The Church of Light
Main religion of Nvek and Phiero worships the damned.
The Righteous Truths
These are the ethical and religious directives that are established in the Church of Light. They are:
Preserve that which you have been given
For there is no Light without Darkness, so embrace the complete within
Blessed be that which strengthens you
Provide for those who cannot
Honor where thy started
Promote the well deserved
Build up the society you stand in
Do no harm, even unto those most deserving
Remember all are equal in blood and bone
Do not pass judgement before truly seeing
Do not hold onto anger for it is the soul's poison
There are 16 houses within the Church of Light that each follow one of the Damned. They each have their own priests and high priest, yet there is only one supreme high priest that governs all 16 houses. Each house is built to represent their Damned and is supposed to be their holy resting place on Caladrius.
The House of Kium
The House of Kium is one of the larger temples within Nvek. It is the Temple of Life and is open to all, whether they are members of the church or not. The House of Kium provides free medical care to all those in need and assist in various welfare programs throughout Phiero and Nvek. The Temple itself is very clean and pristine, with altars to Kium spread throughout. The Symbol of Kium is hung from the ceiling declaring that all are welcome. There is no violence allowed within the temple, and sanctuary can be granted to anyone in need. The temple also has tombs of important religious figures as a symbol of life ending.The House of Kmoiuy
The House of Kmouiuy is the other largest temple within Nvek. Due to the significance of Kmoiuy in Nvek's history, it is also welcome to all. The temple is built from white stone and has many open windows, allowing constant airflow as tribute to Kmoiuy. The priests within the temple wear loose robes, preferring to allow the breeze to flow through them. On the anniversary of the day Nvek was raised into the air, the temple has a large celebration that spreads throughout the city. All are welcome and the major government officials are at the temple with the priests to honor Kmoiuy.
The House of Kyv-Potri
The House of Kyv-potri is only open to its followers at night, when they are in the light of the moon. There is a large opening in the ceiling to allow the light of the moon to flood the temple. The priests of Kyv-Potri wear silver robes that shine in the light of a full moon. On the nights of a full moon, all priests and followers are gathered within the temple, to pray beneath it.The House of Qyrroi-Potri
The House of Qyrroi-Potri is made of golden stone and is lined with lots of windows. The windows throughout the temple are stained with different colors that allow the sun to paint the temple in various colors throughout the day. There is a large opening in the ceiling to allow the rays of the sun to shine within the temple. The temple is only open during the day and is mainly inhabited by followers of Qyrroi. There are also many depictions of the The Sun Princess throughout the temple as she is believed to be Qyrroi's daughter.The House of Crigh-Teio
The House of Crigh-Teio is made of a deep rich wood. The temple is open to all as knowledge is meant to be shared, and all are encouraged to learn. The majority of the temple is made of large bookshelves encasing thousands of years of knowledge. Children in schools are often taken there to study under the priests. The House of Crigh is very involved with the young citizens of Nvek, often participating in many school activities to encourage them to learn about the world. Those who do join the House of Crigh, are often the brightest within Phiero and study not just one, but many different disciplines.The House of Gelru
The House of Gelru is only open to their followers and is a large dark green temple. The priests hold the historical records within the city and to gain access, you must have the approval of the paxoral or the high priest. The priests wear thick hooded robes with the symbol of Gelru around each of their necks. On the walls of the temple are historical depictions of events that have taken place throughout Nvek's history. One of their most beloved traditions, is on the beginning of every year, the priests all sing and you can hear teir song throughout the city. The beginning of the priest's song marks the beginning of the new year and many gather outside the temple walls to hear them sing. They sing of hope for good fortune, they also sing of major events that happened within the last year. They pray to Gelru that they and the citizens of Nvek will not be forgotten to time and to always protect them. They view aging as a wonderful sign, as it means you have had more time alive and will one day rejoin Gelru in the afterlife.The House of Zaq
The House of Zaq is a small wooden temple only open to its followers and members of the Nvek government. The temple holds all maps of Nvek, Phiero, and the rest of Caladrius. It is said to be full of many hidden chambers that as a new priest, you are challenged to find all of them. It is one of the smallest houses of the Church of Light and is often overlooked. The priests of Zaq wear travelling robes of brown with a compass hanging from their necks.The House of Hyv-Teio
The House of Hyv-Teio is made up of metal and resembles a skyscraper. It is filled with various different metals and the priests of Hyv-Teio wear bands of different metals around their arms to remind them of their service to Hyv. The priests of Hyv are very skilled metal smiths and the new followers are considered apprentices. They are given a band for every skill they've mastered and the more bands you have the higher your rank. The temple is responsible for forging lots of things needed within the city. They also supply lots of metal for The Airship and help build within the city. They have lots of trade with Endil because of they're large iron supply.The House of Fjuygh-Potri
The House of Fjuygh is a large temple built from sandstone that encompasses a quiet pool in the middle of the temple. There are many fountains throughout the grounds and within each room, there is a small tabletop fountain that is always running. The Priests wear loose robes of blue that resemble the water. The newest priests wear the lightest robes to represent the surface of the water where there is more light. The older priests wear robes of dark blue, representing the dark depths of the ocean where there are more nutrients and things are older. The colors represent that as you age you hold more information and wisdom, and become more like the deep sea. There is always music being played within the temple, it is said that Fjuygh enjoys listening to the sounds of whales and danaras singing within the depths, and the priests honor this by having music always playing. The priests are skilled in various instruments and newer members start learning an instrument of their choice so they can appease Fjuygh.The House of Trewq
The House of Trewq is a circular temple made of gray stone. The temple is able to open many of its walls for sunny days and then close them for stormy days. Sometimes, there may be a storm within the temple while it is a sunny day outside as the temple is enchanted to have its own weather system. The priests wear dakr robes of different fabrics and thickness depending on the weather within the temple. They wear lighter and looser robes when it is a warmer day inside the temple, and thicker darker robes when it is cooler or stormy inside. The temple is open to all, especially when there is a storm happening outside as they offer shelter for those in need. The temple also offers shelter for people affected by other aspects of life, not just weather.The House of Puy-Tres
The House of Puy-Tres is built of dark wood and forms a semi circle with the other half being the Temple of Pei-Tres. The priests of Puy-Tres wear robes of solid black and the walls are decorated with art of obsidian paint. The Temple of Puy-Tres is the least inhabited temples within Nvek and has the lowest number of followers within the church. The high priest is a member of the Nvek City Council as they play the "Devil's advocate" but they provide good insight into running the city. They offer many well fare programs for residents of Nvek and are always open to members and citizens. It is also one of the favorite temples of Ethan, especially when he was growing up in the city. The temple itself also looks beautiful during the height of day with the dark colors contrasting the bright sky.The House of Pei-Tres
The House of Pei-Tres is built of light wood and forms a semi circle with the other half being the Temple of Puy-Tres. The priests of Pei-Tres wear robes of white and the walls are decorated with silver. The Temple is widely popular during the day, yet looks beautiful during the night as the light pairs well with the light of the moon. The high priest is a member of the Nvek city council and are one of the city's most trusted members of government. Ther have sometimes been some scandals within the tmple, however the church has kept them mainly quiet and had the involved members removed.The House of Fjmnn-Potri
The House of Fjmnn-Potri is made of redwood and is a modest building with many gardens. It is always open to the public and is often filled with meditating priests or young children relaxing. There are many prayer spots within the temple as becoming in touch with one's innerself is of the utmost importance to the priests. The priests wear nice robes of red with long pants under neath of black. The black pants are a reminder to always be true to yourself as everyone has the ability to do bad and it is their job to acknowledge it and stop it. Most of the priests spend their day meditating and helping others find peace within. The temple also offers counseling services to those in need.The Temple of Dyu
The Temple of Dyu is made of a deep wood and has many towers. There are many stained glass windows depicting stories of Dyu throughout time, many of them being in purple. There are no statues of Dyu within the temple, however there are many works of art hanging on the walls. There are lots of books on spells and potions within the temple and all priests are taught how to wield the magic of Dyu. The priests wear dark robes of purple and are often sought out by people to help with various magical issues. The temple is closed to the public and is only accessible to members. The secrets of Dyu are closely guarded and the priests are also trained fighters. Ethan studied at the temple for a time once leaving the home as they helped him learn to control his powers. The priests boast that Dyu used to visit the temple before the banishing, however, many of the other houses are skeptical of that as Dyu is known to be very independent and closed off.The House of Strigho
The House of Strigho is made entirely of wood. The priests either wear green to represent the grass and leaves or dark brown to represent the soil and trunks. The older priests wear the robes of brown and the younger priest wear the robes of green. The temple has many gardens and greenhouses and the priests are all skilled gardeners. They help with lots of agricultural projects within the city and often plant trees throughout. The temple offers lots of classes to children to teach them about taking care of plants and the earth. The priests are some of the few people allowed to go to the ground whenever as they need access to the soil and earth for soiritual purposes. The temple owns an airship called the NPS Terra that they frequently take to travel to the ground. The temple also grows many exotic plants that cannot be found in Phiero.The House of Swer
The House of Swer is a large temple made of brick. The priests wear robes of copper that are light and cool but not too loose. There are many candles lit within the temple, and in the foyer there is a large pit with a fire that is never allowed to go out. The priests within the temple, are all branded with the mark of Swer on their wrists, arms, or shoulders as a reminder of the allegiance to him. As a new priest you are expected to be branded with the symbol so that you never forget your place in the church. Some priests choose to continue branding as they move up ranks, and the high priest will have a few brands that you can see on his body. At night, you are able to see the lit fires of the House of Swer from deep within the city. During clear nights, you are even able to faintly see their flames from the ground below. Every year on the holy day of Swer, the temple lights a big bonfire in honor of Swer, and they believe that the larger the flame, the closer they are to Swer.Structure
The Highest person within the church is the Supreme High Priest. The Supreme High Priest is a high priests from one of the sixteen houses within the church. They are chosen by the other high priests once the former Supreme High Priest either steps down or dies. They are chosen for their social work, their prominence within the chruch, and their knowledge of houses that are not theirs. The house with the most Supreme High Priests is the House of Kium as they do lots of social work and are one of the larger houses. Each high priest is in charge of their own house, yet the Supreme High Priest is in charge of all houses, and may overrule a high priest if there is need.
Culture
Each house celebrates their damnded's holy day and all celebrate the beginning of the new year and the anniversary of the raising of Nvek. They believe that it is their duty to help provide for the city as Kmoiuy provided for them in their time of need. They all wear robes with the color of their house signify that they are members of the church. While the high priests frequently socialize with the other high priests, the houses do not interact much and some of them not at all.
Public Agenda
The Church of Light has only one goal, to praise and spread the word of the Damned.
Assets
The Church of Light owns each of the temples, as well as many sponsoring many public facilities. They collect donations from the people and use those to fund the church.
History
The church was formed shortly after the raising of Nvek by Neddam Bjil, Zolas Ilikrana, and adorellan Olgolar. Neddam was a farmer, and when the city was raised, he helped establish a food source in the sky with what little land had been raised with them. The procedures he implemented are still practiced within the city and the House of Strigho today. Zolas was a blacksmith who helped perfect the city's new floating foundational structure. He helped insure that the city would not break apart in the sky, and that they could add onto the city during later years. Adorellan was a ship builder who helped invent the first flying ships to transport people and goods to the ground. These three were united by their admiration and appreciation for Kmoiuy that they founded the church as a way to prove their gratitude and undying belief in the damned. Over the time, the church gained money and was able to build the houses as members believed each damned deserved their own personal house of worship and should be worshipped individually.
Demography and Population
The majority of the members of the Church of Light reside within Nvek as it is the holy city. However, a large number of citizens of Phiero are members of the church. Outside of Phiero, Uria and Crophia are the countries with next largest amount of followers. While the church is not generally found outside of those three countries, there are still some small sects that pop up sometimes.
Mythology & Lore
One of Kmoiuy's most devoted followers was a young girl named Karstair Fjalk. She was a young girl during the early days of Nvek's founding who was being forced to marry an older man who was known to abuse his wives. She was set to become his seventh wife after his sixth had passed away from a sudden "illness". After months of pleading and begging her father to help her, she had no hope left. Refusing to wed the old man, karstair flung herself off the edge of Nvek, letting herself fall to the earth below rather than surrender her life to the old man. Kmoiuy, seeing the young girl falling to her death, took pity and blessed her with wings, allowing her to fly to safety. As Kmoiuy's chosen, she was granted the highest protection and rights of the newly formed Church of Light. Grateful to Kmoiuy for saving her, she dedicated herself to the church and wrote the Righteous Truths. Karstair traveled to many places, spreading the word of Kmoiuy and helped expand the Church of Light throughout Phiero. She is depicted within all temples and is known as a sign of freedom and goodness.
Divine Origins
The Church of Light was founded after the creation of Nvek to honor the Damned that had saved them from destruction.
Worship
Prayers
When you want to do a little prayer to a damned, you make a specific hand motion, one for each damned, they all start with your palm flat on your sternum, all fingers together, then moving away from your body. Fjmnn’s is just moving your palm from your sternum,fingers together, and holding it for a few seconds as that is where your soul is Gelru’s is moving your palm away from your sternum, fingers together, out and then dropping it to represent time’s neverending and the eventuality of death Kyv-Potri is moving your palm away from your chest then holding it in a fist to represent the moon, fingers facing you Qyrroi-potri is moving your palm away from your sternum then separating all five fingers to represent the rays of the sun Strigho-Potri is moving your palm away from your chest then turning it to face the ground to represent the earth, knuckles can also represent a hill for scholars who like to think about stuff like that Dyu-potri is moving your palm away from your sternum then turning your palm away from you to represent all magic stemming from your soul and you releasing itPriesthood
There is a supreme priest who oversees the entire church and every house has their own high priest that bears the symbol of their damned on their body.
Granted Divine Powers
Those that are found to be Bloodied within the realm of the Church are sent to their respective temples to be raised in the faith. They are seen as envoys of the damned and direct links to them and their divine presence
Sects
There are 16 divisions of the Church of Light, one for each of the Damned. The largest and most powerful are the House of Kmoiuy and the House of Kium. They all follow the major beliefs and the Righteous Truths, however they differ in some religious practices.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Capital
Gazetteer
The most important city for the Church of Light is Nvek as that is where it was founded. They believe that the temples within the city are the only true holy temples for the damned, and each temple built outside of the city is a lesser and flawed ode to the damned. Many members of the church make a pilgrimage to Nvek at least once in their lives to see the temples for themselves. Each member must choose a House that they follow, and families usually group together. When children are born they are taken to their temple to be blessed by a priest under the light of the damned.
