Editing EternalEmpire:Theology (section)

=== Ecobori, Veneration, & Sorcery === 

	The ''Ecobori'', or subdivinities, not only lend themselves nicely to the Chingolun conception of the afterlife, but also offered a bridge between Chingol theology and antecedent religions that involved forms of ancestor worship and belief in angels, devils, and nature spirits. 

	Especially important to the average citizen of the Eternal Empire are the ''Silpari'' of ones friends and family. These deceased spirits are believed to have some degree of influence on the physical world even if they are not very powerful, and are frequently the target of prayers for small favors and good fortune. The belief that the spirits of dead ancestors and companions are actively involved in protecting a person from danger on a daily basis is also fairly common, and the pious make solemn, private offerings to their ethereal guardians frequently.

	The intervention of the ''Crindi'' is often a more empirically verifiable matter. Although technically the Crindi consist of any servitor spirit that lack a completely free will, the term is more often applied to those malicious, or at least unscrupulous spirits that are the concern of sorcerers and summoners. These entities were either created by deities to act as their servants and messengers, or already existing spirits pressed into their service. Thus, most Crindi are associated with certain divinities, and the subject of which gods and goddesses a particular demon professes allegiance to is a matter of considerable study, as that information potentially strengthens a man’s control over the spirit.

Non-doctrinal literature on these entities abounds, and it is widely accepted that certain of their number are amenable to contact and employment by men. A particularly forceful or wise sorcerer can bind these wily creatures to his will, but never without some element of risk. Demons are usually very reluctant to be commanded by humans and endeavor whenever they can to inflict misfortune upon the summoner and any others within reach. In fact, many accept the degradation of appearing in the physical world in exchange for the opportunity to abduct or destroy a hapless sorcerer. Once subdued, however, the demon’s prodigious powers may be called upon to help the sorcerer in both subtle and overt ways. Due to the inherent limitations to the physical world, the effects of demons are rarely all that was hoped, and they can only be bound to this plane of existence for a short time, so for most purposes, their risk greatly outweighs their utility. As a result, the profession of sorcery is looked down upon in public, and sorcerers are lampooned and ridiculed more often than they are praised, and public authorities closely monitor their activities. Even sorcerers that are employed by the various cults or the military are under a degree of suspicion, and receive less prestige than most of their colleagues – as the old saying goes, “the dignified man leaves mistresses and magicians at the door.” As a result, most sorcery is practiced in secret by incompetent dabblers, each a potential disaster to the public.

The last major branch of the Ecobori is the ''Eñulari'' – the Exemplars, the Saints. The concept is a relatively recent innovation of the Chingolun, and not everyone accepts the theology behind it. A Saint is someone who has transcended to a higher-level existence while still living; whether the Saint is currently still alive in the physical world is immaterial. The doctrine was introduced by the teachings of Ionomîs the Divine during the Arqi Civil War, citing nineteen of his followers as the virtuous ideals to which every human should strive. Conferral of the title of Eñularo does not suggest perfection or infallibility, but instead is a recognition of especially righteous and heroic actions or the exemplification of a particular virtue. The Illuminarch has stressed that they attained this transcendence and power via the righteousness of their behavior, and his own godly blessing was unnecessary.  
Elevation to the ranks of the Eñulari has some obvious perks besides spiritual enlightenment and religious admiration. Most Saints were said to be possessed of unusual and varied gifts, including superhuman resilience, the ability to speak and understand tongues, prophesy, heal grievous wounds and diseases, control demons, command the weather, communicate with their minds, and blind their enemies. 

The most famous of the Eñulari are undoubtedly the founders of the Sea Knight Orders, all but two of whom are officially elevated to this status. Most recognized Exemplars are not, however, war heroes. Currently, there are no living Saints, the last being Saint Pactra Capel, martyred by Glarax raiders in 1436 AGA (see St. Pactra’s Crusade).  Like the Crindi, the Eñulari are often associated with a particular deity, most of which having been devoted followers of Ionomîs. 

Although indistinguishable by outsiders, prayers, rituals, and celebrations for the Ecobori are not worship, and such an activity would be considered sacrilegious. To the extent they are celebrated at all, it is considered veneration. These entities, however worthy and powerful they might be, are not divine and thus do not warrant the higher respect of worship.