Sovereign Host

The Sovereign Host is the dominant religion of Khorvaire. Worshipers of the Sovereign Host are called Vassals and typically worship the pantheon as a whole rather than the nine deities individually. The Sovereign Host is directly related to the Dark Six , whom the Vassals believe were kicked out of the pantheon for various transgressions in an event referred to as the Schism.

The Sovereign Host includes the following deities:

• Arawai, the Sovereign of Life and Love
• Aureon, the Sovereign of Law and Lore
• Balinor, the Sovereign of Horn and Hunt
• Boldrei, the Sovereign of Hall and Hearth
• Dol Arrah, the Sovereign of Sun and Sacrifice
• Dol Dorn, the Sovereign of Strength and Steel
• Kol Korran, the Sovereign of World and Wealth
• Olladra, the Sovereign of Feast and Fortune
• Onatar, the Sovereign of Fire and Forge

The Sovereign Host is widely known even among non-practitioners, to the point that even those who don't identify as Vassals may swear by them or pray to them in moments of need. Generally speaking, worship of the Host is diverse—while prominent priests and clerics exist, no central authority has sole control over the canon of beliefs. Still, some themes unite worshipers.

Core Beliefs

• The Sovereigns are always present. For example, whenever a forge is fired, Onatar stands beside it.Fact}
• The Sovereigns shape the world and their hand is in all things. No proof is needed, for the proof is in the world.Fact}
• Each Sovereign must be honored at their proper place and time.Fact}
• The Sovereigns give strength and guidance to those who listen, and instinct and intuition are their voices. When one is heard most clearly, that one should be followed.
• Place your trust in the community. The group is stronger by far than the individual. The great light of a city is composed of the thousands of flames of its citizens. You must ensure that your flame is as bright as you can make it.
• Treat others as they deserve to be treated. If they haven’t harmed you or yours, treat them kindly.
• Bring the light of civilization to the darkness of the wilds.

Fundamentally, worshipers of the Host identify them as deities that govern everyday life. Prayer to the Host is contextual: a warrior seeking strength prays to Dol Dorn, while a farmer offers praise to Arawai. While most Vassals claim to wholly reject the Dark Six, some still make offerings to them.

Formally, Vassals follow two central tenets:

• The Doctrine of Universal Sovereignty: "As is the world, so are the gods. As are the gods, so is the world." This states that the gods compose reality, rather than "merely" having the power to control it. As an example, Arawai doesn't just influence crops—she is the crops in the field, and offering her devotion isn't to get her attention but rather her favor.
• The Doctrine of the Divine Host: "The Sovereign Host is one name, and speaks with one voice. The gods are the letters of that name, and the sounds of that voice." This states that the Host should be treated as a pantheon rather than merely a collection of deities. As such, most Vassals worship the Host as a whole rather than just an individual close to them, such as a blacksmith and Onatar.

Souls and the Afterlife

The Sovereign Host does not have an afterlife that promises paradise to followers. Instead, it is believed that all souls go to Dolurrh, the Plane of the Dead, regardless of their virtue in life.

A heresy of the Sovereign Host suggests that the plane will eventually be touched by their presence and it will become a paradise that the dead can enjoy. Worshipers do not give offering to the Host for a pleasant afterlife but instead for material gain in this life.

Church Structure

The Sovereign Host does not have a central leadership; instead, liturgical councils provide regional leadership. What constitutes a region can vary dramatically. As an example, the Host of Khorvaire tends to the area of Aundair around Passage, while the Devout of the Celestial Crown cover only a portion of Sharn. Generally speaking, each of the Five Nations boasts (or in the case of Cyre, boasted) several councils, while each of the nations in Greater Khorvaire only has a few at most.

Councils wield significant informal political and social power to shape the churches and temples within their jurisdiction. Councils control almost every step of the priestly journey, from the education available to access to congregations to positions on the council itself. Most priests of the host begin their path as an acolyte in seminary, where they learn a mix of theology and community leadership. Some acolytes instead make their way into the priesthood through apprenticeships at a local temple, directly learning from the high priest who heads the congregation. Less respected are the acolytes who learn from priests outside of temples: village preachers, wandering evangelists, or other forms of itinerant priests. Still, regardless of educational background, the council is who determines the legitimate leaders of congregations.

The liturgical councils come together every ten years for a Grand Conclave, exchanging ideas and debating both theology and how to administrate the faith.