Blazeology
The religion of Blazeology is primarily worshipped by the Blazennians, though pockets exist outside the region. Followers of Blazeology are known as Blazeologers. The Blazeologers worship a pantheon of gods which are led by the sun god Salamandrake, who, in the Blazeological tradition began all life using the power of the sun. Due to their association with Salamandrake, salamanders are considered the holy animal of Blazeology and are revered by the faithful. Magical salamanders are considered especially holy and the messengers of the gods. Nations which follow Blazeology create large bonfire in order to attract these salamanders, with more salamanders present in a fire associated with the divine favor of Salamandrake being placed on the nation. These fires are also considered holy and are arguably just as important in Blazeology as the salamanders themselves (who do come and go). Should the fire of a nation go out, they will have to consult oracles, who will then read the signs. In some instances, the fire going out is considered as a sign the nation has completely lost favor with Salamandrake and must work towards regaining his favor. More rarely, the signs indicate the fire has been extinguished by Njolfrost, Blazeology's evil god. Njolfrost is an evil god who was trapped on the mortal plain and seeks to extinguish all earthly fires before extending his reach to snuff out the stars and finally the sun, plunging the universe into darkness and allowing his reign to be unchecked and an eternal pitch-black frozen hell.
Mythology & Lore
In the beginning, there was no light, no stars, and no fire; the world was in darkness. This is known as the eternal void. Then, there was light, and with light there was Salamandrake. However, Salamandrake was not alone, for many of the gods had been formed by the primordial sentience of the planet. These would be the elder gods, who are older (and some say wiser) than Salamandrake. The Elder gods consisted of Naterde (the mother earth), Scharör (the wild seas), and Tempittör (the skies). Nonetheless, Salamandrake was the most powerful of all gods, who recognized his authority. Thus, with fire as the greatest of all, the four elements of fire, earth, water, and wind came into existence, allowing the world to grow.
As the world grew, so too did new gods and goddesses begin to appear. These are known as the Middle Gods, consisting of Selussa, Erstallsch, Lufter, and Giyusorn. As each new god and goddess was formed, the eternal void coalesced into a smaller and smaller pocket of nothingness, before finally it was concentrated enough to form into Njolfrost. Njolfrsot, while chronologically a part of the Middle Gods, is considered separately.
For some time, the world was empty, but after many years life began to appear. At first, the gods ignored such organisms but as they began to grow the gods started to become attached to plants and animals. It is stated that before the presence of non-immortal life the gods did not fully understand feelings, and did not exactly care about others, and usually existed in their separate domains. However, after sentient life began to develop, the gods started to interact more with the world, and especially after races like humans started to appear.
The deepening bonds with the world also deepened the bonds the gods had with each other, and before long a few children were born, these children became known as the Younger Gods. The younger gods of Bäude, Dömau, Wirtschar, Rhestur, Frewalur, Gurkrieg, Jägenmann, Varfehrn, Vestodrun, and Verthudigun were all born from a few different pairings of the gods. Many of these new gods embodied things that had not existed in a world without life, and are therefore much closer to humanity than the Elder and Middle gods. For a time, the world of the gods was peaceful and all was well. However, rifts began to form, as Njolfrost, the sole god who had refused contact with sentient life, became jealous of the other gods. Njolfrost became convinced that the world had been better when it was under the eternal void, and so planned a cruel and evil spell that would render all of the gods essentially dead, so that he could subsume them and therefore destroy all life, eat the stars and sun, and return to the eternal void. However, he miscalculated. Not knowing the connection between the gods and life, his spell did not actually render the other gods paralyzed and unable to stop him. The spell did successfully render all the gods and goddesses completely barren; but due to the connection life had with the gods the spell was somewhat spread among all life. Especially harmed by this was the goddess Dömau. Due to her status as the goddess of pregnancy, her becoming sterile caused both her and all mortal women to suffer from periods de to strange feedback that nobody fully understands. The other goddesses were not affected in the same way as they were not part of this feedback loop.
Realizing his failures, Njolfrost quickly fled and began waging a guerilla war against life itself, though always pursued by Jägenmann, questing for revenge on Njolfrost for the damage done to his sister. This war has lasted ever since, with Njolfrost still holding on to his hope that he will eventually take down the gods.
As the world grew, so too did new gods and goddesses begin to appear. These are known as the Middle Gods, consisting of Selussa, Erstallsch, Lufter, and Giyusorn. As each new god and goddess was formed, the eternal void coalesced into a smaller and smaller pocket of nothingness, before finally it was concentrated enough to form into Njolfrost. Njolfrsot, while chronologically a part of the Middle Gods, is considered separately.
For some time, the world was empty, but after many years life began to appear. At first, the gods ignored such organisms but as they began to grow the gods started to become attached to plants and animals. It is stated that before the presence of non-immortal life the gods did not fully understand feelings, and did not exactly care about others, and usually existed in their separate domains. However, after sentient life began to develop, the gods started to interact more with the world, and especially after races like humans started to appear.
The deepening bonds with the world also deepened the bonds the gods had with each other, and before long a few children were born, these children became known as the Younger Gods. The younger gods of Bäude, Dömau, Wirtschar, Rhestur, Frewalur, Gurkrieg, Jägenmann, Varfehrn, Vestodrun, and Verthudigun were all born from a few different pairings of the gods. Many of these new gods embodied things that had not existed in a world without life, and are therefore much closer to humanity than the Elder and Middle gods. For a time, the world of the gods was peaceful and all was well. However, rifts began to form, as Njolfrost, the sole god who had refused contact with sentient life, became jealous of the other gods. Njolfrost became convinced that the world had been better when it was under the eternal void, and so planned a cruel and evil spell that would render all of the gods essentially dead, so that he could subsume them and therefore destroy all life, eat the stars and sun, and return to the eternal void. However, he miscalculated. Not knowing the connection between the gods and life, his spell did not actually render the other gods paralyzed and unable to stop him. The spell did successfully render all the gods and goddesses completely barren; but due to the connection life had with the gods the spell was somewhat spread among all life. Especially harmed by this was the goddess Dömau. Due to her status as the goddess of pregnancy, her becoming sterile caused both her and all mortal women to suffer from periods de to strange feedback that nobody fully understands. The other goddesses were not affected in the same way as they were not part of this feedback loop.
Realizing his failures, Njolfrost quickly fled and began waging a guerilla war against life itself, though always pursued by Jägenmann, questing for revenge on Njolfrost for the damage done to his sister. This war has lasted ever since, with Njolfrost still holding on to his hope that he will eventually take down the gods.
Divine Origins
The Blazennian religion developed as a distinct tradition in the late 700s SC, following the Westmen migrations. Isolated from the other Dre'an religions, Blazeology ended up with a number of different gods and goddesses from the rest of the Dre'an religions. While many Blazeologers were conquered by the Fremedhians, instead of growing closer with the Kosmevair, the two religions would diverge further, both emphasizing their differences in order to mobilize more warriors for the conflict between states. While West Fraspika attempted to heal the divide, all they achieved was the accidental conversion of their own peasantry to Blazeology. Following the formation of the Blazennian Confederation, Kosmevair lost its importance and Blazeology became the state religion, being propagated fiercely. This propagation reached a number of other countries who became sympathetic to the teachings, making Blazeology one of the most successful Dre'an religions.
Worship
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Blazeologists burn their dead. It is seen as a good omen if a salamander happens to be found on the death pyre, before or during the process. After the body has been burned, the ashes are scattered and returned to the earth. In this way, the Blazeologists believe that the soul has rejoined Salamandrake and the remains have returned to the earth. However, typically at least some of the ashes are kept in a jar and may be interned in a crypt or within the familial residence.
Priesthood
The Blazeological priesthood is organized into several levels or tiers. Like many other religions, their officials are promoted from lower ranks rather than being directly recruited from the general population. However, the church is largely factionalized, and corruption is not uncommon, so in many cases those with power and influence are able to get friendly relatives elected to higher positions than they otherwise should. Such things are often more prevalent in the larger temples and not common in smaller organizations like shrines. The Blazeological priesthood is also unique in that they have both a sword* and robe division, with separate hierarchies in each, though the High Priest is above both power structures. Women are also welcome in the priesthood, but they have separate divisions and are rarely allowed to advance far due to the efforts of the male-dominate clergy.
One's position in their Cell, Shrine, Temple, Princely Temple, or High Temple
One's position in their Cell, Shrine, Temple, Princely Temple, or High Temple
Clerical Hierarchy
Tier 0:- Novitiate: Newly inaugurated clergy of the robe division, they have yet to complete the training period for their duties and are therefore under the supervision of all other clergy.
- Robeserf: In order to become a fully ordained monk or nun, novitiate have to finish their training as well as pay a fee for recognition, which goes to the church fund. In the case of a notivate failing to have the funds to pay this fee, they may become a serf of the local church until such time as this fee is paid off. This also contains those who have failed their training period, as they must labor for a year and a day before they can try again, as well as those who have been subject to certain types of punishment from the church and who may or may not be actually in the clergy.
- Initiates: A member of the sword division initiates are those who have not passed the training program. As this program is much more demanding than that of notivates, there are many less initiates, though a higher percentage of the sword division are initiates than the robe division's notivates.
- Penance Soldier: Occasionally, during wars of faith, sinners can find absolution by serving in the armies of the sword division. Penance Soldiers swear and oath, but otherwise do not have to go through the initiate training and are released from service once the war is over.
- Priest/Priestess: Regular clergymen or women, monks and nuns serve as the lowest fully ordained tier in the hierarchy. As such, their duties vary wildly depending on the god, goddess, order, or phenomenon the churches they serve under are dedicated to. As they have entered the service of the gods, they are treated with respect by the peasantry, and might be compared to knights or tradesmen in status.
- Holy Warrior: Any member of the sword division who has completed their training but is otherwise unremarkable. They are the regulars of the Audorden.
- Cell Deputy: Trusted monks or nuns in shrines are promoted to this level by their Cell Head, giving them authority over the others within the cell. The monks in charge of cooking, bookkeeping, and other key duties are good examples of deputies. Cell deputies also manage the cell if the father/mother is travelling, incapacitated, or dead. Cell deputies are often, though not always, tapped to run the cell following the death of its previous head. They are respected figures, but usually only within their cell, especially since a new Cell Head can reoganize the deputies as she or he likes.
- Oracle: A member of the Oracular Order, a special organization within the church. To join the oracles, one must give up all earthly wants and desires, and go through additional harsh training. The regular Oracle is more prestigious than a typical priest or priestess.
- Lesser Paladin: Paladins are great champions of the faith, able to call down magic to aid them. However, not all Paladins are equal in their magical prowess, and some are more limited in their ability. These are known as Lesser Paladins, and they are often tapped to serve as officers.
- Cell Head: These figures are in charge of one cell, and could be considered similar to the mayor of a town without Imperial Immediacy. Cell Heads are relatively non-influental figures, as they do not generally get the opportunity to participate in the power struggles of the larger church holdings. They can usually be found in any town or city which does not have its own shrine, as well as dotted areound the countryside. In the Blazeological heatland, they are often seen as honest and trustworthy figures for this region. Cells are also fairly easy to found, as they are often approved in new locations to spread the reach of Blazeology, making the position less prestigious.
- Shrine Deputy: Similar to the cell deputy, shrine deputies often leverage just as much authority as a cell head, though without the official stability of that position. However, what they lack in hard power, they make up for in soft power, as Shrine Deputies are far more likely to be elevated to Shrine Father or Mother than the head of a nearby cell.
- Paladin: Paladins are great champions of the faith, able to call down magic to aid them. They are the champions and knights of the order, and often serve in specialized divisions to be used as a strike force. To truly be a paladin, one must be strong in faith, magic, and martial combat, making it a significant achievement.
- Shrine Father/Mother: These figures are in charge of one shrine, and are granted the title of Lord or Lady, placing them on equal level to the lowest members of Blazennia to have imperial immediacy. There are several shrines which have imperial immediacy, while others are within the lands of higher-ranking constituents. Shrine mothers and fathers are granted oversight over all cells within a sector of land. These cells aren't managed by the shrine, but when members of the cells have questions or concerns over the state of their cells, such as corruption or a heretical doctrine being taught, they are encouraged to bring these problems to the local shrine father or mother. Usually, though not always, Shrine Fathers and Mothers only manage those cells whose members share a gender with the shrine.
- Grand Oracle: An oracular deputy, given the authority to weigh judgement on their own and generally manage the day-to-day running of the oracular order. They typically read the signs for anyone except the Emperor or High Priest.
- Holy Clerk: A member of the priesthood who manages administrative or economic duties under the supervision of a Grand Priest, Priest-Prince, or the High Priest. Holy Clerks are well-learned men of the Order of Vestodrun, whose ranking clergy are trained in bookkeeping and law. Holy Clerks are critical for documenting the territorial, economic, and other concessions given to and/or managed by the church and for organizing the religion.
- High Deputy: A deputy of a Grand Priest or Prince-Priest, they perform similar roles to the other deputies, but as the manage these things for the largest concentrations of clergy in the land (the temples) they often command great authority over many.
- Grand Priest: Grand Priests are either in charge of a temple or are a high-ranking official within the High Temple of Cayunth. The four Grand Priests in charge of the Temples also have imperial immediacy, giving them slightly more authority. Either way, they are equal in status to a count.
- Holy Commander: A holy commander is a high ranking officer within the sword division, often given autonomous command, akin to the general of an army. There are currently several holy commanders, three of whom are in charge of the Audorden's Commanderies, which also answer directly to the Emperor, and one who is in charge of the Paladin Division (who is always a paladin himself). All Holy Commanders are also enobled as a lord, though they may have other titles as well, and their true status is often higher.
- Frewalur's Chosen: The head of the women of the Audorden and head of the Frewaldic Order and ranked equally to the Holy Commanders. Frewalur's Chosen is nonetheless under the authority of the Ordenmaster, though mostly autonomously. All female units are segregated from the male units, and fight using different styles, though they have a similar ranking system.
- Order Head: The various Blazeological Orders also have elected heads, in a system parallel to the regular hierarchy. This position is often held by a high-ranking clergyman, but if not they are considered equal to a Grand Priest. The various orders have different names for their head figure, but all are equal in rank excluding those mentioned otherwise.
- Priest-Prince: A Grand Priest who possesses lands via both spiritual and temporal merit; ie, a Princely Temple. Often, one two Priest-Princes is elected High Priest, if they have shown themselves an effective leader. Reaching this position guarantees great power, and the priest-princes are considered as noble as dukes.
- Supreme Oracle: The head of the Oracular Order and a key and high ranking official within the wider church as well. The Supreme Oracle is also chair of the succession conference upon the death of the High Priest. The Supreme Oracle must be a man, and he is also the official oracle for the Emperor and High Priest, rarely reading the signs for others.
- Holy Mother: The highest ranking woman in the church, and in charge of managing all female-run orders, shrines, and (theoretically, though none exist) temples. The Holy Mother is the only women with a say in the elected High Priest.
- Ordenmaster: The head of the Audorden and the Sword Division, the Ordenmaster manages the military arm of Blazeology. The Ordenmaster is technically under the authority of the High Priest, but in reality he operates entirely on his own.
- High Priest: The High Priest is the head of the faith and representative of Blazeology in all things. He is always a learned man, usually older, and often from a wealthy family, as it takes a lot of influence to be elected. As the head of Blazeology, he is the final word on any theological debates, including deciding which teachings are heretical and where global funds are to be distributed. He is also the direct subject of the Blazennian Empire, and rules the High Temple of Cayunth as its temporal leader, possessing equal rank to a king. The council to elect a new High Priest occurs after the death of the previous high priest, and consists of all Priest-Princes, Grand Priests, Holy Commanders, the Holy Mother, the Ordenmaster, and the Supreme Oracle, who acts as the chair of the meeting. Any of the men can be elected, however the Holy Mother, as a woman, may not.
Sects
Although the Blazeological faith does not necessarily have sects, the various orders, focused on on aspect, god, or goddess of the faith, often worship differently and could be considered sects. Some of the most prominent orders, such as those below, have driven the evolution of the religion to its modern form (not all orders are listed).
- Order of Vestodrun: A prominent order whose members are focused on clerical law and organization, as well as documenting the territorial, economic, and other concessions given to and/or managed by the church.
- Oracular Order: The second most important order of the church, the Oracular Order manages the signs and omens which predict the future. They are also ascetic, and one of the few Blazeological orders to be so
- Frewaldic Order: An order composed of female warriors. Although the order is considered troublesome by many of the men within the clergy, it has continued to function, especially as a beacon to women who are not content with their lot in life. A hotbed of lesbians. [idk yet if they hate lesbians in Blazeology]
- Sornic Daughters: An order of women who care for orphans and other dispossessed souls. The Sornic Daughters are the single largest source of new notivates and initiates, and are greatly respected by the other clergy. The largest of the female orders, their head priestess is often elected as the next Holy Mother, a fitting title for one devoted to the Mother Goddess. The Sornic Daughters are the most significant reason for the good treatment of orphans in Blazeological society, and have greatly contributed to keeping the population growing, even in times of war.
- Audorden: An male order devoted to warfare, primarily worshipping Gurkrieg and Varfehrn. The Audorden is the most influential order within Blazeology, as they are the controllers of the sword division, making them a potent force. Their influence is also bolstered by the fact that Gurkrieg is the Patron God of the Blazennian Empire itself. Despite this, their influence is often countered by the other orders, most of whom find common ground in the robe division.
- Order of Lufter: An order dedicated to rooting out heretical teachings within the church. The order of lufter is composed of the most hardline members of the religion, which is rather ironic as Lufter is generally a rather forgiving god.
- Naterdecult: An order dedicated to honoring Naterde and keeping the forests and natural landscapes of Blazennia healthy. This order is one of the least respected by the higher-ranking clergy, though it has many adherants among the Holzfien and Fenmen.
- Wirtschic Order: A small order which is mainly dedicated to managing Schar Eve after the harvest.
- Order of Dömau: A female-only order which worships the goddess Dömau and helps women with fertility and marital problems. The order of Dömau also works extensively with prostitutes (prostitution is a sin in Blazeology), especially to help them see the light. Many of these converted prostitutes join the order after. The order of Dömau is also considered a sex cult because of the belief that children born to those of the Order of Dömau are blessed by the gods. Children concieved in this manner are contractural, and not considered bastards, and oftentimes noblemen make use of this if they have fertility issues.
Founding Date
Early 700s
Demonym
Blazeologer
Leader Title
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
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