Church of the All Father
This large monotheistic religion was developed to provide a belief system for those who align with those of Catholicism, other similar Christian belief systems, or those of Islam. It is not intended to be either a promotion of the tenants of said religions nor is it meant to cut down or degrade them. It is a fantasy belief system intended to be an option for those who identify with or are interested in playing characters aligned with such monotheistic based religions.
The Church of the All Father grew out of Jailsahaim in that both of these monotheistic religions believe in the same creation story and believe in the same deity. However, they have slightly differing views on the afterlife, as well as drastically different views as to ascendance to the afterlife.
This very structured and very dogmatic religion has their leadership operating out of a huge cathedral located in the city of Gorled. They believe in an all-powerful deity who created the world and the heavens and who had sent a son down to the world to teach and atone for the sins of the people, since the people of the world are so weak and undisciplined.
The structure includes a High Cardinal (currently Velthsper Gholiand), as well as regional Cardinals that serve under him (the High Cardinal is elected by the regional Cardinals when the previous High Cardinal dies). There are currently 37 Cardinals, each of which oversees a large region of the world. Each of these Cardinals oversees a large cathedral (not as large as the one in Gorled, but still very large and extravagant) and also has numerous Bishops who serve under him. Each of these Bishops heads up a smaller local region within the larger Region and oversees a Church (smaller than a Cathedral but larger than a Chapel, and usually with a handful of the most promising Canon Priests as assistants as these are usually located in modest sized cities), which cover smaller regions each containing a few dozen Chapels, with each of these Chapels being overseen and run by a Priest (who has served as a Canon Priest for several years prior to being awarded the duties of overseeing one of the Chapels).
Also included within the structure are Abbys, where Canon Priests and Nuns reside in a group to study. Often the Nuns will teach children whose parents are either nobles or wealthy and want their children to be learned in the ways of the All Father. While the Canon Priests in the Abby's are those who have not yet earned the privilege of leading a Chapel. These Abby's also serve as houses of records where the Canon Priests would not only record local history and perform accounting functions for the local region of the Church of the All Father, but would also make new copies of the Holy Book, in some cases with extravagant artwork (usually these were given to wealthy or nobles who made large regular donations within the local region).
There is also what some refer to as the Guardians of the Church of the All Father, known by their formal name as the Order of the Light- This Exclusive Knighthood is sworn to the service of the Church of the All Father. They will go on ritualistic and military crusades in the name of the Church. They are comprised primarily of Paladins, but there are other professions present among their numbers (especially among the "Extores" or Inquisitors as they are sometimes called). They also serve as honor guards for higher ranking members of the Church of the All Father when they travel as well as accompanying the caravans that transport the wealth that is donated as it makes its way to the Grand Cathedral of the All Father located in Gorled.
The center of the Church of the All Father’s beliefs is based on the tome known as The Guiding Words, which is made up of two parts, the Old Words (prior to the coming of the Holy Son) and the New Words (teachings of the Holy Son). This tome was compiled by the Church of the All Father many centuries ago, but many centuries after the Holy Son walked the lands of Ærnth in the region now known as Jailsaha.
More info to come…
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Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Demonym
"Son", "Brother" or "Daughter", "Sister" are followers of the church. Members of the hierarchy are typically referred to as "Father" or "Mother", or those that are further up the eclesiastical structure are called "Bishop", "Cardinal" or "Holiness".
Leader
Leader Title
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