Izobhüdiye
The Izobhüdiye religion is the primary religion of the civilized hobgoblins and goblins of northern Ærellion. Izobhüdiye has its basis in shamanistic traditions, but over time the faith grew to venerate certain spirits above others. During this period, numerous depictions, or icons, of these spirits were made, and they were canonized as saints. Izobhüdiye focuses on worshipping these saints, and often great rulers are immortalized as saints many years after their death.
Hobgoblins have always admired and venerated their ancestors, but Izobhüdiye took this a step further in establishing an international canon of saints shared between all followers of Izobhüdiye. The religion got its start during the conquest of the northern goblinic tribes by the elves, as they became more organized in order to fight against their foes. Following their defeat, they were naturally further "civilized", and while the elves ruled over the hobgoblins, many sought to emulate their overlords in regards to things like beauty, architecture, and art. One method in which this was expressed was through depictions of the recently canonized saints in art which was intended for the hobgoblin upper class to admire and to place in houses of worship. However, over time these icons became so popular that they spread to the poor as well, who appreciated the artistic expressions normally absent in their lives. This fueled a religious boom in hobgoblin communities, and led to the establishment of a formal clergy class, sponsored and promoted by the elven ruling class.
However, despite the elven promotion of this religion, it remained purely with the hobgoblins, and was a unfiying factor for their people. As the elves were slowly replaced over a thousand years in positions of power, it eventually became the state religion as well, although the elves were still allowed to keep their own religions. On the other hands, goblins were forced to adopt Izobhüdic traditions, while at the same time being barred from worshipping at the same time as hobgoblins, since they were seen as lesser.
Some of the more important Saints of Izobhüdiye are Glored Redmorn, Villieux Illeusar, Rakkek Choros, Urac Boldest, Rhodum Mistspear, Zrenar Risenone, Sneegar Chainbreaker, and Elistar Ceutuyain. Many of these figures are semi-mythical, but some are confirmed in historical record books. Their accomplishments vary, but all are held as holy figures to the Izobhüdiye faithful. Glored Redmorn is the mythical founder of the hobgoblin people, and is said to guide rulers on how to keep their state ordered ans disciplined. Villieux Illeusar was the elven emperor who founded the priestly and monkish orders which uphold the religion today. Rakkek Choros was a great warrior who united many tribes against the elves, but eventually submitted and led their armies. Urac Boldest was purported as the strongest hobgoblin to ever live, and he was an early leader of their people long before the elves came. Rhodum Mistspear was a hobgoblin tactician who, though crippled, was an excellent general. He is said to have pierced the morning mist like a spear and fell upon a horde of centaurs, killing them all. Zrenar Risenone was an early Izobhüdiye scholar who researched and compiled information on the saints, ensuring none of their deeds were forgotten. He is also the patron saint of the priestly class. Sneegar Chainbreaker is the only goblin saint, and not much worshipped by hobgoblins, but is honored for his cleverness and his freeing of slaves in myths shared by many goblins. Finally Elistar Ceutuyain was a gentle elf who was renowned among the poor for her generous donations and funding of hospitals. She took vows of chastity and silence and founded many orders of nuns. These Elistian Orders have developed close ties with the Sisters of Melthena and fostered ties between the hobgoblins and other races.
Hobgoblins have always admired and venerated their ancestors, but Izobhüdiye took this a step further in establishing an international canon of saints shared between all followers of Izobhüdiye. The religion got its start during the conquest of the northern goblinic tribes by the elves, as they became more organized in order to fight against their foes. Following their defeat, they were naturally further "civilized", and while the elves ruled over the hobgoblins, many sought to emulate their overlords in regards to things like beauty, architecture, and art. One method in which this was expressed was through depictions of the recently canonized saints in art which was intended for the hobgoblin upper class to admire and to place in houses of worship. However, over time these icons became so popular that they spread to the poor as well, who appreciated the artistic expressions normally absent in their lives. This fueled a religious boom in hobgoblin communities, and led to the establishment of a formal clergy class, sponsored and promoted by the elven ruling class.
However, despite the elven promotion of this religion, it remained purely with the hobgoblins, and was a unfiying factor for their people. As the elves were slowly replaced over a thousand years in positions of power, it eventually became the state religion as well, although the elves were still allowed to keep their own religions. On the other hands, goblins were forced to adopt Izobhüdic traditions, while at the same time being barred from worshipping at the same time as hobgoblins, since they were seen as lesser.
Some of the more important Saints of Izobhüdiye are Glored Redmorn, Villieux Illeusar, Rakkek Choros, Urac Boldest, Rhodum Mistspear, Zrenar Risenone, Sneegar Chainbreaker, and Elistar Ceutuyain. Many of these figures are semi-mythical, but some are confirmed in historical record books. Their accomplishments vary, but all are held as holy figures to the Izobhüdiye faithful. Glored Redmorn is the mythical founder of the hobgoblin people, and is said to guide rulers on how to keep their state ordered ans disciplined. Villieux Illeusar was the elven emperor who founded the priestly and monkish orders which uphold the religion today. Rakkek Choros was a great warrior who united many tribes against the elves, but eventually submitted and led their armies. Urac Boldest was purported as the strongest hobgoblin to ever live, and he was an early leader of their people long before the elves came. Rhodum Mistspear was a hobgoblin tactician who, though crippled, was an excellent general. He is said to have pierced the morning mist like a spear and fell upon a horde of centaurs, killing them all. Zrenar Risenone was an early Izobhüdiye scholar who researched and compiled information on the saints, ensuring none of their deeds were forgotten. He is also the patron saint of the priestly class. Sneegar Chainbreaker is the only goblin saint, and not much worshipped by hobgoblins, but is honored for his cleverness and his freeing of slaves in myths shared by many goblins. Finally Elistar Ceutuyain was a gentle elf who was renowned among the poor for her generous donations and funding of hospitals. She took vows of chastity and silence and founded many orders of nuns. These Elistian Orders have developed close ties with the Sisters of Melthena and fostered ties between the hobgoblins and other races.
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