Scaol: update

 

 

To most in Sekara Valley, the war god Scaol is a ruthless figure associated with cold, hard metals, austerity—and enemies from beyond the northern rim. Scaol, who appears as an armored figure of an ambiguous but humanoid race, bearing a wavy sword and a stern, ominous visage, is known as a “war god” who many believe foments chaos and conflict. This reputation for divine belligerence owes much to the popularity of Scaol among past adversaries and threats to peace in the Valley—including the orcs, trogs, and other humanoid bands of the Great Desolation as well as the legendary Lono-Knollen raiders of the far north.

There are some, however, who take a different view of Scaol. To them, Scaol is not a god of “war” but rather of “defense” or, some even say, mere “preparedness.” The dangers of this world are many and only through both actual and perceived strength may peoples of good will survive and avoid domination and enslavement by outsiders of ill intent. Indeed, there are many in the Valley who warn that decades of relative peace has engendered a softness in the local population—a concern to which the stark, menacing imagery of Scaol speaks loudly. To them, the sharp spikes, black skulls, jagged edges, and harsh drum beats of Scoal project mercilessness and danger only to one’s enemies; the purpose is not to terrorize or provoke violence, but to deter aggression.

This more nuanced view of Scaol’s ethos is perhaps most succinctly summarized in the Plekkesh expression “beladren bidzko bakela,” which roughly translates in Low Sekaran to “peace through dread.” This is the actual reason why many orcish bands and other groups that commonly worship Scaol are often seen with the letters “BBB” on their shields, flags, and textiles—even though one might hear dozens of other supposed explanations on any given evening at a common Amberdale pub.

 Of the many symbols associated with Scaol, the best known is the plain iron X carried at the end of a rope or chain. There are no known temples to Scaol in Sekara Valley, though the deity is commonly honored through the devotion of shrines and other smaller facilities of worship on old battlefields and other sites associated with armed defense and righteous violence.