Templum De Sanguis Sitis

Overview

Zagan, once a powerful and revered Aimur God, is now a figure of dark legend and terrifying authority. He was born from the union of Baladax, God of Magic and Elements, Adamas, The God of Order and Time, and Lilith, Goddess of Darkness and Shadow. As the second Aimur to be brought into existence, Zagan is the God of Blood, Bone, and Strength. He ruled over primal forces—blood, endurance, and physical might—embodying the terrifying power that comes from both the life-giving essence of blood and the sacrifice that can be demanded to gain power.

However, Zagan's immense pride and ambition led him to challenge the will of the Gandur, the Old Gods, attempting to seize greater power and dominion over Alandris. This defiance angered the celestial pantheon, particularly his father, Adamas, and as punishment for his refusal to sacrifice his own followers, Zagan and his eight Demi-God children were cast into Hell. Zagan himself became the ruler of the Ninth Circle, where he and his progeny were transformed into Daemon Dukes, twisted and corrupted beings that defied the natural order.

Despite being condemned and erased by the greater pantheon, Zagan's worship continues among the Fen'Ur people. They view Zagan not as a punished deity but as a symbol of defiance, survival, and ultimate strength—qualities that were earned through his rebellion and exile. Zagan’s influence extends to the creation of vampires, with the first vampire being a woman named Nadra Zalgiris, whose transformation was a direct act of Zagan’s blasphemous defiance of the natural order. His followers believe that through blood magic, they can tap into the power of Zagan and gain strength, mastery over life and death, and the means to challenge the world itself.

Religious Hierarchy

Religious Hierarchy
The religious structure of Templum De Sanguis Sitis is heavily theocratic, with leadership rooted in both spiritual authority and the raw strength that Zagan embodies. The hierarchy is as follows:

The Grand Sanguinus – A rare and uniquely blessed individual who is said to be chosen directly by Zagan, imbued with the divine power of blood. The Grand Sanguinus is revered as the highest authority within the faith, a leader who wields incredible strength, both physical and spiritual, and is considered to be the closest mortal incarnation of Zagan. Only a few Grand Sanguini have existed in history, and their presence is seen as a divine omen of great change or catastrophe.
The Heirophants – Three high-ranking priests who rule over the Fen'Ur and serve as the primary spiritual guides of the nation. These Heirophants represent the trifold nature of Zagan's power: Blood, Bone, and Strength. They are responsible for interpreting Zagan's will, conducting the most sacred rituals, and ensuring the people remain loyal to Zagan’s teachings. The Heirophants are seen as the second closest connection to the divine, revered as mortal conduits of Zagan’s power in the absence of their Grand Sanguinus.
The Blood Priests – These priests perform the most sacred rituals and ceremonies, particularly those involving blood magic, sacrifice, and strength trials. They are the leaders of local worship and spiritual guidance, maintaining the faith and ensuring the continued devotion of the people. Blood Priests often hold positions of great power in Fen'Ur society, respected not only for their connection to Zagan but also for their physical prowess.
The Crimson Chosen – Elite warriors and fighters who serve as the personal enforcers of Zagan’s will. They are the fiercest, most battle-hardened followers who undergo intense trials to prove their worth. The Crimson Chosen are often dispatched to enforce the laws of Zagan, ensuring that the nation remains strong, focused, and obedient to Zagan’s doctrine of survival through strength.
The Acolytes of Blood – Initiates and novices who are training to become full members of the faith. They undergo rigorous physical, spiritual, and magical training, learning to perform rituals, study blood magic, and embrace the path of strength that Zagan embodies. Once they prove their worth through trials, they ascend to become Blood Priests or join the ranks of the Crimson Chosen.

Holidays

Holidays
The central holiday of Templum De Sanguis Sitis is the Feast of Bones, a ceremonial celebration where followers gather to honor the strength and endurance granted to them by Zagan. It is a time of blood rituals, feasts, and trials of strength.

Feast of Bones – This is the most significant holiday, where Zagan’s followers commemorate the power of blood and sacrifice. During the Feast of Bones, sacrifices are made, often involving combat trials or the offering of blood through ritualistic sacrifice. Afterward, the bones of the sacrificed are consumed by the faithful in a symbolic gesture of absorbing their strength. The feast also includes ritualistic combat, where warriors prove their might and test their endurance. It is both a sacred and brutal event, with the strongest proving their worth as the true heirs to Zagan’s power.
The Trial of Strength – A celebration of physical endurance and combat prowess, this ritual occurs periodically, often during major celestial events, to honor Zagan’s domains of strength and power. It involves a series of increasingly difficult trials, each testing different aspects of strength—endurance, combat skill, and pain tolerance. The strongest individuals are celebrated and gain significant prestige within Fen'Ur society.

Political & Cultural Influence

Templum De Sanguis Sitis holds unparalleled political influence in Fen'Ur, as the nation is deeply theocratic, and Zagan’s worship is woven into every aspect of life. The Heirophants, as the spiritual leaders of the nation, hold significant sway over both the daily lives of the people and the actions of the ruling government.

Political Influence:
The three Heirophants are the supreme leaders of Fen'Ur, and they not only guide the spiritual and religious direction of the nation but also play crucial roles in governance and military strategy. They ensure that the Fen'Ur remain strong, independent, and focused on the pursuit of power through sacrifice and strength. The Heirophants oversee the selection of new Grand Sanguinus, the most powerful among Zagan’s followers, whose presence is seen as an omen of great significance for the nation.
Cultural Influence:
The culture of Fen'Ur revolves around strength, sacrifice, and survival. Ritualistic combat and blood magic are integral parts of daily life, and the Fen'Ur people honor Zagan’s ideals by focusing on personal growth through physical and spiritual challenges. Warfare and battle prowess are highly revered, and the society is structured in a way that rewards those who prove themselves to be the strongest. The worship of Zagan has shaped Fen'Ur into a fierce, independent nation where the weak are seen as expendable, and only those with the strength to survive thrive.