Temple of Bahamut

The Temple of Bahamut is the secondary religion of the Draconian people, worshipped most by the people of Bortan. It is centralized in the Northern Islands at the center of the Northern Sea above Elone, worship was banned by the World Court in the year 550. The major domains are Justice, Nobility, Honor, Protection, and Metallic Dragons.

The Hall of the Just

Bahamut's Temple was once a large, beautiful building of intricate baroque design, with grand architecture of high domes adorned with the paintings of the just followers of Bahamut painted on its interior.

Santa Maria della Salute in Venice by Hans Peter Schaefer

For an idea of what the temple looked like, see the image to the right.
It had a great hall with a bedroom for its priests, a room for confessions, and a great altar where Bahamut would appear.
Surrounding this altar, there are tokens of the great saints of Bahamut, including Fepar Tilrak's sword and Velthen Saseth's cape.
Along the exterior of the temple, there are statues of many of these Draconian heroes who followed Bahamut, each carved out by the Head Priest at the time of their death. These heroes, in particular, are those who were sainted.

Saints

These saint with statues at the temple include, but are not limited to:

• Kath the Eternal- The first living being on Totania, the Golden Dragon Lord created by Bahamut.
• Wrakris the Orange- Founder of Bortan
• Lalraan Tilrak- The first Draconian follower of Bahamut, who helped introduce his god to the people of Bortan.
• Impak Daxur- Successor of Lalraan, who defended Bortan from Dwarven invasion, being the first Bortanian to unlock magic, and became the saint exemplifying Bahamut's protection.
• Kilprax Ildial- First Grand Wizard who united all the Draconian people.
• Cruldor Daxur- First Valedictorian of the Magic College and war hero from the Draco-Elvish War.

Grand Wizard Salasar Feaphed by Jarhed
• Perzita Theldrar- The 7th Grand Wizard, said to be the greatest combatant in history, and the final truly "Grand" of the Grand Wizards.
• Velthen Saseth- One of the Divine Heroes who saved Nerodil.
• Salasar Feaphed- The Demi-God son of Bahamut and 64th Grand Wizard who reinstated the title to global prominence, leader of the Mage Trio.
• Fepar Tilrak- The Guardian of Peace, founder of the Army of the Revolution, and member of the Mage Trio.
• Melthrum- Converted follower of Moradin, Dwarven General of the Orange Phoenixes, and member of the Mage Trio.
• Nalrik Tilrak- Was unable to be sainted before the destruction of the Temple, some believe Nalrik has achieved sainthood, others say he is not yet there.

Destruction and Ruin

In the year 550, the World Court outlawed Bahamut worship, citing his "justice" as the cause of strife, and declaring that with the death of his Temple, "true justice" would be carried out. The Head Priest of the Temple of Tiamat, Vornush Wrakris, led the Chromatic Dragon Lords to the Temple and destroyed it, despite the efforts of the three defenders: Kath the Eternal, Nalrik Tilrak, and Vodron Susk.
Ever since, the structure has lied in ruin, still present in pieces, but with much of it broken apart or reduced to ash. One can still find the foundation, as well as the base of the walls. The altar remained intact, and many of the treasures of the saints were stored beneath the temple before its destruction. One statue is known to have remained intact and fully standing: Impak Daxur, a protective force that still guards even the ruins.

Origins of the Church

Bahamut was the first God to create a living creature, making the Golden Dragon Lord Kath the Eternal. Kath, then, in honor of Bahamut built the beginnings of the Temple, though later renditions were made by Kath's brothers and future Head Priests.

Phrixus by Jarhed

Bahamut and Tiamat: Twin Gods

Bahamut has an immortal enemy who opposes his Church, this being his very own twin sister Tiamat, the Goddess of Greed, Envy, Draconians, and Chromatic Dragons. An opposite to the Justice, Nobility, Protection, and Metallic Dragons Bahamut in every way possible.
Bahamut dislikes Tiamat's methods, saying that they are evil and exploitative of her own people. He wishes to help her people see the light and that his sister only intends for their destruction. Yet he still loves his sister, as she is the only family that he has, so he refuses to ever directly engage in battle with her.
Instead, Bahamut tries to change the beliefs of other Draconians so that they believe in him and follow his religion, believing that they'll be better off under his supervision. He had his greatest and first follower, Kath the Eternal convert some of Draconian territory, though ultimately only the Village of Bortan converted to Bahamut's faith.
Tiamat, however, preaches that Bahamut's religion is a sham that is trying to steal her work, though in truth she is always wanting everything that Bahamut has. After all, she is the Goddess of Greed and Envy.
Whether she has any love for her brother or not is unknown. Most Draconians say that if she did not, she would have never let him live as long as she has, while others say that Bahamut is exponentially stronger than Tiamat and that she could never take him on even if she tried. Ultimately, Tiamat challenges her brother with his known weakness: Challenges of the Mind.

Helle by Jarhed

Kath himself flew to the South, making a nest in the area north of the Peak of the World and Bay of Wonder, in a land that would become Zephys. Here, he built the Magic College, waiting until after Bortan was founded to act on Bahamut's will.

Initial Spread and the War of Creation

When Wrakris the Orange, the first Village Chief of Bortan, passed away, Kath flew to Bortan and met with Lalraan Tilrak. Here, Kath told Lalraan and others in Bortan of Bahamut, of whom many of its population began to believe in. Kath wanted to stop the spread of their creator's religion, the sister of Bahamut: Tiamat, the Goddess of Greed and Envy.

Kilprax Ildial by Jarhed

This caused trouble with Tiamat's followers, and Lalraan and his followers of Bahamut fought against the followers of Tiamat, led by Talriad Nimphonker. They declared war on Lalraan, which became known as the War of Creation. Ultimately, the Bahamut followers won and Bortan became the central hub of Bahamut worship, for there were no people living around Bahamut's temple.

Zeldarr

Bortan, led by Talxeth Ravofarn, helped to found a second Draconian village on the edge of Dwarven territory, known as Zeldarr. This, too, was meant to spread Bahamut's word. However, Zeldarr was taken by the Dwarves and has remained in their hands as Ebreichzell, largely following Moradin instead of Bahamut.

The Grand Wizard

Kilprax Ildial would eventually find Kath's Magic College, where he studied under the Gold Dragon Lord for over 1000 years. Here, he grew to be the most powerful mortal, pretending to follow Bahamut.
He revealed himself in -797 to the Draconian people, uniting all of their villages together under his banner. For the first time, followers of Bahamut and Tiamat worked together, albeit begrudingly.
A Bahamut follower, Cruldor Daxur, was the first Valedictorian, and fought for Bortan in the Draco-Elvish War. He prayed to Bahamut before every battle, which led to many saying that is the best way to get Bahamut's blessing of protection. Cruldor also prayed because he considered it not right to work so closely with Tiamat followers, including later in the war riding atop Tiamat's most powerful son, the Red Dragon Lord Zome, Lord of Red.

Yirthum

Kilprax had also founded another village of mixed religion: Yirthum. A place meant to house both Bahamut and Tiamat worshippers. However, after losing the war, the Elves took it over and made it largely filled with followers of Sehanine. There are, however, still Bahamut and Tiamat followers who live there, albeit persecuted by the Elves.

The Divine Heroes

Velthen Saseth went to Nerodil in the year 20 to try and spread Bahamut's faith to the Humans who had recently settled there. As he was there, he joined up with a group of other priests and holy figures, becoming the Divine Heroes. Even with some of their religions not getting along well, the Divine Heroes worked together, saving not only Nerodil, but the entire world.
The Divine Heroes consisted of figures such as:

• Velthen Saseth- Priest of Bahamut
• Tankean Nimphonker- Follower of Tiamat
• Dhurnas Blackmane- Priest of Moradin
• Amara- Priestess of Sehanine
• Ishii Daisuke- Priest of Erra
• Entropy- Priest of Janus
• Mash- Priest of Irkalla

Banned

In the year 550, Judge Alpha of the World Court decreed what had been decided upon by the rest of the World Court: Bahamut's Justice was banned. They claimed it got in the way of their own justice, which followed the new God Amoth. Therefore, they sent the Head Priest of Tiamat, Vornush Wrakris, to destroy the Temple.

Nalrik Tilrak by Jarhed

Not long before, Bahamut had put Fepar Tilrak to rest, the Guardian of Peace, with a ceremony that all of the Gods honored. After Fepar's body was buried, his son Nalrik met with Kath the Eternal outside the Temple where they protected it from the Dragon Lords and Wrakris until Nalrik was forced to flee with his friend, Vodron Susk.
Kath was thrown into the Temple, the first part of the larger destruction which was then continued after Nalrik and Vodron had fled. While the World Court did not hunt Bahamut followers, they did impose restrictions on who was allowed to worship Bahamut, trying to contain it largely to the Valley of Creation and, more specifically, Bortan. They wanted no followers of Bahamut outside of Bortan and Zephys.

Teachings

Bahamut's Holy Text, "The Scale," is not often read by his followers. After all, it is one of Bahamut's teachings that justice is blind, and to be blind means one cannot read. At least, that is an excuse many give as to why they refuse to read the book.
The text teaches of atonement for crimes, yet speaks out against killing in most circumstances. While it does not say that killing cannot be done justly, it says that there are other ways around a problem, and that death should only be the last resort.

Justice

Justice is the core of Bahamut's teachings. He says that all sins and crimes have a punishment, for a sin is purely something that causes another to suffer. Bahamut's faith is largely about others rather than the self, preaching selflessness to combat the selfishness of his sister Tiamat.
"The Scales" tell that justice must be blind, that one must not have biases to carry out the true justice that all people deserve. That justice must mean that every person has someone in their corner, for one who is alone is lost. Guidance is necessary to lead to fairness, and they must teach guidance through showing the right path to justice through fairness, and that fairness is necessary for the right thing to always be carried out at all times.

Without fairness, there is no justice, and without justice, there is no fairness."

— The Scales

Bahamut is often followed by many judges and lawyers, helping them to see what is just. When they follow Bahamut, they often pray to him for justice before a trial so that they may at least believe they are carrying out his justice. Bahamut often serves as a blanket of comfort for those who damn others, so that they may at least believe they are doing what is just.
Those who do carry out Bahamut's justice are not always without fault. Some hurt others in the name of justice, or believe that their justice is the greatest and should be followed above all others. A man like this was Ikkul Ravofarn, the Chief of Bortan during the Chief Crisis, who tried to impose his justice on the world by becoming Grand Wizard and enforcing his beliefs. Yet Bahamut teaches in "The Scales" that:

"No one man's justice is correct. Not yours, not that of my priests, nor judges. Not even my justice is wholly right, even if right is holy. All justice has cracks, tiny holes where the right thing slips through. We must not try to pretend it is not there, or find a way to prevent it. We must be ever vigilant in fixing what slipped through, for it cannot be stopped. Nothing is perfect, neither man nor God. We are only the best we set out to be. As is justice."

— The Scales

Nobility and Honor

Bahamut describes in "The Scales" the idea of a noble spirit. He says that a noble spirit is one who is willing to help anyone, caring less about themselves and more about the well-being of those less-fortunate than themselves. For this, Bahamut describes the noble as above others, yet that does not mean they are better.

"A noble is above others not because they are greater in any way, but only because the best place to help others is from above."

— The Scales

Nobility fuels the great heroes, Bahamut says, as a hero is the noblest kind of warrior. One who devotes themselves to saving others, who protects all and who does not discriminate. That is the very definition of Nobility for Bahamut.
The word has been co-opted by the rich and high-status of the world, particularly the Draconians and Elves. This was done first by the Elves, who did it to stick in the face of the Draconians that they were better. They were higher up above them in status and thus the Draconians were nothing to them. Kilprax Ildial then used this to describe the high status people when he founded Zephys, drawing in Bortan with the promise of nobility from Bahamut, and drawing in others with the idea of having a higher status.
As for Honor, Bahamut teaches that honor comes from those who do not deal in dirty tricks, but instead fight with nobility and with the well-being of themselves and their opponent in mind.

"An honorable battle is one fought on even ground."

— The Scales

Bahamut describes honor with other similar words, like chivalry, bravery, and loyalty. One who is chivalrous, who approaches all situations with great courage, and who does not betray anyone, but sticks instead to a strict moral code that upholds the noble spirit is one who holds honor.

Protection

Bahamut teaches that more important than anything is that all people are safe to live as they please, and that it is the duty of himself and those who follow him to bring that protection. Not all must bring it to themselves, for there are those who worship him so that they may have protection. For them, the person they must protect is themselves. For the stronger people, they have a duty to the weak.

"There is not a man, woman, or child who draws breath who does not deserve to sleep at night with a roof over their heads. There is not a person, animal, or plant in this world that deserves to be caught in the midst of a petty squabble or a war that they did not choose. Those people deserve protection, the poor and downtrodden who are given nothing more than nothing."

— The Scales

A shield is the symbol of Bahamut. One can find the shield of Bahamut, which is a traditional shield with a Dragon emblazened on the front, on all buildings under Bahamut's protection. This is Churches, Temples, and even stores and homes owned by those who worship Bahamut. Here, one can find safety even in the most dire of circumstances, for the protection of Bahamut does not discriminate.

The Heptad Honors

The Heptad Honors are a set of seven sacraments that one undergoes as a follower of Bahamut. Of course, not all of these honors needs to be done. In fact, only two of them are said to be necessary (Annointment and Acceptance), and even then it is not necessarily always true that one must do all four. The Heptad Honors are as follows:

1. Annointment- One is annointed in the Church after they are born. For most, it is a light flame that they are dipped in for a moment for their annointment in ash. For Draconians, it depends on the color they are. They are annointed in the magic of their color, which they are more attuned to.
   • Red- Flames
   • Blue- Lightning
   • White- Ice
   • Black- Dark
   • Yellow- Light
   • Brown- Earth (Sand)
   • Green- Earth (Plants)
   • Purple- Water
   This is representative of one being put under the protection of Bahamut, being the first step for all towards being a follower of Bahamut. Before they take their Acceptance and after they are Annointed, they are young people who rely only on Bahamut for safety and guidance.


2. Agreement- Agreement is an honor one must take before taking up a weapon. They are given a cookie in the shape of a shield, which is said to taste rather dry. They must eat this cookie, then taking a box of those cookies into battle. Whenever they feel they are overstepping their bounds as a follower of Bahamut, they must eat another of the cookies to remind themselves to protect above all else.


3. Acceptance- One is accepted fully into the Temple when they reach the age of seventeen. Here, they are considered old enough to accept Bahamut as their God and accept that they must protect the people around them. They are told of their duties as followers of Bahamut, to never impose on others and to help while never expecting anything more than what they have. Followers of Bahamut know to live humbly and accept what comes from that lifestyle.
   It is only after a Draconian that follows Bahamut undergoes Acceptance that they are allowed to go to the Magic College, which is why often the Draconians attending in their first year are eighteen.


4. Testimony- Testimony is where one confesses any crimes they have done or sins they have committed. It is done before a Priest, but it is not done in secret. Instead, one is brought to a court where they confess as if they were confessing to a crime. Here, the Priest judges their sins and delivers the justice necessary, which often simply consists of absolving their sins and letting them go with a slap on the wrist to improve from that moment on.


5. Honor of the Soldier- A rite that can be done only on the battlefield, the Honor of the Soldier is when a warrior annoints the face of their shield and the tip of their weapon in the holy oil of Bahamut, saying a prayer over it to grant protection to themselves and their allies. This can also be performed on a fallen ally, annointing their forehead on the oil to facilitate their passing in peace.


6. Marriage- Said to be the most sacred of the honors, one binds themselves to another or multiple others (polyamory is accepted by Bahamut) in Bahamut's name. Their bond is forged in the spirit of honor and nobility, with Bahamut himself promising their love protection. Bahamut marriage ceremonies feature the best man and maid of honor giving a spear to the newlyweds after their vows, and the newlyweds throwing it onto a target. The closer to the center the spear lands, the more prosperous the union will be.


7. Priestly Trials- Described in more detail down below, one must go through presiding over seven trials before becoming a Priest of Bahamut.

Tilthus Tilrak by Jarhed

Priesthood

Priests of Bahamut swear off of most possessions. They often do not read the news, staying isolated in the Northern Islands or traveling to spread the good word. They isolate so that they may stay impartial in cases where they must judge. Bahamut himself keeps up to date with the goings-on in the world and updates his priests as he sees fit.
To become a Priest of Bahamut, one must learn and memorize the teachings of "The Scale" and take it to heart. They must preside over seven trials as judge, one of many various kinds of crime.

1. Theft
2. Drugs
3. Arson
4. Abuse (Domestic or Child)
5. Murder
6. Sexual Assault
7. Mass Murder

Only when their judgement has been passed on these seven crimes can Bahamut be sure of their definition of justice. In truth, it is said that presiding over these seven crimes can help them understand whether they can truly carry out justice, and what justice means to them. What is just in the case of the first crime may not be just by the fifth.
Priests of Bahamut can be married, though often they have no choice but to leave their families behind simply due to the fact that the Temple is far away from most civilization. In some cases, like if a Nereid from the Northern Nereid Kingdom or a Human from the Kingdom of man is a Priest, they may visit their family because they are nearby and do not take from their time at the Church.
They wear robes of red and white, the colors that Bahamut says represent "justice." Blue is the justice brought on by the innocent, red the justice brought upon the guilty. The priests must be familiar with both, thus their red and blue garments. They sometimes wear capes as well, which are meant to work as shields or layers of protection that they can freely give out to those who need them.