Religions of Rotharia

## New Orthodox

Ostensibly the official faith of the Imperium, the New Orthodox, sometimes referred to as 'Rotharian Orthodox', or the 'Cult of Soma' is the most widely followed, the second oldest faith in the Imperium. The faith is officially led by the Patriarch, who is elected by the Council of senior priests (Patros) called 'The Council of Lattum', where the group is based. The Patriarch has the authority to interpret to to procession of the Sun and Moon (Sola, and Soma), in addition to the passing of the seasons.

### History

The New Orthodox is classed as an Athian derivative religion, meaning that it has found a strong historical lineage from the old Athian religions, which originated from the neighboring state of Veras. The New Orthodox was born during a split from the old Athian faith, referred to as 'The Cult of Athus' in Rotharia. The Priests of the Rotharian Sea Basin, called Patros by the natives, disagreed with the highly decentralized system utilized by the Athians, seeing many flaws in its system of predictions, how a dozen different priests could all come the different conclusions from the same information. Instead, the Rotharian Patros convened in the city of Lattum, and created the 'Council of Lattum' to represent their new heresy.

By the time the Athian Empire collapsed, the New Orthodox has grown to become the dominant religion in the Rotharian Sea Basin, and the Council of Lattum had convened to appoint the first Patriarch of the faith -- Veras Vara, a native Latiian. Under the direction of Patriarch Vara, the New Orthodox expanded from the Rotharian Sea basin, being spread by the hands of Missionaries to the Lake Nala region. Ultimately the faith began to take root in Nala, and religious unrest began to spread. The instability brought by such ultimately led to decline, and eventual collapse of the Athian Empire nearly a century later.

In the Modern Era, the Rotharian Orthodoxy has maintained a strong position as the dominant faith of Rotharia, though under the reign of the prior Patriarch Julian Iustius, of the Imperiian House Lucian, the faith has gradually began to erode away, under pressure from the growing Imperial Cult, and disputes from the Latiian Sect. Patriarch Julian Iustius passed away under mysterious circumstances shortly after the Rotharian victory in the Rean-Rotharian War. Presently the Council of Lattum is convening to elect a new Patriarch, and three front runners have emerged;

Arrius Auros, Patros of Lattum

Quintis Hostilla, Patros of Rociat

Alexandros Junica, Patros of Karsana

### Beliefs

As an Athian based Faith, the New Orthodox believes in the existence of two gods, 'Sola' who represents the Sun, and the Desert, and 'Soma' who represents the Moon, and the Sea. The two gods balance one another out, and without either god performing their role ideally, the world would burn, or freeze in their absence.

The New Orthodox does not believe that people can interact directly with the gods, only that we may interpret their will, and respond accordingly. The priests, or Patros, of the New Orthodox faith serve to enlighten the populace of the will of Sola and Soma, teaching the interpretations of their processions, which are made by the Patriarch of the faith. Generally there exists a common belief that the gods Sola and Soma are corporeal, that they posses a body, and mind like that of any individual. The official line of the faith is that Sola and Soma are not corporeal beings, but instead the omniscient forces of nature, which control the flow of the natural world. The faith officially discourages any depictions of Sola or Soma as people, a stance with the growing Imperial Cult rejects.

The doctrine of the faith also states that the gods of Sola and Soma each control different parts of the world. Sola commands the temperature, making the world burn in his presence, and freeze in his slumber. Sola commands the fires of the world, the actions of animals, and the path of the winds. Soma, on the other hand, commands the flow of the seas, the procession of the stars, and the cycle of death and rebirth.

The Orthodoxy believes that religion should be experienced privately, that rejects the more resplendent ceremonies of the Imperial Cult, and Latiian Sect. Instead, the Patros of the Orthodoxy favor private study of the faith, and the Council of Lattum encourages its Patros to write extensively on the faith.

On the afterlife, the Orthodoxy believes in a natural cycle, where the dead's bodies will gradually decay into its principal element -- Mana -- their soul flowing away with it, reentering the natural cycle of the world commanded by Soma.

## Imperial Cult

   The Imperial Cult is the first major heresy of the Rotharian Orthodoxy, and is presently the fastest growing religion in both the Rotharian Imperium, and in Nara. The Imperial cult holds many beliefs in common with the New Orthodoxy, however the biggest divergence in the faiths lies with the depiction, and purpose of the gods Sola and Soma. Followers of the Imperial cult controversially believe that Sola and Soma both not only hold Corporeal forms, but are in fact inhabiting the bodies and mind of the Imperator and Patriarch. The Imperial Cult is legally considered a Heresy in Rotharia, and thus is not supported by the Monarchy, or Church, however it's popularity has grown to such size that it has become common to perform ceremonies in public, as is often done.

### History

The Imperial Cult's (sometimes referred to as 'The Cult of Sola') early history is shrouded in mystery, as the initial practitioners were required to practice their faith in hiding, fearing persecution of the Orthodox Patriarchy. Multiple variations of the Cult's origin are told, the most popular being that it was originally created by zealous soldiers, returning from the subjugation of Nara. The soldiers, feeling that their victory against untenable odds must have been a blessing from the gods themselves, believed the Imperator must have known exactly how the war would go, and knowing of his assured victory, declared a holy war, to spread the faith to the Naran Heretics. Another common, and more likely story, tells that the faith was born of a highly loyal cabinet of Ministers, serving under the Imperator. These ministers believed the judgement of the Imperator who had appointed them to be absolute, and thus a tradition of Imperial infallibility was born among the Imperial Staff. As time passed, this infallibility grew, and as time passed, the Imperator was elevated in the eyes of his staff, from the perfect ruler, to the perfect being.

Regardless of the origins of the cult, its later history is well known, and well documented by several famous writers on the subject. Imperial Archivist Kaeden Septimus' "Codex Fidaram" writes extensively on the later history of the Cult. During the reign of Imperator Lyrian II, the Imperial Cult had begun to grow beyond the inner circle of Imperial Society, and various prominent members of Savoca high society had begun to practice the religion in private. The growing influence of the religion among the higher class led to an increase of funding for the upstart religion, and soon propaganda campaigns began, spreading the gospel of the Cult. By this point in time, the Imperator himself was aware of his growing cult, but against the advice of the Patriarch, he chose to do nothing against the cult, seeing it as a form of insurance against the growing influence of the Patriarch's allies in the Senate, the 'Factio Soma'.

The Religion quickly spread where ever the wealthy, or their servants, could be found, and thus the gradually conversion of the Urban centers of Rotharia began. By the modern era, virtually all major cities in Rotharia had at least a plurality of Imperial Cultists. The sole exception to this rule was the city of Lattum, seat of the Rotharian Orthodoxy, and home to a new heresy called the Latiian Sect.

### Beliefs

The Imperial Cult contrasts against the Orthodoxy in many of its beliefs -- Particularly in the belief that Sola, and Soma physically embody themselves in the Imperator and Patriarch. Further, the Imperial Cult believes that Sola and Soma directly influence the world as they see fit, and that the actions of man can elicit a response from the gods.

On the mechanics of possession, it is believed that the individuals elected as Imperator and Patriarch are not themselves Sola or Soma, but instead that the gods inhabit their bodies and minds, expressing their wills through the actions of the two most powerful men in the world.

On specific virtues and sins, followers of the cult believe that it is the responsibility of all men to serve the will of their gods, and that Sola and Soma will see it fit to reward them for their role in society, allowing them a new life among the stars.

## Latiian Sect

   The Latiian Sect is an upstart variation of the New Orthodox faith. Unlike the Imperial Cult, the Latiian Sect does not make such sweeping changes to the old religion as changing the role of its gods, nor does the Latiian Sect approve of depicting Sola and Soma, as the Imperial Cultists do. The Latiian Sect seeks to modernize the faith, as a direct counter to the rising influence of the Imperial Cult. The Latiian Sect is run by a secretive group called the "Concilam Antiam", who serve as a competitor to the 'Council of Lattum'. The leader of the Latiian Sect is not a Patriarch, but instead a 'Patros-Antiam', who is similarly elected by the Patros of the Latiian Sect.

### History

The Latiian Sect is the newest of the Rotharian Faiths to have emerged, having been born sometime in the last 100 years. The true origin of the religion is unknown, but the most common theory is that it was created a group of dissenting priests, called Kon-Patro (Low Priest) in Lattum, who opposed the election of a new Pro-Imperator Patriarch. The Council of Lattum made this choice as an olive branch to the growing Imperial Cult, wishing to avoid a larger conflict that could lead to an increased exodus of believers to the Cult. Many Kon-Patro in Lattum fiercely disagreed with this stance, feeling that it legitimized a vile heresy.

The Council of Lattum ultimately refused to revoke the vote, instead appointing the Imperiian Patriarch Quintus Novian. The leading Latiian Patros of the Council, Hadrus Hale led a walkout of the Council, leading to a major fracture in the Council. Patros Hale, along side the other Patros who abandoned the Council, and various other angry Kon-Patro led the creation of the new 'Councilam Antiam', which began to offer interpretations of the faith different than those released by the Council of Lattum.

### Beliefs

The Latiian Sect is led by the 'Councilam Antiam', instead of the original 'Council of Lattum', and is favored more heavily by the Latiian peoples. The Sect has little influence outside of the Latiian region, though its influence has slowly begun to spread elsewhere, as unrest between the New Orthodox, and Imperial Cult grows. The Latiian Sect has advertised itself as a more modern version of the Old Orthodox, choosing to participate in public ceremonies which the New Orthodox had before considered heretical. Further the Latiian Sect's lead, the 'Patros-Antiam' is more publicly outspoken than the Patriarch.

Many fear that the Councilam Antiam has become a political mouthpiece for the ambitious Latiian House, an accusation that the Latiian Line has chosen to embrace, rather than deny. In recent years the Councilam Antiam, especially the Patros-Antiam have frequently spoken out on political affairs, something which the New Orthodox consider to be a critical sin for any priest of the faith.

## Cult of Athus

By far the oldest faith in Rotharia, the Cult of Athus represent the old, pagan religion from which the modern Rotharo-Athiian religion group sprung forth. The Cult of Athus is a monotheistic religion, a stark contrast to its duotheistic descendants. A heavily decentralized religion, the Cult of Athus has been incapable of surviving in large numbers among the larger, more organized faiths of Rotharia, and has gradually ceded ground since the decline of the Athiian Empire.

### History

The Cult of Athus is one of the oldest religions in the world, originating from the Empire of Athiia, an ancient nation from what is now the northern coast of Veras. Athiia was established as the first major power of Halas, where it established hegemony over the Sea of Souls region, expanding its empire by construction annexing states such as Hera, Nara, and the Latiian and Imperiian proto-states in the Rotharian Sea Basin. Along with the expansion of Athiian power, their religion as well spread, becoming the dominant religion in Rotharia, and Nara, where its influence can still be seen today.

In the modern era, the religion has experienced a massive decline, accelerating after the collapse of the Athiian Empire as a result of the Rotharian Civil-war. Gradually the Cult of Athus has been superseded by the Rotharian Orthodoxy, and Imperial Cult as the dominant faith in the Rotharian Region. The Cult of Athus is still practice by a small minority of people in rural Rotharia, and a slim majority of the population of Veras.

The Cult of Athus is considered the founding faith of the Rotharo-Athiian religion group.

### Beliefs

The Cult of Athus is a monotheistic faith, worshiping the god 'Athus', who reigns over the heavens and earth. Athus is a famously temperamental god, and each day sets out to witness his most beautiful creation -- Agriia -- the world. Each day Athus surveys his creation, but instead of the beautiful green globe he had so painfully labored over, he sees a sea of sand, spreading like a plague across his canvas. As the time passes, Athus grows more and more furious with the sand, expressing his rage in the scorching flames of the sun.

As Athus grows angrier, so does the sun grow hotter, burning the soil beneath his violent gaze, turning grass to dust, ash to sand, his anger feeding a vicious cycle of death, which taints his own creation. Athus retreats each night, exhausted by his fury, though some hours later he returns, now turning his eyes away from the corrupting sands, gazing off the distant oceans. Instead of anger, he finds solitude in the waves, their gentle flow bringing new life to the land, fighting the distant tyranny of the desert.

Here, Athus finds solitude, his rage slipping away into the distant night. In absence of the heat of rage, Athus becomes calm, introspective. In his wake comes the lonely chill of the night, freezing away the fires of the day. It is said that one day, while staring out across the sea, Athus gave life to Man, a being with one purpose: Combat the corrupting Sands. Athus gave man one command:

Bring order, push back the corruption, bring life to what I can not.

And so was born the Athiian people, onto the dunes of Veras, home of all men.

## Heranism

See: Heranism

Heranism holds a small share of followers in Rotharia, and is an actively persecuted religion, being one of the only religions to have been outright outlawed in the Imperium. Heranism is of the Nara Religion Family, the only such religion with a notable share of the Rotharian population as followers.

### History

Heranism is a faith originating from the Nation of Hera, a former Athiian, later Rotharian colony. The religion was founded after the sacrifice of a Military Officer, Icaro di Calise. Gallo fought in the Third Siege of Abruzzi, where the Rotharian Navy under command of Staten Andros Ikonios laid siege to the vital Port city of Abruzzi. The Naval siege lasted for three months, where the Rotharian Military had forced naval blockade of the city, after landing marines on the coast, cutting the Fortress City off from its supply. During the siege, the Garrison of Abruzzi experienced many hardships, but Low Officer Icaro was able to inspire the garrison into leading a counter attack, driving the Rotharian army from the shores, and restoring the critical supply line with the mainland.

Icaro perished during the battle, a spear having penetrated his lung. Only hours after his death, a storm from the west rolled in, causing a torrent of waves to crash into the Rotharian fleet, sending several larger vessels crashing into the coast, and forcing Staten Ikonios to order a full retreat. Icaro was declared 'Saint Calise of Abruzzi, Hero of Hera, Patron of the Winds" His title evolved into the modern 'Saint Heran', who is the center of the Heranist faith.

In Rotharia, the religion most can be found in and around major port cities, such as Firano, Karsana, and Rosena. The religion is brought in along with foreign crews, who eventually settle down in those cities, spreading their religion to the native residents.