The Order of Martalia
Otherwise known as The Order, or Martalism, this religion spread as humans traveled. It is the dominant religion of the North, impacting the formation of empires and the tides of wars.
Structure
- Seer: the highest position in the Order. The Seer position can only be held by one who can see the Tapestry of Fate, a descendant of the Acolytes, in order to lead the people down the correct path.
- High Cleric: The highest ranking Clerical position, who directs them.
- Sanctuary Mother: Head caretaker of the Sanctuary, the Order's holiest site and base of operation.
- Scribe: personally assist the Seer and High Cleric, they are the record keepers and overseers.
- Priest: the head of all chapels in a given area, often several towns. Responsible for electing the High Clerics and appointing new clerics.
- Cleric: licensed magic practitioners. Serve as doctors. Can be called on a mission to travel and spread the Song.
- Chapel Mother/Father: oversees sermons in Order chapels, typically the head of religious affairs in their town.
- Abbey Sister/Brother: live as caretakers and general staff for any Order sites. Live in their own designated abbeys with the novices.
- Novice: trainees who live at Order abbeys undergoing the process to become official clergy members. Many wish to become Clerics. Spend their time doing odd jobs, such as cleaning.
- Candidates: laymen who have submitted applications to become novices, or those seen by the clergy as possible, worthy members. Not technically part of the clergy, but valued in a way that puts them above other laymen.
Assets
The Paladins
A militaristic faction of the Order, a personal police force to the Seer and High Clerics. They are the ones who are on the look out for mages breaking law, who relocate mage children to Order facilities.The Sanctuary
The Order's base of operations and most holy site, The Sanctuary is also the largest Order facility where the Seer carries out duties. It is also where many mages are relocated to, especially the ones with great potential, where they can be more easily watched.Mythology & Lore
The Order's teachings are all found in a holy book known as the Song of the Sun. The Song of Sol, or Song of the Sun, is a collection of writings and chants written by Martalia. The goddess Sol was said to have sung out her teachings, which only fell on Martalia's ears. Thus, the holy text is known commonly as the Song.
The Sun and Truth
In the beginning, there were two gods. Lun, and his sister, Sol. Together they wandered the cosmos, until they discovered a little realm with living beings. They took on humanoid forms to walk among the living beings. They dazzled the mortals with their magic, realizing that mortals had none. Their mortal forms did not naturally allow them to have magic. Lun and Sol took pity, and gifted magic to the mortals. They were worshiped together, but it became clear that the mortals loved the golden and just Sol more than the dark Lun. They came out to bask in her light, but avoided Lun's watchful eyes in the night. Lun grew jealous, and banished Sol into a dark prison. In her absence, Lun polluted the minds of mortals. Lies, falsehoods, chaos, and war ensued. He corrupted the mortals who shunned him. Sol's sight still sees all, even though she is lost. She wept for the mortals, wandering endlessly, searching for a way back to save them. All she could do was to sing out, hoping that her voice would reach someone worthy.The Tapestry of Fate
When Sol ruled alongside her brother, she wove a special tapestry for the mortals out of the threads of fate. She gifted it to them, and they loved her for it. How they were able to see their history, commune with ancestors, and glimpse their future. They had a guide, a map to life that they used for their betterment. The Tapestry of Fate became a force of its own, and began to form itself of its own accord. It connects all to their past, is formed in the present, and threads of the future are chaotic and hard to read. When Sol was banished, the Tapestry remained, believed to still be tied to her. Lun attempted to destroy it, but was unable. Instead, he corrupted the sight of the mortals, making it impossible to clearly see the Tapestry. With time, the gods were forgotten and left in obscurity without the map of Fate. A special few who heard whispers of Sol, even just for a moment, are the ones who can see some of the Tapestry. The last person who was fully able to see the entire spectrum of Fate was the prophetess, Martalia. Those who can see it a re said to have some of her blood.The Prophetess
Soon after the Scourge, when societies were rebuilding, a young kingdom rose to power. The tyrant king lied and killed to obtain the crown, and continued to spread falsehoods to keep his power. He claimed many lives to keep the throne, tossing his citizen's lives away on a whim. He claimed to have been blessed by a divine power, Lun. A peasant girl, a seamstress, whose name was lost to time, attempted to stand up to the tyrant king. Amused, the king declared that if she could not create a new cloak for him out of silver, he would slaughter her village. Desperate, she frantically tried to spin silver into thread. That was when she heard the Song. It was the goddess Sol, the Sun herself, calling out from a distant realm. She listened to the goddess' tale, how she was betrayed and banished by her brother, Lun, the very god that gave the king his powers. The peasant girl was called to battle the king, the only person who's ears the Song fell on. Sol lead her to a magic pond in the woods, where she was bestowed a blade made from the sun itself and the name Martalia. She was given instruction to see the Tapestry of Fate, the first mortal able to since Sol's banishment. Martalia the prophetess gathered her allies, following the guiding words of the Song. She was joined by Fallon the Sorceress, Qwenevere the Warrior, Rivantres the Hunter, and Alkissar the Healer. They became her Acolytes. They were lead to gifts left by Sol before her banishment. These gifts granted them the power to challenge the tyrant king, drunk on Lun's power. Together they seized the castle, and defeated the tyrant king. After the battle, Martalia decided to follow the call of Sol. The gifts used together created a special door that lead to Sol's prison. Only Martalia could go, as nobody else had the Song to guide them. Her allies were left behind to form the Order. Before her departure, the Acolytes partook in a ritual where they consumed her blood. They were given a fraction of the power to see Fate, never as extensive as Martalia's, but enough to glimpse. They became the first Seers, and all who are able to see Fate are believed to be descendants of the Acolytes.Tenets of Faith
It is the duty of the Order to enlighten the world to the truth and purge falsehoods, by almost any means.
Sol is the embodiment of truth and knowledge. When she was betrayed by Lun, he created many falsehoods to keep anyone from finding her. The search for the truth is difficult, but necessary to better the world and to find the light of Sol. This is why the Seer, who is able to see the Tapestry of Fate, is the leader of the Order, for the Seer is able to glimpse into paths of fate and possibly find the one that leads to Sol.
Magic is considered a gift from both Sol and Lun before the betrayal. Because of this, magic is easily corruptible by Lun. In order to practice it within the religion, one must become ordained as a cleric, that is officially restricted to healing. Mages are usually taken, often forcefully, to live at an Order facility early on for “protection” from Lun.
Worship
Martalian worship involves both praising Sol and outwardly shunning Lun. This is shown in their songs, prayers, readings, and sermons.
Chapel
Martalians attend chapel sermons often, at least twice a week. Sermons are headed by either a Mother or Father of the chapel, where they read from the Song and help people understand passages. Many can also come to a chapel to quietly pray and light a candle on their own time. They may also consult Order leaders for advice and council. Chapels are community centers, a place to gather and be social, so people will be going to their local chapels anyways.Sacrament of the Sun
A day of celebration and giving thanks to Sol. Everyone enjoys the sun on the longest day of the year, the summer soltice. Sermons are held outside on the front steps of the chapel or in the chapel garden, if there is one.Sacrament of the Moon
On the shortest day of the year, sermons are about sins of Lun and the dangers of magic. It is a somber day for reflection, a time to look inwards and think on how one can avoid the gaze of the Betrayer.Marriage
While many parts of marriage ceremonies and legalities do not have much to do with the Order, most of it is made into worship for Sol. Ceremonies are held during the summer where there is the most sunlight, lasting from sunup to sundown. They are typically held in an Order chapel and ordained by a priest. Royal weddings are ordained by the Seer or a High Cleric.The Golden Baptism
When one becomes clergy of the Order, they undergo a ritual known as the Golden Baptism. The only members involved with the ritual is an Oracle and a High Cleric, and the only ones allowed to bare witness is another Mother or Father. They are the only ones who know what truly happens. One of the effects is that their eyes are turned permanently gold.Political Influence & Intrigue
The Order's Seer always had influence over nobility, the religion's origins preceding and guiding the Estean Empire.
They are most influential over issues regarding magic, using their power over the mages and the public's fear of magic to their advantage.
To this day, the Seer still has some influence over the council, often allowed a seat. Anything the Emperor does typically isn't truly accepted until the Seer approves it, as the public values the Order's blessings. In recent years, this has been challenged, causing a clash that has not been seen for a long time.
Mage Life Under the Order
In Estea, practicing magic that is not ordained by the Order is illegal. Anyone caught practicing magic, even children, have two choices. They can be tried by Estea and ultimately sentenced to death, or be put under the protection of the Order and learn under them. The Order is even allowed to take initiative in relocating mage children to Order facilities. They are even allowed to have their own military branch, the Paladins, to help enforce these laws. Mages can be sent to live at a variety of locations, the most prominent being the Sanctuary. It is the Order's base of operations. Some mages are sent to other facilities, Holy Churches being specifically for mages. Some who do not have much skill in magic are sent to common Chapels. In these facilities, Paladins guard and enforce rules. They are specialized in Divine Magic, giving them the ability to dispell and subdue magic, making them perfect for ensuring nobody escapes or gets out of hand. The only way a mage can leave a facility is if they are accompanied by a Paladin and given written consent by a High Cleric. These buildings have living quarters, kitchens, and expansive libraries. Some even have gardens outside, albeit heavily walled. They basically become a community, with perks and freedoms prisoners in jail do not have. But they are still prisoners, watched at every moment, at the mercy of those above them. There are two paths for mages under the Order. They can stay in a facility all their lives, teaching and learning magic, given jobs within the confounds of the Order. Within these buildings, they are free to practice and study nearly whatever they please. They can become Archmages, who are community leaders and teachers. Or, a mage can try to become a Cleric. Clerics are the only free practitioners of magic in Estea. They undergo rigorous healing magic training, and basically become doctors. Their special licences allow them to travel outside of Order facilities. It is a very selective process, and very few pass the exams. Even fewer become High Clerics, who serve directly under the Seer.Sects
The Western Church
The Western Church is a branch within Martalism that is prominent in Daire. Unlike main sect of The Order, sometimes called The Estean Church in Daire, The Western Church holds much stricter views regarding magic. Any and all magic is banned, even "low" practices such as witchcraft. Their Golden Baptism is much different from The Order, it contains no magic and is a community event. Holidays and sermons are basically the same, and some priests go to study in Estea. The Sanctuary in Estea has tried to step in to control the Western Church in recent years, convincing them at times to relocate mages to The Sanctuary rather than killing them all outright.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
The Order, Martalism
Demonym
Martalian
Leader
Permeated Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
