Followers of the Thalador
The organized religion of The Reikvaldt, the Followers have a presence in every city, every village, and every hamlet within The Empire. At least as old as The Empire, the Followers' priests are skilled advisers and healers who use their divine magic for the betterment of the world. That does not, however, mean that they are soft or weak. The Followers support multiple Imperial Orders who root out heresy and witchcraft throughout The Empire.
The Followers have eyes and ears everywhere within the Empire, and even beyond, making it their business to ensure that the spiritual well being of Imperial citizens is seen too, as is their physical well being from more mystical threats. It would be naïve to assume that all within the Followers are good people, but it is equally cynical to argue that what they are doing is wrong, after seeing the destruction that the Waves bring, or the tragedies of the Demon's Head or the Siege of Ionith.
Mythology & Lore
In the ancient past was the Theomachy, when the Thalador, the Fallen Gods, and the Galadron all stood against what came from the Far Beyond. To save humanity from destruction, the Thalador sealed off the mortal and immortal realms, creating a priesthood to watch over the now guide-less peoples of Asperia. To keep the peace in heaven however, every cycle, a group of angels and demons are allowed to enter the mortal plane, these are the waves, and it is for this reason that the priesthood of the Thalador must be ever vigilant and watchful, lest the demons and their servants wreak destruction on the land.
Divine Origins
The Followers of the Thalador have been protecting the faithful for as long as the wheel has turned. Though humble, the church has watched over all since the time of the First Wave, but as each Wave is more destructive than the last, so to the Followers must become more ready to do what must be done to prevent the destruction of the world.
Cosmological Views
Asperia exists as an axis, along which the realms connect, thus the protection of Asperia is the protection of all the realms. As the axis turns, so to does time itself, as a wheel does, it is to the protection of the wheel that the Followers bend their attention.
Tenets of Faith
Though those who revere different gods have different individual beliefs and commandments, there is a central belief that is adhered to by all the faithful:
As the wheels turns,
and as time fades,
at the height of the world,
that we may remember,
that we may reclaim,
far away,
long ago,
that which was taken,
that which we lost,
through hands that were idle,
through eyes that were blinded,
in our salvation,
in our destiny,
for when that which was forgotten,
and that which was destroyed,
for that which can no more be,
when the eyes are open,
when the heart believes,
the voice shall call out,
and the world will fall.
No one knows what this mantra truly means, it dates to the earliest days of the Followers, and it is not uncommon for the diviners to repeat it as part of a prophesy, but it's meaning has eluded theologians and speakers for nearly fifteen centuries. Despite this, it is typically included as a part of many ceremonies as one of the most important beliefs within the Followers.
As the wheels turns,
and as time fades,
at the height of the world,
that we may remember,
that we may reclaim,
far away,
long ago,
that which was taken,
that which we lost,
through hands that were idle,
through eyes that were blinded,
in our salvation,
in our destiny,
for when that which was forgotten,
and that which was destroyed,
for that which can no more be,
when the eyes are open,
when the heart believes,
the voice shall call out,
and the world will fall.
No one knows what this mantra truly means, it dates to the earliest days of the Followers, and it is not uncommon for the diviners to repeat it as part of a prophesy, but it's meaning has eluded theologians and speakers for nearly fifteen centuries. Despite this, it is typically included as a part of many ceremonies as one of the most important beliefs within the Followers.
Priesthood
All who wish to become priests are allowed to begin their education, typically at age 12, however not all become full fledged priests. Often a prospective priest will instead become what is known as a "non-parish cleric", these include educational clerics, medical clerics, librarians, battle priests, diviners, augurs, and the zuvem, the grave watchers.
Training typically lasts ten to twelve years, after which you are appointed to a position within your order. Certain sub-orders have more specialized training practices. For example, the Vigilants accept anyone who is willing to undergo their trials and take the oath, whereas the Dawn Knights only recruit from within certain other orders. The transfer between orders is rare, though not unknown, especially for older priests who wish to retire from a more active lifestyle.
Priests of the Thalador are often distinguished by the pendant they wear, a symbol of the Thalador that mark them as agents of the church. Priests are also often seen wearing long brown or black robes, a traditional garb associated with Arkay, the eldest god, though in recent years that has been replaced by more brightly colored blue and red robes.
Training typically lasts ten to twelve years, after which you are appointed to a position within your order. Certain sub-orders have more specialized training practices. For example, the Vigilants accept anyone who is willing to undergo their trials and take the oath, whereas the Dawn Knights only recruit from within certain other orders. The transfer between orders is rare, though not unknown, especially for older priests who wish to retire from a more active lifestyle.
Priests of the Thalador are often distinguished by the pendant they wear, a symbol of the Thalador that mark them as agents of the church. Priests are also often seen wearing long brown or black robes, a traditional garb associated with Arkay, the eldest god, though in recent years that has been replaced by more brightly colored blue and red robes.
As body to mind and soul, so unity to faith and purpose
Founding Date
Estimated Year 52 of the Current Age
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Church of the Divines
Demonym
Follower
Leader
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Permeated Organizations
Location
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