Editing Landsoftheblacksea:Religions

<h1>Major <span class=SpellE>Religions</span></h1>

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<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>The Holy Faith: </b>Ethos:
Enlighten the heathen to the truth of the Holy Faith; Lead by example and
perform good deeds; Champion the cause of the poor, the helpless, and the
oppressed. Beliefs: The main doctrine of the Holy Faith is that there is but
one omnipotent, omniscient being in the universe, who is known by the name of <i>Il
</i><span class=SpellE><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk48326326'><i>Matio</i></span></span><span
style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk48326326'><i> </i>(Ven., “The Father”). <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Life is centered on the concept of <i>sin </i>(what
they should do or not), and how absolve it so that one’s soul can join Il <span
class=SpellE>Matio</span> in heaven after death. Followers of the Holy Faith
are taught to help all who hurt, no matter who they are, and that the truly
holy take on the suffering of others. <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Believers
are taught that the Holy Church is infallible, and must be obeyed. The Holy
Church holds that the Arch-Prelate is the highest earthly authority on all
religious beliefs, doctrine and scriptural interpretation. As a consequence,
all other sects of the True Faith are considered heretics, and non-Holy Faith religions
are generally considered cults (at best) or demoniac worship (at worst). While
this faith professes an ethic of love and justice, some of the priesthood and
monastic orders are prone to intolerance. The Holy Faith is intolerant of
arcane magic, in particular; it is considered the work of demons and devils and
other evil spirits.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>In regions where the
Holy Faith is powerful, arcane magic is suppressed, and in some places, practitioners
are punished by severe trials and even death. The religion is almost exclusively
human; demi-humans are not welcome in general (though there have been exceptions).<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>In some areas demi-humans are even persecuted
by the Holy Faith as idolaters and practitioners of witchcraft (generally the
same places where arcane magic use is punished).</span></p>

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<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>The True Faith: </b><span class=SpellE>Diety</span>:
<span class=SpellE>A’Salam</span>, an all-knowing, omnipotent celestial being
who was revealed through the work of the founder of the faith, known as The
Prophet; Symbol: A golden phoenix rising on a red background Ethos: Enforce the
laws of the land; Help those that help themselves; Be generous to the poor,
sick, and helpless. Stringently follow the precepts of <span class=SpellE>A’Salam</span>
to attain the reward that is promised to the faithful after death. Protect and
preserve the most holy lands from the infidels (non-believers).<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Generally, a Lawful Good aligned religion if observed
according to the laws.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>The state
religion of the <span class=SpellE>Jhonian</span> Empire – citizens who do not follow
the True Faith, while not persecuted, do not enjoy the full benefits of citizenship.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Conquered peoples are offered the chance to
convert, but are not persecuted in most cases if they choose not to.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>The leader of the True Faith is the Grand
Imam of the Golden Mosque, located in <span class=SpellE>Ajuhar</span>-al-<span
class=SpellE>Sahir</span>, the <span class=SpellE>Jhonian</span> Capital.</p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>The <span class=SpellE>Vulkul</span>
Pantheon: </b>Primarily worshipped in the Barbarian Kingdoms, but popular in
the areas of the Wild Coast, New Kingdoms, The Isles of the Sea Lords, and <span
class=SpellE>Athervon</span> (until the rise of the Holy Faith of Il <span
class=SpellE>Matio</span>). </p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>The Elder Elemental Gods:</b> Some say the
original deities worshipped by the original <span class=SpellE>Tuathan</span> humans
of the <span class=SpellE>Athernian</span> peninsula in the ancient past.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Virtually unknown now, this pantheon of four
gods is now an underground and largely ignored religion.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>What few followers there are exist on the
outskirts of civilized human areas, and little is known about them or their
practices.</p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>Animal Spirits:</b> Many of the clans and
tribes in the barbaric northern areas worship an Animal Spirit God; each clan that
follows this form of religion will have a specific Spirit Animal, and many clans
and tribes go by the name of their Spirit Animal (e.g., White Bear Clan, Black
Wolf Clan).</p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>Ancestor Worship:</b> Popular across many regions
in the East, particularly <span class=SpellE>Chandrahaar</span> and <span
class=SpellE>Nihar</span>, but also the steppes of <span class=SpellE>Hazur</span>,
<span class=SpellE>Iruzhin</span>, and some of the barbaric northern clans and
tribes, this religion primarily focuses on worship of the ancestral blood line
of the clan, with the founders of the Clan worshipped as God or Gods (and more
rarely, Goddesses) by all, and the more recent dead being demi-gods or
messengers for these more powerful entities. </p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>The <span class=SpellE>Is’ri</span>-a
Pantheon: </b>At one time actively worshipped in the land of <span
class=SpellE>Issyria</span> (<span class=SpellE>Is’ri</span>-a), until it was
conquered by the <span class=SpellE>Jhonians</span> (last 200 years).<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Now it exists as an underground religion there.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Ex-patriots of <span class=SpellE>Issyria</span>
can still be found worshipping these Gods, in lands that allow it.</p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>The <span class=SpellE>Niharian</span>
Pantheon: </b>Worshipped solely in <span class=SpellE>Nihar</span> and a few of
the surrounding Islands.</p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>Dwarves: </b>Monotheistic; worship <span
class=SpellE>Ghrg<span style='mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-latin'>ü</span>khrm</span>. There is a pantheon of saints that are prayed
to as intermediaries, and the Dwarves also revere their ancestors.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Priests of <span class=SpellE>Ghrg<span
style='mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin'>ü</span>khrm</span>
generally focus on spells of healing, augmentation, protection, divination, and
manipulation of the earth, rocks, and stone. Dwarven priests and stone-crafters
are able to create stone golems of an exceptionally powerful nature.</p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>The Elven Pantheon: </b>Elves are generally
less religious than most other races, but do celebrate holy days for the gods
of their pantheon.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Each of the Elven ethnic
varieties tend to prefer some members of the Pantheon over others, depending on
their environment and circumstances.</p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>Gnomes: </b>Some ancestor worship &amp;
reverence for sprits, but little organized religion.</p>

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=';mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span
style='font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><b>Halflings: </b>Halflings are generally
concerned with practical things and don’t really maintain their own pantheon –
they tend to follow the religions that are prevalent amongst the humans that they
live amongst, where that is allowed, and where they can’t participate, they
tend to be non-religious.</p>

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