Onrir
Major Aspect of Order
The ever-vigilant watcher of the realms, guarding from unnatural threats.
Onrir guides the vigilant through the world's untamed edges, serving as the ever-watchful shield against the unnatural.
Onrir is most often depicted as a massive, spectral wolf, his form shimmering with an ethereal glow that pierces the deepest gloom. His fur is not of hair, but appears woven from light and shadow. His eyes burn like embers in the night, radiating unwavering focus. He exudes a presence of immense strength and grace, standing as an imposing figure of vigilance. He is frequently depicted patrolling the shifting borders between the physical world and the realms beyond, warding off malevolent beings. He is an ancient, tireless sentinel, existing as the First Scout, and it is foretold that his presence is preceded by a sudden, heavy silence in the woods or the faint, rhythmic sound of paws on dry leaves where no creature stands.
He is the embodiment of Vigilance and the Sacred Boundary, representing the Order found in the natural cycle of the hunt. Onrir teaches that protection is not a wall, but a constant state of readiness and the discipline to track and eliminate threats before they take root. He represents the Guidance of Ancestors, acting as the bridge between the wisdom of those who came before and those who are yet to come. He is not a god of senseless slaughter, but a force of Primal Justice, ensuring that the borders between the wild and the civilized, the natural and the unholy, are never breached uncontested.
Rites
Vigil of the Threshold: Hunters or scouts entering a dangerous territory or guarding a border will remain in total silence from dusk until dawn, marking their perimeter with stones or silver ash. This rite is a commitment to Onrir that the individual will serve as his eyes and ears, keeping the "unnatural" at bay in exchange for his keen senses and protection.
On the Shoulders of Giants: Marking the brow or weapon with grave-soil mud from an honored ancestor's grave, to invite ancestral wisdom and guidance when taking on a new task or dangerous hunt.
Celebrations
The Night of the Silver Pack: Celebrated during the peak of the winter solstice when the veil between worlds is thinnest. This was practiced mostly in Ronayu communities, where they would gather to light great bonfires and share stories of ancestral heroes. The night involves a "Spirit Hunt," where participants track a symbolic "shadow beast" through the woods to demonstrate their skill and prove they are worthy of Onrir’s watchful eye.
The Day of Readiness: These were held in mid-autumn. The celebration honored the "Master of the Hunt." The community gathered to clean and repair the tools of the forest: bows were re-strung, spears sharpened, and trail markers repainted. It was a day of communal labor followed by a feast of game and wild berries, ending with wild physical competitions that lasted through the night. It celebrated the discipline required to live on the edge of the wild, alongside the brutal physical abilities required.
Effigy: Onrir's effigies typically depict a crouching wolf with eyes of polished carnelian or amber that catch the light. These are often placed at the entrances of villages or along mountain passes. Another common effigy is a silver-tipped spear or bow carved with intricate runes of protection and tracking, symbolizing the tools of the Guardian.
Domains: Vigilance, Hunting, Boundaries, Ancestors, Protection.
Legends: It is said that in the earliest days of the world, Onrir was the first to draw a line in the dirt with his claw, declaring that the shadows beyond the stars could not cross into the green places of the world so long as his kin kept the watch.
Goals: To maintain the sanctity of borders, protect the natural world from corruption, and guide the spirits of the fallen to their rest.
Draws Strength From: Acts of selfless protection, the disciplined hunt, the marking of boundaries, and the honoring of one’s lineage.
Rivels: Diavola (The Crawling Doom)
Originating Culture: Ronayu