The Trinity of the Far East

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The Trinity of the Far East

Better known by some simply as The Trinity (it will also be referenced from here on by this name), the Far Eastern variant of The Trinity faith was established by followers Cid O’Neil and Enlaw Lawson in the region of Cuthnipaniel in the realm of Soliferum. The Trinity differs from the faith it grew from in one major way: It does not adhere to what the Old Alowcans called “Denarial’s Way.” It was decided that by so closely following the goddess Denarial, one was found lacking in their devotion to Khagister and Alluran and as a result blasphemous. Followers of The Trinity believe that only in embracing the full pantheon can a faithful soul remain true.

History of The Trinity

---Records of Alowca's Trinity can be found here: Trinity

The faith known as The Trinity finds its origins in the coastal realm of Alowca in the Colonies. Ages ago the ancient Alowcans based their everyday lives around the faith until it was used as a foundation for the formation of the Theocracy of Alowca in the modern era. While The Trinity worshiped by those in the Far East finds its roots in that land the faith first evolved upon leaving.

Decades ago, the Theocracy of Alowca under threat from hordes of barbarians that sought to pillage the land for its riches. Fearing the end was near, and spurred on by visions of a promised land, a few volunteers banded together and left for the Far East in hopes of preserving their way of life in another land (This event would later be recorded in some texts as "The Great Exodus" or simply "Exodus"). These brave pioneers landed in the realms of Soliferum and Taith Aenil, disoriented, but prepared to establish their lives anew. With the passing of time, however, the new land was not as receptive to the faith as they had hoped and their numbers dwindled. Some learned that Alowca had survived the war and returned only to find the land, people, and faith radically altered and foreign to them. Others simple faded into the shadows, their faith lost and their lives torn apart by war and suffering.

For those few that remained true to the task, Soliferum because their new home. Though for years, under the guidance of Ecclesiarch Cid O’Neil, the former Alowcans labored in hopes of reestablishing their old home, they soon found it was more beneficial to live in harmony with those that came before them. Quickly establishing a network of temples and a growing flock of faithful The Trinity took hold, quickly becoming one of the predominant faiths in Soliferum. It weathered constant attack from outside sources, both mortal and supernatural, but remains firmly entrenched in the lands of Sol, the people flourishing under the guidance of the temple priests.

Gods

The ancient texts of The Trinity (of which direct quotes can be marked by slanted writing), of which some were taken to the Far East by Cid in the Exodus, say this:

Khagistar - The name, in ancient Alowcan, means "the creator". Khagistar created this world out of the remnants of a previous one, of which little is known. It is supposed that the previous world was destroyed because the people there somehow failed the will of the gods.

  • Khagister is seen by the followers of The Trinity as the father figure in the pantheon. He is revered for having a hand in all life and all things. He rules from his place in the great beyond, where all faithful go upon dying, and His influence can spread to the mortal world as well. Many who study primarily in the path of Khagister believe He is to be as much feared as respected and worshipped for He can unmake our world at any time should He find us lacking and start anew as He has done in the past.

Alluran - In ancient Alowcan, this god's name means "the beginning". Alluran is the god who sits in judgment of those who pass away. This reference to a beginning, as opposed to an end, is of utmost importance to the faithful. All who perish must pass through the Gates of Alluran and meet his judgement in his Hall. A favorable judgment from Alluran results in the spirit being allowed to pass on to the next world (spiritually speaking), whereas an unfavorable one condemns the person to return to this world in the form of the Undead.

  • While Alluran is known as the great judge of all our souls His judgment does not extend into the mortal world. Instead, believers are tasked by Alluran to act as His arbiters in all matters in life and to provide the codes and laws necessary for a follower to remain pure and to pass Alluran’s judgment in the afterlife. Members of the higher council of The Trinity, particularly the Ecclesiarch, are expected to spend their lives writing, revising, and enforcing the codes of The Trinity as fits the duty of their ranks.

Denarial - Denarial means "the way" in the ancient Alowcan language. Denarial is a heroic figure in Alowcan society and indeed for all faithful. It is believed that Denarial was the first person in the world to earn Alluran's favour and pass on to the next world after her death. As a reward, Denarial was welcomed into the ranks of the Gods so that she could watch over all those after her who moved on to the next world after her.

  • The story of Denarial is known by all faithful and is considered one of the most remarkable stories of The Trinity’s history. Starting off as a mere peasant girl, Denarial tended Her farmlands with Her family and lived a faithful life. When Her village came under attack by hordes of infernal ogres and beasts She took up a mace and charged into the battle, slaying the main bulk of the beastly forces and turning the tide of the battle. It is said that the only armor and strength She had in those moments were those granted to Her by Khagister and Alluran and for Her faith Denarial was rewarded with godhood.

Believers in the Trinity now see Her as the conduit to The Trinity. Due to Her mortal origins, many believers (especially among the peasantry) pray directly to Denarial in hopes that She will carry the message to the other gods. The more militant arms of The Trinity also look to her example and inscribe prayers of devotion to her on their weapons and armor before going into battle. The official mandate of The Trinity church, as handed down by Ecclesiarch Cid, states that Holy War is mandated in the name of Denarial.


Beliefs

The beliefs of the followers of The Trinity are many, but below are some of the most important concepts.

  • Khagister calls to The Order to create homes for the Trinity and places of worship amongst the people.
  • Alluran calls for The Order to create the worldly laws, based on The Trinity's own laws, for the people to follow. The Priests of the Order can act as a judge in disputes that followers bring to the priest.
  • Denarial calls for The Order to live their lives in complete devotion to The Trinity.

Birth Practices
A child that is brought to the Order will be blessed by a priest. The priest then tasks the parents to teach the child the ways of Trinity and have the child return when they come of age. Then, if deemed ready, they are blessed a second time.

Burial Practices
Followers of The Trinity upon death are to be blessed by a member of The Order (although in circumstances when a priest may not be present the family can ask a priest to give the blessing to the deceased). Then their body is to be burned as to prevent it from being corrupted by evil and risen into the ranks of the undead or monsters.

Carrying Arms
Since the Trinity has been for a majority of its existence a militant faith, it is not uncommon to see a Priest of the Trinity armed with a simple dagger or short sword. Many times those inducted into the Priesthood have already lived their lives as soldiers and are not willing to part with their weapon or to stop all training in its entirety. While no longer the focus of their lives, old habits die hard.

Holy War
Followers of The Trinity believe that Holy War is an acceptable and important part of life. It is a well known fact that daemons, monsters, and the undead stalk the earth in some form and must be combated. It is also a well known, but unfortunate fact, that their fellow man can become corrupt and blasphemous. In these instances Holy War may be waged in the name of The Trinity to purify a people or land.

  • War Practices: It is common practice for the faithful that go into war to inscribe prayers to the Trinity across their armor and weapons. Ritual blessings by members of the priesthood are also usually observed and many times blessings written personally for a soldier can be affixed to their armor by a priest. Banners woven with images taken from Trinity lore are also flown by units that are formed from faithful soldiers. It is also common for those going into battle, whether it be in a holy war or otherwise, to speak prayers before, during, and after the battle in order to ensure their purity is intact. During a Holy War, members of the priesthood, particularly those of the higher ranks, have been known to walk into battle carrying a prayer book that they read aloud from while charging into the fray.

Daemons, Monsters, Undead, and other Supernatural Beings
It is the official stance of the church of The Trinity that Daemons, Monsters, Undead, and other Supernatural Beings are indeed real and can have a very real and evil effect on our mortal world. Their effect on humanity through possession or corruption is also widely recognized. In some places they are a matter of every day life while others are blessed with infrequent visits from such creatures. The priesthood of The Trinity are believed to have in their possession a text that details a wide variety of infernal beasts and the means by which they can dispatch them. The highest authority on this matter is believed to be the Ecclesiarch.

Current Elder Council

These are the faithful responsible for the majority of the decisions made on the matters of faith and the church.
Ecclesiarch Cid O'Neil
High Cleric and Martyr Enlaw Lawson
High Cleric Lissot Lorn

High Cleric Maximus Testaverde
----

Ranks

Acolyte: A devout follower of the Faith. While they are not necessarily initiated into the Priesthood of the Trinity they may involve themselves in spreading the word. The Priesthood may sometimes rely on these people as the source of income for the Church, allowing for maintenance and travel.

Prophet: The title of Prophet is reserved for those who have shown absolute devotion to their faith no matter the situation. They are stalwart believers in the Trinity and trusted members of the Church. A Prophet may not necessarily ever become a Priest.

Priest: As the name implies, a Priest is someone who has been inducted into the Priesthood of the Trinity. They concern themselves with spreading The Trinity, preaching to those already faithful, and maintaining parts of the church.

High Cleric: The second highest rank that can be achieved in the Priesthood. The High Cleric is busy with much of the same tasks of a Priest but is also allowed entry into royal chambers and to have meetings with High Nobility. High Clerics also frequently have duties studying other religions and the Trinity's own origins and texts.

Ecclesiarch: The highest position available. The first Ecclesiarch was the founder of the Trinity in the Far East. The Ecclesiarch has almost identical responsibilities to a High Cleric save for a few differences. The Ecclesiarch is charged with keeping records and maintaining all texts and artifacts related to the Trinity. He is required to know the full history and the many intricacies of the faith and to then pass this knowledge on to his successor.

Current Temple Locations

The primary temple of the faith sits in the religious district of Osaliel (Magnificent Temple - 6). The Osaliel Temple is considered the center of the faith and the location where most of the holy artifacts and stored and main decisions are made.

  • Alanurs - small temple (3)
  • Apelen - small temple (3)
  • Azohib - primitive temple (2)
  • Cutnipaniel - primitive temple (2)
  • Hatdhes - large temple (5)
  • Idaol - primitive temple (2)
  • Ortedail - medium temple (4)
  • Sozon - primitive temple (2)
  • Todtpiz - small shack (1)

Standpoints on Other Faiths


The Order of the Elders
The actions of Order priests, noble followers, and peasant followers have led the Ecclesiarch to denounce their sect as Evil. The Order of the Elders are considered a violent, greedy, false faith governed by men and women who consort with evil entities and daemons. The former Royal Family of Nighthelm and their relatives were well known members of the Order and also confirmed devil worshipers and possessed men. The current Order is known for violently attacking any who refuse admission to their false faith and to act merely as a vehicle for attempted imperial aims.

The Guardians of Twilight (Vanquished)
Another violent and daemonic cult that grew out of a schism in Soliferum. They worshiped the creatures of the night and claimed to have intimate knowledge of both the good and evil of the world. The members of the Twilight cult were known to have practiced necromancy and methods of controlling a person's mind for nefarious deeds.

  • After a series of Holy Wars and purges this cult is known to be almost totally destroyed.

Unknown or Ignored
These are the faiths that have either been deemed no threat and may be left to their own devices or The Trinity officials have no real knowledge of them.

  • Adgharhinism
  • Magna Aenilia Ecclesia
  • The Church of Sartan

===Members of the Trinity (NPCs)===
(OOC: Add to this list as you see fit!)
Cleric Tel - Ordained priest of the Trinity that serves as a personal assistant to the Ecclesiarch. Formerly acted as Cid's squire.
The Blinded Sister - Her origins are not clear. Often appears at the Ecclesiarch's side. Believed to act as a seer or prophet.


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