Cahaya Sol

The Great Fire, also known as the Eternal Light, or Cahaya Sol in the Suyan language, is a monotheistic religion that has its roots in the Suyan Desert. Its origins can be traced back to a time before recorded history, when the nomadic tribes of the desert worshipped the power of fire and the sun, believing them to be a gift from their god.

Over time, this belief system evolved into a formalized religion with a central deity, the Great Fire, who was believed to be the source of all light and warmth in the world. The followers of this religion built great temples and shrines in the desert, dedicating them to their god and offering prayers and sacrifices in the hope of gaining their god's favor.

## Beliefs

In the beginning, the world was dark and cold, covered in endless stretches of barren desert. But in the midst of this desolation, a spark of fire was born. It flickered and danced, casting shadows across the sand dunes and illuminating the night sky. This flame was not like any other fire; it burned with a fierce intensity and radiated a warmth that spread throughout the land.

As the flame grew, so too did its power. It spoke to the hearts of the people, calling out to them with a message of hope and strength. They listened, and soon the flame became a symbol of unity and purpose. It was no longer just a fire, but a force to be reckoned with.

And then, one night, the first emperor had a dream. He saw the flame, brighter and more radiant than ever before, calling out to him with a message of conquest and domination. The emperor was filled with a sense of purpose and determination, and he knew that this flame was meant to be spread across the land.

With a group of loyal followers, the emperor set out to conquer the vast expanse of the Suyan desert. They faced many challenges and obstacles along the way, but the flame burned within their hearts, giving them the strength and courage to carry on.

As they journeyed further into the desert, the flame grew stronger and brighter, illuminating the path before them and guiding them towards their destiny. And finally, after many long and hard fought months, they emerged victorious, having conquered the entirety of the Suyan desert and spread the message of the flame far and wide.

From that day forth, the flame became known as Cahaya Sol, the great and powerful symbol of the Kerejaan Suya. And the emperor, the first to be visited by the flame, became known as its chosen servant and protector. Together, they would build an empire that would stand the test of time, spreading the message of the flame to all corners of the world.

Read more in Holy Texts of Sol

## Morals

There is a heavy emphasis on honor within this religion. It is honorable to give to the poor and dishonorable to have bastards. If an Emperor is considered dishonorable then they lose the favor of their people.

## Worship

### Prayer

The practice of prayer in the Great Fire religion is a solemn and reverent affair. Worshippers believe that they must offer up something sinful or unholy to be burned as a sacrifice, as a way of cleansing themselves and their community of impurities. These prayers are performed in groups, with different chords being used to convey specific meanings and intentions.

Suyan prayer is unlike that of Istenek. Instead of spoken words they hum. In groups, different chords mean different things. For example, some chords stand for fertility while others ask for health. When one prays alone it is hard to pray in this way, instead, they will hum scales to ask for such things.

### Afterlife

The Great Fire religion also has a strong belief in the afterlife. They believe that those who are burned after death will find their way to the world of everlasting light, where they will experience a beauty that is beyond anything that can be imagined on this earth. Those who are not burned are believed to have their souls lost and cast into the darkness.

## Holidays

* **Day of the First Flame:** This holiday marks the day when the Great Fire first contacted the first Emperor and led him to create the Kerejaan Suya. It is considered the founding day of the Kerejaan Suya aswell. Celebrations include lighting a bonfire, feasting on traditional foods, and exchanging gifts with loved ones.
* **Burning of the Idols:** On this day, worshippers of Cahaya Sol burn idols and effigies of false gods, as a symbol of their rejection of other religions and their devotion to the Great Fire.

* **Festival of Light**: At the start of the harvest season, followers of Cahaya Sol light candles and lanterns to honor the Eternal Light that sustains them throughout the year. They also offer thanks to the Great Fire for the bounty of the land.

* **Holy Pilgrimage:** Once every five years, the Emperor of the Kerejaan Suya makes a pilgrimage to where the holy fire is said to have first appeared. During this journey, he will undertake a series of trials and hardships to prove his devotion to the Great Fire.

* **Burning of Sins:** On the first day of each month, worshippers of Cahaya Sol gather to burn symbolic representations of their sins and misdeeds, in order to purify their souls. In some small towns this includes with burning prisoners, heretics, and tieflings.

## Sub-Religions

### Solari

This sub-religion emphasizes the importance of the sun as a physical manifestation of Cahaya Sol. Its followers believe that the sun is the gateway to their god, and they perform daily rituals to honor it, such as facing east and bowing towards the sun during sunrise.

### Order of the Eternal Flame

This sub-religion places a heavy emphasis on the idea of purification through fire. Its followers believe that only through the cleansing power of flames can one become closer to Cahaya Sol. They often perform ritualistic burnings of objects and materials they deem impure or sinful, including personal possessions and even living creatures in extreme cases.

They believe that by immersing themselves in flames, they can cleanse themselves of their sins and achieve a higher spiritual state. Followers of this sub-religion often participate in fiery rituals, including walking over hot coals or even setting themselves on fire. However, this extreme devotion to fire has also led to criticism and ostracism from mainstream Cahaya Sol worshipers.