Ulvriktru
| Ulvriktru | |
|---|---|
 The main symbol of Ulvriktru | |
| Belief | Polytheism |
| Deity | Several |
| Region(s) | World Wide |
| Founder | Nori Norison |
| Founded | 600s |
| Origin | Ulvrikian paganism |
| Leaders of Ulvriktru Temple | Several |
| Temples | 50,000 |
| Followers | ~400 million |
Ulvriktru is a polytheistic religion originating within the Ulvrikian region of Concord, as a result of the reorganization of Ulvrikian Paganism into a fully organized religion during the 600s by Nori Norison after the collapse of the Ulvrikian Empire in 550 AD. With Norison having supposedly spent 60 years of his life traveling across former lands of the Ulvrikian Empire, writing down all the different sagas to become one unified Saga for Ulvriktru. Which is now known as the Nori Saga. Which was done in an attempt to give a larger unified identity for the former imperial territories of Ulvrikia in the hope of reunifying the old Empire.
Despite several different branches and sects within the Ulvriktru religion the Nori Saga continues to agree on the written Ulvriktru canon. Though with various different interpretations of the religious texts. Mainly over theological disagreements about hierarchy of divinity, the warrior spirit and gender roles. Though all branches agree that Odin, the Allfather (or Allmother), is the highest on the hierarchy of divinity. Though interpretations of Odin have been a matter of high theological debate both in Odin’s path to wisdom but also matter of Odin’s gender. With the name Odin having been considered an gender neutral term by Ulvriktru theologians, mostly to avoid religious tensions and to avoid retribution.
The topic of religious authority within Ulvriktru has been a matter of deep division and tension ever since Gustaf II of Norgsveldet declared himself the Fylkir of Ulvriktru in 1770, kick starting the Ulvriktru War of Religion. With there being five branches within Ulvriktru. Those being Gustafism, Gothiricism, Firartru and Vanitru. With Gustafism being the largest out of the four branches with 229 million followers that are spread out among different continents. With Gustafism having three sub-branches of Ulvriktru those being Orthodox Gustafism, Hjørdist Gustafism and Carlist Gustafism. With Gothiricism being the second largest branch with over 116 million followers worldwide, largely concentrated within the continent of Novaris, with half of them being located in Tretrid.
Ulvriktru being one of largest religions on Urth with over 400 million followers worldwide that spread out among several different continents. With it being the majority religion in dozens of different nations around the world.
Etymology and Terminology
The name Ulvriktru was a named coined by Nori Norison meaning “Ulvrikian Faith”, the name being politically motivated as Norison hoped that the adoption of the name would increase the unity of former Imperial States. Though the name was adopted by different Ulvrikian states it was largely followed by heavy disagreements and even conflicts over interpretations of the Nori Saga. The name has in recent times come under scrutiny for what has been considered an ethnic specific name for the faith. With not all members of the Ulvriktru Faith being ethnically Ulvrikian. With members of the Ulvriktru clergy in the Federation having become known to criticize the name.
History
Ulvrikian Paganism and Empire
Origins of Ulvriktru has its roots within the dozens pagan beliefs spread around Ulvrikian region during 1550 BCE according to limited historical records of the time. With records of clans and tribes fighting against each other over spiritual differences having been mentioned in local sagas but no knowledge about what said differences was. With the first recorded mentioning of direct Ulvrikian pagan beliefs being in the Hrafner Saga in 990 BCE were first mentions of “Warriors fighting for their place in Valhalla.” Consistent recording about pagan faiths did come forth until after the establishment of the Ulvrikian Empire in 600 BCE and its subsequent conquering of the Ulvrikia region in 550 BCE.
It was in the 520 BCE when the Fylkir of the Ulvrikian Empire, Erik IV, created the Divine Library of Fellgir. The library was filled with sagas donated to the Fylkir from Gothirs from across the Empire, which expanded alongside the Empire. While disagreements had been recorded it was agreed by historians that during this time no major conflict or crisis broke apart as a result of spiritual and religious disagreement. This has been attributed to the Empire’s political system according to historians which has proclaimed that the position of Fylkir must be chosen by the High Gothirs of the Empire. Which most sources claimed forced spiritual leaders in the Empire to cooperate to ensure the Empire could continue to function. This also ensured unified religious mythos for the pagan gods, specifically agreement of the gods names and theological existence of Valhalla and Helheim.
Norison’s Reforms
With the collapse of the Ulvrikian Empire in 550 ACE much of what was written about the gods fell into the unknown. As the Ulvrikian core fell into a series of petty kingdoms and infighting, eventually leading to burning of the Divine Library of Fellgir. Though some sagas were secured within the periphery of the Empire, such as the Jarldom of Eyjaria and the Queendom of Lapérouse. Which was left outscathed from the collapse. For half a century the sagas about the gods were left disunified and seperate. According to historical recordings and documentations from Federation, Eyjaria and Borea around 600s ACE an Gothir by the name of Nori Norison traveled across the past territories of the Empire. In an effort to gather the dozens of different Ulvrikian sagas into an unified one in an attempt to unify the faith. According to the Grand Shrine of Lilith Norison reportedly spent 60 years of his life in said pursuit.
While his travels are still a matter of historical debate as specific parts of his journey are debated it is agreed that he had traveled through every state which belonged to the Empire. Coined as “Nori’s Journey” which has been replicated by Ulvriktru pilgrims. After the end of his journey Norison made an unified Saga, one that has been called the Nori’s Saga. Despite being achieved well by the majority of Ulvrikian Pagans, coining themselves as Ulvriktruars, the saga was not universally recognised as the defining saga for the faith. With Viktorists and Akuriktruars keeping their sagas. Though all three believe in the same gods but disagree with Nori’s view of said gods. Coining what became known as Gamletru, meaning “Old Faith”, believing in the same gods but considered separate religions as a result of different scriptures.