A New Dawn
The Birth of a new Religion (Cy 4810)
The infestation of Barrios’ Daywalker vampires has the civilised world of Grayhawk dreading the coming of strangers. From Drenai to Darim and as far north as the New Bretonia the people of Grayhawk searched for salvation. Many turned to their kings who in turn searched for similar deliverance. It became clear that none could fight this peril; no soldier, no guard and no sorcerer.
Barrios had removed the greatest threat to the Universe but the people of Grayhawk faced a threat far greater than anything that had come before. Nature, wise in the ways of universe, saw how the people feared for their very existence. Time, she thought, to give them back that which has been lost – missing for centuries since the crusades against the Old Gods.
She mused over the problem for several months until the solution dawned like the new era she was about to issue forth.
‘I will give the people of Grayhawk something to believe in…I will give them Gods to show them the moral light to lead them out of the darkness. To mankind a strong force for good – a leader who will provide courage and belief. To the elves a wise and graceful queen, whose beauty will inspire and enlighten. For balance an Earth Guardian who will embrace the elements and the wind.
‘And as their strength grows and blossoms so the eternal light of the Universe will dim and I shall pass into the shadow worlds – leaving Grayhawk to the New Gods and to its peoples. Long has been my watch over Grayhawk, but the time has wearied me and now I feel I should move on…’
The above extract is from the Tenets of Nature, a document central to the three new religions of Grayhawk. It gives the three religions (The New Gods) credence and a mandate with which to build their respective religions. The document is identical and there are only three in existence.
Elven – Andurien Willowstar – The Queen of the Elves
Mankind – Malkar the White
The Earth Warden – Hofgar – Lord of the Earth
These new faiths have spread widely throughout the world of Grayhawk – their popularity a direct result of the war in the East (See the Barrios Years). Religious warriors – the paladins – also emerged; greeted like kings in many areas they policed the outlands and allied themselves to the religions that gave them shelter.
A new era of Grayhawk begins…