Auðreannon

lit. The Auðreannon is the primary religious scripture of Auðrism outlining its creation myth, organisational structure, religious rituals and virtues. It is currently incomplete and more will be added to it.

= Prophets =

The void
Long ago, the world was an empty, continuous sea of nothing, often referred to as ‘the void’. The world was devoid of life and devoid of objects. Among the nothingness the spirit of the deity Auðr swam. Auðr created water and fire and earth and wind, from which comes everything material. After this, Auðr arranged all the elements into the world; from which the sea and magma and land and sky comes from. Auðr then overlooked the world, dividing that it needed more: life. Auðr created a new element: soul. From soul comes life, energy and knowledge – from soul comes everything immaterial – it cannot be seen or heard or felt.

Canvajen
From the materials came the world, but it was devoid of living beings. Auðr created the grass to clothe the dirt, and the flowers to dance on the grass, and the bushes to make berries, and the trees to give apples and shade. Auðr then made land rise to make mountains, and land sink to make rivers and lakes. Then, Auðr made life. After being given a physical form, Auðr implanted in them soul (this is where the mind and energy comes from). Auðr made much, including pigs and cows and chickens and fish. Then Auðr was exhausted, for it is difficult to make a whole world. To make this easier, Auðr decided to make creatures to rule over other creatures: it would be known as people. These people were told by Auðr, “This world is called Canvajen: for it is your canvas. You will live here and prosper, making beauty and goodness from what the world contains. You shall guard this world while I rest, and work hard to make it good, and do not forget the one who created you.” Auðr then left for the people to work and do good. Before resting, Auðr created another world across the sea, to the east: it was called Gilfr, for it was the backup. This world was populated with all the animals except people.

Gilfr
Auðr rested for a long time, before returning. After returning, Auðr was horrified at the evil that had took place: destruction and murder and worshipping of false gods. Auðr, furious of the people’s betrayal, killed off all the beasts known as the Feiken – large animals that roamed the world, and in Gilfr dug out tunnels under the ground – leaving fossils across the land, sea and especially these tunnels. Auðr then made the Helrassen, a fiery, unforgiving land and threw all fossils and soul from the dead Feiken into this land, where it settled into what is commonly known as the soul sands. Auðr then reflected on this act and realised that this was an act of evil; Auðr would, when the times where right, instruct humanity on what was right and wrong. Auðr then gave people the ability to remember and have knowledge, allowing them to make communities and nations. Knowing that this would make the people too powerful, Auðr created enemies: zombies and spiders and skeletons, that would constantly contest people in the balance of power. Auðr eventually, let people explore in the east to find Gilfr.

Preface
I, Ari Haraldsen, send my greetings to all who wonder who they are and why they are here, and those who think they know these things. I am here not to forcibly show you what is right, but rather to lead you in the right direction. I am the voice of Auðr in the form of a person; Auðr has chosen me to spread the word of truth. I have received instructions from the deity on how to live, how the world was created and what is to come. The Book of Creation is Auðr’s words to me on how the world came to be, and this book, the Book of Instruction, will contain – word for word – what Auðr has commanded me to say to all people of the world.

Greetings
To the son of Harald, Ari: I extend my greetings. I command you to spread the word of truth – the words I am now giving to you – as I have said it to you. The people of the world have abandoned the truth and the one who created them, and I have chosen you as my first prophet. You will be a part of a new people: a people who follow the truth if you submit to me. Consider it your mission to rule, find these new people their own land, and guide them as I have guided you, if you do not abandon me as those of old did to me. Follow me, and your rewards will be many, for those who live in my name will be free. Reject me, and you shall live as you do now: a slave to others desires and to the world.

Initiation
I will initiate you, and for others to truly believe, they must do the same as you will do to me. Kneel, and repeat these words:"I surrender myself, [name], a humble servant of Auðr, the one deity, freely and willingly, to The One who rules over all the universe alone and is just and merciful. I promise to never turn away from The One, never to accuse The One, and to try to act always as to how The One wishes us all to."Once you have done this, you are sworn into my protection. But beware, for this is a two-sided commitment; you must do your part as well. You are to act according to how I inform you to. The consequences of not doing so are many, so do not stray from me, or my guidance, or my virtues.

The virtues
The virtues are the traits that I have, and that all who follow me are to emulate. These are:


 * 1) Bravery - Be bold and never fear to stand up to others' injustice.
 * 2) Patience - Always listen to others and trust every process.
 * 3) Diligence - Hard work will always pay off.
 * 4) Justice - Never turn a blind eye to a wrongdoing.
 * 5) Ambition - Always strive for more, in a controlled manner.

Emulate this, and you shall have many rewards.

Reward and Punishment
Of course, it is favourable that you fully align yourself to what is right, as you will receive blessings both of this life and the next; however, in the cases that you may fall, there will be curses upon you in this life and in the next. However, in true justice, I will not let that be the end of your hope; for your blessings overpower your curses.

Hierarchy
Among you there will be those called to serve me to such an extent of forfeiting many of your belongings in order to fulfil my will, to lead the new people, to help others, to spread the faith and to grow closer to me, and they will be known as Rejikas. Among them will be the gift of deciding upon beliefs revealed to you by me - for there will be those who profess fake beliefs and miracles. They must put these new doctrines and beliefs to vote to decide their validity by a majority of two thirds. The assignment of a new Rejikas works the same way, as in that the current Rejikas vote upon the resignation or death of one of them that that position is destroyed or a different potential Rejikas is elected into the position by a two thirds majority. There may only be one Rejikas per settlement, but there is no limit on the amount of Rejikas. If a vote happens and two thirds is not met, the vote repeats until it has done so.

Champions
There will be those among you that are exceptionally devout and will be recognised as such by votes among the Rejikas. These will be known as champions, for they have fought for the truth and for good. The champions are to be venerated almost as I am, for they are the embodiment of my power upon the world. There may be relics associated with them, of which they provide blessings associated with their champion.

= Tales =

The Tale of Cherunga (Tales 1)
There once was a man who went by the name of Cherunga. He was a mere hunter, specialising in trident throwing to hunt his prey, usually cattle. The beef and hides he collected were said to be of such high quality that the leader of his tribe, Odochamer, requested to taste and wear it himself.

Cherunga happily obliged and, with the help of other tribe members, created the finest cape and steak ever observed. Odochamer, upon seeing Cherunga for the first time, was already impressed by his cleanliness and taste for fashion. Odochamer tried the steak first. After devouring the steak, he went on to try the cape. It was dyed red, with diamonds attached to the ends that went around the wearers neck. After trying the cape on, Odochamer was clearly impressed. Cherunga was recognised for his many other skills, notably warfare, and was given much recognition by Odochamer. Due to Odochamer's old age, he requested that Cherunga become his heir. Cherunga accepted the offer, claiming the title 'Kategeinn' translating to 'blessed king'.

After the passing of the great ruler Odochamer, Cherunga felt it was his duty to pay respects to Odochamer. He announced five full days of grieving for the tribe, and proclaimed him as the 'Father of Greatness', or 'Kalechemen'. Cherunga realized that it was not safe to wander in the world anymore. He sought to find the land where his people, the Astebringi, were to settle, and found the river Artir, where his descendants became the Valdic peoples.

= Commentaries =

The Commentary of the Valds (Comments 1)
The Valdic peoples on the river Artir for a while adhered to the teachings and legacy of Odochamer and Cherunga by oral tradition. However, the Astebringi - Auðr's most holy kingdom - did not last among the warlords who formed their own religions and kingdoms, leading to the memory of Odochamer and Cherunga being remembered only by a few. The future of the Astebringi seemed bleak. However, some ship transported a few Valds across the seas onto Eldham - and it had the last descendants of the Astebringi on it. These peoples then founded Miklagard, the city of which I - Ari Haraldsen - reside in due to my old patrilineal family heritage.

The Commentary of Traditions (Comments 2)
There are certain traditions passed on orally and in practice by the Valds. Most notably is the Odochamic Penitary Days, lasting five days. These five days are practiced by five days of a penital activity, such as fasting, in memory of Odochamer's death. After these five days, the Kategeinn Day is celebrated.

= Additional Information =

List of Champions
Odochamer - First known king of the Astebringi. Patron of the elderly, wise and infertile.

Cherunga - First Kategeinn of the Astebringi. Patron of the young, kings and wars.