Order Clan: 1

The haedians of this clan approached slowly while the Keepers, who had guided the empyrians here, retreated quickly. Alone with these haedians that looked nothing like the ones of previous clans, the three friends began to doubt their adventure. The doubt was further solidified when they were posed a question of faith. 

“Do you walk in the shadow of Oris?” the elder haedian asked. 

The answer was an easy ‘no’, but saying as much didn’t seem to sit right with the three empyrians. They all had their suspicions that if they voiced how they truly felt there would be judgment. So, the companions pondered their options in silence. 

Griffith wasn’t one that held a strong belief system, with that in mind he could praise this clan for their unwavering faith. However, he didn’t agree with the doctrine of one way or no way. 

Aule had an expansive knowledge, he could argue in favour or against any of the gods. To him, they each had their strengths and weaknesses, that was why he felt they were all needed. One wasn’t more important than the other. However, one look at this clan and he knew they weren’t open to his opinion. 

Oeric was the youngest of the three empyrians. His knowledge of mythology was small in comparison to his friends. However, he had been friends with these two for a long time and had adopted their way of thinking to varying degrees. If he were to pick one god he felt he embodied even a sliver, it would be Oris, but the god of chaos wasn’t the only god he walked with. 

When the silence went on for long enough, the elder hissed, “It is a simple question.”

“Not really,” Aule whispered, but it was heard by the elder who growled in response. 

“Too many gods to pick from,” Griffith pondered with a mock-thinking gesture. 

More haedians began to growl at the mere mention that other gods could reach the reverence Oris held in their eyes. The elder gestured for everyone to quiet down, to allow the topsiders to answer, but only silence followed. The trio was curious about what buttons they could push before going too far. 

“What if we walk with many gods?” Oeric spoke first, giving his friends more time to think. 

“No,” the elder growled, “Oris is the leader of the gods. You walk in his shadow or you don’t.”

Aule loved most of the mythology surrounding the gods of Reos, but he had to hold his tongue when it came to correcting these haedians. Oris wasn’t the leader, most texts claim that he aspires to be, but it hasn’t happened. However, that knowledge would most likely offend these haedians. Griffith didn’t care one way or the other, he gave the gods a passing thought, but nothing more than that. 

“Your answer?” The elder insisted. 

“Why must it be Oris?” Griffith asked in a petulant manner. 

The empyrians could see the fire rise in the haedians eyes at Griffith’s question. His question, let alone his tone, angered the Order haedians greatly. Aule and Oeric didn’t seem to care one way or the other how they were perceived by this clan. They assumed based on the Keepers' reaction that this clan wasn’t as kind as the clans before them. So the three friends felt that they could be unkind in return. 

“Why… Why must it be…?” The elder couldn’t speak clearly, their outrage at the question was overtaking their ability to articulate. 

“We’ve already said,” Another haedian hissed, “Oris is all-powerful, the ruler of all.”

“Hardly,” Aule murmured in return following his friends’ example to stir the pot so to speak, “He tries, but Oris isn’t there yet.”

Silence followed. The three empyrian could tell the haedians were at war with themselves, debating whether or not they should just attack the topsiders for their ignorance or not. Griffith watched on, mildly pleased with himself but ultimately, and Aule would agree, he just wanted to carry on. If they didn’t agree, so what, he wanted to get home. Oeric, on the other hand, felt a little more invested. He didn’t understand their close-mindedness. 

With a deep breath, the elder said, “We’ll take this as you don’t walk with Oris.”

“We never said that,” Oeric mocked. 

Threatening growls sounded around them. If it wasn’t clear, it was now that their games were wearing thin. 

“Fine,” Oeric said with an eye roll, “I don’t fly with Oris.”

The haedians hissed at him but looked to Griffith and Aule for their answer. 

“Neither do I,” Griffith shrugged. 

The sounds of outrage increased and Griffith could only chuckle. 

“He’s an interesting god,” Aule said, “But I don’t follow him.”

The haedians of this clan were momentarily stunned. It baffled them that anyone could know Oris and not follow him. Their faith was a strength that the three friends could admire, but they couldn’t ignore the clan’s immediate aggression was off-putting. 

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