Post by Admin on Jun 25, 2016 21:54:21 GMT -5
Unlike most other Houses and regions of Archades, the Deverauxs, and the mountain clans they came from follow only one god, known as the Architect, who is the maker of the world and everything in it. To the tribes, the god is known less formally as the Maker. He gives and he takes away, asking total devotion from His followers.
However, the Architect is viewed as a fair and just god, weighing good deeds against sins in judging a soul. Those who strive to lead lives of goodness, charity, mercy and faith will be welcomed into the Architect’s presence in the City of Souls, while those who fail to meet their God’s standards are condemned to Midlarian, a kind of purgatory where redemption is pursued. Those who persist in failure or refuse to seek redemption are sentenced to the Straits of Despair, where they endure eternal torment.
Worship of the Architect is very simple. Churches are made of stone or wood, with a single altar set with a scale and an oil lamp burning in front of it. It is the duty of the priests to keep the lamp burning and never go out. Offerings made to the Architect can be placed in front of the altar, but no living creature should ever be sacrificed. Offerings that can be used to feed and clothe the needy are viewed favorably.
The priesthood is drawn strictly from men, who agree to take vows of chastity, humility and poverty. They may not marry, nor receive payments for the services they perform. All donations of coin go to the Church for its upkeep, to house and feed the priesthood, and tend to the needy. However, there are holy laywomen who may join the Sisterhood of Souls, who tend the infirm, the elderly and orphans. They too adopt vows of chastity, humility and poverty.
The priesthood answers to the Council of Inspiration, comprised of the priests who occupy the main temples in each city of Faucheux. They issue dogmatic proclamations, examine novices who hope to become priests, and handle disciplinary issues within the Church.
The primary tenet is the spread of the faith, for the Architect is the one true Light and Hope of the world. They do not recognize other religions but do not speak against them or seek to eliminate them. Instead, the followers of the Architect make efforts to convert others, to show them the true way.
However, the Architect is viewed as a fair and just god, weighing good deeds against sins in judging a soul. Those who strive to lead lives of goodness, charity, mercy and faith will be welcomed into the Architect’s presence in the City of Souls, while those who fail to meet their God’s standards are condemned to Midlarian, a kind of purgatory where redemption is pursued. Those who persist in failure or refuse to seek redemption are sentenced to the Straits of Despair, where they endure eternal torment.
Worship of the Architect is very simple. Churches are made of stone or wood, with a single altar set with a scale and an oil lamp burning in front of it. It is the duty of the priests to keep the lamp burning and never go out. Offerings made to the Architect can be placed in front of the altar, but no living creature should ever be sacrificed. Offerings that can be used to feed and clothe the needy are viewed favorably.
The priesthood is drawn strictly from men, who agree to take vows of chastity, humility and poverty. They may not marry, nor receive payments for the services they perform. All donations of coin go to the Church for its upkeep, to house and feed the priesthood, and tend to the needy. However, there are holy laywomen who may join the Sisterhood of Souls, who tend the infirm, the elderly and orphans. They too adopt vows of chastity, humility and poverty.
The priesthood answers to the Council of Inspiration, comprised of the priests who occupy the main temples in each city of Faucheux. They issue dogmatic proclamations, examine novices who hope to become priests, and handle disciplinary issues within the Church.
The primary tenet is the spread of the faith, for the Architect is the one true Light and Hope of the world. They do not recognize other religions but do not speak against them or seek to eliminate them. Instead, the followers of the Architect make efforts to convert others, to show them the true way.