Barta Soirai

The religion of the Barta Soirai is an ancient - if newly popularized - and intricate faith, grounded in a reverence for divine entities called Eternals that are believed to be protectors, guardians, and guides for the people of Ayonore. This faith has deep roots in Ayonorean culture, with teachings that influence everything from daily life to governance.

Mythology & Lore

The mythology of the Barta Soirai begins with The Kru'Taria, a mystical barrier believed to separate the mortal realm from the divine. In ancient texts, it is said that the Barta Soirai emerged through this barrier to guide and protect the world of mortals from the destructive forces that once threatened it.
  According to legend, the Barta Soirai were first summoned to the mortal realm in a time of great peril, known as The First Sundering. During this era, early magic practitioners tampered with forbidden forces, nearly tearing apart the very fabric of reality. In response, the Barta Soirai crossed the Kru'Taria to shield the world, restoring order and balance. Each of the Barta took on a divine aspect to guard specific realms of existence, from protecting nature to governing fate and destiny.
  The Barta Soirai formed an eternal pact with the people of Ayonore, in which they vowed to return whenever their guidance was needed. In return, the people promised to honor and protect the purity of magic, using it with restraint and reverence. This covenant gave birth to the first clerics and summoners, who learned to call upon the Barta Soirai through intricate rites and holy vows.
  Ancient stories recount a schism within early Ayonore’s magical society. A group called the Forgemasters sought to blend pure magic with machinery, creating what would become known as Runegear. When the Barta Soirai observed the corrupting influence of this magic-technology blend, they issued a divine edict, casting out the Forgemasters and warning that Runegear would lead to ruin. This banishment shaped the religion’s views on the sanctity of magic and the dangers of harnessing it through technology. Whether this was part of the original teaching, or it was added after The Sundering War is a matter of some debate.

Cosmological Views

The Barta Soirai faith envisions the universe as a many-layered and interconnected existence, held together by the Kru'Taria. This cosmology centers on the belief that the Barta Soirai reside in an ethereal plane beyond the Kru'Taria, known as The Palace of Eternity.   The Mortal Plane (Kyraelm): The world of mortals is the lowest layer of existence, where mortals dwell. Mortals can only perceive fragments of the higher planes, primarily through dreams, meditation, and moments of divine intervention.   The Celestial Layer: Just beyond the Mortal Plane, the Celestial Layer is believed to be a bridge of stars, constellations, and heavenly bodies. The Barta Soirai are thought to travel this layer, using it to observe and influence the mortal world indirectly. It is said that only the pure of heart can sense their influence through symbols, dreams, or celestial phenomena.   The Kru'Taria: The barrier separating mortals from the divine realms, it is both a literal and symbolic divide. It is believed that breaches in the Kru'Taria, caused by misuse of magic or Runegear, disturb the balance and attract darker forces. For this reason, the Barta Soirai’s followers are committed to protecting the Kru'Taria from corruption.   The Palace of Eternity: The highest and most sacred realm, the Palace of Eternity is where the Barta Soirai dwell. Here, they govern cosmic forces like life, fate, time, and nature. Mortals believe that this realm is unfathomable, a place of endless light and shadow where only the Barta Soirai and pure spirits may roam.

Tenets of Faith

The Barta Soirai religion has several fundamental teachings that guide its followers. These tenets shape their behavior, influence the structure of Skyestra, and establish strict limits on the use of magic and technology.  
  • Magic is a sacred gift and should only be used with restraint and respect. It must never be combined with machinery or used for self-gain. Magic, in its pure form, connects the mortal soul to the Barta Soirai and the natural world.
 
  • The Kru'Taria must be protected at all costs. Followers of the Barta Soirai are bound to resist any force that threatens to tear the Veil, be it dark magic, Runegear, or other forbidden arts. This is why the religion views Runegear with suspicion or outright condemnation.
 
  • Just as the Barta Soirai protect the balance of the cosmos, mortals must seek harmony in their own lives. Followers are encouraged to meditate, reflect, and live in balance with nature, community, and themselves.
 
  • Summoning the Barta Soirai is not to be done lightly. It is reserved for moments of dire need or great reverence, and only the most disciplined Soirians are entrusted with this responsibility. The rites involved are lengthy, deeply spiritual, and believed to require the caster’s utmost purity of heart.
 
  • The Barta Soirai govern both life and death, and as such, followers are expected to respect the natural cycle. Interference with the natural end of life is viewed as sacrilege, while attempts to extend life through artificial means (such as alchemical or mechanical augmentation) are considered an affront to the divine.

Ethics

The Barta Soirai religion takes a hard stance against Runegear and technomancy, seeing them as corruptions of magic’s true purpose. This belief is rooted in the teachings of the First Sundering and the Banishment of the Forgemasters.   “Magic is Spirit, Not Machine”: This saying encapsulates the Soirian view on Runegear, emphasizing that true magic is intertwined with the soul and should never be forced into the cold, mechanical constraints of technology. Runegear is seen as soulless, an unnatural attempt to harness divine forces through machinery that inevitably corrupts both the user and the magic.   Forbidden Knowledge: Those who pursue Runegear are often ostracized, and some are even banished, as their actions are believed to weaken the Veil and threaten Ayonore’s harmony. The Forgemasters, now exiled, serve as a cautionary tale, reinforcing the belief that to tamper with magic in this way is to lose one’s connection with the Barta Soirai.   Redemption through Renunciation: Followers who abandon Runegear and dedicate themselves to pure magic can undergo a spiritual purification rite. Known as The Unbinding, this ritual is said to restore a lost connection to the Barta Soirai, symbolizing a return to true reverence for magic.

Worship

The Barta Soirai faith is rich in rituals and symbols, each representing the divine connection between mortals and the Soirai.  
  • Devout Soirians perform a ritual at dawn and dusk, symbolizing the Barta Soirai’s protection from morning to night. Followers light candles in symbolic alignment with the constellations, reciting prayers for the Kru'Taria’s strength. This is a daily act of devotion for most Soirians.
 
  • The primary symbol of the Barta Soirai faith is a spiral intertwined with celestial stars. This spiral represents the path through the Veil and serves as a reminder of life’s interconnectedness with the divine. Soirians carry amulets or small tokens bearing this sigil, believing it grants them protection and guidance.
 
  • For the most devoted Soirians, a pilgrimage to the Heavenscar, though dangerous, is considered a profound act of faith. Here, they meditate and seek visions of the Barta Soirai, offering prayers for forgiveness and stability for their homeland. These pilgrimages are done under strict supervision to prevent any harm from the unstable magic of the scar.
 
  • Soirians celebrate various celestial and seasonal festivals, each marking the movements of the stars and the divine cycles of nature. The holiest of these is held once a year when the stars align in the Soirian constellation. During this festival, Skyestra’s most powerful summoners call upon the Barta Soirai for blessings over Ayonore.

Sects

Shared Beliefs
 
  • Preservation of the Kru'Taria: Followers of every sect believe that the Kru'Taria is a sacred boundary and must be protected. They agree that misusing magic—especially by mingling it with machinery like Runegear—threatens the world’s balance and invites corruption.
 
  • Unity in Diversity: Each Barta Soirai serves a unique purpose within the cosmos, and followers believe that just as the Soirai are united, mortals should embrace different paths to enlightenment.
 
  • Balance in All Things: Balance between the physical and spiritual, the mortal and divine, is a guiding principle across all sects. Every choice and action is seen as part of a larger cosmic order, and each sect contributes to maintaining harmony in its way.
 
  • Service to Ayonore: Each sect plays a role in Skyestra’s society, offering services aligned with their beliefs. The sects, while autonomous in their practices, collaborate during times of crisis and celebrate major festivals together to honor the Barta Soirai as a united faith.
 
The Illuminated Order of the Radiant Keeper
Symbol: A sunburst encircling an open hand, symbolizing protection and light.   Teachings: Followers of the Illuminated Order revere the Radiant Keeper as the protector of Ayonore and the embodiment of safeguarding light. This sect teaches that service to others, especially through acts of healing and defense, is the highest form of devotion. They believe that by fostering safety and hope, they honor the Keeper’s gift of protection.   Practices: Members of the Illuminated Order act as guardians of Ayonore’s borders, medics, and counselors, extending kindness and protection. Daily prayers are held at sunrise, with followers facing east to welcome the light. They often carry small sunburst charms and perform The Shielding Rite, a blessing ritual believed to protect loved ones.   Festivals: The Day of Radiance, held on the summer solstice, is dedicated to spreading light throughout the city. On this day, Illuminated Order followers perform blessings, protect the vulnerable, and celebrate acts of bravery.  
The Veiled Eye of the Shrouded Seer
Symbol: A closed eye surrounded by crescent moons and stars, representing hidden knowledge.   Teachings: The Veiled Eye sees the Shrouded Seer as a beacon of insight, intuition, and understanding of the unknown. Members of this sect believe that life’s answers are hidden beneath the surface and that true knowledge comes from meditation, dreams, and visions. They view the Seer as a guide through the mysteries of existence and the cosmic order.   Practices: The Veiled Eye practices The Rite of Reflection, where members enter a meditative trance under moonlight to seek personal insights or visions. They are known for dream interpretation, divination, and consulting the stars for guidance. Their temples are quiet, dimly lit sanctuaries where the faithful can reflect and interpret celestial signs.   Festivals: The Night of Silence is held on the winter solstice, a time when the Veiled Eye communes with the Seer through vigils, visions, and meditations, hoping to glimpse fragments of the future.  
The Verdant Ward of the Boundless Warden
Symbol: A tree rooted within a circle of stone, symbolizing strength, resilience, and guardianship.   Teachings: The Verdant Ward reveres the Boundless Warden as the guardian of life, nature, and the endurance of the land. This sect believes that motals have a duty to protect the natural world, which the Warden’s spirit embodies. They emphasize stewardship of Ayonore’s lands, viewing the Warden as a protector of balance and the cycles of life.   Practices: Verdant Ward members serve as conservationists and caretakers, tending to Ayonore’s sacred groves, forests, and rivers. They are often skilled in nature magic and engage in The Rooting Ceremony, a ritual held at the start of each season to bless the land. Wardens often bear amulets made of leaves and stone, representing their unity with nature.   Festivals: The Renewal of Earth, held during the first days of spring, is a sacred time when the Wardens plant trees, renew magical wards, and perform rituals to strengthen the connection between Ayonore and the natural world.  
The Hundred Fates of the Celestial Weaver
Symbol: Interlocking threads forming a web of stars, symbolizing fate and the cosmic tapestry.   Teachings: The Hundred Fates believe the Celestial Weaver is the architect of destiny, guiding life’s events toward balance and harmony. They emphasize that life’s challenges are threads within a larger design and that by embracing one’s path, individuals contribute to a greater cosmic order. They believe fate can be altered with wisdom, but only if one respects the balance between choice and destiny.   Practices: The Hundred Fates study ancient texts, interpret patterns in daily life, and engage in The Threading, a ritual in which followers braid enchanted threads as symbolic acts of alignment with the Weaver’s will. These threads are often worn as bracelets, representing each person’s journey and connection to the cosmic tapestry.   Festivals: The Convergence of Stars is held on the eve of the autumn equinox, where Fates gather to observe constellations, interpret omens, and share stories of those who have walked before. It is a time for introspection, guidance, and setting one’s course for the coming year.

Walk in the light beyond the veil.

Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Demonym
Soirian
Controlled Territories

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