Holy Church
The Holy Church, now named the Penitent Church, is the original faith of Aine. Once the only religion dedicated to spreading the teachings of Aine, the Church rose to prominance shortly after his martyrdom. It holds a firm belief that all mortals are inherently flawed and that they must cast off their sins through repentance and devotion to creating a better, unified world. Repentance in accepting that one is prone to committing sin and navigating through life to restrain themselves from committing it, and devotion in helping others for the sake of bettering humanity.
Once the most powerful human organization in the world, the Church lost its sway during the Great Schism that followed shortly after the crusades, leading to the faith fracturing into separate sects that worship Aine in uniquely different ways.
It still remains as the primary faith across Tregaron; particularly in Vilstrung and Mordencrast.
Mythology & Lore
Aine was, interestingly enough, an atheist that believed the idea of bettering the self rather than the interests of a deity or lord. This wasn't out of selfishness, but for the sake of creating a better world for others through self improvement. As a result, much of the Penitent's church is built off as much history as it is mythology.
Paradise
Paradise is a concept that followers of Aine later proposed after his death. It is the name of the ideal kingdom unified under one banner so they may hold eternal peace. Paradise was the end goal of Aine; to unite humanity under one banner so they would no longer suffer tyrants.Evil Manifested
Sin plays a core part of the Penitent Church's beliefs; they believe that all sin causes festering in the hearts of men. This festering will eventually spread to rotting the world, allowing cruelty to reign over good. The most prominent example of this are the Yokai, which the Church explains as raw manifestations of mortal sin. Yokai are viewed as not just demons that must be eradicated, but as a punishment that was bestowed upon them for failing to shed their sin.The Sulfur Pits
Hell is the name of a theological landscape that is said to be where all sin is cleansed and burned to ash. It is a land pocked with craters of burning brimstone. Cast-off sins and sinful spirits like Yokai are thrown into the Sulfur Pits so that they may burn away and be purified from the world. When Aine burned on the chair, all of his sinful parts were cast off and left to burn away in the lakes of Hell.Divine Origins
The Church rose to prominance shortly after Aine's martyrdom. This emboldened his followers to continue spreading his teachings and beliefs so that they could continue bettering mankind. The foundation of the Church was laid out by what Historians call the Pilgrim Parade; an event that took place during the The Cruel Age where Aine lead his followers across the human kingdoms to gather the peasantry and common people under the simple cause of unifying humanity under one banner, rather than separate kingdoms. This desire was meant to fracture the idea of borders and culture and allow all humans to set aside their differences and create Paradise together.
The Making of Miracles
Miracles, while uncommonly found among certain worshipers of the Fae, became much more prominent shortly after Aine's death. This lead to many of his followers believing that Aine's spirit was still guiding humanity into following their cause. Shortly after the finding of miracles, the Church formed, dedicated to gathering fervant supporters to help unify mankind.Becoming the Penitent Church
The Church formally became the Penitent Church after the schism; this is to symbolise their continued focus on purging and shedding of sin in all forms. Other sects often criticize it as the Penitent Church due to it being fashioned out of sympathy for the crusades. Official doctrine states that the Church became the penitent church to differentiate it from other faiths; particularly the Faith Keepers of Llyne.Tenets of Faith
The Church observes Five Testaments. Each testament carries a small story that details the accounts of one of his Apostles, designed to tell a lesson in one of his virtues.
First Virtue of Joonith: Kindness
The First testament is Kindness, Unity, and the desire to give it to others; regardless of stance, stature, and person. If they are human, they are to be treated kindly, and you will be treated kindly in return.
Third Testament of Guilleme: Faith
The Third Testament is Faith. Not in Lords, Kings, or even Aine; but faith in oneself. It is the raw and unbridled determination that is needed to improve oneself by casting away their sin. Faith and Conviction are not held within Aine, but his plan to unite humans and bring them to Paradise.
First Virtue of Joonith: Kindness
We walk with him and he walks with us in rags and a mask; we are not commoners, peasants, or slaves. We are humans that stand together.
The First testament is Kindness, Unity, and the desire to give it to others; regardless of stance, stature, and person. If they are human, they are to be treated kindly, and you will be treated kindly in return.
Second Virtue of Svallin: Humility
"Do not kneel before me. If you must kneel, kneel beside the grieving and share their suffering."The Second Testament is humility and humbleness. Even among the other testaments, Humility is widely considered to be one of the most important facets of the Church's faith. Humbleness is spread across not just the self, but notably observed in viewing Aine as their savior, not their Lord or King.
Third Testament of Guilleme: Faith
"Hold fast, stay strong, and live. The world will provide what you need."
The Third Testament is Faith. Not in Lords, Kings, or even Aine; but faith in oneself. It is the raw and unbridled determination that is needed to improve oneself by casting away their sin. Faith and Conviction are not held within Aine, but his plan to unite humans and bring them to Paradise.
Fourth Testament of Lucienne: Patience
"May the first spear thrust pierce the one most vile."The Fourth testament is Patience. The act of doing good for goodness sake is one thing, but so to is waiting for the right moment to rise to the occasion. Patience is famously represented by the Spear of Lucienne; when soldiers threatened the Aine's movement, they threw a spear that didn't hit Aine, but the King persecuting them.
Fifth Testament of Murielle: Vigilance
To those that were lost, a home. To those who refused to walk, food and alms. To those against us, an open embrace.The Fifth testament is Vigilance; remaining ever-wakeful and prepared for every situation.
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