The Flanaess is a violent place, and those who most often recieve the brunt of this violence are the travellers, those who seek to move beyond the confines of the walls surrounding the great cities and castles of the land. From this violence, a hybrid religious movement was born, devoted to the twin gods Celestian and Fharlanghn, and incorporating elements of Zuoken's faith, to help those who seek to wander among the lands both civilized and uncivilized.
Author: Mike Schleigh
Travelers of the Twofold Path
(A nomadic monastic order venerating Fharlanghn & Celestian)
by Mike "Brother Frantz" Schleigh (schleigh@martnet.com)
Used with Permission. Do not repost without obtaining prior permission from the author.
History
The Wars were hard on all, but particularly for the unarmed pilgrims of Fharlanghn & Celestian who wandered the Oerth. Followers of these faiths often traveled together much as the brotherly deities walked along the same paths a long, long time ago.
The Fharlanghnites were the pathfinders across the rough terrain, while the Celestianites would plot their next day's course in the twilight, navigating by the stars high in the skies above Oerth.
One such group of pilgrims, led by Heinlich, a devotee to Fharlanghn, & Zigmund, a Celestian-believer, brought their fellows on a pilgrimage from various points in Keoland on a trip to a holy site of Celestian along the coast of the Drawmidj Ocean just east of Hodash Bay.
The leaders knew that they were headed into dangerous lands on their
way to the center of the Baklunish homeland. Having assessed the
possible routes, either around the Yatil range into the penumbra of the
various nomad tribes, or through the contended valley between Tusmit and
Ket. They chose the latter. For their safety, the pilgrims hired some
guards to escort them. Despite hostilities between Ket and Bissel, they
ventured safely out of the Sheldomar valley through the Banner Hills and
into the Plains held by those of Baklunish blood.
For reasons explained below, the Brotherly Gods chose this time to
divert the path of their followers. Alas, on the first night on the
plains, the sky was overcast and the stargazers of Celestian became
disoriented with their celestial navigation.
Rather than proceeding onto their expected destination, the
pilgrimage traveled into the territory hunted by the blood-thirsty
dwellers of Ull. As Istus would have it, their company was attacked
mercilessly by a band of Ullish horsemen. The guards were maimed and
routed. Then from the plains another band of nomads attacked, luckily
rallying against the forces from Ull.
Greatly injured, a handful of pilgrims succumbed to unconsciousness
as the faces of their Baklunish saviors looked down at them
inquisitively. Of the score of men who embarked, only five survived the
onslaught: Heinlich, Zigmund, Dalia, Kern & Thyliss. They all awoke to
find their wounds bound and tended. Taking account of their
surroundings, they discovered that they had been laid upon large
over-stuffed pillows of a fine fabric atop a lush carpet. The area was
well lit by pitch torches mounted on brass tripods. These illuminates a
natural cavern area that seemed to be well ventilated as the wisps of
the pilgrims hair floated in a light breeze.
A strong voice with a foreign accent interrupted their observations,
"I hope you are comfortable effendi. I have no need for such luxuries,
but I like to show my guest a high degree of comfort."
The pilgrims turned their attention to an aged Baklunish man who
stood on a outcropping above them. He wore a simple robe and bore the
symbol of Zuoken on a leather string about his neck.
"I am Firaq al Shased. You are in no danger. Lady Istus must smile
upon you. The Paynims were as likely to kill you as the Ullish beasts.
When forces such as your guards march upon these lands armed, it is an
invitation for trouble. Were it not for the grace of Istus' hand, the
Khan would have kept you for his amusement. One of Istus' own found you
to be gentle creatures and convinced him to leave you in my charge: as
you would not be welcome to stay with the Paynims, and you are not
prepared for the journey back to your lands."
For some time, the pilgrims remained his guests as they were nursed
back to health. Firaq welcomed the strangers as his own kin into his
simple hermitage, and they responded in kind. He explained the
importance of diet and exercise, and chided them for not knowing how to
defend themselves.
"You need not guards and mercenaries. Your greatest weapon is your
mind for with it, you can master yourself and your environment. Through
mastery of mind and body, perfection & peace can be accomplished. True
enlightenment arrives through the dedication to perfecting oneself.
His new pupils asked why such a wise one had no other students to attend to him.
"Perfection cannot arise by staying in one place too long, my pupils
are searching for the great teacher and challenge themselves along the way."
They then asked why it was that he himself was encamped.
"There comes a time when the legs have journeyed as far as they will
go, but fear not, for my journey will continue. The one within. Once my
final steps are taken along that path I will journey to realms beyond
the imagination. Through our meditation you will learn to achieve a
higher plane of existence. But first you must learn how to control yourselves."
So began their training. Through exercise and meditation, and a
great deal of practice for months on end, the pilgrims became skilled in
the art of da shon. Firaq unsuccessfully attempted to bring forth any
inherent edel talents to no avail. Meanwhile, the pilgrims found a way
to reconcile the philosophy of Zuoken & da shon with the teachings of
the Traveling Brothers.
After another year and a half, Firaq gathered his disciples. "You
are ready to return to your people. I must begin a new journey myself. I
will need you to seal off this place and promise to never reveal its
location to anyone. You have been most excellent students, but you must
now find challenges to increase your own understanding and walk on the
path of enlightenment. Use your skills for just causes. da shon must be
used to bring honor to Zuoken and the gods that you worship. Forever
endeavor to be better than you are, and inspire those around you to
aspire to physical and mental perfection."
After this, Firaq asked the pupils to take their leave. The five,
bound by faith and experience swore an oath that day that they would
abide by the ascetics teachings. they gave thanks to the traveling
brothers for their fortunes as well.
They arrived safely at their homes in the Sheldomar and bid farewell
to their families after a long absence. Each regrouped at Niole Dra and
picked a direction and vowed to meet the challenges that would come on
their paths ahead. They agreed to preach their philosophy to all who
would listen and teach their skills to those who would use them
honorably. and they have ever since.
Membership
Alignment: LN or LG. The order will only indoctrinate those of honor and
of a beneficent nature towards all creatures
Class: The Order will only accept members who are willing to become
monks. They will not accept barbarians under any circumstances, and
thieves are generally frowned upon except under certain circumstances
(the PC would have to be selfless and noble in character). Druids
generally do not join due to the traveling requirement (see below) and
the lawful nature of its members. Priests of Fharlanghn & Celestian are
particularly welcome.
Race: Any creature that adopts the philosophies and teachings of the
order is welcome.
Philosophy (by parables)
"The journey brings more understanding that the arrival."
"Enlightenment is the final destination."
"A restriction on the freedom to move is a roadblock on the path of understanding - remove it for yourself and others."
"Act honorably and conduct yourself within the moral code."
"Wayward travelers are your brothers and sisters."
"A full purse weighs heavily on the road, give excess to just causes."
"Amassed wealth ties one to the land and ends the enlightened journey."
"Respect beast of burden as they are the dreams of Fharlanghn."
"Look into space every night, the better for Celestian to smile upon you."
"They who can find perfection within shall wander both the heavens and the Oerth."
"The roads of the world are an allegory for the spirit paths, you must travel both for true understanding."
"A tale on the trail, is fine for the mind, but a snack in the pack is better for the track."
Vows
Charity: No monk of this order is expected to be impoverished,
however, they are expected to give freely of their excess moneys to
just causes. In addition they should freely share their skills and
resources (including magic) with their traveling companions unless
they find them morally reprehensible.
Protection of Travelers: The right to travel freely is integral to
these monks. They must never turn down a mission involving the
protection of travelers, unless said are themselves violent towards
the gentle and meek or otherwise have nefarious purposes.
Proselytizing: The order wishes to spread the gospel of the
traveling brothers. the monks welcome the fellowship of priests of
Fharlanghn & Celestian wholeheartedly. Under no circumstances,
however will a monk speak poorly of Zuoken.
Dedication to Physical & Mental Mastery: Monks of this order are
expected to face any challenge and overcome it by utilizing all of
their skills. Only by confronting what seems insurmountable may one
overcome their own inhibitions and master oneself. Through this,
monks perfect their understanding of da shon and themselves.
Joining
A monk-candidate must spend time training with an existing monk
(suggested 1-2 TU for LG). At levels 4, 8, and 12, the monk is expected
to find one of the five masters for further training. After the last
meeting, the monk must walk the rest of the path alone.
Note: Celestian, Fharlanghn, Zuoken