ALVATIA: Religion - Presences
Contents
Presences[edit]
(see also FANGS: Priest Magic)
Presences may be called a ghod, saint, angel, daemon or spirit by one religion, but called the something else by another religion. However, there are two broad different kinds of Presences - Templed, and Untempled.
Templed Presences[edit]
Templed Presences are located in a specific place or places. This could be an object, a room, building, or site. In most cases Templed Presences serve and/or are served by those that serve where they are located. However, in some cases, the Priests of a Templed Presence serve to defend the world from the uncontrolled manifestation of a Presence.
Untempled Presences[edit]
Untempled Presences do manifest in a any place or location, or, as some scholars think, are templed in such a such large area such as a country, world, or universe that they can effectively manifest most anywhere.
Relationship Between Priests & Presences[edit]
The relationship between a Priest and the Presence he serves can be very complex. Sometimes the relationship is a very personal one, or a very public one. In some cases, the relationship is quite one-sided (when it is it usually to the benefit of the Presence), for others it is mutually beneficial.
No matter who the Priests or Presences are, or the nature of their relationship, they have some common factors.
Sacrifice: There is always some form of sacrifice associated with gaining a closer relationship with a Presence. This most typically is in the form of a sacrifice of PW, however, this sacrifice could be a time, a vow, a service, or even the receipient's own blood.
Ritual: There is always some form of ritual associated with gaining a closer relationship with a Presence. Rituals will always have at least three parts, Preparation, Manifestion, and Completion.
Sacred Space: All sacrifices, rituals, spells, and ceremonies associated with a Presence must be performed in a sacred space, which may in some cases just mean a quiet undisturbed place, but more often require a consecrated place. With Templed Presences, this will be in or touching the place that the Presence is templed. With Untempled Presences, a space must be prepared for the Presence to be invited into.
Nymology & Symbology: There is always names and/or symbols associated with a Presence. Any sacrifice or ritual must use those names (in the form of chanting) and/or symbols (in the form of writing) in order to be successful.
Presences in Alvatia[edit]
Saints[edit]
Most Priests in Alvatia are followers of churches dedicated to various saints. In particular, St. Carmund, St. Eva, and St. Rhys are popular. These particular saints of Alvatia are considered untempled, however, there are many saints that are specific to a particular site and have few followers beyond.
Angels & Archangels[edit]
In the past, some great miracles of the saints have resulted in the manifestation of angels or even archangels. Some Priests have claimed that they pray directly to angels, however, knowledge of this practice is unknown.
The High Lord / The All-Father[edit]
All of the saints and angels are said to be servants of a higher Presence, sometimes called the High Lord (by more heirarchical churches) or the All-Father (by less heirarchical churches.) However, no priest is dedicated only to the High Lord/All-Father, instead they are dedicated to one of his minions.
The Lady / The All-Mother[edit]
Most churches and saints do not speak of the Lord's Lady, or of the All-Mother. Some see the Lady as just the feminine manifestation of the High Lord, others see her as a lesser companion of the High Lord. A few see her as opposed to the masculine powers of the High Lord. In any case, there are no known priestesses dedicated to the Lady, but some minions such as St. Eva are closely associated with her.
