Religions

## Faith in Erith

Since The Unmending in the second year of the Realm, religion has been highly controlled throughout the kingdoms. All remembering and all understanding the vicious and very real danger all faced when faith was free to exert power over its subjects.

Nonetheless, after an arduous process of deliberation across the realms of men, a decree was drafted by Sir Outwick Lorcane, head of the Sanguine Order that religions could - after appropriate vetting and clear transparency from all echelons - be practised and proselytised in all areas.

With the decree passing through the Sanguine Order and being signed off by Roth Hawksplitter, a triumvirate of religions were lawfully practised. Three were picked for choice, moral standings, past behaviours and the ability to take on and improve the lives of their followers.

## Religions

Three major religions who press against different groups of people across Erith and cross Kingdom borders freely. Large areas (some by decree) are non-religious. They see the Triumvirate as a danger to the balance of the Realm and as an unnecessary force in the world.

### Teriani

History

Centuries ago during the time of the Kingdoms of Old, a young herbalist and healer known as Kresta Teriani practiced her trade. She was hungry to learn as much as possible in order to help those in her local village. For years she worked with local fauna to create simplistic potions which she sold. These rudimentary potions stopped the young from dying and kept the old with sight. She used the money from these early potions to buy up as many books on healing and alchemy as she possibly could. Devouring the knowledge and practicing her craft with each new technique, method or ingredient.

Soon her ability was unparalleled but still she tended to the needs of her village despite being offered work in the highest office in the land. One day, a farmer was struck down with a violent fever, with blotches that sprung up over their body and with yellowing of the eyes. Teriani did not have a cure for this but worked day and night to ease this farmer’s passing. On the fourth night of Teriani and the farmer, a violent storm shook the settlement and in the calm of the morning, the farmer was cured. Many of the villagers were shocked by this miracle but some began whispers of the more nefarious kind.

A band of the local towns militia, after much discussion at the local tavern, had decided that Teriani's actions were that of a witch and she should be put on trial. They forced themselves into her house and she willingly was taken to a local magistrate which was an arduous three days walk.

Upon the trial commencing, Teriani shocked the magistrate and those in attendance further with her knowledge of the laws of the land and her rights as an upstanding member of her local village. She was found not guilty and set free.

Upon returning to her village, Teriani was set upon by the local militia who violently beat her to death and strung her body on to a pike to burn. Laureo Distand broke into her dwelling and took all her books as kindling for her burning.

Upon the fire being lit, Teriani’s ascent began. The knowledge from her books passed into her being and as the flames turned green around her, the bonds broke and her life force was passed back into her now demigod form.

The men shook and quivered and bowed before Teriani. She turned and uttered the now immortal phrase by which the followers of Teriani live by “Justice, Joy and Knowledge for All”. Teriani then blessed each of the men with long life and good will before leaving through the gardens of the village - within which she turned and disappeared.

This local militia formed the early disciples of Teriani, spreading the word of their Goddess and proselytizing the importance of the garden as a sign of rebirth, tenderness and knowledge as central tenants of the faith.

Places of Worship

Tiny or grand gardens that are tended to by a worshiper of Teriani. A known symbol of a more affluent garden of Teriani has a stone plinth with a wooden figurine of Teriani sits atop of it.

Literature

*Walk of Retribution*  - Describes Teriani’s journey from her village to her witch trial

*The Storm’s End* - Describes the four days curing of the farmer and the storm.

Holy Times and Days

Early mornings to pray - The most tender time in a garden’s life. Worshipers should walk through the gardens, and reflect on all they have to be thankful for in their lives.

Midday to pray - Tend to the gardens in quiet contemplation with a new book of knowledge.

Tending to seedlings - A form of meditation whereby the planting of seeds creates a sense of calm across the worshiper.

The Turn of Spring: Juliania - Gardens fill to hear the most recent scientific findings from great professors across the realm. This information is then disseminated to the populus and usually has a profound impact on society. Some argue that the wielding of Stock Magik was down to one particular Juliania in Goldview, Sleetguard.

The Turn of Autumn:  Hastiania -  Gardens again fill to write concepts, thoughts and ideas to be researched or discussed ready for the Juliania the following year. These also follow communal feeding where the garden is fed then the people feed on the garden.

Hierarchy of the Religion

* Keeper of the Garden
* Priestess of Teriani
* Terian Disciple
* Teriani’s Prelate

Known prayers

"We feed our bodies as we feed our minds. Justice, Joy and Knowledge for all"

Known Symbols

Symbol is a fist clutching a quill and a sprig of rosemary

### The Faith of Vatinis

History

Vatinis is a half elf from the ancient kingdom of what is now known as Wildheart.

Istiban Vatinis is known as the father of Erith. He was the founder of the very first Kingdom known as New Gartran, named after his home, Gartran across the great sea to the north. He landed in what is now Wildheart and founded ‘People’s Ridge’ which was the first settlement.

Spread the settlement as more and more people came over from the kingdom over the sea. Refugee dwarves came and spread to the south, forming a separate kingdom.

Vatinis eventually formed a government to work with the four kingdoms. Although his generosity and collaboration was not shared by the other leaders. He died at home as a kind and caring leader of his people but left a power vacuum which was filled with conflict.A civil war ensued. Three factions vied for power from Felldin Vatinis, son of Istiban. After years of skirmishes and underhanded tactics against one another, the three factions set aside their differences to tear down the Vatinis family line and they besieged the now city of People’s Ridge.

Istiban Vatinis appeared before his son, Felldin Vatinis during the pivotal battle, launching a wave of revenge across those who had looked to undermine his family line but sparing the lives of the three leaders: Marianis, Destra and Tarros. His son and the soldiers of ‘People’s Ridge’ were victorious and continued to spread west across the many differing landscapes of Erith. The three leaders became disciples of Vatinis and led through Erith spreading the word of Felldin and Istiban Vatinis. The largest monasteries are located in The Sanguine Lands where Vatinis is said to have settled after the civil war ended.

Places of Worship

Istaab - Three steepled triangular monastery. Each corner of the monastery is dedicated to Marianis, Destra and Tarros. The central portion of the building is dedicated to a twenty point star with a Gartra - a communal holy bowl of local water which is the point of led prayer for the Vatinis family line.

Literature

*The Long Journey* - Series of short stories depicting the journey of Istaban Vatinis crossing the great sea from Gartran to Erith. The trials faced at sea are seen as the moral teachings of Vatinis before his status was elevated and before his placement as a god.

Holy Times and Days

Holy times are led by the Deeca of the Istaab. These take place at sunset daily and can be undertaken by the devout and the new to the Faith of Vatinis.

Hierarchy of the Religion

* Deeca
* Disciple of Vatinis
* Caredinalis

Known prayers

Worshippers find a small area in the monastery and, using water at the centre of the Istaab, mark out the triangle points on the floor in front of them. They then begin with the phrase “The new begins alike those of old” before reflecting on the life and moral teachings of Vatinis.

Known Symbols

Triangle with a twenty pointed star on the inside of it.

### Elido

History

Deva Elido was a demigod of the Kingdom above the clouds. Elido worked alongside his kin upon Mount Celestia where he was to observe the Aasimar upon the mortal planes and guide them to make heavenly choices within their lives.

One day, after leading the Aasimar Zeren through a number of her trials and tribulations, Elido chose to actively intervene in sparing Zeren’s life through ending the life of a mortal who would kill her. This was seen as outrageous by the gods of Mount Celestia, moreso given that this ‘would be’ killer would not commit the act for another forty years, and that the killer was a child at the time of intervention. Elido’s foresight had cost him his standing among the gods and he was banished down to the mortal plane to live out his existence within the realm of Erith. He was stricken with the mortal form and took the shape of an Aasimar himself without a deva to guide him. He wandered, for weeks trying to make sense of the mortal form...

Centuries after Erith was first settled by those from Gartran, the kingdoms of Erith prospered. Elido found promising trade in his natural swordsmanship. He could wield steel as if it was a natural extension of his own, strange, new mortal form. He learnt to swing a sword at the same time as he learnt to speak, to move and to eat. Elido was quickly hired into the mercenary army the ‘Styyan Leigon’ which was then hired by the kingdom of Hiiana to assist in a clandestine mission in the Esmer Peaks of what is now known as Drallac. Upon arriving at their destination, the Styyan Leigon realised their mission: to fight back the devils from the Nine Hells.

The battle raged for what seemed an eternity. The ferocity and heat from the devils of the Nine Hells heated the then lush dense jungle life of Drallac, scorching the earth into the desert it now is. Elido knew he was but a mercenary in this fight of men and when his paid for brothers in arms began to fled, Elido made his choice. He joined the mortals on the vanguard in their final assault on the hordes of the Nine Hells. The battle was won but Elido was slain by the devil demigod Graz’zt who tricked him into turning his back. The portal into Hell was closed and the mortal plane was safe once again.

Elido returned to Mount Celestia where his actions and life as a mortal had been watched with commendation by those who had banished him. He was gifted the status of demigod. He continues to guide those on the mortal plane with a new found respect for their lives and machinations but always knowing what price he paid for direct intervention.

Places of Worship

Styyan Temples

Celestianis Chapter

Literature

*The Holy Book of Letinis* - Book of the life of Elido, his teachings and - most importantly - ‘Devido’ the sixteen placed moves of Elido’s martial prowess.

Holy Times and Days

Most meditation for Elido takes place in the quiet of the night, when Elido fought on the mortal plane and gave his mortal form in the fight against the nine Hells.

Meditation through skilled sword practice at any time of the day.

The devout choose to practice Devido at midnight with a high moon - a sign that Elido is watching over your training.

Sparring with a fellow worshiper. Pacing through ‘Devido’ - the sixteen placed moves of Elido of which, when set in a mirrored stance, offers a wondrous symmetry and glorious example of poise and prowess.

Maintenance of a ceremonial blade known as ‘Godmaker’. This is an incredibly thin sword with a wide face. It is now no longer used for combat but the use of a wet stone to maintain its sharpness shows Elido a worshipers preparedness to face the return of the devils from the Nine Hells.

Offering must be the blood of an honourable fighter or follower of Elido over a Styyan temple offering bowl whilst chanting the following expression "Night follows day, truth follows truth, life follows death”

###

## The Illegal Religions

Despite all knowing the danger of faith in Erith, some still practice a number of the old religions, long deligitimised by state and population. More is written about this in Sir Outwick Lorcane's book *Religions Before the Unmending.*

#### **The Order of Whispers**

Follow the god Thraestan, a demi god of decay and rebirth. If ever seen, he takes on his demi human form of human suffering, usually mankind in torture or seconds from death. Sometimes seen in the form of the ’hanging man’, the anthropomorphism of eternal suffering. His symbol is an etching of a noose on a pure black background. Specific cultivated and poisonous plants are what is needed to make an offer to Thraestan. Despite its small following, The Order of Whispers is very well known across the Realm. Thraeatan visits those all over and therefor has followings all over the Eleven Kingdoms. To know another member of the Order of Whispers, a greeting must be uttered of "When the wind blows" and a response of "the kingdoms crumble"

More unforgiving than forgiving, just. No proselytizing word must be spread organically. Those who need to join, will join. Nothing is written down, all is word of mouth and visions. Thraestan's following is small and specific. They are dotted all over the realm in small underground cults.

#### **The Faith of Mixowas**

A vastly unknown and underground order which follows the dangerous teachings of Mixowas, the demon king of ‘The World Away’ as it is known (actually called Wythos). They are known to enter the minds of those whom they wish to control through a series of visions which may be perceived as dreams due to their pleasant nature and conneciton to the past. This is, however, a front to lure the victim into completing Mixowas' commands and open the victims mind to its psychic attacks.

#### **The Eternal Ones**

Follow the God of Afterlife, Aki'vah. Worship of Aki'vah the Eternal has been forbidden in all kingdoms of Erith, as it is believed The Eternal Ones caused the blight. It is said that over centuries of collecting souls from Erith & transporting them to The Eternal Plain, Aki'vah's prophets became complacent in maintaining the rifts between realms. Eventually the rifts shattered open, and the souls escaped The Eternal Plain, and returned to their buried, deceased corpses. Most kingdoms, when locating an Eternal One, will execute that individual within hours of proven discovery.

“And Aki’vah did grant unto the holder great power and knowledge. Verily did they accept. But mortal minds have mortal limits.”