Council of Heaven

**The Council of Heaven**, sometimes referred to as **Councilism**, is the state faith of the Commonwealth. It is a non-theistic faith influenced heavily by Hálgan Republican traditions. Similarly to the traditional Hálgan form of Government, the Council of Heaven is heavily decentralised in its practices, with the specific beliefs being largely up to the follower or their community.

## Beliefs

According to the faith, souls of the living are granted a seat in the Council of Heaven after their death. This founding belief is expanded with the philosophy of maturity: in the eyes of its followers, the living are akin to children, who are incapable of understanding the secrets of the world; only after death can one comprehend the truth.

Freedom of interpretation is a core aspect of the Council of Heaven, brought about heavily during the Free Cities Period of Hálgan history. One is free to interpret many of the core aspects of the religion as they understand them, the most common aspect discussed revolves around the conditions - if there are any, of being allowed into the Council of Heaven. Some sects expand upon certain ideas, like the concept of "retirement" from the Council, or what is done to the souls of those who are not granted a seat in the Council. It is considered extremely taboo to discuss the prospects of god-like beings existing in regards to the Council.

## Practices

Although each Sect differs greatly in their practices, some remain universally present and celebrated.

### Practical Debate

Practical Debates are a form of theological debate commonly present in the Council of Heaven, the opposing sides of the argument are expected to prove their ideas correct using the simplest possible method. In most instances, the side which is first to die is considered to be the losers of the debate, as their arguments are seen as insufficient to convince the Council.

### Cross-Sect Reading

Cross-Sect Reading refers to the practice of one sect appropriating the philosophy of another in line with its thinking. The most common example of this is the Commonwealth Loyalist Community, which appropriates Universalist philosophy in line with Loyalist thought.

## Changes

### Elitist Shift

Following the establishment of the Duchy of Hálga, the state headed by Duke Lešek znad Šnedu began working on a propagandised version of the Council of Heaven, one which would aim to showcase the newly forming aristocratic class as spiritually superior to commoners. During and following his reign, harsh forms of enforcing religious conversion were put in place, which resulted in great popular unrest and numerous conspiracies. The Sect would be abandoned by Hálgans following the dissolution of the Duchy of Hálga.

### Katarinian Shift

The Martyrdom of St. Katarina marks the first major strike against the Elitist Sect. Her death was greatly mythicised in popular culture, many accounts of the execution would stress its spiritual and religious importance. The major sect originating from Her death was the Universalist Sect, characteristic of progressive, egalitarian and pacifist beliefs; as well as the Loyalist Sect, which would take Her militant and selfless example as a virtue and standard to uphold. A passage from the Chronicles of the Confederation describes the event:

"[...] And as the smoke flew towards the sky, So did Her Spirit; And it drew a Blade (of Heaven), With which She parted the Heavens, So that all Living may enter the Council as equal. [...]"

## Sects

The most relevant sects in the Hálgan Confederation are often discussed either for their political implications, philosophy or popularity. Many of these have existed for centuries, while some formed within the last decades. New sects are regularly made, although most do not reach prominence.

### Elitism

"Only the influential are awarded a place in the Council."

The Elitist Sect began its existence during the short-lived Hálgan Ducal Period and was the primary influence behind the legitimisation of power. The Sect largely fell out of prominence following the Execution of Saint Katarina of Pranin, which was said to bring an end to aristocratic class divisions.

An often overlooked but major aspect of Elitism is its insistence on correct titles being used, followers of the faith believed commonly that only Saints are worthy of being bestowed the title of King.

### Stoics

"Only through overcoming great hardship and struggle can one be awarded a place on the Council."

The primary Sect of the Confederation of Zare'tahl, formed mainly due to the harsh living conditions of the region.

### Loyalism

"In order to sway the decisions of the Council, the loyal and faithful must give their lives to voice our ideas in the Council."

The Loyalists believe that just and loyal people must give their lives for Divine support, they often state that this is possible due to the "Generational" nature of the Council, which removes souls from the Council after they reach their "retirement". For this reason, Loyalists often support extreme and radical ideals, sometimes promoting the practices of sacrificial suicide or killing.

### Moralism

"Only those who lived their life morally are awarded a place in the Council."

The argument made is that those who act only in good faith will be able to make fair judgements after life. This sect is often used to justify wars as beneficial, both in life and in death, seeing the opponent as immoral and unworthy of a place in the Council.

### Universalism

"All those who have lived will be granted a seat on the Council."

This sect does not believe in limitations imposed over people after death, seeing the nature of people as good, for that reason they believe that the collective of all those who have lived will always make fair judgements. The line of thinking in practice promotes an inherently anti-expansionist and egalitarian society, which fights only to preserve itself, as it sees unjust and vengeful deaths to overwhelm the Council, and sway its favour against them.

### Nature sect

"Everything that has lived is able to go to the Council"

This sect believes that everything that has lived will be granted a seat in the council, no matter of the species. This also includes plants and trees. The nature sect is a split of from universalism and therefor shares the same kinds of ideas, the only difference being that its believes are not limited to only people being granted a seat in the Council. Followers of the nature sect are also strictly vegetarian as they believe any excessive or unnecessary harm to something living can sway the favour of the council against them.

## Saints

Sainthood in the Council of Heaven is a commonly accepted, although sometimes disputed, practice. Saints are living people who are largely agreed to have performed a miracle - an unexplainable, spectacular and extraordinary act. Most Saints are figures featured in historical documents and accounts of their actions are often exaggerated.

### Saint Katarina z Pranin

Saint, Patron of Pranin, Martyr of the Confederation. She was one of the first leaders of the Rebellion against the Duke of Hálgan, for which she was executed by the Monarchist forces. Following her execution, her soul is said to have risen to the skies, drawn a sword, and split the sky in two - seen as opening the Council of Heaven to all living.

### Saint Nikolaj z Pranin

Saint, Patron of the Innocent. He was a Hálgan scholar and doctor, he was a member of the entourage sent on a rescue mission during one of the first Roantroan raids. His party apprehended the attackers and found the remains of children kidnapped during the raid, he is then said to have illuminated the air with the laughter and cries of souls before returning the lives of the children, in exchange for the lives of the raiders.

### Saint Milja z Niemeň

Saint, Patron of Niemeň. Guided by the Council, she performed a miracle by blessing her surrounding during a moment of great poverty in the City of Niemeň. Her blessing illuminated the earth with a heavenly light, which revealed all of its hidden riches as if they were not obstructed by the soil and rock.