Vaelior
The main Vaelian religion in Fyron.
Structure
Composed of the clergy (which is matriarchal) and of the non-clergy members. The leader of the clergy is the High Priestess, who is in charge of the Temple of Radiant Light in Isindar and is, traditionally, the Iöriann (High Justice) of Fyron, although this role of hers was abolished when the Order Of Vaëlddra took control. Next in line of power are the Archpriestesses, which are in charge of the other major temples. Priestesses are the next in line, and they either serve under the Archpriestesses or are in charge of minor holy buildings. Acolytes and neophytes rank lower.
Public Agenda
The Vaëllian are in charge of representing the Goddess Vaëlddra in all Her glory. Their mandate, on top of being in charge of religious offices, is to act as the representatives of Justice and divine power. They are viewed as being incorruptible and impartial.
Assets
The largest asset of the religion is its buildings. For example, it owns the Citadel of Radiant Light, a large, fortified group of buildings which include the Heavenly Light Basilica, whose spires rise among the highest in Isindar. The orders themselves are relatively rich from accumulated wealth, rich enough to allow some expensive technology for their clergy members. Also, the Scarred are warriors, and so are the Exalted of the order.
History
Vaelior was born out of the merging of two other Vaëlian religions, the Iöward (truthwatchers) and the Kyandrien (riders of light/protectors of light). The two religions became the two orders within Vaelior. Following a wave of radicalization that plagues the 9th century APE, the Queen of Fyron, Allysandre Falloren subjugated the orders in 807 APE and placed them under her dominion, declaring that there was no judicial power greater than that of the ruling monarch in Fyron. This caused a schism in the order, as the heirocrats were excommunicated and exiled (these would later return as the Order of Vaëlddra). In 860 APE, the Vaelior's practice of hunting and executing Darthians was put to an end. Unfortunately, this did not last very long, as the Order of Vaëlddra, the radical political/military branch of the Vaelior returned and staged a coup, gaining control of Fyron in 949 APE and subjugating the Vaëlior.
Mythology & Lore
Vaellior shares a common mythology with the other Vaëllian religions. Some of the mythology that it inherited from its parent religion are the creation myths (Vaëlddra creating the world, while Darsarth seeks to destroy it), the myths of the Wars of Divinity which shattered the world into Realms. One of the central narratives is that of the Daughter, also called the First Guardian: a human who, upon her death, became an immortal and powerful general in Vaëlddra's Army and saved Andellion from the shattering of the Realms. The Vaellior Ergorevan focuses heavily on the Daughter's legend, as Vaelliorans base their religion on the view that if they live a certain way, they can join her in Vaëlddra's army fighting Darsarth when they die. Vaellior also comprises of various more myths and legends about the Guardians, who are humans who have distinguished themselves in life and death and earned the status of demigods akin to the Elders. Notable Guardians include Galwyn the Dawnbringer and Kerdovan Farseer.
Divine Origins
The religion takes its roots and basic belief system from the original Vaëllian religion, but is, as previously mentioned, the product of the merge between the Iöward (truthwatchers) and the Kyandrien (riders of light/protectors of light) branches that occurred during the Fourth Realmwar when the Daante Empire once again invaded Fyron, this time partly with the intent of wiping up Vaëlian religions. The Truthwatchers would run spy networks whereas the Riders of Light organized military resistance. Vaellior gets its tenets of seeking truth from the Iöward and its tenets of valour, courage, and honour from the Kyandrien. These beliefs merged together eventually gave rise to one of the major beliefs of the religion, that, in order to join Vaëlddra's army, one has to die in peace with all their worldly affairs set in order, otherwise they are doomed to walk the Realm as a shade of themselves until someone finishes their task for them or seeks out justice. In order to prevent the seeking of justice from turning into feuds, the clergy is the ultimate judge of when justice has been fulfilled.
Ethics
Justice, honour, courage and selflessness are traits praised by the religion. Falsehoods, duplicity, injustice and cowardice are considered to be sin, and one of the most insulting things would be to be treated without honour (this does tend to make many Vaelliorans extremely self-righteous). Other sins are excessive pride, excessive greed, jealousy, and seeking out revenge: revenge is not justice. Pious acts include honouring Vaëlddra through one's way of being, donating to the religious order, attending religious office or festivals, and worshipping Vaëlddra according to certain guidelines.
Worship
The followers of the religion worship through various rituals which are part of Fyronian customs. There is a head-washing moving ritual that must be performed with soot and water at sunrise while singing a brief prayer to Vaëlddra, her Elders and the Guardians, and a hand-washing moving ritual in the evening during which the worshipper must meditate on the actions they took during the day and judge them according to the guidelines written in the Iörevan, which is a part of the Vaellior Ergorevan which codifies the divine laws one must respect in everyday life.
Worship at the location of cult is a ceremony that focuses a lot on physical movement called Forms. The Forms are sequences of movements led by the clergy while conducting the ceremony and are carried out in synchrony with the oration and songs of worship, with adapted versions for the elderly, the disabled and the very young. These movements capitalize a lot on balance and static strength, and even incorporate some martial arts. The Forms are the way for the community to tell the religion's story and demonstrate the tenets of faith with their bodies as well as their minds, and their sequence changes based on the ceremony.
Granted Divine Powers
Exalted of the order are either given supernatural combat abilities or the ability to become a Truthseer. Members of the order also become unable to lie.
Sects
The Order of Vaëlddra, which is a radical geopolitical faction using faith to conquer Eastern Andellion.
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Alternative Names
Vaëlian church of Fyron
Demonym
Vaellior
Parent Organization
Permeated Organizations
Divines
Location
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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