Church of Heaven

Born of Heaven, we always long to return to the embrace of our Creator

 — Trinia Saint-Gold

## Overview

The Church of Heaven is a Church founded in the 5th Epoch by King of Angels Trinia Saint-Gold. It is a cover for the Cult of Kosmos.

This organization is in control of the Heaven, Star and Ruler Pathway, with some information and Potion Formulae for the Rot and Empyrean Pathways. The Church operates in Intis (where the Church of Machinery is too weak to properly uproot them) and across the Southern Continent. They have several small gatherings in Loen and Feynapotter, but avoid Feysac and stay low-key.

In terms of power, the Church has 10 Saints and 3 Angels. The Saints hold a position of Archbishop while the Angels are Cardinals. Trinia is the Pope, but rarely uses "His" authority and simply spend "His" time meditating or praying. As such, the Archbishops and Cardinals run the Church instead and have full authority to all their resources.

They do not have a proper Beyonder force, but some paramilitary groups do work under them. They hire either mercenaries or have the priests trained as combatants in times of need. The Church does not need a force however, as they are backed by the Cult of Kosmos and 3 King of Angels. They have a fair number of Sealed Artefacts (around 100) but only a dozen can be classified as Grade 1. Most Sealed Artefacts are actually created by the Church or are Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasms.

## History

Founded in the 5th Epoch when Gilgamesh, Trinia and Paragon stepped back into the real world.

While Gilgamesh founded the Cult of Kosmos and Paragon wandered the globe, Trinia created the Church and took great care to not have it destroyed by the Orthodox Deities. To this end, "He" only placed churches in the Southern Continent (withy no official religion) and Intis, where the Church of Machinery lacks the strength and resolve to remove them.

The Church is run by 3 Angels, all of which are Envoys in the Faith of Kosmos. The Saints are not members of the Cult, though they are aware of its existence. The Cult uses the Church to publicly expand its domain and recruit Beyonders to their cause.

## Sacred Emblem

The Sacred Emblem of the Church is a pyramid with a circle on top. The Islamic crescent in on top of the circle and the Star of David is in the crescent. All of this is contained within an upside-down red triangle. The background is all black.

Their prayer gesture is to make a claw using the 3 middle fingers and running form their forehead down to their chin.

## Characteristics

The Church of Heaven is a polytheist Church that allows the worship of all Gods within their halls. However, preforming Rituals like that of the Rose School of Thought is forbidden: you can only pray.

The Church promotes equality between all races and genders, stating "all are the children of the Creator and are equal". They also welcome all types of Beyonders, including those of the Abyss and Hanged Man Pathway into their ceremonies.

Despite the general equality and acceptance of the Church, only those who believe in the Sovereign of the Cosmos or the Original Creator are allowed into the innermost sanctum. Likewise, only hose believers can become higher than a normal Priest or Bishop.

## Enforcement Division

The Church of Heaven has a somewhat ragtag enforcement order, comprised of mercenaries and Combat Priests. All members of the Clergy are trained to defend themselves to an adequate degree. Priests often patrol their designated area every night for trouble.

The Church is secretly (or not so secretly, as the other Churches know already) that the Cult of Kosmos supplies the Church with warriors and Beyonders to defend themselves. The Enforcers of Kosmos are the main aid given, so the Church can properly respond to anything under the threat of a rampaging Angel.

## Ceremonies

The Church of Heaven is very tolerant and open to other religions and their festivals. They have one festival per religion each year, spread throughout 12 months. Chained God believers are not allowed to sacrifice any people, but are granted permission for animals. If someone volunteers to be sacrificed, it is allowed then. As the Church is still relatively small and obscure, these festivals are small-time and do not clash with each other or the Orthodox Churches.

Believers in the Sovereign and the Original Creator celebrate a unique festival where they preform a mini Advancement Ritual for the Heaven Pathway by giving up their most precious and expensive material goods. The old or very sick, who drag down local communities, often volunteer to be sacrificed in the festival to not hold back the community. Trinia leads these ceremonies "Himself" every year.

## Notable Members

* Trinia Saint-Gold (*Pope)*

* Aaron Silvester (Cardinal)
* Nakitas Ourum (Cardinal)
* Castor (Cardinal)

* Lyra Haytham (Archbishop)
* Maria Green (Archbishop)

* Damian Castello (Priest)