Virconic Solonism

Virconic Solonism is a Solonist religion founded by Prester Jegalo. The origins of the religion lay within the city of Puerto Amarillo, and was birthed as an attempt to counter the believed corruption of the orthodox Solonist Church. The religion puts more of an emphasis on overcoming one's wickedness and ascending to Solon's Light, and values local community above all else. 
== Source of Division & History ==
Although once a devoted followers of the Orthodox Church, Prester Jeg became disallusioned once the Holy Republic of Soliana was transitioned into the Merchant's Union of Soliana. Believing that Solonism was a communal religion Jeg denounced the new government and capitalism as a whole, believing that the ideology would result in an increase of conflict and sin. Jeg also felt that the Holy City being outside of church rule was an insult to the religion itself, and thus began planning a revolution to overthrow the government of Soliana. He proposed his idea to Archbishop Laurry who was also opposed to the Merchant's Union, however due to his loyalty to Angluina he turned down the request and made Jegalo swear to not begin his revolution, promising that peace will come. Jegalo promised, and his revolutionary ambitions slowly died.
After briefly joining the Church of Junicism Jegalo learned of Juni's critiques of Solonism, and although he believed these complaints be valid he ultimately chose to rejoin the Solonist church as an independent unit. Jegalo became opposed to the rising Junicism, though fearing for his church and the lives of the Amarillan Solonists he pushed for an uneasy coexistance. Witnessing the the aggressiveness of the warhawks within the church leadership however, and hoping to provide an alternative to Orthodox Solonism Jeg founded the Virconic Solonist Church.
Virconic Solonism would quickly soon thereafter become the main religion of Amarillo, even being made into the official religion of the state, however this popularity proved to be shortlived as following the rise of Junicism, the religion would largely die out in region and, after the death of Prester Jegalo, it practically ceased to exist. Later however, the Solonist Church would once again attempt to establish itself in the region, under the guise of one Alvar Serys-Blizun, a Solianen of Anglunian aristocratic origin as well as a scion of the powerful Anglunian Blizun family, who had several connections in the region. Alvar successfully convinced the mayor of Puerto Amarillo, Guy McBabwe, to hand over the former Virconic Solonist church in Amarillo over to the Orthodox Solonist Church. Guy suggested to Alvar that he should revive the sect and perhaps separate from the Church, however Alvar rejected this due to his loyalty to the Soliana & the aforementioned Solonist Church. Combined with the cancellation of the Solonist Mission in Amarillo due to the controversial participation of the Solonists in the Drakaen Civil War, this effectively put an end to any efforts or hopes that Virconic Solonism would ever be revived in the region, thus finally marking the true death of the sect. Despite this, the sects' writings were preserved and transferred to Abexilan Soliana, largely due to the efforts of Alvar.
== Beliefs ==
Although the core elements of Solonism remain in Virconic Solonism new elements are emphasized, and a new system of communalism is used to organize the church. The individual church itself plays a larger role in the community, and economic beliefs such as fair distribution and worker's cooperatives play a large role in church doctrine. 
=== The Commandments ===
In Virconic Solonism it is believed that the Orthodox Church had lost its way by straying away from the Five Commandments in favor of political power and pride. The Virconic faith offers a more strict way of interpreting the Five Commandments 
==== 1. Thou shall love all people, no matter race, culture, or religion. ====
All living things are creatures of Solon no matter how revolting or unfaithful they may be, and so must be treated with a basic level of respect. One should always seek to educate the unfaithful, however this must be done not out of hatred, but out of love and through good works. Through the simple act of doing good and loving one's enemy we become closer to Solon's light. Virconic Solonism also believes that one does not have to officially be a Solonist to live in Solon's grace, as a gentile can still be virtuous. Solonism is like a manuel, it will make accomplishing one's goal easier (this goal should be unity with Solon), however it is possible to accomplish one's goal without it.
Virconic Solonism also recognizes the "People of the Sun" who are followers of religions which recognize the holiness of the sun. Such examples are Tekora and Soleannen. The people of these faiths are expected to be treated as the brothers and sisters of the Solonists with different interpretations.
==== 2. Thou shall not lie, cheat, or steal. ====
One should not lie, cheat, or steal so to as not cause harm to the community. Marriage plays an important role in this commandment, as in Solonism the act represents the sacred binding of two souls. An individual may only have one official marriage within the Solonist church, however they are welcomed to engage in polygamy with the consent of their soul partner. If the partner does not agree however, and the spouse commits adultary behind their back then this is a sin worthy of exile or re-baptism. 
==== 3. Thou shall not slay without warrent. ====
Virconic Solonism is a religion of peace. The faith does not possess a military and does not use violence to press its beliefs onto others. The Solonist should not be a pacifist however, as every Solonist has the right to protect themselves and their communities. If a Solonist shall bare witness to evil and do nothing then they are considered as wicked as the perpetrator themselves. A good Solonist must be a good teacher and neighbor first and foremost, however like Solon one must become be prepared to fight for the weak. It is important to pick battles wisely, as a good Solonist must not involve themselves in affairs that they cannot control.
==== 4. Thou shall not burn a sunflower. ====
As any Solonist knows the sunflower acts as a sacred representation of Solon in the mortal world, and should be utilized as a guide for Solon's followers. One should not curse upon a sunflower, sully its name, and most importantly one should not burn it. Such an act will lead to its destruction and will insult Solon.
==== 5. Thou shall not grief the lands. ====
A Solonist is a gardener of the land, and must gently care for Solon's creation. If one cuts down a tree it must be replanted, and if one created damage to the ground they must repair it. Natural beauty must be preserved and so one must build with the land and not against it. To modify the land to such a degree is a disgrace in Solon's eyes.
=== The Angels ===
Like Orthodox Solonism, Virconic Solonism believes and venerates the Five Pheonixes Zelaqil, Chandia, Jugrad, Murandel, and Vasquel. The Pheonixes are the major angels, and it is believed that hundreds of more minor angels may exist. These angels are virtuous individuals who did not do extrordinary deeds, but remained loyal to Solon and thus were saved from the destruction of Paxia and Jagdas. 
Angels lack a physical form and are spirits that exist within Solon himself. It should be the goal of every Solonist to reach angelic transendance by breaking their cycle of reincarnation and becoming one with Solon's light. With the exception of some, if one does not reach Solon's light by the time of the Great Burning their souls will be destroyed and they will seize to exist. 
=== Flameons ===
Flameons, or "Fire Saints" are individuals who have reached a form of Angelic Transcendance, however remain attached to their Earthly bonds to guide mortals to Solon's Light. Unlike the Phoenixes who have achieved full oneness with Solon and are granted Phoenix forms, Fire Saints are pious Solonist sages who decided to stay more connected to the lower worlds in order to appease their sufferings. They tend to reincarnate more frequently into sages of the world as compared to the Phoenixes who while are capable to be involved in the lower worlds, prefer to handle the affairs of the world within Solon's Heavenly Realms. 
While in Mainstream Solonism, Vasquel is viewed as a Phoenix, he is known to not be as pure as the other Phoenixes which contradicts the ideas of those who achieve Phoenixdom. One cannot be too pure nor too impure. Thus, it is contradictory to call them Phoenixes but rather they are Flameons. Chandia was capable of achieving Phoenixdom but her compassion for those who suffer was so strong, Solon allowed her to retain as a Flameon. Jugrad did not fully let go of the world but his honor raised him to the status of Flameon by Solon.
The only two known Phoenixes in mainstream Solonism are Zelaqil and Murandel. These 2 went through lifetimes as a Flameon before achieving full Phoenixdom and were Phoenixes of their ages. The three major Flameons are Chandia, Flameon of Compassion Jugrad, Flameon of Honour, and Vasquel, Flameon of Intellect. 
=== Solon ===
The sun and the stars possess Solon's divine energy which makes up the universe. A star is the purest form of Solon that can be seen with the naked eye, and thus it is venerated by the Solonists. The sun is not Solon himself, as Solon who's real name cannot be said is an unfathomabley powerful, omnipresent and omnipotent entity that encompasses all energy. Solon has no gender and Solon's voice is everything. The sun is not his eye as Orthodox Solonists may believe, as existence itself is his eyes.
The void is a space without energy, and thus is untouched by Solon. It is the absence of creation, and is where the extinguished souls shall go once they are burned. It is not the source of evil however, as evil is something that humans have created themselves to battle Solon. Solon's creations are his own worst enemy, and yet Solon continues to have faith in them, and this is why Solonists must love and worship the God of the Universe. Solon is the ultimate forgiveness. 
== Organization ==
Virconic Solonism puts an emphasis on structuring the church from the groudn up rather than from the top down. The basic unit of Virconic structure is the family. A nuclear family is led by a mother or father who is responsible for keeping their family virtuous and teaching their children how to become contributing members of society. Families make up a commune which is a central part of Virconic belief. The commune can be as small as a hamlet or as large as a city-state, but it is most essential unit of Virconic Solonism. The ideal commune should be ran by either a preacher or a priest who exemplifies Solon's teachings, and the individuals within it should work together and provide for one another without selfishness. 
Several communes or a nation may form together to form a council known as a National Council. These national councils discuss issues centered around their region and may elect a cacique to represent their community in the Church Council. These cardinals meet monthly to discuss church doctrine and are elected every four months. During their first meeting they will elect the Arch-Saúco . The Arch-Saúco does not act as a supreme authority, and is instead merely a mediator and a person of guidance.
== Rituals ==
Virconic Solonists follow the same basic rituals are Orthodox Solonists do. Personal meditation in secluded areas is encouraged to cast out the evil present within oneself. It is through intense meditation that one may learn focus, and through focus they may gain the knowledge needed to eliminate their evil and acend to Solon's light.
Category:Religions
Category:Amarillo
Category:Traveler's Era
Category:Drakaes