Post by Admin on Jun 25, 2016 20:56:46 GMT -5
The religion of Estersea reaches back to the time of the Watermen, representing a duology. The majority of the region still follows this religion, though those in the west and the east are being increasingly influenced by the religion of the Deverauxs and the Sandovals respectively.
Delios and Delias:
In the beginning, the world was but a barren place until the arrival of twin siblings, Delios and Delias. It was Delias that unleased the powerful and furious storms of nature upon the world, providing it with rock and water. It was she who shaped the world and created its foundations. The gentler and shaping efforts of Delios brought about the life that everyone now sees. To this end, Delios and Delias are two sides of the same coin.
Delias:
The sister of the duology, Delias represents the fundamental forces of nature and the inevitably of all things. It is she that crafted the world, created the weather and represents the very nature and awesome power of the waters that provide those in Estersea with life. Delias also represents the undoing the world as evidenced by the fact that water can destroy just as much as it can create. As such, Delias is seen to represent the beginning and end of all things.
In artwork and iconography, Delias is shown as an impassive dark haired with woman with a resolute mien. Worshippers turn to Delias prior to undertaking a great journey or task. The farmers also regularly pay tribute to her in hopes that she will favor them with fair weather which results in a good bounty. She is favored greatly among the academics, who appreciate and study the very foundations of the world she crafted. Lastly, she is favored among the knights and warriors of the realm, knowing that they must deal with their mortal coil on a regular basis.
Delios:
The brother of the duology, Delios represents those aspects of the world that influence its very foundations. Where Delias crafted the world and established the inevitabilities of life and death, Delios represents all of the possibilities that occur between life and death. In other words, if Delias provided the canvas and paints, Delios is the artist. It was Delios that painted the world with flora and let loose the fauna to see what they would do with this world that was created. Delios is seen to represent the chaos, the free will and events that improve or worsen people’s lives.
In artwork and iconography, Delios is shown as a light haired man with a smiling but knowing expression. Worshipers turn to Delios for blessings of home, health and general wellbeing. He is most popular to merchants and physicians in particular, since they are most aware of the chaos and randomness that shape their daily lives. He is also favored among the artisans for his creative influence and assistance in shaping the very foundations of the world that surround them.
Hierarchy:
The Dualist is the head of the church, representing the embodiment of both Delios and Delias. This is said to be a reflection of the very nature of people, but the Dualist has achieved enlightenment and true balance of both natures. The Dualist provides religious guidance to all people who follow the religion and specifically to the Marquess of Estersea. Underneath the Dualist are the Precepts who head the major churches in each of the cities of Estersea. The Precepts oversee the various monks who serve the churches, some of whom are the heads of smaller churches that dot the cities and landscapes of Estersea. Men and women are allowed to serve the church in any capacity they wish.
The churches hold a regular service in the middle of every week along with special services during the various holidays. The churches also tend to the poor, the sick and infirm, believing that all should have a good and peaceful life before reaching the end. The church also takes in orphans, providing them with basic education and helping them find a healthy and productive path.
Delios and Delias:
In the beginning, the world was but a barren place until the arrival of twin siblings, Delios and Delias. It was Delias that unleased the powerful and furious storms of nature upon the world, providing it with rock and water. It was she who shaped the world and created its foundations. The gentler and shaping efforts of Delios brought about the life that everyone now sees. To this end, Delios and Delias are two sides of the same coin.
Delias:
The sister of the duology, Delias represents the fundamental forces of nature and the inevitably of all things. It is she that crafted the world, created the weather and represents the very nature and awesome power of the waters that provide those in Estersea with life. Delias also represents the undoing the world as evidenced by the fact that water can destroy just as much as it can create. As such, Delias is seen to represent the beginning and end of all things.
In artwork and iconography, Delias is shown as an impassive dark haired with woman with a resolute mien. Worshippers turn to Delias prior to undertaking a great journey or task. The farmers also regularly pay tribute to her in hopes that she will favor them with fair weather which results in a good bounty. She is favored greatly among the academics, who appreciate and study the very foundations of the world she crafted. Lastly, she is favored among the knights and warriors of the realm, knowing that they must deal with their mortal coil on a regular basis.
Delios:
The brother of the duology, Delios represents those aspects of the world that influence its very foundations. Where Delias crafted the world and established the inevitabilities of life and death, Delios represents all of the possibilities that occur between life and death. In other words, if Delias provided the canvas and paints, Delios is the artist. It was Delios that painted the world with flora and let loose the fauna to see what they would do with this world that was created. Delios is seen to represent the chaos, the free will and events that improve or worsen people’s lives.
In artwork and iconography, Delios is shown as a light haired man with a smiling but knowing expression. Worshipers turn to Delios for blessings of home, health and general wellbeing. He is most popular to merchants and physicians in particular, since they are most aware of the chaos and randomness that shape their daily lives. He is also favored among the artisans for his creative influence and assistance in shaping the very foundations of the world that surround them.
Hierarchy:
The Dualist is the head of the church, representing the embodiment of both Delios and Delias. This is said to be a reflection of the very nature of people, but the Dualist has achieved enlightenment and true balance of both natures. The Dualist provides religious guidance to all people who follow the religion and specifically to the Marquess of Estersea. Underneath the Dualist are the Precepts who head the major churches in each of the cities of Estersea. The Precepts oversee the various monks who serve the churches, some of whom are the heads of smaller churches that dot the cities and landscapes of Estersea. Men and women are allowed to serve the church in any capacity they wish.
The churches hold a regular service in the middle of every week along with special services during the various holidays. The churches also tend to the poor, the sick and infirm, believing that all should have a good and peaceful life before reaching the end. The church also takes in orphans, providing them with basic education and helping them find a healthy and productive path.