The Church of Vyn

The Church of Vyn is the most widespread religion in Kheteran, it is shared not only among humans, but also the beastmen and elves. A devout believer will strive to bring balance in their work and life. It is customary for a believer to visit the holy land atleast 3 times in there lifetime.   Kobolds, although they hold belief in Vyn, they claim that the primordial world dragon Perkons is a direct descendant of Vyn, and has come to save Kheteran in its time of need. Unlike the teachings of Vyn, they are more free spirited and are taught to embrace there wordly desires. Once a year at the summer solstice kobold villages lay out offerings in the center of their village which are taken overnight by the dragon lord himself or so they claim. It is said that anyone who steals the kobolds offerings incur the dragon lords wrath, although it is unknown whether this is simply a myth to ward off thieves. Although there beliefs are considered Heretical, there is little tension between them and the church of Vyn.   Half Dragons and their ilk, although similar to kobolds, dont hold the same fanatical beliefs towards the dragon lord, a good proportion infact dont believe in the heretical faith at all.

The 6 Denominations of Faith

Within the church of Vyn, there coexists 6 orders, each representing one of the Heavenly Archangles that Descended upon the world long ago. Leyus, Virtu, Daurmea, Frei, Neverus, and Levelle each took upon themselves widely differing roles, and each order reflects that. Before one could become a leader in faith, they must first appointed by a representative, and sworn by oath into one of the orders.

Order of Leyus

(lay-us) (Archangel Leyus of Life and Nature) (Life/Light/Nature/Tempest/Ancients)   Those in the order of Leyus are sworn in to protect life, nature, and everything that follows it. This order has the most diverse set of activities, from being healers, to priests, to guides, and even protectors of forests and all that is natural. Some even dabbling in the druidic arts.   Personality Traits: Many in the order of Leyus are seen as friendly, and welcoming, and as morally good and self-sacrificing people. They are the most liked order by the common people.   Relationship with other Orders: This order is the friendliest of the orders and they try to keep up the visage of a friendly relationship with all the orders, even if they don't necessarily agree with the others actions. They are most friendly to the those in the Order of Virtu and Neverus (despite their standing within the 6 denominations)

Order of Virtu

(ver-too) (Archangel Virtu of Virtue and Reverence) (Devotion/Redemption/Peace)   Those in the order of Virtu are sworn to protect order and justice, not of a nation or of a land, but of all people. As they say, “No man, kingdom, or empire is above the will of the goddess”   Personality Traits: Those in the order of Virtu uphold virtue and are usually seen as the holiest of the orders with a strong emphasis on upholding what's right, regardless of the law of the land (although these two usually coincide). This order holds the closest to the “lawful good paladin” stereotype.   Relationship with other Orders: Often seen as the centerpiece or leader of the 6 denominations, this order has an unspoken authority and are often in contention with the order of Daurmea. They are on quite friendly terms with the Order of Leyus.

Order of Daurmea

(dar-may-ah) (Archangel Daurmea of War and Vengance) (Conquest/Vengance/War/Trickery/Forge)   The Order of Daurmea does not have a single bounding oath, instead followers are usually bounded by a more personal oath created by the individual and overseen by a priest of Daurmea. Those in the order however do believe that the best way to spread faith is through war and conflict. They act more as thugs and mercenaries than they do a religious order, many forming groups and selling their swords as service to the highest bidder. Despite this they still hold the semblance of an order, their acts self-justified through the words of the goddess. Also, although they can’t openly punish heresy, they do condemn it, and often cause commotion with heretical believers. This is a main point of friction between the other denominations of vyn.   Personality Traits: Those in the order of Daurmea have a wide variety of moralities; some good, many not, some even being downright evil. Many are prideful and outspoken, aggressive even. They enjoy and revere conflict and war. Despite this they tend towards being Lawful, albeit twisted at times.   Relationship with other Orders: The order of Daurmea is not very well liked within the 6 denominations, and is often a source of conflict. Although no action is taken against the order of virtu due to their position, they have a very hostile relationship with the order, and often try to take control of matters from Virtu and into their own.

Order of Neverus

(nev-er-rus) (Archangel Neverus of the Night) (Grave/Twilight Order)   Those devoted to the order of Neverus are sworn to never partake in death, but to oversee it. This means that those devoted are sworn to never take the life of another living thing unless its existence harms or defies the natural order of life and death. They are especially adverse to the undead, of which are considered unnatural, and must be brought back into the fold of the natural order. Burials, Consecration and graveyards in larger cities are usually overseen by those in the Order, whilst those with a knack for fighting travel the lands to seek and remove the unholy (undead).   Personality Traits: Many of the order of Neverus are more reserved individuals and they don’t particularly like getting close to others. Although they can seem at times cold and unfeeling on the outside, they can actually be very friendly individuals when they do decide to open up.   Relationship with other Orders: The order of Neverus is viewed as an outcast and their opinions and actions are worth very little to the Order of Daurmea, Frei, and Lavelle.

Order of Frei

(fray) (Archangel of Order) (Order and Crown)   Those devoted to the order of Frei are sworn to protect and conserve the peace and order of man. Many in this denomination, serve dukes and kings, upholding the law of the land and usually put the security of their lord and their nation above all else.   Personality Traits: Many of the order of Frei hold good, the law and justice above all else.   Relationship with other Orders: Those in the order of Frei tend to tend not care as much about the internal affairs of the 6 denominations and only intervene when the matter concerns there nation or lord.

Order of Lavelle

(lah-vell) (Archangel Lavelle of Knowledge) (Knowledge and Crown)   Although those devoted to the order of Lavelle don’t work for the keepers, they act as intermediaries between the Keepers and the races. They are sworn to serve and protect all knowledge; punishing those who see fit to destroy, harm, or bear ill will towards knowledge or its caretakers. Upon taking the oath, a tale long forgotten is passed down to the oathtaker which they must then carry and protect for the rest of their lives.   Personality Traits: Many of the order of Lavelle are considered ‘men of few words’ only speaking when necessary, and usually keep their sentences short and concise. Despite this, they are usually very intelligent or wise individuals, with a good education and a wide breadth of knowledge. Higher Echelons of the Order are also known to have taken an Oath of Silence, some never speaking a word since their birth. This is in imitation of the keepers, who have never been heard to speak ever in their entire history.   Relationship with other Orders: Although there are no direct conflicts with this denomination, many of the other Orders see Lavelle as snobby and pretentious due to their self imposed prestige and selectiveness. Likewise, those in the order of Lavelle usually see themselves as ‘above’ the other orders in some shape or form.