Ilmarethiel (ill-mah-RETH-ee-el)

(a.k.a. Zimovička)

Ilmarethiel, revered as Zimovička in the Holy Kingdom of Halon, is a pillar of spiritual sustenance in the heart of Eärendor. Symbolizing the harsh winter, unblemished purity, and eternal continuum, she acts as a guiding compass, leading her followers toward enlightenment through perseverance and integrity. She embodies the enduring winters of Halon, her essence often translated as an emblem of stasis and unyielding adherence to her principles of purity and order.

Worship

The citizens of Halon incorporate their reverence for Zimovička into every facet of daily life. As the Goddess of Winter, Purity, and Eternity, she marks winter as a divine epoch—a period for introspection, sanctification, and spiritual maturation. Worship for Zimovička comprises a variety of rites, with the rituals of spiritual death and rebirth standing as paramount, signifying the shedding of impurities and reincarnation as a cleansed spirit. The Grand Cathedral of Zimovička in Praetorian's Gate holds the sanctum sanctorum of her worship. Here, grand ceremonies, processions, and rites take place, especially during the intense winters, venerating Zimovička. The ignition of sacred fires, symbolizing the eternal flame of purity and illumination, remains integral to these ceremonies. Across the calendar, myriad festivals and communal activities manifest to honor and seek her blessings. The most renowned among these is the End of Frost Festival. The entire kingdom participates in a symbolic 'warming' of Zimovička's heart, bidding farewell to winter, and welcoming the advent of spring with vivacious processions, feasts, dances, and crafting of effigies representing the goddess. Outside Halon, the world acknowledges her as Ilmarethiel, with her worship adopting unique forms, and her influence suffusing various cultures in their idiosyncratic ways. For some, she signifies the inevitable shift of seasons, a relentless force of renewal and transformation. In societies bound by agriculture, she is revered as the deity who ushers in the dormancy of winter, providing the land time to rejuvenate for the forthcoming spring. In these societies, the first snowfall marks an annual festival where followers proffer prayers and tributes, seeking her favor for a gentle winter and a bountiful year ahead.

Clergies and Religious Structures

The Grand Pontiff, or the "Varlindræja," stands as the supreme religious authority, said to commune directly with Ilmarethiel herself. The Saráthielov, or the Council of Bishops, comprising high-ranking clerics from each of the great houses, counsel the Pontiff on religious matters and interpret the Goddess's will. Each of the five great houses sustains a cadre of clergy who administer religious practices within their territories, operating under the principles of Ilmarethiel. A hierarchy exists within the clergy, from novices advancing to priests, high priests, and bishops, each position accompanied by specific duties, with senior clerics shouldering higher responsibilities and authority. The clergy also have an instrumental role in preserving societal order and unity. They ascertain the propagation of the goddess’s doctrines of purity and spiritual enlightenment throughout the kingdom, fortifying the common beliefs, values, and language that unify Halon’s diverse populace.

Illumare

Ilmarethiel is believed to dwell in the celestial planetoid of Illumare, one of the two moons orbiting Eärendor. This realm of eternal twilight and sparkling stars exemplifies her character as a beacon in the obscurity. Illumare is envisioned as a serene, tranquil space where the spiritual and divine intersect, a realm of unending frost, resonating with Ilmarethiel's embodiment of winter. Devout followers envision purified souls ascending to Illumare after death, living in tranquility under the watchful gaze of Ilmarethiel. There, these souls undergo a final rebirth, transforming into celestial beings, serving Ilmarethiel in the timeless twilight of Illumare. Illumare also plays a pivotal role in the eschatology of Halon. It is prophesied that during the kingdom's final days, Ilmarethiel will descend from Illumare, guiding the purified to her divine realm and leaving behind an eternal winter to sanctify what remains.