Messalianism

# The Gospel of Messala

Messalianism is a religion named after the prophet, and later Dictator of Maremonta, Claudius Messala. It is a polytheistic religion believing in 6 gods all focused on a major aspect of Maremontan culture and life. Messalianism is primarily practiced by citizens of the Maremontan Empire, with its holy city being the capitol Maremonta. Religious symbols often include a laurel wreath, a semi buried sword, or a burning eagle to signify Messala's royal status as both a son of Sanguinis, and Dictator of Maremonta, or his reincarnation.

## The Precursor to Messalianism: The Känna'a

Messalianism is based off of the beliefs of the Känn'a people (orientisized Cana) which inhabited the Canaverii valley long before the establishment of Maremonta by Terraorientis. However, Messalian practice is grounded in the art of war and conquest whereas the Känn'a were more grounded in the appreciation of the present moment and preservation of culture. The main difference being, members of Messalian Faith believe in the embodiment of Sanguinis' son as Claudius Messala. Whereas the Känn'a did not accept that Claudius was the son of any god, that he was but a mere mortal philosoph.

## Overview and History

### Origins of Messalianism

The origins of Modern Day Messalianism date back to 18 AD during the reign of Volcovius, the first Dictator of Maremonta. The origins of where Messala came from is a mystery not shared by him during his time on our plane of existince, however it is known that he was found as an infant in a field of daisies staring up at the sky, with a symbol resembling an eagle somehow burned into his back. He was taken in by a group of nomadic mounted hunters that eventually settled in the Känn'a village of Ku'raak (Modern day Mosinicium). Messala always had a sense of greater purpose as he grew older. By the time he was fourteen, he had mastered the art of mounted hunting and gained an appreciation for riders in general. He became fascinated in the practices of Känn'a shamans and preachers however he had fundamental differences with the practice of the Känn'a faith. An adult Messala traveled across the south of Iaddithis preaching his version of Känn'a faith. Fully beleiving that he was the son of the god Sanguinis. Despite being shunned away from most settlements he had gathered a group of followers that truly believed in his message. They followed him living a nomadic lifestyle, some setting up shrines and monastaries to establish their beliefs across the south. Eventually, their journey lead them back to Messalas homeland, the Canaverri Valley. Messala continued to preach town to town, oftentimes resulting in him being heckled and thrown out of them for declaring himself more than a man. At the very edge of the valley, where its southernmost crest meets the Mare Spei, he came across a Terraorientis merchant city, doundedby a wealthy aristocrat from across the globe, Maremonta. The Dictator Volcovius, outraged that a heretic was preaching outside his walls, ordered his legionary cavalry to chase the man down. And so they did, a cohort of Equites captured and decapitated Messala bringing his head before the Dictator. However only an hour later, a headless body was spotted by legionaries on the gate, intrigued, the Dictator ordered them to herd the headless body to his estate. Once the body was let inside, a Praetorian Guardsmen presented the head to the body in which both turned to ashes. Suddenly, the prophet then rose from the ashes, and immediately Volcovius renouncing the false gods he believed and kissed the feet of Messala. Messala was named Pontifus Maximus, the highest religious title in Maremonta, and adopted by Volcovius as a son. After the death of Volcovius, Messala would become Dictator, creating the golden age of Maremonta in which harbors were established, and religious piety held at the highest standard. He would also set Maremonta up to become an Empire, creating the senate who on Messala's actual death, would elect Titus Aquilius Fucius.

## The Preachings of the Prophet Messala, Son of Sanguinis

Before the universe came into existence, there was only a tiny ball of light in a void of darkness. Then suddenly, everything came into existence, the creator of the universe, and Caelum Deus, took a form comprehendible to his living creation, humans. he slowly gave them gifts, such as stone tools, fire, and knowledge, yet they never hailed his name. After millions of years of what he saw as a betrayal, he decided to give his creation his final gift. He created 5 more gods in his image: Sanguinis the god of war, Pulchra the goddess of beauty, Messis the god of the harvest, Nauticus the god of the sea, and Severus the god of hell. He offered the son of Sanguinis, the prophet Messala, as an opportunity for salvation. Messala's word was accepted by the Maremontans, and the world was spared. Messala provided the people with commandments of how to worship the gods and the punishments for failing to do so.

### Messala's Description of Hell

Messala described Hell as separated into 6 layers. The first layer was for those who lived before the time of Messala but lived pious and good lives. In this layer people wander around confused, but there is no real suffering. The second layer was for those who offended Messis the god of Harvest. This layer consisted of gluttons, the greedy, and hoarders. The souls trapped in this layer are constantly starving, but unable to die. The third layer is reserved for those who offended Nauticus god of the Sea. This layer consisted of people who ignored omens from the gods. The souls in this layer are eternally drowning as punishment for rejecting the advice of divine beings. The fourth layer is where those who offended Pulchra the Goddess of all things Beautiful. This layer consists of adulterers, and the lustful who are eternally falling into an endless void. The fifth layer is reserved for those who speak against Sanguinis god of War. This layer is reserved for cowards and deserters. The souls of this layer are eternally crucified, while their lower half is submerged in boiling blood. The final layer is those who offended the Caelum Deus himself. This layer consists of false prophets, heretics, traitors, and the unspeakably evil. Severus the God of Hell rules from this layer enacting his revenge on those who speak against his father by ripping them in half and chewing on their soul.

### Messala's Description of Heaven

Like hell, heaven, or Paradisus is split into 6 layers. The first layer is home to Messis, god of Harvest. Souls who reside here are the generous and pious and are rewarded through constant feasts filled with food of the gods. The second layer is home to Nauticus god of the Sea. Souls who reside in this layer are those who made plentiful sacrifices to the gods and followed the lessons of the gospel and are rewarded through eternal life in a perfect paradise. The third layer, home to Pulchra, is devoted to those who devoted their mortal existence to creating beauty and as such is home to arcitects, artists, and authors along with those who raised pious families. The fourth layer is the home of Sanguinis the god of war. This layer rewards those who died for the empire with an endless triumph with Sanguinis himself leading them at the head. The fifth layer is home to the Prophet Messala. He resides among his disciples in which they oversee the mortal plane and punish or reward humanity. They are also responsible for deciding which layer of hell or heaven a soul is sent to. The final layer is a ring in which the most pure and innocent of society reside. They spend eternity basking in the light of Caelum Deus.

Religious Sites

Messala teaches that to avoid conflict with the gods and thus avoid a celestial war, to never have more than one temple in a city dedicated to one god. As such, devout Messalites are expected to make annual pilgrimages to each temple. He also teaches that battlefields are considered sacred as a link between the mortal plane and Sanguinis and thus a destruction or mutilation of a battle site is a mortal sin. Maremontans are also expected to visit battle sites to pray for the souls of lost soldiers in battle.

Monastaries

Temples