Tehlinism
Tehlins are those who follow Tehlu as creator and god. Their religion is the most dominant in The Aturan Empire and the Commonwealth , and is known for being strict, severe, and somewhat repressed. Tehlin priests wear pale gray robes, which are meant as a reminder of Tehlu's sacrifice of allowing himself to be immolated in order to hold the demon Encanis on the iron wheel in the fire and destroy it. The Tehlin church employs soldiers, and these are sometimes commanded by Justices , who wear a small emblem of silver scales as a mark of rank. Justices are a form of church police allowed to mete out the authority of the church in places where it holds sway.
The Pontifex: As the head of the Tehlin Church, the Pontifex holds the highest rank and is responsible for overseeing the organization's religious, administrative, and political affairs. The Pontifex is based in the city of Atur, where the church's main authority lies.
Priests: Priests serve as spiritual leaders in their local communities, conducting religious services, providing guidance, and teaching Tehlu's doctrine. They hold significant influence in their parishes and are tasked with upholding the tenets of the Tehlin faith.
Justices: Justices are members of the Tehlin Church who act as law enforcers, responsible for apprehending criminals, maintaining order, and delivering justice in the name of Tehlu. They often work closely with local authorities and wield considerable power. One notable Justice in the series is Justice Ironscale, who hunts down a group of bandits in "The Wise Man's Fear."
Scrivs: Scrivs are learned members of the Tehlin Church who focus on preserving knowledge, transcribing texts, and maintaining the archives. They are responsible for copying religious texts, historical documents, and other works deemed essential by the church.
Mendicants: Mendicant priests are traveling members of the Tehlin Church who wander from town to town, preaching Tehlu's teachings, offering spiritual guidance, and performing religious services. They live a humble life, relying on the charity of the communities they visit.
Structure
The Tehlin church employs soldiers, and these are sometimes commanded by Justices , who wear a small emblem of silver scales as a mark of rank. Justices are a form of church police allowed to mete out the authority of the church in places where it holds sway. They are most prominent in Atur where the church has judiciary powers. Justices are entitled to make arrests of those in violation of church laws. They generally appear similar to traditional tehlin priests, wearing the customary grey robe. However, they are distinguished by wearing a set of a silver set of scales as a badge of their rank.
Culture
The church is becoming opressive and more distrustful of Magic as time goes on.
Mythology & Lore
Encanis is portrayed as a powerful and malevolent demon, responsible for the world's evils and misfortunes.
As Tehlu traveled the world, offering people the chance to repent their sins and follow his teachings, he also sought to rid the world of demons. Encanis was his greatest adversary, the embodiment of darkness and evil, and a destructive force causing chaos and misery wherever he went.
Tehlu pursued Encanis, determined to bring him to justice and save the world from his wicked influence. Encanis wrought destruction and despair in his path, attempting to escape Tehlu's pursuit by hiding in various towns and cities. However, each time Encanis arrived in a new place, he left telltale signs of his presence, such as unnatural darkness or unusual events that caused suffering to the inhabitants.
Tehlu finally cornered Encanis in the town of Atur. As they faced off, Tehlu forged an iron wheel, a symbol of his power and judgment. During their confrontation, Tehlu struck Encanis with a hammer, shattering the demon's mask and revealing his true face. Tehlu then bound Encanis to the iron wheel, carrying him to a nearby location to be executed.
In his final moments, Encanis cursed Tehlu and threatened that his power would endure beyond his death. Unyielding, Tehlu sacrificed himself by standing in the fire alongside the bound Encanis, ensuring the demon's destruction. This sacrificial act is an essential aspect of Tehlin mythology, as Tehlu willingly gave his life to rid the world of Encanis's malevolence and protect his followers.
Divine Origins
The tale of Tehlu begins with him being born as Menda, the son of a virgin named Perial. His birth was a divine event, and even as an infant, he demonstrated an extraordinary understanding and power. He grew up quickly and revealed himself as Tehlu, a god in human form who had come to save the world from demons and sin.
Tehlu journeyed across the world, encountering people plagued by the influence of demons and offering them a choice: confess their sins and submit to his judgment or continue their wicked ways and face the consequences. Those who chose to accept Tehlu's judgment were marked by an iron wheel, symbolizing their commitment to follow his path and leave their sinful ways behind.
Tehlu's fight was primarily against the demons that plagued the world, as well as the sins of humanity. By giving people the chance to repent and follow his teachings, Tehlu gained followers and power through their devotion.
Tenets of Faith
The key tenets of the faith emphasize devotion to Tehlu, repentance for sins, and a strong sense of morality.
The story of Tehlu tells of Tehlu being born as Menda to save the world from demons and bring justice to those who committed evil deeds. Tehlu crossed the world, offering people a choice: to acknowledge their sins and submit to his judgment or to continue living wicked lives and suffer the consequences. Those who accepted Tehlu's judgment were protected from the demons and followed his teachings.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Pontifex: As the head of the Tehlin Church, the Pontifex holds the highest rank and is responsible for overseeing the organization's religious, administrative, and political affairs. The Pontifex is based in the city of Atur, where the church's main authority lies.
Priests: Priests serve as spiritual leaders in their local communities, conducting religious services, providing guidance, and teaching Tehlu's doctrine. They hold significant influence in their parishes and are tasked with upholding the tenets of the Tehlin faith.
Justices: Justices are members of the Tehlin Church who act as law enforcers, responsible for apprehending criminals, maintaining order, and delivering justice in the name of Tehlu. They often work closely with local authorities and wield considerable power. One notable Justice in the series is Justice Ironscale, who hunts down a group of bandits in "The Wise Man's Fear."
Scrivs: Scrivs are learned members of the Tehlin Church who focus on preserving knowledge, transcribing texts, and maintaining the archives. They are responsible for copying religious texts, historical documents, and other works deemed essential by the church.
Mendicants: Mendicant priests are traveling members of the Tehlin Church who wander from town to town, preaching Tehlu's teachings, offering spiritual guidance, and performing religious services. They live a humble life, relying on the charity of the communities they visit.
Sects
Justices authority and influence mainly come from their position within the church and the backing of the church's considerable resources. They often wear a distinct attire, including a set of armor, to mark their status as enforcers of the law.
The Justices' primary role is to uphold the law, deliver justice, and maintain order in the name of Tehlu. They have the authority to arrest, judge, and punish criminals, which grants them significant power within their jurisdiction.
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