The Empyrean Court
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From the toils of The Naught, nightmares and chaos were sewn into the ether. Yet a seed of hope was given voice within the realm of the Empyrean. From that seed came the Empyrean King, the creator of land and soul. The King and Acheron God of Order.
The Empyrean King saw the strife and the evil and chose to create a paradise above it. He created a home for himself above the toil and named it The Aetherium. A place of divinity and of rest. In the palm of his hand began to breathe life into a Court of Divines to aid him and to live within this paradise beside him. And he then lifted the mountains and seas, giving existence to the mortal realm of Aeryn.
The first was Lord Selogal, whose breath of being became the basis of time that set the realms in motion. He saw the chains of fate woven through the very realms, and smiled for he knew what was to come. He was the God of Time, Dreams, and Fate. He made the realm of Asrah, the place where dreams are formed and where the mortals drift in their sleeping hours. The realm where the fates are kept, where Selogal watches the mirrors of time, and where the sun and the moon retire when they depart from the sky.
The second was Lady Miren, whose tears gave health and care to that which now aged and grew with the advent of time. She saw every thing that lived and grew, and smiled for she cared for all things as part of herself. She was the Goddess of Life, Health, and Birth. She created no realm of her own, instead choosing to focus on Aeryn and the mortals that lived within.
The third was Lady Ireset, whose voice sang mournful dirges for those that lost their bodies to mortal coil and beyond Lady Miren's care. She saw their lost souls, and smiled for she would make a realm of rest and secrets. She was the Goddess of Death, Secrets, and The Unseen. Ireset formed the realm of Gedia, as the place to foster the souls of the dead who have fallen way to the assaults of time and wounds. The place where the dead go to bring their secrets to the grave.
The fourth was Lady Verinn, whose blood infused the land, sea, and sky. She saw them yearn for food and for shelter, and provided that which they would hunt, should they be brave. She was the Goddess of Beasts, The Elements, and The Wilds. Lady Verinn created The Uncharted Lands, a realm of untamed wilderness and wilds as a place of refuge should The Naught overcome Aeryn, and as a place to test the wills and wisdom of the Mortals who dare to tread there.
The fifth was Lord Titus, whose roar gave courage to those that fought on the battlefields against an encroaching Naught. He saw their mortal bravery, and smiled for he knew he chose well to protect them. He was the God of Protection, Courage, and Battle. He created the realm of Bahryst, a realm where those tainted of Naught would be held and kept away from the godliness of the Empyrean King's Court and world of Order.
It is The Empyrean Court to whom we pray and their shrines we give our homage. Our offerings represent our faith and our steadfast duty to preserve this realm that we have been given. The Empyrean King we thank with each day, and it is from his Lords that we seek favor so that we may continue the King's work within this realm."
The Stone Scriptures
The First Tablet
Inside The King's Temple rests three tablets, older than written memory. The first tablet recounts the creation of the realms. The second tablet recounts the tenets of his Court. And the third tablet recounts the will of the King to his people. While there are different religious orders and sects that have existed throughout history, and each of them have their own beliefs, ways of worship, and scripture; they all are ultimately beholden to this as the absolute will of all things.
The Laws of the Empyrean
This realm is haven from The Naught. These laws are upon your soul to follow and to protect.First it shall be known that none of the Court of Empyrean shall rise above the other in importance, and to give reverence to all that The King has created equally.
Second it shall be known that all souls have a right to prayer. Offerings and good faith will pave way to favor and blessings of The King.
Third it shall be known that all souls were born with purpose, and it shall be purpose for which you strive in your daily life. Those without it invite the taint of Naught within.
Fourth it shall be known that all souls should strive for the protection of the realm of Aeryn and the Stones of Weeping therein.
Fifth it shall be known that those who come to serve The Naught will be known as a perversion of the Empyrean King and the Court and will be made to see the expanse of Bahryst and its chains.
These are the laws of the King and the Court of the Empyrean.
The Stone Scriptures
The Second Tablet
The third and the final tablet of the Stone Scriptures surviving in The King's Temple speaks of The Faceless, divine servants of the Court. Beings of the Aetherium who come to act as messengers, prophets, or avenging spirits. They have no form of their own, and so they must share a body with a chosen mortal in order to bring about what they've come to do. The chosen mortals are often seen as embodiments of certain aspects of the Court. These inhabitations are usually temporary, but seen as a gift by many in religious orders. History writes of several mortals who have been visited by the Faceless and the great deeds that followed. it is not known how many Faceless there are, though each of them seem to have their own name and act in service to one member of the Court alone.
The Chosen of the Faceless
The Court and their King have each a host of servants with which to carry out their will. The Faceless are born of the silken gossamer of the Aetherium and carry with them the will of the Court. A blessing bestowed upon those who receive The Faceless, as it is an honor in the highest esteem to be chosen as Host. The Faceless on Aeryn will be known by silver of their eyes, and their words shall be heeded as the words as if Divine themselves.
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