Shadowbane Lore Archives

Collection of Shadowbane Lore includes rare documents

Religions: The Three Rings of the All-Father

Religion: The Three Rings of the All-Father

You're right - the three aspects of the All-Father are indeed tied to the three rings.

As far as the moons go, there's more to it than just the fact of the three goddesses. Bear in mind that according to ancient Elvish legend (read the epic poem in the History section), the Universe is nothing but a black orb floating in Chaos, an sphere containing exactly three worlds (Aerynth and the two moons).

So, by using the three planets as His emblem, the All-Father is technically claiming dominion over the Universe and all its contents.

Also, while most Magi believe that the universe is essentially dualistic, born of the opposition between two Cosmic Forces (Law and Chaos), theologians have always thought the Universe was tri-partite, there are in reality three Forces - Law, Chaos, and Spirit (that which makes the inanimate animate). Most Magi consider Spirit an element instead of a Force. "Experimental" research, such as it exists in medieval Aerynth, seems to support both conclusions. The manifestation of the three forces as three distinct worlds is only appropriate from a neo-Platonist or hermetic viewpoint - as above, so below.

So, any theologian worth his salt would also tell you that the All-Father's symbol also signifes His dominion over the three Forces, and hence all existence.

While we're on the subject, the way the calendar is shaping up, Aerynth will have three seasons (Spring, Summer, and Winter), another link between the AF's triskellion disks and the concept of universality.

Did I mention that the All-Father directly sired three races (Elves, Giants, and Humans)?

Also, he had three companions - Thurin, Malog, and Kenaryn. The similarities in temperament between the Companions and the three essential aspects of the All-Father (Creator, Protector, and Provider/Wanderer) has led many to believe that the Companions are manifestations of Pandarrion's consciousness, beings born of His thought and personality.

The modern Holy Church downplays the companions, seeing them as refelctions of the All-Father, subsuming them into one grand order - to resolve the supposed conflict of interest Dwarves have, the doctrine of Tri-fold Manifestation teaches that worshipping Thurin and worshipping the All-Father are, technically exactly the same thing. A very old idea (I expect it first was formulated way back before the War of the Scourge), it faded into obscurity for millennia, but has come back into vogue since the Turning. I expect this has smoothed out a lot of ruffles as Dwarves rejoin the Church (on both sides - the justification it offers is as comforting for Human Prelates tolerating Thurin worship as it is for Dwarves who have learned to sing new songs to Pandarrion).

Y'see, depending on how far you wnat to dig, those Rings can symbolize ALL sorts of things...