, and Eldham. Through each true succession, as determined by the one and only Opkaituru (Prophet) Dezum Hukar Sharud (Of the Golden Albatross), the divine right to rule a dynastically Audalad state represented by the Bi'Amel Unshi (Divine Permanence) of this line of succession is passed down.

Audalad Succession
There is no requisite for becoming an Audalad Dynasty member besides those which are imposed by one's predecessor on the basis of piety, merit, trust, etc, and that one must be canonized by the one and only Opkaituru Dezum Hukar Sharud.

Elections cannot merit the canonization of a new Audalad member unless all of the electors are Orissaradae (Ascended Believers), at which point the Opkaituru may choose to canonize the elected depending on what they believe is best, for they are guided by Naddar Ori (Divine Wind) and reside in the realm of Aradusu Uturad (Shining Paradise—See View of The Afterlife).

On particularly rare occasions, the Opkaituru may sense the Naddar Ori in any leader of the world who is either a conscious or unconscious Orissarad (Ascended Believer) and provide them with Bi'Amel Unshi (Divine Permanence) before gaining permission from the Aradusu Aderrid. Thereafter, the Opkaituru shall announce canonization of this ruler as a new member of the Audalad Dynasty. All such leaders become Kai'Yi (Greater) Audalad of their Sharrulad (Nation), for they have been granted Divine Right directly by the Aradusu Aderrid.

Dynastic Audalad Nations

 * Empire of Yimmu-Audal - Ancestral Branch - Ongoing
 * Theionikos - Theioniki Branch - Merged
 * Theios-Essukdal - Essukdalad Branch - Merged
 * Empire of Aldovir - Audalath Branch - Ongoing
 * Azuria - Dexterian Branch - Halted

Corporal World View
In accordance with the Great Belief system originating from the Holy City of Urnu-Arrak, followers of the Hukar Sharud faith known as the Sharudae (Golden Ones) believe that all divinities described by the peoples of Jagdas, Rathnir and Eldham, are in actually simply interpretations and refractions of a single divinity known as the Aradasu Aderrid (Tenebrous Paradise).

The Sharudae believe that all aspects of the Aradasu Aderrid, that is to say all religions, are true, but that the power of these competing aspects of one whole is proportional to the number and qualities of its believers.

The most absolute point of the Hukar Sharud faith, however, is that within the corporal world only one line of people within history has been chosen by the divine aspects of the Aradusu Aderrid.

Eternally, it is the Audalad Dynasty which has been granted patronage by the Aradusu Aderrid which had given it Bi'Amel Unshi (Divine Permanence), the guarantee that no matter the infighting of the Yimmu Laharae (Many Aspects) of Aradusu Aderrid, the Audalad Dynasty shall always remain, unable to be destroyed. That is to say, no matter the conflicts caused by differing beliefs of the world, the line of succession known as the Audalad Dynasty shall always remain in place. At times, it may go through dark ages, through periods of subjugation or secretive existence or civil war as a form of Haz-Iranori (Divine Punishment), but it shall always arise once again as prosperous like a Hukar Sharud (Phoenix/ Golden Albatross) guided by the Naddar Orid (Divine Wind) of the Aradusu Aderrid.

While the Bi'Amel Unshi (Divine Permanence) may be limited to the Audalad Dynasty whose members are canonized upon succession to a position of rulership within Yimmu Audal or other dynastically Audalad states by the one and only Opkaituru (Prophet) Dezum Hukar Sharud, the servants, friends, and helpers of the Audalad Dynasty are granted Naddar Ori (Divine Wind) insofar as their true intentions to support the dynasty are honest and benevolent.

While most Sharudae are either honest servants, friends, helpers, or Audalad Dynasty members themselves, not all are. And neither is every Sharudae granted Naddar Ori by the Aradusu, for they may in actuality be insincere. Although, to designate oneself as a Sharudae is seen as an oath of honesty, sincerity, and friendship between oneself and the Audalad Dynasty, and is required to be given corporal privileges within the Esbitum Hukarad (Priesthood of the Golden Albatross) and the general Hukar Sharud faith lead by the one and only Opkaituru (Prophet).

All those who are granted Naddar Ori, whether Sharudae or not, even if they are unconscious of the fact that their fate had led them to support the continuous Audalad Bi'Amel Unshi, ascend to Aradusu Uturad (Shining Paradise), a meta-sub-realm above and within the consciousness of Aradasu Aderrid where, depending on the power of their will, they may see through the very fabric of consciousness itself and affect events in the corporal world to various degrees while within the afterlife.

View of The Afterlife
Within the Hukar Sharud faith it is believed that all people and conscious systems ascend into Aradusu Aderrid upon death or when dreaming, merging their consciousness with that of Aradusu Aderrid to become part of its Yimmu Laharae (Many Aspects).

To each, existence as one of the Yimmu Laharae within Aradusu Aderrid shall appear different or not appear at all, depending on how they chose to interpret Aradusu Aderrid in their corporal life. That is to say, depending on their religion or independent beliefs before death or while dreaming.

Those who are touched by Naddar Ori (Divine Wind) however, including Kaire (True) Audalad Dynasty members, Kaire Akarae, Kaire Nergassae, Kaire Ankidae and Kaire Sharudae, are able to do more than simply ascend and merge with Aradusu Aderrid like all other forms of consciousness. Instead, they are capable of ascending to a sub-realm of Aradusu Aderrid called Aradusu Uturad (Shining Paradise) in which the true nature of the universe is revealed to a degree depending on the strength of their piety and where they are capable of affecting the corporal world while within the afterlife. The degree to which one may affect the corporal world from Aradusu Uturad differs depending on the willpower of the individual consciousness which has ascended to it. While some individuals of exceptional willpower not touched by the Naddar Ori may affect the corporal world from the normal state of Aradusu Aderrid, it is only through ascending to Aradusu Uturad that the true nature of the universe can be revealed to them. It is only the utmost pious, the one and only Opkaituru Dezum Hukar Sharud for whom the entirety of the true nature of the universe is revealed.

The Rafissaradae
It is believed within the Hukar Sharud faith that the Aradusu Aderrid is volatile and unstable, with its Yimmu Laharae always in conflict with each other. Out of this conflict arises the cyclical nature of the rise and fall of those with Bi'Amel Unshi, but that the very fact that the Yimmu Laharae are always in conflict provides the guarantee that the Bi'Amel Unshi itself is eternal.

From this constant conflict are born the Rafissaradae (Fallen Believers) whose actions lead to the lows of the cycle of rise and fall. These individuals are those who had appeared to have the Naddar Ori at one point but either ultimately lost it or never had it all. In the end, their true intentions are always revealed however, and are declared as Dajir (False).

Prominent Rafissaradae

 * Calipha-Empress Dalatra Mosulia (Yimmu Audal, Ardat Mosul) ‐ Dajir Audalad, "Queen of Lust"
 * Supreme Commander Jay (Yimmu Audal) - Dajir Nergassi, "The Bandit"
 * Empress Carpicious (Yimmu Audal) - The Mad Empress
 * The Anonymous Lugal (Theios-Essukdal) - The Broken One

Yimmu Laharae Interpretations
Within Hukar Sharud, the gods of all other faiths are interpreted as the competing Yimmu Laharae (Many Aspects) of one divinity known as Aradusu Aderrid (Tenebrous Paradise). Aradusu Aderrid itself is both a realm and a single consciousness where the Yimmu Laharae reside.

Sharudae (Golden On

es/ Believers) may choose to worship a specific Lahar, that is to say: a specific aspect of Aradusu Aderrid which appears as the god or diety of another religion. For each such Lahar, a Sharudi may have a personal interpretation of how this aspect builds into the greater themes of Hukar Sharud, or follow one of common Yimmu Laharae Interpretations. The ancestral Lahar of Hukar Sharud is Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur, the patron-deity of Yimmu Audal, the Bird of Water and Gold also known as the Holy Golden Seabird.

Specific Yimmu Laharae interpretations may include additional traditions, rituals, holy sites, holy cities, holy relics, or other additions to Hukar Sharud.

Prominent Interpretations

 * Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur - The traditional interpretation of the Hukar Sharud faith which existed prior to the second revelation, this interpretation worships the Lahar of Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur (Bird of Water and Gold), also known as the Holy Golden Seabird. This interpretation treats the Hukar Sharud as the patron-diety of Yimmu Audal and as a personal mentor to its followers.
 * Theiosistic - Worships the Lahar Theios as the one and only true god of the Yimmu Laharae, believes Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur is the Patron-Angel Garath.
 * Red Cult - Worships the Lahar of the Blood God, believes that this Lahar's power shall overtake all other Laharae in the end of times, plunging the world into void (Tenebrous Paradise). Conducts ritual sacrifices. Considers the Audalad Dynasty to be the guiding force of the world until all is plunged in Aradusu Aderrid.

Divine Meritocracy
Within the Esbitum Hukarad (Priesthood of the Golden Albatross) exist various levels of the Orissaradae (Ascended Believers) and the Rafissaradae (Fallen Believers). The Orissaradae are the Kaire (True) Audalad Dynasty members of various ranks, venerated ones touched by the Naddar Ori (Divine Wind), and true Sharudae (Golden Ones/ Believers) clergical members. The Rafissaradae consist of those Dynasty members and other former Orissaradae who have been deemed as Dajir (False). One may be deemed as Dajir and become part of the Rafissaradae if one is convicted guilty of having been insincere in their convictions or in the aquisition of their Orissaradae title by the one and only Opkaituru Dezum Hukar Sharud. If this occurs, the Rafissaradae in question are stripped of all of their clerical titles and may be subject to criminal punishment depending on the nation in which they reside.

All Orissaradae titles are awarded on the basis on piety, merit, and trust by the Opkaituru or the Kai'Yi (Greater) Audalad Dynasty members.

Orissaradae Heirarchy

 * Opkaituru Dezum Hukar Sharud - The one and only prophet of the faith, the prophet gazes into the corporal world from the likes of Aradusu Uturad, adjudicating decisions of the Orissaradae and propogating the faith. The Opkaituru must exist solely as a spirit in the world Rathnir, having already died. Prior to their death, the Opkaituru must have been a Kai'Yi Audalad Dynasty member of any major dynastically Audalad nation. For one to become the one and only Opkaituru, they must be appointed by the prior holder of the position who shall choose to eliminate the self, merging utterly with Aradusu Aderrid, in order to pass on their power to another consciousness within Aradusu Uturad. Only the Opkaituru may have revelations regarding the Hukar Sharud faith for they alone have been gifted the power to see the true nature of the universe by divinity. All others who claim revelation regarding the core of the Hukar Sharud faith are heretics. The Opkaituru has the divine right to remain silent for as long as they please, simply watching events of the corporal world from the Aradusu Uturad. Any absence of the Opkaituru must be regarded as an exercise of this right.


 * Kai'Yi Audalad - These are the Greater members of the Audalad Dynasty who have shown themselves most prominent in their history of serving divinity. To ascend to this post, an Audalad must be designated to this title by the Opkaituru and Opkaituru only.
 * Ormu Audalad - These are the Typical members of the Audalad Dynasty. To become a part of the Ormu Audalad, one must be appointed to the position of rulership as a successor by and for another Kai'Yi or Ormu Audalad Dynasty member. These individuals must be appointed fairly and sincerely by their predescessor without coersion or trickery. The Opkaituru shall know if this is the case, and if needed declare them as Dajir (False) Ormu Audalad, stripping them of their titles. An Ormu Audalad may appeal to the Opkaituru for a promotion given that they provide evidence of new accomplishments for the dynastic cause.
 * Shyr Audalad - These are the Lesser members of the Audalad Dynasty who hold little power and have earned their title as veneration for having been in the position of an honest and sincere regent of an Audalad dynastic state. Only the Opkaituru has the right to canonize such individuals as Audalad members after a formal request to do so made by a Kai'Yi Audalad. Shyr Audalad members are not able to choose successors to create new Audalad Dynasty members unless they ascend to a higher Audalad rank.
 * Dajir Audalad - The are the False members of the Audalad Dynasty. To become a Dajir Audalad one must prove utmost incompetence and betray the trust of their predecessors. Such Audalad Dynasty members are stripped of their titles and remembered in history as lessons to be remembered, their actions never to be repeated. This type of rank is designated by the Opkaituru and is simultaneously viewed as a Rafissaradae title.
 * Akarae - These Orissaradae are not Audalad Dynasty members but are the spouses of them. Due to their highly personal contributions of love and kindess, they are granted this title. However, the moment a divorce occurs or their Audalad spouse is deemed as Dajir (False), they are stripped of their venerable title of Akari. The Akari title does not extend to children or other family of Audalad Dynasty members.
 * Nergassae - These Orissaradae are the friends of the Audalad Dynasty, or in some cases, members who have proved themselves as the greatest warriors and military commanders. The venerable title of Nargassi may be assigned to an individual by the Opkaituru directly or after a formal request made by a Kay'Yi or Ormu Audalad Dynasty member.
 * Ankidae - These are the greatest and most loyal friends of the Audalad dynasty. Any Kay'Yi Audalad member has the power to designate the venerable title of Ankidi or to revoke it by declaring an individual as a Dajir after the approval of the Kay'Yi Audalad Council. The Opkaituru may do so directly.
 * Sharudae - These are the believers, the Golden Ones who have vowed an oath of loyalty and friendship to the Audalad Dynasty. Any individual may apply to become a Sharudae within the Esbitum Hukarad. For their approval to be successful, they must say the words "Ihn Ori'al El Aradusu Aderrid" (I Shall Ascend into Tenebrous Paradise) and swear loyalty of action to the dynastic Audalad leadership of their respective nation and loyalty of faith to the Opkaituru. Following approval by any Hukarad Priest, a formal ceremony of Ullarah (Entry) is required at one of the Hukarad Holy Sites if a Sharudi (Believer/ Golden One) wishes to rise in the clerical ranks.

Clerical Hierarchy

 * Opkaituru - The one and only head of faith, the sole individual capable of reforming the faith after having had revelations in visits of Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur (The Bird of Water and Gold), the messenger form of the Aradusu Aderrid. Within Yimmu Audal specifically, the Opkaituru holds the position of Hukarad Urdussad Representative.
 * Sharrulad Overseer - The head of the Hukar Sharud faith in a given dynastically Audalad Sharrulad (Nation). The Overseer may appoint new priests from Sharudae (Believers/ Golden Ones) who have undergone Ullarah (Ceremony of Entry), conduct Ullarah, oversee and accept the oaths of those who apply to become a Sharudi (Believer/ Golden One), and propogate the faith. The Sharrulad Overseer must be of the Audalad Dynasty. A Sharrulad Overseer may be appointed by the Opkaituru upon recommendation by the Audalad Sharrul (Ruler) of their Sharrulad. Several Overseers may exist in a nation in order to account for the personal syncretisms of its citizens with other faiths who may worship particular Laharae (Aspects) of Aradusu Aderrid.
 * Hukarad Scholar -  A Hukarad Priest who has been designated the venerable title of Scholar by their respective Sharrulad Overseer or by the Opkaituru. A Scholar may work together with Opkaituru in order to discern the histories of the faith and dynastically Audalad states.
 * Hukarad Priest - A priest of the Esbitum Hukarad (Priesthood of the Golden Albatross) may propagate the faith, admit new Sharudae, and conduct the Ullarah ceremony with permission of their respective Sharrulad Overseer of the Opkaituru. A Hukarad Priest may be appointed from any Sharrudi who has undergone Ullarah.

Symbolism
Hukarad symbolism can be noted in such ornaments as the flags of the Audalad Dynasty. The first and most basic flag of Shyr-Arrak depicts the Lahar of Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur above the Audalad phrase "Ihn Ori'al El Aradusu Aderrid" (I Shall Ascend into Tenebrous Paradise). The cyan and yellow colors represent the crystal clear water and liquid gold which makes up the holy Albatross witnessed by the Opkaituru Narahashu and the Ningal Mistic Audalad.

The later flag of Theios-Essukdal depicts the circle of Theios above the same seabird as in the Shyr-Arrak flag and Audalad lettering. The scene is analogous to the Second Revelation when it was believed that the Lahar of the Albatross was but a patron-angel of Theios. The flag's symbolism is explained such that the Bi'Amel Unshi was granted to the Audalad Dynasty through the Albatross by Theios.

The present flag of Yimmu Audal accounts for the Third Revelation, depicting not the Hukar Sharud with the seabird imagery, but Aradusu Aderrid itself. The "Mind's Eye" of the seabird drips down becoming the holy Audalad text, representative of how the Yimmu Laharae exist within the greater realm and consciousness of Aradusu Aderrid which gives rise to Bi'Amel Unshi (Divine Permanence) of the Audalad Dynasty.

Rituals
A number of rituals exist within the Hukar Sharud faith, some of which belong to its various branches that correspond to those Sharudae who personally syncretize the Hukar Sharud faith with other religions.


 * Ullarah - Ullarah is the ritual of entry conducted at a Hukarad Holy Site. The exact details of the ritual are up for the Priesthood member conducting the ceremony, but the inductees must repeat their oath of loyalty and friendship to the Audalad Dynasty within their respective Sharrulad (Nation) given when applying to join the faith. Formally undergoing the ceremony is a requisite for anyone who wishes to join the Esbitum Hukarad (Priesthood).
 * Coronation - Depending on where an Audalad Coronation is taking place, the local nobility or Audalad leadership may have various traditions in place. Within the Dynasty's ancestral homeland of Yimmu Audal, the former leader passes on a ceremonial crown to their successor within the Utal Lugalad (Royal Palace) or other throne room.
 * Marriage - The details of a marriage between two Sharrudae should be decided by themselves but must be approved by any Kaire (True) Hukarad Priest if the marriage involved a member of the Audalad Dynasty.
 * Divorce - No involvement of the Esbitum Hukarad is required but the Opkaituru should be notified if a member of the Audalad Dynasty was involved.
 * Haz Iranori - Divine Punishment inflicted upon an Orissarad by the Opkaituru directly or after petition, usually due to their incompetence, where a temporary stripping of all Hukarad titles and privileges occurs.

Holy Locations & Relics
The Hukar Sharud faith has traditionally had several holy cities and sites, and has—over the supremely long time of its existence—accumulated a number of different unique artifacts important to the faith. A Holy City or relic must be declared by the Opkaituru after a formal request from any Orissarad (Ascended Believer). A Holy Site may be consecrated by any Kaire (True) Hukarad Priest with the permission of the Opkaituru.

Holy Cities

 * Shyr-Arrak - Home to the first Sacred Pool and Ziggurat of Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur. May only be visited through Aradusu Aderrid. (Annihilated in the Jagdasian Collpase)
 * Urnu-Arrak - Home to numerous holy sites and temples, historic birthplace of the Rathnirian Audalad Dynasty. (Yimmu Audal)
 * Amos - Home to the temple of Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur. (Yimmu Audal)
 * Eldal Adadi - Home of the great Kai'Yi Audalad Dynasty member GrayIsYes (Yimmu Audal)
 * Theiotokos - Home of the venerable prophet of Theiosism LethalMuffin Audalad.
 * Maereta - Home of the great Ningal Mistic Audalad, reformer of Yimmu Audal and signatory for the creation of the Empire of Aldovir.
 * The Last Bastion - Place of the historic Battle of the Last Bastion, constructed by the Kai'Yi Audalad Dynasty member and Nergassi Dexter OG. (Magisterium)
 * Ardat Mosul - Founded by the Dajir Audalad member Dalatra Mosulia—serves as a reminder against her mistakes. (Ardat-Azael)



Holy Sites

 * Ziggurat of Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur (Shyr-Arrak) - Place of worship and location of the Avaebrr Hukar artifact. May only be visited via Aradusu Aderrid.
 * First Sacred Pool of Hular Dezum Autai Dar Shur (Shyr-Arrak) - Offerings would be made in exchange for good fortune. May only be visited through Aradusu Aderrid.
 * Second Sacred Pool of Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur (Urnu-Arrak) - Place of worship and offerings.
 * Former Imperial Throneroom of Yimmu Audal (Urnu-Arrak) - Site of the Red Coronation and the Usurpation of Yimmu Audal.
 * Lighthouse of Urnu-Arrak (Urnu-Arrak) - Former home of the first Opkaituru StoryStudio.
 * The Last Bastion (The Last Bastion)
 * The Barrel (Urnu-Arrak County) - Alchoholic manufactory of the venerable and renowned Ankidi Dotto21.
 * Temple of the Holy Golden Seabird at Amos (Amos) - Place of worship and ceremonies.
 * Utal Lugalad (Urnu-Arrak) - Royal Palace and throne room of Yimmu Audal.



Holy Relics

 * Abaevver Hukar Totem (In possession by the Aradusu Aderrid) - Suggests the history of the Audalad Dynasty predates even Jagdas, possibly Paxia, having originated as a different name within a mysterious city known as Imoldien.
 * Ullarah Urdussad (In possession by ViewedMarquis) - Divine sword of the first Opkaituru Narahashu Audalad. Possesses the power to revive StoryStudio who was canonically slain by the Ferrymen.
 * Imperial Crown of Yimmu Audal (In possession by Yimmu Audal) - Holds purely ceremonial significance. Passed on from the Emperor BlueMarble and onward.
 * Imperial Golden Apple of Astroria (In possession by Yimmu Audal) - Gift provided by Duke BuiBui as a sign of loyalty at the first Jagdasian Emperor StoryStudio Audalad's coronation.

Holy History & Scriptures
Originally referred to as the faith of Hukar Dezum Autai Dar Shur (Holy Golden Seabird), the faith was reformed following the restoration of Yimmu Audal by the Ningal Mistic Audalad and the Third Revelation of the Opkaituru (Prophet) known as Narahashu Audalad.

The history of the faith is chronicled in the Holy Stone Tablets known as the Yimmu Alshud Dezum Autai Dar Shur (The Many Tablets of Water and Gold) or simply, the Many Tablets.

The Many Tablets chronicle three revelations made by the Aradusu Aderrid to the first Opkaituru Narahashu. Additional tablets exist which have been written by members of the Audalad Dynasty with commentaries on the nature of power and statecraft which are called "Urdae Dezum Naddar Ori" (The Living Words of Divine Wind). The Urdae Dezum Naddar Ori are known to be kept secret, only available to the true members of the Audalad Dynasty and only comprehensible by those touched by Naddar Ori.

The First Revelation
Translated from Scriptural Audalad, Yimmu Alshud Dezum Autai Dar Shur

In the untouched beauty of the then uncolonized but now annihilated realm of Jagdas, a simple wanderer by the name of Stori had discovered a tiny island chain alone in the ocean.

On the first day on the island, with his hard work the wanderer built a quaint underground adobe and as he worked he encountered another wanderer named Yams who stayed for the night. Together Stori and Yams slay many wild beasts, but Yams had to go and move on. Stori was saddened by Yams' departure but had felt better after admiring the sunset. In the distance, before he closed his eyes he could see what might have been the silhouette of a great bird. But Stori's eyes closed and he fell asleep, not being able to grasp what he saw.

On the second day, Stori awoke from a great dream. It was a vivid dream and this dream felt more real than reality. His consciousness seemed to have left his body, as if floating across space and time. In a vision from above Stori had seen a great Empire built upon friendship and wit rise and fall only to rise again and to fall again, endless upon endless times. But no matter the severity of its downfall, the more certain the feeling of its impending return. When he had realized this, Stori's mind seemingly splintered and dissolved before the mind of something much greater. Yet Stori was unable to comprehend that which was greater. Before him appeared the silhouette of the bird from before. Stori stared into the sky without a single blink and a great wind, a divine wind, had begun to blow against him with the force of one thousand hurricanes. And yet as the island around him was ripped of trees, Stori remained still. He remained still until the wind ceased to blow and a great seabird, an Albatross of crystal clear water and liquid gold had emerged before him, its wings spanning from one edge of the horizon to the other. And the Albatross said to Stori in a language he didn't know, yet a language more clear and vivid in its meaning than any words Stori had heard before, "You shall build an Empire across the seas and the sands. And shall it be fair and just. You shall build an Empire across the realms. And shall it grow not through the sword and bow but through word and mind. And shall the name of all divinity bless those who rule it forever with Bi'Amel Unshi (Divine Permanence). And shall it fall only to rise again as I have. And shall the Dynasty which rules it be not of the seed of man but of my Divine Touch which passes onwards my Naddar Ori (Divine Wind). And shall it live by the words Ihn Ori'al El Aradusu Aderrid (I Shall Ascend Into Tenebrous Paradise).

And so Stori awoke. In his reality he doubted his dream, but as he wandered through the island's forest contemplating, he saw strange markings upon a birch tree. The markings were written in a triangular language he had never yet seen and yet he read them as more clear and vivid than any words he had ever read. And so they said, "I shall ascend into Tenebrous Paradise". And so the secret of the language known as Audalad (Islander) was revealed to him. And so he named the island by the humble name Shyr-Arrak (Small Hill).

On the third day, Stori met another wanderer by the name of Brot. Brot was a miner of great strength who had come from the village of Ozeki. And so Stori said, "Join me and shall we build and Island Empire together." And so Brot had joined Shyr-Arrak.

On the fourth day, Stori's brother Caleb had come to the island of Shyr-Arrak. Caleb was strong in the art of words. And Stori had told Caleb of his vision and together they declared the Empire of Yimmu Audal where they ruled as equals.

For four days Caleb and Stori, the first of the Audalad Dynasty, built their Empire, not by the sword and bow but by the word of Caleb and the wit of Stori. And by the eigth day it had stretched across the seas and sands. And by the sixteenth Stori and Caleb passed on the Bi'Amel Unshi to those called Marble and Harbardr.

But on the thirty second day, the world fell and the realm of Jagdas fell and their Empire fell with it. All were absorbed to Aradusu Aderrid (Tenebrous Paradise). All but those touched by the Naddar Ori. All but those who were sincere in their convictions to preserve the Naddar Ori. All but those who were Kaire (True) Audaladae.

The Second Revelation
When the world Jagdas collapsed, the Audaladae like all else were plunged into the Aradusu Aderrid. And yet, just as their consciousness appeared to splinter and dissolve in that which they couldn't understand, a booming voice of the Audalad language proclaimed, "And shall you rise again like I have risen!" And so the Kaire Audaladae awoke in shining light surrounded by the new world of Rathnir.

Together they founded a new city called Urnu-Arrak (New Hill) and settled the sands. The Empire of Yimmu-Audal rose again and all went along peacefully until the arrival of two strangers, Dalatra and the bandit Jay. Threatened by Jay, the Audaladae made him one of their own and threatened by foreign powers, allotted Dalatra with espionage. The pair gained power until Yimmu-Audal no longer expanded by word and wit but by lust and sword. And so the covenant was broken and so Yimmu-Audal fell, for Jay's initial bloodshed led to a vicious cycle of hate with the lands of Escharia and Dalatra's lust led to her weakness and demise. And so Jay's mind arose to the Aradusu, and the Escharien despot tangled and manipulated the truth, and he abused the weakness of Dalatra, and the wanderer Stori's mind ascended to the Aradusu out of grief, and the Escharien despot annexed the Holy Lands.

And yet the Naddar Ori lived on for it was guaranteed by Hukar Sharud (Golden Albatross). For when Stori had roamed the sands he bad met a beggar and the beggar became his servant slave. Stori generously payed Leythal, for this was the servant slave's name, for his work, and upon the completion of Leythal's tasks, Stori had given Leythal his freedom and appointed him in charge of the Western Lands of Yimmu-Audal.

Thus when the Escharien despot's empire fell, too large and too fragile for his own hands to grasp, the West had become Theionikos where the former beggar Leythal reigned as Prophet-Duke of the Lahar (Aspect) Theios and the south where the Last Emperor Gray had brought the Audaladae freedom.

And upon seeing this from the Aradusu, the mind of Stori awoke once again. And the Albatross of crystal clear water and liquid gold came to him whose wings stretched from one end of the horizon to the other, "As I've shown you, those touched by Naddar Ori shall rise and fall, rise and fall again and again, but the harder their fall the more obvious the certainty of their return. Theios and I, we are one and the same."

And so Stori had been brought back to the corporal world alongside the former Emperor Harbardr. And so together they worked to restore the strength of Naddar Ori. And so the lands of Yimmu Audal and Theionikos united under the great name Theios-Essukdal, believing in the Lahar Theios, the true originator of Naddar Ori, the true giver of Bi'Amel Unshi to the Audalad Dynasty.

The Third Revelation
And so the lands of Theios-Essukdal expanded peacefully by the power of word and wit. And so the Audalad Dynasty, blessed by Bi'Amel Unshi, lead the Essukdaladae touched by Naddar Ori. And as time grew and grew a Ningal of great word and wit ascended to the throne. And her name was Mistic and the Albatross of crystal clear water and liquid gold appeared before her one day, its wings stretching from one end of the horizon to the other, and it said, "Your people are blessed by Naddar Ori and you by Bi'Amel Unshi. You must return to your roots and achieve true unity." And so the Ningal did her best to interpret this and so knowing her people to be united, she returned their name to that of Yimmu Audal, and declared herself the apostate of the Lahar Theios and bowed down before the Hukar Sharud, the great Albatross of crystal clear water and liquid gold.

But in the depths of the Aradusu Aderrid, the mind Stori who had fallen in battle lay dormant. But upon this sight, the mind had awoken, for it knew that Theios and the Albatross were one and the same. And so the mind searched and searched for an answer across the Aradusu until it had reached a realm above and within. And so it had entered Aradusu Uterad (Shining Paradise) and a great beam of light flooded its consciousness, and the great beam of light showed the true nature of the universe to the mind. And so Stori's mind took on a new name, Narahashu, and so it declared that all gods of the world are one and the same, that all that exists is but one Aradusu Aderrid, that within it the gods are but competing Laharae (Aspects) and that their number is infinite and their strength is that of the number and quality of their corporal believers. And that upon death or dream, all ascend to the Aradusu Aderrid and their minds splinter and dissolve to become one with its mind. And thus Narahashu had understood that Hukar Sharud was but one Lahar which served as a messenger to grant him Bi'Amel Unshi and that the god Theios and its patron angels, and the Escharien despot's gods, and all others, were but what came together to create the Yimmu Laharae (Many Aspects) of Aradusu Aderrid.

And so the mind of Narahashu watched the corporal world from the light of Aradusu Uturad and it named itself the first Opkaituru (Prophet), and it broadcast the holy words to the Ningal Mistic Audalad and the Audaladae in the Holy Tablets, and proclaimed that the Naddar Ori and Bi'Amel Unshi should not be limited to the ancestral lands of Yimmu Audal, but that the Audalad Dynasty should spread far and wide.