Year 50: The Warrior's Sacrifice

Year 50: The Warrior's Sacrifice

After thousands of years, Aenea's god of war and battle did the unthinkable...he grew tired of conflict. No longer interested in performing his duties, the old god sought out a replacement among the mortals of the world. This task proved difficult for the old one, as someone taking up his mantle would not just have to be an accomplished warrior, but someone skilled with tactics and infused with an unshakable sense of duty.

The chosen warrior would need to be able to inspire his or her followers to constantly challenge themselves, would have to provide divine guidance to generals of all races and nations, and would need to be able to keep to his or her duty and role as the force behind all conflicts, both those that destroy and those that push mortals to greatness in all matters.

After nearly half a year of looking into the actions and souls of the warriors of Aenea, the tired one found his heir.

Torgat Valnochan, a middle-aged human warrior, had served his king for nearly 20 years on the battlefield. Never attempting to avoid the call to duty, Torgat had a wife and ten children waiting for him back on his farmstead. Fast approaching the age when his physical skills would not allow him to keep up with younger warriors, Torgat was anticipating retiring to his farm to finish raising his children.

One evening, while carefully sharpening his sword for an upcoming day of battle practice, Torgat Valnochan was visited by the avatar of the god of battle. Bowing in reverence, Torgat was shocked by the aged, worn appearance of the old god. When commanded to rise, the tired one thanked Torgat for his years of dedication to his role as a warrior, and made the swordsman an offer...

Become the new god of war and battle, or retire in peace for 20 years.

Torn by the call to duty from his patron deity and his longing for his wife and children, Torgat battled with himself for ten days with the decision.

Finally, on the 19th night of Winterdusk, Torgat Valnochan sacrificed the life he had in Aenea, his relationship with his life, his ongoing love for his children, his time to enjoy life. He followed the call to duty and was transformed into the new god of battle.

Torgat's predecessor used his remaining power to instantly change every reference to his own name in holy texts and artwork to that of the new god. Torgat's first task as a god, ordere by the old god of battle, was to strike down the old god so that the tired one could finally have total peace and to ensure that there be no conflict over who was the true lord of all battles. Torgat performed this duty and became the youngest of the gods of Aenea.



Followers of the god of battle often commemorate the Night of The Warrior's Sacrifice (the 19th night of Winterdawn) with somber prayers and reflection on their own call to battle. It is the only regular "holy day" for Torgat's followers.