The Church of Geminism

The religion of Geminism is rooted deeply in the southern Artesjan region of Pannalia. There is no concrete date of its founding, but most scholars agree that it began around the same time as the development of Swedenhatius into a larger walled city. It's incredibly important to consider just how securely Geminism is held in the Pannalian basin, because it was these roots that would bring it to the wider world, through the tradeports on the west coast and up through the Wellan wetlands.

The basics of Geminist lore are the facts that gods known as "Gemi" beyond human powers and understanding inhabit a plane of reality adjacent to Tempertaria, and periodically influence the history of the planet through blessings and curses. Some sects of Geminism believe that those who die will eventually travel to this separate plane, either by virtue of good deeds or by the very fact of not being Bezjan. The vast majority of Geminist sects believe the gods to be an objective "Good" in response to the Bezjan scourge, these theories are vindicated by the fact that Bezjans also seem to come from a plane beyond Tempertarian reality.

Specific persons of particular renown are in Geminist circles referred to as "Saints", these three persons are worshipped and idolized in their respective countries as guardians of the home and patron saints of the Nation-state.

1. Fabien (The Divinarate) - A hero of the Era of Crisis who mustered the significant might of the civilized world to beat back the Bezjan horde and close the portal that had brought them to Tempertaria. His core tenets of worship are honing the body, embracing martial arts, meditation, and perfecting one's own mind to the utmost limits.
2. Artemis (Artesja) - The second saint, who brought the light of democracy to a majority of the civilized world and established the framework for continued resistance against the Bezjans. Worshippers of Artemis practice by committing acts of charity, by praying, and by establishing political unions or voting blocks.
3. Nomad (Kassathia) - The paragon of frontier justice, Nomad (Also known as Jaalisarkan) was responsible for razing several Bezjan portals in the far north of Tempertaria, he also established the northern bastion of freedom, Kassathia. Nomad is worshipped through practice of marksmanship, homesteading, and occasionally, vigilantism.

There are stories of an original mythical ruler of Pannalia during the Era of Beginning; her name was said to be Mertecia. Under her prideful rule, a grand empire was speculated to have spanned all the way from where the city of Rapinus lies today, to the tip of the Zetzar peninsula, which is nowadays claimed by the Fedrian Empire. All up until one day, when Mertecia proclaimed herself to be a living god-empress among men, a bright light shone in the sky, and the very heavens cracked in thunderous apocalypse.

"NO"

— The Skies

The grand empire collapsed overnight as people simply stopped believing in Mertecia's divine right. As she watched over a quiet Swedenhatius, she wondered why, and as she did that, the heavens spoke to her again.

"There will come a reckoning, young ruler. You must be ready, your people must be ready. Go now, repent, and you will rule with our acceptance."

— The Gods

Setting out from the walled city under the moon, the fallen empress hiked through foreign mountains, swam across oceans, and saw the tower of the flame on the island. At the foot of the tower, there stood a cloaked figure holding a cup of shining light. The figure spoke to Mertecia in unknown languages, yet she understood him with perfect clarity, setting out for Northern Saril, she had a new sense of purpose, even as winds gailed and snow hailed.

As she stood on the rocky outcropping, she watched as the northern ocean washed its briny waves over the peaceful beach, and she felt perfectly clear in mind and thoughts; it was time to move on. As she swam towards the small town of Elethor, Mertecia was accosted by soldiers of the local empress, a prideful queen who sat upon a throne of marble, looking at the young ruler. Mertecia felt like she was gazing into a mirror of her former self, and simply embraced the Empress and gave her a few words of advice on how to justly rule, the young queen took the words to heart, but warned Mertecia of a dangerous Tyrant dwelling in the city of Kathatas. The Wandering Empress moved on through grassy plains, and she felt at peace with her past.

The skies darkened as Mertecia drew near to the walled city. Mertecia was ambushed by soldiers of this Emperor and brought to kneel before him in his gilded court. After what seemed like a hundred hours of listening to nonsensical prattle, she was brought to a high tower, where she was imprisoned.

After seven days of confinement with only the doves for company, Mertecia was awakened in the night by the cell door clicking open. There stood the Court Hierophant, the torch in his left hand casting a halo above his head against the night sky. He offered her a sword of pure steel, an almost perfect and clear weapon destined for the heart of the tyrant. She took his hand and moved to kiss him. Against the clear night sky, they made love in that open prison cell. Mertecia felt happy.

When morning broke, the pair entered the court of the false king, Mertecia astride with sword and shield, and the Hierophant by her side with staff ready. It was a legendary battle that lasted until the sun went down, and by the end, the Emperor was dying in a pool of his blood. Presenting the head of the tyrant to his oppressed people, Merticia felt Strong and Victorious.

Riding on the king's chariot through the city, the victorious pair was greeted by a haggard-looking old man, who said nothing, yet simply pointed westwards. The couple debated whether to stay in Kathatas or to continue on Mertecia's journey. The Hierophant wanted to stay behind and lead the leaderless people, but Mertecia couldn't. Leaving the now-freed city, she felt vindication.

Onwards to Karillia, on the coast of the hot waters of the Tarian Sea. The locals were in disagreement over the fate of a petty thief who had stolen some pieces of fruit from the market. The older villagers would see him hang, preferably for all to see, while the younger and the poorer of the town asked for mercy, after all, it was only fruit. She erred on the side of mercy, letting the man go. But as she was walking from the town, some of the kids from the trial ran up to her, pleading for help. The petty thief had been lynched.

Visiting the hanged man, Mertecia was saddened to see that the man was already dead. She felt the rage for his unjust punishment seethe beneath her armor, but when she looked at him again, he looked at peace. The Wandering Empress decided to be patient, helping the man down and bringing him to his family, so that he might at least be buried properly. Leaving the city, Mertecia felt wiser and prepared for what lay ahead.

Hiking through desert mountains, she watched as Sackarti archers hunted bison in the distance. Finally, she was in Upper Taria. Wandering onto a battlefield, she saw thousands of soldiers fighting and dying in horrible ways. She bade them to stop, and for once, they did; they stopped to think about what they were doing, but then set their eyes on the town in the distance.

The spires of the town burned as the soldiers put aside their differences to ravage and pillage. One side had been charged with protecting the town, but men are easily swayed by promises of pride and plunder. Horror filled her eyes as the soldiers torched entire buildings with occupants still inside. She wept under the starry sky as the soldiers made off with what they could carry, until she heard the crying of a child.

She dug through the rubble, tearing at collapsed stones and bricks until she finally freed the child, lifting the infant up in her arms. The child stopped crying for a second as the starlight met her eyes. She couldn't take the child with her; it was too dangerous, so she left her on the doorstep of a large castle. The nobles would care for the baby, surely. Departing for Snezhnahya, Mertecia felt hopeful, yet terrified of what she might see.

The huge city of Benzen was impressive to say the least, towering statues of leaders long gone graced every street and every park. At the invitation of some delighted nobles, she stayed at the great hall of the Snezhnahyan king, who seemed to eye her sword a little too much. At first, he offered her endless riches in return for the sword, then he offered her a feast, but the food she was given was... off, the color was off, it was too rubbery. So she left the hall, the king threatened her, but she trusted in herself, knowing that he wouldn't do good on his promises, which he didn't. Leaving Snezhnahya, Mertecia felt relieved that she would soon be homeward bound.

Returning to her homeland of Pannalia, Mertecia felt the sun shining on her face; she felt joyous, her wonders abundant as she was welcomed by her people, they had missed her.

Finally, as she stood on that same balcony she had all those years ago, the heavens parted once more, letting radiant light pour through, bathing Swedenhatius in resplendent glory. The gods judged her worthy and charged her with spreading their good word through the lands she had travelled. Her journey had been completed, at last, she was whole, whole as the world under the sun and the moon and the stars, and now, under the watchful eyes of loving gods. And thus, Mertecia's tale ends; it is unknown how she died, but that her memory remains is a hint at just how beloved she was.

The schisms and sects of Geminism are so vast and plentiful that they border on the innumerable, ever since the creation back in Swedenhatius, there have been differing views on the first words of Nesus.