A dark clouded sphere, lit occasionally by flashes of lightning and never free of its storms, Arcadian is a foreboding sight when viewed through the ceremonial magic of a priest. Then it is only fitting that the Sphere of Steel draws in those who demonstrate great courage. Those who stand. Those who fight. Those who do all of this without asking. The promise of a soul reborn in steel is a mighty one and the draw of Arcadian is felt strongly by those who test their mettle in everything that comes their way.
Arcadian - The Sphere of Steel
See Arcadian Ceremonies for information on the powers of the sphere of steel.
Doctrine of Arcadian
Courage is the Greatest of all Virtues
To stand your ground, be it in the face of a barbarian horde or a hostile merchant takeover, is divine.
Champions work with Champions
Good allies will stand by you and make your moments righteous, just as you will stand by those who have proven themselves worthy.
You are a Champion, Value Yourself Thusly
Fight for causes or coins worthy of you. Do not sully your name, and do not lower yourself to causes beneath you.
To Struggle Wisely is to Struggle Divinely
A Champion is a Champion from their body, mind, and spirit combined. Do not let aspects of yourself falter or degrade in your pursuit of only one thing.
What Arcadian is not
Military Discipline
While Arcadian is the sphere of Champions and Warriors, it is not necessarily the sphere of obedience, ranks, and hierarchies.
Priests of Arcadian
To be a priest of Arcadian is to see the absolute best in everyone you meet. While the ordained of the Sphere of Steel are almost without exclusion well built and commanding influences themselves, as they, of course, follow the sphere’s tenets about self-improvement, their mandate is not simply to focus on themselves but to ensure that others become the best versions of themselves.
Trainers, Teachers, and Drill Sergeants, the role of the Priest of Arcadian is to help set achievable goals, and then lean heavily on their aspirants to constantly drive forward, to succeed and improve, and then always to find a taller mountain to climb once they’ve reached their summit.
To Arcadian priests, warfare, the trials of life, and the conflicts inherent in every contest are great battles - to demonstrate that the spirit is mighty and that the body can keep up with the mind. To seek these challenges for others, to push them headlong into danger or confrontation, and to continue to support them whether they come out victorious, or bloodied and bruised; and then make them do it again and again. This is the task of an Arcadian priest.
In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of priests who have taken a less military-minded approach, and have drawn on the aspects of courage and competence in performance as an example of Arcadian. This is still a fairly contentious topic in many conservative sections of the church, but a growing following of artists, musicians, and poets shows a strong grass-roots support for this commonly overlooked courage. To these people, the Arcadian priest is a muse, a sounding board, and a critic, pushing them to not simply rest on what is acceptable, but to strive for true brilliance in their field.
High Priest of Arcadian
In addition to seven extra votes on Church matters, the Concordian High Priest of Arcadian may, without needing to pass a motion with the Church, initiate the proceedings for an Inquisition up to five times per summit, dependent on the proceedural approval of a Curate. This may be levied only against Champions, Generals, Field Marshals, or any other individuals who can be reasoned are of imminent military importance or relevance. The Inquisition may only be about actions taken in relevance to the individual's title, and must be completed before the end of the Summit.
Realmic Traditions of Arcadian
Iron Valley - Huscarl
Priests of Arcadian are referred to as Huscarls or Guardians amongst the folk. Warpriests in form as well as function, these hardy warriors embolden the defenders of the Valley, blessing the fortresses and soldiers against foes.
Notably, Guardians are tasked with the holy duty to retrieve the dead of the Valley. All who were born of the Valley, must be buried in the Valley, and it is the Huscarls duty to make it so. Huscarls can particularly be recognised by their banner-cloaks. A long tradition among these warrior priests is to wear the banners of lost fortresses, warbands or champions as capes or cloaks, turning the Huscarl into a symbol themselves.
Followers of Arcadian
The Sphere of Steel, as taught by its many loud and militant Heralds, could very easily be believed to simply be the Sphere of Fights, or of Strength - and indeed, many notable Arcadian followers have done just that and earned great acclaim for their deeds. As with all the Spheres, however, it encompasses so much more than that. Arcadian is the courage to embark on a risky financial venture, the valor of those who strike out into the wilds, and the confidence of someone who knows they are an expert in their field.
An Arcadian is considered close to their sphere every time they face down a personal challenge with an upright bearing, no matter what that challenge might be. A duel, an arm wrestle, a race, a game of wits - all are opportunities for the aspirant to test their skill and aptitudes, and through decisive action show to the world their progress. To beat those who you have already bested shows nothing, and so a true aspirant of Arcadian seeks out their betters, in order that they might challenge them again and again until they finally achieve success against them.
While there are many fields and nuances outside of it, the call of battle and physical conflict is where one finds the biggest concentration of them. Where an Anarchist might fight because in the chaos of war they can find strength and upset the order of the world, an Arcadian fights because the fighting proves the worth of who they are. They fight for themselves and the causes they deem worthy, rather than purely for destruction's sake. As might be expected of something named the Sphere of Steel, the rise of large scale conflicts tends to equate to an upwelling in the numbers of Arcadian aspirants, all seeking to find a ‘straightforward’ sphere to embody. These newcomers to the sphere commonly find, to their dismay, that Arcadian priests have little sympathy for those seeking an easier path, and push them all the harder to prove their worthiness.
Symbols and Aesthetics
Arcadian is recognised as a pair of crossed weapons, with the style and make varying from person to person, and place to place. Beyond this, the three Eternals of Arcadian are represented by a Flaming Heart, a Raised Hand with Splayed Fingers, and a Two Pronged Lightning Bolt respectively.
Spheric Beings of Arcadian
Common Worship of Arcadian
In addition to followers receiving Divine Guidance and teachings from Arcadian Priests, Arcadian rites tend to be competitive or confrontational in nature - common rites include duels or tournaments inside sanctified squares, word games or puzzles, or tests of strategy and skill. Typically, all aspirants bring a small token of investment (a coin or some equivalent good), and give them to those they defeat - the winner is graced and renowned, and the losers are given a token of support to strive to improve.
Common Prayers of Arcadian
The Warheart
*twice strike crossed forearms together*
Sphere of Storm and Steel, shine down upon me!
In the pain of our devotion, O Warheart, look down upon me and witness my Blights and Failings - forgive me as I forgive myself, and lead me by your example!
Beat strongly within my chest, and drive me ever onwards with boundless courage. Help me brush aside the spear, splinter the shield, and be safe from the grasping reach of magic. Burn strong in my limbs as I shout my defiance at the foes who assail me.
In the fury of the storm, and by the edge of my blade, lead me to the path of the Journey, that I may return to you in Grace.
In the Spheres’ Light, I pray.
The Ardent Mind
*twice beat wrists together with open hands and splayed fingers*
Sphere of Storm and Steel, shine down upon me!
Be within the open stretch of my palms, O Ardent Mind, and look upon me to witness my Blights and Failings - forgive me as I forgive myself, and lead me by your example!
Grace my mind with the surety and clarity of Steel, grant me confidence in my abilities, and lighten the weary load of the world that I might perform my wonders. Lead me to teach and to be taught in turn, just as you send your Heralds to teach and instruct us all.
In the fury of the storm, and by the edge of my blade, lead me to the path of the Journey, that I may return to you in Grace.
In the Spheres’ Light, I pray.
The Thunderbolt
*twice beat a closed fist against the back of the other*
Sphere of Storm and Steel, shine down upon me!
Through the clouds of the world, O Thunderbolt, look down upon me to witness my Blights and Failings - forgive me as I forgive myself, and lead me by your example!
Grant me the power and strength to act, both in body and in mind, and the resolve to set aside the consequences of my actions. Let me never look back, never regret, and never stop until my deeds are done.
In the fury of the storm, and by the edge of my blade, lead me to the path of the Journey, that I may return to you in Grace.
In the Spheres’ Light, I pray.