Religion

The loss and finding of faith

To say the appearance of The Horrors had a destabilizing influence on humanities’ religions was an understatement. It became, very quickly, difficult to pinpoint anyone as wrong or right when the Horrors manifested in so many shapes and ideologies. With the initial surge, people sought refuge in their faiths - but churches and temples weren’t enough to stop the Horrors and when tensions rose too high, most people abandoned their religion in the duress of fleeing into the arks. Through the long cryo-freeze in the ark, the first generation that was still too afraid to leave, and then the chaos that followed religion largely boiled away in the face of pragmatism - and frankly in the face of confusion. What did this mean for anyone’s faith when everything had so clearly failed?

Humanity does abhor a vacuum though and through the centuries, a more nebulous faith has arisen to replace the old religions of an old world. Drawing from several major faiths, religion in the arks was more attuned to meditative solace and personal purpose than hope that a prayer would cause some sort of divine intervention. While certainly some old pockets of ancient faiths may still exist, they are virtually unheard of and relegated to the mythology of ages past.

The Light

In Olympia, the only loosely organised faith is known as The Light. It draws major precepts from several old faiths, while committing to very little in the way of definition. In order to avoid many of the issues of ages past, The Light has no set clerics or priests. While it’s not uncommon to find an older Light follower counseling a younger or less experienced one, the temples steadfastly refuse to appoint any authority over their faith. There is no pope, no priest, no rabbi, no temple leader. The wisest counselors are sometimes called Sofofos - literally wise light - but hold no rank or authority. The Sofofos often arrange for care for the temples, usually with volunteers from the area.

There is no particular iconography for The Light - the faith eschews trying to put images to its precepts so as to avoid pegging a singular “correct” image for the faith. In artistic references, the sun, birds of all types, and general light palette are favored.

Tenets of The Light

Hope is eternal - if the lessons of The Horrors showed nothing else, it was always that there was hope for better times despite the current struggles.

The Light is within and may be fostered - self improvement and self reflection unlock our own potential.

Protect those who cannot protect themselves - The Light resides in all and it is our duty to shelter in those who cannot provide for themselves. The Light considers life to be sacred.

Forgiveness frees your spirit - When possible, forgiving those who have harmed you can free your spirit for your own growth.

Community fosters growth - The Light is served best in community rather than in isolation.

Holidays

Rather organically, the faith has grown several holidays over the course of its existence.

Synchoresi
Very loosely based on the ancient Judaic Holidays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanna, Synchoresi falls within the first two days of October and is a holiday based in atonement, reflection, and forgiveness. Adherents usually use these two days to reflect on the past year, offer apologies for errors, and reflect on self-betterment.

Wintertide
Basically a re-skinned Christmas without the religious iconography, The Light uses this as a day to offer gifts to those you care about as a gesture of thanks. Most of Olympia just uses it as a chance to get gifts, hang pretty decorations, and enjoy the winter months.

Chorigisi
Based on the ancient almsgiving pillar of Islam, Chorigisi (meaning giving) falls in the New Year and is a week based on completing charitable works and giving to or helping those less fortunate.

Kalenike
A rough translation of “good wins” is a spring celebration full of color and joy, drawn from ancient Holi traditions. The holiday celebrates the turning of the seasons and triumph of renewal over darkness. Colorful clothing, paint events, and flowers are popular decorations around the city and temples.

Temples

While smaller temples have popped up around the city, the main temple of The Light sits in The Hub, open at all times to those who need safety, solace, or simply a space to think. Needs of the buildings are fundraised locally or city-wide and worship days welcome a variety of speakers provided the topics are relevant to the tenets. Temples exist in The Hub, Apollo, Dolce Vita, and Paradise City.

Temples of The Light have an area for meditation and thought and for speakers to address crowds on philosophical topics of choice. Most of the temples also feature some sort of charitable wing, offering beds and food to those less fortunate and run by volunteers.

Followers

Not every Olympian adheres to following The Light - agnosticism and atheism are as prevalent as faith. Still, followers come from almost every walk of life though the temples in some of the poorer areas of the city are testament to the solace that some find in the shared community.

Secret Sects

The Alhuraas

(Arabic, the watchmen) Whether it first rose in Metropolis with its ancient comic based texts or from the temples’ collective realization that even an era of tragedy and upheaval still left humanity and its changed races all too human, Who watches the watchers was one of their founding principles - as it became clear that even a government founded in fairness was not always going to be fair.

The Alhuraas formed in the shadows of the Temples of the Light. Vigilantes, rebels, and watchmen of their own, they monitor the goings on of society and help those most in need when no one else will. The Alhuraas is rarely spoken of unless someone has the correct inclination and temperament. Rabidly secretive, the sect works beneath the underpinnings of the Olympian government to ensure that justice is served, whether or not the law is looking. Its members sometimes have a martial inclination - but not always - and work when the Oracles, the Gatewardens, and other security measures have failed - or turned a blind eye.