Claude

= The one divine =

The protector of the mortal realm, savior of all and the one true divine. Where there are "Demons" claiming to be "gods" there is a group of Claude's faithful followers preaching the word of Claude. The birch tree is associated with Claude, as Khal the great crafted his only weapon out of a silvery birch branch. The reaching seal of Claude is also a symbol often used by his followers. It is a cross with two arms reaching upwards, the head slightly taller than the arms. Three pillars reaching for Claude. One is The Scarlet Maiden, who was forgiven, another is The Golden Lord, who turned from darkness, and the tallest is Khal, first of Claude, he who taught the word.

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-Recorded Worshippers of Claude-
Thorvald, Knight of The One and Acting King of Daleshire

Dugg'Mal, son of Gor'Kel

Sir Kennald Birgirst

Jon Karl, the digger, "The Cellar Dweller"

Exile, Oracle of Claude

Handygoon, the goon

''Sven, temporary king of Daleshire

''Cedric Vane, courtmage of Daleshire

Orion Draft, "Adventurer"

Helgi, The Bigmouth

Aqword, mage and pumpkin head

Gimbledorf, chief miner of Daleshire

Snooks, the miner

Saint Silven of The Outworld

Gunther, the signmaker

Khav, Knight of Daleshire

Penny, Beloved cow of Daleshire

The Book of Khal
''In the final days of the dim age, there shone for the first time a spark of light over the vast steppes of Aikia. This was no light brought by fire, Nor was it caused by the beams of the sun, for it was far past the time of the sun.

''Some would claim that it was a celestial light, bringing with it the salvation of all. That is indeed the truth, but it was not a light to be seen by the eyes of men. For it flickered unrestingly inside a mortal. This mortal was but a man of his craft. A Poor masaon, Khal, a denizen of lorknadan, the then great kingdom of the south. A Kingdom that suffered greatly at the hands of a corrupted King, a praiser of demons.''

''The people of Lorknadan praised these demons as gods, and in return the demons ensured unrest and war in the land. The same was true for all neighboring kingdoms, These demons were praised, and fear by all. The people knew that these demons where powerful, and they feared them. At times the demons rewarded the mortals but only if they pleased them, But those who opposed them were hunted down and if luck was with them, they where killed, Others had their minds removed, and made mindless servants of the four.''

''Khal had lived his whole life as a humble man, free from all the demons imposed on men. He had no Desire for riches, neither was he to proud to help those who asked help of him, He never took payment for anything he did and did it all quickly and well. He was never a man of violence, and even when men did him wrong, He remained calm and willing to settle the dispute,''

''It was here the first light of Claude flickered wildly. In the heart of this man,''

''Claude had seen the things these people suffered at the hands of the four demons, and felt great remorse for their sufferings. He spoke to Khal, and told him that he would be his first. At first Khal did not understand, for Claude was not yet Known in this land. But he quickly came to understand that this was indeed the protector of this realm.''

''Claude spoke to him again :"I know that you are a good man, for you follow my words, thought you have yet to hear it". Khal fet a great surge as Claude spoke, and when he had finished, he felt enlightened, Claude spoke to him again. ''

''He told him that in order to bring peace and salvation to the land, Khal had to open the eyes of the masses, He had to make them see their suffering, for they were ignorant to what they where enduring, he told Khal of people who would embrace him, for he knew the minds of people. Men and women with the courage to be the first to follow Claude in these harsh times,''

''Khal felt the presence of Claude fade as he was left to think about what Claude had said. He spent the remaining hours before the morning preparing for the task Claude had bestowed upon him. He went to a nearby forest and chose a silvery branch from a burch, he crafted his branch into a companion to accompany him on his travels. A sturdy staff to help him stay upright, even trough the hardest of trials.''

''As the first sunlight lit up the steppes of Aikia, Khal emerged from the Silvenwood, bearing his silvery companion, and as the sunlight reached him, he radiated vivid beams of silvery light. As if Claude him self had reached out and lit a great silver flame in the woods.''

''Those that had risen early saw this, and Claude's light filled them. They felt his peace, and all power any demon had over them vanished. They came to Khal, and he told to them the word of Claude.''

''He told them of Modesty and Forgiveness, of prudence and temperance, and last of all he spoke of Courage and justice. As the the words of Claude filed their hearts, they gained new hope for their homeland, Fathers rushed home to tell their families of what they heard, brothers embraced each other as sisters cheered. As word spread throughout Lorknadan, Khal was sought out by many a commoner. But the nobler blood of the land did not think highly of this commoner, who claimed to be the bringer of the one divine.''

''For they worshipped the four demons, First came {---],brother to [---], worshipped as god of victory and warfare, Truly a demon of wrath, Then came [---] Sister to [---} worshipped as a godess of glory,merits and patron of story-tellers, truly a demon of pride. The third was [---], worshipped as the god of prosperity and plenty, truly a demon of greed, fourth was [---}, favored by the richer blood of Lorknadan, worshipped as a god of luxury and well-being, truly a demon of sloth. All of them powerful indeed, but none would match the Glory of Claude.''

''As Khal wandered the land, spreading the word, many folks took to walking with him. He spoke to them, and told them that neither he, nor Claude, did require them to walk with him. But the masses only raised their voices to call the name of their savoir and his first.''

''Reaching the edge of The Aikia Steppes, near the outskirts of the Deepwoods, Khal sought out a miller, and asked of him shelter for the night. The miller told him that he would gladly provide housing for Khal, but the mob that stood at his back would have to seek shelter elsewhere. Khal spoke then" I will not set myself over my brethern, house a few and I will go with the rest and find shelter"''

''But as Khal was to leave, the mob blocked his way. They told to him, "Take shelter with the miller, we will sleep under open air".''

''Altought Khal did not wish to set himself before the many, they gave him no choise. And so was it, that Khal alone stayed in the mill and the faithful lay under open sky. A fortnight after Claude had first come to Khal, he spoke to him again. He told him of a high-born lord who sought to end the spreading of Claude. Gregor Wardfell, a highly favoured subject of the king and champion to [---} (Wrath)''

''He told him that in time, Gregor would see the light, and that beneath the shroud of wrath, Gregor was a just and honourable man. Claude told Khal to seek Gregor out, and present to him the light of Claude. The saviour then left Khal to his sleep.''

''The first folk rose even before the sun had shed its light on the land. When Khal emerged from the mill, the faithful called for him to come. They led him to a shrine constructed for the glory of Claude. Khal looked at them, and saw that these people would do anything for Claude''

''Where many would see opportunities, Khal saw only the danger of abuse. He feared this possibility, for with it came ill tidings. Yet he smiled and told the people they had done a fine deed. Thereafter he gathered all the faithful, and he told them of the words Claude had said. The masses made their way to Wardfell Castle.''

''Upon reaching the lands of Gregor Wardfell, Khal instructed his followers to spread out and talk to his folk. To tell them of Claude. Khal himself wandered to Wardfell castle, to seek out Gregor himself. As the mason made his way to the Castle, Claude's words filled him. "Fear not the champion of fury, my child. Do not take his threats for real, for his mind is just and his soul clean. He is Blinded by the demon of wrath, but not all blind to the truth"''

''As Khal stood before the gates of Wardfell, he called for the lord. But he needed not call for long before Gregor Wardfell emerged from his hold, his lifeguard behind him. "Hear my words" Khal uttered "Turn your mind from the rage of [---], for his ways are wicked! Embrace Claude, for only trough him will you find salvation!" ''

Salv- and-   Gre- r   bef- e  T-  h-

-The remaining pages have been lost to time and ruin-