Scriptures of the Drowned God
Faith, Customs, and Sins of the Ironborn
‘What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger.’
Central Creed
- •The sea is sacred, and the Drowned God rules beneath the waves.
- •Death is not an end; the worthy rise again, harder and stronger.
- •Strength, fearlessness, and hardship are virtues.
- •The Old Way, reaving, seafaring, and paying the iron price, is honored.
- •Softness, cowardice, and devotion to mainland comforts are despised.
Contents
I. Cardinal Sins II. Ceremonies III. Religious Customs IV. SinsCardinal Sins
The Drowned God
Kinslaying
Ironborn culture glorifies violence—but not inward violence. The Old Way prizes: Bloodline strength House loyalty Ancestral pride Killing your kin: Weakens your house Suggests trea
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Paying the “Gold Price”
The Ironborn ideal is to pay the iron price (take by force), not the gold price (buy peacefully). Hated traits: Preferring trade over raiding Buying what could be taken Valuing coi
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Cowardice & Fear of Death
The Drowned God values those who face death without flinching — especially death by sea. Hated traits: Begging for mercy Avoiding battle Fear of drowning Clinging desperately to li
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Attachment to the “Green Lands”
Attachment to the “Green Lands” The Ironborn distrust mainland culture. Hated traits: Farming as a proud identity Chivalric knightly ideals Courtly manners and soft living Love of
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Submission & Weak Rule
Submission & Weak Rule Strength defines legitimacy. Weak rulers are seen as abandoned by the god. Hated traits: Political compromise Appeasement Inability to inspire fear Failure t
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Disrespect for the Sea
Disrespect for the Sea The sea is sacred. Hated traits: Refusing burial at sea Fearing ships and storms Disdain for sailors Avoiding maritime life
Ceremonies
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Marriage Ceremony
Marriage Ceremony Gathering at the Shore The ceremony takes place on a clifftop, shoreline, or beside a moored longship. The sea must be visible and audible. The families of both h
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Knighting Ceremony
Knighting Ceremony The Knighting ceremony is performed by the Priests of the Drowned God before the sea itself. Squires must kneel and swear the Oath of Knighthood before the Ocean
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Drowning Ceremony
The Gathering at the Shore The ritual takes place at the sea — never inland if it can be avoided. Participants gather on a rocky shoreline or in shallow surf. The initiate kneels o
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Funeral
Funerals: 1. Preparing the Body After death, the body is cleaned with seawater. This represents purification and returning the dead to the domain of the Drowned God. Common prepara
Religious Customs
The Drowned God
Ritual Drowning
The central rite of the faith is symbolic drowning. A priest (often called a “Drowned Man”) holds the initiate underwater until they nearly drown. The initiate is then revived. Thi
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The “Old Way”
The faith supports the Ironborn’s traditional raiding lifestyle. Reaving (raiding coastal lands) Taking “salt wives” (captives taken during raids) Paying the “iron price” (taking b
The Drowned God
Offerings to the Sea
The Ironborn believe what is given to the sea belongs to the Drowned God. Bodies of the dead are committed to the ocean. Treasures may be cast into the sea as offerings. Ships lost
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Kingsmoot
A politicalreligious ritual where Ironborn captains choose their king. Held on Old Wyk. Overseen by priests. Candidates must prove strength, wealth, and favor of the Drowned God.
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Trial By Combat
Trial By Combat: Trial by combat is a duel to to decide the Innocent party by showing which side has the favour of the Gods. However this is reserved for Knights and other Nobility
Sins
The Drowned God
Refusing the Drowning Rite
Refusing the Drowning Rite The ritual drowning is spiritual rebirth. To: Refuse drowning, Fear it openly, Or mock it, would be seen as rejecting the Drowned God himself.
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Cowardice in Battle
Cowardice in Battle Fear of death — especially death at sea — is deeply dishonorable. Sins would include: Fleeing battle, Begging mercy, Clinging desperately to life, Avoiding dang
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Abandoning the Old Way
Abandoning the Old Way The “Old Way” is semireligious tradition: Reaving Taking salt wives Seafaring life Strength through hardship Choosing: Farming as identity, Courtly politics,
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Refusing to Pay Blood for Blood
Refusing to Pay Blood for Blood The Ironborn value vengeance and strength. Failure to avenge: A slain kin An insult A raid could be seen as moral rot. Letting injustice stand sugge
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Hoarding Wealth Without Glory
Hoarding Wealth Without Glory Ironborn culture prizes plunder — but plunder must be bold. If someone: Amasses wealth quietly Avoids risk Uses manipulation instead of force they mig
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Betraying Crew or Ship
Betraying Crew or Ship A ship is sacred community. Sins could include: Abandoning your crew Mutiny without strength Stealing from shipmates Failing to rescue your own The Ironborn
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Dying “Soft”
Dying “Soft” Not all death is equal. To die: In bed In fear Begging Far from salt water is culturally shameful compared to drowning or falling in battle.
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Mercy That Weakens You
Mercy That Weakens You Mercy itself isn’t forbidden — but mercy that: Prevents dominance Signals softness Risks appearing weak could be viewed as sinful indulgence. Strength must b
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Forgetting the Old Stories
Forgetting the Old Stories The Drowned God’s religion is oral and mythic. To: Mock the myths Doubt the Storm God’s enmity Question ritual drownings would border on blasphemy. Faith