Church of the Undying Flame

The main religion of the World. It is one of knowledge, history, and tradition.

It began when early people first discovered fire & how it worked. Those that kept the fire going knew that the fire was important to their survival. The flame could frighten large predators, cook food & boil water to make both safer to consume, and keep the cold of night at bay. Balanced by the fact that it could harm them or go out of control if proper care was not used. They knew the knowledge of how to utilize it was important & sought to pass it down. So they created the first writing, written with coal and based on the cracks created by fire on wood.

Though largely humanist they also pay homage to Prometheus who gave fire to humankind. Since the Titan was imprisoned and tortured the Church eventually sought to remedy this in something called The Great Scorning. A revolutionary priest of the Church named Deuco Liontari had a theory that the Gods powers were at least in part linked to worship, so if people stopped worshipping (or even forgotten) then they would be weakened and Prometheus would be able to escape imprisonment. This endeavor was a mix of convincing others to turn their back on the Gods, destroy all writings related to such Gods, and most drastically attacking many other religions. Not only was there earthly effects to such but some theologists connect it to a surge of natural disasters reflecting the Gods lashing out at the attempts of the Church. At the culmination Prometheus was said to have been killed by the Gods in a last ditch effort or revenge, but was reborn as a full deity.

In time the traditions grew into an organization called the Church of the Undying Flame.

As the tenants of their faith demand they seek to preserve all information, but also seek to limit dangerous things getting out into the world.

All in the Faith are called Keepers of the Flame, or simply Keepers. Laity and lower ranking clergy are called Tenders of the Flame, or simply Tenders. High ranking fully ordained members of the clergy are called Horologes. To those outside the Church the faithful are often called Prometheans.

Many members of the Faith, either clergy or congregation, will use a Thurible as both holy item and (when needed) weapon. It is a special metal censer on the end of a chain. It represents the connection to the flame, but also keeping it contained and at a length. Holy warriors of the church who specialize in this weapon are called Thurifers.

Similarly the symbol of the church is a circle of chain with a flame inside of it.

The Church is not a monolith and those within can have wildly different beliefs and traditions within the overall ones of the Church. These are especially noted in The Devotions, orders within the church that include both clergy and congregation.

Order of Embers: Preparation, planning for the worst, especially survival of knowledge should part of civilization fall.

Order of Immolation: A hardline portion of the Church that began and was at its peak during the Great Scorning. At that time they were the ones burning both books related to the Gods that imprisoned Prometheus and also the faithful to those deities. Though it has diminished in number it remains a powerful group. They have the greatest number of Demon-Hunters.

Order of the Beacon: Focusing on communication and spreading of the word to places not yet touched by the light of Prometheus's flame.

Order of the Hearth: The largest but quietest devotional order as it is about faith in the home and tending to one's own flames.

Order of the Lantern: Being a light in the darkness and symbol of hope and honor, they act as defenders and try to be good examples to others.

Order of the Pyre: A small but strong sect focused on funerary services and hospice services.