Post by Weaver of Fates on Jul 29, 2015 16:17:57 GMT -5
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The Faith of the Four-Pointed Star believes in balance above all else. According to
this belief system, there are four gods that created the universe – Leanisa, goddess
of life; Vivek, god of death; Hespion, god of order; Deirdre, goddess of chaos. Without
death there can be no life, without chaos there can be no order. None of the gods are
considered inherently good or evil, but in the same token if one of the gods gains far
more power than the others the world will be thrown out of balance and the world
will tear itself apart.
Those who wish to focus on being part of the True Faith may take these domains: Life, Death, Chaos, Order.
The Myth: “The Dawning of the Universe”
As the sun rises in the morning to bring us warmth and life, as the stars guide our spirit and evening tranquility so does the four points of the universe. At the dawn of creation our points converged onto our life giving world. Our world was created out of loneliness. Sorrow.
Many years ago, an eternal battle raged among the cosmos beyond what we know. The gods warred endlessly among themselves, tearing the universe and those beyond apart due to their differing ideas. Leanisa wanted to preserve life, where her brother Vivek knew that nothing was deserving of breathe and heartbeat. Deidre thrived in war and beckoned everyone on, including her brother Hespion who only knew that this war was inevitable. At one final stroke of power, each deity was expelled from the center of the universe and pushed to the edge. No sound, only silence filled the empty darkness in every corner. After generations of fighting, each in their own right began to feel something they had never felt; loneliness.
Leanisa could feel her brother Vivek lifetimes away from where she stood and she knew she needed to see him. Vivek felt his cousin, Deirdre, yearning for companionship and so he flew off into the darkness to find her. Deidre, having finally coming to terms with what her place in life would be, knew her brother Hespion deserved to know. She charged off into the unknown only to converge with Hespion, only to find that he, too, was looking for someone. Hespion needed to find Leanisa and explain his great and wonderful plan.
There was no question; Each god and goddess felt despair and sorrow being alone and knew that it cannot ever be that again. They found the shards strewn across the cosmos and pulled them together at this convergent point. That point, is our world. As the world was being crafted each god and goddess place a part of themselves into our lives.
Leanisa brought us into the world and gave us what we need to continue. Vivek gave us the strength and knowledge that time will end and to push hard at what we want and what we love. Deidre gave us the laughter and drive to make brash decisions. Hespion ensured that we could recognize this as a gift an instill it within ourselves to spread their good word. This was the idea that Hespion gave, and it was good.
After the mist fell and life began to grown on these shards the gods and goddesses knew what they had created; it was a gift. A gift to those caught up in the center of their war and destruction, their overburdening powers now utilized from the binding of their spirits among each of their ideals. They watched over us, and protected us until we became intelligent. We were gifted with the knowledge from Hespion to understand what gift we were truly given. With our worship and spirit we can give back to our gods and goddesses so they may once again retain their power they once had. True balance will subdue the power and bring harmony among all in the universe.
The Significance of the Name
The reason it is named the 4 Pointed Star is simple. There are four gods, like there are four points on this specific star. The points of the star are symbolically put to represent the reliance of another. Life and Death are across from another because they cannot exist without the other; the same goes for Order and Chaos. Together, the four aspects create the balance, which is what the center of the star represents.
The Order of the Blessed Star
Individuals who commit themselves to the faith of the Four-Pointed Star and who are
deemed worthy can become a brother or a sister in the Order of the Blessed Star. The
Order has a number of tasks ranging from the maintenance of the temples to the
protection of important individuals in the faith, and it is as much a political role as it
is a combatant one. These individuals are renowned for their prowess in battle and
are often called upon for help during times of crisis. The Order of the Blessed Star
has many individuals who are trained in combat and magic, and once they prove their
power they become known as Paladins of the Blessed Star. Individuals in the faith
can also be selected to join this order if they are skilled diplomats. All members wear
a tabard displaying the colors of the Order and its sigil.
Church Structure
As with their beliefs, the order of the church is as flowing as a freshly washed sheet on the line. Typically, there are four apostles noted as the guides of the gods; one for each life, death, order, chaos. The Council of Apostles works locally with missionaries (Those who work diplomatically without combat skills) and paladins (Those who get their hands dirty, basically) to ensure balance is kept. Once a week, on Sunday, the Council brings all those interested in church dealings into what is called “The Hall of Balance” to discuss the goings on. Every member is heard and votes are taken. A majority, 51% or greater, will decide on actions regardless of severity. Each member attending understands that each voice is heard equally and some decisions might not work in their personal favor. This is the will of the gods to keep balance. Those wishing to enter the church must attend a minimum of 8 town hall meetings, four being consecutive, before being considered for a missionary or paladin position. All paladins being as missionaries. The Blessed Star keep their initiation rituals secretive, as they’re considered the Hand of the Apostles.
Discipline in the church is simple; minor crimes to the tenants is determined at the Town Hall meetings on Sunday. Severe or dire crimes against the church is determined in private by the Apostles. Any laws broken in civilized society, as the church is one of the largest, is often deffered directly to the Apostles and promptly handed back to the local authorities after being stripped of church goods or standing. Each member of the church is expected to give no more than 10% of their earnings from professions or jobs to ensure everyone has what they need.
Regarding Undead
The followers of the Faith of the Four-Pointed Star are split on the idea of necromancy
and undead. Some of them believe that it goes against the natural order of things and
are extremely against it. It was this group that prevented the creation of undead from
becoming legalized for centuries after its creation. Others believe that undead are a
perfect balance of life and death, and while they don’t revere undead they believe that
they have their place in the world just like any other creature.
Religious Holidays
The Purpose of Life
Life is about bringing balance to the world without causing a huge disruption. If it’s for the betterment of the people that the paladins or missionaries aspartame balance in an area, they will. Should it cause too much death, or chaos to those involved they will make small but purposeful changes. If the town is filled with too many laws, they will work their way into government to alleviate them. If a forest is being overgrown by druids they will attempt to prune the bushes. Ascendance is based on balance and the world needs it.
Life After Death
-The devout within the church preach and fully believe that when a person dies permanently their spirit ascends into the Spiraling City. A large compass rose-shaped city sits along a wheat-filled plane spreading out almost endlessly. Inside the city sit five rings, descending in size as the closer you reach the center. The closer one lives to true balance the closer one ascends to the center ring and closer to the Star’s Tower.
Outer ring:
Technically speaking, the outer ring isn't a ring itself; it's the grounds outside the city. The platform in which the city sits is an enormous ring. On these plains, small villages are sparsely set. These are those who did not find any balance or refused the idea of balance. While not pure in any extreme, it resembles closer to how the material plane existed before death.
The Acolyte's Ring:
This ring inside the most inner wall is home to those who tried to live their life by balance but could never achieve it. This is where those too innocent or unable to worship appear. The city is dotted with houses, shops, parks. Semi-Perfect areas of entertainment. This is rumored to be built as a step up from normal life on the material plane.
Devotee's Circle:
The innermost three circles are typically reserved for the devout and thus devotee's can move between each of the circles. The residents of this circle are the merchants, Smith's, builders and other craftsmen or tradesmen of the world who followed the 4PS. The third circle shrinks exponentially compared to the Acolyte's circle. Here the devote commune and express ideas and thoughts. This is where the arts are most often represented. It can be loud or energetic, dark or light as deemed by those performing an activity.
Holy Sites
The Faith of the Four Pointed Star has but one holy place- Pantheon City. Pantheon City is said to have been where this religion was founded. Because of this, many followers of the faith make pilgrimages to Pantheon City in order to reflect on their own deeds or learn more about the religion that they follow. If one does make a pilgrimage, he or she is directed to The World’s Abode. The World’s Abode is the largest and most extravagant building in Pantheon City, and serves as a public temple. There are also living quarters for high Apostles and missionaries that are set apart from public areas. This building is where The Hall of Balance is held.
It is known that because the festivals held there are the most extravagant. It is common to have inns filled to capacity because of followers who come to visit the city for this reason.
Important Books and Artifacts
In Pantheon City, specifically in The World’s Abode, there is a holy text called “The Book of the World”. This book is said to carry all of the teachings, myths, and ideals of this religion. Because of the divine nature of this book, only the members of the Path of the Four Pointed Star can read it; not only is this because these people are considered important, but also because that the book has been rumored to have been stolen before. The book was returned, thankfully, but matters are in place to prevent such an event from happening again.
It is also said that, in Pantheon City, there are artifacts regarding each of the four gods. But no one knows if it is true because they are hidden from the public eye (and Church members are forbidden to speak of them). The most common rumor that is heared about this is that these artifacts were given by the God’s themselves, and if put into the wrong hands the world’s balance would be threatened. Some say that the artifacts are held underneath The World’s Abode in a secret vault, while some disregard the artifacts as ways to keep the populace from veering away from the religion
The Faith of the Four-Pointed Star believes in balance above all else. According to
this belief system, there are four gods that created the universe – Leanisa, goddess
of life; Vivek, god of death; Hespion, god of order; Deirdre, goddess of chaos. Without
death there can be no life, without chaos there can be no order. None of the gods are
considered inherently good or evil, but in the same token if one of the gods gains far
more power than the others the world will be thrown out of balance and the world
will tear itself apart.
Those who wish to focus on being part of the True Faith may take these domains: Life, Death, Chaos, Order.
The Myth: “The Dawning of the Universe”
As the sun rises in the morning to bring us warmth and life, as the stars guide our spirit and evening tranquility so does the four points of the universe. At the dawn of creation our points converged onto our life giving world. Our world was created out of loneliness. Sorrow.
Many years ago, an eternal battle raged among the cosmos beyond what we know. The gods warred endlessly among themselves, tearing the universe and those beyond apart due to their differing ideas. Leanisa wanted to preserve life, where her brother Vivek knew that nothing was deserving of breathe and heartbeat. Deidre thrived in war and beckoned everyone on, including her brother Hespion who only knew that this war was inevitable. At one final stroke of power, each deity was expelled from the center of the universe and pushed to the edge. No sound, only silence filled the empty darkness in every corner. After generations of fighting, each in their own right began to feel something they had never felt; loneliness.
Leanisa could feel her brother Vivek lifetimes away from where she stood and she knew she needed to see him. Vivek felt his cousin, Deirdre, yearning for companionship and so he flew off into the darkness to find her. Deidre, having finally coming to terms with what her place in life would be, knew her brother Hespion deserved to know. She charged off into the unknown only to converge with Hespion, only to find that he, too, was looking for someone. Hespion needed to find Leanisa and explain his great and wonderful plan.
There was no question; Each god and goddess felt despair and sorrow being alone and knew that it cannot ever be that again. They found the shards strewn across the cosmos and pulled them together at this convergent point. That point, is our world. As the world was being crafted each god and goddess place a part of themselves into our lives.
Leanisa brought us into the world and gave us what we need to continue. Vivek gave us the strength and knowledge that time will end and to push hard at what we want and what we love. Deidre gave us the laughter and drive to make brash decisions. Hespion ensured that we could recognize this as a gift an instill it within ourselves to spread their good word. This was the idea that Hespion gave, and it was good.
After the mist fell and life began to grown on these shards the gods and goddesses knew what they had created; it was a gift. A gift to those caught up in the center of their war and destruction, their overburdening powers now utilized from the binding of their spirits among each of their ideals. They watched over us, and protected us until we became intelligent. We were gifted with the knowledge from Hespion to understand what gift we were truly given. With our worship and spirit we can give back to our gods and goddesses so they may once again retain their power they once had. True balance will subdue the power and bring harmony among all in the universe.
The Significance of the Name
The reason it is named the 4 Pointed Star is simple. There are four gods, like there are four points on this specific star. The points of the star are symbolically put to represent the reliance of another. Life and Death are across from another because they cannot exist without the other; the same goes for Order and Chaos. Together, the four aspects create the balance, which is what the center of the star represents.
The Order of the Blessed Star
Individuals who commit themselves to the faith of the Four-Pointed Star and who are
deemed worthy can become a brother or a sister in the Order of the Blessed Star. The
Order has a number of tasks ranging from the maintenance of the temples to the
protection of important individuals in the faith, and it is as much a political role as it
is a combatant one. These individuals are renowned for their prowess in battle and
are often called upon for help during times of crisis. The Order of the Blessed Star
has many individuals who are trained in combat and magic, and once they prove their
power they become known as Paladins of the Blessed Star. Individuals in the faith
can also be selected to join this order if they are skilled diplomats. All members wear
a tabard displaying the colors of the Order and its sigil.
Church Structure
As with their beliefs, the order of the church is as flowing as a freshly washed sheet on the line. Typically, there are four apostles noted as the guides of the gods; one for each life, death, order, chaos. The Council of Apostles works locally with missionaries (Those who work diplomatically without combat skills) and paladins (Those who get their hands dirty, basically) to ensure balance is kept. Once a week, on Sunday, the Council brings all those interested in church dealings into what is called “The Hall of Balance” to discuss the goings on. Every member is heard and votes are taken. A majority, 51% or greater, will decide on actions regardless of severity. Each member attending understands that each voice is heard equally and some decisions might not work in their personal favor. This is the will of the gods to keep balance. Those wishing to enter the church must attend a minimum of 8 town hall meetings, four being consecutive, before being considered for a missionary or paladin position. All paladins being as missionaries. The Blessed Star keep their initiation rituals secretive, as they’re considered the Hand of the Apostles.
Discipline in the church is simple; minor crimes to the tenants is determined at the Town Hall meetings on Sunday. Severe or dire crimes against the church is determined in private by the Apostles. Any laws broken in civilized society, as the church is one of the largest, is often deffered directly to the Apostles and promptly handed back to the local authorities after being stripped of church goods or standing. Each member of the church is expected to give no more than 10% of their earnings from professions or jobs to ensure everyone has what they need.
Regarding Undead
The followers of the Faith of the Four-Pointed Star are split on the idea of necromancy
and undead. Some of them believe that it goes against the natural order of things and
are extremely against it. It was this group that prevented the creation of undead from
becoming legalized for centuries after its creation. Others believe that undead are a
perfect balance of life and death, and while they don’t revere undead they believe that
they have their place in the world just like any other creature.
Religious Holidays
- The first week of January is considered the “Week of Renewal “ where those within and outside the church are welcome to celebrate the balance of things in celebration of new beginnings and the new year. Those within the church mission themselves to surrounding towns and try to bring balance to the town by any means; fixing a barn, killing a deadly evil golem, toiling the fields, whatever. During this time, all meals are only consumed when those less fortunate can be given food or those most fortunate can spare to the missionaries.
- The 1st of December is dedicated to Vivek, the God of Death. During this day followers of this religion acknowledge death. If one is afraid of death, this day is designated for when such an individual visits a Priest of Vivek for prayer and comfort. During this day, followers wear black and are typically silent unless absolutely necessary. The reason for this silence is meant to deep contemplation about death, and respecting those who have died previously.
- December 31st is the holiday dedicated to Hespion, the God of Order. This day is designated to prepare followers for the new year and the Week of Renewal. On this day, followers assist in touching up their city (whether it be picking up trash, cleaning windows, helping a baker upgrade his oven, etc.). What makes this different from the Week of Renewal is that this day is meant to bring order to one's own personal life, while the Week of Renewal is meant to spread balance to the world.
- Leap Day is the holiday designated for Deirdre, the God of chaos. The reason for this is because a Leap Year is a step away from the norm, or order. During this day the followers of this religion thank Deirdre for bringing Chaos where there is Order, and then acknowledge Chaos’ role in society. During Leap Day, followers are allowed to pull pranks on others and wear strange clothing. In other words, Leap Day is comparable to April Fools Day. Unfortunately, crime is most common on this holiday due to the fact that some pranks can cause harm to others (whether intentional or not).
- The 1st of May is designated to Leanisa, the Goddess of Life. The 1st of May is considered the beginning of Spring, when plants begin to grow out of the soil and snow. During this holiday, the towns are decorated with flowers. This day is also celebrated with lively dancing and music.
The Purpose of Life
Life is about bringing balance to the world without causing a huge disruption. If it’s for the betterment of the people that the paladins or missionaries aspartame balance in an area, they will. Should it cause too much death, or chaos to those involved they will make small but purposeful changes. If the town is filled with too many laws, they will work their way into government to alleviate them. If a forest is being overgrown by druids they will attempt to prune the bushes. Ascendance is based on balance and the world needs it.
Life After Death
-The devout within the church preach and fully believe that when a person dies permanently their spirit ascends into the Spiraling City. A large compass rose-shaped city sits along a wheat-filled plane spreading out almost endlessly. Inside the city sit five rings, descending in size as the closer you reach the center. The closer one lives to true balance the closer one ascends to the center ring and closer to the Star’s Tower.
Outer ring:
Technically speaking, the outer ring isn't a ring itself; it's the grounds outside the city. The platform in which the city sits is an enormous ring. On these plains, small villages are sparsely set. These are those who did not find any balance or refused the idea of balance. While not pure in any extreme, it resembles closer to how the material plane existed before death.
The Acolyte's Ring:
This ring inside the most inner wall is home to those who tried to live their life by balance but could never achieve it. This is where those too innocent or unable to worship appear. The city is dotted with houses, shops, parks. Semi-Perfect areas of entertainment. This is rumored to be built as a step up from normal life on the material plane.
Devotee's Circle:
The innermost three circles are typically reserved for the devout and thus devotee's can move between each of the circles. The residents of this circle are the merchants, Smith's, builders and other craftsmen or tradesmen of the world who followed the 4PS. The third circle shrinks exponentially compared to the Acolyte's circle. Here the devote commune and express ideas and thoughts. This is where the arts are most often represented. It can be loud or energetic, dark or light as deemed by those performing an activity.
Holy Sites
The Faith of the Four Pointed Star has but one holy place- Pantheon City. Pantheon City is said to have been where this religion was founded. Because of this, many followers of the faith make pilgrimages to Pantheon City in order to reflect on their own deeds or learn more about the religion that they follow. If one does make a pilgrimage, he or she is directed to The World’s Abode. The World’s Abode is the largest and most extravagant building in Pantheon City, and serves as a public temple. There are also living quarters for high Apostles and missionaries that are set apart from public areas. This building is where The Hall of Balance is held.
It is known that because the festivals held there are the most extravagant. It is common to have inns filled to capacity because of followers who come to visit the city for this reason.
Important Books and Artifacts
In Pantheon City, specifically in The World’s Abode, there is a holy text called “The Book of the World”. This book is said to carry all of the teachings, myths, and ideals of this religion. Because of the divine nature of this book, only the members of the Path of the Four Pointed Star can read it; not only is this because these people are considered important, but also because that the book has been rumored to have been stolen before. The book was returned, thankfully, but matters are in place to prevent such an event from happening again.
It is also said that, in Pantheon City, there are artifacts regarding each of the four gods. But no one knows if it is true because they are hidden from the public eye (and Church members are forbidden to speak of them). The most common rumor that is heared about this is that these artifacts were given by the God’s themselves, and if put into the wrong hands the world’s balance would be threatened. Some say that the artifacts are held underneath The World’s Abode in a secret vault, while some disregard the artifacts as ways to keep the populace from veering away from the religion