Torchism

> "*The home of The Light exists; no human can conceive the greatness of such a majestic place. Not even all the best philosophers combined. Not even all the kings and emperors, with all their wealth…*"
> ―A Light Priest
>
>

*The Torch, also known as The Fire, is usually depicted as a torch, or the sun and the clouds in the sky, as the Torchists believe no human is capable of conceiving his true image. In ancient texts, it is either drawn as a shining torch or a floating cloud.*

## Torchism

The Torch is the Lord Creator of the world as we know it. It is believed that he created a race of great beings known as “the Sacreds”, a human super-race whose purpose was to spread the thoughts of The Creator throughout Geopolia. This super-race achieved incredible things, and even though they bred and multiplied, they eventually died out. Generation after generation, the Esotericans managed to rescue and safekeep some of their ancient beliefs, traditions, and writings. It is believed by the Esotericans that they are the bringers of The Torch’s holy words into the world. After spreading their culture far throughout Geopolia, they have managed some religious influence over several races and locations.

### **Philosophies and Culture**

Torchists believe in conservatism and nationalism. A Torchist government will have their traditional national values such as frequent practice of religion, utmost priority over the defense of their people (a strong sense of militarism), education on the nation and its ideologies, respect and friendship for other Torchist nations, and will often have the philosophy of educating other nations to convert to Torchism. Although a Torchist government can be aggressive and decide to convert other cultures through force and sometimes war, they can also remain neutral and only teach their beliefs to those who are willing to learn them.

Traditional torchists believe in their religion’s personal values and principles, which are often referred to as the **LOL**:

1. **Loyalty:** Be loyal to your nation, your family, and The Torch.
2. **Order:** Believe in a world of order, never of chaos. Keep your home and yourself clean and organized.
3. **Light:** Dedicate time to worshipping The Fire. Talk to him in silence and you shall find truth.

Cleansing is the term used to refer to the holy execution of those who betray the LOL. Although it depends on the nation’s laws, oftentimes the betrayal of these values will result in execution or complete social rejection, sometimes banishing.

It is called cleansing because it is thought that through execution by a blessed weapon or method (such as the “holy fire”, achieved by getting a Light Priest to bless the netherrack before lighting it) will save a soul from being sent to The Nether, which is where the non-believers and betrayers of The Torch go in the afterlife.

### **The Temples of Fire**

The Temples of Fire, or Fire Temples are places built by followers of the Torchist faith. These big but simple constructions are often made of stones, and have roofs that hoard fire on the top, or sometimes just contained in high large torches. These temples are made in the name of The Torch and the inside is normally filled with torches and pits of holy fire.

People who come to the Fire Temples to worship the Torch, usually throw small sacrifices into the fire pits in order to have their prayers to the Torch be heard.

It is also here that the Light Priests cleanse the non-believers, when it is not a time of war.

### **The Ancient Story of the Sacreds**

The Torch raised these men and women as if they were his children, bending nature to his will in order to meet their necessities for their first years of life. The beasts became friendly to them, and the plants offered them fruits. Gradually, The Torch made them realize that Earth was hard to live on, and started teaching them the truth of nature. The Sacreds understood, and gained the gift of pure knowledge after researching the Earth and its nature.

The breed of Sacreds is assumed to have gone extinct after approximately three centuries. The Sacreds were incredibly strong, agile and mentally capable humans who built immense monuments in the name of their Father, The Torch. They also founded several cultures and nations, such as Esoterica.

Only a few radical Torchists believe that the holy race of the Sacreds lives on to this day, and that they are hidden among us, to one day rise from the ashes. Colloquially, it’s usually thought some important historical Torchist characters are or were part of the Sacreds.

### **Horwath**

Horwath is a creation of the Torch. It is an inferior celestial being that inhibits the lands of The Nether and tortures the souls of non-believers. It is depicted as a nine foot tall creature with rusted steel armor that lurks in the soulsand valleys and other nether regions. When a human crosses the portal and enters the world of the Nether, they must be careful not to stumble across Horwath. It also has several abilities, such as camouflage, telepathy, an immense strength, and a breath of everlasting fire to torment the souls in his care.

Horwath can go into the overworld to retrieve the souls that belong to him after they die, but he cannot linger there for much longer.

Myths tell that The Torch chose one of the original Sacreds to become the protector and torturer of the non-believers in the after-life. A sacrifice that earned him a lifetime in The Nether, where he takes out his rage and years of pain into souls that were never cleansed or never had faith in The Torch.

### **The Mercaese, Messenger of The Light**

The Mercaese is known to be the holy messenger of The Light. In His contrast, The Mercaese is dark and broody, wearing long dark robes and bearing long black feathered wings.

The purpose of this being is to deliver direct messages from The Torch himself, into mortal beings to interpret. It is traditionally believed that he always brings with him a great torch that is lit only after finding the intended receiver of the message.

Witnesses that have supposedly sighted The Mercaese always claim they’ve seen it land and stand with a good distance between them, carrying a large torch with white light and staring right at them with its wings folded.

Others who have claimed they have seen it fly mention that the wings have a length of at least twelve feet horizontally, and that the being moves at immeasurable speeds.

Although it is an extremely rare sight, many Torchists claim they have indeed been part of Mercaese encounters, and even that they have spoken to it personally.