The First Church
The cradle of the Faith
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The First Church is an unassuming ruin on the island of Erias, where it is said that the Faith was founded. It is believed to be one of the earliest churches constructed to worship the Mother, with some claiming it was built less than a hundred years after the Renewal. Many scholars are doubtful of this claim.
All that is left of the church is some crumbling bits of wall, some stone flooring that has been overtaken by grasses and wildflowers, and a stone statue that still has a vaguely humanoid shape. It is believed to have once been the Mother. People make pilgrimages to the church to pray, to reflect, and to meditate.
It is believed there was once a village at its location, but almost all traces of human habitation have been overtaken by nature. It is currently forbidden by law to build any structure nearby.
Interesting - is there a theological reason not to rebuild the church, or to actively preserve it? I love the idea of a quiet ruin for contemplation and prayer, and wondered if that was why they are keeping it in this state.
I think probably they want to keep it as a peaceful, sacred place, like rebuilding it would disturb it. The version of the Faith here is much gentler than the Caillish Orthodoxy practiced in Caillah. In Caillah it would probably have been rebuilt and plated with gold or something.
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