Estahsism

Estahsism is a polytheistic faith and successor to the defunct Church of Estahsism. Although Estahsism widely shares many of the tenets, principles and beliefs of its predecessor, it also differs significantly from it. After a short-lived resurrection in Iknopata, Estahsism was finally founded again once more by Attila Osha in Pel Mark, Beluaterra, as the faith's Third Prophet on 1 February 2010. The most sacred and holy text of Estahsism is the The Spiritual Guide to Estahs.

The main belief of Estahsism is that for something to exist, there must be a God to create it, hence why there is such a large Pantheon of Gods. The founding belief for Estahsism is a place called Estahs. Estahs is believed to be some form of Paradise, afterlife and dwelling of the Gods. Where it is, no mortal knows. Through visions Priests say it is a great city of beauty, with golden palaces, surrounded by infinitely high mountains. Two rivers run through it; Veioror, River of Life and Zeakar, River of Death. They meet in the centre of Estahs, which is believed to be the centre of the universe, to create the Lake Ziksor of Life and Death. This is the place in which it is believed mortals go to when they die, to then travel to the Blazimir Forests, to meet again with their passed loved ones.

There is currently an active newspaper about Estahsism written by High Priestess Nikkitanilas, The Estahsism Echo

Founding

Loss of the Church

When the old Church of Estahsism fell, it was a shadow of its former self. Once upon a time, the Church had been the dominant faith of Old Grehk, as well as a strong faith in Thalmarkin, with isolated temples and followings around Wudenkin and Western Heen. Yet gradually the faith had fallen on hard times due to internecine squabbling with the Valentic Order, the rise of the fledgling Order of the Golden Feather and Sint aggression.

After the decline of the faith in Old Grehk due to politics and Sintian conquest, the disappearance of Sarh Dragonfist, the Great Hand of the Church, came as a hammer blow. With the loss of her last priest and the rapid collapse of Church infrastructure thereafter, the faith quickly dissolved despite the best intentions of those who remained committed to the Pantheon.

Interregnum

Following the collapse of the Church, most former followers of the Estahs moved onto other faiths. However a small handful refused to let that be the end and a secret order was formed with the express intent of reviving Estahsism. This effort yielded fruit quickly, with Alfred Osha briefly bringing Estahsism back to life in Iknopata. Yet Valentic opposition, combined with a period of incredible civil turmoil in Bara'Khur, saw Estahsism melt away once more.

Resurrection

Eventually, many years after the fall of the original Church of Estahsism, the faith was once again resurrected in the central mountains. This time in Pel Mark, with Attila dedicating the first temple to Eimir, God of the Mountains, in thanks for his protection and benevolence over the years.

The Spiritual Guide to Estahs

This holy book provides the basis of the Estahs faith and instructs the followers of Estahsism in all things. That said, there are several different versions of the Spiritual Guide to the Estahs and during the Interregnum, the version favoured by the First Prophet, Prins Simon Cuvelier, fell out of favour.

The most glaring departure from the beliefs of the original Church in the New Spiritual Guide to the Estahs is the approach to the Pantheon of the Estahs. Whilst the old Church raised seven Gods and goddesses above all others as Supreme, the new faith believes in the equality of the Pantheon and that all gods should be worshipped equally. Further, that all Gods are separated into five different factions representing each main aspect of existence.

The Factions

After the War of the Gods and the Creation of Estahs it was decided that to avoid another war, the Gods would split into new factions to represent fairly each main aspect of existence. However one group of Gods still felt bitterness at losing the war and towards Izmir, God of War for giving in, and cast themselves out to the underworld, calling themselves the faction of Darkness, separates from the rest. Each faction took on a colour to represent them. Each God of the faction has an aura of the colour about them. In honour of this the Priests representing that faction wears a robe of that colour, and each champion takes on a banner of Estahsism in that colour. These factions are:

• The Faction of Lore
• The Faction of Humanity
• The Faction of Nature
• The Faction of Creativity
• The Faction of Darkness

For a list of the Gods in each faction check the Guide to the Pantheon.

Ranks within the religion

Elder Ranks

• Prophet - Founder of the Church, represents the entire Pantheon
• High Priest(ess) of Estahs - Highest ranking Priest other than the Prophet himself, also represents the entire Pantheon
• Champion of Estahs - Only elder rank that does not require you to be a priest. The Champion of Estahs is a religious fighter who represents the entire Pantheon

Member Ranks

As the Pantheon is so vast, most followers choose to dedicate themselves to one specific faction of the Gods, though not forgetting the rest. Within a few weeks of joining Estahsism a follower is expected to make this choice and advance to the member rank of Disciple. For those that have been members for some time, they may wish to dedicate themselves further and can be promoted to Priest or Champion of their faction. A Priest will take a vow with Isituk, God of the Priests, as well as the Gods of their faction and will be presented with robes in their factions colour. A Champion will take vow with Gikf, God of honour, as well as the Gods of their faction, and be presented with a banner of Estahsism in their factions colour.

• Priest of Lore
• Priest of Humanity
• Priest of Nature
• Priest of Creativity
• Priest of Darkness
• Champion of Lore
• Champion of Humanity
• Champion of Nature
• Champion of Creativity
• Champion of Darkness
• Disciple of Lore
• Disciple of Humanity
• Disciple of Nature
• Disciple of Creativity
• Disciple of Darkness

Aspirant Ranks

• Devoted follower
• Donating follower
• Follower

Places of Worship

Each temple and shrine of Estahsism is dedicated to a specific deity in the Pantheon of the Estahs.

Temples
Location	God it is dedicated to	Details
Pel Mark	Eimir, God of the Mountains	Location of Estahsism's recent rebirth, this temple is carved into the very side of Pel Mark's peak and overlooks the largest settlement in the region. Attila built and dedicated this temple to Eimir, God of the Mountains, for all the success and protection he had granted him since arriving in Wudenkin from the arid Western Badlands.
Ippetimbal	Siama, God of Heroes, Bearer of the Battle, Protector of the Knights	Dedicated to Siama in thanks for his guidance and protection as the warriors of Bara'Khur fight, and in honour of the rallying troops in the region at the time the temple was built.
Zisswii	Carozar, God of Light and the Sun	Built by Viscount Koara Cinereus.
Gaxano	Aisen, God of Wisdom	The fourth temple of Estahsism, built by the Viscountess of Gaxano at the time, High Priest Nikkitanilas.
Wudenkin	Izmir, God of War	Built by the Duke Squall and dedicated as requested to the God of War. A most influential deity both in the life of a General and the survival of any kingdom.
Twillen	Gol'dean, Phoenix of Rebirth	Raised from the ashes of Twillen by the Prophet, this temple stands both as symbol to all that one might achieve and how little she might accomplish.

Shrines
Location	God it is dedicated to	Details
Pel Mark	Gikf, God of Honour	The first shrine to be constructed for Estahsism was made in tribute to the Highfather, deity of the fallen Valentic Order. Despite the loss of his mortal followers, Komar is believed to be another name for Gikf, God of Honour and his influence on the hardy Warriors of Bara'Khur has been a good one.
Ippetimbal	Fiko, God of Gold	Dedicated to the God of Gold in thanks for his blessing of gold in the mountains that locals mine, bringing wealth to the region.
Zisswii	Wurki, God of Children	Built by the priestess Nikkitanilas shortly after the birth of her twin children in celebration and thanks to the God.
Iknopata	Ilimis, Goddess of the Rivers and Lakes	Dedicated to Ilimis for the beauty she blessed Iknopata with by giving it the source to the river that flows down the mountains to Lake Salaman to the North East.
Gaxano	Karak, God of Mentors	Built by the High Priest, Nikkitanilas, for a haven to teach newcomers to both knighthood and Estahsism, as she is a Mentor as well as a priest.
Ren Madragas	Brat, God of Bravery	Built in the name of Brat, God of Bravery, in the memory of Queen Tonkotsu and Queen Carrie, who died as heroines fighting against the unnatural beings invading Beluaterra, and in honour of all fallen heroes.
Twillen	Lomacar, God of Life and Birth; Sachner, God of Death and Hell	The twin shrines of Twillen are named for life and death both, built within a stone's throw of one another acknowledge how life and death are so close they begin to intertwine at the height of the Fourth Invasion.

There was once a temple of Estahsism in Xerus dedicated to Sornes, God of Cavaliers, protector of the noble, but was destroyed by Sint and was never rebuilt as the region was taken over by Old Grehk.