Church of Apostasy
The Church of Apostasy, or more commonly referred to as just the Church is a religious order from Osirin and the national religion of the Varin Empire. The Church’s main tenant is that they do not worship the Gods of any Pantheon, in fact they outlaw them, punishing all that do. The Church holds the belief that there is no need for Gods, that the Gods are flawed, selfish, and destructive, only using mortals for their own end. The Church preaches that without the people’s worship the Gods will lose their power and therefore can never again threaten the extinction of the mortal races as they did during the Fall of Arcanum.
The Church calls upon their followers to worship themselves, the ones that they love, and those who provide and support them, that “we are all the Gods of men.” Through the philosophical tenets and practices of the Church, the most devout are able to harness divine power similarly to clerics of the Gods, with their divine domains representative of their field of study.
The Church is run by the Pontifex and the Magisterium, a council made up of the Church's six Cardinals and led by the Pontifex. The Magisterium is responsible for every major decision made by the Church. When the Pontifex dies the Cardinals will vote to appoint a new Pontifex from their number during a sacred ritual. The vote must be unanimous and the ritual does not end until a new Pontifex has been appointed. The pontifex will then rule the Church until their death.
Leader: Pontifex Chaerus
Local Guard: The Faithguard
Heraldry: Red and White
The Court of Antiquity is responsible for the study and detection of extraplanar entities. They also study ancient history and magical phenomena.
The Court of Missionaries is responsible for promoting and spreading the tenants of the Church to other continents.
The Court of Devotion is responsible for maintaining religious buildings across the Empire as well as maintaining records and training new priests. Members of the Court of Devotion can be found running local Chapels or Cathedrals.
The Court of Duty is responsible for the defence of the Church’s and its military endeavours. They are also responsible for the deployment, training and command of the Faithguard. High ranking members of the Court of Duty are given the title “Highlord”.
The Court of Inquisition is responsible for hunting down religious heretics. They also act as the church’s secret police and spy network. Members of the Court of Inquisition are known as “Inquisitors” and high ranking members are known as “Grand Inquisitors”.
The Court of Rites is responsible for performing religious rituals and ceremonies, as well as educating new priests on how to conduct them.
Local Guard: The Faithguard
Heraldry: Red and White
Tenets of Faith:
Those who follow the Church of Apostasy swear to renounce the gods and safeguard others from their corruption. Apostasy. Spurn the Gods for they are not worthy of your devotion. Devotion. Worship only yourself, the ones you love, the ones who provide for you, the ones who support you, for they are worthy of your devotion. Freedom. Free those caught under the thrall of the Gods from their slavery, show them the path to freedom. Protection. Destroy the corrupting influence of heretics who would poison the minds of your fellow man with the lies of the Gods.History:
The Church of Apostasy was originally founded during the Age of Arcanum but did not gain popularity until the 1800’s, where it flourished among the lower and upper classes who were tired of having to worship the Gods and getting nothing out of it. The Church of Apostasy eventually became the Varin Empire’s state mandated religion in 1972 under Pontifex Dogan. The adoption of the Church caused a rise in international tension with the Empire’s neighbouring kingdoms, which eventually escalated to the Betrayer War between the Varin Empire and the Kingdom of Lorth’elon and the death of Pontifex Dogan.Death:
When followers of the Church of Apostasy die, they do not pass to the underworld like other souls. This keeps the Church's followers safe from divine prosecution and also keeps the Church's activities secret from the Gods. Where their souls go is either a well kept secret or completely unknown to it's members, thought rumours and scholarly speculation conclude that their souls disappear, returning to the universe like the forgotten dead.Hierarchy:
The Church has a simple hierarchy system which reflects devotion to the Church and its tenets, members can rise up the ladder through seniority and merit. Priest: The lowest rank of the Church. Priests are trained in the teachings and rituals of the Church and serve either a Bishop or an Archbishop. Faithguard: The Faithguard are an order of paladins devoted to the Church of Apostasy and uphold the Church’s tenants. They act as a security force and army, trained for combat and to defend the faith. The Faithguard serve the Court of Duty. Bishop: Bishops are mid level members of the Church. They are either leaders of village Chapels or operate in one of the Church’s six Courts. Bishops are sometimes called Father or Mother. Archbishop: Archbishops are high ranking members of the Church. They are either leaders of city Cathedrals or operate in one of the Church’s six Courts. Archbishops are sometimes called Father or Mother. Cardinal: The second highest level of the Church, below the Pontifex. The Cardinals are the head of the Church's Courts and are members of the Magisterium. Cardinals are referred to as “Your Excellency.” Pontifex: The highest level of the Church. Only one Pontifex is appointed at a time and they rule until death. The Pontifex presides over the Magisterium and is the leader and head of the Church. The Pontifex is referred to as “Your Eminence.”Courts:
The Church is composed of six Courts that each represent a branch of the Church’s operation.The Court of Antiquity:
Head: Cardinal BarnabusThe Court of Antiquity is responsible for the study and detection of extraplanar entities. They also study ancient history and magical phenomena.
The Court of Apostles:
Head: Cardinal Moira PhailThe Court of Missionaries is responsible for promoting and spreading the tenants of the Church to other continents.
The Court of Devotion:
Head: Cardinal Dario RossiThe Court of Devotion is responsible for maintaining religious buildings across the Empire as well as maintaining records and training new priests. Members of the Court of Devotion can be found running local Chapels or Cathedrals.
The Court of Duty:
Head: Cardinal Phira TryphenaThe Court of Duty is responsible for the defence of the Church’s and its military endeavours. They are also responsible for the deployment, training and command of the Faithguard. High ranking members of the Court of Duty are given the title “Highlord”.
The Court of Inquisition:
Head: Cardinal ZendalThe Court of Inquisition is responsible for hunting down religious heretics. They also act as the church’s secret police and spy network. Members of the Court of Inquisition are known as “Inquisitors” and high ranking members are known as “Grand Inquisitors”.
The Court of Rites:
Head: Cardinal Arianna LeonettiThe Court of Rites is responsible for performing religious rituals and ceremonies, as well as educating new priests on how to conduct them.
"We are the Gods of Men."
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Capital
Alternative Names
The Church
Demonym
Apostates
Permeated Organizations
Location
Official Languages
Related Traditions
Controlled Territories
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