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.

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 - The faction of Darkness is not accessible through modern Estahsism and the names of their Gods are never spoken in our places of worship.

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

Ranks within the religion

Elder Ranks

• Prophet - The Prophet is the standard bearer of the faith and the interpreter of the will of the Pantheon. Attila Osha is the Third Prophet of the Estahs, preceded by Alfred Osha and the venerable Prins Simon Cuvelier before him.
• Guild Leader - Deputy to the Prophet.
• The High Priest(ess) of Estahs
• Holy Champion - A Champion is a fighter devoted to the faith. A Holy Champion is the only elder position which does not require you to be a Priest
• The High Priest(ess) of a faction - The High Priest will take leadership of the faction they chose to follow.

Member Ranks

• Priest(ess) of Lore, Humanity, Nature, Creativity and Darkness - When a Disciple choses to dedicate their life to faith, and become a Priest, they advance to this position under the faction they chose to follow as a Disciple.
• Champion of Lore, Humanity, Nature, creativity and Darkness - A religious fighter who choses to further dedicate himself to his faction and become a champion. There may be only one champion of each faction.
• Disciple of Lore, Humanity, Nature, creativity and Darkness - 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 encouraged to make this choice and advance to the member rank of Disciple.

Aspirant Ranks

• Devoted follower
• Donating follower
• Follower

Places of Worship

Each temple of Estahsism is dedicated to a specific deity in the Pantheon of the Estahs. The current temples of Estahsism are dedicated and located as follows:

• Temple to Maneva, Goddess of the Peasants, Protector of the State and the Ruler in Dyomoque - Build in Bara'Khurs old capital by Duke Gitama shortly after Dyomoque was returned to Bara'Khur, such a long time since it was lost

• Temple to Aisen, God of Wisdom in Gaxano - The fourth temple of Estahsism, built by the Viscountess of Gaxano at the time, High Priest Nikkitanilas.

• Temple to Gol'dean, Phoenix of Rebirth in Haffemet - This temple was build by the High Priestess Nikkitanilas and concecrated after the seceding of the city of Reeds that lead to the create of the Free Realm of Nothoi. As such this temple was dedicated to the Phoenix of Rebirth to symbolize the new start given to the people once of Bara'Khur, and the opportunity to create something better.

• Temple to Eimir, God of the Mountains in Pel Mark - Location of Estahsism's 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.

• Temple to Siama, God of Heroes in Ren Madragas - Build by Baron Calvindrell, a Hero and a Champion of Estahsism, dedicated to Siama for all his guidance to both him and many others in the realm.

• Temple to Archanon, God of the Willpower in Watto - Build by Lord Foreman not long after joining Estahsism, dedicated to one of the Gods of the faction he chooses to follow.

• Temple to Izmir, God of War in Wudenkin - 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.

• Temple to Carozar, God of Light and the Sun in Zisswii - Built by Viscount Koara Cinereus

• Temple to Ptoq, God of Words and Deeds in Ippetimbal - Built by High Priestess Miranda as Senator of Ippetimbal.