The Sun of Purity

The dominant religion found in the country of Thalios is known as the Sun of Purity. This religion slowly grew along with the nation, replacing the old gods of the The Ethessian Pantheon. It is based around a divine force simply known as the Sun of Purity, although different sects address this power in different ways. The Sun, The Purifying Light, the Divine Power; all of these are names used everyday across Thalios, with differing regions and approaches to the religion having their own colloquialisms.
Light, order and the cleansing of impurity are the key themes found in the worship of the Sun of Purity. Followers of the religion see the Sun of Purity as the source of all life, which brings warmth and knowledge to the world of Varda. It also is closely tied to the governance of Thalios, with the Sun-King or Sun-Queen being considered the living representation of the Sun of Purity.

Tenets of Faith

Followers of the Sun of Purity tend to be strict in their beliefs and follow a set of key principles found in several religious books and artifacts. With the size that Thalios is, regional divergence and interpretation is common, but the core beliefs are seen as follows:

• Purity of Order: Illuminating the the darkness and chaos of the world, the Sun of Purity teaches that the universe is in its true and ideal state when order prevails. Turning from the impurities of the world is a cornerstone of the religion, and it is taught that leading a moral and righteous life will provide the light needed in life.
• Light as Knowledge: Ignorance is seen as one of the worst forms of impurity, and the pursuit of truth is sacred. Many scholars, philosophers and priests preach about the great gift of knowledge that the Sun of Purity brings to the world, and to spread the light of this wisdom across the land.
• Cleansing through Trials: Trials are a large part of worshipping the Sun of Purity, where followers seek to purify themselves in various ways. Fasting, pilgrimage and acts of charity are all included in such personal trials, although trials of redemption for those that have fallen from the light are also common. These physical or spiritual trials allow the followers of the Sun of Purity to align themselves more closely with the divine power they revere
• The Divine Right of Rulership: The Sun-King or Sun-Queen I seen as the direct representative of the Sun of Purity, and it is their divine right to rule over Thalios. As the spiritual figurehead of both the religion and the country, it is their duty to ensure order and justice and to protect the people from impurity.
• Righteousness and Morality: Followers of the Sun of Purity are expected to adhere a code of conduct that emphasises humility respect and service to the light of the world. A strict moral code is taught by the priests of the religion, which ha also influenced all aspects of Thalian life. In extreme cases, those that break this code may face severe punishment.

Clergy and Priesthood

The Sun of Purity plays a vital role in Thalios' society, and with it so does its clergy. Above all is the Sun-King or Sun-Queen, who is aided and advised by the High Priests. Beneath this ruling elite, temples and shrines are found across the country, each with their own unique hierarchy and methods. These places of worship vary in size, but most are large, grandiose buildings.
Apart from places of worship, these temples are centres of learning and community. Many scholars gather to study religious texts, science and philosophy. Smaller shrines are also scattered around pubic spaces and even found in homes, meant for more personal places of reflection.

Rituals and Ceremonies

Thalios is a large country, and the diversity of its populace has meant that religious practices have diversified greatly across regions. Despite this, there are a number of ceremonies that are common across Thalios.
A key ritual that many practice is known as The Sunrise Rite. Many Thalians will awake at dawn to pray or meditate as the sun rises, asking for guidance or seeking reflection for the day. This is often a fundamental practice amongst followers, who may perform the practice individually, as families or as communal group.
For those that have sinned or even committed crime, a special ceremony known as The Purification Ceremony must be performed. It is thought that these individuals are spiritually impure, and must atone for this after other punishments have been applied to be accepted back in to the light. Bathing in sacred waters, wearing white robe and making a public apology or confession are all steps in this ceremony. In this way, it is thought that balance will return to the individual and to their community.
Perhaps the most important religious event is known as The Solar Festival. A major annual event, the festival features grand parades, prayers, feasts, music an merriment in all forms across a week. Many citizens will travel to the larger towns and cities of Thalios to join in with the celebration, but most settlements will host their own, smaller festival.

Sacred Texts

With the age of both Thalios and the religion of the Sun of Purity, many religious texts and artifacts have been created, revered and even lost across the centuries. However there is one that is held above all others, and said to have survived since the early days of Thalios. Known as the Luminous Codex, it is a collection of writings, teachings and prophecies all said to have been transcribed from the divine messages of the Sun of Purity. The Codex is divided into several sections:

• The Book of Light: Describes the creation of the world and the Sun of Purity's direct influence into the dawn of life.
• The Rights of Purification: Details rituals, prayers and practices, and is a manual for personal and spiritual purification.
• The Prophecies of the Dawn: Scriptures and stories that prophesize the future events of the world. Often seen as simple stories to guide and help spread the teachings of the Sun of Purity, there are those that believe they are a detailed account of events yet to come. Chief amongst these is the eventual realisation of the divine power of the Sun of Purity coming to Varda, bringing about a final. Cleansing dawn that will eradicate all impurity.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Permeated Organizations

• Thalios