The emblem of the Empyrean Church is often a 9 pointed star of gold, with bands of silver and iron.
The Empyrean Church is a faith based on the worship of the nine most prominent Empyrean titans and is derived from the ancient dwarven veneration of their titan kings. Despite the fact that the titans are not gods, they are labelled as such by the church. The church is widespread though centralized in Findle and Thessan. The church views itself as a country without borders and is jokingly referred to as "the Empire". It's divided into a very broad and bureaucratic hierarchy dedicated to all of the titans as opposed to lesser cults which worship individuals.
Within the church's hierarchy there are some sects dedicated to individual titans. These sects occasionally come to blows when the works of opposing deities conflict with one another. A prime example is the open hostility between worshipers of Nuadun and his brother Azogun.
The church takes a very strong stance against elevating mortals to deific positions and consider shamans and worshipers of "lesser powers" as heretics to the church. The church frequently works in opposition to those worshipers which often leads to bloodshed. The church especially despises the Cult of the One God and views their particular heresy and so heinous that many in the church will not hesitate to slay cult members.
Golden statues of the Empyrean gods are popular with worshipers. Displaying such statues often brings the church's favor upon you.
Many within the church dedicate themselves solely to a single patron, although it is not uncommon for a priest to offer a prayer to another empyrean titan. For example, a priestess of Materan may pray to Lugun to ask for great strength. If one wanted something more specific, like guidance in a particular task they may pray to a saint as well.
Members of the Empyrean church hold graven images of their gods in high regard and there is a large trade of church relics, emblems, statues and charms that bear images of the titans or saints.
The Nine Empyrean Titans[]
The Brought-Low, the Broken, The Bound[]
The evil titans, Azogun, Taotatun, and Lyttan are not commonly worshipped by regular folk, though they maintain equal, if not less grand, shrines in the Cathedrals and temples.
Other Titans[]
Apart from the empyrean titans, other creatures of titan ancestry remain on Ord. These include the dread Tarrasque, the elemental primordials as well as small populations of kraken. The church does not recognize these creatures as related to the Empyreans, and do not actively engage in their worship.
Holy Scriptures[]
The majority of Empyrean Church Scriptures are divided into four books, with the The Enkheiridion Empyrean and the Book of the Nine being the most commonly read by followers of the church.
Main Church Scriptures[]
- Resolution of the First Ages - A simplification of the history of the first age from the Titans perspective
- The Enkheiridion Empyrean - A history of the Titan's deeds and of the Ordning. Later editions of the book also include a specious creation myth for various races, including, dwarves, humans and goblin-kin.
- The Parables of Saint Aachener - A series of short stories regarding the Empyrean titans and various saints. The stories are mostly noncannonical though they are considered the framework for the church's moral views.
Apocryphal Books[]
- The Libris Mortis - The book of the dead. A relatively rare book, only really read by higher level priests. Written by Saint Acrinus, the tome outlines various undead as well as the fate of souls who are not saved from the river Styx.
- Malleus Mendaces - The Hammer of the Liars, an ancient manual for hunting heretics. This tome includes many religious ceremonies dedicated to Azogun and methods of obtaining information through torture and magical means.
The Scripture of the Khazar[]
- Zol Kisęga Ordal/The Lexicon of Earth and Craft - "The Book of Stones" - A manual of minerals, metals, and related crafts. This is common reading for young dwarves and is expected to be memorized by dwarven tradespersons.
- Zol Gródrodowóld Rodzin/A History of Vaults and Lines of the Clans - "The Book of Bones" - A history of the Dwarven clans and genealogical trees, Most clans have a version that tends to focus on their own line. It also includes the histories and locations of famous tombs and vaults.
- Twój Grizech Dulug/A Chronical of Slights and Debts - "Book of Loans" - Unique to each and every dwarf, this is generally a small journal for them to keep track of every personal slight, individual debt, or instance of charity that a dwarf experiences. Many journals include slights to the clan or parents. Some of these go back many generations. Nothing is too insignificant to be included, and dwarves consider it their sacred duty to pay their debts and repay their grudges to the best of their ability.
Additional Scriptures Unique to Valskar[]
- Vysok Ordal Valka/Struggle of Earth and Ice - A historical manual of the struggle between the great elemental colossal Izstor and Joudstor.
Hierarchy[]
The Church is divided into many tiers, some unique to individual sects.
Saint[]
In the Empyrean Church, the title "Saint" posthumously denotes a person who has been formally canonized, that is, officially and authoritatively declared a saint, by the Church, as the mortal will of a titan. Saints are often referenced by a characteristic they were known to show in life. One such saint being Saint Reluse, who was known to be exceptionally tenacious. Saints embody a single aspect of a titan and are sometimes evoked to as a conduit to a specific titanic characteristic. For example, a priest may evoke St. Geshran when praying for self-restraint.
The Ordo Legatorum[]
The Ordo Legatorus was the council of Exemplar, representing the Empyrean Titans and the ruling body of the church in the fourth and fifth ages. They serves as conduits for the will of the Empyreans and were known to temporarily grant control of their bodies to the Empyreans themselves to issue proclamations. Members were most likely former high priests, archbishops, clerics, or high ranking members of various orders aligned with their patron. On the council, each had an equal say in the governence of the chuch, with the Relx Factorus, Exemplar of Nuadun, being the first among peers. These positions were lifelong appointments chosen by various different methods by their associated clergy. To become a member of the Ordo Legatorum one would need to be chosen, forsake ownership of property and material posessions, relenquish all authority and membership in any other organizations, denounce all vendettas, oaths, and animus towards other clergies, and dedicate themselves solely to the church as a whole. This was not a flawless system however, and loyalties would often still remain.
Recs Factorus[]
"The Crown Maker" - Exemplar of Nuadun
The Recs Factorus was a challenging position to hold. As the first of the Ordo Legatorum, the Recs Factorus is the official leader of the Empyrean Church and was often the target of assassins and revolutionaries. This position was traditionally held by a former Grandmaster of the Shining Blades of Nuadun. After the disbandment of the order, the position was appointed by the Bishop of Callahax. This set precident for several centuries. The Recs Factorus worked very closely with the rulers of various nations, considering the role of the monarch to be a sacred duty on par or superior to their own, though depending on the individual they may have been more or less democratic in their outlook. Their voice on the council represented the will of the nobility and royalty.
Pacs Mercatus[]
"The Peace Buyer" - Exemplar of Materan
The Pacs Mercatus was the high priest of Materan. There was no more hotly contested position in the Church. Priests from every city in every terretory dreamed of being the Pacs Mercatus. Most of those who held this title were former leaders of the Harvast Brotherhood. The Pacs Mercatus not only oversaw the interests of the Brotherhood, but served as chief negotiator in times of hostility. They were known to use the influence of the church, as well as the influence of gold, to ensure open warfare did not ravage the continent. Their voice on the council represented the will of the landowners and merchants.
Ducs Bellicus[]
"The Lord Contester' - Exemplar of Lugun
Warlord of the Empyrean Church. Their voice on the council represented the will of soldiers and athletes.
Vocs Silentus[]
"The Voice of the Silent" - Exemplar of Morrigan
The Vocs Silentus was the speaker for the dead. Their voice on the council represented the will of the deceased.
Vics Pertinus[]
"The Unmoving One" - Exemplar of Cernunnun
The Vics Pertinus was a unique position on the council. They were intended to be the voice of nature, however, the original Vics Pertinus set precident as one who only voted to maintain the status quo. By tradition, this position votes present on every subject. Their voice represents the will of nature - to endure and resist change.
Mocs Celebrus[]
"The Quick to Cheer" - Exemplar of Parun
The prime partier, as some call them. The Mocs Celebrus is a spirit of change and revalry. They often come from the ranks of Fortune's Friends, or suprisingly reveal themseves as Parun priests after a lifetime amidst the clergy of another Empyrean. The Mocs Celebrus' prime duty is to ensure that the council acts swiftly in their decision making. Their voice represents the commoners and peasants.
Lecs Custodius[]
"The Keeper of Laws" - Exemplar of Azogun
The Lecs Custodius is a position with a dark reputation. The Keeper of Laws had been a sacred title since before the fall of Kolzamor, and was carried along with Azogun's teachings down through the ages. After the failed coup of Findle by the Azogunite cult, this position was vacated and temporarily stationed by a priest of Morrigan or Nuadun, who would vote solely in line with the tennants of the law. The reintroduction of Azogun's priests back into the church was slow, though the position was one of the first filled with an Azogunite again. This position is usually filled by a former member of the The Inquisition. Their voice represents the will of craftsmen and those who enforce the law.
Nocs Tonantius[]
"The Night Thunderer" - Exemplar of Taotatun
Taotatun's priests aren't much for ceremony or heirarchy. The Nocs Tonantius is one of the few exceptions. All stormlords will bow to the will of the Night Thunderer. This position on the council mainly concerns itself with the weather of the region and helps ensure that disasters don't happen... too frequently. Their voice represents the will of the sea and the elements.
Necs Furiosus[]
"The Chained Fury" - Exemplar of Lyttan
Lyttan is the betrayer of the titans and one of their primary enemies. Most would think it resonable to remove her from the council entirely, but she is an Empyrean and has the same right to veneration and representation as the others. That being said, her representative is not free. Much like their patron, the Necs Furiosus is a prisoner, appearing in chains at each meeting and barely managing more than savage threats to their peers. They are chosen by necessity, and are often captured from among the wild Ravagers that scrape at the edges of civilization. What they add to the meeting is anyones guess, as they are anything but predictable. They are unsavory to say the least, but have been a suprise tiebreaking vote in the past. Their voice represents the corrupted, the demented, and the madness that scratches at the edge of all of our sanity.
Archbishop[]
An archbishop is an elected position overseeing the collective bishops of a region, often called an archdiocese. This usually covers a region such as an entire Thessan duchy, a Morat Ras county, or the cantons in Findle. Smaller more homogeneous regions like the parish of Crimbury often have their own archbishop as well.
Bishop[]
A bishop is an experienced priest or cleric who has been tasked with overseeing the clergy of a city or small region, called a diocese. These can be individual cities like New Illden or rural communities like the Vierdeling of Veninglach. Most bishops are generalist priests overseeing the church as a whole, though their are those that venerate a specific Empyrean directly.
Cleric[]
A cleric is a traveling priest, often tasked or self appointed with bringing their faith into the wider world. They generally play a more active roll in the service of their faith and often take to adventuring. Clerics tend to arm themselves and learn less subtle spells than priests.
Priest[]
A priest is a general practitioner of the Empyrean faith. Priests work to interpret the will of the church and do not commonly have access to powerful spells.
Deacon[]
A deacon is an apprentice priest. They are often young men and women.
Associate Organizations[]
The Fortune's Friends[]
The Harvest Brotherhood[]
The Harvest Brotherhood are an extremely secretive order. Known outwardly as bankers and bureaucrats, the Brotherhood controls food production and storage. The brotherhood provides support to farmers and ranchers in exchange for donations and has close ties to the stormlords who provide adequate rainfall in times of drought. They are generally priests of Materan.
The Hierophants[]
A Hierophant is a priest dedicated to Cernunnun who works with druids to protect sacred sites and help others understand the importance of such locations. Some lead a life of humility as hermits in the wild, attempting to be one with nature. They are generally priests of Cernunnun.
The Inquisition[]
An inquisitor is commonly a militant priest of Azogun who serves to identify and remove heretics and other threats from within. The cult of Azogun once attempted to overthrow the kingdom of Findle but were defeated by the Four Heroes of Findle. They are few in number and dangerous to non believers but are seen as a necessity by the church. They often come to blows with Templars over ideological differences.
The Mystic Theurges[]
A Mystic Theurge is an experienced priest who specializes in researching powerful magics and interpreting the will of Morrigan. Most Theurges are members of the House of Herat, the ruling body of Herat Isle. Mystic Theurges blend the skills of arcane and divine magic.
The Mythic Exemplar[]
The clergy of Lugun have few throughlines apart from their focus on warfare. The only other real tennant of their faith is to compete and be the best. Many in the clergy model themselves after the legendary desciples that came before them and strive to achieve the peak of their chosen craft. The Mythic Exemplar are well known for their haughty attitudes and showboating behavior. Sadly, there is no desciple of humility in their history.
The Ravagers[]
A Ravager is a type of priest, dedicated to Lyttan, goddess of madness. Ravagers do not ascribe to the hierarchy and have only one ceremony; savage murder. Ravagers are universally reviled as worship of Lyttan herself is a serious taboo to the church. Ravagers are often mistaken for wounded priests as they favour white robes, which are better for displaying gore.
The Stormlords[]
The stormlords are priests enamoured by the power of natures wrath. Summoning forth powerful storms at sea and on land. These men and women can range from simple rain-callers to demented hermits. Little is known about their organization if there is any, and even less is known about how the knowledge is passed form one to another.
The Templar[]
A templar is a cleric or paladin tasked the with protection of Empyrean churches or cathedrals. They often work as agents of the church on "prolonged missions or protection." The Old Shining Blades were a knightly order within the ranks of the Templar in Tus. They once attempted an ill fated coup d'etat against the Steward of Findle after the Monarchy was lost in the fourth age. With the restoration of the theocratic monarchy in the fifth age, king Pahlin Holt and Steinthor Drakeson have re-established the New Shining Blades who now serve as royal bodyguards.
Heresy[]
Heresy is any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs, in particular the accepted beliefs of the church. The church works hard to maintain its grip on the Delt continent despite fringe societies on the frontier, and shadowy cults of Gnostics constantly working to erode the church's authority. The church maintain an Inquisition to root out these heresies, although due to Azogun's influence, the effectiveness of this inquisition is debatable.
Lost Gods Heresy[]
Ages ago, true gods created the titans. Shortly after, war between the two erupted across the cosmos. Like all spheres, Ord was created by an overgod. Unlike other spheres, Eos did not elevate other true gods, instead siding with the cosmic titans and creating the empyrean titans. Upon Eo's death no true gods existed on Ord. The titans claim deific positions and can grant cleric spells, but do not hold the same power as true gods from other spheres. The common church member would not know the difference, but a true deity could easily overpower a titan.
The Heir of Eos Heresy[]
The idea that Azogun, not Nuadun, was the true heir of Eos is not well known to the common church members. Official church doctorine claims that Nuadun is the sole heir and has the divine right of leadership. The cult of Azogun, Gnostics, and some followers of the Seraphim are often accused of this heresy, as they support Azogun's claim.
The Divine Spark Heresy[]
Hero deities are considered a grave threat to the Empyrean Church. Belief that the powers granted to these mortals is from a true-divine source is considered one of the gravest sacrileges. In truth, hero deities are gifted with a divine spark, a tiny fraction of the power of Eo, a power rightfully owed to Nuadun and the titans. While still mortal, they are deified by their followers and put into a position that challenges titan authority.