Chantry of Fire
The Chantry of Fire is the organization based around the worship of the God Innos. Nowadays the Chantry is split in three different chantries: one in the Kingdom of Myrtana, one for The Night's Watch and one for Khorinis (known as the Order of Fire). The Chantry of Myrtana and the Watchlands are both headed by the High Flame based in the Monastery of Fire in the Westfork. The Chantry of Khorinis has appointed its own High Flame and stands in a direct schism to the other High Flame.
Organization
Within all chantries exist several hierarchical castes of worship. There are the mages of Fire, who hold most positions of power in the Chantries of Myrtana and Khorinis. There are the paladins, who are holy warriors, in those chantries as well. And last there are the priests, people with no magic capabilities. In the Chantries of Myrtana and Khorinis these hold the lowest rank, but in the Chantry of the Watchlands they hold a much more predominant role, due to the existence of the Wayspire as a refuge for magic users. Each congregration has a high priest, who answers to the bishop of his region.Beliefs
The religion of Innos is centred around the special position of the Pantheon of Three: Innos, Adanos and Beliar. In this system Innos is the god of Justice and Order, Adanos of Balance and Beliar of Evil. The priests of Innos are therefore very focused on the upholding of natural order and justice. It is also Innos that bestows upon the Fire mages and the paladins their powers to vanquish evil. In sermons to Innos often prayer and offerings like special candles are bestowed upon him, for which in return protection from evil and wrongdoing is requested.History
The religion of Innos has been brought to the Westfork from Essos by early evangelists at the start of the Third Age. Around the year 945 it roots itself firmly by constructing a Monastery on the former elven sanctuary of Daleth. Here an order of warriors devoted to Innos started to develop. A century later they aided the Septim emperors during the Valyrian invasions and were allowed to preach in the empire's cities as a reward. They established a firm hold on the people of the southern parts of the Empire. During this time also a hierarchy and bureaucracy emerged and the first High Flames were chosen. When the Septim empire started to fall apart the High Flame of that time Pyrokar supported the bid for power by the Lannister family. In 1278 the Lannister rebellion was succesful and Pyrokar crowned Roland Lannister the first (new) king of Myrtana. This strongly established the Chantry of Innos within the powerstructures of Myrtana. When the kingdom of Myrtana started to colonize Essos and found the island of Khorinis the forces of the Chantry went with them. In fact the Island of Khorinis was colonized largely due to the effort of the Chantry and its warriors, as the forces of Myrtana were tied up in a war with the Kingdom of Gotha. As a result the Chantry held an important place on the island and a second monastery was established there. As Myrtanian control of its colonies weakened and the kingdom eventually erupted in civil war, the Chantry of Khorinis took control of the Island in 1401 and established a theocracy headed by a different High Flame named Thalamon. This was the start of the schism in the Chantry. With Myrtana in turmoil and the island of Khorinis in opposition, the Chantry of Fire in the Westfork started to look for new allies. They found this in the Night's Watch. Lord Commander Marcus Vardenfell was dealing with a weakened and depleted realm due to the many invasions of undead and orcs. He struck a deal with the Chantry that is was allowed to preach in his realm and establish churches. In exchange however a separate chantry (and bureaucracy) was formed, as he feared Myrtanian meddling in his realm. This chantry still owed allegiance to the High Flame in the Westfork though, but was more heavily organized around the caste of priests as most mages were taken to the Wayspire in the Watchlands. In the years after the invasion of Hokan Ashir, tears in the Veil surrounding Mundus allowed greater influence from the Gods. This resulted in the establishment of a Holy Host, an army of Angels and Fire warriors, brought in directly from the Allfire in Khorinis. Using this power they invaded the lands of Essos again. The High Flame of the Westfork also announced a Holy war against Corinth, when the Paladin Lord Maximus Angelos usurped the Myrtanian throne, but this failed miserably, when the Inquisition retook Koron and Maximus was dethroned by his cousin.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
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