Demathian Faith (Visni)

The Demathian Faith is one of the strongest and most popular religions in the world of Haethis, centered around worshipping Visni, His followers considering him their Utmost Divine. It is a polytheistic religion where Visni is recognized as the most powerful, with other minor deities existing in either Visni's life or teachings, as well as the acknowledgement of Veros, Visni's Fallen Steward that went onto to rule the first six Hells. People of the Demathian Faith commonly read from the Holy Tombe, a book of hymns, stories, teachings, and the livelihood of Visni before He ascended into the Three Heavens to rule what we know as man. As the Demathian Faith is a polytheistic religion, three other Gods exist - two being his twin-daughters (Magdalena and Genevieve), and the other being Veros - His fallen steward. In writing, Visni's pronouns are capitalized. Worshippers of Visni commonly wear white and red with golden emblem, including the hightest known title of Cardinal.

## Visni

Visni, a man of both human and elvish appearance with great, dragon-like horns, is often depicted in his ascended form, as a celestial being guarding the Three Heavens and Seventh Hell. Visni is often given a different name, such as Our Father and Kin, Warden of All, and the Lord of Light. It is said that Visni and His daughters tend to the gardens of our afterrealm (plane of death). In stories, Visni was once a mortal man, leading His chosen people to the betterment of possible civilization. In his later years, Visni was chosen by the universe's Death-Keeper to join him to war within the Thee Heavens, His pious feats rewarding him with an even greater challenge. Into death's cradle did Visni come, befalling the Death-Keeper to save the universe from its once-decided expiry. It was then that Visni discovered another mortal brought into the Three Heavens, a steward named Veros gifted to Visni. For thousands of years, Visni and His steward looked over the nameless realm they were once mortals to. They were the new Death-Keepers, but without an unfair expiry. As perfection had been redeemed, and a utopia created, Visni and Veros sat in near-dormant state for thousands of years, experiencing the joy of utmost bliss of His people living purely.

Eventually, Visni grew bored with such perfection, but He did not wish harm unto those He had been tasked to protect. In humble gesture, He decided to take create another realm of people, in His eternal love. With his steward, Visni created Haethis, intending to protect it solely with Veros once more. In the Holy Tombe it reads that Visni uncovered Veros' deceit, finding his steward creating all that is wicked in Haethis. Though Visni had once been bored of his present perfection, it seemed that Veros wished for a different outcome. In his respected rage, Visni smited Veros downward to oversee the first six Hells, punishing them with the eternal wicked they had created for bringing harm unto His people. For no battle truly ends, it is prophisized that His eternal war with Veros is depicted in the sky each day, the light of the sun falling to darkness by night, and then rising anew with great strength at the very next dawn.

With Veros no longer his steward, a great emptiness had befallen Visni. As He had more love to share, He created twin-daughters in his image, assigning them to the gardens of the afterrealms, the Three Heavens. The twin daughters are also revered as Lesser Gods in the Demathian Faith, with some chapters focusing most of their worship on one particular sister. The first-born twin is named Magdalena and is often depicted with a sword and book, carrying her Father's wisdom. She is the one tasked to protecting the gardens. The second-born twin is named Genevieve and is often depicted with a water vessel and hand-shovel. She is the one tasked to nurture the gardens as they grow.

As well as Visni's self in painted or statued form, His appearance often chances as there is no one true image of Visni himself. Commonly, He is portrayed as having long, white hair and an equally long beard past His belt. He is typically shown with outstretched arms, a gesture symbolized by the very cross those of the Demathian faith use to rever Him. It is not uncommon to see crosses in Haethis, the symbol itself a beacon of hope and light. To signify His reach, Visni is often depicted with two sets of ears, one of human and another of elves.

## Other Gods

There are presently four Gods in Visni's pantheon, the pantheon of the Demathian faith. Many worshippers include the likes of Visni's twin daughters, Magdalena and Genevieve. Though the existence of Veros is acknowledged in the Demathian faith, for obvious reasons his prayer and attempt at communication is forbidden.

### Magdalena

The first twin-daughter born of Visni to protect the gardens of the Three Heavens. Magdalena is often depicted with a sword and book, the sword representing ones ability to ward against evil, the book representing the importance of knowledge and making the right choice. Unlike her sister, Magdalena was made in the image of a human. Since the dawn of the Haethis, Magdalena has been commonly hailed as a war maiden, guiding them into battle to protect their land with great insight in their actions. The Order of Magdalene, overseen by Lavenir's Demathian Church, sees Magdalena as their approach to sacred duty.

### Genevieve

The second twin-daughter born of Visni to nurture the gardens of the Three Heavens. Genevieve is often depicted with a water vessel and hand-shovel, the water vessel representing care and fulfillment, the hand-shovel representing birth and life. Unlike her sister, Genevieve was made in the image of an elf. Because of her nurturing guidance, Genevieve is considered to be the Goddess of Fertility, of Life and Growth. It is not uncommon for the midwives of any Demathian church or ministry to pay extra homage to Genevieve in their prayers. Lavenir's Church's exployed midwives work with Her clinic as the Mothers of Genevieve.

## Beliefs

Demathians all through-out Haethis, and what we believe to be from those that first arrived in Haethis to populate its realm, share basic convictions within their faith. There are, however, differences of interpretations and opinions of the Holy Tombe and traditions in which the Demathian faith is based upon. As it has been almost two thousand years since the first Holy Tombe was written, many references and tales cannot be fully proven. Despite this, the proven use of light magicks blessed directly from Visni himself, at least proves his existence. Many Demathian beliefs are taken directly from the core commandments written in the Holy Tombe.

## Holy Tombe

It is said that the Holy Tombe was first written in the year 2 AE, with two years of collective record until its publication. There are roughly 1698 pages written in the Holy Tombe, including hymns, stories, recollections, commandment discussion, Visni's history, His teachings, and various stories of Him until his ascension to the Three Heavens to rule over man. In appearance, the Holy Tombe is commonly covered with dark-brown leather covers, the edge of each paper dipped in gold paint. In recent study, it is believed that the Holy Tombe is the most-copied book in all of Haethis, as it has been since the day it was published. Unfortunately these results cannot be wholly verified as the Demathian Church funded the entirety of this study.

### Core Commandments

In the Holy Tombe there are two pages dedicated to the Core Commandments recorded by Visni himself. They are as follows:

1. ***It is I against the Wicked.***
2. ***Thou shalt not forget my twin-daughters of this realm.***
3. ***Honor thy blood, leave no grace for the impure.***
4. ***Thou shalt not kill without mine blessings redeemed for.***
5. ***Hold bread with only that of your belongings.***
6. ***Challenge impurities by cleansing it with flame.***
7. ***Appreciate that of difference unless it does you harm.***
8. ***Bear not false witness unto your name where no penance exists.***

Each chapter of the Demathian Faith has their own interpretations of the 8 Core Commandments, though many theorize the same with perhaps minor differences in adaptation. Below are Lavenir's interpretations:

1. ***It is I against the Wicked.***That Visni and His followers are instructed to face off against the evils of the land, and that it is their duty to help protect His people.
2. **Thou shalt not forget my twin-daughters of this realm.**That Visni is not the one true God, for He has created his daughters to share His throne.
3. ***Honor thy blood, leave no grace for the impure.***To be true to one's family, and to not give mercy against those that harm them. In some more conservative collections, it is believed that this particular Core Commandment means to eradicate the afflicted of Haethis.
4. ***Thou shalt not kill without mine blessings redeemed for.***To not strike down or kill an innocent, as Visni would give blessings for one to protect themselves or their family.
5. ***Hold bread with only that of your belongings.***To not steal.
6. ***Challenge impurities by cleansing it with flame.***To defend your people and honor them with Visni's love.
7. ***Appreciate that of difference unless it does you harm.***That one should not be treated for how they look, unless they are proven harmful.
8. ***Bear not false witness unto your name where no penance exists.***To not lie without merit.

## The Demathian Church (Lavenir)

The Demathian Church is Lavenir's singular known church, and serves far beyond missionary and theistic value. The church was first built in the year 679 AE (After Exile), having taken two years to complete. Soon it was surrounded by a burial site, farmland, and homesteads. At Lavenir's inception, the church's Woven Council blessed the lands and took to building walls around the new city-state, as well as increasing its economy and overall production almost ten-fold. As the Demathian Faith has always been strong with its people of Lavenir, the Demathian Church has remained in the city's centre, and remains one of Haethis' most Holy quarters. Those employed by the church and His teachings work all through-out Lavenir, investing and soliciting for donations to expand Lavenir's outreach, hosting a weekly soup kitchen at The Rattled Raven, running Lavenir's sole orphanage, and evening aiding the militia with various collectives such as the Order of Magdalene.

It is recorded than nearly 400 tourists visit the Demathian Church each year, bringing tithes and accepting blessings by the Holiest of Visni's children.

## The Woven Council

The Woven Council was originally a group of humans and elves, all claimed to be blessed directly by Visni. Together they built sturdy walls of stone around what we know today as Lavenir, building out from the church and creating more housing, shops, and mills for Her people to thrive. Today, the Woven Council still exists as Lavenir's political head, answering to the Baron, Wystan Vanne through collective vote. As Lavenir is not entirely a feudal empire, some voting on minor laws are given to Her people in a somewhat rare frequency. More often than not, the Demathian Church is still involved. The Woven Council was officially formed in the year 1530 AE, the same year that Lavenir came to be officially named.

As it has been declared by Visni, there may never be more or less than eight members on council, with equal standing in regards to native race (humans and elves).

## Order of Magdalene

Founded in the year 14 AE (After Exile), the Order of Magdalene stands as a bastion of defense in a world shadowed by the supernatural and demonic. Operating under the auspices of the Demathian Church, this esteemed faction dedicates itself to the relentless pursuit and eradication of malevolent entities that lurk beyond the veil of the ordinary. Its members are warriors in a ceaseless battle against darkness, equipped not only with physical prowess but also with deep spiritual insight. The Order's members are a unique blend of resilience and compassion. Their journey is one of relentless determination. It is this unyielding spirit that the Order of Magdalene nurtures and relies upon in its sacred mission.

The Order extends its influence across Haethis, with branches strategically located within the cloisters of the Demathian Church. These outposts serve as fortresses of faith and training grounds for those called to the Order's noble cause. Beyond their martial pursuits, the Order is deeply integrated into the fabric of the communities they protect, offering services such as education and aid to the less fortunate. This dual role underscores the Order's commitment to not just combating evil, but also nurturing good. Recently, the Order of Magdalene has expanded its vigilant reach by establishing a new branch in the burgeoning town of Lavenir.

Among Lavenir's Order of Magdalene's esteemed ranks is Rosette Delafontaine, a figure of both respect and renown within the Order. Serving not only as a formidable exorcist but also as a pivotal node in the Order's intricate information network, Rosette embodies the dual essence of the Order's mission: a warrior of light and a beacon of knowledge in the ongoing crusade against darkness. Scholars and sages lend their expertise to the Order, forming an extensive network that equips the members with vital knowledge and tools. This intellectual arsenal is as crucial as the physical weaponry in their struggle against the forces of darkness. Adherence to discipline and the directives of the Demathian Church is paramount within the Order.

Lavenir's Demathian Church oversees the Order's activities, ensuring that their pursuits align with the greater good and minimizing unintended harm. This oversight sometimes breeds a sense of apprehension within Lavenir's Church, indicative of the gravity and risks inherent in the Order's mission. The Order of Magdalene derives its name from Magdalena, twin-daughter of Visni, Visni being the celestial guardian of both the Three Heavens and Seventh Hell. Magdalena, often depicted with a sword and a book, embodies the Order's approach to their sacred duty. A harmonious blend of martial strength and wisdom. In this duality, the Order finds its purpose and its path, forever walking the line between light and darkness, knowledge and action, in their unending vigil against the shadows.