# Saint Annis Dayrin (AN-iss DAY-rin) ##### Prophet of Amangyr, the Lady of Peace, Patroness of the League, Guarantor of Prosperity and Justice **Saint Annis Dayrin** one of the five Saints of **Amangyr**. She is known as the Lady of Peace, the First Light of Amangyr, and was the founder of the Daryin League.   As a recipient of Amangyr's revelation, St. Annis is a mortal whose teachings define the understanding of Amangyr, a transcendant montheistic diety. She teaches that Amangyr favors the virutes of altruism, charity, humility and forgiveness. The Worship of St. Annis tends to focus around four Aspects of her teachings:   **Annis the Giver:** Stresses the importance of charity, fellowship and for standing up in the defense of righteousness. **Annis the Healer:** Teaches that through the power of faith, great things are possible, even for the low and the meager. **Annis the Redeemer:** Speaks of how all are capable of goodness of virtue, could they but be shown the path of righteousness and justice. Thus all sentient people are worthy of the love and respect of St. Annis, and those who would follow in her example. **Annis the Penitent:** Focuses on the futility of living the sinless life, and instead focuses on humility, self-reflection, and understanding.   # History ### In the Beginning... After the **Fall of the Yagmar Kingdoms**, the Yagmaran people were held under the curse of the fiend Maar Leyna. For many generations, they grew further removed from their true heritage, and the knowledge of Amangyr had faded from their collective memory. It was in this dark time that Annis Dayrin was born.   ### Early Life Annis was born to a poor fisher family, who fell victim to a hydra's wrath. Annis escaped the beast and was left adrift on the oceans, where she was rescued and adopted by **Shyvra** and [Hevarra Esperev](https://www.worldanvil.com/w/temnia-jigokusabre/a/hevarra-article). The pair raised Annis, but only Hevarra truly accepted Annis as a member of the family. Annis bore their mistreatment with equinimity. During her adolescence, Ma'ar Leyna had sent a storm to smite the Esperev's vessel, and marooned them on a deserted island. During their time on that island, Annis received a divine revelation of **Amangyr**. It told her of her lineage, the fall of the Yagmar Kingdoms, of the nature of Amangyr, and how through his power the curse of Ma'ar Leyna could be broken. Shyvra attempted to kill Annis, along with his wife Hevarra when she tried to defend him. Annis forgave Shyvra for this attack, but they left the Esperev family, and struck out on her own. ### Prophet of Amangyr Annis began teaching the truths that Amangyr had revealed to her. During these travels, she met and befriended the famous hero **Esta Merlani** and converted her to the worship of Amangyr. Together they went in search of artifacts of the Yagmaran martyrs, the **Weapons of Etama**, and as they travelled Annis continued to teach the hope and savation that Amangyr represented for the Yagmaran people. Annis' teaching took hold among the Yagmaran, and those still loyal to Ma'ar Leyna sought to stop her. Annis was captured and tried for heresy at the **Trial of Cortu Congurio**, facing execution should she be convicted. Her advocate in this trial was the leader of the Atvar clan, **Toman Atvar**. Toman gave an impassioned defense of Annis, but the arbiter of the trial, **Petelus Sartengiro**, had arranged to find Annis guilty regardless of what was proven, and to deliver Annis to the Stormfront, inquisitors of Ma'ar Leyna. When the verdict was delivered, Annis spoke aloud of the arbiter's deal, despite having no prior knowledge of it. When she did so, the Petelus and the Stromfront inquisitors were struck blind, and havoc erupted upon the inquisitor's vessel. Annis was rescued by a group of faithful who had come to witness the trial, the leader of this group was **Unthar Karrak**. ### Warriors of Amangyr's Light Freed from capture, Annis, Esta, Unthar and Toman set forth to continue the quest to discover the **Weapons of Etama**, which would be the key to restoring Amangyr to the world and to the Yagmaran people.   With her divine guidance, the Warriors journeyed to the lost ruin of Thornil, where they discovered scrolls which contained the lost wisdom of the Yagmaran thrones, a final testament of the heirs of Etam prior to the cataclysm that befell their people. These scrolls would be the foundation of the _Telestol Aman_, the holy book of Amangyran faith. It also prophesied the coming conflict with the **Fiends of Oreshii**, the coming of the Beast of Fate, and the how the Warriors could rekindle the light of Amangyr, restoring connection between the Shining City of Syles and the mortal world.   Following what they learned from the scrolls, Annis and her companions recovered the weapons of Etama. The Fiends of Oreshii, unable to stop the warriors from collecting these artifacts, met them in battle instead. Their first encounter ended in stalemate, when Ma'ar Leyna unleashed **Bakaraas**, and the best attacked Fiend and Warrior with equal vigor. During the attack, Toman Atvar was fatally wounded, but Annis was able to convince Amangyr to restore him to life.   The Warriors reunited after their battle, and once again did battle with the fiends, scoring a decisive victory. In doing so, they released a number of Yagmaran warriors from thrall, one of whom was **Rhynnis Polimon**, who swore his sword to Annis' service. While she was grateful for the gesture, Annis told him instead to swear himself to their people, since she was only important insofar as her quest would aid them.   Together, the five journeyed to shore of the Black Sea Zalimar to destroy the **Beast of Fate**, a wicked creation of Ma'ar Leyna that had swallowed the flame of the Beacon of Bastuun. With the beast felled, the Warriors were free to light the flame of Amangyr anew.   Word was spread among the people that Amangyr was ready to return, and that the Curse of Ma'ar Leyna could be lifted. They needed but to gather together in solidarity, and behold the flame being rekindled. The Yagmaran people gathered at the mouth of the river Salia. There, the people would remain for 60 days beyond the reach of Ma'ar Leyna's storms. This show of devotion would rekindle the flame of Amangyr upon the Mount Asul, lighting a new becon that no flood could ever reach, and no storm could ever douse. This would be known as **The Trial of the Landing.**   Among the Yagmaran who had come to the landing was Shyvra, who sewed terror and doubt among the Yagamaran people. He denied Amagyr, and told the people to abandon their hopes of freedom in exhange for mercy from Ma'ar Leyna's wrath. Some relented, and returned to their boats. This did not satify Shyvra, who attempted to once more slay Annis. Rhynnis slayed Shyvra, but as he lay dying, Annis once more forgave him, for his actions were born from fear and not wickedness.   Those who remained faithful were set free from Ma'ar Leyna's curse, and became the **Miryag** the people of the land. Those who fled became known as the **Varyag**, the people of the sea.   ### Founder of the League   Newly released from their cursed wandering of the sea, the Miryag had to decide where to make their home. Upon the completion of the Trial of the Landing, Annis received her final revelation. A fetile land for the Miryag people to live in peace and comfort, laying unclaimed beyond the Vistanti Waste. Many feared to make the trek across the desert, while the other saints chose to embark on different paths. Esta retired and sailed West. Unthar gathered warriors and set off North to find the lost gate to Syles. Tomas travelled South to bring civilization to the Beastmen of the Narrinfell. Rhynnis remained behind with those who did want to travel any further.   > ......   ### Betrayal, Death and Ascension > ......   --- # Church of the Lady of Peace The church of St. Annis Dayrin is the most widely followed of the Amangyran faiths. Annisites can be found among most civilized cultures in the Northern World. Where her followers are numerous, grand temples are centers of healing, succor and sanctuary. Where followers are few, dedcicated missionaries spread the Gospel of their patron, and offer what services they have at their disposal.   In the generations since her ascension, the church of St. Annis has divided into four major sects, each accepting a different account of St. Annis' life and teachings as canonical.   **Annis the Giver:** Stresses the importance of altruism, selflessnes, charity, fellowship and for standing up in the defense of righteousness. Through the act of giving of one's self to others (be it one's service, posessions or even just the considerations of empathy and compassion), the light of Amangyr burns brighter in the mortal world. **Annis the Healer:** Teaches that through the power of faith, great things are possible even for the low and the meager. While trial and hardship are facts of life, the arc of destiny bends towards justice and tends to reward those who have good hearts and do good deeds. **Annis the Redeemer:** Speaks of how all are capable of goodness of virtue, could they but be shown the path of righteousness and justice. This can be accomplished through being an exemplar of virtue, to educate those ignorant of the ways of proper virtue, or in tearing down the insitutions of vice and wickedness. **Annis the Penitent:** Focuses on the futility of living the sinless life, and instead focuses on humility, self-reflection, and understanding. Even the most well meaning are guilty of sin, and thus all must request forgiveness for their transgressions against Amangyr, and be willing to provide such forgiveness to those who wrong them.     #### Holy Texts _Chetrys Dayrin_ (The Legacy of Dayrin) is the primary text for the Annisite church, it exists in three volumes: The **Zavet Yagmaran** (The Stories of the Old World), which tells of the origins of the world and the Yagmaran people, **Telestol Aman** (Pillars of Light) which describes the nature of Amangyr, and his place as the moral authority of all humanoidkind, and **Lutmira** (Revelations), which details the life and deeds of Annis Dayrin, as well as the other saints and heros of Amangyr.   The Lutmira was written not by St. Annis, but by her closest followers. There are a four major gospels and a variety of other accounts and stories that are considered to be legitimate by some sects, and apocryphal by others.     # Worshipers ....   #### Taboo Followers of St. Annis, like other Amangyrans, will not eat shellfish or any "creature of the sea." For most, this includes aquatic mammals, cephalopods and shellfish.   Annisites tend to disdain secular forms of divination. Seeing the into the future is a sacred rite, and pretending to do so with crass tools like chicken bones, tea leaves or painted cards is an affront to Amangyr.   Annisites view doves as a sign of good fortune, and as such they will not kill or eat dove. Doves and pigeons are popular messenger birds, but they will not use them to deliver what they consider to be bad news.   #### Clergy The Church of the Lady of Peace is comprised mostly of Clerics, Oracles and Healers. A number of Paladins, Archivists and even a few Warpriests can be found among the clergy, too, as those who would dedicate themselves wholly to peace still have need of defenders against the host of monsters and fiends that inhabit the world. Inquisitors are rarely seen within the church, and those that are there typically focus on rooting out corruption within the clergy, rather than heresy among the faithful.   Annisite priests wear white or gray robes trimmed in gold, and a small skullcap to signify their rank and position within the church hierarchy.   The Annisite Church is lead by the Council of Vetocs, the four highest ranking members of the Church. Holy doctrine can only be declared on matters in which at least three of the four Vetocs agree. In addition to debating and declaring Church law, each of the Vetocs has their own spheres of authority.   **The Vetoc of Charity** is responsible for the financial solvency of the church, and for distributing the resources of the church to those in need. **The Vetoc of Convalescence** is the most powerful healer of the Annisite Church. They are responsible for ensuring the health and well being of the people. **The Vetoc of Redemption** is the typically the most well known and respected of the Vetocs, as they are the primary evangelist for the Church. They are typically the most skilled orators and diplomats, and are often responsible for speaking the decisions of the church and negotiating on its behalf. **The Vetoc of Humility** is the most educated and knowledgeable of the Vetocs. They are responsible for maintaining the archive of the church, as well as the relics that have come into the churches possession. --- # Other Worshipers and Faiths #### Varyag **Anu, Knight of the Black Skull**, is the champion of deception. **Amanguire's** vile champions are older than the Great Cataclysm. Depending on which account you beleive, Annis Dayrin was possessed by Anu's spirit or was the reincarnation of the mistress of lies. Whatever her true divine status, Anu's lies lead directly the to death of tens of thousands of innocent Varyag sailors, and broke the compact for tens of thousands more.