Largias Religion

Worship of the Gods
Also Known As	N/A
Organization Type	Religion
Leadership	Varies.
Membership	Harmon
Associated With	Council of Sages
Related To	Largias Continent

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History

A long time ago, the gods waged a war. It was a bloody war, and from the blood spilled, the other races sprang forth. The gods of magic fell to the world and bled out, filling the world with the different forms of magic. This war was fought by the gods' children, in the names of Hynlena and Nemesis, the Dragons. The battle was brutal and vicious, and the continent was formed with the fall of celestial bodies, and the fighting of beings beyond the ken of mortals and immortals alike. When the war was over, when the other gods stopped supporting Hynlena and Nemesis, the celestial order was restored, and peace returned to the heavens.
The Gods that remained held the Balance of the world. They had lost children to the war between Hynlena and Nemesis, and none of them were particularly forgiving. They swore to themselves and each other they would never war in the heavens again. The gods of light and darkness did not approve of this, but they were unable to force their brethren to fight in their name anymore. Thus, three camps were formed among the gods. The gods of light and darkness would fight via mortals, and the other gods would take over the duties of their departed children, gathering followers among the mortals that now spread across the continent of Largias.

Purpose

There is an organized council of clerics across Largias, called very simply The Church. The high Clerics of the Elemental gods gather and share knowledge and philosophical beliefs and insights from their gods to one another, writing scripture as it comes to them from their communion with their gods. The Church exists to assist the peoples of Largias with spiritual and health issues. Most of the Clerics have a role to fill, as assigned by their patron god, and seek to serve these duties as best they can, with the Clerics of Fire assisting in wars, and the Clerics of Water helping to heal the sick and injured.
Politically, the Church is the most widespread and influential independent force across Donias, with some pull in Nehekara and Rafisto. Very, very few Clerics of the elements exist in Bagonia, though several priests exist among barbarian tribes. Due to this widespread influence, the Church has been instrumental in diplomatic liaisons across the lands. They have counseled temperance and peace where war was imminent, and have had the ear of many Kings in the process.
Obviously, the Church exists to expand its influence. Traveling Clerics teach their religion to villagers, then induct new recruits into the robes, adding more servitors to their ranks and expanding the number of devoted to their cause. A higher Cleric will teach and convert, then ordain a beginner, and begin his training as a true Cleric of their shared faith, granting him the blessing of their god. These in turn either travel the world to spread the word, follow the call their god gave them, or simply remain in their village and help however they can.
Each of the elements brings something to the world, and their Clerics attempt to follow their spheres of influence to the world. The Clerics of Etar, the Fire Lord, are drawn to industry and attempt to give their blessings and their help to new engineers and other inventors, making their seat of power (outside of West Zuul) within Rafisto. They are also drawn to war, joining armies for their countries, and attempting to bring the wars to a swift end by praying for their god's favor as they do. Everyone recognizes the oddity of that situation, as every side will get Etar's blessing, but all agree it helps in expediently ending wars.
The Clerics of Adia, Lady of Water, are the second most prized to see appearing in a village, and the second most useful in war. While Etar and Adia are opposed as Fire and Water, War and Peace, their Clerics are expected by The Church to have the clarity and insight to understand why each are necessary, and while this doesn't always happen, as Clerics of Water often dislike Warmongers, most are at least cordial. Clerics of Adia are the most adept healers in the world, especially to disease and plague, and can bring blessings of water to drought-stricken villages.
Clerics of Pitarus are the most numerous in industrialized kingdoms. As the God of Earth and Knowledge, his Clerics are sedentary and often go to areas of science and learning, acting as chaplain for a university or school, or serving as teachers to the young in smaller communities. Most towns are happy to have them, as the Clerics of Pitarus are often seen as signs of Wealth, blessing their followers with good fortune and lucky turns in monetary values and gems, or simply allowing commerce to be fruitful.
Clerics of Asnera, the Goddess of Air, are the most eclectic group of the bunch. Most cities are unhappy to see them come, but almost all villages are glad, as their appearance means rains are coming. Storms follow them wherever they go, and they are the most adventurous of all the Clerics, save perhaps for those of Etar. However, their presence is always a boon for magic users, and the magical academy is a place to find many Clerics of Asnera. They work closely to the Council of Sages, as their goddess is the patron of magic in the world.

Cult of Light

Other than The Church, the disciples of Hynlena are spread across the Largias Continent. Their Clerics are the most likely to travel and adventure. They have a widespread presence, but very little political influence. They selflessly devote themselves to healing others and vanquishing evil wherever it dwells. They are generally the most well regarded Clerics in all of Largias, because those who uphold the principles of morality, law and justice will always have a powerful ally in the Cult of Light.
However, they are not as organized a religion as The Church. The Cult of Light usually has more devoted members than almost any member of the Church, but they display a level of zealotry in regards to spreading the Light. They are often involved in fighting against the corruption in Nehekara, or attempting to destroy a nest of evil, or going against corrupt wizards or Chaos Knights. Because of this, their numbers are always fluctuating, and they lack the real political staying power of The Church. This said, a High Cleric with the ear of a King or Archduke tends to have much influence in the land, and is generally a force for Good in the world.

Holy Order of Paladins

The Holy Paladins are the real political and military power of the Cult of Light. Paladins are divinely empowered devoted warriors of Hynlena. They carry their word like their sword, and channel the power of their goddess with every blow. They are the physical manifestation of hope and justice in the world, truly Good beings, who will do whatever they have to to save the day. They are the equivalent of Superheroes, and legends of their accomplishments are known across the whole continent, even in the wastes of Bagonia. The Holy Knights are the most respected warrior order in the Largias Continent, due to their unwavering devotion to the Light of Hynlena, and their honor, courage, and sworn duty to fight against evil and injustice. Due to this, they almost never get involved in wars, or land disputes, except as mediators and arbiters, always swearing to do what is just. The word of a Holy Paladin is generally considered as law, or at least, as justice.

Divinities

• God of Darkness:
• Name: Nemesis.
• Influence: Darkness, Chaos, Death.
• Description: A corrupter, defiler and all around horrible god. He profits from any calamities and encourages dishonor and strife, the pursuit of glory and wealth over ethics and order, and the use of violence over words.

Goddess of Light:

• Name: Hynlena
• Influence: Light, Order, Life.
• Description: A beautiful and loving woman, but a strict one. She benefits when things are just and orderly, as well as when law and duty is enforced.

God of Fire

• Name: Etar
• Influence: Fire, War, Industry
• Description: A brutal and tempestuous god, he benefits from war and all it entails. Magma is his domain, and armies are his power. Warriors often pray to him for blessings and luck in battle.

Goddess of Water

• Name: Adia
• Influence: Water, Medicine, Peace
• Description: A kind and calm woman, who hides hidden strength within. She benefits from calmness and peace, but can enchant armies to bring said peace. Healers usually call on her for support.

God of Earth

• Name: Pitarus
• Influence: Earth, Wealth, Knowledge
• Description: A stout and serious man, patient and tireless. The pursuit of knowledge or money is where he benefits, and he is known to give tidings of fortune to those who ask for his blessings.

Goddess of Air

• Name: Asnera
• Influence: Air, Storm, Magic
• Description: A temperamental woman, seemingly flighty and unfocused. She can be as playful and brutal as they come. She benefits from the use of magic and free reign of nature. She usually favors magicians.

Trivia

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