Oracles of Rivain

The Oracles of Rivain
Since time immemorial, the Rivaini people have looked to their Seers, for guidance in both times of strife and of plenty. Their ability to glimpse into the future and commune with the spirits, has made the seers invaluable to the nation and are properly revered by its people. Throughout the ages, these mystical women have had a profound impact on the nation’s history. Using their gifts of foresight, they have managed to avoid calamity and disaster many a times. With a steady hand, they have guided the people through some of the darkest and most turbulent times, they have ever known.

Each settlement in Rivain has at least one seer, from the tiniest village to the greatest of walled cities. The origins of many of the country’s settlements began as a small community that sprung up around the homes of these Seers. People flocked to their seers from far and wide, building houses nearby and thus, small villages were built around them. In time theses villages grew into towns, and the towns swelled into cities. Thus these wise women have always been vital to the populace and are always in some position of power, be in an advisory capacity, or as is often in the case of the more rural and outlying villages, they are the actual leaders of the community and use their gifts to enrich the lives of those they lead.

There are four Among the Seers and soothsayers of Rivain, who can see further and deeper into of the mists of future than any in Thedas. This gift has seen them rise in veneration, far beyond that of mere seers. When these women speak, the whole nation listens to their counsel. They are known as the Oracles of Rivain. They hold such spiritual and symbolic importance to the Riavini people, that with a unified voice, they can exert considerable influence over the Kingdom's monarch, for the Oracles are the voice of the Spirits and the avatars of Fate.

With their help the people of Rivain have forged dynasties that lasted centuries and have overthrown ruthless tyrants. On matters of state, it usual protocol to seek the advice from at least one of the Oracles, usually the Oracle of Dairsmuid, though this is not always the case, especially if the relationship between the cities Oracle and Monarch is strained. In most instances, the nations rulers do their best to maintain a good relationship with the Oracles and their counsel is often held above all others. Such protocol seems strange to foreign nations, the Monarchy showing such deference to a group of mages. But that was how it always was, before the country was even called Rivain.

Beyond their advisory and political capacities, the Oracles also serve another, perhaps more important role as spiritual leaders to the people of Rivain. Each of the four remaining Oracles is the leader of one of the nations Covenants, and together are the leaders of Xiraké, the nations main religion. The Oracles are seen as prophets of the L'wha, those who speak with the spirits and other forces that shape the world. It is the Oracles duty to interpret their will, reading the signs all around them in the stars, the water, the sky. As leaders of Xiraké The Oracles are also revered as Guardians of the peoples souls, it is seen as their task to protect their flock from assault from wicked spirits that seek destruction and discord.

With both the Xirake priestesses and the Seers under their command, the Oracles are among the most powerful and influential beings in Rivain, usually surpassing the Monarch in authority.

Duties of the Oracles
The Oracles have divided the nation into three domains, over which one of the Oracles acts as a guardian and spiritual overseer. Each domain, has a central city in which the Oracle’s temple is located. To the south is Dairsmuid, the domain of Melisande. In the wast lays the city of Ayesleigh, which is the domain of Rivatha and finally to the north in Seere, Desini is the current Oracle. Collectively these three women, are known as Oracles of Light. People from all over the domain, flock to these temples to beseech the Oracle for aid, often in the form of guidance or advice. Others seek the Oracles blessings for protection or fortune. Others still request a more direct application of the Oracles mystical powers, be it scrying into the future or some other ritual. None are turned away, both great and small, rich and poor, all are equal in the eyes of the Oracle and all are welcome.

The fourth and final Oracle is known as the Black Oracle, she is located somewhere in the Rivaini Wilds. Just as her peers protect and guide the living, the Black Oracle is the guardian of the dead. She has no domain, for death is not bound by such borders. The souls of the lost and damned, the dishonoured and the wicked, all restless spirits, who cannot find peace in death, seek out the Black Oracle. She calls to them, and they are compelled to answer. She in turn binds their souls into fetishes, usually in the form of handmade dolls. These dolls, house the souls of the lost for a year and a day, until their essence finally fades and when it does, it is believed they become one of the universe, awaiting to be reborn once more. In some cases, the soul of the departed can be corrupted, by magic, possession or even their own vices during life. These tainted souls are seen as foul, unwanted things. They are not released into the universe, for they would only cause further harm. These Oracle binds these, evil souls to her own, trapping them for all eternity, so that they can cause no more hurt to the world.

The Oracles also perform various rituals, both singularly and as a group. These rituals vary in complexity depending on what is sought. Simple rituals, to grant a city or region a boon, may be performed alone, whereas an exorcism may require the support of an entire coven. The most important rituals the Oracles must complete together. All four convene at the Centrais Aquelarre, a site of sacred importance to Xiraké religion. It is believed to be located where all three domains connect, in the very centre of Rivain. However its actual location is known only to the Oracles, for only they are permitted to step foot in that holy place. What occurs at the Centrais Aquelarre is not known, even to the Alta Sacerdotisa. What is known is that the day the Oracles annually meet at the Centrais Aquelarre is called El Día de todas las almas se reúnen, the Day all souls meet, in the common tongue.

Aside from their spiritual duties, the Oracles of light also owe a political and social obligations to the populace of their domain, and Rivain as a whole. These obligations include, settling disputes between disgruntled cities, warring regions and rival noble families. In such matters the Oracles decision is final. They also have a powerful say in how the cities in their domain, should be governed and by whom. Though unless given a great cause, it is expected that they let the line of succession continue without interruption. It is the duty of the Oracles of Light to settle disputes over inheritance, should their be a challenge to the inheritors right. This can range from the inheritance of a small farm to inheriting the nations crown. So the Oracles are seen to have immense political sway, within the nation. However, the Oracles lack anyway of enforcing their will, and are reliant on their word to be trusted and supported. The influence they wield, has the potential for abuse, but as of yet no official restrictions have been placed upon their authority to curb it. This by no means, places the Oracles above the law, they answer to their peers and ultimately to the people of their domain.

The Black Oracle knows no such influence or prestige, her path is one of solitude and isolation. She is an outcast that is both respected and feared in equal measure by Rivain. Often, she chooses to live in wild areas of seclusion, usually where the veil is thin to allow for stronger connection to the spirits. The previous few Black Oracle's have chosen to make their home in the Burja Spit, far from society. It is from the presence of Black Oracles that the swamp first got its name and the legend of the Swamp Hag began.

The Spirit of Fate
One thing separates the Oracles from the rest of the Seers in Rivain, that grants them a greater clairvoyance, so that they can perceive the future far clearer than other, is the fact that each Oracle is possessed by a Spirit of Fate.

It is unknown how or when such a union began, save what the legends and myths say. It is believed that this one spirit is possessing all of the women. It is what binds all four of their souls together and guides their hand when perceiving visions of the future. Though the clarity of these visions depends on the strength and will of the Oracle and even then, the visions can be inaccurate given the fluidity and ever changing nature of the future.

Though this power is no indefinite by any means, for when an Oracle reaches a certain age, the Spirit of Fate will choose her next incarnation. This woman is always some who was fated to meet and train under the Oracle during her lifetime. Once the time has come the current Oracle will channel the spirit of fate into her new embodiment. This process is dangerous and not without its sacrifices. As the spirit of fate moves into the new Oracle, the powers and soul of the old one are stripped away entirely and enter into the new Oracle. The new Oracle then has the powers to commune with her past selves and gain access to their knowledge, memories and power. And thus the cycle will begin anew.

This process is know as ‘The transference’ for the Oracles of light and is a cause of great celebration throughout the city and the nation, will last for an entire month and a day. However When the Black Oracle is reincarnated it is known as 'The Withering' for it is seen as a burden, to bind all the souls of the dishonoured and it is a day that goes unmarked by many for few ever know it ever occurred.

Current Oracles

 * Melisande the Oracle of Dairsmuid


 * Rivatha the Oracle of Ayesleigh


 * Desini the Oracle of Seere


 * Zoraida the Black Oracle

Structure and Organisation
There is no official organization to the Oracles, they are answerable only to themselves and the people of Rivain, whom the serve. No Oracle has jurisdiction over another or in another's domain. Though to foreigners, the Oracle of Dairsmuid is seen to be the most senior of the group, purely because she has the ear of the Monarch.

The Oracles are the leaders of both the Seers and the Xiraké Priestesses and so ultimately both groups are answer to them, collectively.

Allegiances and Allies
The Oracles hold no allegiance to any sole person, not the monarch or the individual rulers of any of the cities. They serve Riavin and the spirits of both the dead and the living. Their duty is to act on the nations behalf and guide them into the future.

Officially the Oracles have no allies, they simply there to the benefit of the people. However they are known to individually have close ties to the Monarchy and the libertarians. Some are even known to have connections to the Hand of Justice and the Qunari.

History
" Long before the founding of the Chantry, in the Ancient age, there was five great nomadic clans that roamed the land in what is today eastern Antiva. These clans were the most vicious of enemies and their hatred for each other knew no bounds. When the clans crossed path blood was shed and many lives were lost. yet none had the strength to defeat the others by themselves nor had they the inclination to sue for peace. It was one of the most bloodied and dark times in the lands history. "

one day each of the clans Seers received a vision in their dreams, of darkness spreading across the land in the shape of a massive dragon. Their ability to Scry into the future was diminished. No matter how hard they tried or what rituals they employed, all they could see was darkness. Troubled by this they sought the counsel of the spirits. None of the spirits knew the answer, but claimed to know one who might. Under the advice of the spirits the five seers of each of the clans met in secret. Though uneasy of each other at first, they put aside their differences out of desperation. They had been told that only one spirit could help them, the spirit of Fate.

So uniting their power the five women summoned the spirit of Fate. The spirit warned them of an impending doom that was to be unleashed upon the world. It told them that them and their clans were going to be destroyed unless they moved further east. Terrified as to what the looming disaster was, they begged the spirit to show them more of what the future might hold, so that they could help their clans through it. The spirit reluctantly agreed and possessed each women, granting the women a greater understanding of fate and the future.

Together they made peace with each other and their clans soon followed and so it was that the five great clans moved east in a grand exodus and were spared the destruction and horrors the first blight brought upon Thedas. Eventually each clan went their own way and settled down in the land which is now known as Rivain. The Clans choose to name their knew homes after their Seers in gratitude, a name which they still bare to this day. So not only are Dairsmuid, Ayesleigh, Llomerryn, Afsaana and Seere regarded as the first Oracles, they are also seen by some as the founders of Rivain." - one Rivaini legend in regards to their Oracles and how their cities were formed.

Legends state that there was once more than four Oracles, where this began or what happened to the remaining Oracle, like much of the origins of the Oracles is a complete mystery. No one knows for sure how or when the Oracles came to be or when they got involved in the spirits of fate. All that is known is that they have had an enormous impact in the shaping of the nation and throughout its history have lead the Rivaini people with wisdom and compassion.

The Oracles have always present throughout Riavin’s history, but they have not always held such a prominent position. For a number of years in the early ages, Xiraké worship was outlawed by the Chantry and indeed the Oracles themselves were hunted as apostates. When it was clear that the Rivain people would not stand to be separated from their Oracles. So the Chantry had no choice but to tolerate the presence of these mystic woman. The Oracles were given advisory positions within their domain and were exempt from the Circle, but still had their activities overseen by the Templars and where held accountable to the nations Grand Cleric. This practice continued, until the chantry and Templars were ousted from Riavin. Since then the Oracles themselves have seen their prominence and power increase. In the wake of the Chantry’s expulsion and the Grand Cleric’s exile, the Oracles filled the vacuum of power. Now they stand as one of the most powerful and influential groups in Rivain. But with such a dramatic rise to power and in so short a time, the Oracles have no balance to counter their influence. Many foreign dignitaries, foresee the Oracles taking advantage of the peoples trust and begin to abuse their position. So far the Oracles themselves have made no moves to cement their power or prevent others from curbing it, and the Rivain people are happy to have these mystic woman guiding their nation into the future.