Voidborn

The Voidborn religion was founded by KarlosGeek on Bedrock before even the town and the nation were made. With its roots on the ancient religion of the Valkea known today as Iceborn, it is the oldest and most obscure religion of the world.

## Concepts and Beliefs

Unlike most religions, the Voidborn can be seen as more of a religious philosophy than a religion proper. They don't intend to spread their faith or invalidate other religions' beliefs. Instead, they seek to become the 'true' religion by converging all religions into one by simplifying them down to their most essential aspects and fitting them into the four archetypes.

The four archetypes, something refered to as gods, are four individuals that each represent a recurrent symbol, idea or motive in the mythology of all religions. They are the creators and destroyers of worlds, considered immortal, eldritch beings possessing power beyond comprehension.

Other religions might see these archetypes and "create" their religions, gods and mythology, using nothing but their interpretation of natural events and some logic. The Voidborn seek to remove the human lenses (the interpretation) to see the truth in all its glory.

### Altum Tenebris

The holy book of the Voidborn, Altum Tenebris, is a collection of religious and philosophical texts, writings, or scriptures made by the Shallow and Deep Prophets to unify the faith's many beliefs and prevent it from branching into other religions. Every chapter after the 2nd is encrypted in a different way as to prevent sacred or forbidden knowledge from falling into the wrong hands or being seen by those not considered ready yet.

Some could even be considered dangerous to non followers, as the fear and awe one would feel when confronted by phenomena beyond their comprehension and significance in the universe could destroy one's mind. The power of the Archetypes can be seen as unfathomable and inescapable, rendering anyone calling itself a god or believing in one feeling powerless and helpless.

Altum Tenebris, in its 1st chapter, presents the common beliefs that outsiders have that the Voidborn worship the Cold, the Void, the Darkness, the Bedrock, the Void or even the very idea of the Unknown. Although true in some regards, it's merely the tip of the Iceberg, as the Voidborn's true beliefs and intentions lie hidden beneath the surface.

## Internal Hierarchy

#### **Shallow Follower**

The Shallow Followers of Voidborn can be anyone from newborns to new citizens and refugees. The only difference from them to non believers is that they desire to follow the beliefs of the Voidborn in at least the most basic level.

They are allowed to be a part of both the Voidborn and their former religion under the condition that any rituals are done in secret and that symbols and mentions of the former religion are kept to a minimum.

To advance to the next level, they must fully abandon their old faith in favour of the Voidborn in a initiation cerimony, on which they make an oath to keep whatever secrets and knowledge they learn remain a secret, unless explicity taught otherwise.

#### **Deep Follower**

The Deep Followers have renounced their faith to their old religions, and are considered trustworthy enough to know more about the Voidborn's principles and teachings than outsiders. They are allowed to possess a copy of Altum Tenebris and are taught how to decrypt the 3rd and 4th chapters.

Their main responsabilities are to participate in all Voidborn rituals they have been invited to as well as to share any knowledge of other religions they come in contact with.

They are allowed to advance only after their faith is proven to be strong and not susceptible to drastic changes. They must fully embrace at least one of the religion's core principles.

#### **Shallow Scholar**

The Shallow Scholars are made up of followers that have decided to embark on the Voidborn's quest in obtaining knowledge from all religions from all around the world. They can be summoned to expeditions or sent in secret to investigate the various beliefs systems that are worshipped or abandoned, eventually brining that knowledge back to be shared with the other scholars and the deeper ranks of the hierarchy.

They are taught how to decrypt the 5th and 6th chapters of Altum Tenebris. Once they have studied and made a in-depth analysis of a religion's inner workings, mythology and core concepts and beliefs, they are allowed to advance.

#### **Deep Scholar**

If the Shallow Scholars are the Voidborn's explorers, then the Deep Scholars are the philosophers. They collect the knowledge obtained by Shallow Scholars and study it throughly, making connections to what is similar to the Voidborn while exploring their main differences to come to a conclusion, a new branch to the tree that is the Voidborn.

They are taught how to decrypt the 7th and 8th chapters of Altum Tenebris. On finishing at least two new branches that were added to the main faith, they are allowed to advance.

#### **Shallow Priests**

The Shallow Priests are mainly responsible for studying and understanding the inner workings of the Voidborn's internal hierarchy, carefully watching other followers' progress and reflecting on the reasons behind their promotions or demotions.

They can only advance after studying and understanding the 9th and 10th chapter, only now available to them, as well as having a solid grasp on the internal hierarchy. Any doubts in the faith must be cleared before advancing further.

#### **Deep Priests**

The Deep Priests are responsible for evaluating the other followers' progress and promoting or demoting them. Because of them and the prophets, followers are allowed to move down and up the hierarchy, contrary to other religion's severely rigid structures.

They are taugh how to decrypt the 11th and 12th chapter, and must study and understand them throughly. They can only advance by being chosen by the prophets.

#### **Shallow Prophets**

The Shallow Prophets are responsible for promoting and demoting all ranks but the prophets, and can witness rituals only available to them and the Deep Prophets. Together, they are considered part of the Deepest Ranks, the bottom of the iceberg.

They are taugh how to decrypt the 13th and 14th chapters and always allowed to advance, but to do so, they must decrypt, study and understand the 15th and 16th chapters. Deep Prophets may aid the most promising if they so desire.

#### **Deep Prophets**

The Deep Prophets are the ultimate keepers of knowledge, tradition and authority of the Voidborn. They are the most loyal followers of the Voidborn's philosophies, considered to be living embodiment of the religion's beliefs. They are responsible for guarding and using all of the Voidborn's knowledge to write new chapters, paragraphs or phrases of Altum Tenebris. They are the only ones able to host the Sucession Ritual, the ritual that chooses the next Emperor.

#### **Deepest Prophet**

The Deepest Prophet is a title given to the leader and main representative of the entire Voidborn religion, having the most authority and knowledge, but also being responsible for the direction the religion as a whole takes.
Some speculate that the Deepest Prophet is so deeply immersed into the religion and its vast knowledge that is it capable of directly contacting the Archetype of the Void, the "god of the Voidborn".