Ulik

The older religion of the Valir, the barbarians of Cumbria, revolves around the eternal war between Ulik, the Frostgiant and God of Strength and Bravery, and the evil Jormungant, the Dragon and God of Fear and Treachery. Both Ulik and Jormungant are believed to actually live on Earth, instead of some ethereal plane. The Valir pantheon is more ‘grounded’ and far less philosophical. It does not deal with ‘why are we here’, but merely with how the gods are to be appeased so that we may survive. The Valir do not believe in an afterlife, but that men are reborn anew on Earth to live again, if they are found worthy, and destroyed if not found worthy. The Valiran faith does not recognize a difference between evil and good, as such, but merely see them as differences of opinion with no practical value. Honor is important, following the rules, such as they are, but every action is good for some and evil for others. To the Valir, it is all a matter of perspective. Ulik is worshipped by some for his proud, chivalric ethos, where the strong are the protectors, as well as rightful rulers of the weak. Others worship him merely in the spirit of ‘might makes right’ revering strength for its own sake, with no responsibility of the strong to the weak. His symbol is a hammer. His temple is called a Kirk.