Adamas Faithful
Overview
The Adamas Faithful is the largest and most structured religious order devoted to the worship of Adamas, the Gandur of Order, Time, and Space. It is a meticulously organized institution, mirroring the god’s own ethos of structure, discipline, and inevitability. While many temples and minor sects venerate other Gandur and Aimur, the Adamas Faithful holds unique authority, especially within the Nathas Empire, where it has become the Imperially-sanctioned faith.
Their central belief is that Adamas did not cause The Fall out of malice, but out of cosmic necessity—an act of painful but calculated sacrifice to preserve the integrity of the universe. To the Faithful, Adamas is the keystone of reality, and through him, the universe maintains its cohesion.
Organizational Structure
- The Hierophant of Hours – The supreme leader of the faith, often believed to be chosen through omens in celestial alignments. They are responsible for interpreting divine will from the movements of the stars and signs in time.
- The Council of Chronomancers – High-ranking clergy known for their intense study of time, order, and cosmic phenomena. They oversee scripture, ritual alignment, and intertemporal matters.
- Archivists of the Infinite – A scholarly order within the faith, responsible for recording all historical events, celestial patterns, and prophetic timelines. Often function as advisors to kings or empires.
- Wardens of Adamas – Guardians of sacred temples and constructs, often also acting as militant protectors of order.
- Sandbearers – The local priests, monks, and lay clergy who tend to everyday worship, lead community rituals, and maintain public records and calendars.
Holidays & Observances
- Creation Day (Empire-sanctioned): Celebrated annually at the exact planetary alignment of The Fall. Temples host a great ritual reenactment of cosmic events, with massive hourglasses turned by hand.
- The Starfall Vigil – A night-long observance during a specific meteor shower, believed to be when Adamas communes with the faithful through the “tears of the cosmos.”
- The Measure of Light – A festival held during solstice when shadow and light are most distinct. Clergy interpret the alignment of duality as a sign of balance in the coming season.
Political and Cultural Influence
- Within the Nathas Empire, the Faithful act as timekeepers, civil judges, and advisors to leadership. Their presence in governance lends the Empire a reputation for stability, but critics whisper of spiritual overreach.
- The Faithful's emphasis on structure, order, and documentation has made their libraries some of the most advanced in the world—housing records stretching back to pre-Fall eras, guarded fiercely.
- Adamas Faithful clergy are often sought out to resolve disputes, both civil and arcane, due to their perceived neutrality and rational detachment.
