The Church of Everlasting Flame

The church of the Everlasting Flame is the religious organization of the Ardenti, centered in the Andol River valley, and is the only legal religion within the Ludanian Empire. The religion contrasts most of the surrounding religions in a number of ways: it is monotheistic, it was founded relatively recently, and it has a very strict moral and legal code (compared to the more relaxed "guidelines" of the Divine Host and Aelder worship).

### Beliefs

The core beliefs and laws of the church have been passed down through three primary sources: The Prima Canons, the Codex Servi, and the Bibulus Ignis. The first is a collection of eight commands given originally to Hanus the Great in a vision from the Everlasting Flame in 1100 E.M., and recorded by Henrich Radumil in the Codex Servi. The second is the aforementioned Codex Servi, written by Henrich Radumil during his time as the first Pontufex of the church. The Codex is a short manuscript illustrating the benefits of serving the Flame, practicing right living, and spreading belief in the Flame. The final book, the Bibulus Ignus, is a collection of histories, parables, prophecies, and proverbs illustrating the hand of the Flame Everlasting in the lives of people around the empire and the globe. The authors include Hanus Ludan, Henrich Radumil, multiple scribes of the church, and a traveling bard of unknown origin.

#### Prima Canons

The prima canons were originally given to Hanus Ludan in 1100 after his return to his homeland of Ludanska. The Flame appeared to him on top of Crimson Hill, commanding him to retake his homeland, free his kinsmen in foreign lands, and follow the codes. The codes were written by Henrich Radumil in 1111 E.M. and are as follows:

1. *With sacred fire guide those that will be led, and purify those that will not*
2. *Tolerate not the worship of false deities, spirits, the weald, or objects*
3. *Obey the laws of your King, for Power has been given unto him by the Flame*
4. *Murder not your fellows in the Flame, or you will be shown the Scorching Wrath*
5. *Do not steal, for each has been given what is theirs by the Flame's will*
6. *Speak with honor, and honor will be shown unto you in this life and the next*
7. *Honor those who honor you, pity those that do not, for they will be shown the Scorching Wrath*
8. *Be faithful to your spouse, your mentor, and your allies*

#### Codex Servi

The Codex Servi was written by Henrich Radumil between 1111, when he was appointed Pontufex, and his death in 1153. The first part of the book tells of the vision Hanus Ludan experienced, and the commandments he received. The next part tells of Henrich's experiences in the war for Ludania's liberty, and the founding of the empire, as well as the many miracles involved (most famously is the Fording of Fire, where Hanus and his Paladins rode through a burning river unharmed, and defeated a foe while greatly outnumbered). The third part illustrates the theoretical benefits of following after the flame's commandments as well as Henrich's personal experiences and blessings. Finally, the last part of the book showcases multiple proverbial and anecdotal benefits from the lives of believers and converts, as well as the curses bestowed on apostates and non-believers. Throughought the book, four central themes are often highlighted, and they make up the core values of the church;

1. Justice (duty, fairness, and loyalty are also strong themes)
2. Prudence (wisdom, sound judgement, and control of one's emotions)
3. Fortitude (includes courage, will, and perseverance)
4. Temperance (living without indulgences or excess immorality).

#### Bibulus Ignus

The stories contained within the Biblius Ignus are often layered in meanings, and many scholars have a very difficult time telling the difference between history, prophecy, and parable. Nevertheless, the Ardenti often see this as a poetic masterpiece, and the direct will of the eternal flame through the writers and the characters in the tales. Many stories include firsthand experiences, or accounts of similar experiences by church scribes. Famous tales include a poetic retelling of the Fording of Fire by an unnamed bard, a parable about twin warriors - one devout and one apostate - who suffer antithetical fates, and a prophecy on the Burning and Unburning at the end of the world.

#### Afterlife

According to the Bibulus Igni, when a person dies, their spirit is joined with the Everlasting Flame until the Burning and Unburning occurs. Until that day, they are one with the Flame, and share in all of his joys, sadness, and victories. When the world is finally consumed by the fire and the new world grows in its fertile ashes, the flame will recreate his believers

### Hierarchy

The Ardentii are all organized in a similar structure, regardless of denomination. The only exception is the Pre-Aedyrnians, who do not observe the authority of the Pontufex.

1. **Pontufex.** The Pontufex oversees all churches within the accepted religion. He settles disputes, crowns monarchs, sanctions wars, and oversees important ceremonies. The Pontufex also has the authority to change religious doctrine and decree, except for the words written in the Prima Canons and other scriptures. The Pontufex is educated in their role from birth, and chosen through hereditary succession.
2. **Archpyrarch.** An Archpyrarch oversees a large region, usually including 1-3 fiefdoms or counties. They settle regional disputes, distribute the Pontufex's decrees, and issue the rate of church taxation. A Pyrarch is hand chosen by the Archpyrarch to be their heir and succeed them after their death.
3. **Pyrarch.** A Pyrarch runs an individual place of worship, usually with more than 10 worshipers present. They have the authority to by and sell on the church's behalf, enforce taxes with a religious police force, and train worshipers to become Ardens. When a person has been an Arden for 10 years or more, and has conducted 10 or more worship services, they are eligible to become a Pyrarch,
4. **Arden.** An Arden is someone who has undergone extensive teaching and education in the church, and has taken a vow to serve the church above taking any other occupation. They often act as medics, alterworkers, librarians, archivists, scholars, researchers, and the church militia.

### Denominations

The church is broken into three core groups, with a few very small local sub-denominations. The core groups are Imperials, Raesnachians, and Pre-Aedyrnians. Each group shares some core beliefs, including the strict adherence to the Prima Canons, and the necessity of monotheism, but all the groups have significant differences that define them.

#### Ludanian Imperial Ardentii

The official denomination of the Ludanian Empire. Members include the Royal family, the Pontufex, and the majority of the populous in Ludania. They maintain that both the Codex Servi and the Bibulus Ignis are inspired by the Everlasting Flame, the Pontufex exerts the religious will of the flame (known as *Ignispiritus Vult),* and the Emperor exerts the flame's will for the state (*Ignibell Vult).*

#### Raesnachian Ardentii

The smallest of the three core groups are the followers of Raesnach, an elven theologian of the 14th century who taught at the Candlefire Isle school of Theology. He believed that only the Prima Canons were inspired by the Flame, and the rest of the religious texts were merely written by wise mortals with limited understanding. He still advocated for his followers to respect and obey the wills of the Emperor and Pontufex due to the Third Canon, but his teachings were deemed heretical, and he was executed in 1329 E.M. under Henry IV. After the end of the Ludo-Fey genocide, Henry V declared his teachings no longer heretical, and allowed people to practice his teachings. The Raesnachians, notably, do not believe in an afterlife or a Burning and Unburning at the end of the world. They believe that when one dies, the soul joins the everlasting fire, and its energy is recycled into the lives of future humanity.

#### Pre-Aedyrn Ardentii (Heretical)

One of the more problematic groups in the eyes of the empire are the Preaedyrnians. This group rose up in settlements across Ludania under the peaceful reign of Aedyrn the Wise. Members of this group opposed his tactics for peace, as he allowed many of the pagan and polytheistic Franians to retain their religion while becoming citizens of the empire (violating the Second Canon). They also opposed the construction of the Crimson Cathedral, as it was "boisterous and distracting," a symbol of the faith's corruption in their eyes. They were deemed heretics by Henry the Bloody, and he grouped them into the Ludo-Fey genocide. Many of the small groups survived the bloody persecutions, and remain in secret, humble temples across the empire.

#### The Electi Ardentii (Heretical)

The newest and most divisive group of worshipers is the Electi Ardentii, or the "Chosen Ones." They believe that the everlasting flame created earth for his creation - Humans - to live, and the rest of the races are corrupted versions of his creation, imported by half-gods and daemons. They believe that for the Burning and Unburning to occur, they must be the ones to initiate it. They believe that the Antielect are what must be cleansed from the earth in order for the regrowth of the world to occur. They believe the Burning and Unburning is symbolic, and in turn, there is no afterlife.

### Influential Members

* Hanus Ludan: Founder of the faith, first Paladin of the Flame Everlasting, founder of the Ludanian Empire
* Henrich Radumil: First Potufex, author of the Codex Servi, lead builder of the First Temple of The Flame
* Aedyrn Ludan: Crimson Cathedral built under his rule, thousands of Valenic and Franian citizens converted by his tactics, wisdom, and faith
* Roland Radumil (5th Pontufex): Declared the Bibulus Ignus canonical