The Religion of Pelagana
Structure
Religiously, people are chosen for roles based off their sex, not their gender. So, if you are female to male transgender and haven’t undergone any reassignment surgeries, you would still be considered a woman, but if you have undergone any surgeries, you would be considered a male (and vice-versa). And, if you were to undergo any surgeries while filling a role that would require you to be of a specific sex, you would continue to fill that role. All preferred pronouns and choice of clothing are respected regardless of sex.
There are eight major roles in Peleganism which are divided into two categories. The first of these categories is the Inner Circle which consists of the Radiant, Constellations, Saints, Congregation, Priestesses and Priests and the Phoenix. The Outer Circle is the second category and it contains the Children of the Gods and the Prophets.
Inner Circle
Anyone who denies their role in the Inner Circle is sentenced to death and thrown in jail. Sometimes they will be forced to fight in the gladiator arena, be used as a sacrifice, or will just be beheaded. Depending on how bad their sin is, they may be tortured or just simply be forced to resign.
The Inner Circle is distinguished by the fact that all its roles are either until death, not optional, or both.
Radiant
The Radiant is the leader of the constellations and the highest ranked mortal in the religion. There will always only be one Radiant at a time who represents Svise, the Mother goddess, and must be capable of carrying a child (although she must abstain from sex altogether and must never have a child). She is formally referred to as ‘Her Radiance’, ’Mother’ and ’Her Holiness’.
Her Radiance can appoint other Constellations and her successor and rules the city-state of Starmier. She directly interprets the will of the gods through the holy texts and omens.
Constellations
The Constellations are the highest ranked group within the Pelaganic religion. There can only be ten constellations at a time, each one representing one of the ten gods. They all live together in the St. Amy’s Pelaganic College (SAPC). Constellations are usually female, but males have been known to participate as well. Constellations are formally referred to as ‘Her holiness’ but may also be called by the name of their god.
Constellations can appoint saints and members of Congregation to their respective gods and oversee all major rituals and ceremonies, along with the care talking of temples and shrines. However, they must abstain from sex.
Saints
Saints are individuals who are favored by the gods for any number of reasons. They belong to one god at a time and, because of this, they must live in temples and shrines to their respective god, and there can only be one saint living in a temple at a time. There are no restrictions on who can become a saint if they’re Pelaganic, however once they have been chosen they must commit to abstinence. Any immediate family members (children, spouses, parents) become members of the Congregation. Saints are formally referred to as ‘Your eminence’ or ’Saint [Name]’.
Saints can bless or curse people and must carry out any sacrifices to their adoptive god.
Stars
In order to become a Constellation, you must be chosen by the Radiant. She will generally pick people she knows will abstain from sex, for example, Children of the Gods or young students in the SAPC that have not yet come of age. She may pick up to forty individuals at a time, or four per each god. These children are then raised by Saints in temples and shrines as ‘Stars’. It is the Saint’s Job to select who is most suited to become a constellation. Once their seat opens, the ‘Brightest Star’ becomes a constellation, and a Lake Ceremony is held in their honor.
Congregation
Like Saints, members of the Congregation are assigned to a specific temple. However, they do not live at the temple, and oversee major rituals and ceremonies along with the caretaking of their shrine and helping their Saint. Anyone can become a member of congregation if they’re Pelaganic, but after they are picked by the Constellations, they must practice abstinence. They are usually referred to as ‘guardians’, however they are also referred to by their middle or last names.
Priestesses and Priests
Priestesses and Priests generally spread knowledge as teachers in the SAPC, and there are only around three to five at a time. They are Prophets gifted enough to lead prayers for the Constellations and will sometimes oversee small rituals and ceremonies. Priestesses and Priests are usually referred to as ‘Master’. Abstinence is valued, but not required to become a Priestess or Priest and they may have a family, but it is highly frowned upon to do so.
Phoenix
The Phoenix are merely the messengers of the Outer circle. There will always be at least one per Constellation, Saint, and Professor. However, usually there are more than one each. They not only pass on messages but help setup and organize major religious events.
Becoming a Phoenix is optional, however after the decision is made, the job is kept until death or until resignation. A Phoenix does not have to abstain from sex, however they cannot have a family due to the distraction it would cause from their duties. There are no naming formalities for the Phoenix.
Outer Circle
Individuals in the Outer Circle can resign at any time. All roles are optional, and it is not necessary to be selected to fill these roles.
Children of the Gods
Children of the Gods are highly religious individuals who live together in communes or in religious schools under oath. They Must commit to blindness while the sun is above the horizon, only dress in white clothes, and must work in the temple garden. They are also responsible for sealing unholy spirits inside themselves. The Children are often referred to as ‘brother’ and ‘sister’.
Prophets
Prophets are teachers who lead prayers and teach everyday people. They oversee most minor ceremonies and rituals and are generally referred to as ‘professor’. Prophets can be found anywhere in the world but are most famous for their teaching at the SAPC.
Choir
Choirs are groups of people (generally ten or more individuals) who sing religious songs during ceremonies and prayers.
Assets
- Silver
- Gold
- Diamond
- Quartz
- Stones
- Horses
- Dragons
- Fire-fowl
- Schools
- Troops
- Housing
Tenets of Faith
- We belong to Sillia, for we do not own her.
- Spread love and happiness
- All effects have a cause
- All life deserves respect and love
Worship
Pelganism’s pantheon consists of ten gods and countless demigods. The most prominent denomination of Pelaganic religion is Fennism, where all ten gods are worshipped. However, there are also denominations where only a few of the gods will be worshipped; like Maiana (the worship of only Svise, Motene, and Laerroil), and Deusism (the worship of only Svise).
In most forms of Pelganism, any form of class (in this case, the act of going to temple) will occur on Pi; the first day of the week. It is believed that by doing this, they will have good luck up until Bi; the tenth and last day of the week.
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