Vhagarian Mysticism

Vhagarian Mysticism is the national religion of Vhagaria. It is widely practiced across the Vhagarian Empire, as well as in their client states. It is derived from many different religions from Rathnir and Eldham which survived the journey to the new world, including the Sylvanian religion of Nox Lucis, the pre-Empire belief system of the Fál’eld's and Wheelism. 
===Overview===
[History is still being made]
=== History ===
==== Pre-Empire ====
According to the early religious texts studied by scholars within the Vhagarian Empire, the first deities to be revered within the pre-empire era of Vhagaria were originally known as "the Fál’eld's." They were believed by the natives to have created the demographic of the Vhagarian population who were native to Abexilas."At the dawn of time there was nothing but Chaos, The Fál’eld of disorganization and disorder. And one day from the void spawned the mother earth. And the mother earth was made of rock and ice and liquid flame. 
And from the Earth came the Fál’eld of the earth, and she looked upon her empty lands and thrust forth her hands. She whittled the rock into trees and the trees into shrubs, bushes and flowers. And she said “From today forth each rock, tree, bush, shrub, flower and herb shall be bound to a single lifeform, and these life forms shall henceforth be the nymphs, The attendants of the Fál’eld’s.” And she resigned to court. 
Then came the second Fál’eld, sprouted deep from within the earth. And before him sat an empty cave, a cavern vast and expansive, and he looked upon it and said. “This henceforth shall be known as my lands. For i am the Fál’eld of the underworld, every creature that has life and loses that life shall come to my lands from today forth everything that dies belongs to me.” and after his day of work was done he rose to the surface where he sat in court with the Fál’eld of earth. 
Then came the sea, seeping from the rocks of the earth, water pooled in the deepest crevices forming lakes and oceans and rivers and ponds. And from the sea came the Fál’eld of water. And he looked upon his empty lands and said. “May your bed be covered with coral and with seaweed and with kelp. And may your waters be filled with sea life o'plenty squids of giant and fish of small. For everything beneath the waves is my domain.” And this Fál’eld saw it was good and retired to court with the others.
Next came the sky from when the heat with the underworld evaporated the waters of the sea into vapor that began to orbit the earth. And from this the sky was formed came the fourth Fál’eld and he looked upon the skies and said, “you will be blue and Beautiful and littering you will be stars o’plenty. And those stars shall be angels who sing to us Fál’elds at night. Clouds and rain shall stretch across this scape for I am the Fál’eld of the sky and this is my domain.” 
Next came the sun, a blazing ball of flame that rose from the flames of the underlands and nestled itself in the sky. And from the sun came the fifth Fál’eld. And the Fál’eld of the sun said, “You will warm the crops of the earth, you will keep the world at a temperature most agreeable, for you are my domain for you are my chariot and my steeds for you are my lifeforce and my body for i am the Fál’eld of the sun.” 
And next came the sixth Fál’eld, when the earth launched into the sky a rock named the moon, and it nestled itself in the fourth Fál’elds domain, And from the moon came the final Fál’eld and the final Fál’eld said “This moon shall reflect the light of my brother ,the sun Fál’eld, it shall glow as a beacon in the night sky, a staple to the stars an item to tell time as it passes for i am the protector of the travelers of the night. For I am the Fál’eld of the moon.” and she retired to court also.
And upon the earth they created a hall for court that required a place to meet. They built a place that connected the sky and the sea and the underlands to the sun, the earth and the moon. And in their great hall they sit serenaded by their angelic choir and fed food and wine by their attendant nymphs. But they grew bored of the nymphs so they created the humans and released them upon the earth. For all humans have short lives before they descend to the land of the second Fál’eld."
- The Song of the Fál’eld's
==== Early Empire: Founding of Drakaria ====
Upon the founding of the Vhagarian Capital city of Drakaria, the pre-Empire cohorts from Sylvania, Daelyria-Synderia and natives of the surrounding land came together to form one united people and culture. As a result, their religious beliefs were combined into one central pantheon known as Vhagarian Mysticism; whereby all of the old world Gods of Eldham and Rathnir would become one with the new world Gods of Abexilas.
==== Early Empire: The Trials of Nox ====
During the Age of Irises, faithlessness had become an epidemic across the Empire of Vhagaria with a large portion of the population demonstrating either apathy or total disbelief in the Gods. As a result of this continued decline of the religion, the Empress Galaxia Tiberian ordered that all persons who were reported to have been spreading ‘heretical or blasphemous utterances’ should be put on trial in the Cathedral of Drakaria and punished for their sins in accordance with the religious laws of the Codex Vhagari.
Those found guilty were sentenced to The Rite of Redemption; the death penalty after which their souls would be sent to the Underworld where they would have to appease the Gods Nox and Haevilar to return to the realm of the living. The first great trials saw an excessive number of persons found guilty of varying combinations of blasphemy, heresy and apostasy and the Wyrmguard Guardians of Vhagaria set to work sending them to the Underworld. The subsequent trials they would endure to free themselves from Haevilar and Nox’s realm became known in Vhagaria as “The First Supplication of Haevilar and Nox” and would go on to be celebrated as a yearly religious festival within the Empire.
===Deities===
Nox & Lux Sori
Nox and Lux are known as two deities who were once mortals in the world of Eldham who rose to Godhood through both heroic and underhanded means to become the patron Gods of the Vhagarian predecessor, the Imperial Archonate of Sylvania. According to ancient historical texts, Nox and Lux Sori were once two young apprentices of the Sylvanian Goddess, Sylvia who imbued them with her powers. It is agreed upon by many high ranking scholars of the Church that Nox and Lux were originally powerful mages who had the ability to manipulate and bend the fabric of time, an art long since lost to the ages. Some scholars additionally argue that Nox and Lux themselves destroyed all living knowledge of their magic to prevent others from rising above them. 
While it was originally believed that Nox was largely malicious with Lux being largely benevolent owing to their respective positions as the Death and Life Gods within Sylvania, it has since become apparent that both Nox and Lux are neither wholly good nor bad and serve their own interests before all else. Lux Sori maintains her position as the Goddess of Life within Vhagaria, while Nox reigns supreme as the God of War and Victory. They are depicted as both being of equal power and equally morally grey in their dispositions; neither are wholly good nor bad in the traditional sense of the concepts. Despite this, they work in unity to protect Vhagaria.
Senu
Senu is the seventh of the Fál'elds and the husband of Haevilar, his origins unlike the others in his court is largely shrouded in mystery, though he is believed to be a god from Rathnir that migrated to Abexilas shortly after the fall of the old worlds however many people look down upon this theory and instead place Senu as the first born child of the gods Maelira and Oelireld. This theory was popularized by the Emperors of Vhagaria themselves. Senu is seen as the most peaceful of the gods and thought to be the god that invited both Lux and Nox to the pantheon originally. 
Senu is also believed by many to be responsible for appointing the Emperors though some say he poses as one himself hiding in plain sight as the peaceful Emperor Tomathy, These people are branded as heretics and sacrificed. He is the patron of the Empire and takes up the mantle of the God of peace, justice and deliberation. He also presides over paradise and serves as the Prince consort of the underworld. 
Tibhor
Revered by Northern Vhagarians in particular, Tibhor is believed to be a patron God who created the continent of Tiberia and divided the land between his chosen people, resulting in the birth of many Tiberian nations. Belief in Tibhor is often used by the population of Vhagaria, and in some cases other nations who share the same belief, to justify the expulsion and condemnation of foreign coloniser nations, with the central argument of many believers being that Tibhor has given a divine mandate only to Tiberians to inhabit the continent.
Lord Wheel
After the first great reformation, a large minority of the Vhagarian populace, in particular those living in the Kejafros colonies, began to adopt Wheelism as their central belief system. As a result, Lord Wheel was formally added to the Vhagarian pantheon and revered as a God alongside the other old world deities. Despite the differences between conventional Wheelist beliefs and the denomination practiced by the Vhagarian populace, Wheelist customs are widespread within the Empire and are often intertwined with other religious beliefs: with the sacrifices offered at Festival of Nox being predicated on spinning a wheel to show deference to Lord Wheel.
Haevilar 
As the god of the Underlands and ruler of the dead Haevilar as a god is shrouded with superstition and seen as bad luck, However Haevilar is by far one of the kindest Fál'eld's often taking pity on daring adventurers either seeking him out or stumbling by accident into his realm. His primary role is as caretaker to the dead assisted by his divine spouse Senu and the War God Nox Presiding over Paradise and Punishment respectively. Alongside his Husband, Haevilar has sired twin children A son named Lustr and a daughter named Archus. 
===Organizations/Orders===
[History is still being made]
The Cult of Lux Sori
The Cult of Lux Sori is an institution in the Holy City of Blathcahir. In contrast to the mainstream Church; the members of this group worship Lux Sori as their primary deity; with all others being seen as secondary and less significant. It is said that Blathcahir is a holy site specific to Lux Sori, as it was here where she placed the Iris Conduit to bring the Sylvanian's from Eldham to Abexilas. It is said that upon this sacred land that the Goddess Lux Sori gave the late Imperial Archon of Sylvania Andromache Xi a divine mandate to lead her people to Tiberia where they would join with Daelyria-Synderia to found the Vhagarian Empire.
The Oracle of Drakaria
[History is still being made]
===Church Internal Hierarchy===
Empress of Vhagaria: Traditionally, the Empress f Vhagaria served as the head of the Church and acted in an official capacity as the leader of the faith; making them the representative of the Gods in Vhagaria. In modern generations, the position can be occupied by any Emperor. They are charged with many other duties in relation to Vhagaria outside of their religious work, however, their main purpose is to “manage the mandate of the Gods and act as a proxy for their will across this land they have named Vhagaria.” 
Clergy are usually appointed directly by the sitting Emperor or Empress, with all promotions being approved and dispensed directly by them.
The Oracle of Vhagaria: Blessed by the Goddess Lux Sori with the ability to see the future, the Oracle is considered as being under the protection of the Church and is subject to the strict regulations associated with such. The Oracle is seated in the Cathedral of Drakaria and maintains their permanent residence in the city. The Oracle lays claim upon the ability to peer through the veil of time, seeing not only the future, but the great truths and whispers of the Gods. It is usually members of the Clergy who assist the Oracle in a permanent basis, but pilgrims who venture to Drakaria in search of the great truth may find themselves staying under the mentorship and guidance of the Oracle after receiving a prophecy.
Wyrmguard Guardians: The only military role in the Church, Wyrmguard Guardians maintain an important presence within the nation and their strength is seen as vital to the well-being and overall safety of Vhagaria. A sick or weak leader of the Wyrmguard Guardians is seen as a detriment to the future of Vhagaria and an indication that the Gods are displeased. They are responsible for defending the nation from what can be viewed as lesser threats during peace time; such as banditry or criminal activity within the nation. The de facto police force within Vhagaria, the Wyrmguard Guardians work closely with the Dragon Council to administer justice.
Council of the Fál’eld's: The Council of Lux is a group comprised of experienced members of the Clergy. Originally, it was designed to discuss the ongoing needs of the Church and to create opportunities for patronage. However, it has since diverted from its original purpose and is now regarded as a religious institution that is charged with the sacred duty of protecting the social and cultural well-being of Vhagaria in times of danger or imminent collapse. The Council of the Fál’eld's holds the sole jurisdiction to enforce the religious laws of Vhagaria, acting as judge and jury with the ever loyal Wyrmguard Guardians acting as executioners.
Clergy: The regular Clergy of the Church manage the day to day duties such as performing ceremonies like weddings, funerals and purification ceremonies.
===Scripture===
Codex Vhagari
The Codex of the Holy Laws of Sylvania was written by the late Archon Gigi following a divine revelation on the top of the Citadel of Luxwind. This would become the main and most practically applied set of religious laws and regulations in Sylvania, with a simple structure that was generally easy to follow. Offenses against the Gods were divided into two categories; egregious and minor, with the former carrying heavier punishments than the latter. The Codex Vhagari, a similar set of rules and regulations regarding good moral and ethical conduct within the Vhagarian Empire, derives much of its beliefs from the Sylvanian Codex, with similar religious laws and punishments enforced within the Vhagarian Empire.