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

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.

Theology

no belief in a single god

Fire

In ancient Colonial Culture, fire was often associated with a god, or was revered as a god itself. Fire was associated with a living being--it ate, breathed, grew, decayed, and died--in many religions. Fire was so basic to the human experience that it persisted in the minds of humanity as an element close to nature.

Fire, as an instrument of both destruction and renewal, can be seen in many examples. For instance, fire burns through a forest, the old growth in the forest burns away to allow space for the new forest to emerge from beneath.

The role of fire in the symbol of rebirth is best known through the phoenix. The mythical phoenix dies by spontaneous combustion. It bursts into flames and disintegrates into ashes. Then, from the ashes, a new phoenix is born to live its live again.

The Nature of the Universe

Incendist cosmology is cyclic—the universe is seen as being in a constant process of re-creating itself. Throughout our lives, we experience constant death -- the death of friendship, the death of possession, the death of ignorance, the death of love -- and are then routinely reborn again, to experience these things anew and grow together toward a more perfect understanding of life, and the universe around us.