Religion

## Astarah

### Faith

The beliefs of this particular Faith are rooted in the historical background of Astarah themselves. Some assign Astarah a female gender when speaking about the deity, but in truth, they are genderless. Astarah prefers truth above all. It makes secrets known and vanquishes darkness in all its forms. It shines a light in the crevices of the soul and of mortal existence.

As truth is sought above all else, Justice is a basic tenet of the religion. It holds that Mercy may be paired with Justice, but will not overshadow it. Adelene’s rescue was not based in Mercy, but rather in truth. She was NOT guilty of the sin of witchcraft, and, by setting her free, Astarah was serving Their own ends. This truth has been slightly distorted by time, but it is there.

Mercy may be obtained by the proper methods. Consequences of actions are not to be denied. Forgiveness is either attained in this life through, or by Astarah themself in the time to come. The first order of Mercy is admission to guilt and confession of the transgression. The atonement is decided upon by those involved. In cases where there is an offender, the victim has a claim to dictate the terms of forgiveness for the crime. If there is no victim, the servants of Astarah will find suitable punishment.

Light is neither lazy nor dormant. Light exists to repel darkness. As such, it is active. It will not stand idly by, but it also has its limitations. So, within its purview, it will hold at bay the darkness and vanquish it. Without mercy. Without yielding to the evil presence before it. It shines on the just and unjust alike. The Just finding comfort in it. The Unjust finding only oppression. So it is with the faithful of Astarah.

The purpose of following the Edicts of Astarah are to find rest in Celestia with Them. They have promised sanctuary for those that fight for Their cause. Those that do not and actively go against Astarah are consumed by the Void. Their souls lost and cease to exist

### General Info

* Holy Symbol: Lantern
* Weapon: Quarterstaff

### Church History

The tortured land of Daedria has a long and troubled history. There is little that could be said about the plane where Easthallow now resides. The land was quite inhospitable to begin with, so why any would fight over it is beyond mortal comprehension. On the whole, the world is inhospitable to its inhabitants. From time immemorial, fiends, devils, and other beings of evil have struggled over rulership of the plane itself. Some early speculation had placed it in close proximity in the planar structure to the Abyss, while others the Nine Hells. Though most scholars have debunked this, the world has seen heavy influence from it. The simple fact is, this land is a piece of dirt that evil seems to want control.

The world of Daedria would never have existed in the state it is today, had a fledgling God not taken interest in the events unfolding on the plane. Had it not come to Astarah's attention, Daedria would never have struggled for its very existence. The various races crawling the land were bound, enslaved, or in hiding from the evils that existed in the land. Those unfortunate enough to be caught were cruelly and without exception brought under their heels to serve the evil in some capacity. The strongest ruled the weak was the typical tenets of the land. Astarah, barely more than an idea, seemed to grow from the ashes. It could not find purchase in the land. Those people that found Astarah and turned their devotion to this being, were quickly subjected to the horrendous evils of the world.

How does a god take root in the hearts of men? They must see its strength unfold. A god is not a god until they find the faithful to worship them. Hence, Astarah’s precarious situation. Astarah has no physical form. Astarah is made up of sentience in its purest form. Without a physical description, nor really a conceptual one, they sought identity. The madness of Daedria was upon every individual in the plane. Fear was the most abundant resource within the world that was. However, fear is a weak emotion that cannot truly provide conviction. For Astarah, this one truth held them captive for so many years. Unable to drive forward to find purchase or foothold in the hearts of the mortal realm. So time passed for the world as Astarah watched and waited.

Mortal races were mostly hidden in the crags and crevices of the world by this time. Driven to seek survival in any way they could, each race sought a place to call their own. Something hidden from the cruel immortal races that ruled their plane of existence. Fate seemed a cruel mistress to them, forcing them from the open plains and forests and into the shadows. So, each pocket of mortality held to its own. One could seek power, as the hearts of mortals are weak, and they often did. Finding it in the pacts and oaths made with those having excess, with the goal of pushing that being's influence further. Such was the plight of any mortal settlement that contained a dozen or more. Power sought power, and power challenged power. And, there were those eager for it. At the time, any individual or group that looked for a means of controlling their fellows with power was, by definition, a witch.

#### The Champion - Adelene, the Undying

It was during this time of mortals seeking power that ebbed and flowed constantly throughout the land that Astarah found root among the hearts of mortals. Seeing and experiencing the plight of the people, Astarah felt the pull to do something. These creatures needed their light as protection against the all-consuming darkness in Daedria. It was during this age that Astarah found their foothold within the world.

The current climate within the Church still has its roots back to the days before the Champion. A witch could easily bring destruction to a community that was dependent on anonymity within the volatile climate of Daedria. Should any in the settlement be suspected of witch-craft, the punishment was often swift, measured, and torturous. Any found in possession of such powers as would subject others to their will were quickly taken care of, before the patron could come to collect its dues. Burning at the stake was quite literally the fastest and surest way to ensure the safety of the commune. Other methods were employed, but none were as effective at ensuring the witch would not rise again. This is the historicity of such a seemingly barbaric, yet necessary, practice. Those who forgot or chose leniency often paid with their lives. It was a lesson that was learned over and over again, as the views of the village/settlement changed to be more accommodating. Hence, the rigid adherence and stress on suffering not a witch to live.

This, of course, led to an interesting quandary, but not one that was particularly common. At times, the innocent were accused of witchcraft. Adelene, Astarah’s eventual champion, fell into this camp. She was accused and found guilty of such heresy. Residing in a small settlement, a pocket of society that was slowly growing, Adelene found herself on the wrong side of a group of influential townsfolk, already addressing their corruption among the people. As such, her indictment was swift and her sentence carried out immediately. Adelene was to be burned at the stake. Simple. Measured. And, above all, ruthless and pitiless. Her cries of innocence went unheeded by the village who were under the sway of these leaders.

What followed is known as the "Purification of the Flames" in modern Astaran theology. The event of Adelene’s burning was both a purification and a calling. Adelene had cried out to the powers that be for aid as her body began to be consumed by the heat. She screamed in anguish and Astarah found an opportunity. Astarah saw the embodiment of all their light in the situation. Using the power they had left, the fires instead burned away all corruption that was left within Adelene, not harming her physically, as she surrendered to Astarah. Astarah's divine protection was extended to the woman, as the two became bonded eternally. Adelene's visage shined with true grace and power, as she stepped renewed from the flames. As she gazed upon the assembled, she could see all of the corruption within each of their hearts. In a brief flash of divine wrath, her accuser was swept up and became consumed from within by flames. Tongues of fire lashed out from him, burning all those present that had not attempted to stop the atrocity. The ground upon which this happened, to this day, lays ashen, unchanging. Nothing dare grow upon it as a sign of Astarah’s might. The spot is called, “Astarah’s Blight”.

Adelene the Undying. The Champion of Astarah. She was reborn that day. Her duty clear in her mind. She became the first to swear fealty to the God. Granting Astarah a measure of power with the people. With a devout follower, Astarah gained the foothold necessary to spread. And with it, she could find a means of taking the hearts of the mortals, replacing the darkness with the light. Astarah's purpose had finally come to be, to shine in the darkness like a flame holds back the shadows.

#### The Beginnings of the Church

From this small community a faith based center arose. The people turned quickly to Astarah after witnessing Adelene’s miraculous event. The settlement began to flourish. Oddly, the city’s name reflected what it became. Lantern. Lantern, the small community became a beacon to any and all in the vicinity that wanted safety and freedom from the oppression that surrounded them. Its aura of light only grew. Definition was assigned Astarah, but only through the believers themselves. They needed something to direct their thoughts, so they often conflated the visage of Adelene with Astarah. Astarah, hence, was assigned female. However, the truth is less definitive.

The evil of the lands saw this small flame. A threat to their very existence while inspiring hope. Astarah, by this point had attained enough power from the followers that a assert greater influence was able to be asserted over the world. Astarah now offered some small measure of defense against those that came calling. It became apparent, early on, that their base of power was insufficient when the greater evils began to push back. Astarah did not rise up now, only to watch the people suffer once more. Astarah pushed into other settlements, using Adelene this time as her lightning rod to unite the people.

Join or Perish. To renounce the corruption of the very land, or allow yourself to succumb to it. This was the choice Astarah offered with Adelene. Hope to rise above the very nature that this world has imposed. The initial history of the Church is not as pleasant as some might make it out to be. The very nature of Daedria was violent and dark. However, like a purifying flame, Astarah would burn back the darkness. Those that know a raging fire is hard to control. The powers that had crept into Daedria were not all evil. There were other pockets of good that sought refuge in the crevices of the world. But, with each victory that Adelene brought, those small powers began to be distant memories.

Like an all consuming flame, Astarah devoured all darkness around them. Each victory was like adding oil soaked wood to the fire. As such, Astarah's source of light began to consume any other that might be shining, no matter how bright or dim. Each other god in the realm was slowly subsumed by Astarah. This has led to different sects within the religion of Astarah. By their nature, Astarah started as a light representing hope, but expanded into a conqueror. Astarah is meant as a light to shine in the darkness. Their purpose is singular and yet, can be construed in many different ways. It is up to the interpretation of the individual. However, they would be doing Astarah a great disservice by assigning such roles.

#### Astarah's Nature

The gods of Daedria were subsumed by Astarah. With each deity they integrated, their very nature shifted to encompass that as well. The people who converted rather than perish, carried over their various traditions and renamed them in Astarah’s favor. This is where the different traditions throughout the world sprang from. They are not natural outgrowths for one being, but spliced in branches from different sources. Thus the many faces of Astarah. In modern theology, Astarah holds many forms and shapes that the people can relate to. However the core focus of the church still holds the form of the lantern with a flame, offering hope and conquest against evil.

### Core Tenets

* Serve the Light by extinguishing the Darkness:
	+ Bring hope to those around
	+ Bring truth to light
	+ Destroy the corruption

### Organization

* The Chosen (Adelene)
* Cardinals
	+ Chosen by the Bishops
	+ In charge of the spiritual affairs
* Bishops
	+ Purview includes:
		- Mother and Father
		- Multiple Brothers and Sisters
		- Layfolk
	+ In charge of the temporal affairs of their charges
* Mother / Father (Clergy)
	+ Head of Brothers
	+ Head of Sisters
* Brother / Sister (Sub-Clergy)
	+ Sermons
	+ Healings
	+ Care of the Cathedral
* Lay Folk

#### Priestly Orders

##### Order of the Holy Light

The priests that feel called to this order are those focused on spreading the light and message of Astarah to the ends of the world. Most go on expeditions and pilgrimages never tying themselves down to one monastery or location. Those of this order usually wear white or cream colored robes with gold or red iconography.

##### Order of the Penitents

Those called to this order have wronged or betrayed the Church of Astarah in a grave manner, but still wish to continue serving their god. Those in this order take multiple sacred vows and seek to serve those who feel the temptation of traveling down less than favored paths. This is a barely recognized order within the Church of Astarah. It is a unique order, as it is the only one that lay people are also able to join. Usually those of the order wear plain brown robes.

##### Order of the Fallen

Those called to this order have accepted the corruption, and study the heretical works of witches. Knowing they will be separated from Astarah’s plan for them in the afterlife, they accept this burden to ensure the safety of the faithful. Few walk this path by choice, and are usually witches that have come to redeem themselves in the church, or called in by another of the order. Those faithful called to the order may never rise above the rank of Bishop, and it is rare that those within this order are ever called to that position. Those of this order wear the solid black robes without any iconography to show their separation from the light.

##### Order Inquisitorus

This order is formed of many members from the various different callings within the church, including those following other orders, to work as the Church’s militant force against great forces of evil. This order is headed by the Grand Inquisitor, a Bishop who only comes into great power once an inquisition is called. The duty of this order is to quickly and efficiently root out all evils that would threaten the faithful.

#### Knightly Orders

##### Knights of the Undying Champion

This order is not so much an order but a calling. It supersedes all other orders being the collection of the high ranking Knightly officials. They are the ones usually guarding the Bishops and Cardinals of the Church of Astarah. They are given special ceremonial armor to wear during exceptional events. They are pulled from the other knightly orders by the Grand Knights or the Cardinals of the church. The only one ranking higher than the knights in this order is the Champion of Astarah, herself.

* Grand Knight (1 per Cardinal)
* Sir Knight (3-5 per Bishop)

**Heraldry:** Golden Tabard with White Lantern Symbol

##### Knights of the Holy Light

This order of knights is a general order that holds the knights wishing to serve the Church of Astarah. They are the typical defenders of the faith, seeking to protect all the faithful from the darkness that Adelene, the Undying Champion, pushed back to the edges of society.

* Knight Commander (1 for Order) -> Stationed in Lior
* Commander (5 per Knight Commander)
* Lieutenant (3 per Knight Commander)
* Sir Knight (20 per Lieutenant)
* Knight (5 per Sir Knight)
* Squire (3 per Knight)
* Page (2 per Squire)

**Heraldry:** White Tabard with Golden Lantern Symbol

##### Knights of the Extinguished Flame

This small and dwindling order of knights works directly with the inquisition. They have accepted the curse of the corruption from the darkness in order to save the innocents. They are aware that there is no salvation at the end for them. In accepting their fate, their aim is to steer others from the same fate. They report to the inquisition and work directly under the Priestly “Order Inquisitorius”

* Lieutenant (1 per Bishop)
* Sir Knight (3 per Lieutenant)
* Squire (1 per Knight)

**Heraldry:** Plain Black Tabard

##### Knights of the Burning Blade

This knightly order is quite zealously focused on militant means of extinguishing all manner of evils found within the world. They are structured and focus on definitively ridding the world of supernatural evils, using force as necessary. The numbers in this order are second only to the Knights of the Holy Light.

* Knight Commander (1 for Order) -> Stationed in Lior
* Commander (3 per Knight Commander)
* Lieutenant (2 per Commander)
* Sir Knight (20 per Lieutenant)
* Knight (5 per Sir Knight)
* Squire (2 per Knight)

**Heraldry:** Red Tabard with Gold Lantern Symbol.

### Added Beliefs of Astarah

##### Death Beliefs

* Astarah’s light guides the departed and faithful to their end in the halls of Celestia with Astarah
* The unfaithful are consumed by the darkness
* Astarah’s will grants either life or death
	+ It is Their prerogative as to whether or not someone lives or dies
* Death is not an end, but beginning on the next step of the journey
	+ Becoming a Lantern of Astarah in the afterlife
	+ Meant to destroy the dark

##### Nature Beliefs

* Astarah restored the natural order to the world.

##### War Beliefs

* Astarah's light conquers all
* Light does not destroy darkness, it consumes it.
* Like a fire, Astarah's light shines on the evil as well as the good
	+ It will consume all for the greater strength