Church of the Moons

Overview

General

The church is the main religion in the South Western area of Alben in the Blue Forest region. It revolves around the two twin moons that rule over the skies. Focusing on the duality of existence the church it's self is divided, into two parts that work together and are equally important.

History

People have worshipped the moons since the beginning of known history. They rule over the land at night and their brought with in many different legends and ceremonies revolving around the Lunar cycle. It was only in the middle of the first century after the Nelantus Explosion it was consolidated into a more official form. It was quickly made into the official religion of the Kingdom of Edral in hopes to provide stability to the nation, which it has. And in juction with the state has made Edral into the center of culture that it is today.

Structure

Split Church

The church has a duel existence like that of the moons they worship. While they work together under one banner, and serve the people, they act as two separate churches one of light and one of darkness. Both of these sides operate under a High Priest, these two work together as the head of the church similarly to how Edral's Co-Monarch system works. There are buildings specific to each side of the church, however most temples will have memers of both sides there to preform services.

Church of the Light Moon

The first of the two sides to the Church of the moon is the Church of the Light Moon, which as it's name suggests focuses on the white almost blueish moon, whose cycle is short only 34 days long. It is this side of the church that focuses on life, beauty, and change. They teach of the fragility and beauty of life how it is special. It also teaches of it's flexibility, that things in the world do and will change.

Church of the Dark Moon

The second of the sides of the Church is that of the Dark Moon, who focus on the Darker gray moon, whose had a longer cycle of 46 days. This side of the church is focused on death, strength, and relationships. They teach of the endurance of the world, and how though thing may die they are not truly lost. They also teach of how strong people, and relationships can be.

Members

The officials of the church come is different types, there are the High Priests at the top and then acolytes at the bottom with different ranks in between. Each with different roles and responsibilities the fallowing are the ranks in the church including the responsibilities and way to achieve the rank.

High Priest: the leaders of the religion, there is only ever two (one form each side of the church) at a time.They are responsible to overseeing the whole church and dealing with any major problems. If there is any new church or temples built you need to approval of the High Priests. When a High Priest dies, a new one is chosen from the current Deacons.

Deacon: Deacons are in charge of a whole area, this is either a city or a area of more rural towns. There are usually about ten to twenty religious buildings located in a Deacons region power. They are the main ones that deal with problems in their area. Deacons choose their own successor, which has to be from the priests in their region.

Archpriest: An Archpriest in in charge of a whole church or a temple. They manage the personal and upkeep as well and make sure that they are offering the appropriate services. An Archpriest is appointed by a Deacon, and is subject to change based on the locals Deacon's will but is always a local priest of the church

Teacher: Teacher is less of a formal rank within the church and more of a job. They are the ones in charge of teaching the Acolytes, as well as spreading the messages of the church to the people. They are the priests that you see doing most of the sermons. You have to be formally trained to be a teacher, by going Alzuth and learning to proper way to teach the faith.

Judges: Judges are officials in the church appointed by the Deacons in the area. They are in charge of legal sentencing in the area in which they preside, there is usually one per ever 300 citizens though it could be significantly less then that in isolated areas.

Priest: Priests are the most common rank in the church, they have a large range of jobs based on the buildings that they work at, they will do anything from preforming weddings, to reading the moons, to burials. The only requirement is to have been in the church for five years and show yourself to be devoted.

Acolyte: The starting rank in the religion, they are mostly responsible to the upkeep of the temples and buildings as well as attending sermons, anyone may join as an acolyte.

The Church and State

The Church of the Moons is the official religion of the state, and it also has a lot power in the government including being able to put up laws. They are the only form of judges in the Edral and the Judges in the church pass all the criminal sentences in correspondence to the laws.

Practices

General Worship

Most members of the church will go to a temple at least one a week, there is no official day of warship each week. But teachers in the church will hold sermons on different days depending on the moon cycles. But some people just come to pray in solitude. Most followers of the faith will either go to a temple that has both churches in it or will alternate based on which moon is in it's fuller face at any given week. Churches are closed whenever the associated moon is new.

Major Events

Births, marriages, and deaths are the major moments in most people lives, and these are also very much involved with the church.

Birth: The Birth Ceremony is one of the most practice religious ceremonies, is where a child gets it's name. This only has to take place at night near water, there are many specialized buildings just for this, these Birth Temples are in most major cities with the biggest being the Birth Temple in Alzuth.

Marriage: Marriage in an important life event for most Albenis. It happened at night typically during a full moon for one of the two moons, though not always. In this ceremony a priest from both sides of the church will bind the pairs hands together with a ribbon representing their moon. Blessing the couple with both the ability to compromise, and the strength of a life long bond.

Death: The burial ceremony for the church is simple, they are married at the roots of a tree as the moon sets. The mourners wear dark grays representing the Dark Moon, and continue to do so for a week after the burial.

Other Ceremonies

The other two main dates in the Church are the Night of no Moons which both moons are new where no one goes outside, and the Great Lunar Festal where both moons are full and there are great celebrations all night and the Great Blue Moon Tower glows blue all over the Blue Forest.

The grace of the two moons watches over us all.

Founding Date

Around 50 PM

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

The Lunar Faith

Permeated Organizations

• Kingdom of Edral

Location

Blue Forest

Controlled Territories

• Birth Temple of Alzuth

Related Myths

• Night of no Moons