Arcturus, God of Order

"Order is the fire that keeps the night at bay."

— Canticle of the First Flame

 

I - Origin

Among humans, Arcturus is considered to be the foremost of the gods, the cornerstone upon which civilization itself is build. Priest tell how before walls rose and words were written, mankind huddled in fear under the chaos and dangers of the world. How they cowered until Arcturus showed them how to strike stone against stone as he taught them how to make fire. From that first spark on Arcturus taught them how to make boundaries and gave meaning to oaths. They believe that Arcturus stood with them as they raised the first marked stones. Shaping their path from scared prey into a civilization build upon intention and order.
  In the teachings of The Arcturian Concord, order is inherently just, and justice derives from structure. Without hierarchy there is no protection and without law there is no fairness. Arcturus is therefore regarded as the divine father of governance, oath-binding, and the social contract. He is invoked at coronations, trials, marriages, and the founding of new settlements. At temples dedicated to him initiates are taught to value discipline, stability, and the upholding of systems even when doing so requires harsh measures
 

II - Divine Domains

Within the Arcturian Concord. Arcturus is understood to have divine authority over all matters of social and cultural structure, continuity and binding order. His foremost domain is order, as he guides his followers in shaping their civilization. From order flows law, which grants structure through codified rules and enforceable authority. And from law rises justice, Which is, according to Arcturian theologians, the correct application of structure rather than personal sentiment. Beyond these central domains, Arcturus is also associated with governance and hierarchy, as without authority there can be no lasting order. And fire, when contained in a hearth, forge or brazier, is considered as his first gift, and thus falls under his influence.
  As the head of the pantheon, Arcturus is worshiped by all followers of the Concord. Even those whose primary devotion lies with another deity awknowledge him as the divine authority over all. His authority is seen as foundational, all other divine influences are believed to operate within the structure he provides.
 

III - Divine Symbols

Arcturian symbols are intentionally austere, emphasizing permanence, clarity, and order. The most widely seen and recognized is the lawstone, an upright slab of stone inscribed with runes for the ancient ones, or legal texts. Such stones represent the immutability of binding law and endurance of established order. They are placed at courts, city gates, treaty sites, and border, and they are often touched by those who swear oaths at these sites.
  The contained flame is also a common symbol, usually depicted as a lantern or hearth bound fire. Which symbolizes civilization's first triumph over chaos through Arcturus. It represents power mastered by intention rather then uncontrolled destruction. For this reason every hearth if considered a minor site of reverence.
  Another common sigil, one frequently encountered on symbols carried on a necklace or rosary by Arcturian priests and faithfull is the open hand bound by a cord. This symbol the obligation owed to Arcturus, freedom willingly constrained by law and oath.
  Further as a mark of Arcturus' supreme position, his face or sigil is placed or carved at the entrance of every temple of the Concord, regardless of which deity is worshiped within. Likewise his likeness is carved at the borders of sacred groves and ritual spaces. Affirming that all sanctity exists within his ordered bounds.
 

IV - Dogma and Tenets.

Followers of the Arcturian Corcord hold that order is the highest virtue, and that it must be established and enforced even against resistance. Disorder is not merely inconvenient but spiritually dangerous. An erosion of the boundaries that keep humanity from sliding back into darkness. Their tenets reflect this and emphasize certainty, obedience, obligation and the sanctity of law.
  Fire, when contained, is civilization’s first triumph, and every hearth honors him.
Authority, once legitimately established, must be obeyed, lest chaos unmake its protections.
Arcturus stands with rulers who uphold law, and abandons tyrants who twist it for personal gain.
Memory, tradition, and recorded law are the shields against savagery, and must be preserved.
Order must be imposed when necessary, for without enforcement no system can endure.
The individual must yield to the needs of the structured whole, for society is greater than any one life.
Justice flows from the law, and where the law is correctly upheld, justice naturally follows.
Punishment is a necessary instrument, for the restoration of stability requires correcting that which threatens it.
Ordering of land, lineage, and legacy is sacred, for structure gives meaning to mortality.
Oaths bind the soul as well as the tongue, and breaking them fractures the foundations upon which civilization rests.

 

V - Rites of worship

Among the priesthood, the most important rites are those that bind society together. Priests consecrate lawstones and the founding of settlements, the opening of courts and the drawing of borders. They also witness oaths of marriage, fealty, apprenticeship, and treaty, recording them in sanctified ledgers. Before trials priests invoke Arcturus as witness and judge, affirming that judgement is rendered not in passion but according to law. Sentencing, punishment's and execution are preceded by solemn rites acknowledging the necessity of correction for the preservation of order.
  For common worshipers, devotion is often woven into daily life. The lighting of the hearth and awn or dusk is often accompanied by a brief spoken prayer to Arcturus. Contracts and promises are sealed with simple invocations, asking Arcturus that the word given be bound. Many touch lawstones or boundary markings when entering civic spaces, affirming submission to shared order. Participating in public readings of law and attending public trials and punishments are likewise considered act of reverence.
 

VI - Holydays

First Measure (Midwinter): Observed at the deepest point of winter, this day commemorates the raising of the first lawsone and the moment humanity chose order over chaos. Courts remain open for petitions, old laws are reviewed, and new statutes are proclaimed.
Hearthbound (4th of Tarsakh): heartbound marks the rekindling of fire as a symbol of continuity rather then survival. Homes are ritually cleaned, hearths are relit from a shared civic flame, and household oaths are reaffirmed. On this day families often record births, deaths, and changes if lineage.
Day of Oaths (Midsummer): The most solemn and widely observed Arcturian holy day, and is dedicated to sworn words and binding obligations. On this day marriages, treaties, guild charters, and vows of fealty are often sworn before witnesses. An oath broken that was sworn on this day is believed to carry severe spiritual consequence.
Founding Day (locally observed): Each settlement celebrates the anniversary of its legal founding. Boundaries and borders are redrawn, charters and constitutions are reread, and civic offices reaffirm their authority. In some cities new citizens are formally recognized on this day.

 
 

VII - Holy Books & Codes

The Arcturian Concord does not recognize a single infallible scripture, but rather a body of texts that together preserve doctrine, law, and memory. These works are copied, debated, and amended through sanctioned processes by high priests, reflecting the belief that order must adapt without dissolving.
  The Canticle of the First Line: This Canticle is a formal recitation spoken by priests during the consecration of lawstones, the founding of settlements, and the opening of courts. It is delivered in measured cadence without music, reflecting the belief that law must be clear and deliberate rather than emotional.

“Before the wall, there was the line.
Before the line, there was the hand that chose to draw it.
And in that choosing, the world learned to hold its shape.”

— Chronicles of First Measure

The Codex of Binding Word: A comprehensive legal-theological text governing oaths, contracts, fealty, and punishment. It is required study for judges and priests alike

“The word given shapes the world; the word broken unravels it.”

— Codex of Binding Words

The Register of Punishments: A grim but essential text outlining lawful penalties and their proper application. It emphasizes correction over cruelty.

“Mercy without order is indulgence; order without correction is hollow.”

— Register of Punishments

The Treatise on Just Authority: A philosophical work examining the nature of legitimate rule, hierarchy, and obedience. Often cited in coronations and political disputes.

“Power becomes authority only when bound by law.”

— Treatise on Just Authority