Blades of Solaris
Solaris was once a man, but upon slaying the god Iatus during the siege of Esari he ascended to godhood. There, he forged 4 swords which he bestowed upon the world. Since his rise to godhood he has been worshipped as a champion of the people, and his push to bestow both magical power and the blades has propelled his pantheon into one of the most widely worshipped.
Mythology & Lore
During the rebellion against the Pale Elves, and the Siege of Esari, the elvish god of war Iatus descended into the material plane to break the siege. During his havoc, the young lord Solaris of Oldstone bravely slew the god at the cost of his own life. Those on the battlefield wept for his sacrifice, and prayed not for him but to him. And Solaris ascended to Elysia as a god. It's said he briefly reemerged on the battlefield, breaking the walls of Esari and ending the war.
When Solaris entered Elysia, he was challenged by Iatus to combat. They would fight again, this time in a fair one on one. The loser would be sent hurtling down into the pits of Perdition and forced to be chained for all eternity. To prepare, Solaris forged the sword Godtaker. And the two fought for days on end. It's said Solaris took the winning blow handily, taking the arm of Iatus and sending him to the chains of Hell.
Losing his faith in the gods around him Elysia, Solaris instead turned to the forge and poured himself into the creation of 4 blades. Lament, Mercy, Convergence, and Guardian. These blades represent his ideals and tenets. They were crafted with bits of his soul, granted sentience, designed to be wielded by mortals, and are considered gods.
Solaris entered the material plane, watching out for those would make fine bearers of his blades and handed them out. These first chosen would be elevated to minor gods. Those who would pick up the swords after and be worthy of them would be saints.
Tenets of Faith
The Blades preach acceptance of strife and to overcome it, to choose violence only when no other option is present, and to love one another. Each sword represents something in unto itself, but all come together to guide a person towards happiness. One is to never harm the innocent, never judge anothers mistakes and choices, be wary of those who rule, and to protect the ones they love.
Worship
The middle of the week is important for the Blades. A chance to reflect and change before the week can end, and so Welsday is the favoured day for prayer in church. Churchs are spread throughout the lands of Requiem and Vanreth, and it's considered a sin to worship a blade in the church of a different blade. However, prayer to Solaris can be done in any place of worship.
Sects
Each of the 4 blades have developed followings throughout the years. Sects dedicated to them alone, forsaking the others and sometimes even Solaris are uncommon but do exist. These are often far more violent, and preach very differently and in dangerous ways.
By the Blades
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Leader
Deities
Divines
Controlled Territories
