Ehlbruism (El-Brew-ism)
Just as Doppelt himself, the universe is in a constant conflict within itself. Wars are fought, elements collide, and life and death wane and fade. All things are this way, but there are those who see that relationship as divine. Holy things, acts, forces to be worshipped. Some worship the better halves, while some worship the destructive, and even those who believe in the fickle middle ground. All things are balanced, under Doppelt.
Mythology & Lore
The followers of Ehlbruism believe in the foundation that everything is broken into, or has, two halves, parts, or contradictions to its innate nature. This holds true in the form of their own god, who consists of two connected parts which make up everything in natural existence. Ehlbrists believe that without their god being one unified being, all things would lose a fundamental half. The sun would lose the moon, white would lose black, hunter would lose prey, and life would lose death.
The tales of Doppelt are great, and involve every other god as his children in some form or another. He birthed them through his inner conflicts, just as he birthed the universe just by merely existing.
Doppelt has blessed mortals with many great gifts. His greatest gift was The Fang of Doppelt, which fell upon Draekkigoth eons ago, releasing the mighty magic of Doppelt upon all of creation. It bore monsters, both seen and unseen, but also gave men the ability to harness that magic as it bathes across the lands like a mighty wave.
But the most influential belief that resounds along all sects of Ehlbruism is the belief that with every push, there is a pull. Even if one does not feel it, they affect the ever lasting conflict among their god, and one day, judgement shall reign, and it will be the fault of man for which of Doppelts heads wins their eons long battle.
The tales of Doppelt are great, and involve every other god as his children in some form or another. He birthed them through his inner conflicts, just as he birthed the universe just by merely existing.
Doppelt has blessed mortals with many great gifts. His greatest gift was The Fang of Doppelt, which fell upon Draekkigoth eons ago, releasing the mighty magic of Doppelt upon all of creation. It bore monsters, both seen and unseen, but also gave men the ability to harness that magic as it bathes across the lands like a mighty wave.
But the most influential belief that resounds along all sects of Ehlbruism is the belief that with every push, there is a pull. Even if one does not feel it, they affect the ever lasting conflict among their god, and one day, judgement shall reign, and it will be the fault of man for which of Doppelts heads wins their eons long battle.
Divine Origins
This religion dates back to the creation of all mortals. All beings were made with the ingrained sense of Doppelts presence, although not many knew truly who it was, since he did not aid in any of their creations. It took mortals hundreds of years to discover who the almighty was in the back of their minds, but it was always there. And then men began to venerate that which gave life to existence. Some began to venerate the dark, some the light, and some the grey. All are true worshipped of The Mighty Battle.
Cosmological Views
This religion believes that Doppelt created the universe, and itself. And after that, it created its second head. After they began to clash, it created the god, and other creatures of it's flesh. As the eons pass and the fight rages on, Ehlbrists still believe that more will be made out of Doppelts lasting conflict.
Tenets of Faith
Ehlbruism believes in maintaining the balance between good and evil, which results in tenets that often times contradict themselves to keep a true equilibrium in existence.
their first tenet is to maintain the balance, whether good needs to be done, or heinous acts of cruelty, neither may be permitted to go undone, or be done too much.
Their second tenet is to maintain the balance of nature. Mortals exist within a fine line with nature, and neither can be allowed to overcome the other, else mortals lose their piece in the balancing act.
Their third tenet is to maintain harmony. While balance is essential, balance without harmony is as good as no balance whatsoever. All things must flow and wane together, not destroy and avoid one another.
The two sects of Ehlbruism also have additional tenets to themselves.
Buavinta Ehlbruism has the tenet of "Good over evil". They believe that the balance should always be tipped towards the side of good. Nothing can come of evil being allowed to sit at an equilibrium with the virtues of the pure.
Ruraute Ehbruism has the tenet of "Pleasure over mind". They believe that life is to be toiled with, controlled, and enjoyed. This belief stretches to the most heinous acts, even if they subjugate, harm, or flat out kill others. A balance must be kept, but tipping the scales to Malevolence is as Doppelt intended.
their first tenet is to maintain the balance, whether good needs to be done, or heinous acts of cruelty, neither may be permitted to go undone, or be done too much.
Their second tenet is to maintain the balance of nature. Mortals exist within a fine line with nature, and neither can be allowed to overcome the other, else mortals lose their piece in the balancing act.
Their third tenet is to maintain harmony. While balance is essential, balance without harmony is as good as no balance whatsoever. All things must flow and wane together, not destroy and avoid one another.
The two sects of Ehlbruism also have additional tenets to themselves.
Buavinta Ehlbruism has the tenet of "Good over evil". They believe that the balance should always be tipped towards the side of good. Nothing can come of evil being allowed to sit at an equilibrium with the virtues of the pure.
Ruraute Ehbruism has the tenet of "Pleasure over mind". They believe that life is to be toiled with, controlled, and enjoyed. This belief stretches to the most heinous acts, even if they subjugate, harm, or flat out kill others. A balance must be kept, but tipping the scales to Malevolence is as Doppelt intended.
Worship
Worship of Doppelt, regardless of sect, is primarily shown through ones everyday actions. Most show veneration without even realizing they're doing it, just by existing in their everyday lives.
But when one wishes to make an offering, or even attempt to commune with Doppelt, they must offer up two items of contradiction, conflicts, or balance.
But when one wishes to make an offering, or even attempt to commune with Doppelt, they must offer up two items of contradiction, conflicts, or balance.
Priesthood
Ehlbruism tends to not keep a hierarchy, or a priesthood, believing that guiding a congregation might unintentionally tip the balance in favor of whatever morality the leader might have.
Buavinta Ehlbrists, and Ruraute Ehbrists, however, tend to have leaders of their small cults.
The Buavinta Ehlbrists appoint a leader they refer to as "The Purist", who guides their people on ways to help the needy, bring enlightenment to the faithless, and cull the evil of the world.
The Ruraute Ehbrists follow a small cluster of about 3 people when they form cults. They refer to their leaders as "The Joyous". "The Joyous" guide their people in heathenistic acts, burning down villages, pillaging, raping, and indulging upon carnal acts to their hearts desire. If they know of any Buavinta Ehlbrist cults in the area, they seek to eliminate them, and vice versa until one or both are destroyed.
Buavinta Ehlbrists, and Ruraute Ehbrists, however, tend to have leaders of their small cults.
The Buavinta Ehlbrists appoint a leader they refer to as "The Purist", who guides their people on ways to help the needy, bring enlightenment to the faithless, and cull the evil of the world.
The Ruraute Ehbrists follow a small cluster of about 3 people when they form cults. They refer to their leaders as "The Joyous". "The Joyous" guide their people in heathenistic acts, burning down villages, pillaging, raping, and indulging upon carnal acts to their hearts desire. If they know of any Buavinta Ehlbrist cults in the area, they seek to eliminate them, and vice versa until one or both are destroyed.
Granted Divine Powers
Regardless of which sect you choose to follow, the divine powers gifted upon paladins and clerics or Doppelt tend to have a serpentine affect. Wounds healed through Doppelt have scales where flesh should be, steeds summoned by paladins are large hydra beasts, and holy guardians have the visage of snakes.
The difference then comes to which sect you worship. If you practice as a neutral Ehlbrist, a paladin or clerics magic boasts dual visages of both aspects of Doppelt. Summoned steeds have two hydra heads, one to represent Benevolence, and one to represent Malevolence. As well, healing spells have an equal chance of giving black scales, or golden scales where flesh would normally rest.
The Buavinta Ehlbrists boast the virtuous visage of their god. Their steeds are summoned with one serpentine head, which golden scales, and radiant eyes. And their healing spells also give golden scales where flesh should rest.
The Ruraute Ehbrists take a more vile approach, however. Their steeds are summoned as an amalgamation of small serpents, crushed and writhing together to give the form of a black hydra mount. And their healing spells leave a vicious scar, with the mark of Malevolence in the middle.
The difference then comes to which sect you worship. If you practice as a neutral Ehlbrist, a paladin or clerics magic boasts dual visages of both aspects of Doppelt. Summoned steeds have two hydra heads, one to represent Benevolence, and one to represent Malevolence. As well, healing spells have an equal chance of giving black scales, or golden scales where flesh would normally rest.
The Buavinta Ehlbrists boast the virtuous visage of their god. Their steeds are summoned with one serpentine head, which golden scales, and radiant eyes. And their healing spells also give golden scales where flesh should rest.
The Ruraute Ehbrists take a more vile approach, however. Their steeds are summoned as an amalgamation of small serpents, crushed and writhing together to give the form of a black hydra mount. And their healing spells leave a vicious scar, with the mark of Malevolence in the middle.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Currently, not many still worship Doppelt. But the king of Hailsoshia is a neutral Ehlbrist, seeking to correct the balance of the world to please his god.
Sects
There are two sects, which branch off from the base religion of Ehlbruism. The Buavinta Ehlbrists, and the Ruraute Ehbrists. The Buavinta Ehlbrists worship Benevolence, while the Ruraute Elhbrists worship Malevolence.
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