Elysian
The Elysian Faith was a radiant human religion devoted to the goddess Meraki, born in an age when maiaaks still walked beside humankind. From its gleaming capital of Athanasia, Elysian preached purity and salvation through divine order, sending forth its holy army, the Disenthrall, to cleanse the world of corruption. To most, it was light made manifest
Disenthrall
The Disenthrall served as the holy army of the Elysian Faith, sworn to defend its sanctity and enforce the will of the goddess. They were the shield and spear of Athanasia, patrolling its walls, escorting clergy, and leading campaigns against maiaaks and heretics across the realm. To most, their march was the sound of divine order. Every soldier within their ranks was bound by sacred oath, their loyalty to Meraki absolute, their purpose unquestioned.Sword of Meraki
The Sword of Meraki was an elite division within the Disenthrall, composed of soldiers chosen for their unwavering devotion to the goddess. Where the Disenthrall safeguarded cities and enforced Elysian law, the Sword embodied divine judgment, sent to enact the will of Meraki when faith demanded swift and absolute action. Their presence alone signaled that mercy had ended and purity would be restored. They were both symbol and weapon of the faith, venerated by the devout and feared by all who stood against it.Structure
Solarch
Supreme head of the Elysian Faith. Absolute authority seated within the Empyrean.Elyssar
Village-level leader of the faith. Commands temples and doctrine enforcement.Auren
Cleric and guide of the faithful. Oversees novices and conducts rituals or missions. Mid-tier.Liora
Novice devotee of the faith. Performs service, study, and healing duties. Humble, lowest tier.Culture
Elysian culture blended grandeur with solemn devotion. Every act, from prayer to duty, was performed with ritual precision, reflecting humanity’s faith in divine order. Followers believed discipline was a form of worship, and silence in reverence spoke louder than words. Temples thrived on structure and ceremony, their hymns echoing unity. Maiaaks were condemned as blasphemous and executed without hesitation, yet nonbelievers among humans were met with respect so long as they did not defy the goddess’s name. To live as Elysian was to walk in dignity, devotion, and unwavering belief in the light of Meraki.
Public Agenda
Elysian’s public agenda presented a simple, righteous mission: to safeguard humanity by purging corruption and preserving divine order. In word and deed the faith proclaimed protection for villages and cities, the sanctification of law, and the purification of lands tainted by maiaak influence — a program carried out through temples’ social works, clergy-led instruction, and the disciplined enforcement of the Disenthrall (with the Sword of Meraki answering the most dire calls). Beyond martial action, Elysian promoted civic stability: educating citizens in piety and duty, offering sanctuary to the devout, and sponsoring public rites that reinforced communal unity. To followers, these aims were mercy and guardianship; to those who opposed the faith, they were an absolute and unambiguous mandate: the preservation of humankind above all else.
Assets
Empyrean
The headquarters of Elysian, grand citadel in Athanasia serving as seat of faith and command center.Disenthrall
The military force, a vast holy army stationed throughout their dominion.Sword of Meraki
The elite division of Disenthrall - divine executors and commanders of sacred campaigns.Disbandment
Rumors claim that a powerful maiaak once leveled Athanasia and the Empyrean, bringing the Elysian Faith to ruin. No one could confirm what the creature looked like, and whether born from truth or fear, the story endured, growing with each retelling. To the faithful, it was divine punishment; to others, a convenient myth to explain a fall no one dared record.
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Mythology & Lore
According to Elysian scripture, the goddess Meraki once walked among humankind, a pale woman of white hair and golden eyes who drove back the darkness with her mere presence. Ancient tales claim she descended to cleanse the world of chaos, wielding light so pure that it banished corruption wherever it fell. In these stories, she brought peace to villages plagued by monsters, guiding the faithful and restoring order where all else had failed.
Cosmological Views
Elysian cosmology divides existence into three realms: the Divine Above, the Mortal Plane, and the Abyss Below. The Divine Above is the radiant domain of Meraki, where light and purity reign eternal. It is believed that the faithful ascend there after death, joining her in everlasting grace. The Mortal Plane is humanity’s trial, a place of order constantly threatened by chaos. Beneath it lies the Abyss, a pit of corruption from which the maiaaks are said to crawl, born of sin and shadow to test the strength of the righteous.
Tenets of Faith
Followers of Elysian live by the guiding light of order and purity. Faith is both devotion and duty — to uphold structure, maintain virtue, and preserve the sanctity of humankind. Communion with maiaaks or other corrupted beings is forbidden, as is defiance of divine law or the clergy who interpret it. The faithful are taught that redemption is possible for those who seek forgiveness through service and prayer, for Meraki’s light shines brightest upon the repentant. To live rightly is to walk in harmony with the goddess’s design: obedient in spirit, disciplined in action, and unwavering in the pursuit of purity.
Ethics
Elysian ethics teach that righteousness is found through balance, devotion without fanaticism, order without cruelty. Every act, no matter how small, is judged by its alignment with Meraki’s light. To follow the law is to honor the goddess; to protect one’s fellow man is to preserve her design. Lies, indulgence, and corruption are viewed as gateways to chaos, while humility, service, and prayer bring harmony to the soul. Though justice is strict, forgiveness remains sacred — for even the lost may find their way back to the light through sincere repentance.
Worship
Worship within the Elysian Faith centers on prayer and service. Followers begin each day with structured recitations to honor Meraki’s light, offering gratitude for order and protection. Beyond prayer, battle itself is seen as devotion, every strike against a maiaak a reaffirmation of the goddess’s will. Festivals and holy days are marked by public sermons, hymns, and processions led by the clergy, reminding the faithful that piety is not only spoken but lived. To worship Meraki is to act in her image: steadfast, disciplined, and unyielding before darkness.
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