Gaea Divided
The followers of the older version of Gaeanism from before the establishment of the Divinate, they believe in the icons of Gaea, colloquially called the Gaea Divided, and rarely if ever worship Gaea as a single entity. Divisionists also believe Diabla has different icons that emphasize different sins. Their holy text is a series of ancient holy scripts written by anonymous prophetesses called the First Canticle. Followers of Gaea Undivided often call the Divisionists Iconophiles.
The most revered icons are as follows:
The Mother: The most popular icon of Gaea, the Mother is the patron of farmers of both animals and crops. The Mother is often depicted with outstretched arms and a simple tunic. Her symbol is a sickle crossed with a shepherd’s crook.
The Stormcaller: One of the icons most commonly worshiped in the Free Cities, the Stormcaller is the patron of sailors and fishers, although many who live by the sea worship her as well. The Stormcaller is often depicted with an oar staring gravely into the distance. Her symbol is a wave with a lightning bolt.
The Warden: The icon often worshiped by soldiers, the Warden is the patron of all who take up arms in the name of the heavens. The Warden is often depicted with a spear. Her symbol is the crossguard of a sword.
The Architect: The icon worshiped often by forward thinking and inventive Gaeans, the Architect is the patron of engineering and science. The Architect is often depicted with a book. Her symbol is an open eye in a maze.
Other Icons: The Hospitalier, the Lightbearer, the Oathbinder, the Huntress, the Guardian, the Harbinger, and others.
Each country that worships Gaea Divided has a High Priestess that governs the ecclesiastical structure of the religion within their borders. In some highly centralized states such as Malvan the High Priestess is appointed by the ruler, and in others such as the Marches the local Priesthood chooses their own leaders. Men are not allowed in any part of the priesthood of Gaea Divided, and are prohibited from leading prayers in religious ceremonies. Taking precedence from ancient tradition, Churches of Gaea Divided contain priests that specialize in melee combat, rather than being simple spellcasters. These are known as members of the military order called the Magisterium, and their Magisters often serve a defensive or ceremonial role. In the war-torn duchies of the Marches though, the Magisterium is a political and military force of their own, intervening in conflicts and overthrowing rulers.
Saint Gregorius: A smaller tradition of the Church of Gaea Divided, the admirers of Gregorius Metilia venerate the fallen Co-Emperor of the Nevarine Empire and last wielder of the fabled Imperatrix Hammer (See: History of the Human Realms). Seen as the most accomplished soldier the Empire had seen since Domitia the Great, Gregorius’ victory against the first prophetess of Gaea Undivided and martyrdom at the hands of the second secured him a modest following among the adherents of Gaea Divided. They say that upon his death, the Warden herself lifted Gregorius up to serve as her saintly champion in Paradise. Those that venerate him are mainly men of martial persuasion, and they keep litanies and relics dedicated to the fallen warrior.
The most revered icons are as follows:
The Mother: The most popular icon of Gaea, the Mother is the patron of farmers of both animals and crops. The Mother is often depicted with outstretched arms and a simple tunic. Her symbol is a sickle crossed with a shepherd’s crook.
The Stormcaller: One of the icons most commonly worshiped in the Free Cities, the Stormcaller is the patron of sailors and fishers, although many who live by the sea worship her as well. The Stormcaller is often depicted with an oar staring gravely into the distance. Her symbol is a wave with a lightning bolt.
The Warden: The icon often worshiped by soldiers, the Warden is the patron of all who take up arms in the name of the heavens. The Warden is often depicted with a spear. Her symbol is the crossguard of a sword.
The Architect: The icon worshiped often by forward thinking and inventive Gaeans, the Architect is the patron of engineering and science. The Architect is often depicted with a book. Her symbol is an open eye in a maze.
Other Icons: The Hospitalier, the Lightbearer, the Oathbinder, the Huntress, the Guardian, the Harbinger, and others.
Each country that worships Gaea Divided has a High Priestess that governs the ecclesiastical structure of the religion within their borders. In some highly centralized states such as Malvan the High Priestess is appointed by the ruler, and in others such as the Marches the local Priesthood chooses their own leaders. Men are not allowed in any part of the priesthood of Gaea Divided, and are prohibited from leading prayers in religious ceremonies. Taking precedence from ancient tradition, Churches of Gaea Divided contain priests that specialize in melee combat, rather than being simple spellcasters. These are known as members of the military order called the Magisterium, and their Magisters often serve a defensive or ceremonial role. In the war-torn duchies of the Marches though, the Magisterium is a political and military force of their own, intervening in conflicts and overthrowing rulers.
Saint Gregorius: A smaller tradition of the Church of Gaea Divided, the admirers of Gregorius Metilia venerate the fallen Co-Emperor of the Nevarine Empire and last wielder of the fabled Imperatrix Hammer (See: History of the Human Realms). Seen as the most accomplished soldier the Empire had seen since Domitia the Great, Gregorius’ victory against the first prophetess of Gaea Undivided and martyrdom at the hands of the second secured him a modest following among the adherents of Gaea Divided. They say that upon his death, the Warden herself lifted Gregorius up to serve as her saintly champion in Paradise. Those that venerate him are mainly men of martial persuasion, and they keep litanies and relics dedicated to the fallen warrior.
Religions
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