The Tjlar Order of the Archangel Raphael

Arch. Raphael

The Order of the Archangel Raphael was founded in YT161 from that part of the structure of the church referred to as the veneration of Raphael. This had existed since the Council of Tavyl in YT8, but for more than a century had no militant vocation. Followers of the Raphael Veneration were inspired by the example of Raphael to seek to rescue the destitute and heal the sick. They were always especially supportive of wayfarers and their liturgies included many pious acts towards the homeless.

The Order came into existence during the period known as the Kin-Strife. This civil war was fought between forces supporting the claim of Fuzur to the crown of his father Fuzoy and those supporting his brother Vuzoy and it almost destroyed the Realm of Tjlaria. During the Kin-Strife, the church was proscribed by law and its followers were being actively persecuted by the crown. Many pilgrims were being killed by worshipers of the cults. In secret the various venerations prepared themselves to resist the rule of either Fuzur or Vuzoy. Those of Raphael sought to create a force of militant clerics who would provide healing and assistance to pilgrims to the holy sites in Tjlaria and to any pilgrims travelling through Tjlaria. The chosen novices were trained in combat as well as medicine and chirurgery. Their discipline and dedication produced men who were both formidable warriors and also   tireless healers. The Order fought to restore the church and the true Tzar during the Tavyl Revolt of YT191-193, contributing to the victories at Ak under Commander Ambrus and Győzelme under Borsonin Vocsyn and participating in the battles at Väcs, Sandamyr, and Agär. The Order however, marks with special services the following events from this period.

18 Dyarr, YT192, ERNÖ came upon the grievously wounded Borsonin Vocsyn on the battlefield of Győzelme and by divine agency restored him to health and encouraged him to continue the fight. The charge of Vocsyn and his retainers against the wild Thracous barbarians undoubtedly turned the fight in favour of the true Tzar's armies.

9 Zuld, YT192, ILLÉS by holy power heals the young prince Vozur from a dreadful sickness which none of the local healers had been able to cure. The strange malady had slain many thousands in the region of Gyógyítóheli where the prince along with the remnants of the royal house were in exile. Without this miracle the line of the true Tzar would have perished forever and the realm would have returned to darkness and oppression.

17 Darbak, YT193, AMBRUS located the Royal Crown stolen by Hring in the ruins of Collisz by prayer and fasting. During the visions received by Ambrus, Raphael appeared to him, shining against the blue morning sky. This is why to this day the Raphaeline warrior clerics wear light blue surcoats with the Archangel shown in silver.

Ophiokhos

The myths tell us that Asclepius was the son of Apollo and a nymph called Coronis, He was taught medicine by the centaur Chiron.

Asclepius tried to revive Orion, bitten by the scorpion and Pluto objected to this. He argued to Zeus that if Asclepius had his way then he would have no more mortals in Hades. Zeus agreed that they must not allow men to become immortal. So he slew Asclepius with a thunderbolt
 
The constellation of Ophiiokhos (Οφιοχος) or Ophiucus, the Serpent Bearer is in the XII House of the solar zodiac. It is associated with physicians, wounds, life-giving, strength-bringing, blessing, altruism, and merrymaking. 

The stars most easily seen are

Kefálios Ophiiokhos aka Ras al-Hawwa (Head of the Serpent Bearer)

Skylos Poiména aka  Kalb al-Rai (Shepherds Dog)

Sinistra (actually his right hand!)

Cheri aka Yed (Hand)

Sabik

Ankona aka Marfik (Elbow)

Local Drinking Song (translated from Tjlar)

Gépész Csizma 
:The Mechanician's Boot (or Mechanical Leg)

The tavern's marvel
All to view
Began as simply
One of two

But now it hangs
Above the hearth
A sign to all
Of it's true worth

The dwarf laid low
Of noble kin
And sullied like
Old Adam's sin

Supplied the axe
That heretofore
Made legless the first
Of many more

Old Tolarr he
His sorrow drowns
With dwarven ale
In many towns

But in this village
Here we keep
The boot that made
Poor Tolarr weep

And Vojeslav he
Hops a-twenty
Like hops we use
In brews aplenty

And quaffs a few
To lubricate
The working of
His new-made gait

Merchant Cant - 3

The war in the north has spread again. Amber merchants arriving in the realm have reported that Wendland have attacked the Kylfings on the pretext of an alleged slight to the royal house of the Wends. The campaign has by all accounts not gone well for Wendland. The massive Wendish army has been struggling in the harsh conditions. The Wendish Viowode Wroclaw is reported to have told the King that the Kylfings can appear and disappear 'like ghosts'. Of course the merchants all believe that this is just pagan superstition.

Merchant Cant - 2

Eastern Karbath, 20th Dyarr YT330

A dying merchant was discovered in the foothills north of Astergow. He had a fortune in unpolished gemstones on him but no food. His clothing was ripped in several places and he had many wounds. The wounds looked like bites and clawmarks, perhaps a week old. Local healers were unable to help him and he expired before they could get him to the nearest monastic infirmary. But the villagers did hear his last few words and passed them on to the monks. The placename 'Vlesdawa' was clear. Although not marked on any Tylar maps it was still a terrifying name to the ordinary folk. The second word 'dacian' was not familiar to them. The last few gasped breaths may have also been a name - 'Dameni Hnufa'.

Merchant Cant - 1

Karbath Mountains, YT330

Recent merchant caravans from the lands of the Kogotoi have been reporting numerous sightings of lycanthropes in the distance. Authorities have been trying to reassure the traders: "None of these sightings has been connected with attacks."; "The creatures range widely in the Karbath mountains and the same creature is often sighted several times by different travellers."; "Daous are sometimes responsible for false sightings in that region of the mountains." If all the sightings were true it would amount to dozens or even hundreds more of these beasts than anyone is prepared to admit to. That or the equally terrifying thought that the lycanthorpes were gathering together in one place.

Settings Drawn from the Deep Recesses

A neat stone wall, almost man height surrounding untended gravestones. In the centre a larger monument stands proudly but many other markers tllt this way or that. The graveyard lies at a crossroads near to a rocky escarpment. The hills are brown and windswept with small twisted trees and areas of exposed rocks. Like bones showing through decaying flesh in the full moon's light. Nothing is moving. Nothing that can be seen.

A flat raised circle of lush grass rises through the dense broadleaf forest. The rising sun will soon rise between two carved stones, Two circles of stones sit within the space. Thirteen stones in the inner ring, more in the outer ring. Grass, stones and forest are still shades of grey in the half-light.

A settlement of black-timbered houses are splashed with sunset red reflected from the snowy peaks around it. No church or castle is evident but a single temple rises up in the middle of the town. And at it's summit is an altar and towering over that is the image of a wolf-god it's head still crowned in gold. A chill wind blows through the empty streets, stirring up the ochre leaves.

After using his talents to seek out a few images from the mind of the cultist, the magister of the Loyal Aurdun of Fyhar Gora slumped forwards exhausted. The resistance of the dark disciple had been formidable.

Tribes and Nations -2

In the days of the Old Empire, civilization surrounded the Mare Nostrum. Peace reigned in a hundred provinces. In some the Empire was welcomed and in some sullenly resented. When three great rulers contended for the throne six centuries ago, a civil war started which resulted in countless deaths. Empty victories followed bitter defeats until the legions were almost filled with barbarian voices. Then within five years all three parts of the empire were assailed by external foes and the west of the Empire almost fell. Provinces were lost in the deserts of the south , in the mountains and plains in the north and along the great rivers of the east Finally at the eleventh hour all three would-be emperors realised the truth. Only together could they survive. Each ruler swore a terrible oath binding himself and his successors. Assistance was sent where needed and the invasions were stopped. And so the jointly ruled Empire was born of necessity and flourished to the point where some of the lost provinces were recovered. Of course later the Stygian Revolt gave rise to the Tetrarchy and the fourth Imperial City and the deeds of Heraclios, Destroyer of Achmenya added the fifth part of the Pentarchy. The five rulers are of course not equal in all things. Two Augustii and three Caesars rule from their great cities. As time passed the five imperial pentarchies grew further apart in culture, trade and military doctrine. So much so that it is often more like five empires. Many Augustii and Caesars have threatened to break the sworn pact or delayed assistance but somehow the Pentarchy has just held.

Rhyming Games - 1

мечта-крадец

отнема скрити знания
оставя тайна името
лъжене във вътрешната пещера
тайни са скривалище

dream-thief takes a hidden knowledge
dream-thief leaves a secret name
hiding in the inner cavern
secrets are a hiding game

Tribes and Nations -1

Some details of the peoples living near to the realm and their characteristics according to the common view. The name of that people in their own language is also shown:
Most men of the muggyr would assume that any of these people other than Szekely living within the realm are either thieving Bayars or plain murderous savages. Almost all would be deemed uncouth, uncivilised, and untrustworthy. They would be genuinely surprised to know that their neighbours have almost the same opinion of them.
Kőgótok (also Greuthungi) are blonde, blue eyed barbarian tribes. These nomadic horsemen have horses larger than the ponies of the Beseyok and Ruaroch. They occupy lands north of the Karbath Mountains but pay little heed to borders. Some trading takes place with the Kőgótok. They are skilled with lance and bow.
Thracius (also Thracous) are a wild dark-haired rabble led by a weak feuding aristocracy. They have long coveted the realm but rarely threaten the borders to the south. They favour ambush tactics and use short swords of a type not commonly used in the realm.
Beseyok (also Pazinags) are a grouping of semi-nomadic tribes who live across the wide grasslandss to the north and east of the realm beyond the Kunok. A few large settlements exist, usually with the hall of one of their leaders. Other horse-lord peoples share the steppe such as the Ruaroch (also Ruaran). Thankfully, no great leader has managed to unify these warrior tribesmen. These horse-lords have acquired a fearsome reputation and are believed by many common folk to have horns and tails. Few have any first-hand knowledge.
The Wallach (also Vlak) occupy the lands lie to the east of the boundaries of the realm. They frequently form Bayar bands for brigandage and raiding of neighbouring states. Wallacia is a unified state but it is very poor. It is in turn raided by the Gaetok and Beseyok. It may once have been larger and more prosperous.
Gaetok or Daciok (also Daous) is sometimes translated as 'People of the Wolf'. They are not numerous but have some individual settlements north east of the realm. It is not a unified kingdom. They are bandits and outcasts with strange magical rites and stranger religious practices.
Kolloth (also Norici) are now mostly assimilated into the realm but some independent settlements still exist round the western fringes of the realm, They have always been known for their fierce warriors and skilled craftsmen.
Skalgrimoth are blonde warriors settled in the border regions of the realm. They are mostly civilised. It is not known whether this tribe were once connected to the Kőgótok or are from the northlands. They show no special affinity for horses.

A Nest of Troubles

Szutsavanica, 15th Dyarr YT330.

The tower of Szutsavanica was surrounded by an ant's nest. A few weeks ago it had occupied the grassy bank with only a few herders huts for company. Now the huts had been flattened and piles of materials and buildings were scattered around it. Its conical roof still stood a hundred feet above the tops of the first new buildings. All kinds were under construction – mean and noble; bold and magisterial; functional and ostentatious. Streets and yards laid out with whitewash lines marked where even more would be built.

Mages in blue robes were striding about looking purposeful. The gold-coloured trims and ornamentation sometimes shone with a new found lustre. The settlers included craftsmen of course, building the town and making whatever was needful. But shopkeepers and merchants were also quick to stake a claim to the best plots. The mock streets were the scene for several real arguments daily. No beggars yet. And fewer women than men.

But everyone was talking about the strange marks daubed on the walls before midnight. Tower and town were without answers. The scrying had added no information about the deed or its agents. Watchmen had failed to catch anyone. It was frightening many. Some had gone back to their former places. Most could not. Some of the settlers whispered that a lord would have been more apt to action than these magisters. But after two weeks the council had finally acted. They had sent for one of there own. Voltarr was summoned to the Council.

Inn Signs - 1

The Horned Bear (Szarus Zsaru) is not an inn that 'outsiders' visit much. It is in the worst quarter in Gylwics. It doesn't have fine food or wine. From the visible marks on furnishings, it appears to have had more fights in the last few weeks than noble visitors in a similar number of years.

It does have a painted sign with the old bear 'a pied' carrying a hunting horn. Since there are many hunting lodges in the Karbäth Mountains this is an appropriate sign for an Inn which may have started out providing refreshment for thirsty huntsmen. A few wild outdoor types still drink there. Probably those that don't want to be bothered by too many questions.

Dreams and Interpretations

The Prognostications of Ingusz Vàrrbäth-Matha, Celestial College

185. The herb of blood opens the door. Visions of conflagration. Pallas in Taurus opposed. Schemes in the Dark Tower lay low the life-giver eclipsed. In the dregs of Nagyolaszi is the taste of death. Stone-folk bait the trap and spring it. Chosen of the loyal strike a timely blow. The sword of the righteous sweeps clean.

This extract from the writings of Värbäth-Matha was written in YT 325 at the time of the Dagor Nimlagor. It is generally taken to have been at least partially fulfilled by the events which took place in Nagyolaszi on 23^rd to 25^th Byad YT330 when the necromantic Samagina cult was suppressed by a group of loyal subjects and the Order of Michael. References to the eclipsed Sun are symbolic of life-force corrupted in necromancy. Pallas may refer to cult mysteries or to the unmasking of the cult. House Taurus mentioned is considered by the Celestial college to be unfavourable to the detection of mysteries. Other interpretations have been put forward which seek to explain references to visions, the 'herb of blood' and 'chosen of the loyal'. Since there are never any interpretations from the author, none of these versions can be tested. The cynical say that these soothsayers are always unwilling to face such testing.

Gifts and Practices

Clerics of the Church of St.Kosz of Astergow and of the various venerations

Most clerics serve in one town or village for most of their lives. Whether their saint is St Vanaslasz or St Nar. Whether they venerate the Archangel Gabriel or Vala Orome.

Brotherhoods and Orders each have their own Rule, but all agree that clerics should exhibit one or more of the following 'outward gifts': Healing, Prophesy, Teaching, Preaching and Exhortation.

The practices of each branch of mother church include Prayer, Blessing, Abstinence and Scripture. Laity and clerics alike are encouraged to devote time to these practices but in the Brotherhoods and Orders the hours of each day spent in these disciplines is set out. Those who break the Rule must answer to their superiors.

Those miracle workers and militant defenders who move about the Realm must of needs practice their Rule whilst also carrying out their allotted mission. The book of Bapu Bazacs recently circulated in the houses of the Michaelines, is the first to try to offer practical advice to active clerics in their sojourns.

"Every aspect of the true church has a distorted counterpart in the cults that seek to supplant her. Curses replace blessings. Desecration and false prophesy are practiced instead of the truth. Only one type of practices are used in both true-church and cult. A few Clerics are practitioners of Binding and Warding against evil. All cult priests can do this too. They however need it to gain power and defend themselves from their own kind!"

Prognostications of a Madman (Vol 31 Part i)

The Prognostications of Ingusz Vàrrbäth-Matha, Celestial College (written circa. YT326)

211. The Secret Knowledge shall stand against the imperial bulwark. What is not thought can still be spoken. Many will perish but the defender of the muggyr must be weighed in the balance. Neptune in Capricorn rising. Six shall rise but one shall fall to the grey. New moon in the house of the dying. A staff, a trap and a feathered-cap shall be the instruments of the spheres. Seek the help of a slate-robed man in Giliwics.

212. The herb of blood shall come to meet the father of Collisz. Jupiter in Libra. And judgement will come to pass against the followers of the other ones. Nienna on the cusp of Mandos. A red death meets the son of Dostoi in the time of need.

213. Cousins at enmity. Mars in Gemini opposed. The cat shall find it's yarn but the other shall give away it's secret. In the trap a final hazard. Kill or cure for Vojeslav?

214. Hall of the Winter Stars. At the birth of Manwë. Counsel shall be sought against the Inhuman One. The trail of death shall point to Polaris but who will be the chosen men.

215.Children of stone. Your fealty shall be tested. Iron in blood slaked by secret rune opposed. Light of nadir stars reflected.

216. Scions of Aquarian lore. Before Byòl is run through once a need shall arise in the tower of the bright flame. Much wisdom begets little action. Mercury in Virgo reversed. Seek the tombe of words unwritten. Saviours of Szürkal may be found in the path of success. Boldiszar is in the path of ruination.

Travels with the World Wise

Törpek Ötödek like Tolarr are far-travellers and often have information about places and customs of men that others do not. Indeed their viewpoint on the lives and cities of men is often clearer than those of men.

Tolarr was greatly impressed by the physicians of Lazargorod and the feats of manna demonstrated in Vedetimova as he wandered through the world. These cities were founded as noochracies and still retained many laws and priviledges from the days of the founders not found elsewhere. Further from home he passed through the great city of Kirlyovsk with it's royal palaces and strange domed churches. Even a stone-dweller törpek could not fail to admire the great walls and gates and the fine art of Kirlyovsk.

Many years later he had a chance to compare the splendour of Kirlyovsk with industry and wealth of Heimbrechtstadt many leagues to the west and the dignity of Hrabenberg on the great river and was able to understand as few are the breadth of humankind's achievement.

Other places such as Kasmirova, Czernebogsk or Gogol Merski painted an altogether less favourable picture of the works of man: deceit, corruption and the exploitation of the weak and poor. Tolarr, though not given to introspection, observed all of this and learned from it. Above all other races, men and their deeds could face in two directions.

Trumpet and Drum

'Fass es Spitze' (tr. Drum and Horn, alt. Trumpet and Drum) is an old street in an old city. It's the place where those who espouse the second oldest profession meet. And also where they gain mastery of the skills they need to survive. Why did it get a name in the northern tongue which sounds like an inn?

Scholars say that the name became associated with Festök and Szinesze. Festök is the term for dyes and in this street it was principally indigo and purple. The making of dyes was the trade carried out in that area before the street became what it is now. Indeed, the dyestuff was mixed in a wooden vat or drum so the link is double. Szinesze is the term for a female player and in some circles specifically an Aeyep female player. Unlike dye-making this occupation still thrives in the vicinity, notably at the establishment of Madame Rygara. Why did these two trades share the same small part of Korzow? It is likely that wandering players were good customers for those selling dyed cloth, particularly cloth in unusual and dramatic colours. Acting was then regarded as for those of low birth, perhaps even outcasts. So a street with dye-works may have been the only place that would accept them. Now the entertainers share the street with armorers and mercenaries rather than fullers and such. Both players and soldiers are greatly in demand in Korzow. Merchants need security for goods shipped across the dangerous Karbath Mountains. They also have the money to hire entertainment. And the dramatic arts are seldom as well accomplished as in the house of she who in her youth belonged to one of the greatest traveling troupes in the land.

Fragments of the History of the Törpek

Earth-kin in the Realm consider that they all come from the same father. One of the seven progenitors, Azaghâl is mostly mentioned in the tale about the legendary axe. But Azaghäl was the second of the seven and he and his kin made there home in an area to the west of where the Realm now stands. His city was Gabilgathol and it was carved high in the peak of a very great mountain. The tragic tale of that once great city is said to still cause one of the Törpek Másodek to cover his face with his hands in grief. Several hundred years ago a great number of Törpek Másodek migrated east where they took over the city and holy-mountain of Azigilmahâl. Another legend suggests that once, ages before story, this was the city of the seventh father but whether the Törpek Hetedek also migrated is not mentioned. Of the other Törpek, the line of Iaurgond has most dealings with the line of Azaghâl. Far-traveled adventurers such as Tolarr and prospectors from the north do reach the Realm occasionally but they seem strange to the folk of Azaghâl these days. It is said many of the Ötödek take man-names and pay less heed to old ways.

Written on a Scrap of Parchment

Karbäth mountains, somewhere north of Komiro, 11th Dyarr YT330

A single piece of parchment is left un-burnt and discovered in a strange village by Olorin. From the location, the nights struggle and the note found with it, it is clearly unholy and probably significant. The choice before them is this - seek out the meaning or return to Giliwics with a cryptic puzzle? It seems that whichever they choose, the sands in the glass are almost done.

Regions of the Realm

The realm of St. Kosz of Astergow in TY330 was divided into two crown administered regions and seven controlled by the chief lords or Borsonin.

The crown lands were Borsod and Zsabolcs at that time. Later regions in the west were added to the crown lands but at that time Korzow and Nagyolaszi were the principal cities in these areas.

The Borsonin lands of Thàthoûr, Thurracsūr, Fuzynūr, Karroûr, Vozsethoûr, Vakynūr, Thucvuzoûr were of course named after their lord and therefore changed name from time to time. Fuzyn for example was Vocsynfy Fuzyn and so that region had been for a time Vocsynūr. Most of the Borsonin inherited the given name from their sire and so the region retained the name. The chief town or city in each of the borsonin lands in YT330 (and the location of that lord's court) were Racivow, Byrno, Olzstyn, Szicsäcyn, Gyor, Moson-tylar and Gylwics. Anyone with a petition could by law seek a judgement at one of these courts on any quarter day.