Sacris Incendium
Sacris Incendium, which in the ancient tongue of The Colonies translates as Sacred Fire, is a system of social and ethical philosophy founded in the the city of Alowca, in the realm of Halcyon by Caravanthian Arylon during the Renaissance Era. Adherents to the Sacred Fire devote their lives to the understanding of the cycle of creation, ascension, degeneration, destruction and restoration experienced by all living things. In so doing, they seek a greater understanding of the true nature of temporal existence, which will in turn allow them to control the flow of the cycle and preserve their own prosperity.
Sacrists believe that it is the duty of all men to pledge their personal fidelity to the concepts of virtue, statesmanship and a defense of the natural rights of all humanity, as these are the mechanisms by which one can arrest the progress of decline and preserve prosperity. The faithful are taught to extract as much as possible from the life they live, as well as to accept the inevitability of death and loss, and to celebrate subsequent rebirth. As such, adherents use the symbol of the Phoenix as the embodiment of the perpetual cycle of life that is at the heart of the philosophy.
Early History
The core philosophies that would eventually form the basis of Sacris Incendium were developed over the course of a lifetime by Caravanthian Arylon, in the period after he was marooned on The Colonies, in the city of Alebad. Drawing from his own upbringing, which was centered in the ancient Atamaran religions followed by House Arylon, Caravanthian would merge that belief system into the Torenist faith of his brother Fisc, combined with his own personal observations about the nature of the universe, and human nature to develop a rudimentary and unique belief system. Still, at this point while his philosophies did begin to resemble later Sacrist teachings, he had yet to develop a core theology. It was not until his experiences in Halcyon, witnessing the rebirth of power in his adopted home coupled with personal observations about the cycle of success and failure in the individual lives of his brothers and sisters in arms, that he developed what would become Sacris Incendium. Over time, additional observations were combined into many of the teachings and beliefs he had encountered, and a true philosophy was born.
The beginnings of the faith itself began humbly, as Caravanthian began to teach his beliefs to others. Informally, he reached out to friends, and discussed his ideas with other close associates. The response to the teachings was enthusiastic, and the success being experienced by those he mentored was such that it convinced him to formalize them into a structured, institutionalized philosophical order. Thus was Sacris Incendium officially founded in the earliest days of the Halcyon Renaissance.
Slowly, surely, the peasants of the south began to listen and take notice of the new faith tradition. Thousands were converted in those early days, and newly constructed temples and shrines sprung up all across the south. The Sacrist belief in the self-cultivation and agency of all human beings -- not just nobles -- had a powerful impact on the general population of would be converts. As the realm of Oritolon faded and was later absorbed into Halcyon, more new adherents joined and spread the teachings. From the deepest depths of the south, Sacris Incendium has now spread north and west, and has begun to spill into new lands not held by Halcyon. While the imagery of the Phoenix and the cycle of rebirth is closely associated with its mother realm, Sacrists view themselves as serving all of humanity, and ultimately wish to see the faith spread to all corners of the known world.
To formalize Sacrist teaching, the publication of Dialectic Incendia was commissioned to provide a central text with which to increase the understanding of Sacris Incendium doctrine. It attempts to reveal the secrets of the faith through reasoned methods of argumentation with a complete absence of subjective elements such as emotional appeal and the modern pejorative sense of rhetoric. Inherent within are core questions which seek to elicit the truth by means of inquiries aimed at uncovering what is already implicitly known. These questions, and the explorative dialogues back and forth help adherents to develop their logic and reason, so that they can arrive at greater understanding of the world around them.
Doctrine
Deities or divine powers: Many religions include a belief in one or more deities or divine powers. These entities are often seen as the creators or maintainers of the universe and may be worshipped or revered by the followers of the religion.
Ethics and morality: Many religions provide guidance on how to live a good or ethical life. They may offer guidelines on issues such as honesty, compassion, and respect for others.
Rituals and practices: Most religions have specific rituals or practices that are considered important for the followers of the religion to observe. These might include prayer, meditation, fasting, or participating in specific ceremonies or festivals.
The afterlife: Many religions include a belief in an afterlife, or some sort of continuation of the soul or spirit after death. This belief may influence how the followers of the religion approach life and death.
Creation stories: Many religions offer a creation story that explains how the universe, the earth, and human beings came to be. These stories may include elements of myth or legend, and may be interpreted in various ways by different followers of the religion.
Social and political issues: Some religions may address social or political issues, such as poverty, war, or human rights. They may offer guidance on how to approach these issues or advocate for specific policies or actions.
Personal growth and development: Many religions offer a path to personal growth and development. This may involve practices such as self-reflection, meditation, or spiritual study.
Theology
Fire is considered the most important element in the universe and is seen as a symbol of divine power. The theology of Sacris Incendium can be outlined as follows:
Fire worship: The central aspect of the religion is the worship of fire. Fire is seen as a representation of the divine and is considered the most powerful element in the universe.
Cleansing power of fire: Fire is believed to have a purifying power that can cleanse the soul and bring enlightenment. It is also seen as a means of destroying impurities and negative forces in the world.
Sacrificial offerings: Followers of Sacris Incendium offer sacrifices to the fire in the form of food, flowers, and other offerings. These offerings are believed to bring blessings and favor from the divine.
Divine manifestations in fire: The followers of the religion believe that divine manifestations can be seen in the flames of the fire. They look to the fire for guidance and inspiration, and they believe that fire has the power to reveal hidden truths.
Rituals and ceremonies: The followers of Sacris Incendium practice various rituals and ceremonies centered around fire worship. These rituals may involve lighting candles or torches, performing dances or chants, or making offerings to the fire.
Fire as a symbol of life and passion: Fire is also seen as a symbol of life and passion. It represents the energy and vitality that exist within all living beings. The followers of Sacris Incendium believe that by connecting with the fire, they can tap into this energy and live a more fulfilling life.
Overall, the theology of Sacris Incendium is centered on the worship of fire as a representation of the divine. The fire is seen as having the power to purify, destroy, and reveal hidden truths. Through fire worship and various rituals, the followers of the religion seek to connect with the divine and live a more fulfilling life.
