Holy Order of Osiris
The Holy Order of Osiris is probably the most respected religious organization in Draconia, among the common people. That being said, their temples are not generally hospitable, unless there is a funeral. While they keep to themselves within the confines of their temples, they run public gatherings in lesser houses of worship. These houses can be just off of the main grounds of the temple. Temples of Osiris are also the Temples of Isis, though each deity has a separate inner sanctum. Though the Temple Propers are separate, Temples of Anubis share the same Complex.
Structure
See "Priesthood" below.
Dicastery of the Monasteries
The Holy Order manages its monastic orders through the Scribe of the Repose. This leader must hold the rank of Wise Judge (Quorum Rank). This ensures that the supreme authority over the doctrines of the afterlife and the Doctrine of Eternal Progression manages the Monks who focus on repose, contemplation, and spiritual progress.
Mythology & Lore
All Draconian religions understand the same story of Creation.
The Holy Order of Osiris teaches the divine inheritance of kingship that Osiris has. While they don't oppose the leadership of Horus, followers of Osiris would be quick to remind people that Ra's original choice to lead after he abdicated was Osiris. However, because Osiris was killed by his brother, Set, Osiris is no longer fit to rule the world of the living. This is why, according to the Priests of Osiris, Horus is King of the Gods. If you were to ask the Priests of Horus, Ra must have known that Set would kill Osiris and planned accordingly; in reality, Ra intended for Horus to be king all along.
The Five Components of the Spirit
Osiris revealed that the true soul is the union of the physical body and the spirit, and that the spirit itself is composed of five distinct, vital parts, each necessary for the body's eventual resurrection.
1. The Ka (Life Force)
The Ka is the vital life force, the spiritual "double" of the body. It is conceived at the same moment as the body and is necessary for a being to be considered truly alive and present in the material world. It is the component of the spirit that sustains life and separates from the body only at the moment of death. During the funeral rites, the priests work to anchor the Ka so that it can easily rejoin the body upon resurrection.
2. The Ba (Personality)
The Ba is the unique personality, mobility, and individuality of the person. It is what makes one person different from another. In the Duat, the Ba is the part of the spirit that can travel freely between the Offering Fields (Seket-Hetep) and the mortal world, allowing the spirit to visit old haunts or check on loved ones. Its ability to move is vital for the eventual final journey back to the mortal world to collect the body for resurrection.
3. The Ren (Name)
The Ren is the true, intrinsic identity or essence of the person—their true "name." It is what gives a person their unique spiritual signature. To utter or write the full, true name is to affirm the spirit's existence and purpose. The loss or erasure of the Ren is considered a true, eternal annihilation, which is why the Order of Osiris keeps meticulous records and ensures the names of the dead are never forgotten.
4. The Ib (Heart)
The Ib is the most critical spiritual component, the true seat of emotion, consciousness, and moral life. In Draconian theology, the Ib is the component that holds the record of all mortal deeds. For this reason, the Ib is the part weighed against the Feather of Truth by Anubis in the Halls of Judgment. Its moral weight alone determines whether a soul is fit to proceed to Osiris's mercy.
5. The Sheut (Shadow)
The Sheut is the shadow or silhouette, which represents a person's constant, permanent connection to the realm of the dead and the protection of Anubis. While on the Material Plane, the Sheut is always present, signifying the inevitability of the Duat. It also serves as a protective layer; in certain rituals, the priests of Anubis can activate the Sheut to shield the spirit from immediate harm from the forces of Apothis after death.
Tenets of Faith
The Path of Repose
The faith is governed by the necessity of Order and the promise of ultimate progression, underpinned by the unique understanding of the soul.
- The Whole Soul: The true soul is defined as the perfect, inseparable union of the physical body and the spirit (composed of the Ka, Ba, Ren, Ib, and Sheut). Followers must respect and care for the body in life, as it is a sacred component required for eternity.
- The Proving of Contraries: True judgment is a balance between Anubis's absolute Justice (measuring the Ib or heart) and Osiris's divine Mercy. Followers must live with the hope of mercy to inspire repentance, but also with the certainty of justice to restrain presumption.
- The Doctrine of Resurrection: The ultimate reward for a righteous life is not just rest, but the resurrection of the body. Followers believe that after judgment, the spirit returns to the Material Plane with a divine token from Anubis to reclaim and reunite with its physical form, making the preservation of the body in death crucial.
- Eternal Progression: Perfection is a post-mortal pursuit. The resurrected soul will continue to advance, improve, and progress infinitely in the ordered realms of Seket-Hetep.
Worship
Worship is structured around reflection, remembrance, and the preservation of the body—the necessary elements for the promised resurrection.
- The Vigil of the Setting Sun (Daily): A ritual held at dusk, acknowledging the time when Osiris's dominion begins. It is a time for quiet prayer and an Oath of Self-Examination, where the follower reviews their actions to ensure they have not violated the Law of Mercy or Justice.
- The Preservation Rite (Life-Long): A personal, ongoing commitment to maintain and care for the physical body. This rite includes dietary discipline, physical exercise, and the avoidance of activities that would deliberately hasten the body's decay or misuse, recognizing its sacred role in the resurrection.
- The Confession Rite (Weekly/Monthly): A structured, private rite before a priest that focuses on spiritual cleansing. This practice prepares the Ib (heart/consciousness) for the impartiality of the Scales of Justice, ensuring the follower is not carrying concealed transgressions.
- Funeral Rites (The Sacred Duty): These are the most elaborate and sacred duties of the Order. The rites are performed to guide the separated spirit safely through the initial stages of the Duat and to ensure the physical body is consecrated and preserved in a state of repose, ready for the eventual call of resurrection.
The Confession and Absolution Rite (Two-Stage Process)
The Rite of Confession is a necessary practice for followers who have violated the Law of Order, serving as the mortal mechanism for spiritual preparation before the Halls of Truth. The rite typically takes place in a Confessional Box and is divided between two ranks of the priesthood:
Stage 1: The Confession and Counseling (The Aspirant's Duty)
The penitent usually begins by seeking out an Aspirant of Repose (Mid-Level Rank).
- Role of the Aspirant: The Aspirant is the priest who hears the penitent's full story and the details of their transgression. Since the Aspirant cannot grant absolution, their duty is one of pure spiritual service: they offer comfort, counseling, and guidance.
- The Path to Forgiveness: The Aspirant instructs the penitent on the necessary mortal and divine steps they must take to genuinely repent and seek forgiveness. This is often a path of self-correction, restitution, or deep spiritual discipline.
- Unique Function: The Aspirant holds the unique, pastoral role of bearing the penitent's burden and serving as the primary listener, making them the only priest with full knowledge of the transgression.
Stage 2: The Final Absolution (The Elder's Judgment)
After completing the steps detailed by the Aspirant, the penitent returns for the final judgment.
- Role of the Elder: The penitent seeks out an Elder of the Fields (or any higher rank: Wise Judge, High Priest). The Elder does not hear the full, detailed story, but instead verifies that the penitent has completed the required steps for atonement.
- The Rite of Absolution: If the Elder is satisfied with the penitent's actions, they perform the official rites of absolution, which transfers the divine mercy of Osiris to the penitent.
- Atonement (Clerics/Paladins): For a cleric, priest, or paladin of Osiris who has fallen from grace, this final rite includes the casting of the Atonement spell, restoring their divine connection.
This two-stage process ensures that absolution is earned through demonstration of repentance, fulfilling both the spiritual and judicial requirements of the faith.
The Surety of Absolution (The Command of Osiris)
The Surety of Absolution is a rare and sacred event, the ultimate form of spiritual affirmation within the Holy Order of Osiris. It is explicitly forbidden for a penitent to seek this blessing, and Wise Judges are forbidden from granting it upon request.
This blessing is only bestowed when a Wise Judge receives direct divine revelation and instructions from Osiris himself to perform the rite. Osiris gives these instructions to serve his own purposes, which remain mysterious and unknown to mortals, such as strengthening the faith of a specific individual or preparing a soul for a unique task in the afterlife. The Surety of Absolution grants the individual absolute, divine certainty that their repentance has been accepted, replacing faith with the profound knowledge that their absolution will be honored by Osiris in the Hall of Truth.
Priesthood
The titles reflect their core mission: the sacred recording of life and the guidance of souls.
| Rank Level | Title | Purpose and Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual Leader | High Priest of Osiris (The Merciful Guide) | Supreme spiritual and administrative authority. Holds the highest Keys of presidency and is the presiding Wise Judge over the Order. |
| Governing Quorum | The Quorum of Twelve Wise Judges of Osiris | The administrative body that sets doctrine, theological policy, and manages the Order’s vast resources. |
| Quorum Rank | Wise Judge | The highest earned priestly rank; individual members form the Quorum. Holds the authority to officiate all rites. |
| Presiding Keys | Temple Priest (The Presiding Judge) | The specific calling given to an Elder of the Fields by a Wise Judge to preside over a local temple complex. |
| Grandmaster Rank | Master of Eternal Progression | A rare, ultra-elite rank signifying unparalleled theological wisdom and mastery of the doctrines of the afterlife and Resurrection. This priest is a Theologian-at-Large, providing specialized counsel to the Quorum without holding routine administrative keys. |
| High Administrative | Elder of the Fields | Senior administrative and theological experts. Holds the authority to ordain the Funeral Rank and grant full absolution (Atonement). |
| Funeral Office | Scribe of the Ib | The specialized Office that holds the authority to perform all rituals that prepare the departed for the Judgment of Osiris. |
| Mid-Level Rank | Aspirant of Repose | The general administrative and teaching rank. Authorized to administer Confession Rites. This rank serves as the primary pool for advancement to Elder of the Fields. |
| Low Rank | Neophyte of the Way | Entry-level rank; assists higher clergy and works in the public outreach houses. |
Ordination and Promotion in the Holy Order of Osiris
All ordination ceremonies are conducted by the laying on of hands, which physically transfers the priesthood authority from the higher office to the lower.
I. The Keys of the Highest Offices
| Office/Rank | Appointment Authority | Ordaining Authority |
|---|---|---|
| High Priest (The Merciful Guide) | Chosen by a unanimous vote of the Quorum of Twelve Wise Judges of Osiris. | The entire Quorum of Twelve Wise Judges must perform the laying on of hands ceremony. |
| Wise Judge (Quorum Rank) | Appointed by the High Priest of Osiris. | The High Priest (or the Quorum, collectively, in the absence of a High Priest) must perform the laying on of hands ceremony. |
II. The Delegation of Presiding and Ordaining Authority
| Office/Rank | Approval/Interview Authority | Ordaining Authority (Who Performs Ceremony) |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Priest (Presiding Keys) | Called by the High Priest (or by the Quorum in the absence of a High Priest). | The High Priest performs the ceremony, but may permit another Wise Judge to perform the laying on of hands ceremony on his behalf. |
| Master of Eternal Progression (Grandmaster Rank) | The Quorum of Twelve Wise Judges of Osiris | Wise Judge (Quorum Rank) |
| Elder of the Fields (High Administrative Rank) | Must submit a recommendation from the Temple Priest and receive approval from the Quorum of Twelve Wise Judges. | Ordained by the Temple Priest (the local presiding authority). |
| Scribe of the Ib (Funeral Office) | This ordination is done solely by the authority of the local Temple Priest. | The ceremony may be performed by the Temple Priest personally, or by any Elder of the Field or Wise Judge. |
III. The Ranks of Progression
| Rank Level | Promotion/Interview Authority | Ordaining Authority (Who Performs Ceremony) |
|---|---|---|
| Aspirant of Repose (Mid-Level Rank) | Promotion is granted after an interview by the Temple Priest. | The ordination may be conducted by any Elder of the Field. |
| Neophyte of the Way (Low Rank) | Promotion is granted after an interview by the Temple Priest. | The ordination may be conducted by anyone who has achieved at least the rank of Aspirant of Repose or higher. |
Granted Divine Powers
The Affiliation Score (AS) for Osiris's Order reflects commitment to Mercy, Order, and preparation for the Doctrine of Resurrection.
I. Affiliation Score Criteria (AS)
The stacking modifiers reward personal piety, theological growth, and acts of mercy.
| Action/Event | Modifier (AS Change) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| One-Time Modifiers (AS Added Once) | ||
| Take the Vow of Eternal Progression (Initiation) | +5 | One-Time |
| Character Level | +1/2 Character Level (rounded down) | One-Time |
| Knowledge (Religion) 5 or more ranks | +3 | One-Time |
| Perform the Confession Rite for a secular figure of influence | +8 | One-Time |
| Successfully perform the Atonement spell on a fallen comrade | +10 | One-Time |
| Possess 1st level spells of the Repose or Law domain | +2 | One-Time |
| Stacking Modifiers (AS Added Multiple Times) | ||
| Successfully administer the Consolation of the Current (funerary sacrament) | +2 | Stacking |
| Successfully secure the burial of a respected figure | +3 | Stacking |
| Demonstrate profound, active mercy toward an enemy or wrongdoer | +4 | Stacking |
| Successfully aid a family unit in upholding the Eternal Marriage covenant | +3 | Stacking |
| Penalty Modifiers (AS Deducted) | ||
| Encourage despair or doubt regarding the afterlife/resurrection | -6 | Stacking |
| Willfully fail to offer comfort or guidance to the grieving | -5 | Stacking |
| Perform an act of injustice (interfering with Anubis's Law) | -8 | Stacking |
| Engage in behavior that dishonors the sacred union of body and spirit | -4 | Stacking |
II. Cleric/Priesthood Ranks, Benefits, and Duties
The ranks progress toward the Grandmaster Rank, avoiding the specialized funerary office.
| AS Range | Title/Rank Achieved | Priesthood Office | Primary Duty & Benefit (Game Mechanics) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 5 | Lay Follower | None | No special duties or benefits. |
| 6 - 15 | Neophyte of the Way | Low-Level Rank | Duty: Assist high clergy; maintain public outreach houses. Benefit: +1 bonus to Knowledge (Religion) checks related to the Duat. |
| 16 - 30 | Aspirant of Repose | Mid-Level Rank | Duty: Administer Confession Rites (counseling only teach doctrine. Benefit: Gain +1 bonus to Sense Motive and may use Calm Emotions once per day as a spell-like ability (CL equal to character level). |
| 31 - 50 | Elder of the Fields | High Admin Rank | Duty: Regional administration; manage Quorum reports. Benefit: Gain Leadership feat (if eligible). Eligible to be called as a Temple Priest (Presiding Keys). |
| 51 - 75 | Senior Elder of the Fields | High Admin Rank | Duty: Prepare Quorum reports; oversee major administrative projects. Benefit: Gain +2 bonus on checks to determine divine spell failure chance when casting spells with the Repose domain. |
| 76+ | Master of Eternal Progression | Grandmaster Rank | Duty: Conduct advanced theological study; advise Quorum on doctrinal matters. Benefit: Gain Spell Mastery over two spells with the Repose domain. Gain a +1 bonus to the save DC of all spells with the Good or Law descriptor. |
III. Paladin Ranks
Paladin serving Osiris serve as members of Anubis's martial order. See "Granted Divine Powers" section in Holy Order of Anubis for more details.
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