Eldian Bible

The Eldian Bible is the holy book in Sylfaeism.
= Eldian Bible =
Old Testament
* Beresh (The Beginning/Origins)
In the beginning there was nothingness. For eons before and eons afterward nothingness is what inhabits this realm. However, one remarkable moment in time nothingness gave way to perfection, order and prosperity. The chaos of nothingness and prosperity of perfection often clashed with one another, creating rifts in our skies, and stars to appear. The Chaos eventually morphed into The Void, an all powerful force of darkness, while The Perfection morphed into The Cube, bent on protecting order and prosperity. Both the Void and the Cube wished to unite the realm under their sole power, but none wanted to cede any ground to the other. Fighting continued, causing our realm to fracture. These fracturings would birth new Gods, new children of the Cube. The New Gods included: Creo, deity of creation, Elamus, deity of order, Ovidius, deity of justice, Grijum, deity of balance, Chronos, deity of time, and Sylfae, deity of knowledge. In the eternal war between existence and oblivion, The Six Sealer Gods constructed the realm as we know it today. Creo separated the void from existence by creating the Overworld, Elamus constructed a safe haven from the war, the Betweenlands. Ovidius created the Nether, to punish those who would betray existence. Grijum created the High Skies, to counteract Ovidius and reward the warriors of existence. Chronos separated himself from the bonds of time and created the Overheavens, where he and his fellow Sealer Gods shall rule from. Sylfae created no domain, for as he was the deity of knowledge, he was to stay and record the tragedies of the eternal war, and record the ongoings of the Overworld. To prevent their magnum opuses from being tampered with by The Void, the 5 Sealer Gods divided themselves into pieces. Creo, divided in body and soul, given to a mortal, changing body every time. Elamus, divided in 7, as 7 is completion, and completion is order. Ovidius, divided in 6, as 6 is imperfection, and punish the imperfect he must. Grijum, divided in 2, as day and night must be balanced. And Chronos, divided in 8, as 8 is the cycle of time, and nothing can stop time. For ages onward, Sylfae remained, out of reach of most mortals, recording and gathering knowledge of the realm. 
* Tribes (pre-Sil Fay tribes)
In the Overworld, a desert known only to its inhabitants as Khnowel, was formed. Despite all the lush fruit and plantlife Ovidius supplied, the people of Khnowel chose instead to live their lives among the sand dunes. The people of Khnowel had not always dwelled in the sands. Long ago their ancestors ate from the fruit of the young jungles and forests. The decadence led to the Khnowelis growing more and more greedy, eventually leading to the battles of the Ghentre Rivers. 200 Khnowelis marched against 400 Grwolends, Truhunians, and Phorians. The battle concluded when the Truhunians overwhelmed the Khnoweli defenses by crossing the Ghentre rivers. In utter defeat, the Khnoweli left the green forests and migrated to the only place safe for them - the desert. Safe from the outside but with nothing, the Khnoweli peoples turned on each other. Brother slew Father for the smallest scrap of food, families fought families in revenge killings, the rare watering holes found in the desert were greedily guarded by ever changing owners, then when the water ran out, the owners began fighting amongst themselves. The desert sands shown crimson from the unending fighting. Of these Khnoweli tribes, there are seven that are most important - the Kahrgians - rulers of the southern dunes, the Ghelistines - rulers of the northern mountains, the Grugelites - rulers of the southeastern dunes, the Phrynitines - rulers of the northeastern dunes, Sil-Tarites - rulers of the northern oases, the Sil-Notrians - rulers of the western dunes, and the Arkhonites - rulers of the central wastes. Whilst five of the tribes were named after their ruling families or clans, the Sil-Tarites and Sil-Notrians were far more meritocratic. The Taris were ancient curved blades, used long ago by the Khnoweli peoples, while the Notris were daggers - easier to produce with the limited resources of the desert, but hardly able to compete with longer weapons. Any who had the best ability to wield these weapons became the leaders of each respective tribe. Because only the most skilled warriors became leaders, the Sil-Notrians and Sil-Tarites became the two most powerful tribes in the Khnowel desert, fighting against each other or fighting the clans. Skirmishes gave way to battles, as the Sil-Notrians and Sil-Tarites allied with various clan leaders, leading to more and more centralized wars being waged. Battles between the two groups could be identified from how red the sand became. Soon seas of red sand began manifesting across the desert, leftover from the endless battles waged for petty reasons. This was an age of tyrant kings, dooming thousands to death for little to gain. 
* Kings (from King Dawid onto future kings)
In the far corner of the desert, there lived a small tribe. Not nearly as important as the main 7, this tribe would go on to rule the desert for four generations afterward. The Dawid clan of old had nothing in name. Users of the Sil-Fays, the poisoned spears, the Dawid clan often fought in the endless wars waged by the Tyrant Kings. One day, a son was born to the chieftain, this son was named Aleksander. The night after his birth, the Clan leader found young Aleksander with a strangled desert python in his grasp. Thus saith the Father to the gods of the desert, I have found the prophesied warrior, the one to end all violence. Aleksander had spear in hand long before he was even able to walk, proving to have unnaturally excellent combat abilities. Often left unattended by his father, a teenaged Aleksander often wandered the deserts in search of glory or treasure. Saith Aleksander, O’ spirits of the desert, why must there always be conflict, I shall make it so no more blood shalt be spilt on these sands. Aleksander, whilst sneaking out of his clan’s camp, snuck into a cave on the side of a mountain. There, he contacted the desert spirit of war, Illatres. Illatres was long considered the reason for the endless bloodshed, as she influenced the desert peoples to entertain her with glorious battles and death. Saith Illatres to Aleksander, why shall I grant power to one who wishes to stop the glory of war, when so many before you hath only fought and died on my behalf. Aleksander replied: I shalt give unto you the greatest battles thou shalt ever see. Intrigued, Illatres granted Aleksander’s desires for power, in turn Aleksander was to make art of war, painting the deserts red with the blood of his enemies. Returning from the cave, Aleksander assembled an army of 100 men, stockpiled with only a month’s rations of food and water, and began marching south. The first tribe to face Aleksander in battle was the Kahgrians, and Aleksander slew every last member of the clan family. Of saith Aleksander after slaying the Kahgrians, I am but one step closer to peace in the deserts, one step closer to ending all the bloodshed. After the fall of the Kahgrians, Aleksander marched on to the Grugelites camp. Of this battle, only a single man fled to warn the remaining 5 major tribes. The Tyrant Kings, worried their titles and prestiges to be in peril, banded together to oppose Aleksander’s crusade. Aleksander’s men marched north, and no matter what situation he found himself in, Aleksander always emerged from battle without even a scratch on his body. His men referred to him as Dawid the Deathless, for not once in his campaigns has he lost even a single soldier. Aleksander and his men met the Tyrant Kings at the battle of Phyrinitine Dunes. The night before battle, Aleksander and the Tyrant Kings of Sil-Notrians and Sil-Tarites, and the Arkhonite King met. Saith the Tyrant Kings, Aleksander, usurper of the Kahgrians, slayer of the Grugelites, thou shalt not gain a foot more of sand without the blood of your comrades. To which Aleksander replied, The deserts shall be cleansed of endless wars, whether it will take a hundred men or a thousand thousand, my will shall be made reality. Battle commenced by daybreak, and the Tyrant Kings’ forces were more than ten times larger than that of Aleksander’s. Using his divine strength, Aleksander slew the Tyrant Kings of Sil-Notrians, Sil-Tarites and the Arkhonites. Once done, the soldiers of the Tyrant Kings fled, leading to the massacre of thousands on the Phyrinite Dunes. Of the aftermath of the battle, Aleksander saith to the gods, I hath given unto you the best battles, the best of what I alone can manage, I shalt forge a new prosperous nation from the ashes of the old. Of the remaining tribes, only the Ghelistines of the mountains remained. Defended in the fortress-town of Eldium, the Ghelistines kept Aleksander at bay for four days and four nights, before a traitor in their midst opened the town gates, and Aleksander promptly slew the town’s inhabitants. In a month’s time, Aleksander conquered the Khnoweli deserts. Crowning himself King of the Sil-Fayite Federation, Aleksander made Eldium the new capital of his realm. In the middle of the night, Aleksander dreamt finally of peace, but also more carnage. In his dreams, he was visited by Sylfae, though Aleksander knew not of such a god. To him, Sylfae appeared as a blue cube with whiskers. Sylfae says to Aleksander, do not build your kingdom upon the bones of the fallen, you hath accomplished your goal of unification, now thou must end the cycle. To which Aleksander responded, I shalt abandon my old ways and forge a new Kingdom built on trust and prosperity. Aleksander forged his Sil-Fay kingdom to reflect his newfound peace, writing the first laws and histories of the land. I shalt convert the deserts with Laws and Knowledge, saith Aleksander Dawid, King of the Sil-Fay Federation. Aleksander in this time had a son, young Ereik Dawid, who was raised in the art of laws, compassion and knowledge. The first libraries in Eldium were constructed during this time, guided by Aleksander’s teachings. One day, Aleksander and his men were marching towards the northern oases to quell a rebellion of local nobles, when a sandstorm hit his army, none were ever seen again. Saith Ereik Dawid, I shall continue my father’s work and end the violence in the desert. Ereik Dawid lived for another forty-four years, expanding upon the laws his father created, and wrote the first history books of the Khnowel desert. The son of Ereik, Isaik, witnessed the first incursion of the jungle nations south towards the desert. Isaik saith to the gods of the desert - and to the spirit of peace the whiskered blue cube, O spirits, protect my people and my land from the oncoming slaughter brought forth by barbarians, let us continue our gathering of knowledge. Thus the spirits of the desert granted the wish of Isaik, granting him victory in battle, however in return, the spirits poisoned the seed of the Dawid kings, which shalt be the catalyst of the fall of the Sil-Fay Kingdom. 
* Merim (first sign of divine saving)
In the reign of Isaik lived a man by the name of Merim. Oft compared to the late Aleksander Dawid in terms of combat, Merim vowed to live up to the expectations of his peers, saying: I shalt deliver unto the warmongers a defeat so grand that they shalt never again set foot in the sands. Marching out from the capital Eldium, Merim set off with 400 men northward to meet the jungle barbarians in battle. Whilst marching, Merim and his men were caught in a sandstorm for fifty three days. Merim prayed to the spirit of peace, O spirit of peace, deliver my men from this storm safely, for they have a duty to do and I as well. The spirit of peace was in fact Sylfae, who appeared to Merim as an angel with four sets of wings. The Angel led Merim and his army out of the sandstorm. Merim promised to sacrifice enemy soldiers in the name of the spirit that saved his army, but the Lord Sylfae responded, sacrifice none in my name, for I loathe the loss of life for inconsequential means, sacrifice to me instead the blue stones of the desert, for they shall appease me far more than lives do. And Merim did sacrifice the blue stones to the Angel, and the Lord Sylfae did lead Merim’s forces to victory. Merim and his men returned to Eldium, where they were given vast amounts of wealth and prestige by King Isaik. Thus saith Merim to Isaik: my liege, I hath encountered a being who delivered unto me victory against the barbarians, a being who gave unto my men the will to keep going, unto me the ability to navigate the sandstorm, this being I dub Silfay, as he hath given us hope in dire circumstances. Merim became one of the first priests of the Lord Sylfae, and quickly the word of Sylfae spread out from Eldium’s walls. 
* Sil-Fayists (various accounts of divine actions)
Whilst the aging empire of Sil-Fay began chipping away, divine miracles took place across the desert. In the reign of Isaik Dawid, the Lord Sylfae gave unto the people of Eldium vast deposits of gold and iron beneath their hold. The first temple to Silfay was adorned with gold and lapis gilding. The Temple was constructed late into Isaik Dawid’s reign, and built within the walls of Eldium, just across from the Palace of the Dawids. The Temple, made of sandstone, stood at 50 meters in height, 80 meters in length, and 60 meters in width. In the middle of the interior of the Temple laid a platform, ontop of which was the largest lapis stone ever excavated from the depths of the Sil-Fayist mines. Of all the devoted followers of the Lord Sylfae, only the High Priest was permitted to orchestrate sacrifices for Lord Sylfae. In return for blue stone, Sylfae gave unto the people books of undiscovered knowledge - maps of faraway lands, more efficient farming methods, road networks and much more knowledge. Elijah, High priest of Sylfae during the late reign of Isaik and during the reign of his son Bethem, saith: O blessed be Silfay, deliverer of knowledge, god of wealth and prosperity, you hath turned the deserts once bathed in blood into the envy of the world. Sylfae appears to Elijah as a babe with four golden rings circling it. In the northern oases of Tarytes, the war with the northern barbarians caused the lakes to dry up. Thus the local populace prayed to Silfay to return the water to their land. The chants were as follows: O blessed be Silfay, protector of the peoples of the desert, we call upon thine divinity to replenish our oases, for if thou do we shalt sacrifice onto you half of our crops. And Sylfae did replenish the waters, and the farmers of Tarytes did sacrifice to Sylfae half of their yield. However, for all the miracles Sylfae performed and all the preaching the followers of Sylfae recited, the Sil-Fayists began to grow more and more greedy
* Elijah (loss of stability and return to chaos)
Bethel the wicked, was the cursed son of Isaik, and last King of the Sil-Fay Kingdom. Despite all his father had done to correct his behavior, Bethel turned his back on the Lord Sylfae, the Dawidic Dynasty, and the ideas of peace and prosperity. Whilst Bethel spent most of his days in the Eldium libraries, he only found interest in the battles of the tribes of antiquity. When Isaik the Baptized died, Bethel took it upon himself to return to the old days of constant battles. For Bethel the wicked believed that the Lord Sylfae made his people weak by giving unto them luxuries. Five years into his reign, King Bethel condemned the followers of Silfay to death, for the crime of turning their backs upon the desert spirits of old. The Followers of Silfay were sentenced to death by starvation in the desert. Sylfae, unable to interact with the followers or prevent their fate, wept, for his Followers hath been punished for his deeds. Believing he has meddled too much in the lives of mortals and caused the deaths of thousands, Sylfae returned to silently wandering the overworld, recording knowledge as he has done for thousands of years before. High Priest Elijah attempted to pray to Sylfae, but there was no response, O blessed Silfay, we beg of you to protect your followers from the actions of the mad king. But Sylfae had returned to his role as recordkeeper of the overworld, and Elijah’s prayers fell upon deaf ears. Elijah and a few followers of Sylfae managed to escape Eldium, and the destruction of The Temple. As Temples to Sylfae burned, so too did the empire. King Bethel burned the libraries, the farms, all technologies introduced by the followers of Sylfae. A great dying took place, as famines and war soon swept over the desert once more. The downfall of the Great Sil-Fay Kingdom was sudden and dreadful. Elijah saith to his fellow followers of Sylfae: blessed be us for we have lived in a time where Silfay was watching over us, pray for the children who have to live without such guidance. The sands of the desert once again bore crimson stains from the battles once again raging across the land. King Bethel would go on to be poisoned by one of his guards, but the damage dealt was too great to be undone. The Kingdom fell, and with it all hope of prosperity and peace did too. For Four hundred years, the tribes of the Khnowel desert were told stories of the ancient Sil-Fay Kingdom, where water overflowed from the oases, libraries clogged the streets of bustling cities, and laws, not force, governed the populace. Many would claim the title “King of Silfay” or its later iteration “King of Sylfae” to legitimize their rule, but none were nearly as successful as the Dawids. Saith a merchant from the northern mountains: Sylfae means hope - hope that one day we shall be as peaceful as the era of the Kingdom of Sylfae once was.  
* Ezeik (appearance of Sylfae)
Long after the fall of the Sil-Fay Kingdom, a child was born in the central wastes. Ezeik, son of Marek Eriel, lived as so many other people of the desert had - fighting others, scavenging for food, not believing in hope. One miraculous day, in the midst of battle, Ezeik and his comrades suddenly felt a new emotion building up within them - hope. Suddenly, above them, a flash of blue light emanated from the sky, blinding all the soldiers. Within the orb of blue light was the Lord Sylfae, appearing to the soldiers as a blue Ankh, as all attendants could see the same image of Sylfae. The soldiers put down their spears and stared at the Ankh, feeling hope for the first time in their lives. All burst into tears, as for so long they believed there was no hope to be found. Then Sylfae saith unto the soldiers, Follow, follow through the sand soaked in blood, through the burning dunes and boreholes, to a promised salvation. The soldiers all named this deity Sylfae, after the long gone kingdom. Ezeik, and the rest of the soldiers, returned to their homes to spread the news of this Sylfae. Ezeik saith unto his parents, I bringeth great news, for the Lord Sylfae has appeared to us on the battlefield and promises us salvation. Marek said unto his son that to abandon tradition for uncertain prospects is unwise and dangerous. A rift appeared in the Khnowel - those who wish to travel with Lord Sylfae, and those who wish to remain within the desert. For many, the deserts offered little hope, little chance of improvement. For a staunch few, however, the desert was their domain, theirs to do with whatever they desire with no consequence. Ezeik’s mother, Ariel, saith to Ezeik: can the Lord Sylfae offer us protection, can he lead us away from this place. To which Ezeik replied with, of course, Lord Sylfae shall be our salvation. Ezeik, his mother Ariel, and countless other peoples of the deserts all congregated near the battleground, where Lord Sylfae had waited for them. Sylfae’s chosen people began following the Ankh, out of the desert, and into a new promised land. 
Middle Testament
* Exodus (following Ezeik’s and others’ path across the desert)
For forty years the Eldians wandered across the desert, plains, mountains and jungles of the world, in search of a new home, and were guided by Sylfae. A great schism between the followers of Sylfae occurred when Sylfae led them through the island of Maniya. Surrounded by rivers, and brimming with life, the more weary followers tried convincing the rest of the group to settle there. Saith one of the settlers, The island hath everything we lacked in the desert - water, food, trees, why shall we continue onward if no other place is as good as the island? Ezeik replied, We must put our faith in Sylfae, for he has only our best intentions in mind. If He commanded us to settle the island, He would have, but since He did not we shall continue moving forward. This did not convince the settlers, who only wished for peace and prosperity without Sylfae. As such, Sylfae and the remaining followers left those who wished to stay upon the island. Sylfae led the faithful across the mountains and frostlands separating both sides of the continent. Regardless of the terrain, the followers remained by Sylfae, trusting that He shall deliver unto them salvation. The Priests of Sylfae, in hiding for the last four hundred years, taught to the masses the trials and tribulations of the ancient Sil-Fayites and their connection to Sylfae. Ezeik soon became a Priest of Sylfae himself, learned in the ways of Sylfaeism. The followers of Sylfae encountered a nearby town, and made camp for the night to replenish their supplies. Whilst in the town, some of the followers became enthralled with the town’s pantheon of gods. When Ezeik noticed this, he berated the people whose hearts were so quick to fall from the path. Ezeik saith unto the people, Sylfae may not be the only god in this world, but he is ours to worship and cherish. Without Sylfae we would have remained in the desert. It is our duty as followers of Sylfae to stand by His side. The people quickly disregarded the town’s religion and continued venturing with Sylfae. Across the lands of Okenia the followers of Sylfae went, encountering numerous villages. Some receptive to the word of Sylfae, others hostile to outsiders. However, all villagers and townspeople witnessed the Ankh and its powers. Finally, the Sylfaeists crossed the river into the desert of the Razunis. The Sylfaeists, while remaining hopeful, were confused as to why Sylfae traveled across the continent to settle in another desert. The Priests saith to the followers, Sylfae hath recognized that all the lush land of the world was settled and fought over, and to prevent His followers from suffering the same fate, He is to make his own lush land for His people to thrive upon. Just then, the giant blue Ankh that has been floating for the previous forty years, began sinking into the ground, getting swallowed by the sand. All of a sudden, grasses and flowers began blossoming from where the Ankh entered the sand. Depressions in the sand gave way to lakes and rivers, dunes became grassy hills, and the endless wastes turned to tropical forests brimming with trees, honey and wine. Sylfae had also provided His followers with food, water, and resources to build a new Eldium - now called Eldia by the followers. 
* Eldians (creation of ancient Eldia)
Archaic Eldia consisted of farmsteads, fishing holes, and small businesses within the manufactured oasis in the desert. After sacrificing his physical body to bring life to the desert, Sylfae was far more limited in his abilities than before. So to protect His chosen people, He gave unto them the knowledge to build great walls and defenses. Ezeik, now an old man, coordinated with the builders of young Eldia to construct a new Temple to Sylfae. The Temple was constructed upon a hill in the center of the city, and was the first structure to portray Sylfae as an Ankh. The Temple boasted stained glass windows, and resting spots for the Guardians. The Guardians are half-human half-animal hybrids, using the last of Sylfae’s tears, He gave life to the Guardians to protect the Eldians from harm. Soon, the city expanded out of its original walls and the city of Eldia became a metropolis. Sylfae once again spoke to the populace. The Lord saith to the people, Praise I want none, for exploring and admission is the one true establishment and code, one must strive for. Eldians began exploring their surroundings, becoming allies with the city-state of Medena, eventually converting its people to the worship of Sylfae. Eldian merchants soon passed throughout the desert, delivering knowledge to the city - knowledge of other cultures, of trade routes, anything that could be of desire could be found within the libraries of Eldia. Beneath the city of Eldia, mines were set up to fuel the ever-expanding trade routes. One day, deep below Eldia, a massive Lapis stone was uncovered. Remembering stories of the Sil-Fayists, the Eldians brought the Lapis into the main Temple. There, the Lapis emitted a bright blue light, and then the spirit of Sylfae was present within the Temple. For three days afterward the stone emitted blue light, and then the stone transformed into the first of seven altars. the first took the appearance of a tall pale man with no arms and 8 falcon-like wings, the second looked like a massive beast with four heads, and a giant body that resembled a goat with a cat-like tail, the third was a cube with a set of whisker-like hairs surfacing from its skin, on the skin appeared to be various symbols carved into it, the fourth was in the form of shining rocks floating in a cloud, the fifth resembled an infant with no eyes, mouth or ears, with 4 golden rings surrounding it, the sixth form was a horse with no muscle or skin, having 2 flaming eyes in its sockets, and the seventh was a ray of light passing through the air onto the altar slowly fading into nothingness. Sylfae shalt have less success in contacting His Chosen people from this moment onward. 
* Songs (description of ancient Eldia, and Sylfaeist poetry)
Many poems, psalms, and essays were written about Sylfae, including a disproven theory of Sylfae’s origins. Whilst the false writings of the Lord’s origins may sound sacreligious, it shows the evolving understanding of The Lord from our perspective, and shows how we gained more knowledge than our past selves. 
At the beginning of time, a great event took place. Known in the present as the Great Fragmentation. Two deities were created from the Great Fragmentation, The Cube, and The Void. Further fragmentation caused The Sealer Gods to be created, each an aspect of the Cube. To prevent The Void from reuniting The Cube’s fragments, the Sealer Gods, excluding Sylfae, created realms from which to rule over and protect their powers. These realms became known as Seals. After the creation of their Seals, the Sealer Gods divided themselves into fragments to prevent any one force from destroying their realms. Sylfae was the last remaining Sealer God still fully intact. Long since separated from the 5 Sealer Gods, Sylfae wandered across the Overworld for countless centuries before encountering the ancient Eldians. 
That is what has been documented and verified. However, this fails to explain what caused Sylfae to separate from the other Sealer Gods. Very little information can be extracted from this era, but a nebulous picture can appear to those who are committed to uncovering the truth. I will do my best to paint a more clear picture. Entropy was born within the infinite confines of The Void. Unmoving yet fully conscious, The 6 Sealer Gods feared the child of The Void. Festering in Her hatred of existence and thought, The Sealer Gods came up with a contingency plan to counter The Void. Sylfae was tasked with protecting and expanding the knowledge on Entropy, whilst the remaining Sealer Gods formed the Seals to prevent The Void from reuniting with The Cube’s fragments. It was believed amongst the Pantheon that Entropy was an instrument used by The Void to unite existence under it. Then suddenly Entropy made contact with the Overworld. The Sealer Gods managed to defeat Entropy though they lost much in the battle. After Entropy’s defeat, Sylfae learned that because he had been in the physical realm for too long, he lost the ability to contact the 5 remaining Sealer Gods. Disheartened at the loss of his only family, Sylfae continued wandering around both Rathnir and Eldham.
Here is an insert of an essay arguing Sylfaeism and Cubism are two different religions, despite the close-knit connections. To have such an intimate understanding of Sylfaeism and argue on behalf of the faith shows dedication on par with the High Priests of old. 
The revelation of Sylfae as the long-lost sixth sealer of the [] has been beneficial for both parties involved. For the Sylfaeists, it explains the lack of knowledge of Sylfae’s origins and the apparent emptiness of the religion’s pantheon. For the Cubists, all the sealers have been revealed and can now be properly worshipped. This does not even mention the long-term benefits this revelation has created, such as a sense of brotherhood with each other. However, the revelation has put into question the status of Sylfaeism as a separate faith altogether. I am here to argue my take, and hopefully persuade others of the Sylfaeist and Cubist faiths that this interpretation is closest to the intended truth. In my own opinion, I believe that Sylfaeism and Cubism, while sharing the same canon and gods, are still two different faiths.
* Torud (laws and religious customs)
There are many ways to interpret Sylfae's decrees and actions. There has been a growing consensus among Sylfaeists that providing wealth and materials to those less fortunate is reminiscent of Sylfae giving the Eldians the resources to build their city. Thus, political ideologies such as socialism and commune systems have become popular in Eldia and Sylfaen's Sanctuary. Another interpretation of Sylfaeist doctrines involves alcohol. According to Sylfaeist scholars, alcohol is one of the purest forms of the intersection between knowledge and the work of the brewer. As knowledge of different brews has accumulated, and resources and labor are poured into the making of each glass, alcoholic beverages are allowed in the faith.
The nether, to the Sylfaeists, is a cruel and disgusting mockery of the anguish put on the ancient tribes of Eldia and the teachings of Sylfae. The nether is a completely hostile and uninviting realm where, much like stories of old, bands of players spend their lives fighting off each other. There is no reason to subject Sylfaeists to the plight of their ancestors, at least according to the religion's leaders. The nether has also been used to warp the message of Sylfae. Not only is the nether lined with ancient ruins (ruins that have long lost any of their original histories), but the realm is filled with gold, netherite, and quartz, three resources valued only for their rarity. Players brave the hellish environment in pursuit of these resources, risking not only what little history is left in that realm, but risking their own lives lest they run into other players.
One of the first and most important interpretations of Sylfaeism was that while the faith worships primarily Sylfae, it does not mean other gods do not exist, or even that Sylfae is above every other god. Because of the unique circumstances of Sylfaeism having no other deity except for the god of knowledge and material wealth, there has been an acceptance of other polytheistic religions, as Sylfaeists do not believe their pantheon is complete. As such, Sylfaeism is a Monolatristic religion, worshiping one deity above all others.
* Ascensions (Sylfae’s sacrifices and eventual ascension)
Sylfae has sacrificed most of everything He has - His body, His powers, His mission. All were given to His chosen people to ensure their survival, and He had accomplished that. Eldia prospered, the Temples filled with Sylfaeists, the streets blooming with flowers and trees. For Sylfae, it was time to rest and recover. Thus The Lord gathered all his remaining power and spoke to the Eldians for the final time, Bestowed you that needed sight to see in front of you, to sculpt your own futures, to harvest your own minds. I for that am not needed here anymore. For my purpose has been completed. Before dissipating, Sylfae appointed a local noblewoman as His representative in the Overworld, a young nobleman named Midas Arianrhod. The Eldians, distraught from their Lord’s disappearance, assumed Midas to be a usurper to the Sylfaeist faith. But before the mobs of angry civilians could attack, Midas showed the crowds his hand, which emitted a blue light. With such undeniable proof of divine favor, Midas Arianrhod was crowned King of Eldia, and deemed the first Prophet of Sylfae. 
New Testament
* Arianrhods (Sylfae’s chosen dynasty)
The Chosen Dynasty, the Arianrhods, had existed within Medena for decades prior to the ascension of Sylfae. The ancestors of Midas lived as Eldian nobles, none of high rank and none before Midas holding any importance. After the ascension of Sylfae, Midas Arianrhod saith unto the Eldians: Sylfae hath chosen me to be His representative on Earth, and I shalt serve this duty fully. As King of Eldia, Midas moved the Arianrhod house inside the Temple of Sylfae. To rule the land and faith required the complete assimilation of both. King Midas did little to alter the course set out by Sylfae, trusting in His plan. Later in life, King Midas had a son, Samael Arianrhod, prince of Eldia. King Samael trusted the outside world far less than his Father had, and thus began closing off the Faith to outsiders. Banners of the Ankh still fluttered throughout the city, but no effort was made to introduce others to the faith. The city of Maldeqem, who had already embraced the light of Sylfae, followed behind Eldia, closing the Faith off to outsiders. Whilst the secrecy King Samael fabricated prevented attacks upon the Sylfaeists, it also weakened the word of Sylfae, for without His followers, all the knowledge He had gathered would surely be lost to time. King Samael bore two sons, oldest being Vanderis Arianrhod, and youngest being Taledian Arianrhod. Taledian, with little hopes of becoming King of Eldia, instead learned the histories of past Arianrhods and the history of Sylfaeism, becoming the city’s high scholar. Later in life, Taledian adopted a girl named Alaina, bringing her into the House of Arianrhods. As for Vanderis, the secrecy of the Faith remained throughout his reign, yet throughout Medena, turmoil was soon to sweep over the land. King Vanderis bore one daughter, Julianne Arianrhod, with Lianne of House Sandlot. Tragedy would soon strike, as Julianne Arianrhod, whilst out sailing along the Medenan coast, crashed her boat along the rocky coast during a storm. Heartbroken, King Vanderis further isolated both himself and his realm. The word of Sylfae rarely left the land of Medena, even as invaders conquered the province. 
* Razunites (Razuni usurption of the Medenan government)
During the reign of King Vanderis, in the year of our Lord 74 SMP, the province of Medena was in the midst of civil war. Groups fought amongst each other over whether the land be ruled by a leader chosen by the people, or a leader chosen by lineage. The Sylfaeists believed that a dynasty blessed by the gods was far better than that chosen by the whims of ordinary people, and were more sympathetic to the monarchists of Medena. The general acceptance would sharply turn, for when the monarchists organized a festival to break bread with the republicans, a monarchist by the name Luis Von de Hotin saith unto the attendants, Ok so, it's fucking strarting Baby, I'm couping the government and everybody just going to love it. After slaying the republican supporters and all monarchists who dared to defy him, Luis Von de Hotin and the Razunis of the eastern desert proclaimed the land of Medena as being a province of the Sultanate of the Razunis. Under the eye of the Razunites, Luis Von de Hotin became first duke of Medena, exiling all his enemies from the Sultanate. Even through the violent takeover, the rights of the Medenans did not waiver, and the Sylfaeists of Medena were permitted to practice their faith under the Razuni banner with no discrimination. Under the rule of Vanderis in Eldia, the land of Medena would change hands often, yet none of the foreigners dared persecute the Sylfaeists. For whilst the veil of secrecy Vanderis maintained had prevented any political harm to the followers of Sylfae, it simultaneously stunted the spread of Sylfaeism. King Vanderis would coup the Razunis and take back Medena, proclaiming the Kingdom of Irisnia. The Kingdom of Irisnia was the first Sylfaeist nation in the modern era, and the word of Sylfae spread throughout the Kingdom. After the passing of Vanderis, Pharoah of Irisnia, King of Eldia, Alaina Arianrhod became Pharoahess of Irisnia, Queen of Eldia, and ruled the Kingdom for five years, before also dying in her sleep in the year of our Lord 155 SMP. 
* Prophet (prophet of sylfaeism appears)
The Prophet Ad’onís Boltoph was born in a far away land, not part of our Overworld. The citadel of Boltophia, where Ad’onís served as mayor for forty years. Ever since the citadel’s founding, Ad’onís dedicated his life to the recording of all historical events within the city. Retiring to a tropical island, Ad’onís one day spotted a blue light in the sky, and suddenly he was transported into a pure white void. Within the void was the Lord Sylfae, who said unto Ad’onís: be not afraid, for I have seen your passion for recordkeeping. In return for restoring thine youth, I require you to continue recordkeeping in a new land. Ad’onís agreed, and woke up in the middle of a snow-covered field in the year of our Lord 112 SMP. After traveling many miles, resting in abandoned forts, Ad’onís found the city of Eldia, where he presumed the Lord Sylfae wanted him to go to. Ad’onís was greeted by King Vanderis of Eldia and welcomed into the Sultanate of the Razunis. Within a matter of months, Ad’onís became a leading figure in Eldia, knowledgeable in both theocratic and architectural matters. To record his findings, Ad’onís wrote about his adventures and observations in a series of encyclopedias, which contained the first Sylfaeist stories written in the modern era. During this time of exploration, Ad’onís made contact with the Cubists of Horizonte and struck up a friendship with the Priests of the []. With the imminent death of the Arianrhod Dynasty, Ad’onís decided to move to an uninhabited island off the coast of Medena and built the greatest library in Irisnia there, containing all the knowledge the Prophet ever acquired. One night, after the death of Vanderis Arianrhod, Ad’onís had a dream where he was communicating with the spirit of Vanderis. In the dream, Vanderis saith unto Ad’onís: without the Arianrhods, there is no way to contact Sylfae. Ad’onís replies, so long as I am still living, Sylfaeism too lives. The spirit, now showing a sliver of a grin, looked at Ad’onís, then the Prophet woke up. The word of Sylfae was his to spread now.
* Revelations (revelations by Sylfae) 
In the year of our Lord 146 SMP, the priests of the [] and priests of Sylfae met within the Temple of the citadel of Hyperion. Within the deepslate walls, a revelation was given to the Prophet. Sylfae hath shown unto the Prophet, an infinite void, full of lapis blocks with bedrock gilding. Sylfae hath given unto the world proof that the Lord was in fact the lost Sealer God to the Cubist priests. Celebrations were held throughout the streets of Hyperion, and a new brotherhood was forged. 
Across the realm, the age of Sylfaentishrei had begun in the year of our Lord 160 SMP. For this brief moment in time, the Lord Sylfae could make contact with his followers in the overworld. No time was wasted, for as the festivities of the Sylfaenlaud attendants made the pilgrimage to the Sylfaeist Temple, the Lord Sylfae gave unto the attendants the first of two holy books - The Book of the Speaking Lord. Sylfae hath laid out a ritual to carry out in order to receive the second holy book. Above the sacrificial fire pit, Sylfae gave unto the desert a giant blue Ankh, reminiscent of the one that traveled across the land. Ad’onís, Dorian the Agon-Sharite, and Proxy, the last Arianrhod, all ventured to the Ankh to perform the ritual. The Prophet recites old chants, O great Sylfae, guardian of knowledge and patron of wealth, in these trying times give us a way to protect ourselves and your name, praise be Sylfae. Lapis blocks were sacrificed for the ritual, and the Lord Sylfae did give unto the Sylfaeists, the second holy book, the Book of the Seeing Lord. Sylfae commands in the book to perform the final ritual upon the highest structure, surrounded by the 7 altars, and in return He shalt give unto them the 8th Altar. In the year of our Lord 167 SMP, the final ritual took place. A grand sacrifice occurred, involving the giving of gold, lapis, diamonds, and even netherite, for a chance to see the 8th Altar of the Lord. During the Grand 1 Year Anniversary of the Cube’s Disappearance, the Lord Sylfae responded to the Grand Ritual. Ad’onís was given the image of an ancient Sil Fay spear, glowing with a blue aura. When awoken from this vision, Ad’onís found in his hand a replica of the 8th Altar, the spear. 
Sylfae hath revealed one final vision to the Prophet. Armies of fanatics storming the walls of Eldia, the gate busted open. The soldiers march onto the Temple of Sylfae, torching and looting all in their way. The armies of Sylfae, while valiantly holding off the fanatics, are unable to stave the invasion. The Temple of Sylfae burns, and the city of Eldia is left in ruins. The Lord Sylfae tells the Prophet that, outside of the Sylfaentishrei, He cannot provide adequate protection to the city. The fanatics have called upon the powers of a dark and dangerous deity, powers that Sylfae, in His current state, is unable to combat. The Lord Sylfae warns The Prophet that, once Eldia falls, His Sanctuary must be protected at all costs. The Lord then presents another vision, one where the powers of Sylfae are used to protect the Sanctuary of Sylfae from the endless hordes of undead and fanatics. The Lord saith unto the Prophet, My powers art now strongest at the Sanctuary, thou must defend it in the name of the faith.
Category:Religions