Rodinism

**Rodinism** is a mono-theist religion originating primarily in (Vriphuranum) with significant influence at different points from (Slavian) and (Sudslavian Rodism). The overall uniting feature of all Rodinist faith is belief in (Rodi the God of Mankind). Individual doctrine can differ as much as from person to person though the largest modern denomination is that of the Pteroslavian New Orthodoxy. Most Rodinist doctrines can therefore be defined by their closeness or distance from Pteroslavian Orthodoxy at any point, and indeed many have been decreed by that doctrine to be heretical. Likewise there are several which have, through (Conclaves) at various points, been determined as co-equal in worship of the (One, True, Rodi). A polarizing issue for most Rodinists is the existence or influence of (Lichi, the Primordial Evil) in the affairs of the mortal world.

**Ancestral or Orthodox**

Protoslavian Rodinism

The first expressions of Rodinism and Pteroslavian culture in the (New World) are often combined under the umbrella term of (Protoslavian). This time and area, recorded as between 600-1000ce and (East Nostra) respectively, is defined by tremendous variation in the worship of Rodi and belief in Lichi. No single gauge can be taken for the population as a whole but in most cases the religion was still polytheist and only saw Rodi as the highest patron in an adopted pantheon, native to the lands they now inhabited. Little physically remains of the spread of Protoslavian culture outside of a handful of great stones at the centers of their communities which lamentably have in most cases been carved over and adapted to the history of its later owners. By the 800's there is some evidence of conflict with the ancestors of (Nostrans) and some amount of influence can be seen from their own pantheon, particularily with regards to warrior and trickster gods. Lichi, as an understood concept, has its roots in this period as well - particularly in the guise of a far off malignant force that misled their enemies and caused disasters great and small. As more and more factors combined to pressure the Protoslavians to move south, there was a profound rededication to the manifest destiny of a promised land to the south, later known as the (Szarmatian Basin.) Protoslavian polytheism is recorded as having survived, in some parts, the evolution into Folk Rodinism and missionaries of the Old Orthodox wrote in many cases of encountering the (Old Gods) in their travels.

Folk Rodinism

The belief now called Folk Rodinism flourished in the new and expanding (Pteroslavian Empire), most scholars point to it having begun with the colonization of the Szarmatian Basin in the 8/900’s and only ended with the establishment of the (Orthodox Kosciol) in the late 1600’s. The period is marked by a rapid transition in understanding of Rodi from sacrificial protector to a real presence among early Pteroslavians, aided by the spreading of a common faith through the (Grand Imperial Army). After early conflicts between the new faithful and their Protoslavian ancestors, this Folk Rodinism spread rapidly as the Empire did and likewise congealed with it into stagnation. This period of stagnation in Pteroslavia is indeed the foundation of the modern (Mordavinite Koszol), as many Rodinists seeking change and new experience crossed the border and integrated into Mordavian society. Fear of religious disunity led to a wave of obscuritanism and ‘recultification’ that was only ended with the introduction of artifacts and evidence from (Old Slavia) in the 1400’s. The discovery of (Sudslavia) and not only the (Rodists) living there but the (Sud) sparked off the underlying powderkeg of revival all across the Empire. When a new God-Emperor cult formed and began establishing traditions and holy days to instil its dogma, the energized and inquisitive Rodinist host denied it categorically and (Great Conclaves) were held to denounce the cult. What began as a simple task of denouncing heretics quickly became a more substantial reformation, and the earliest (Learned Fathers) emerged to formalize the Orthodoxy and propogate it among the receptive masses. Local gods were reinterpreted as saints or aspects of Rodi, and the whole of Pteroslavia was rededicated to Orthodox Rodinism by the end of the 1600’s.

Early Orthodox Rodinism

The Early Orthodox Kosciol is best understood as the period between the (Conclaves of the 1640’s and 50’s) and the War of Separation. It was at those first conclaves that the foundations of modern Rodinism were laid down, particularily in the (Doctrine of Souls:) All souls come from, and return to Rodi. It is the duty of the faithful to return to Him with a greater soul than which they were given and so by having lived contribute the greater whole and continuation of Mankind. Three particular virtues were written into the (Book of Homilies) and espoused in the (Book of Histories.) Firstly, one must devote themselves to humble service of their community, as it is through that community that Mankind may most closely approach Rodi’s divinely collective nature. Secondly, one must devote themselves to diligent self-improvement, as it is through that improvement and experience that one’s soul may become greater and contribute to Rodi’s whole. Thirdly, that one must devote themselves to valorous defense, as it is through strength and will that the manipulations and catastrophes of Lichi may be resisted and ultimately defeated. The period found its end in the slowly increasing secular power of the Kosciol, and the violence surrounding the creation of the (Mordavinite Koszol) and the (Evonite Kurch.) Most scholars mark its end with the close of the War of Separation when Rodinist concerns turned inwards rather than outwards.

Late Orthodox Rodinism

The Late Orthodox Kosciol is a period best understood to span from the fallout of the War of Separation in the 1780’s to the collapse of the Pteroslavian Empire in at the turn of the 20th century. This period is marked at first by a steady gain for most if not all Rodinist congregations as the links between them were deepened and many religious leaders gained more secular power. A combination of factors, including the emergence of the (Technocrats) in Pteroslavia, helped to manipulate Kosciol doctrine. Increasingly the religion became a weapon to wield against the Empire’s internal enemies, with the ready justification of Rodi’s will and Lichi’s manipulations. The last few decades of the Old Orthodox Kosciol were spent in almost total conflict with Egalitarian Rodinism, which had emerged in defiance of the Kosciol’s corruption and tyranny in support of the Technocrats. When (Democratism) emerged on the political scene, and were suppressed for many of the same reasons, the two made common cause. After a ramping up of tensions, and an incredibly controversial war against the faithful in Wojn, the Kosciol largely lost control of the populace and were forced to rely on secular powerbrokers. Extreme violence dominated the last decade of the Pteroslavian Empire, as campaigns to re-integrate seceding territories grew to a crusade-like pitch. As the (Last Emperor) fled in 1899, and his (Last Regent) assassinated in 1901, the collapse was complete. The Empire was split between the Royalists and the Democratists, the Core and the Territories, the Orthodox and the Egalitarians.

New Orthodox Rodinism

**Co-Equal Doctrines**

Mordavinite Rodinism

Rodinism has existed in Mordavia since the 1400's and even before, as Folk Rodinists left the Core and for one reason or another settled in Mordavia. The faith there took on a particular hue in contact with the local religious traditions: No one deity was eternally supreme, the position of greatest power in the heavens wrestled back and forth between them. Areas, and the (Clans) that controlled them, were continually dedicated and rededicated to the various powers and sought to represent them and their struggles temporally. Over time Rodi came to be understood as a sort of 'default dedication' for Rodinists among Mordavians. Being of little wealth or stature on arrival in most cases, Rodinists had little to gain from taking part in the plays between them. They, and Rodi like them, became over time the peaceful and calming voice of reason that cautions haste and violence between brothers. When the waves of revival and doctrinalism swept through Pteroslavia it also took on a distinct form, the Mordavinite Koszol. The twin operating doctrines of the Koszol are unity and non-interference. When fiery Pteroslavian Orthodox raids crossed the border and slew not only pagans but Mordavinite faithful, deep pacts were made between the various cults and the emerging Rodinists to combat them. In recognition of the danger posed by their heathenry on the borders of the faithful Empire, the (Kingdom of Mordavia) officially converted in 1748. Rodi had become a kind of divine arbiter of the Mordavian gods, understood by outsiders to be representations of the Clans but in reality it still went the other direction. Mordavinite doctrine continued its policy of non-interference, and distanced itself from as much violence as possible while the Clans continued to feud. The Koszol became an important moderator and mediator of disputes between them as the raids themselves became more destructive. More and more people flocked to the Koszol in the 1800's as religious tension in Pteroslavia and Evonland increased, and the wars between the Clans reached a climax and subsided. Clans friendly to the Koszol and Rodinism had won out in the feuding, and a time of peace was warmly announced by the King and Koszol. Even as Egalitarians emerged in the Imperial Territories, Rodi was becoming a welcome sight in many Mordavian shrines, and many new temples were being built. Most who entered into Mordavia at this point were welcomed into the flock, and the relative lack of corruption in the Koszol enticed many of the Egalitarians to play by the rules. The Mordavinite dogma even had roots spreading into other areas of the Empire, being adopted by the growing (Wojnian) national movement and adapted to suit their traditions. This indeed would go on to have terrible ramifications in 1878 as the Empire invaded Wojn.

Evonite Rodinism

The first Rodinists to permanently settle in the (Kingdom of Evonland) were recorded in the very late 1500's. Mostly Pteroslavians from Zymia, having passed through the domains of the hostile (Voltarvan Tribes) in an attempt to discover why the Tribes had begun attacking the Empire. After some dissent when they became powerful enough to merit notice, the late Folk Rodinist pantheon was easily adapted onto the native gods. Rodi became associated very strongly with the (Royal Family), though most of the populace and nobility still professed supreme support for other divinities. It was not until the sweeping revivals of the 1600's that the common Evonlander dedicated themselves to Rodi above all, much to the chagrin of their 'pagan' lords. When the Voltarvo was finally pacified in the 1680's, the way was opened for the introduction of the rapidly formalizing Orthodox Rodinism from Pteroslavia. The Kingdom acknowledged but did not outright accept the total subjugation of the Kosciol over the evolving Evonite dogma. Differences remained understated as a hybrid doctrine took root in Evonland. The (King) converted to Orthodox Rodinism in 1734,The buffer area that the Voltarvo had become shielded Evonlanders from the new Small Wars disputing the birth of the Mordavian Koszol, and the (Evonite Kurch) was able to form its new autonomous nature without Orthodox resistance. Officially established with the election of the first (Holy Father) in 1747, and followed by the formal conversion of the (King) from Orthodox to Evonite Rodinism, the Kurch quickly overtook the Kosciol in Evon membership. The main doctrine was a pronounced reinterpretation of the heavenly realm: Rodi sat at the center as the divine ruler, deciding over the coming and going of souls, and directing the (Host) of powers in His service. The Host itself carried out the will of Rodi in both the mortal and immaterial plane, and were tasked most ardently with protecting the faithful in their life's journey. The (Great Mass) or sometimes Flock, were the souls of the faithful in Rodi's demense who, having completed their journey through life and returned with a greater soul than that with which they had left, are able to rest and bask in Rodi's glorious eternity until the time that they are needed again. The Kingdom of Evonland itself was almost immediately related to Rodi's divine kingdom, though many Kings have denied the abstracted relation between themselves and Rodi - including the title of (Lord of the Mortal Host) since 1767. The relation of the Host itself has a more disputed past, as the pagan nobility which it was seemingly built to include denied the doctrine. Following the explosion of tensions that would cause the War of Separation, the Kurch stepped into this position, and lauded itself alongside the growing Evonite nobility, as the Host responsible for protecting and empowering the faithful.

Wojniite Rodinism

**Cults**

Cults of Lichi

Cults of the God Emperor

Cult of the Rodinson

**Heresies**

Egalitarian Rodinsim

Popularist Rodinism

In the growing discontent of the Late Orthodox Rodinist period, a branch of Rodinism grew that separated itself from the Kosciol, but maintained adherence to the already established doctrines. Described as some to be cults, but mostly accepted for their vigorous defence of local traditions that most often still included respect for the statutes of the Empire, this Popularist Rodinism was never truly distinguished from the Orthodox beliefs until the Imperial Collapse. When the Empire collapsed and the (Royalists) took sovreignty of the Core, many of the Popularist groups folded into the conservative ethos of the administration and were given leave to ignore or build around the decaying Kosciol. The ones that did not were maligned and ultimately suppressed, with particular strongholds growing in the port cities of (Hanswesk) and (Omna). When (Socialist Revolutionary Groups) emerged in those areas, in specific opposition to the overreaches of the Royalist government, the two found common cause. This new Popularist dogma rejected Lichi outright and declared the voice of the people, that is to say the Revolution, is the truest expression of Rodi's Will. When those revolutionary groups eventually shattered and fell first to infighting, then Royalist assault in late 1901, it the Popularist cells were hounded out and destroyed. At current it is unknown if their dogma or membership survived this destruction.

Alexandrite Rodinism

In the 1850's, when Egalitarianism was young, already there was dissent and dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in Pteroslavia. Even in the more tolerant parts, such as Mordavia or Wojn or ironically Evonland, groups of Egalitarians either did not have the choice, or did not have the chance, to settle and live by their own beliefs. A variety of destinations appeared, depending on the original location. For those Egalitarians in the Core and (Zymia), (Isniaca) became a ready point of departure. Most of the groups spread to parts unknown, but one of the largest groups was able to secure a transportation en masse to Alexandrachos where many new lands were being opened to farming and settlement. In 1857 this flotilla docked in (Alexandrachan Port City) and signed the (Landowsek Charter) later known as the 1st Alexandrite Charter. The main outlay of this charter is twofold: First is the formal separation from both the established Rodinist Orthodoxy and the Pteroslavian Empire. Second is the recognition of the then-Egalitarian flock as a distinct body politick by which to encounter and entreat with whatever secular authorities waited on shore. Almost 70 signatures followed from the various elected (Vicars) among the flotilla. In addendums written legendarily as the chosen landing party of signatories were approaching landfall in small boats, a set of rules and restrictions were created for the election of a single (Lord Vicar) to represent and hold responsibility for them in particular occasions.