Wyvernism

Holy Emblem of Glaryan

Wyvernism is a branch of Order, emphasizing the idea of Dragons (specifically Wyverns) as holy. It is most common in central Valeon, especially Khyos. It's name derives from Glaryan, the Wyvern God within Wyvernism.

## History

It is widely accepted that upon reaching the present-day Valeorin, the Valeorite tribes were witness to the sight of a majestic, golden dragon flying through the sky. These tribes were relatively poor, but upon the dragon's arrival, they were gifted with vast quantities of gold and diamond blocks, instantly transforming their fortunes. This mythical creature possessed the ability to fluently communicate in their own language, leaving the Valeorites in a state of disbelief. Identifying itself as "Glaryan," the dragon claimed to come from an ancient civilization of dragons that had long been destroyed. According to the Valeorites, the downfall of this civilization was because of warfare and chaos, whereas the dragons were portrayed as beings of superior wisdom and tranquility compared to the "inferior" humans. Glaryan warned that a similar fate awaited the Valeorites and emphasized that the only means to avert such chaos was by embracing chaos itself. To guide them in saving their world, Glaryan imparted the "Golden 5 commandments," which showed the valeorites what they should do. After Erryn Lytharyen founded the Smoldering Dragonfear Longsword, Glaryan sent a curse upon Valeorin. A plague that killed every citizen, including Erryn and his family. Only people that survived were a few priors and pilgrims that moved to live in Khyos and managed to convert Senteani Goatyer II and the religion became official in Khyos.

## Figures

### Glaryan

Glaryan, the name of the deity, depicts the color of the dragon and the element it's made out of (Gold) .The name carries an air of wealth and chaos, reflecting the deity's role as a guiding force through dreams, artifacts, and rituals. Glaryan is usually seen as a mysterious communicator, in Khyosite and Valeorean mythology, he's believed to have made poor people rich.

### The Divine

In Wyvernism, fire is a symbol of divinity, religious zeal and martyrdom. When one has been martyred, one will be cremated and his ashes will be spread on a golden apple. This golden apple will be kept in the Wyvernist temples or the houses of the martyrs loved ones. It is believed that their spirit will keep the house or the temple safe. These martyrs are known in Wyvernism as ''The Divine''.

## Main beliefs

Dragons are pure in their existence, and cleanse the world of lower creatures. the main deity is, of course, Glaryan and Order. The pure idea that dragons cleanse everything is because of the chaos the lower creatures have caused upon the world. The followers of Wyvernism are servants to Glaryan, they are the ones who will cleanse the world from chaos by using chaos. It is also believed that those who die in the cause of Glaryan immediately go to Heaven. Wyvernism is also considered very unorthodox by a lot of theists considering that it uses contradiction as proof. Contradiction brings about a want for absolutes, and since Glaryan is an absolute it brings about a want for Glaryan. The essence of the belief system lies in the concept of Wyvernism, serving as a foundation upon which one's faith is built. If one is unable to discover Wyvernism amidst the realm of subjectivity, they risk descending into madness. Therefore, it is crucial to have the ability to regulate your thoughts and your understanding of Glaryan (employing the concept of Wyvernism into this)

### The Golden 5 Commandments

Embrace Chaos to Quell Chaos: Recognize that chaos cannot be eliminated by traditional means; instead, it must be channeled and redirected. Embrace controlled chaos to restore balance and order.

Serve as Guardians of Order: Dedicate yourselves to the teachings of Glaryan and the cause of Order. As servants of Glaryan, uphold the duty to cleanse the world from the disruptive forces that corrupt it.

Elevate the Divine Essence of Dragons: Acknowledge the purity and divinity inherent in dragons. Respect their role as agents of purification and revere their existence as a means to cleanse the world.

Harness the Symbolism of Fire: Understand fire as a symbol of divine presence, religious fervor, and sacrifice. Embrace the transformative power of fire, using it to symbolize the purification of chaos into order.

Seek Wisdom in Glaryan's Guidance: Turn to the teachings and wisdom imparted by Glaryan. Heed the lessons provided through dreams, artifacts, and rituals to navigate the path towards restoring harmony and order.

## Practices

All followers of Wyvernism must declare their willingness to follow Glaryan and Order to join the faith. Followers are allowed to associate with those not in the faith, but they're not allowed to backtalk about the faith. This would result in an immediate excommunication or even, death by burning.

### Sacraments

* The Sacrament of Branding
	+ Once a person believes they are ready to go down a more spiritual path they may take the Sacrament of Branding by going to their nearest holy place. There, upon asking a Prior, you will be branded with a flaming sword anywhere you choose on your body. The sword is designed to display an arrow after branding, which makes this sacrament permanent on your body. This is only for those who believe themselves fanatical followers of Wyvernism.
* The Sacrament of the Prior
	+ To become a Prior you must undergo all past sacraments and this one. All that is known is that it is done in stages of trials, all mental none physical, to see if you are worthy of becoming a Prior. Once done you are a Prior and free to preach the word of Wyvernism with the authority of the Drakarch.

### Golror

Golror is a form of a holy mass that occurs every week in Wyvernism. During Golror, Wyvernists are supposed to dress well and listen to the sermon and teachings held by the Prior inside a local temple. After the sermon is finished, Wyvernists are obligated to recite the Golden 5 commandments two times. After the recitations, they would be free to leave and it is believed that all the sins they've committed previously would be cleansed.

## Symbolism

Dragons signify wisdom and wealth whilst fire embodies the divine essence, symbolizing both purification and transformation. It signifies the purging of chaos to restore order and serves as a beacon of religious fervor and sacrifice. Flight, on the other hand, represents liberation and transcendence. It symbolizes the ability to rise above turmoil, to soar beyond the confines of chaos, and to strive for a higher understanding. It embodies the pursuit of enlightenment and the journey toward a harmonious existence, free from the disruptions of the world.