Followers of the 12

A religion that has been worshipped for millennia. It was followed by the great civilisations of humanity, elves and dwarves before the arrival of the demon lord and the creation of paradise. Over the millennia since the foundation of paradise the followers of the 12 has dwindled. The newer and more believable Church of the Bright Lord and the Akkadian Order have begun to amass followers as the believers of the 12 flock to the beliefs with more evidence.
The religion is split into two between the Akuma no Kunshu and the Chimei-tekina kekkan.
Both sects believe that the "gods" that inhabit paradise are merely messengers of the 12 or are watchers to see whether we deserve their help. As such they treat them with the utmost respect and care.

Structure

The religion has a single leader in the Speaker of the 12. Under the speaker is a group of preachers known as the council of the truth. Then there are arch priests who are the leaders of the religion in specific areas. Then the Arch Clerics and Arch Inquisitors. The Priests and clerics. Then inquisitors and missionaries.
The religion has been split into two. As such these roles have been filled twice by the two separate sects.

Public Agenda

The Akuma no Kunshu's agenda was to maintain order within paradise and keep the populace from leaving. This has changed as the speaker and council have been corrupted by Artoria and now promote her goals. They have become her second biggest supplier of people to eat and turn into slaves.
The Chimei-tekina kekkan's agenda is to mobilise the people into leaving paradise and taking back Adamant.

Assets

The Akuma no Kunshun have cathedrals in the Skadi's Rest and Shinraku. With churches spread throughout the land. They also have a clerics and paladins school in Skadi's Rest. They have a vast number of missionaries and inquisitors at their disposal.
The Chimei-tekina kekkan have Cathedrals in Zorohe, Urbosa's Stand and Thunder's Landing. They also have churches spread throughout the Monster's Deep, Reaper's Dunes and Stormfell. Due to a compatibility of interests and a treaty with the Church of the Bright Lord they have a vast army at their disposal. An army second only to the royal army. They have a warriors training facility in Zorohe and a shaman and druid training schools in Thunder's Landing.

History

The religion is the second oldest religion worshipped in paradise. They were the most prominent religion in paradise before the rise of the Church of the Bright Lord and the Children of the Earthly gods and the split of belief that tore the religion in two.

Mythology & Lore

The followers of the 12 believe that Adamant was once a barren wasteland ruled over by primordial titans. Great beings of immense power who gave birth the many species of giants. They believe that these titans weren't necessarily evil but none of them would allow more life to arise that is until the true gods descended from the 9 heavens and rose from the three hells to free Adamant from the Titan's grip. They won the war with ease killing all the titans and sentencing the giants to the skies, underground, volcanoes, frozen wastelands, hills and stormlands.
The 12 then blessed adamant with life, turning the barren wasteland into a great garden. A garden that should have stood for all eternity but was destroyed or evacuated. It is at this point that the division in the religion is born. The old tales say that the mortal races were banished for their greed and heresy. But those tales tell of Humans, elves and dwarves beings that most do not believe exist. As such a newer tale has risen one that states the garden was destroyed by the demon lord and her armies. This has split the religion in two between the Akuma no Kunshu and the Chimei-tekina kekkan (Mortal fault/Fatal defect).
The Akuma no Kunshu believe the outside of Paradise is a the 3rd plane of hell brought to adamant by the demon lord. The believe no mortal can survive in the outside and all mortals must stay in paradise if they are to survive.
The Chimei-tekina kekkan believe the outside is a garden of true paradise, not the false one Akkadia claims they live in. As such it is the true goal of all mortals to strike down the demon lord and bring about the rise of paradise.

Divine Origins

The religion was formed after the great slaughter of the entire pantheon of primordial gods and demons by the hands of the demon lord. The new gods formed and presented themselves to the mortal races of Adamant and beyond. The religion was then formed in the name of their splendour.

Cosmological Views

The followers of this religion believe the world was made by a race of primordial titans who ruled over the planet until the gods descended defeated them and brought about life upon adamant. They have no beliefs about the creation of the universe, they believe it is eternal.

Tenets of Faith

1. Life is sacred and must be protected 2. Death is sacred and must not be tampered with 3. Your life must be in service to the gods 4. The body is holy and must not be tampered with 5. Sex is for procreation and must not be performed unless for that reason 6. Heresy is the worst crime and is punishable by death 7. No mortal is above the gods 8. There are no other gods than the 12 9. Arcane magic is heresy and punishable by death 10. No mortal may lay with a mortal that is not of their race.

Ethics

The religion is the world. The religion is all that should guide your life. Any who do not are heretical and must be removed from the 12's world.

Worship

They spend their entire lives devoted to the rules of the faith. They pray to their god when they wake, eat and before they sleep. They seek out a place of worship to confess once a week.

Priesthood

The priests of this religion wear plain robes of a certain colour. The higher ranks of the organisation can be discerned by an increase in tags upon a golden chain worn around the neck.
The Akuma no Kunshu wear red. The Chimei-tekina kekkan wear gold.

Granted Divine Powers

Depending on the specific gods teachings they follow they are blessed with an abilities in line with their power.

Political Influence & Intrigue

The Akuma no Kunshu have lost all political power but they do not care, they do not seek power only freedom.
The Chimei-tekina kekkan hold some power as they are under the thumb of the high minister.

Sects

The Chimei-tekina kekkan and the Akuma no Kunshu

The 12 will bring us back to freedom

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

The old gods

Demonym

A 12 follower

Deities

• Amaterasu - The god of the Stars
• An Gal Ta - The god of Light
• Diakoptis - The god of shadow
• Domus Illustrius - The god of Lightning
• Haine - The god of fire
• Melammu - God of the Earth
• Skadi - God of Ice
• Sneferu Iteru - The god of Water
• Uomo Universale - God of Life
• Vasavi - The god of Death
• Volkermord - The god of decay