Monadism (mow-nad-is-em)

Deacons help the needy by lending their healing powers to them and also giving them food, water, and other necessities. Often, they have homes where they let the homeless live with them. They lack a uniform unlike those higher in the ladder, but they usually wear long necklaces with the Creator's Sigil hanging from them. If one were to compare these roles to stairs, they would be the first step.   Priests / Priestesses are temple leaders who spread their faith to Monadists. They are required to become deacons first before they ascend to priesthood. Ceremonial rites, marriages, and listening to confessions are all roles a priest must perform. In addition to that, they act in ways they would appease the Creator. During services, they celebrate the various fantastical events of history while painting the Creator in a good light (ex: whenever They gifted the five circlets to the crusaders). Finally, priests / priestesses swear to stay celibate for their entire life, as preventing oneself from mortal urges pushes them further toward freedom of the cycle of life. These people would have taken the second step.   Then, there comes the bishops, the highest role for non-descendants of Vedrfol in Monadism; they are leaders of entire monasteries which may house multiple temples and/or seminaries. They must become priests / priestesses first before they ascend to bishop-hood. Their job is to choose who ascends to priesthood and who becomes an official deacon. If confusion over Monadism occurs and one does not know if they sinned, it is up to the bishops to say their final word. They follow all the rules they abided by from their former titles.   The First Mortal's descendants lead the religion. These figures select bishops and act as its representative for the rest of the world. They are the only ones allowed to alter the original Scripture, either due to communication with the Creator themself or due to new information gained through others' memories. The rules of the other steps may not apply to them, especially the celibacy one, considering that they require a blood-related successor. Ascension to the position is determined by who inherits the ability to experience others' memories for themselves.

They wish to heal the hearts of the wounded and to support the faithful for their safe ascension to Enon. The more people that join the religion, the more powerful it grows in comparison to its rival religion, Triadism. It deems a majority of the latter religion's practices as incorrect at best and sinful at worst, and tolerance for it within Koyo is low. However, with the ascension of Theophany, such attitudes have begun to lessen; unfortunately, his actions have met resistance from those who deem themselves the Creator's most loyal followers. There are threats to split the religion into two denominations, but as of right now, it remains one entity. Overall, Monadism seeks to grow its amount of supporters by appealing to the least fortunate.

Monadism is not as big anywhere else as it is in Koyo. There, much of the nobility identify as priests or bishops, so of course, its power in the theocracy is second to only Samael's reign. Plenty of resources are available to the Monadists in Koyo to build temples and the like. They work to establish monasteries throughout the nation and schools as well. Gold fills the religion's coffers, so whenever they need to make purchases, it is easy.   Each member of the clergy learns to use their affinity at masterful levels. It seems almost inhuman sometimes, for they can cast spells powerful enough to devastate entire squadrons with no drawback at all. Because of this, one could say that they are Monadism's troops, fighting to protect its believers and its laws. In war zones consisting of majority Monadists, the Koyo division of Monadism will send priests to protect them in whatever way possible. Not to mention, their healing magic proves formidable too, saving even those suffering from gunshot wounds. Bonewolves are available for the cavalry-focused sections of the temple in wartime, and many records feature witness accounts of priests riding into battle and slinging magic at their enemies.

Before the material universe came into existence, there first gleamed a Light. It lacked a form recognizable to mortals, and It shone everywhere. Then, It emanated lesser lights, gleams of which the Radiance obliterated soon after in a fashion unfathomable by any flawed being. It came to be known as the Creator, Its power a sight to behold and Its truth feared by all. Much too powerful to weave the cosmos, within Itself It created the world of Neegavia and a second self to exist within: the Demiurge. It took on a seven-eyed appearance, one that no one but Its saints can view without falling to their knees. What It exactly looks like cannot be logged down, for no one who has dared looked upon It has survived. What is known, however, is that the Demiurge resembles the Creator's Sigil, a circle with three lines sticking out of it.   Before the creation of the world of which civilizations inhabit today, a cycle of destruction and creation reigned over space. It was as if our lives were naught to the evil spirits, yet the Demiurge needed us to achieve gnosis and brought about our rebirths. Soon, the land on which we stand on, named after the universe itself, came into existence by Its mercy. However, to endanger this land just like the others, Lodur engulfed the world in darkness. Beasts teemed the lands. His loyalists committed atrocities one should not dare to speak of, and he eradicated our hopes as the safe land soon closed on itself. Figurins, saeols, hydons, and imugyoh alike crowded together into one theocracy led by Vedrfol, the First Mortal.   However, the Age of Darkness of which we lived in was illuminated by the Demiurge. As They took a form fathomable to us, They entrusted the First Mortal the task of retrieving five worthy persons to be granted Their divine grace. Thus, entrusting the Theocracy to the saint Samael, he set off with the Nio Charm, a keepsake capable of letting one visit others through dreaming. Learning the stories of various civilizations springing up during the period, the heroes of these tales soon saw him appear before them as a specter. White speckled their crimson bun and stars replaced their pupils, and their voice echoed the sentiments of the suffering: Save us. Thus set forth the five: Tempest, Spirit, Freya, Faith, and Sigi. When the First Mortal brought them to Enon, tree of rebirth, the Demiurge descended before them and held the divine circlets in Their talons. With even the slightest touch, dizziness overtook the chosen as the world swirled before them and the Light's words rung in their ears. However, confidence swelled in their chests as they wrapped them around their heads, and now, a warmth flowed through their bodies. With the Light's grace at their fingertips, they hurried to Lodur's realm and annihilated him. Thus, this Dark Age came to an end, and the Demiurge, not needing to protect us anymore, disappeared.   They shall return to this world one day when the fires of warfare ravage the lands again. Their mercy reaches all of us.

People head to temples to worship in the middle of the seven-day week. They always dress in grayscale clothing, for those are the colors of the Creator. Around their necks hangs necklaces with the Sigil in the center, and the beads clinging to the strings always shine in the darkness as if they were imugyoh markings. Once they head inside, the priests will chant and sing the word of the Creator as all kneel down and form circles with their fingers. Then, the Monadists lay down their offerings, usually an assortment of lilies, their own feathers if they are saeols, jars of honey, bottles of wine, ambrosia, and amaranths. Lilies are the favored flower of the Creator, for they are always depicted in their mortal form with them betwixt their hair strands. Feathers represent the closeness of saeols and the Light, for it is them that their Maker chooses to represent themself as when they walk the material world. Jars of honey represent the Demiurge's kindness that all living beings should try to emulate. Bottles of wine represent water and age, and that both are a necessary part of existence. One must consume water, for it is interpreted that it is the Light's tears. Age represents wisdom and approach to death, in which one shall be judged and deemed worthy of passing beyond the material world or reliving it. The ambrosia signifies the defenses within all creatures, which means that one shall continue to hold onto their faith despite challenges arising in the future. Finally, amaranths represent the eternity of the soul, or how there shall one day be no flesh to inhabit. All individuals who believe in Monadism shall ascend to a higher state of being and others shall be eradicated.   In regards to disposing of a corpse, a religious figure, whoever is available, is summoned to perform the rite. They must know fire magic as a prerequisite, but other than that, it does not matter who comes. Once the corpse lays in front of the figure, they will form a circle with their hands and begin to pray. This prayer should mention Enon, the chance of rebirth, the freeing of the soul from the flesh prison, and the Creator's omniscience. Then, they will set the body alight and reduce it to ashes, and it is believed that from those ashes rises the soul to Enon. Then, according to their will, any involved parties will scatter the ashes in a designated location to honor the deceased's last wishes.

The First Mortal's descendants might be born with the ability to experience others' memories for themselves. Those that exist have always become the heir to the position, and it is believed to be impossible have two have this ability at the same time.

Monadism is woven into the theocracy of Koyo to this day. Koyo's laws are parallel to the teachings found in Monadism's scripture. Though Theophany is not deemed the ruler of the nation, his word is weighted heavily against Samael's. While they can't announce war or isolate themselves from the other realms, the First Mortal's descendant may change the law or pardon those accused of crimes.

There exists the threat of splitting into two denominations: One more tolerant of Triadism, the other deeming it sinful at all costs.