The Manifold Path
"And thus were the Nine Divines heralded, each with their place in the heavens, ruling over the disparate domains of Arcanorum. Then from horizons beyond the Ascendant, Linred, arrived: a Divine not yet born, yet eternal.
Thus it was shown that supplication to the Divine was possible without singling out a Deity: even the Deities, once thought ever-present, might come and go, and the heavens might shift and churn, but the order of the universe was eternal: Divine above, mortal below, each serving their own place in the cosmos.
And so we worship the Divine as a whole, rather than a single figurehead. The Aspects of Divinity serve mortals as we serve the Divine, in a great Circle…"
Description
"Endure not a dry throat, empty stomach, weary head, empty home, or an enemy’s wrath. To thrive requires constant change. It is the realm of the foolish to ignore powers that can aid or hinder our every step."
The Worshippers of the Manifold Path believe that no single Deity can claim to be perfection in all things. While they have a domain with appropriate strengths to maintain dominance within it, a mortal’s life is mercurial: within a day’s time a mortal's needs may shift from being hungry, needing strength, requiring shelter, or craving peace. There is no God with a domain so broad as to capture and quell all those needs.
Thus, the leadership of the Manifold Path chose to beseech the Gods for their aid in a way that had not been done before: instead of adhering to a single God’s preferences and following the tenets of one devotion, offerings would be made to the entire pantheon of Gods in the hope of currying all of their favor.
As one might expect, it would be impossible to secure the blessings of all Gods at once, however, consistent devotion shown to all would at least maintain their favor, with focus applied with elaborate rituals when a stronger blessing was needed.
Followers of The Manifold Path understand they will never carry blessings as strong as the faithful with a singular focus to their God, but they will be able to curry favor for a particular Deity whose strengths align with their current cause.
Conflicts naturally arise with these practices. Not all Gods get along, causing strife and backlash from time to time. However, the followers of this Religion attempt to pay homage in their own ways, placating the greater beings until true favors must be asked of them.
History
Tenets of Faith
- The Level Field: No God shall be raised up above all others, each shall be given their due, and respect for their domain acknowledged.
- The Divine Chorus: No God’s reverence shall be left fallow. Each Deity is worthy of prayer and supplication in the face of mortal need.
- The Shrine of the Manifold Path: A Shrine shall be constructed, tended, and given prayer to, such that those that might aid us may hear us.
- The Divine Order: While no God may rise above the rest, they are ascendant above mortals, and attempts to bring the Gods low, or elevate mortals to the Divine are heresy.
- A Token of Faith: The Manifold Path requires the careful balance of many conflicting ideologies, but none may rise above the Path itself. Carry with you a token of our faith, both symbolic and conduit for divine power.
Worship
Observing Faith
The Manifold has priests like any other faith, however the burden of knowledge is arguably much greater than other religions. Devotees of Voxus would argue their depth of knowledge of The Great Watcher is much greater than any ‘casual worshiper’ among the Manifold. In practice, this is true for many. ‘Specialties’ and focuses are natural occurrences amongst the leaders of flocks, though there is a constant, unyielding pressure from one’s peers to expand their knowledge to fully understand the breadth of the Divine. True devotees, or the fanatical, will strive to know all about those they worship
With the above taken into account, priests of the Manifold Path will have a multi-purpose Shrine where they can hold sermons and pay homage to the pantheon of Gods as a whole. Typical sermons will speak to the flock’s current situation, highlighting the areas certain Gods may influence their situation, and preaching the importance of reverence to those Deities who cannot help… as they may be relevant tomorrow.
Extreme situations require more focused supplication.
During times of crisis or great need, the priest of the Manifold Path may alter both their Shrine and the tone of their sermon. Focusing their efforts and words towards the ideals of a specific Deity, they can draw the attention of the God for a short period of time. During this period, the followers of the Manifold Path are indistinguishable from the most fervent advocates of the God’s primary religion. The devotees strive to embody the chosen Deity’s virtues and will, proving their favor is deserved.
Light and Dark
For good or ill, followers of the Manifold Path show devotion and offer supplication to all Gods. This draws ire from all faiths in one form or another, as clear camps have formed over the centuries, and lines of loyalty are not to be crossed.
This provides an interesting challenge for adherents of the faith to be able to stay true to their teachings while avoiding negative attention from peers, magistrates, or community leaders. It is easy to fall into a trap of defending that which is indefensible, or abandoning one’s faith to avoid trouble. Both have negative repercussions, be they physical or spiritual.
Criticism
The Manifold Path draws external criticism from a number of angles. Purists of other religions see the Manifold Path as ‘fair weather friends’ to the Divine, paying lip service to get results, but showing no true devotion to any. Others warn about the Manifold Path, for a devout priest preaches supplication to all Gods… even those who do not mix well in polite company.
In truth, there are a mix of these stereotypes in every congregation. The Manifold Path attracts those who do not have a fanatical belief in any one God, and see the convenience in offering praise across the spectrum as a way to cover all of one’s bases. Devotees to darker Gods who do not wish a life of ostracism also tend to make inroads with the Manifold, for they can mask their true preferences as part of a greater mosaic of faith.
Truly faithful members do not look at the Manifold as a catch all, but rather the only proper way to raise your voice to the heavens. After all, how arrogant is it to presume a single Deity has the best intentions and the ability to execute on their plans at all times. Realms of influence exist for a reason, and to expect more from the Divine is willful ignorance.
Newer converts typically quickly adopt the majority of the pantheon… though attending and offering more than lip service to the less palatable Gods typically takes time and greater understanding of the faith. However, as devotees become more mature in their adoption of the Path, they embrace the concept that shadows only exist when there is light, stealing for a hungry child may not be immoral, and that which is chaos for the fly is order and survival for the spider. The Eye is a complicated web, and the Manifold seeks to understand all of the threads and learn to weave them into a beautiful tapestry.
Priesthood
Credence Imani - The Protean Pastor
While Credence was not one of the foundational members of the Manifold Path, she is credited for its rapid expansion when it was still struggling to maintain a foothold outside of Edos.
With a reputation as mercurial as her style of preaching, Credence moves with equal measures of confidence and care, knowing she has made many enemies along her path. Regardless of threats to her safety, the Protean Pastor finds her way from place to place, seeking out members of a Deities flock who need guidance, regardless of whether or not they are members of The Sundry.
What caused Credence to become such an influential figure was the philosophy that each Religion is simply a focus for the Manifold Path, not an opposition or refusal of its beliefs. If an adherent of The Highlord needs aid, it doesn’t necessarily mean they oppose the Guardians, nor would they persecute The Ember Light. They simply have a sharper focus on the needs of The Sun Crowned, and should be cultivated to see Lord Aeterius’ will seem manifest.
Pastor Imani applied this philosophy across the faiths, offering sermons and supplication to each congregation’s God(s), showing an equal and fervent devotion to each. This had a multitude of effects.
First, it endeared adherents of the religion Credence preached to, as she showed a thorough knowledge and interest in their deity, and provided guidance that helped them more closely hold to their faith. These individuals became favorable to Credence despite her different religion, as she showed proper respect to their beliefs.
Second, it recruited members to the Manifold Path. Those who were not as devout as their peers, either due to lack of faith or philosophical friction with the tenets of their faith, saw an opportunity in the Manifold Path to align themselves with a path more fitting to them.
Finally, it created enemies. While a congregation may be endeared to a Pastor after hearing a passionate sermon about their deity, learning that same individual oversaw a midnight sacrifice a week later for a tribe ready to invade their righteous city is enough to inflame passions and thoughts of revenge for perceived blasphemy and treachery.
Credence stepped carefully, moving through regions with a fluidity matching her faith, spreading reverent words and picking up a flock of followers
"None Above All"
Official Name: The Manifold Path
Primary Eye: Arcanorum
Accent: None
Qualifier: “Follower of The Manifold Path”
Leader Title: Pathwalker
Population: ~1,136,000
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
~ Dylan Thomas