Pantheon of Heaven
The most practiced religion of Humans on the continent of Thrae. The Pantheon of Heaven faith consists of the veneration and worship of fifteen gods and goddesses that each effect and/or control various natural aspects of the world. The pantheon itself is ruled by the father of the pantheon, Ayunis, who defeated and destroyed a race of primordial cosmic dragons that were the original creators of the entire universe. From the remains of these elemental dragons, Ayunis fashioned a wife, Gaeta, with whom he brought forth the rest of the pantheon that now governs all of creation.
The faith as an organization is centered around the structured worship of these gods at specific holy sites called temples, each with at least one (most with more than one) priest or priestess in residence to minister to the faithful, interpret signs and portents, offer physical and spiritual healing, and preside over celebrations and events such as weddings, funerals and holy days. Over the course of the religions many centuries of practice, a hierarchy has developed that has given the faith a structure and form that is both comforting and constricting. The religion has within itself organs of healing, learning and support as well as divisions that exist vanquish and destroy the enemies of the faith.
The Pantheon of Heaven faith is followed and practiced by millions of adherents across no fewer than seven nations of the eastern half of the continent, but its most central area of influence is in the Kingdom of Aria, where the faith is the official religion of the nation. The governing hierarchy of the faith is centered on the City of Malamor and the majority of religious and military orders are administered from there.
Structure
Worship of the Pantheon of Heaven happens in buildings known as temples, each temple having one or more dedicated priests or priestesses. Temples vary in design and concept according to local traditions and practices, ranging from huge and ornate to simple and small. In addition to temples, there are associated Orders of adherents that practice a codified and structured life centered around the practice of the faith. These Orders often fill specific roles within the faith community, such as schools, hopitals, military orders and semi-monastic communities.
The Faith Community can be broken down into a variety of structures. There are the local Temple organizations that center on a specific location and associated community of people. Above this is a broader organization of multiple temples under the administration and spiritual guidance of higher ranking priests/priestesses known as Ecclesiasts and Grand Ecclesiasts and above these are the highest ranking rulers of the faith, the Hagiarchs who are the final mortal authority in all matters of faith. This over-arching structure is commonly referred to as the Ecclesiarchy.
Existing alongside portions of the Ecclesiarchy are the faith's Orders Militant or Military Orders. While not all of these are actual military organizations, all are structured in a manner similar to that found in an organized army, with a highly structured and rigid hierarchy of command and responsibility. Leaders of these orders have the equivalent ranks of Ecclesiast and Grand Ecclesiast and all answer only to members of the Hagiarchy in matters temporal and spiritual.
Divine Origins
According to the faith of the Pantheon of Heaven, the universe was created from the actions of many great elemental dragons, cosmic in size and strength. From these actions a new god was created, named Ayunis, and Ayunis slew the dragons and claimed the heavens for himself. From the bodies of the dragons he made a wife, and with her he brought into existence all the other gods.
Tenets of Faith
The Pantheon of Heaven faith calls all adherents to listen to and follow the will of the gods as it is continuously revealed to the world through signs, visions, portends and augurs. These revelations are divined and interpreted by the priests and priestesses of the faith for all the faithful to follow, whenever possible.
Worship
The favor and attention of the gods is gained through prayer and offerings made by individuals and groups in the name of specific gods for specific purposes. Prayers vary in type and style, but all usual manners of prayers can be expected to be sung, said or written by adherents. Offerings can be of any sort, but the most common are votive offerings of items or coin given in supplication by the faithful to the gods through the Temples dedicated to the Pantheon. These offerings are collected and kept in secure vaults deep within the temples which only the highest level of priests (known as Hagiarchs) have access to. In large Grand Temples with many adherents visiting frequently, these vaults can hold vast amounts of treasure.
Gods are also honored and remembered through a calendar of holy days and celebrations that relieve celebrants from work or labor obligations in many countries and regions.
Priesthood
There are established priesthoods for all of the Pantheon of Heaven. Each is structured similarly, but all have unique attributes and facets that make them all recognizable.
Every temple will have a high priest/priestess, responsible for ensuring proper devotion and ritual in regards to worship. Within every temple will be other priests/priestesses to assist the high priest/priestess. Every temple will have an underground vault or crypt where the tombs of past priests can be laid to rest, along with the votive offerings (often very valuable items and coins) collected in the name of the gods.
Large Temples will have an Ecclesiast at its head, while Grand Temples will have a Grand Ecclesiast. Above all other priests, however, are the Hagiarchs who wield the supreme authority within the Faith.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Permeated Organizations
Divines
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
