Godatru

'Godatru' (Gardic: Goðatrú): is a Religious belief system originating in the northern regions of Artemia, and is followed most widely in Ringerike and Gardarike, where it is split into it's two major branches, 'Orthodox Godatru' (‘’’Norsk:’’’ ‘Ortodokse Godatru’) in Ringerike, and 'Gardic Godatru'(Gardic: Goðatrú).

History
The history of Godatru as closely linked to that of the early Ringeriker Kingdoms, with the central figure of worship and singular 'god of humanity'; Silmir, credited with leading a faction of fellow semi-deific immortal beings (later the lesser spirits) in a rebellion with the goal protecting and then uplifting humans. According to scripture it was also Silmir that blessed and anointed the first kings amongst men, gifting them the first of the Hringir; giving them the divine right to rule. This was the primary mechanism by which the monarchs of Ringerike justified their rule before Nytmann's Rebellion, and is the main contributing factor in the split between the sects of Godatru. The faith's founding principles were dictated to these first rulers by Silmir himself at the closing of his war, and according to the stories recorded on the back of his shield, they are often summarized as a series of commands known as 'The First Mandates' they are as follows:


 * Refuse none the hospitality afforded to one's own kin in a time of need.
 * Do not overlook evil; and fear not the consequences of a just conflict
 * Commit not any injustices amongst one another
 * Leave not another in strife
 * '''Seek to serve a cause greater than one's own existence

These mandates are credited to this day with the formation and nature of Ringeriker and Gardic culture and the general ways of the populace.

Orthodox Godatru
The major defining characteristic of Orthodox Godatru is the close ties to the land on which the Ringeriker Kingdom was founded, and that it was Silmir himself that anointed the first Kings of the land. The church itself was separated from the state in an official capacity following Nytmann's Revolt, however it still plays a key role in ceremonies and society as a whole. In recent years, more attention ahs been payed to the lesser spirits, with their associated symbols and runes appearing in pop culture and even amongst official organizations, however with minimal connection to the church or any particular worship involved, seen more as traditional symbols of the Kingdom and it's people than anything religious.