Ordo Concilium

Introduction

The Ordo Concilium (or "Order of the Council" as it would be spoken today) is an ancient religion native to Dwilight that, according to ancient texts, had at one point a large amount of the continent converted under it's sway before a great cataclysm made the island unlivable and shortly thereafter sunk the island. The details pertaining to this event are still very enigmatic as very few texts from the time of the cataclysm still exist on the continent.

Origins

Before the Cataclysm that struck Dwilight ages ago, the center of the Ordo Concilium was located in the present-day Desert of Silhouettes. In that time the land was not a desert, nor a fruitless wasteland. No, the Citadel of Ishkantar surrounded a warm water spring that had been harnessed by the architects of the era in such a way that provided water not only to the city, but areas of farmland outside the city so efficiently that only the coldest of winter temperatures could truly affect the crops.

Perhaps it was the successfulness of this city that caused it's belief in the Concilium to spread to far reaches of the continent, or perhaps that the city's workers took it to the cities that requested aid of architects and engineers of Ishkantar.

Regardless of how it was spread, the people of this city believed that their gods actually walked amongst them. In fact several of the more religious families of the time could trace their ancestry back to one of the gods in particular. Regardless of this, few of even the most fervent families who chose to remain were saved from the cataclysm that annihilated the island.

• Of course, this is just a condensed overview of the Origins of Ordo Concilium, click here for more.

Beliefs

There are two primary beliefs in the Ordo. Honour and Respect. These two things, a self-repeating cycle, are at the core of the Concilium. Though each god tends to have selected their own lesser principles, these two remain throughout.

Though it is commonly believed by the Fidelus (or Faithful) that the gods walk amonst them, it is also believed that the gods choose to seldom interact directly. The only god believed not to follow this belief is Azarus, the head of the Concilium. In the inner circles of the religion however, his name is "Genesis" which is meant to represent his position as the highest of the gods and closest to the sources of life and death (or nature).

While the other gods may observe the mortal realm directly, Azarus will actually interact and is believed to be the only god willing to do their own "dirty work". Perhaps this is why he was chosen to lead the Concilium. Both his actions and his position earn him some dislike from some of the other gods of the Concilium.

• For a more detailed description of the core beliefs, click this line...

Deities

As the gods of the Ordo Concilium usually tended to inhabit various regions of the land and store all materials relating to their ways in the lands they watched over, the exact number of deities that resided on the Concilium isn't yet known. Typically two, or more, gods would watch over an area; thusly allowing the populace more choices of worship. Though it was not unknown to worship a god outside of his domain, and this wasn't an uncommon practice. Needless to say, Wordbearer Zanaras of Azarus has compiled some data on the gods he does know exist.

Known Gods

For a more detailed, yet still brief overview, click here.

• Genesis, Bringer of Life - More on Genesis...
• Azarus, Head of the Ordo - More on Azarus...

Carriers of the Faith

Wordbearers

Though other religions may call those who spread their faith, "Priests", the Ordo Concilium has a special name for those who spread it's faith, "Wordbearers". Though the purpose of the two is relatively the same, Wordbearers are a bit more prestigious in the Ordo. Unlike other faiths where an individual themself may have dreams of their god speaking to them, Wordbearers are gifted with the ability to talk directly to the god they represent through their mind. Because of this it is not uncommon for Wordbearers to be nearby those who hold high government positions, if only to offer advice on what the god's suggest. However, the sanity of the Wordbearers are typically in question by those who do not believe because of this "ability" they possess. Click here for more on the Word Bearers...

• Wordbearer Zanaras of Azarus - More...

Ordo Causidici

In addition to the other Wordbearers, there is a smaller rank in the Ordo Concilium that represent the Councilium as a whole, the Ordo Causidici (Or the Order of the Advocates). Causidici are Wordbearers that represent Genesis, and it's yet unknown opposite. Because a Causidicus represents these two things, they also represent the Ordo Concilium by default. Ironically, the rank of Causidicus is typically granted by the gods after one's death. It is believed that the Ordo Causidici plays a large part in assisting the Gods with selecting new Wordbearers.

Patricii

The Ranks of Patricii (or noblemen) have always made up a large part of the Ordo Concilium's numbers.