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|image = Unionismlaaol.png
|image = Unionismlaaol.png
|pronunciation = Yoon-yen-is-m
|pronunciation = Yoon-yen-is-m
|origins = Empror [[Theomar]]
|origins = Emperor [[Theomar]]
|deities = The Imperial Spirit
|deities = The Everwatcher and various other Gods and Goddesses
|subsects = Various Sects and Churches
|subsects =  
* The Evintarian Cult
* The Guided Cult
* The Armageddon Cult
|}}
|}}
Unionism is a monotheistic religion based on the life and oral teachings of the [[Emperors of Regalia]] and the divine Spirit that binds them all together. Unionism is one of the largest faiths in [[Aloria]] and practiced by millions of [[Ailor]] and those others from [[Races]] seeking spiritual fulfillment. The core belief of Unionism is that one day, Humanity will achieve paradise through the journey they call “The Great Way.” The Great Way refers to the time between now and an undefined time in the future where [[Human]] superiority will eclipse that of all other lesser races and establish a holy paradise on Aloria. In the past, Unionism was greatly divided between various sects and regional systems of belief, but over the past several decades, these divisions have been solved with a newly reunified Unionism. Because of this, Unionism is on the rise (even though it is already dominant) and religious fervor has gripped many devout regions, while the Conclave in Regalia working hard to push the tenants of the faith onto the world.


==History==
==Origins==
===Early Churches and Worship===
Unionism as a [[Religion]] was created in the year 5 AC when Emperor [[Theomar]] (the founding [[Regalian Emperor]]) proclaimed the Creed (the holy Scripture) as visions received from the Everwatcher. In the beginnings of the Empire, the faith was slow to spread, but through providence and divine intervention, as well as [[Regalia]]'s military spread and aggressive missionary proselytizing, Unionism quickly spread from its small cult-like origins to a world-religion. It has over the years also absorbed Gods from smaller religions, and included Gods form other Religions to become a very all-inclusive cosmopolitan Religion. While most other Religions are [[Race]] specific with some caveats, Unionism is a cross-Race religion that invites all Races to join under the Everwatcher.  
Unionism began shortly after the rise of the [[Regalian Empire]]. Newly crowned Emperor [[Theomar I]] was said to have had divine visions, which came slowly over the course of 53 years. By 58 AC, the Ten Predictions of Union were officially ratified into the Ten Creeds, and the Unionism sect began to expand its power outside of the Imperial Court. In this early stage, it had no churches or centers of worship, instead being spread slowly between the upper class and nobility present in the capital city. Conversion happened locally throughout [[Regalia]], mostly by court missionaries and by the power of the word of mouth. Sectarian violence in Regalia was a common occurrence in the early years after the [[Void Invasion]], following the fracturing of existing religions as theologians scrambled to try and explain the events that were happening in the world. Limited missionaries were sent out to other states, but did not take root as strongly as they did in Regalia. Regalia was after all at this stage only but a city-state, not a sprawling Empire. When Theomar died in 61 AC, his son [[Lilienmar I]] apparently saw a greater vision for Unionism. He translated the Ten Creeds of Unionism into the Axelland Anglian Dialect, and was also the first Emperor to call a Diet of Unionism to unify the growing religion. After this first Diet of Unionism, various sects were alienated from the centralized church structure. These sects would eventually become the Nonnateans and the Dogartans (sometimes also referred to as the Nonnarians and the Dogarians to reflect against the Sancellians who are the main cast of Unionism).  


===The Etosian Schism===
===Schisms===
Unionism's first true Schism happened at the Diet summoned in 67 AC by Emperor Lilienmar I following the death of Emperor Theomar the First. The Council broke unity over the Third Creed, which spoke about the Herons. The Supreme Reverend and the grand majority of the Reverends of the [[Regalian Archipelago]] believed the liberty of the Third Creed was taken too loosely by a Unionist sect called the Evintarians. They reasoned that Herons should function only as the most prime examples of Unionist fervor, and that anointing living Humans as Herons was heresy, because it would imply that the worship of another Human besides the Emperor in life is permitted. The Evintarians, however, believed that living Humans should be anointed as Herons, so that they may function as living examples and be worshiped to indirectly worship the Emperor, as they claim the Emperor was responsible for their good deeds. The debate between the main body of Reverends and the Evintarians continued for several days until an eventual deadlock was declared and the Reverends started a vote of expulsion and declaration of heresy unto the Evintarians. The Evintarians were expelled from Regalia by the Emperor Leomar the First, though this gave them enough time to set up a proper church structure. They originally baptised their new split off church the Evintarian Patriarchate, and moved all their priestly members and a large crowd of their followers who refused to convert to the island of [[Etosil]]. Mixing with the local population and their culture, the Evintrarian Patriarchate eventually became the Etosian Patriarchate as the land was defined by the influx of migrants, who eventually also started adding to the religion. Separated from the Unionist Sancella, which was also set up around this time, largely by the fear of the Supreme Reverend that the Evintarian church would gather more followers due to its structure, the Etosian Church developed  new beliefs. Iconoclasm became a central theme in Etosian Unionism in later years, setting the two churches permanently apart, with the Etosians believing that imagery of the Imperial Spirit or Emperor are heretical objects and that images may only be made of the Herons. Nowadays, the Etosian Church is one of the strongest private military organizations in the world, and the Etosian theological state, while being a subject of the Regalian Empire, has effective autonomy. Etosian Unionists are commonly called Etosian, but may also be referred to as Evintarians. In 98 AC, the Clastic Law was adopted to prevent violence between Unionists Sects, which paved the way for peaceful if somewhat mutually avoiding cooperation to the conversion of Old Gods worshipers in the Empire who at the time were still in the majority.
Unionism has had a series of schisms in the past centuries, notably the Evintarian schism which was the result of dogmatic differences and a civil war, and the Supremoclast schism which followed a more critical and humanist conscience of the people. This resulted in the Religion splitting in three (with some smaller cults that were later re-absorbed) that engaged in some degree of religious war on each other to proclaim supremacy over the concept of the Everwatcher. It took several centuries, but in recent times, the conflict wounds healed, and the priests of all Schisms came together to re-merge the religious communities, founding the Unionist Divine, which represents the current faith and priesthood. Some Cults like the Evintarian and Guided Cult still exist, however these add optional additional Gods, rather than radically diverging from religious beliefs.  


===THe Diviner Schism===
==Core Beliefs==
Nearly 90 years following the Clastic Law, a small crisis point arose in 186 AC. The Second Schism was much smaller than the first, caused by a group of dissenting locals in Girobalda, a lordship of Regalia. The locals and the priests felt that Unionism did not do enough to forcefully convert non-Humans and pagan Humans to their faith. Additionally, Divining and superstition had become a popular local practice, leading the local priests, under the influence of Opium, to believe that the Emperors were not the only ones able to receive visions and messages from the Imperial Spirit. They believed that, in a smaller form, everyone could form a connection with the Imperial Spirit as long as they were devout and sacrificed enough, and used the right potency of numbing substances to achieve a hallucinatory trance. The Second Schism is referred to as the "Diviner Schism" leading to the establishment of the small cult-like religion of Diviner Unionism. This was the first event that caused the Reverends to regret the signing of the Clastic Law. Diviner Unionism was a much more xenophobic and aggressive form of Unionism, demanding regular non-Human sacrifices and violent struggles within the religion itself to advocate survival of the fittest for the cause of Humanity. Despite the original success of Diviner Unionism in Girobalda, the religion did not spread elsewhere, largely because of the lack of appeal in a drug-infested forest dwelling belief, but also because the Girobaldin lands are completely surrounded by Ithanian lands. Ithanian Culture demands a certain level of civility and class, two things that were utterly incompatible with Diviner Unionism. Without a presentable land bridge to spread their faith, Diviner Unionism eventually confined itself within Girobalda and declined over the decades until it was limited to only a few small forest communities who gradually went more and more underground. The Diviner (or Divinarian) form of Unionism is commonly the only one referred to as a “heresy” and excluded from the Unionist dialogue and conclave, because their beliefs are so repugnant to all other Unionist Sects.  
Unionism is a polytheistic Religion with one single superior being and his mortal vessel on earth, and a whole host of paired Gods who all offer specific lessons of the faith. The Religion's primary objective is world domination, that is to say, to create a globe-spanning Regalian Empire that can create eternal peace and stability, and bring about paradise by banishing war and suffering and death, and bring back all the dead from the Afterlives into an eternal paradise. Each of the God Pairs (except the Vessel) provides what the Unionists call, a Golden Lesson, which acts like a virtue, and opposes a sin in the belief of Unionism. If a person dies and their soul is judged by the Everwatcher they are found to be virtuous, they join the Everwatcher on the Great Stairway where they watch down on the living in wait for paradise to come. If they are deemed sinful, they are re-incarnated in the mortal world, so they are given another chance. The following Golden Lessons can be found in Unionism:
* '''Theomar and Thedmir:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that Unionism is good, and that spreading the faith is a virtue, and that sin is turning away from the Great Way, or outright sabotaging its intent.
* '''Ness and Eora:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that kindness and compassion are good things, and that even the most criminal seek love and affection and are deserving, while sin is to be bereft of mercy.
* '''Juvin and Glanzia:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that virtue is with the pure soul not tainted by the corrupt powers, and with knowing pure fact from wrong, while sin is spreading corruption and false information.
* '''Allest and Brand:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that loyalty to the state, the army, and fellow believers is a virtue, as is physical strength, and that sin is treason, deceptiveness without morals, and adultery.
* '''Elia and Leona:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that responsibility and protecting society is shared by everyone, no one can be excused, and that sin is to indifferent and not watching for the dangers of the world.
* '''Neal and Nolven:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that culture and art fill the soul with light, and that even in the darkness of war is beauty, and that sin is pure blind hatred without grace or beauty.
* '''Al-Asir and Marani:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that Technology brings forth great progress, and to share with society is a virtue, and that sin the creation of killing machines that automate death.
* '''Tanthor and Dari:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that even the most wretched, unwanted, and outcast of society have a role in the Great Way, and that sin is to find sadism and satisfaction in hurting the unloved.
* '''Mendes and Hor:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that wealth is there to be shared, but ultimately needed for the greatness of the faith, and that sin is to hoard wealth alone, and to steal from others.
* '''Sinnavei and Eirlys:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that even those outside the Faith can have an indispensable role to fill in paradise, and that sin is the wanton destruction of all that is alien and unknown.
* '''Caan and Kaldric:''' The Golden Lesson preaches that Magic and the Occult are a tainted burden that come with great responsibility, and that virtue can be found in good use, and sin in selfish destructiveness.
===Divine Mechanics===
All Religions provide 1 single Mechanic to their Believers that fits within the flair of their Religion. This Mechanic is lost if the individual stops believing in the Religion, or becomes a heretic, but can be regained. Afflicted can use this mechanic, but having the mechanic does not imply that they have blanket forgiveness from their Gods, just that there is more nuance to it than that.
* Unionist Faithful can be blessed by the gods by having a divine intervention and being cured of their Affliction or being cleansed of their Affinity through a divine event. Such a divine event should be orchestrated by the player themselves, does not necessarily require a pre-condition like "this character destroyed a Unionist Temple so the Gods intervened" or "this Character tore apart a painting of the Emperor so the Gods punished them", but can require one. This should generally only occur once per Affliction/Affinity, and is entirely up to the player's own consent over their character when and where it occurs.


===The Kleine Rechnung===
==Gods and Goddesses==
Unionism grew explosively between 190 AC and 250 AC, following the many successful conquests of the Emperors and the subjugation of many other Human States within the Regalian Archipelago and elsewhere. Missionaries, for the first time, had success spreading their faith elsewhere, causing the erection of many Unionist Cathedrals across Aloria. Unionism had undergone several changes as well. Several Emperors selectively removed, added, and re-added smaller sections of the Creeds, or wrote expansions to suit their specific needs at the time. In 263 AC, [[Old Gods]] worship had totally been eclipsed by Unionism as the more dominant religion in the Regalian Empire, and was well on its way to control the rest of the Human world. It was in this year that the Supreme Reverend [[Wolffram Ultor]] signed the "Kleine Rechnung." The law effectively dictated that various lesser faiths and sects were protected within the borders of the Regalian Empire. In communion with the Emperor, the Supreme Reverend concluded that the Spirit proclaimed sufficient galvanization of the faith to allow for more religious freedom in the Empire. What the Kleine Rechnung essentially proposes is that Unionism while still a religion in and of itself, can also be treated as a syncretic faith to other denominations and beliefs, creating a more secular understanding of the Spirit and the Emperor’s divine authority. What this means is that any religion could theoretically exist in Regalia, so long as it does not contradict the divinity of the Emperor’s word, and the authority of the Imperial seat. The Kleine Rechnung is sometimes also called the Confession of Melennar, a priest who supposedly received visions while in close contact with the Emperor, who later verified the visions, giving rise to the dialogue that would eventually lead to the Supreme Reverend proclaiming the Kleine Rechnung.  
Unionism differs from other Religions, in that it has Duo-Gods. All Duo-Gods are divine and each have divine powers in the afterlife (though some Gods may be yet living). Unionists worship all Gods equally, though they may choose specific Patron gods which they worship more. The Everwatcher acts like an overarching God of Gods, but the Everwatcher cannot directly be interacted with, so most people end up praising the Everwatcher through the Gods and Goddesses. Unionism also has the Cults further below. Cults add Gods onto the standard Pantheon, but they are not mandatory for vanilla Unionists who don't worship the Cults. It is possible to be a believer of both Cults.
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Prophet Gods Theomar and Thedmir'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Thomur.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Theomar (left) and Thedmir (right), the Prophet Gods, first believers.
* '''Patron:''' Fathers, Rulers, Nobles, Leaders, Commanders, and Best Friends.
* '''Symbols:''' Theomar and Thedmir are symbolized by the necklace of friendship.
* '''Role:''' Theomar and Thedmir were the Prophets of Unionism, spreading the faith.
* '''Traits:''' Patriarchy, Insight, Good Governance, Loyalty, Friendship, Faith.
* '''Temple:''' The All-Beacon Temple in Regalia proper, the largest Unionist Temple.
* '''Allies:''' Regulus Worshipers, Dáuw Worshipers, anyone in the military.
* '''Enemies:''' In essence all Evolist worshipers, and all Vola Fornoss Gods.
* '''Rituals:''' Theomar and Thedmir Rituals involve re-enacting the struggles of them in the early days of Unionism. This involves preaching the faith to non believers, aiding the faithful in the defense of their holy shrines and places of worship, to mediate and act as diplomat for embattled groups, and to provide spiritual guidance to the Military. Theomar and Thedmir also have rituals concerning the sanctification and re-affirmation of friendship.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Mother Gods Ness and Eora'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Ness.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Ness (left) and Eora (right), Empress and Chancellor in life.  
* '''Patron:''' Mothers, Healers, Caretakers, Protectors, Empaths, Martyrs.
* '''Symbols:''' Ness's Butterfly Mask, and the Habit (head scarf) of Eora.
* '''Role:''' Ness and Eora are the savior Goddesses of Unionism who care for believers.
* '''Traits:''' Protective, Motherly, Nurturing, Caring, Self-Sacrificing, Forgiving.
* '''Temple:''' The Temple of Salvation in Old-Town forest side, which doubles as Hospital.
* '''Allies:''' Leif Worshipers, Severena Worshipers, Daiana Worshipers, Medics of any Faith.
* '''Enemies:''' Murderers, people who adopt adults, people who attack medics/the unarmed.
* '''Rituals:''' Ness and Eora rituals are all about forgiveness and nurturing and healing others. This may involve taking confessions, but can also involve volunteering at a medical station or healing house. Furthermore, Ness and Eora faithful travel prisons and downtrodden areas to give forgiveness to the damned, and offer them love and kindness where there is only the cold sting of rejection and apathy to the fates of the forgotten.  
|}
</center>
</tr></table>
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Pure Gods Juvin and Glanzia'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Talli.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Glanzia (left) Goddess of Pure Soul, and Juvin (right) God of Pure Reason.
* '''Patron:''' Intellectuals, Mundanes, Anti-Magi, Scholars, Teachers, Archeologists.
* '''Symbols:''' Books with the Unionist Eye and Black Granite statues of Heroes.
* '''Role:''' To teach the faithful purity of soul (Magic-apprehension) and Logic.
* '''Traits:''' Analytical, Apprehension, Thoughtfulness, Anti-Magical, Purist.
* '''Temple:''' Temple of Greater Understanding, which doubles as a Library.
* '''Allies:''' Lothar Knights, Melca Worshipers, Severena & Aurora Worshipers.
* '''Enemies:''' Mage-Radicals, Theurgists, Those with Demon/Arken Pacts and Deals.
* '''Rituals:''' Rituals belonging to Juvin and Glanzia usually involve the Rites of Investigation. This usually involves an in-depth investigation to some kind of mystery, for Juvin that being discovery of new information and publication to the masses, and for Glanzia to uncover hidden Mages and the Occult, and to warn the general public. General rituals and customs also just involve educating the masses on general factual information and debates of skill.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Martial Gods Allest and Brand'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:GAYS.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Allest (right) God of Warriors, Brand (left) God of Gladiators.
* '''Patron:''' Soldiers, Generals, Commanders, Gladiators, Warriors, Homosexuals.
* '''Symbols:''' Two crossed holy swords, one with blood, and one dripping with tears.
* '''Role:''' To encourage fraternity and loyalty in the army, and strength of arms in warriors.
* '''Traits:''' Brave, Boisterous, Glorious, Victorious, Martial, Dependable, Unwavering.
* '''Temple:''' The Divine Heroic Contemplation Temple in Gloomrot Forest in Regalia.
* '''Allies:''' Cemaan Worshipers, Bard & Njal Worshipers, Bloodcast Knights.
* '''Enemies:''' Pacifists, cowards, enemies of Unionism and those who attack Priests.
* '''Rituals:''' Allest and Brand were lovers in live and death, where most of their rituals involve some kind of brotherly oath, a promise to protect someone until one's dying breath, or swearing fealty and undying loyalty to an overlord in war. Allest and Brand were glorious warriors each in their own right, so in many ways, prayer before battle and battle itself is a form of worship in their names, as is love persevering through war.
|}
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<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Protector Gods Elia and Leona'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:LESBIANS.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Elia (left) Goddess the Watchful Gaze, and Leona (right) Goddess of Knights.
* '''Patron:''' Guards, Knights, Hunters, Rangers, Explorers, Scribes, and Lesbians.
* '''Symbols:''' Elia's Longbow and Leona's Blacksteel sword, along with Blacksteel in general.
* '''Role:''' To teach the faithful to guard one another and be responsible for one another.
* '''Traits:''' Chivalrous, Alert, Mindful, Responsible, Dedicated, Precise, Awareness.
* '''Temple:''' Temple of Unyielding Overwatch which doubles as the Imperial Hunting Lodge.
* '''Allies:''' Urlan, Knights of all Kind, Metropolitan Guards, Tame Marken, Huntsmen.
* '''Enemies:''' Criminals, Monsters in the wild, Kathar, Argentum Knights, Womanizers.
* '''Rituals:''' Elia and Leona were lovers in life and death, where most of their rituals involve some kind of communal or co-operative practice of the hunt or respect and support of the Knights (as well as being Knights). Knighthood is considered the greatest form of "keeping watch over society", and so many of their patrons become Knights. Other forms of rituals are couple or group hunts, and inspections of garrisons and walls and armories.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Vessel Gods Alexander and The Everwatcher'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Alexander.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Alexander (see) Emperor of Regalia and The Everwatcher (not depicted).
* '''Patron:''' Alexander is the Vessel of the Everwatcher, He speaks through him only.
* '''Symbols:''' The Unionist Eye represents the Everwatcher, the Crown Alexander.
* '''Role:''' To be living embodiment of the divine will of the Everwatcher in Regalia.
* '''Traits:''' Divine, Sagely, Wise, All-Loving, All-Inclusive, All-Caring.
* '''Temple:''' The Imperial Palace in essence doubles as the Temple of the Vessel.
* '''Allies:''' Alexander is ostensibly an Ally of all and everyone who will listen.
* '''Enemies:''' He has no Enemies. Even those who reject him in Crookback get his love.
* '''Rituals:''' There aren't strictly any rituals for Alexander, as he is only the Temporary Vessel. When Alexander dies, the next Emperor will take his place as the Vessel God, so that only ever the living Emperor will be Vessel God. It's also worth noting that Gladiator God Brand's name in life was also Alexander, as Brand is Alexander's ancestor. The latter is styled "Alexander II", the former has the Divine name of Brand from his living nickname Bram.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Culture Gods Neall and Nolven'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Artgods.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Neall (left) is the God of Visual Arts, Nolven (right) is the God of Military Arts.
* '''Patron:''' Painters, Sculptors, Make-up Artists, Fashion Designers, Gardeners, Designers.
* '''Symbols:''' Nolvens's golden radiant sword, or Neall's golden radiant paintbrush / pencil.
* '''Role:''' To teach the faithful the facets of culture in peace and war, and to love art.
* '''Traits:''' Creative, Artistic, Expressive, Gregarious, Welcoming, Inclusive, Visual.
* '''Temple:''' Temple of the High Arts inside the Imperial Palace Art Galleries.
* '''Allies:''' Artists, Njall Fornoss Worshipers, Viridian Knights, Beauty Arkenborn.
* '''Enemies:''' Argentum Knights, the Mutated and Monstrous, Evolist Worshipers.
* '''Rituals:''' Neall and Nolven's rituals invariably involve the combination of cultural beauty and the art of war, whether that is a dramatic renaissance-style painting of a battlefield, or finding ways to depict what is in essence militarist propaganda in beautiful ways (statues, poetry, literature, art, etc). Because art is a skill, most worshipers of Neall and Nolven tend to perform their worship by paying artists to make art, a form of patronage.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Inspired Gods Al-Asir and Marani'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Eastgods.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Al-Asir (right) the God of Invention, and Marani (left) the god of Inspiration.
* '''Patron:''' Technicians, Engineers, Inventors, Architects, Craftsmen, Laborers.
* '''Symbols:''' Al-Asir's golden gears, or Qadir Ailor arm tattoo shapes in glowing gold.
* '''Role:''' Divine inspiration and guard against inventions of Evil in Technology.
* '''Traits:''' Eureka, Technical, Resourceful, Inspired, Altruistic, Conscientious.
* '''Temple:''' The Telocator Temple in Al-Alus, the only one outside Regalia's Empire.
* '''Allies:''' Those that help society at large, Those that make everyone's lives easier.
* '''Enemies:''' Death Cultists, Rishiq Qadir, Machinist Worshipers, War-Machine Inventors.
* '''Rituals:''' Al-Asir and Marani rituals involve the act of inventing, or just tinkering with technology, reading books and improving skills, or just generally engaging in crafts from simple wood carving furniture to advanced architectural planning. The act of production for someone else, even at the cost of payments, is considered a virtuous activity for the patron Gods of Craftsmen, this is why object creations are always blessed by the Gods.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Persevering Gods Tanthor and Dari'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Lizardgods.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Dari (left) and Tanthor (right) are the Allar and Kathar Gods of the Forgotten.
* '''Patron:''' No specific Patronage, they are for the Downtrodden, Forgotten and Unwanted.
* '''Symbols:''' Golden neck chains or other forms of personal restraint around the neck.
* '''Role:''' To bless even the weakest and most unwanted in society with strength to go on.
* '''Traits:''' Dignified, Charitable, Austere, Sharing, Seeking Equity over Equality.
* '''Temple:''' There currently is no Temple, it was demolished in Crookback for housing.
* '''Allies:''' Tanthor and Dari see any and all who want to be included in Regalia as Allies.
* '''Enemies:''' Tanthor and Dari see anyone who kicks down on the downtrodden as enemies.
* '''Rituals:''' Dari and Tanthor mostly give hope to the lost that there is still a place for them in the Everwatcher's Grace and the Regalian Empire. Rituals of Dari and Tanthor often involve charity and bringing care and warmth to the poor, the dispossessed, the unwanted, and to show compassion and no bigotry against those who look or act different. They involve rituals to combat racism, discrimination, and general radical inclusion, perhaps, even Vampires.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Prosperity Gods Mendes and Hor'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Furrygods.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Mendes (left) and Hor (right) are the Gods of Prosperity and Wealth.
* '''Patron:''' Merchants, Bankers, Traders, Shopkeepers, Bureaucrats, the Filthy Rich.
* '''Symbols:''' The Golden Coins of Union, Regal Coins with the Eyes of the Everwatcher.
* '''Role:''' To bless the people with wealth and prosperity and good wit in commerce.
* '''Traits:''' Business Acumen, Opulent, Responsible, Self-Sufficient, Insightful.
* '''Temple:''' The Temple of Mendes and Hor is the Regalian Central Bank and Exchange.
* '''Allies:''' Mendes and Hor see anyone who spreads Order and Stability as Allies.
* '''Enemies:''' Mendes and Hor see anyone who spreads Anarchy and Chaos as Enemies.
* '''Rituals:''' It perhaps sounds ironic, but one of the most common forms of worship to Mendes and Hor is paying taxes. The act of paying taxes is considered virtuous, because it both shows a willingness to part with wealth, and a willingness to trust the State to do good by the people with said Taxes, and to contribute to communal greatness. Other rituals involve squeezing foreigners for money and signing unequal trade treaties with foreign merchants.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Allied Gods Sinnavei and Eirlys'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Elfgods.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Sinnavei (left) Goddess of the Elves, Eirlys (right) Goddess of the Tribes.
* '''Patron:''' Solvaan, Elves, Breizh Ailor, Pre-Empire Tribes, Ancient peoples, heritage.
* '''Symbols:''' The Sollerian Mist-Gryphon, and the Breizh Santwr, Feather-Winged Warriors.
* '''Role:''' To show that non-believers and outsiders may find Solace and Alliance in Faith.
* '''Traits:''' Arcane, Enchanting, Ancient, Glory of Ages, Respect, Venerability of Age.
* '''Temple:''' Bryn Dwyfol in Kintyr, and The Skyward Palace in the capital of Solleria.
* '''Allies:''' Sinnavei and Eirlys see any who would join Regalia's ambitions as Allies.
* '''Enemies:''' Sinnavei and Eirlys see any who would obstruct Regalia's ambitions as enemies.
* '''Rituals:''' Rituals of Sinnavei and Eirlys involve (much like Tanthor and Dari) radical inclusion, but as opposed to Regalia's own citizens, that of outsiders. To ally with other faiths for the good in the world, to respect outsiders, to give them human decency and dignity, and to help them help the faith. It also involves healing racial tensions, and uncovering and sharing ancient lost knowledge to the world for the wisdoms that it may hold.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Burdened Gods Caan and Kaldric'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Magicgods.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Kaldric (left) and Caan (right) are the Gods of Burdened but Beautiful Magic.
* '''Patron:''' Mages, Aelrrigan Knights, Arcane Researchers, those seeking Redemption.
* '''Symbols:''' Kaldric's horned bramble crown, and Caan's Arcane tome symbolisms.
* '''Role:''' To teach the faithful proper & virtuous Magic usage, and warn for corruption.
* '''Traits:''' Self-Sacrificing, Penitent, Humble, Pious, Stalwart, Holy, Paladins.
* '''Temple:''' The Hall of Golden Ascension in the Holy Agatha Mountains of Regalia.
* '''Allies:''' Those who use Magic respectfully, virtuous, and care for world & others.
* '''Enemies:''' Those who abuse Magic for selfish or hedonistic purposes and ego.
* '''Rituals:''' Kaldric and Caan rituals involve forms of self-sacrifice and penitence. Self-flagellation is one form of self-punishment practiced by some of their worshipers, but other forms of self-enforced humility through the praising or service of others are also common. Kaldric (once called Kristoph in life) is more for the self-loathing/punishing Mages and Occult, while Caan is more for the restrained and dignified Mages and Occult.  
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===The Priscelle Schism===
==Cults==
The Priscelle Schism is not formally a Schism since it never erupted from the church internally, but it is often held up to the same standard as the other Schisms because eventually a large body of Reverends would change their allegiance and adopt this newer sect of Unionism. The Priscelle Schism erupted in 265 AC when in Ithania, unrest erupted among the female population over the chauvinistic tendencies of the clergy imposed on them by the Regalian Sancellians. Women were at that time still completely excluded from the clergy, and often had delegated circumstances of worship, an oddity in a land where women actually ruled and dictated the law of the land. Many of the rulers could not stomach being princesses and duchesses outside of the church walls, but delegated to coiff-wearing second-rank worshipers inside the hallowed halls. The Priscelle March is an event where many theologically inclined women marched upon the Episcopal Academy of the Ithanian capital, and occupied it, flushing out the male tutors and essentially annexing this church property for themselves. Quickly following this movement, the women teaching themselves and each other the religious texts at this Academy proclaimed the Priscellian Unionist Sect. This is not formally a Schism, because these women were never clergy to begin with, but the churches usually acknowledge it as a Schism because many Reverends in the western lands would eventually become sympathetic to the plight of including women in the clergy, and switched allegiances to their church. This was largely made possible because Priscelle Unionism isn’t all that different from Sancellian, aside from their belief that women can also be the Vessels of the Spirit, and that female clergy should be permitted. Priscelle remains a relatively small sect nowadays, but has made major contributions to the other churches who eventually buckled to societal pressure after the Priscelle March. The Vultarin church now permits female Reverends, while the Sancellist church formally permits it, but lets in very few women. The only strict bastions of male-only priesthood reside in the Etosian Church and the Dogartan Church. Curiously enough, the Nonnatean Church was very against the Priscelle Movement. From the Nonnatean perspective, women fulfill a different role in society than men, proclaiming that the Priscelle Movement blurred the lines between man and woman as outlined by the Creeds. To this day, Nonnateans and Priscelle have a furious hatred for each other because of doctrinal differences.  
Cults exist in Unionism as "add-ons" for the Religion itself. While all Unionists by default worship the Gods and Goddesses listed in the Pantheon above, some Cults within Unionism worship additional gods that most of the main stream believers do not. These are holdouts from the old Schisms, that albeit while joining the main current of religious worshipers, still have some leftover of their old beliefs. Each Cult is represented by a single theological belief, and with Gods who are included by this theological belief, while all other aspects of the Religion are the same. It is possible to be a member of multiple Cults as they just add additional beliefs, but it is also possible to believe in one of the Cults, or none at all.  
===Evintarian Cult===
The Evintarian Cult was established by the Evintarian Schisms many centuries ago when the Evintarian priests split off, and were expelled from Regalia and founded their own country in [[Etosil]]. The Evintarian Schism happened, because the Evintarian Priests thought that Trans-Dimensional Entities (such as certain Demons) could become Gods too if they shed off their sinful nature and were blessed by the Everwatcher, which the main dogmatic branch rejected. The Evintarian Priesthood voted to join the Unionist Divine, and so they became a Cult that has included several Trans-Dimensional Entities as God Pairs. Each of the Evintarian Gods requires some explanation of how they came to be accepted as Gods in the Evintarian Cult, which will be explained first, before the Gods are discussed.  


===The Vultar Schism===
Kithemon is an Exist entity from another realm that possessed an Aetosian man named Nikolaos (surname lost to time). Kithemon was verified as a God for the Evintarians, as he granted them many protections of the mind against incursions from Demons and other entities who would corrupt and usurp them and rob them of their freedom and identity. Amandaros is a Void Entity that was somehow related to the Evolist God Armas, but always dodges the subject when discussed. Amandaros possesses his host an Asha named Amon, though it is important to mention that Amandaros as an entity does not reside in a single place, but can be in many places (and hosts) at once. Amandaros is also summoned by the Mask of Amandaros which is held in Evintarian Shrines, which the faithful may use to help conceive children if they cannot themselves (see: Amandaros [[Godborn]]). Yvasi is an Ordial Entity possessing a Half-Eronidas named Girin who has proved to be of aid to the Great Way, by traveling the lands and helping the faithful realize and manifest their true self in gender, appearance, and heritage. It is not known what entity Yvasi is related to, but she did show her loyalty to mortals and the living, by aiding in the defense of the [[Last City of the Living]], before traveling on to Aloria to aid the Unionists.  
The Third Schism happened upon the ascension to the throne by [[Alexander Kade]], the first non-Ivrae to take the throne in nearly 300 years. The Kade Settlement, as the document would later be called, was a paper signed by the Chancellor and the then dying Emperor that would dictate males from female descendants could take the throne. Prior to this event, Emperor Justinian II had lost all his sons to the [[Undead Scare]] in Regalia, leaving no male descendants alive. Prince Charles, the brother of Justinian who died 10 years prior to him, still had two living daughters, Princess Liliane Ivrae-Kade and Princess Adelheid Ivrae. Princess Liliane, the eldest of the two, had been married to the Arch-Chancellor Moriarty Kade, and had given birth to several sons, among them Alexander. Adelheid Ivrae only had two sons, Daryl and Frederic Ivrae, but she was the younger sister, and so these Ivrae males were overlooked by the Kades when it came time to select the next Emperor. The Reverends of Vultaro believed that, because Alexander Kade was a muddled non male-direct descendant from Emperor Theomar the First, that the Imperial Spirit had left the Imperial seat, and that the churches should reject the current vessel of the Spirit until such a time that the Spirit gives providence to his new selection. This Schism severely affected the south, particularly Montania and Vultaro where the Dressolini locals were already disgruntled by rule of the local Duke, causing this dissent to merge with religious unrest. Vultarians spread like wildfire in these southern regions, accompanied by what the locals referred to as the “Rebirth of Reason”, a uniquely Dressolini belief to challenge the world with cynicism and a critical questioning mind. This more uniquely enlightened mindset allowed the Dressolini to latch onto Vultarianism which demanded more proof before callously accepting religious dogma. Clastic law protected the Vultar Church from violence, and so it continued to grow into the second largest denomination.  


===The Ascension of Unionism===
Yvasi in particular discusses many concepts of transhumanist and transgender concepts with the faithful, as she is a female-presenting spirit in a male-presenting body, and how that generally affects gender presentation to the faithful, as well as gender roles in society. Finally, Eredicos is a divine name for the Imperial Prince Frederick Kade (second son of the Emperor), who shares his body with an ancestral spirit of Betheoric I Kade. Unlike the other entities who have mostly subsumed their host, Eredicos represents both Frederick in the mortal body and Betheoric in the immortal self, and the two frequently exchange host status. Eredicos is a very recent addition as God, because Frederick only ascended to godhood when he became an Urlan in the past 3 years, and in doing so, proved to have divine god-like powers of command and venerability over even non-believers through Betheoric. The fact that an Imperial prince is technically possessed by a Primal Revenant is a very much not-so-secret at the Imperial Palace, but out of respect nobody causes an issue over it.
The Ascension of Unionism is a major event in the history of Unionism, occurring during the reign of Emperor Cedromar I, or more specifically towards the end, as it coincided with his abdication. The Ascension of Unionism was a major event of providence where the faithful flocked to the Imperial Cathedral to witness the Emperor call forth the spirits of the past Emperors to proclaim a holy premonition. Indeed, during this event, the spirits of the past Emperors proclaimed that Unionism had once more ascended to a higher step towards the great goal of paradise, and that it was time for Unionism to speak more broadly to all the faithful. They proclaimed that while the relationship of Spirit and Emperor remained very unique and the sole right of the Emperor, that this relationship changed from a “being as one”, to a “being as best allies”, stating that the Emperors could no longer speak as the Spirit, but rather in name of the Spirit, acknowledging a more “human” aspect to the words of the Emperor. This distinction seemed insignificant to the faithful, but meant a great deal to the clergy, as it allowed the clergy to dissent with the Emperor’s proclamations and decrees for the first time in history. Provided they do with righteous divine interpretations. It also opened the way for the Spirit to speak to others besides the Emperor, though while some have stepped forward to claim the Spirit spoke to them, the rigorous testing by the churches remains in place to prevent any false prophets. Due to the Ascension of Unionism, it became even easier to see the Emperor as a semi-divine secular figure of authority for other religions already nominally legal under the Kleine Rechnung. Despite allowing more freedom of thought in the churches however, the topic of disagreeing with the Emperor or directly contesting his decrees without the backing of the conclave remained hugely controversial. In retrospect, the Ascension of Unionism is largely seen by the clerical community as an attempt from the Spirit to attribute more human qualities to Emperors, as the veneration and “can do no wrong” status of the Emperors was becoming detrimental to the Empire’s progress, sliding it backwards into dogmatic hatred and rejection of things other.  
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Exist/Void Gods Kithemon and Amandaros'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Exitciuv.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Kithemon (left) Protector of Minds and Amandaros (right) Protector of Proginy.
* '''Patron:''' Kithemon, Patron of protections against the dark arts, and Amandaros of parents.
* '''Symbols:''' The shielded silhouette of a head, and a tree of descendance or ancestry.
* '''Role:''' Kithemon protects from mind incursions, while Amandaros helps with childbirth.
* '''Traits:''' Resolute, Stalwart, Protecting, and Hedonistic, Capricious, Lustful.
* '''Temple:''' The Temple of Ethereal Naether in the capital of Aetosil, Regalian Empire.
* '''Allies:''' Leyon and Sapphora faithful, Aelrrigan Knights, those with big families.
* '''Enemies:''' Those that bargain with Arken and Demons, the possessed, and incels.
* '''Rituals:''' Kithemon and Amandaros rituals vary greatly, as they are obviously very different. Kithemon rituals involves seeking out and revealing the corruption of Spirits and mind control affecting others and then freeing them. Amandaros rituals involve hedonistic self-satisfying parties, preferably those which involve in copious amounts of romantic matches or flings that may expand the population through conventional means.
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Ordial/Primal Gods Yvasi and Eredicos'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:New Canvasgsgerhfghjyt.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Yvasi (left) Bringer of Self-Love and Eredicos (right) of Elder Wisdom.
* '''Patron:''' Those struggling with anxiety/depression, and children of heritage.
* '''Symbols:''' The mask of anonimity, and the banner of command and the staff of rule.
* '''Role:''' Yvasi to help believers become their true self, Eredicos to embody ancestors.  
* '''Traits:''' Guiding, Mentorly, Authoritative, Venerable, Wise, Erudite and Thorough.
* '''Temple:''' The House of the Patrilineal Divinity in the capital of Aetosil.  
* '''Allies:''' Urlan, Therapists, Estelley and Fornoss Priests, the Elderly.
* '''Enemies:''' Bigots who bully on matters of identity, and those who betray family.
* '''Rituals:''' Yvasi and Eredicos rituals similarly diverge due to their diverging nature, but they are more similar than Kithemon and Amandaros. Many of the rituals for Yvasi and Eredicos converge on praising and worship of ancestors, to showcase the skill and achievements of ancestors, and to keep a clean grave or shrine to them. Yvasi has rituals of self exploration, meditation, and both also have rituals with experimentation with self-presentation.
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===Guided Cult===
The Guided Cult has a long and troubled history, as Dogmatic Unionists tried to violently suppress so-called religious-critical movements that challenged the clergy by asking questions instead of blindly believing everything that was fed to them. The Guided Cult inevitably agreed to re-join the Unionist Divine, as the priests of the other groupings agreed to accept their Duality-God (each God representing two) entities, while also admitting some of their more free-thinking ideas in how to interact with the priests. While prior the priests could not be questioned, with the Guided Unionist re-interpretation, Priests were actively challenged to be questioned in their preaching and faith, so that everyone would become stronger in belief. The Guided Cult still exists, because they hold on to some of the so-called [[Dragon]] Gods.


===The Tenth Creed===
This means that while critical thinking, questioning faith, and keeping an innovative and independent mind are aspects of the Guided Cult, what is more important to them is the divinity of Dragons, that being also the separation between them and the dogmatic beliefs: that Dragons can be Gods. Dragons are all Divine, and while not all Dragons are Gods, some of them are, and they should be adhered to when they make proclamations. Some make the incorrect assumption that this means Guided Unionists believe in both Unionism and [[Draconism]], but the Guided Unionists specifically delineate between Draconist Gods, and Unionist Gods, in that the Dragons that are Gods, are specifically not Dragons from Draconism, because they represent a different faith. That being said, Archon do exist in an in-between function, in that the Guided Cult does accept Archon as holy warriors if they worship Unionism. Each Duo-God pairing is a pair of a Dragon Soul God, and an Archon God who acts as their protector. The first Dragon God is Nicholas Kade, the Glorious Arch-Chancellor who is commonly remembered as the most competent government leader the Regalian Empire ever had, and Aarthes his Fin'ullen Archon Bodyguard. Nicholas has been dead for over a century, but Aarthes is still alive, living in Nicholas's old Estate in Anglia alone.  
The Tenth Creed had always been a mysterious piece of writing by Emperor Theomar. In religious discourse, it had largely been ignored in favor of the clearer doctrinal teachings, and some even claimed that the Tenth Creed was a sham. In 307 AC, the Supreme Reverend Piète-a-Piète Kade-Salards (a cadet member of House Kade) discovered the original Tenth Creed as it had been written by Theomar in the floor of an abandoned monastery in the Dragenthal-Anglia border. The Supreme Reverend was, on his way to Regalia to reveal this new found document, assassinated by a clandestine organization called the Brothers of Virtue, a hyper-reactionary and fundamentalist organization of shadow-ruler Reverends who sought to control the minds and wills of the people by skirting canon law and manipulating social opinion through faith. The Supreme Reverend however outsmarted his would-be assassins, sacrificing himself so a milk-maid could deliver the Tenth Creed to safety in the Imperial Palace, where its teachings were quickly spread. The Brothers of Virtue had overplayed their hand, and their entire structure was revealed, causing an internal witch-hunt against these fanatics and many public burnings in the Bonfires of Vanity, where Reverends who had manipulated social politics and the people were burned as heretics on the pyre, a type of heretical execution that hadn’t been seen in over a decade. When the Tenth Creed was finally published, it created a bomb-shell in the clerical community, as the original wordings of Theomar directly contested the actions of the Unionist Diets post-mortem, proclaiming that the Unionist Community should always act to stay together and work together, even if doctrinal differences would come into being in the future. This Tenth Creed essentially contested the expulsion of the Evintarians, Vultarins, Nonnarians, Dogarians and Priscellians, proclaiming that even with doctrinal church differences, the word of the Spirit applied equally to all. This document turned out to reveal a century-long conspiracy by some Reverends from the Brothers of Virtue to control church politics by expelling the ones that agreed with their common consensus to silence dissent. When the Creed was formally ratified by all other churches, these independent bodies unanimously voted to re-combine into the Unionist Divine, re-unifying all churches into one body albeit with great autonomy between them, and all excluding the Divinarians, who were unanimously voted not to be included. Still, this cooperation is far from what it was made out to be to the people. While the Brothers of Virtue and their seditious politics had been removed, many of the churches still did not see eye to eye, and often just begrudgingly sat together in conclave.  


==Churches and Sects==
The second Dragon God is Morgan Kade who is commonly remembered as a highly competent, but extremely morally corrupt and cruel Arch-Chancellor, and Narsil his Snake-Marken Archon Bodyguard who was painted in Gold as he slithered through the Imperial Palace. Morgan died several decades ago, and Narsil was put to death immediately after Morgan, as he was no longer around to protect his bodyguard-pet Marken. The duality of virtuous Nicholas and sinful Morgan as Gods is that the Guided Unionists believe that Gods can also be just awful people, and be extremely selfish and capricious, but that bad qualities and ugly personalities are not reasons to write off the skills and competencies that people do have. The Guided Cult holds that Dragon-Souls (like Prince Cedromar, or his children August and Florian) would be more suitable heirs to the throne, but have agreed with their re-integration into Dogmatic Unionism to cease their opposition to Emperor Alexander's rule.
Unionism knows several so called Churches and Sects. Churches are main denominations of religion that came into being because of Schisms. Sects are subdivisions of Churches where various believers have different interpretations, but not so wildly different that they become different churches altogether, or choose to remain together for political reasons. Below follows a list for all major Churches and Sects. The churches are ordered based on size of followers.
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* Sancellian or Sancellist Church, is the main body as created by the Emperors in ages past. The Sancellist Church is considered the default state of Unionism. Nowadays the Sancellist Church is politically superior to the other churches, but is on the backfoot in military and doctrinal devotion from its flock, having a very laid-back flock of followers.  
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Dragon Gods Nicholas and Aarthes'''</center></span>
** The Minoth Sect is a minor sect of the Sancellist Church that believes in a far more secular form of Unionism where much like the Great Alchzech by the Allar, Unionism is seen more as a life philosophy than a divine institution. They believe the Spirit is not so much a separate conscience, but more the collected thoughts, experience and life lessons passed from Emperor to Emperor as knowledge that is so profound it reaches near-divine status.
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** The Imperial Sect is a minor sect of the Sancellist Church that wants to eradicate the semi-autonomy of all other churches and the local parishes and institute a very strong and militarized divine structure of authority led directly by the Emperor instead of the Supreme Reverend and the Conclave. They are essentially against decentralization and democracy in the Unionist Divine.  
[[File:Leadergodsas.png|220px|caption|left]]
* Evintarian or Etosian Church, is the first schismatic church that is very similar to the Sancellist church, but believes in living herons (saints) and is against depictions of Emperors and the Spirit. The Evintarians have a highly militarized church structure and a societal chokehold on their people with extreme devotion.
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** The Ixandrosi Sect is a minor sect of almost laughably racist ideology. The Ixandrosi Sect practices racial segregation and profiling in their religious sites. This organization is largely laughed at even by the Etosian Church, though tolerated because sometimes their fanatics are useful in military conflict.
* '''Name:''' Nicholas (left) and Aarthes (right), Gods of political and architectural design.
** The Menarian Sect is a minor sect that believes in the complete superiority of the male being. While the Etosian Church is anti-women for its clerical structure, it permits women everywhere else. The Menarians believe women should be veiled to become unrecognizable, and remain at home as domestic partners in near servitude.  
* '''Patron:''' Intellectuals, strategists, philosophers, diplomats, patriarchs and matriarchs.
* Vultarian or Vultarin Church (sometimes also called Vultdragon Church), is the fourth schism into a church that is more critical and free-thinking than the others, demanding evidence for worship. Vultarians in modern times reject the rule of Alexander, proclaiming instead the Imperial Dragon as ruler.
* '''Symbols:''' The scepter of regality, government buildings, the Regalian state banner.  
** The Horopadosi Sect is a smaller sect of the Vultarin Church that believes in body-modification and evolution of the Human form to become a more “perfect Human”. This Sect is notably favorable to Url Symbiosis, as well as some of the not-Void/Exist related mutations and mody enhancements.  
* '''Role:''' Nicholas teaches those in positions of power responsibility and careful design.
** The Silvershroud Sect is a smaller sect of the Vultarin Church that believes in the physical superiority of the Silven. This Sect was largely born out of the nature of the Iron Duke of Vultaro being a near superhuman Silven being, in the belief that Silven are bearer’s of the Spirit’s Divine Touch.  
* '''Traits:''' Foresight, Calculated, Intellectual, Informed, Responsible, Unwavering.
* Priscellian or Priscelle Church, is the third schism into a church that is far more open to women in its structure and women in church life. They also proclaim the possibility of a female Empress as Vessel of the Spirit, though do not contest the current lineage.  
* '''Temple:''' The Golden Seed Temple in Axford, capital of Anglia, Regalian Archipelago.
** The Vinelle Sect is a fundamentalist group within the Priscelle Church that denounces the Kade Settlement, and demands that the Emperor abdicates in favor of his aunt the severely aged Adelheid Ivrae. This sect is strongly against the Kade Emperors.  
* '''Allies:''' Regulus faithful, those who favor charisma and speech over combat.  
** The Soucelle Sect is a more moderate group that nonetheless expresses the need for the Supreme Reverend to be a woman, because in their belief, women are more diplomatically and soundly capable, believing that the Spirit blessed women with incorruptibility.
* '''Enemies:''' Chaos agents and those who would disrupt the order and stability of states.
* Divinarian or Diviner Church, is the second schism into a church that is far more fanatic and racist. The Diviner Church is illegal in Regalia because their very worship constitutes State Crimes, and they are excluded from the Unionist Divine.
* '''Rituals:''' Nicholas and Aarthes rituals involve the bridging of duality, to seek out "the mind" and "the body" in friendships, and form a perfect union between the person who plans and thinks, and the person who acts and completes. The intention is to build friendships from unlikely partners, to create unbreakable bonds and collaborative efforts that showcase the perfection cooperation, that dependency is not weakness but beautiful and meaningful.
* Dogarian or Dogartan Church, is a small sect that eventually formed a church in and of itself. Dogartans live an ascetic but highly militarized life, giving rise to the warrior-curates of the Dogartan Church who roam the land in defense of the faithful.
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* Nonnarians or Nonnatean Church, is a small sect that eventually formed a church in and of itself. Nonnarians live a semi-ascetic life strongly focused around the psyche, the arcane and spiritual ascension. Nonnarians can be described as the only real “pro-Magic” Church.  
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Dragon Gods Morgan and Narsil'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Snakegods.png|220px|caption|left]]
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* '''Name:''' Morgan (left) and Narsil (right), Gods of the corrupted excellence.
* '''Patron:''' Those who question leadership and faith in the right and respectful ways.
* '''Symbols:''' The Cobra hooded head, and the snake-forked tongue and snake-hair head.
* '''Role:''' Morgan and Narsil exist as warnings to blind faith and unquestioning obedience.
* '''Traits:''' Selfish, Greedy, Cruel, Wroth, Prideful, Hyper-Competent, Self-assured.
* '''Temple:''' Morgan and Narsil don't have an official Temple because of vandalism.
* '''Allies:''' Slizzar, Criminals, Gang Leaders, Spies, Saboteurs, and Rogues.
* '''Enemies:''' Those who use Emperor, Faith, or Law, to justify cruelty and evil.
* '''Rituals:''' Rituals of Morgan and Narsil are less in service to them, and more in deterrence to the qualities of Morgan. The most common form of ritual is the Public Examination, where large crowds gather in front of a speaking stand, where citizens and commoners hold a public debate on the competency and virtues and morality of an individual in office or power, as a means to hold them accountable to good governance and keep them on the right track.
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===Armageddon Cult===
The Armageddon Cult originated in the preaching of the Evintarian priest Belisarius, whose core belief was that while Paradise is certain to come at the end of the Great Way, that the traditional doctrine does not account for the non-mortal elements of the world. In essence, while believers and mortal non-believers alike could bring about Paradise, the dogma does not account for the existence of Demons, those who reject the Emperor's love, and Vampires who by nature cannot love his grace. Belisarius believed that on the Eve of Paradise, an event would occur called the Armageddon, where all the Demons, Demon worshipers, Arken, Void Gods, and other entities that wish to prevent Paradise, would unleash a holy war on Unionism and that the final test before Paradise would be winning this cataclysmic war that would touch all corners of the mortal realm. Armageddon Cultists in essence believe in an inevitable "War in Heaven", and express their belief mainly in daily "thinning the herd" of Demons and Vampires so as to reduce the overwhelming forces that the Demons will come to possess when Armageddon begins.


==Beliefs==
They are doomsday preppers, with many even entertaining that Armageddon will not come in their lifetime, but that they will contribute to a reduction of the numbers of the enemy, and preparing the Empire and their descendants for the final war by producing more weapons, and researching every edge they might gain against the Demons. The Armageddon Cult is unique in Unionism in that it acknowledges an actual canonical evil, the supreme devil as it were, and entertains the idea that there is actually a chance that the Armageddon war might be lost if too many people fall to the vices of Demon worship and consorting with the Devil. The Armageddon Cult was accepted into the faith along with the other Cults, and conformed just like the others. It is a relatively small cult, but it is immensely popular among purists and those who make it their daily employment to hunt down Demons and serve the Emperor by slaying his detractors. It should be noted that a more twisted version of the Armageddon Cult also exists. Because the "evil" Gods (perceived similarly to Guided Unionism in more of a fear-worship, or appeasement to keep them away) are still immensely powerful, some Vampires have developed a twisted version of the Armageddon Cult where they believe that when Armageddon begins, they will all rise up against the Gods of Evil, and join the righteous in the war in heaven for Paradise, and redeem themselves.  
The Unionist Divine has a number of core concepts called the Theologies. The Theologies outline the rough belief of the Unionist Divine and the flock, but some small re-interpretation is possible. This list will also include notable dissenting beliefs from the other churches, while everything is proposed from the default Sancellian perspective.
=====Theology of Life=====
The Unionist Divine primarily believes in the unassailable right to life of all good Unionist Humans (which may include races other than Ailor). It is important to note that to the Unionist Divine, the term “Human” is not prescribed to any particular race, rather, it simply means any race that is in line with the Unionist beliefs and not aligned to the forces of ruin, which usually is defined as demons. The Theology of life implies a stance against abortion, but may be conflicted by the Theologies of Military and Races. The Unionist Divine is against capital punishment, save for those who are heretics of the worst decree, violating Imperial Law.
* The Vultarin Church differs in belief here that termination of pregnancy should be permitted based on a concept of “corporeal right”. Essentially, the Vultarins extend that not only does the individual have an unassailable right to life, they also have an unassailable right to decide what happens to their body. This is not necessarily a pro-abortion argument, but more a pro-choice argument, believing nobody should be able to criticize what any person does to their own body, even at the cost of an infant.
=====Theology of Family=====
The Unionist Divine primarily believes in the unassailable right for families to have children, and for children to be well cared for. In theological courts, children are upheld as a virtue of innocence who can do no wrong, and children must always be cared for and looked after before the needs of adults. The Unionist Divine preaches the need for many children, for it is the duty of each Unionist to provide more offspring.
=====Theology of Sexuality=====
The Unionist Divine is somewhat ambiguous about the concept of sexuality. It is important to note that there is no teaching or writing or doctrine that specifically speaks out against same-sex relations, but there is an implication of duty upon them to produce offspring “in whatever way is morale unobjectionable”. This is complicated further by the fact that the Unionist Divine considers adultery a sin. While certain degrees of incest are permitted by State Law (and practiced among Nobility to keep the bloodlines pure), the Unionist Divine is strictly against incest. The Unionist Divine is also strictly against what they call “body flaunting”, being very against non-artistic nudity. Polygamy is permitted in the Unionist Divine, but only under the provision that all partners are fully consenting and go through the correct Sacraments.
* The Etosian Church differs in belief here that same-sex relations are not possible because they go against the very fabric of the reproduction duty. The Etosian Church bans same-sex marriages, but not relationships, proclaiming that anyone wishing to engage in this should enter a polygamist marriage.
* The Dogartan Church differs in belief here that the duty for children is in fact a vanity, and that the purpose of relationships is not to have children, but to have a fulfilling spiritual connection with someone else. Dogartans as a result support same-sex relations and are also against polygamy.
=====Theology of Genders=====
The Unionist Divine believes that women and men are nominally equal, but that men are sometimes more equal. What this means is that women and men don’t really have a difference in opportunity in the eyes of the Unionist Divine, but that in practice, men are favored over women for certain positions. The Unionist Divine does not recognize a legal or societal difference between men and women otherwise.
* The Priscelle Church differs in belief here that the Divine belief of “men being more equal” is repugnant and that efforts must be made to make sure society is blind to gender.
* The Nonnatean Church differs in belief here that the Divine belief of “men being more equal” is repugnant and that efforts must be made to ensure the proper division of tasks in society between manly tasks and womanly tasks, and that no genders must cross over into the territory of the other.
=====Theology of Economy=====
The Unionist Divine believes that economic progress is a necessary duty for all Unionists, but that charity to those who have a hard time is a good virtue. It is important to note here that the Unionist Divine believes in the need to be clever with said charity, so as to avoid a population of lazy financial parasites, but to truly give to those who have no other way out.
* The Dogartan church believes that economy is evil, and that capitalism is corruption. They believe in only taking what is necessary to survive from charity, and then rejecting all wealth and status in favor of duty.
=====Theology of Military=====
The Unionist Divine believes that the military is a necessary evil, and that deaths incurred from Unionists fighting Unionists is a necessary break from the right to life that all Unionists have. Essentially, the Unionist Divine turns a blind eye to Unionists fighting Unionists in internal struggles, as long as the Emperor does not denounce the fighting.
* The Dogartan Church differs in belief here that Unionists fighting Unionists is an evil crime that must be ended. They ironically fight to end the fighting themselves, but consider this a necessary evil to remove an unnecessary evil.
* The Priscelle Church differs in belief here that while Unionists warring each other under the tacit approval of the Emperor is permitted, that this demands additional virtues from those who draw Unionist blood to repent for their violent crimes.  
=====Theology of Races=====
The Unionist Divine believes in the nominal equality of all races “With a torso, two arms and two legs and a head with two eyes”, though always proposes that Ailor or Ailor-adjecent races (like Qadir, Songaskians, Nelfin except Kathar and Sihndar) are more equal than others.
* The Priscelle Church differs in belief here in that the Nelfin species including all subraces are on equal footing to the Ailor, and that rather than Unionism being an Ailor tale, that it is a communal Ailor-Altalar tale, with supporting roles from the other subraces.
* The Etosion Church differs in belief here in that Ailor are truly the only Unionist race, and that all other races are inferior and must be reincarnated as an Ailor to re-prove their virtue, or be declared Humanum by the Conclave.
=====Theology of Governance=====
The Unionist Divine believes in the divine right of the nobility and the Emperor, and the rule of aristocracy. The Unionist divine proposes the need for a class divide between the people and the nobility, and that society would descend into chaos if this relationship was disrupted.
* The Etosian Church differs in belief here that the Nobility is irrelevant, and that the clergy should in fact be the Emperor’s divine representation to lead the common man in the Unionist wider society.
=====Theology of Law=====
The Unionist Divine believes in the rule of law, is against theft and murder, foul words, violence, disobedience of parental authority, false witness and evidence and envy or greed for that which is owned by others.
=====Theology of Death=====
The Unionist Divine believes in the afterlife, where if a person has been evaluated by the Spirit to be of virtue, they shall join the Spirit in the Everwatch where they watch down upon the living, only to return when Paradise is proclaimed. They also believe that non-Humans reincarnate as Humans if they live a virtuous life, and that those who do not live a virtuous life as Humans, are reincarnated as one of the “beast races”.
=====Theology of Prayer=====
The Unionist Divine believes in the need to pray three times a day, at dawn, at noon and at dusk, though many faithful only manage to pray at noon during the 1 hour intermission from work. Prayer is commonly seen as a right and duty of the nobility due to their large amounts of free time.
=====Theology of Funerals=====
The Unionist Divine believes in the need to burn the dead and bury the charred remains in a grave. Nobility are exempt from this, having only their heads removed from their bodies and buried separately in reliquaries in family tombs.  


Unionists have a set of holy passages referred to as the Holy Creeds, written by various Emperors throughout Ailor history. It is said that the Holy Creeds are written by the Emperors, but their hands are guided by the Imperial Spirit with visions granted from that same divine power. The Creeds are all written in Proto-Regalian, a now ancient and dead language that predated the [[Alt-Regalisch]] language. The Practices of the Unionist church are fairly uniform, in that all forms of Unionism pray and worship in roughly the same ways, though there is a great amount of sectarian variety from one Reverend’s flock to another. Most of the Unionist practices are not mandatory, but highly encouraged or recommended. A list of common Unionist practices is as followed.
Through this belief, some of them have become pro-Regalian pro-Emperor, acting from the shadows in the benefit of the Regalian Empire, even if the Empire would have them slain at the earliest convenience. This Vampiric interpretation is obviously heretical and not supported by the Cult itself, but it is notable enough to be mentioned, and why some Vampires might worship the Armageddon Cult Gods. On a closing note, while the Armageddon Cult only has two Devil Gods, the theology allows for a much larger range of evil entities to be acknowledged as "Aspects of the Endwar", such as Void Gods, Arken, Greater Demons, and in some interpretations even Estelley Gods. The Armageddon Cult has many superstitions concerning the Endwar, and players are encouraged to experiment with catholic apocalypse visions and the circles of hell.
*Prayer three times a day, at dawn, noon, and following dinner after dusk. Unionists are recommended to pray at least once a day in public mass, which occurs at the same time as Prayer time.
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
*The dead are burned and their ashes are buried. The burning occurs in so called Houses of the Dead where priests burn the bodies in ceremonial stone sacrophacusses. After burning, the remains are scraped up and placed in an urn which is then encased in a cask and buried. Most nobles are not burned, but rather beheaded and have their heart removed and placed in an urn away from the body.  
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Anticipating Gods Celestina and Eòin'''</center></span>
*Sacred images are used in all denominations of Unionism. This includes paintings of the Emperor, statuettes, and sometimes relics of Herons and previous Emperors.  
{|
*Four yearly religious celebrations, the festivals of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter with their own various religious implications.
[[File:New Cauunvasgsgerhfghjyt.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Celestina (left) and Eòin (right), Gods of service for bounties they may never see.
* '''Patron:''' Doomsday preppers, Purists, Demon Hunters, Vampire Hunters, Anti-Evolists.
* '''Symbols:''' The Habit and mask of the Silent Sisters, and the Imperial Guard Seal.
* '''Role:''' Celestina and Eòin teach the virtue of doing good without material reward.
* '''Traits:''' Altruistic, Resolute, Combative, Unforgiving, Unrelenting, Prepared.
* '''Temple:''' The Divine Advent Temple in Regalia, found in the countryside on roads.
* '''Allies:''' Those that fight, restrain, or otherwise hamper the forces of the Void.
* '''Enemies:''' Evolists, Kathar, Demons, Theurgists, Those that consort with Demons.
* '''Rituals:''' Celestina and Eòin represent the spoken word and the prepared mind, and the physical arm and execution of the divine plan. Their rituals involve preparing one's self, or the world around one, for the inevitable Armageddon, and to find peace in the fact that all the toil of a lifetime may not ever see fruits while alive, and that the benefit of one's labor must be for one's descendants or those who come after. and never for one's self.
|}
</td><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 50%;">
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Endwar Devils Belialus and Sablael'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:New dsadCanvasgsgerhfghjyt.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''Name:''' Belialus(left) devil of the Sanguine, and Sablael (right) devil of Shadows.
* '''Patron:''' The Devils are not patrons, they are entities to appease into inaction.  
* '''Symbols:''' The Vampiric Curse, the twisted and coiling shadow, and the hooked tail.
* '''Role:''' Belialus and Sablael act as a focal point of a clearly defined evil to fight.
* '''Traits:''' Destructive, Corrupting, Seducing, Enrapturing, Dangerous, Evil.
* '''Temple:''' No official Temple, but Vampires worship in the House of Blood in the sewers.  
* '''Allies:''' Those who would seek evolution and advances through the Demonic and Void.
* '''Enemies:''' Paladins, Priests, Holy Figures and those who hunt Vampires and Demons.
* '''Rituals:''' Rituals of Belialus (called Behesael by Elves) and Sablael involve candle night vigils and ritual purification of objects and people touched by the Devils. The idea is to cast away the evil presence of the Devils (a word itself taken from the Velheim Djevel or "evil one"), because the belief is held that if their influence is cast back into the Void, that their connection with the mortal world is disrupted and they enter a state of slumber.  
|}
</center>
</tr></table>


==The Creeds of Unionism==
==Priestly Activities==
The Creeds of Unionism are holy books which contain passages written in prose by Emperors that outline everything regarding Unionism. Each Creed is a bound book in and of itself, originally written in Proto-Regalian but eventually translated into High-Anglian, and then into all other languages. These documents are living breathing documents in that many Emperors made modifications and erase or add things when they believe the Spirit commands them to do so due to the changing circumstances of the world. While major themes largely remain intact, smaller aspects of the Creeds are subject to change with each new Emperor.
Unionist priests are part of the so-called Covenant College. At the very top is the Secilly Council. Originally this organization had a leader called the Supreme Reverend, however the Supreme Reverend position was abolished when the last Supreme Reverend discovered insidious corruption within the religious community, tried to expose it, and was assassinated for it. To compensate, Conclave determined that the Dogmatic community should henceforth be ruled by a Council of elder Arch-Everians. Below the Secilly Council, are the Arch-Everian, which are equivalents to Dukes in the Regalian Empire. They wield considerable power and rule over vast areas of land, subdivided into Everies. Below the Arch-Everian is the Everian, or just the average priest. Each Everian administrates an Everie, which is usually a piece of land donated to the clergy where they maintain temples, shrines, and sanctuaries, while also producing crops and tending to cattle. Everians perform all religious tasks such as confession, preaching, hearing concerns, and simply taking care of Unionist needs like a social caretaker or mental health worker. Arch-Everians on the other hand are more administrative in that they take care of the treasury, any military attached to the religious orders, and communication between the Secilly Council and the vast wide-spread Unionist elements. Formally the Emperor is the leader of the Holy Seat, which is more of a group term for the Palace and the Secilly Council grouped together, but historically Emperors have interfered very little in the day to day running of the Everies, and as such, this fact is usually ignored, the Emperor being considered a completely independent entity. This has also historically separated the Emperor from controversy among the Everians, and vice versa.
* The First Creed is the foundation for all other Creeds, outlining the state religion and core principles of Unionism and the Spirit, the Imperial Bloodline and the Great Way. The First Creed is essentially the foundation of Unionism.  
* The Second Creed dictates the worship and tasks of the faithful, as well as the church structure and virtues of the faithful. The Second creed also explains the Religious Writs and Parish tasks.
* The Third Creed dictates canon law regarding Herons and the holy decrees of living and deceased Emperors. The Third Creed also records the names of all Herons after each Emperor’s death, meaning it is edited the most.
* The Fourth Creed dictates the rules of the afterlife and judgement by the Spirit, as well as the general outline of the Great Way and the Everwatch as well as racial reincarnation and interactions with other races.
* The Fifth Creed was once a major volume on other religions, but has largely become redundant after the Kleine Rechnung. This document as such currently only contains the Confessions of Melennar.
* The Sixth Creed dictates the duties of Unionists to others, as well as to each other, while also outlining the pathway for non-Ailor to be declared of Human Soul. Furthermore, it outlines some freedoms of interpretations of the Reverends.
* The Seventh Creed is a bit more esoteric in that it speaks about the need for Humankind to ascend to become a more perfect version of themselves, through trial and error, through failure and success, and through dedication to becoming more capable and skilled.
* The Eight Creed outlines the rights and status of the Imperial Blood more closely, detailing the Imperial succession and the chosen lineage of Princes and Princesses and their implications on Imperial Law.
* The Ninth Creed dictates the rights and duties of the Emperor, while also outlining his decree power and his prerogatives. The Ninth Creed includes the most recent Ascension of Unionism aspects into its writings.
* The Tenth Creed is a final heed of warning against laziness, complacency and corruption, not only of the people, but also of the clergy. It urges everyone to remain ever-watchful for those that would twist the Unionist message of communal harmony to evil.  


==Expanded Lore==
The Expanded Lore section contains additional contextual information about the Gods. While the above sections will provide enough information to get a clear picture, there are some nuances and subtext to the Gods that are not apparent on first inspection, but that may be very useful for super-pious Characters. This section will tackle each God pair in greater detail (eventually) and discuss various additional pieces of information available for the faithful.
*[[Silent Sisters]]
*[[Pious Brothers]]
*[[Unionism Expanded]]
*This section is not yet fully written, as it will come very last when all other immediate Religion update tasks are done.


==Practice==
==Faith Syncretism==
It is implied in the Ten Creeds of Union that prayers can be used to call upon the Emperor for worldly favors and blessings. Emperor Theomar I constructed the grand Regalian Cathedral, home to the Pillars of Blessings. The Pillars of Blessings have small orifices in them, capable of containing small pieces of paper. Believers of Unionism will write down small wishes and deeds they would like to see the Emperor perform, and stuff these papers into the ornaments of the Pillars. Every month, the Emperor would lead a procession of the Imperial Spirit in the Cathedral, after which he would come down to the Pillars and pick out a few pieces of paper. These wishes or deeds would then be performed within the mortal power of the Emperor, giving heed to the blessings asked for by the followers.
All Gods and all Religions in Lore are valid, because they physically exist in the world and constantly provide evidence to their divinity, however, Religions have boundaries to which Gods to worship and which ones not to. Faith Syncretism is an optional concept where a person who is faithful to the Religion found on this Page, includes two Gods from another Religion to expand their Pantheon and acquire additional beliefs. While this concept stands on shaky grounds when examining canon lore too closely, it is mostly motivated because Religion sometimes creates unnecessary obstacles for Roleplay Alliances or interactions. By allowing Religious figures to expand their Religious loyalty, they gain access to a wider range of people to interact with that would otherwise be closed due to Religious dogma. Syncretism has several rules applied:
 
* Only one Syncretism may be chosen, and this choice is permanent. The Syncretism should be recorded in the same place where Religions are mentioned on a Character Application.  
Communal worship for Unionists happens on a daily basis three times a day, and though it is strongly encouraged and almost enforced once a day, participation is not obligatory more than once a week. Most citizens with a profession choose Saturday or Sunday, but Priests hold sermons every day of the week, so one may participate on any day. Sermons of Unionism are usually filled with communal prayer, priests reading from the holy texts, and faith healing. Sermons are held traditionally within churches, but can also be held in open air or in any building. There is no specific celestial law that states sermons must be held in a church, and street sermons are sometimes frequent in times of trouble or social unrest. Worship can be varied for different events. Birth blessings have their own rituals, as do funeral rites, and communions for Union and feast days or holidays.
* Syncretic believers do not worship all the Gods of the second faith, only the two included in the Syncretic belief, it is not possible to expand beyond that or choose other Gods.
 
* Syncretic beliefs do not grant access to Religious Mechanics of the secondary Religion or other bonuses acquired from Religions or Gods as mentioned on their Pages.
It is traditional for Unionists to close religious discussions, debates, or sermons with the wording "Oratario Paean", which roughly translates to "Orchestra of praise or triumph", a diminutive form of Proto-Regalian used to describe the final coming of Paradise. Within folklore and customs of worship, this phrase is uttered both as a blessing for others to be there when Paradise comes, but also to thank the Spirit and the Great Way for its benedictions. It is custom for good Unionists to respond with “Oratario Paean” when a Reverend cites it in Sermon or in Holy Lecture. If in person, whether two Unionists departing from one another, or giving blessings in passing, the more common "Oratario Ode" is used, which is a more personal blessing rather than the more universal “Oratario Paean”, but they effectively mean the same.
* Syncretic believers cannot be Priests, Godchosen, or any other type of Religious figure as described on the Pages. They must be singularly loyal to their own Religion.
:*''Click [[Verses of the Faith|here]] for the Verses of the Faith, a collection of short prayers commonly spoken by Unionists.
* Syncretic believers are not discriminated against by believers of the secondary Faith. They can however be criticized by their primary faith for their choice of Syncretism.
*'''Liturgical Calendar:'''
===Syncretism Variants===
:The Liturgical year of Union is a central way for the devoted to celebrate and devle into worship. It is very class and profession based. The period of spring is seen as the Cycle of Growth, in which children are conceived, crops are planted and the year's census is done. The following period in Summer is the Cycle of Dominion, in which wars are usually performed by the Regalian Empire for expansion. The next Cycle is in Autumn, the Cycle of the Harvest, wherein at the end, children are usually born, crops are harvested, and the lands subjugated. Finally the months of Winter represent the Cycle of Reflection, months filled with worship, feasts and thinking back on everything that has happened during the past year.  
* '''[[Fornoss]] Syncretisms'''
 
** '''Love for Life Syncretism:''' Leif and Eikki form the basis of the Love for Life Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Love and Affection God Leif, and the Feasting and Joy God Eikki. This Syncretic theme incorporates a love for life and others, while bringing more nature-elemental and shamanistic aesthetics to Unionism.  
Each Cycle has their own smaller holidays, and its own Festival week, in which most Regalians celebrate the Liturgical cycle with each other in a merry week of drinking, games, feasting and communal prayer. The one during the Cycle of Reflection is especially important, as that is the only Festival which the Emperor actively participates in.  
** '''Chained Guilt Syncretism:''' Bard and Hrymrök form the basis of the Chained Guilt Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with Retribution and Judgement God Bard, and the Freedom and Liberty Goddess Hrymrök. This Syncretic theme incorporates a more violent and aggressive hostility towards the enemies of Unionism, and taking the initiative on destroying Unionism's rivals, while bringing more while bringing more nature-elemental and shamanistic aesthetics to Unionism.  
:*''Click [[Unionist Liturgical Calendar|here]] for more information on the Unionist Liturgical Calendar
* '''[[Draconism]] Syncretisms'''
 
** '''Imperial Core Syncretism:''' Regulus and Gaia form the basis of the Imperial Core Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Rulership and Time God Regulus, and the Preservation and Redemption God Gaia. This Syncretism theme incorporates Dragons as divine beings created by the Everwatcher to preserve Unionism, and identify the so-called Imperial Dragons as Regalian-native Gods, while bringing respect and preservation of old Draconic Sites and Radicals of the Dragons along with it.
==Symbols==
** '''The Black Flame Syncretism:''' Caius and Umbra form the basis of the Black Flame Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Violence and Battle God Caius, and the Death and Decay dragon Umbra. This Syncretism draws direct lines from the Immortal War and the fight of Dragons against the Occult, and the Unionist Purist stance on Magic usage, identifying the Dragons as some type of Everwatcher ordained holy protector, and bringing with it the use of Leytech to fight the Occult.  
Unionism isn't a specifically aniconist religion, meaning it does not rely much on images to convey itself, but there are several symbols which strongly represent the religion. It's often difficult to symbolize the fate of humanity into a single image, though the most acceptable way of putting it is a golden eye with sun rays radiating from it, carrying a weighing scale to represent the value of the soul. This is also seen in priestly prayers where they hold their right hand up next to their face while reciting the Creeds with the Unionist symbol pendant in their hand palm, using their left hand to turn the pages and move religious artifacts around during Sermons. Most Unionists have a necklace with a small golden hand in front of a star, or a broach with the head of Emperor on it to outwardly identify themselves as Unionist. In general, Unionists condemn the practice of outward identification of other Religions however, and refrain from doing it much themselves in the street.
* '''[[Estelley]] Syncretisms'''
 
** '''The Fae Queens Syncretism:''' Vyrë and Mana form the basis of the Fae Queens Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Commanding Ocean Goddess Vyrë and the Compassionate Nature Goddess Mana. This Syncretism poses that Unionism lacks an explanation for the natural realm, a Nature Goddess to praise for the bounty of the forests, and a Sea Goddess to worship for safe passage on the open seas. This Syncretism also ports pro-Magic and Elven Mysticism into Unionism.  
** '''The Moon Gazer Syncretism:''' Leyon and Melca form the basis of the Moon Gazer Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Protection and Benevolence God Leyon, and the Foresight and Mysteries Goddess Melca. This Syncretism poses that Unionism focuses too strongly on the mechanical industrial world, failing to see the mystical and often Magical reality that exists also, and assumes too much from a Mundane point of view, thus expanding horizons to truly connect with Mysticism.
* '''[[Baskarr]] Syncretisms'''
** '''The Golden Hour Syncretism:''' Tjafar and Akhet form the basis of the Golden Hour Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Insight and Rulership God Tjafar, and the Unaccountable Reclaimer God Akhet. The Golden Hour Syncretism incorporates the Asha as brother-folk to the Unionists, in that much of their Allorn-oppressed history is aligned, and their long term goals also align. Golden Hour Syncretism believers acknowledge Asha and Ailor as the same people.
** '''The Relentless Vengeance Syncretism:''' Khannar and Wadj form the basis of the Relentless Vengeance Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Hateful Vengeance God Khannar, and the Intrigue and Deceit God Wadj. This Syncretism takes a lesson from the Revenge Asha: Unionism and the Regalian Empire move too slowly to punish evil, and all forces should be more aggressively forced away from inaction and apathy, and into Violence against the Allorn.
* '''[[Evolism]] Syncretisms''' do not exist in Unionism, due to their extreme opposition to one another.
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Emperor Theomar the First made Unionism mandatory among some of the noble families very early on, but this regulation has relaxed in recent times when it was removed from Synod Law.
*Unionism used to be mandatory for nobility somewhere during the second century after Cataclysm, though this Holy Law was removed when the war against the [[Skagger Horde]] ceased, and the Empire benefited more from including non-Unionists into the peerage. An exception had always been made for the [[Solvaan]] nobles in [[Solleria]] however, called the Confessions of Melennar.
*Some speculate there is some dark conspiracy behind the Emperor, the Oxoron Celestial Body and the Void, but most of this is generally called nutcase ramblings.
*Sectarian violence largely came to an end at the turn into the fourth century as the last attacks on Vultragon Unionist by state forces ceased, and an uneasy truce was signed between the Schism religious communities. They still do not see eye-to-eye, and the different Schismatic groups still prod at each other, but instead of murdering each other over sectarian differences, they mostly fight with words nowadays, a legacy of the Kleine Rechnung, the document that called for the truce.
*Melennar was not an Elf, contrary to popular belief because of his name.  
* Despite Eirlys's absorption into Unionism, the [[Breizh]] still maintained a high level of cultural autonomy, some even clinging to old beliefs. As such, even when Magic became illegal in the Empire, the Breizh [[Aelrrigan Order]] continued to find and train Mages safely in their sanctuaries while the rest of the Empire turned to brutal oppression (and the Magic part of Eirlys was suppressed from dogma). Eirlys' faithful among the Aelrrigan Order are commonly cited as the reason why Magic acceptance eventually returned, and Eirlys' magical nature in theological teachings was returned.
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[[category:Religion]] [[category:Human Religions]]
[[category:Religion]]

Revision as of 21:57, 15 May 2024

Unionism
Religion
PronunciationYoon-yen-is-m
OriginsEmperor Theomar
Deities
The Everwatcher and various other Gods and Goddesses

Origins

Unionism as a Religion was created in the year 5 AC when Emperor Theomar (the founding Regalian Emperor) proclaimed the Creed (the holy Scripture) as visions received from the Everwatcher. In the beginnings of the Empire, the faith was slow to spread, but through providence and divine intervention, as well as Regalia's military spread and aggressive missionary proselytizing, Unionism quickly spread from its small cult-like origins to a world-religion. It has over the years also absorbed Gods from smaller religions, and included Gods form other Religions to become a very all-inclusive cosmopolitan Religion. While most other Religions are Race specific with some caveats, Unionism is a cross-Race religion that invites all Races to join under the Everwatcher.

Schisms

Unionism has had a series of schisms in the past centuries, notably the Evintarian schism which was the result of dogmatic differences and a civil war, and the Supremoclast schism which followed a more critical and humanist conscience of the people. This resulted in the Religion splitting in three (with some smaller cults that were later re-absorbed) that engaged in some degree of religious war on each other to proclaim supremacy over the concept of the Everwatcher. It took several centuries, but in recent times, the conflict wounds healed, and the priests of all Schisms came together to re-merge the religious communities, founding the Unionist Divine, which represents the current faith and priesthood. Some Cults like the Evintarian and Guided Cult still exist, however these add optional additional Gods, rather than radically diverging from religious beliefs.

Core Beliefs

Unionism is a polytheistic Religion with one single superior being and his mortal vessel on earth, and a whole host of paired Gods who all offer specific lessons of the faith. The Religion's primary objective is world domination, that is to say, to create a globe-spanning Regalian Empire that can create eternal peace and stability, and bring about paradise by banishing war and suffering and death, and bring back all the dead from the Afterlives into an eternal paradise. Each of the God Pairs (except the Vessel) provides what the Unionists call, a Golden Lesson, which acts like a virtue, and opposes a sin in the belief of Unionism. If a person dies and their soul is judged by the Everwatcher they are found to be virtuous, they join the Everwatcher on the Great Stairway where they watch down on the living in wait for paradise to come. If they are deemed sinful, they are re-incarnated in the mortal world, so they are given another chance. The following Golden Lessons can be found in Unionism:

  • Theomar and Thedmir: The Golden Lesson preaches that Unionism is good, and that spreading the faith is a virtue, and that sin is turning away from the Great Way, or outright sabotaging its intent.
  • Ness and Eora: The Golden Lesson preaches that kindness and compassion are good things, and that even the most criminal seek love and affection and are deserving, while sin is to be bereft of mercy.
  • Juvin and Glanzia: The Golden Lesson preaches that virtue is with the pure soul not tainted by the corrupt powers, and with knowing pure fact from wrong, while sin is spreading corruption and false information.
  • Allest and Brand: The Golden Lesson preaches that loyalty to the state, the army, and fellow believers is a virtue, as is physical strength, and that sin is treason, deceptiveness without morals, and adultery.
  • Elia and Leona: The Golden Lesson preaches that responsibility and protecting society is shared by everyone, no one can be excused, and that sin is to indifferent and not watching for the dangers of the world.
  • Neal and Nolven: The Golden Lesson preaches that culture and art fill the soul with light, and that even in the darkness of war is beauty, and that sin is pure blind hatred without grace or beauty.
  • Al-Asir and Marani: The Golden Lesson preaches that Technology brings forth great progress, and to share with society is a virtue, and that sin the creation of killing machines that automate death.
  • Tanthor and Dari: The Golden Lesson preaches that even the most wretched, unwanted, and outcast of society have a role in the Great Way, and that sin is to find sadism and satisfaction in hurting the unloved.
  • Mendes and Hor: The Golden Lesson preaches that wealth is there to be shared, but ultimately needed for the greatness of the faith, and that sin is to hoard wealth alone, and to steal from others.
  • Sinnavei and Eirlys: The Golden Lesson preaches that even those outside the Faith can have an indispensable role to fill in paradise, and that sin is the wanton destruction of all that is alien and unknown.
  • Caan and Kaldric: The Golden Lesson preaches that Magic and the Occult are a tainted burden that come with great responsibility, and that virtue can be found in good use, and sin in selfish destructiveness.

Divine Mechanics

All Religions provide 1 single Mechanic to their Believers that fits within the flair of their Religion. This Mechanic is lost if the individual stops believing in the Religion, or becomes a heretic, but can be regained. Afflicted can use this mechanic, but having the mechanic does not imply that they have blanket forgiveness from their Gods, just that there is more nuance to it than that.

  • Unionist Faithful can be blessed by the gods by having a divine intervention and being cured of their Affliction or being cleansed of their Affinity through a divine event. Such a divine event should be orchestrated by the player themselves, does not necessarily require a pre-condition like "this character destroyed a Unionist Temple so the Gods intervened" or "this Character tore apart a painting of the Emperor so the Gods punished them", but can require one. This should generally only occur once per Affliction/Affinity, and is entirely up to the player's own consent over their character when and where it occurs.

Gods and Goddesses

Unionism differs from other Religions, in that it has Duo-Gods. All Duo-Gods are divine and each have divine powers in the afterlife (though some Gods may be yet living). Unionists worship all Gods equally, though they may choose specific Patron gods which they worship more. The Everwatcher acts like an overarching God of Gods, but the Everwatcher cannot directly be interacted with, so most people end up praising the Everwatcher through the Gods and Goddesses. Unionism also has the Cults further below. Cults add Gods onto the standard Pantheon, but they are not mandatory for vanilla Unionists who don't worship the Cults. It is possible to be a believer of both Cults.

Prophet Gods Theomar and Thedmir
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  • Name: Theomar (left) and Thedmir (right), the Prophet Gods, first believers.
  • Patron: Fathers, Rulers, Nobles, Leaders, Commanders, and Best Friends.
  • Symbols: Theomar and Thedmir are symbolized by the necklace of friendship.
  • Role: Theomar and Thedmir were the Prophets of Unionism, spreading the faith.
  • Traits: Patriarchy, Insight, Good Governance, Loyalty, Friendship, Faith.
  • Temple: The All-Beacon Temple in Regalia proper, the largest Unionist Temple.
  • Allies: Regulus Worshipers, Dáuw Worshipers, anyone in the military.
  • Enemies: In essence all Evolist worshipers, and all Vola Fornoss Gods.
  • Rituals: Theomar and Thedmir Rituals involve re-enacting the struggles of them in the early days of Unionism. This involves preaching the faith to non believers, aiding the faithful in the defense of their holy shrines and places of worship, to mediate and act as diplomat for embattled groups, and to provide spiritual guidance to the Military. Theomar and Thedmir also have rituals concerning the sanctification and re-affirmation of friendship.
Mother Gods Ness and Eora
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  • Name: Ness (left) and Eora (right), Empress and Chancellor in life.
  • Patron: Mothers, Healers, Caretakers, Protectors, Empaths, Martyrs.
  • Symbols: Ness's Butterfly Mask, and the Habit (head scarf) of Eora.
  • Role: Ness and Eora are the savior Goddesses of Unionism who care for believers.
  • Traits: Protective, Motherly, Nurturing, Caring, Self-Sacrificing, Forgiving.
  • Temple: The Temple of Salvation in Old-Town forest side, which doubles as Hospital.
  • Allies: Leif Worshipers, Severena Worshipers, Daiana Worshipers, Medics of any Faith.
  • Enemies: Murderers, people who adopt adults, people who attack medics/the unarmed.
  • Rituals: Ness and Eora rituals are all about forgiveness and nurturing and healing others. This may involve taking confessions, but can also involve volunteering at a medical station or healing house. Furthermore, Ness and Eora faithful travel prisons and downtrodden areas to give forgiveness to the damned, and offer them love and kindness where there is only the cold sting of rejection and apathy to the fates of the forgotten.
Pure Gods Juvin and Glanzia
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  • Name: Glanzia (left) Goddess of Pure Soul, and Juvin (right) God of Pure Reason.
  • Patron: Intellectuals, Mundanes, Anti-Magi, Scholars, Teachers, Archeologists.
  • Symbols: Books with the Unionist Eye and Black Granite statues of Heroes.
  • Role: To teach the faithful purity of soul (Magic-apprehension) and Logic.
  • Traits: Analytical, Apprehension, Thoughtfulness, Anti-Magical, Purist.
  • Temple: Temple of Greater Understanding, which doubles as a Library.
  • Allies: Lothar Knights, Melca Worshipers, Severena & Aurora Worshipers.
  • Enemies: Mage-Radicals, Theurgists, Those with Demon/Arken Pacts and Deals.
  • Rituals: Rituals belonging to Juvin and Glanzia usually involve the Rites of Investigation. This usually involves an in-depth investigation to some kind of mystery, for Juvin that being discovery of new information and publication to the masses, and for Glanzia to uncover hidden Mages and the Occult, and to warn the general public. General rituals and customs also just involve educating the masses on general factual information and debates of skill.
Martial Gods Allest and Brand
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  • Name: Allest (right) God of Warriors, Brand (left) God of Gladiators.
  • Patron: Soldiers, Generals, Commanders, Gladiators, Warriors, Homosexuals.
  • Symbols: Two crossed holy swords, one with blood, and one dripping with tears.
  • Role: To encourage fraternity and loyalty in the army, and strength of arms in warriors.
  • Traits: Brave, Boisterous, Glorious, Victorious, Martial, Dependable, Unwavering.
  • Temple: The Divine Heroic Contemplation Temple in Gloomrot Forest in Regalia.
  • Allies: Cemaan Worshipers, Bard & Njal Worshipers, Bloodcast Knights.
  • Enemies: Pacifists, cowards, enemies of Unionism and those who attack Priests.
  • Rituals: Allest and Brand were lovers in live and death, where most of their rituals involve some kind of brotherly oath, a promise to protect someone until one's dying breath, or swearing fealty and undying loyalty to an overlord in war. Allest and Brand were glorious warriors each in their own right, so in many ways, prayer before battle and battle itself is a form of worship in their names, as is love persevering through war.
Protector Gods Elia and Leona
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  • Name: Elia (left) Goddess the Watchful Gaze, and Leona (right) Goddess of Knights.
  • Patron: Guards, Knights, Hunters, Rangers, Explorers, Scribes, and Lesbians.
  • Symbols: Elia's Longbow and Leona's Blacksteel sword, along with Blacksteel in general.
  • Role: To teach the faithful to guard one another and be responsible for one another.
  • Traits: Chivalrous, Alert, Mindful, Responsible, Dedicated, Precise, Awareness.
  • Temple: Temple of Unyielding Overwatch which doubles as the Imperial Hunting Lodge.
  • Allies: Urlan, Knights of all Kind, Metropolitan Guards, Tame Marken, Huntsmen.
  • Enemies: Criminals, Monsters in the wild, Kathar, Argentum Knights, Womanizers.
  • Rituals: Elia and Leona were lovers in life and death, where most of their rituals involve some kind of communal or co-operative practice of the hunt or respect and support of the Knights (as well as being Knights). Knighthood is considered the greatest form of "keeping watch over society", and so many of their patrons become Knights. Other forms of rituals are couple or group hunts, and inspections of garrisons and walls and armories.
Vessel Gods Alexander and The Everwatcher
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  • Name: Alexander (see) Emperor of Regalia and The Everwatcher (not depicted).
  • Patron: Alexander is the Vessel of the Everwatcher, He speaks through him only.
  • Symbols: The Unionist Eye represents the Everwatcher, the Crown Alexander.
  • Role: To be living embodiment of the divine will of the Everwatcher in Regalia.
  • Traits: Divine, Sagely, Wise, All-Loving, All-Inclusive, All-Caring.
  • Temple: The Imperial Palace in essence doubles as the Temple of the Vessel.
  • Allies: Alexander is ostensibly an Ally of all and everyone who will listen.
  • Enemies: He has no Enemies. Even those who reject him in Crookback get his love.
  • Rituals: There aren't strictly any rituals for Alexander, as he is only the Temporary Vessel. When Alexander dies, the next Emperor will take his place as the Vessel God, so that only ever the living Emperor will be Vessel God. It's also worth noting that Gladiator God Brand's name in life was also Alexander, as Brand is Alexander's ancestor. The latter is styled "Alexander II", the former has the Divine name of Brand from his living nickname Bram.
Culture Gods Neall and Nolven
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  • Name: Neall (left) is the God of Visual Arts, Nolven (right) is the God of Military Arts.
  • Patron: Painters, Sculptors, Make-up Artists, Fashion Designers, Gardeners, Designers.
  • Symbols: Nolvens's golden radiant sword, or Neall's golden radiant paintbrush / pencil.
  • Role: To teach the faithful the facets of culture in peace and war, and to love art.
  • Traits: Creative, Artistic, Expressive, Gregarious, Welcoming, Inclusive, Visual.
  • Temple: Temple of the High Arts inside the Imperial Palace Art Galleries.
  • Allies: Artists, Njall Fornoss Worshipers, Viridian Knights, Beauty Arkenborn.
  • Enemies: Argentum Knights, the Mutated and Monstrous, Evolist Worshipers.
  • Rituals: Neall and Nolven's rituals invariably involve the combination of cultural beauty and the art of war, whether that is a dramatic renaissance-style painting of a battlefield, or finding ways to depict what is in essence militarist propaganda in beautiful ways (statues, poetry, literature, art, etc). Because art is a skill, most worshipers of Neall and Nolven tend to perform their worship by paying artists to make art, a form of patronage.
Inspired Gods Al-Asir and Marani
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  • Name: Al-Asir (right) the God of Invention, and Marani (left) the god of Inspiration.
  • Patron: Technicians, Engineers, Inventors, Architects, Craftsmen, Laborers.
  • Symbols: Al-Asir's golden gears, or Qadir Ailor arm tattoo shapes in glowing gold.
  • Role: Divine inspiration and guard against inventions of Evil in Technology.
  • Traits: Eureka, Technical, Resourceful, Inspired, Altruistic, Conscientious.
  • Temple: The Telocator Temple in Al-Alus, the only one outside Regalia's Empire.
  • Allies: Those that help society at large, Those that make everyone's lives easier.
  • Enemies: Death Cultists, Rishiq Qadir, Machinist Worshipers, War-Machine Inventors.
  • Rituals: Al-Asir and Marani rituals involve the act of inventing, or just tinkering with technology, reading books and improving skills, or just generally engaging in crafts from simple wood carving furniture to advanced architectural planning. The act of production for someone else, even at the cost of payments, is considered a virtuous activity for the patron Gods of Craftsmen, this is why object creations are always blessed by the Gods.
Persevering Gods Tanthor and Dari
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  • Name: Dari (left) and Tanthor (right) are the Allar and Kathar Gods of the Forgotten.
  • Patron: No specific Patronage, they are for the Downtrodden, Forgotten and Unwanted.
  • Symbols: Golden neck chains or other forms of personal restraint around the neck.
  • Role: To bless even the weakest and most unwanted in society with strength to go on.
  • Traits: Dignified, Charitable, Austere, Sharing, Seeking Equity over Equality.
  • Temple: There currently is no Temple, it was demolished in Crookback for housing.
  • Allies: Tanthor and Dari see any and all who want to be included in Regalia as Allies.
  • Enemies: Tanthor and Dari see anyone who kicks down on the downtrodden as enemies.
  • Rituals: Dari and Tanthor mostly give hope to the lost that there is still a place for them in the Everwatcher's Grace and the Regalian Empire. Rituals of Dari and Tanthor often involve charity and bringing care and warmth to the poor, the dispossessed, the unwanted, and to show compassion and no bigotry against those who look or act different. They involve rituals to combat racism, discrimination, and general radical inclusion, perhaps, even Vampires.
Prosperity Gods Mendes and Hor
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  • Name: Mendes (left) and Hor (right) are the Gods of Prosperity and Wealth.
  • Patron: Merchants, Bankers, Traders, Shopkeepers, Bureaucrats, the Filthy Rich.
  • Symbols: The Golden Coins of Union, Regal Coins with the Eyes of the Everwatcher.
  • Role: To bless the people with wealth and prosperity and good wit in commerce.
  • Traits: Business Acumen, Opulent, Responsible, Self-Sufficient, Insightful.
  • Temple: The Temple of Mendes and Hor is the Regalian Central Bank and Exchange.
  • Allies: Mendes and Hor see anyone who spreads Order and Stability as Allies.
  • Enemies: Mendes and Hor see anyone who spreads Anarchy and Chaos as Enemies.
  • Rituals: It perhaps sounds ironic, but one of the most common forms of worship to Mendes and Hor is paying taxes. The act of paying taxes is considered virtuous, because it both shows a willingness to part with wealth, and a willingness to trust the State to do good by the people with said Taxes, and to contribute to communal greatness. Other rituals involve squeezing foreigners for money and signing unequal trade treaties with foreign merchants.
Allied Gods Sinnavei and Eirlys
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  • Name: Sinnavei (left) Goddess of the Elves, Eirlys (right) Goddess of the Tribes.
  • Patron: Solvaan, Elves, Breizh Ailor, Pre-Empire Tribes, Ancient peoples, heritage.
  • Symbols: The Sollerian Mist-Gryphon, and the Breizh Santwr, Feather-Winged Warriors.
  • Role: To show that non-believers and outsiders may find Solace and Alliance in Faith.
  • Traits: Arcane, Enchanting, Ancient, Glory of Ages, Respect, Venerability of Age.
  • Temple: Bryn Dwyfol in Kintyr, and The Skyward Palace in the capital of Solleria.
  • Allies: Sinnavei and Eirlys see any who would join Regalia's ambitions as Allies.
  • Enemies: Sinnavei and Eirlys see any who would obstruct Regalia's ambitions as enemies.
  • Rituals: Rituals of Sinnavei and Eirlys involve (much like Tanthor and Dari) radical inclusion, but as opposed to Regalia's own citizens, that of outsiders. To ally with other faiths for the good in the world, to respect outsiders, to give them human decency and dignity, and to help them help the faith. It also involves healing racial tensions, and uncovering and sharing ancient lost knowledge to the world for the wisdoms that it may hold.
Burdened Gods Caan and Kaldric
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  • Name: Kaldric (left) and Caan (right) are the Gods of Burdened but Beautiful Magic.
  • Patron: Mages, Aelrrigan Knights, Arcane Researchers, those seeking Redemption.
  • Symbols: Kaldric's horned bramble crown, and Caan's Arcane tome symbolisms.
  • Role: To teach the faithful proper & virtuous Magic usage, and warn for corruption.
  • Traits: Self-Sacrificing, Penitent, Humble, Pious, Stalwart, Holy, Paladins.
  • Temple: The Hall of Golden Ascension in the Holy Agatha Mountains of Regalia.
  • Allies: Those who use Magic respectfully, virtuous, and care for world & others.
  • Enemies: Those who abuse Magic for selfish or hedonistic purposes and ego.
  • Rituals: Kaldric and Caan rituals involve forms of self-sacrifice and penitence. Self-flagellation is one form of self-punishment practiced by some of their worshipers, but other forms of self-enforced humility through the praising or service of others are also common. Kaldric (once called Kristoph in life) is more for the self-loathing/punishing Mages and Occult, while Caan is more for the restrained and dignified Mages and Occult.

Cults

Cults exist in Unionism as "add-ons" for the Religion itself. While all Unionists by default worship the Gods and Goddesses listed in the Pantheon above, some Cults within Unionism worship additional gods that most of the main stream believers do not. These are holdouts from the old Schisms, that albeit while joining the main current of religious worshipers, still have some leftover of their old beliefs. Each Cult is represented by a single theological belief, and with Gods who are included by this theological belief, while all other aspects of the Religion are the same. It is possible to be a member of multiple Cults as they just add additional beliefs, but it is also possible to believe in one of the Cults, or none at all.

Evintarian Cult

The Evintarian Cult was established by the Evintarian Schisms many centuries ago when the Evintarian priests split off, and were expelled from Regalia and founded their own country in Etosil. The Evintarian Schism happened, because the Evintarian Priests thought that Trans-Dimensional Entities (such as certain Demons) could become Gods too if they shed off their sinful nature and were blessed by the Everwatcher, which the main dogmatic branch rejected. The Evintarian Priesthood voted to join the Unionist Divine, and so they became a Cult that has included several Trans-Dimensional Entities as God Pairs. Each of the Evintarian Gods requires some explanation of how they came to be accepted as Gods in the Evintarian Cult, which will be explained first, before the Gods are discussed.

Kithemon is an Exist entity from another realm that possessed an Aetosian man named Nikolaos (surname lost to time). Kithemon was verified as a God for the Evintarians, as he granted them many protections of the mind against incursions from Demons and other entities who would corrupt and usurp them and rob them of their freedom and identity. Amandaros is a Void Entity that was somehow related to the Evolist God Armas, but always dodges the subject when discussed. Amandaros possesses his host an Asha named Amon, though it is important to mention that Amandaros as an entity does not reside in a single place, but can be in many places (and hosts) at once. Amandaros is also summoned by the Mask of Amandaros which is held in Evintarian Shrines, which the faithful may use to help conceive children if they cannot themselves (see: Amandaros Godborn). Yvasi is an Ordial Entity possessing a Half-Eronidas named Girin who has proved to be of aid to the Great Way, by traveling the lands and helping the faithful realize and manifest their true self in gender, appearance, and heritage. It is not known what entity Yvasi is related to, but she did show her loyalty to mortals and the living, by aiding in the defense of the Last City of the Living, before traveling on to Aloria to aid the Unionists.

Yvasi in particular discusses many concepts of transhumanist and transgender concepts with the faithful, as she is a female-presenting spirit in a male-presenting body, and how that generally affects gender presentation to the faithful, as well as gender roles in society. Finally, Eredicos is a divine name for the Imperial Prince Frederick Kade (second son of the Emperor), who shares his body with an ancestral spirit of Betheoric I Kade. Unlike the other entities who have mostly subsumed their host, Eredicos represents both Frederick in the mortal body and Betheoric in the immortal self, and the two frequently exchange host status. Eredicos is a very recent addition as God, because Frederick only ascended to godhood when he became an Urlan in the past 3 years, and in doing so, proved to have divine god-like powers of command and venerability over even non-believers through Betheoric. The fact that an Imperial prince is technically possessed by a Primal Revenant is a very much not-so-secret at the Imperial Palace, but out of respect nobody causes an issue over it.

Exist/Void Gods Kithemon and Amandaros
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  • Name: Kithemon (left) Protector of Minds and Amandaros (right) Protector of Proginy.
  • Patron: Kithemon, Patron of protections against the dark arts, and Amandaros of parents.
  • Symbols: The shielded silhouette of a head, and a tree of descendance or ancestry.
  • Role: Kithemon protects from mind incursions, while Amandaros helps with childbirth.
  • Traits: Resolute, Stalwart, Protecting, and Hedonistic, Capricious, Lustful.
  • Temple: The Temple of Ethereal Naether in the capital of Aetosil, Regalian Empire.
  • Allies: Leyon and Sapphora faithful, Aelrrigan Knights, those with big families.
  • Enemies: Those that bargain with Arken and Demons, the possessed, and incels.
  • Rituals: Kithemon and Amandaros rituals vary greatly, as they are obviously very different. Kithemon rituals involves seeking out and revealing the corruption of Spirits and mind control affecting others and then freeing them. Amandaros rituals involve hedonistic self-satisfying parties, preferably those which involve in copious amounts of romantic matches or flings that may expand the population through conventional means.
Ordial/Primal Gods Yvasi and Eredicos
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  • Name: Yvasi (left) Bringer of Self-Love and Eredicos (right) of Elder Wisdom.
  • Patron: Those struggling with anxiety/depression, and children of heritage.
  • Symbols: The mask of anonimity, and the banner of command and the staff of rule.
  • Role: Yvasi to help believers become their true self, Eredicos to embody ancestors.
  • Traits: Guiding, Mentorly, Authoritative, Venerable, Wise, Erudite and Thorough.
  • Temple: The House of the Patrilineal Divinity in the capital of Aetosil.
  • Allies: Urlan, Therapists, Estelley and Fornoss Priests, the Elderly.
  • Enemies: Bigots who bully on matters of identity, and those who betray family.
  • Rituals: Yvasi and Eredicos rituals similarly diverge due to their diverging nature, but they are more similar than Kithemon and Amandaros. Many of the rituals for Yvasi and Eredicos converge on praising and worship of ancestors, to showcase the skill and achievements of ancestors, and to keep a clean grave or shrine to them. Yvasi has rituals of self exploration, meditation, and both also have rituals with experimentation with self-presentation.

Guided Cult

The Guided Cult has a long and troubled history, as Dogmatic Unionists tried to violently suppress so-called religious-critical movements that challenged the clergy by asking questions instead of blindly believing everything that was fed to them. The Guided Cult inevitably agreed to re-join the Unionist Divine, as the priests of the other groupings agreed to accept their Duality-God (each God representing two) entities, while also admitting some of their more free-thinking ideas in how to interact with the priests. While prior the priests could not be questioned, with the Guided Unionist re-interpretation, Priests were actively challenged to be questioned in their preaching and faith, so that everyone would become stronger in belief. The Guided Cult still exists, because they hold on to some of the so-called Dragon Gods.

This means that while critical thinking, questioning faith, and keeping an innovative and independent mind are aspects of the Guided Cult, what is more important to them is the divinity of Dragons, that being also the separation between them and the dogmatic beliefs: that Dragons can be Gods. Dragons are all Divine, and while not all Dragons are Gods, some of them are, and they should be adhered to when they make proclamations. Some make the incorrect assumption that this means Guided Unionists believe in both Unionism and Draconism, but the Guided Unionists specifically delineate between Draconist Gods, and Unionist Gods, in that the Dragons that are Gods, are specifically not Dragons from Draconism, because they represent a different faith. That being said, Archon do exist in an in-between function, in that the Guided Cult does accept Archon as holy warriors if they worship Unionism. Each Duo-God pairing is a pair of a Dragon Soul God, and an Archon God who acts as their protector. The first Dragon God is Nicholas Kade, the Glorious Arch-Chancellor who is commonly remembered as the most competent government leader the Regalian Empire ever had, and Aarthes his Fin'ullen Archon Bodyguard. Nicholas has been dead for over a century, but Aarthes is still alive, living in Nicholas's old Estate in Anglia alone.

The second Dragon God is Morgan Kade who is commonly remembered as a highly competent, but extremely morally corrupt and cruel Arch-Chancellor, and Narsil his Snake-Marken Archon Bodyguard who was painted in Gold as he slithered through the Imperial Palace. Morgan died several decades ago, and Narsil was put to death immediately after Morgan, as he was no longer around to protect his bodyguard-pet Marken. The duality of virtuous Nicholas and sinful Morgan as Gods is that the Guided Unionists believe that Gods can also be just awful people, and be extremely selfish and capricious, but that bad qualities and ugly personalities are not reasons to write off the skills and competencies that people do have. The Guided Cult holds that Dragon-Souls (like Prince Cedromar, or his children August and Florian) would be more suitable heirs to the throne, but have agreed with their re-integration into Dogmatic Unionism to cease their opposition to Emperor Alexander's rule.

Dragon Gods Nicholas and Aarthes
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  • Name: Nicholas (left) and Aarthes (right), Gods of political and architectural design.
  • Patron: Intellectuals, strategists, philosophers, diplomats, patriarchs and matriarchs.
  • Symbols: The scepter of regality, government buildings, the Regalian state banner.
  • Role: Nicholas teaches those in positions of power responsibility and careful design.
  • Traits: Foresight, Calculated, Intellectual, Informed, Responsible, Unwavering.
  • Temple: The Golden Seed Temple in Axford, capital of Anglia, Regalian Archipelago.
  • Allies: Regulus faithful, those who favor charisma and speech over combat.
  • Enemies: Chaos agents and those who would disrupt the order and stability of states.
  • Rituals: Nicholas and Aarthes rituals involve the bridging of duality, to seek out "the mind" and "the body" in friendships, and form a perfect union between the person who plans and thinks, and the person who acts and completes. The intention is to build friendships from unlikely partners, to create unbreakable bonds and collaborative efforts that showcase the perfection cooperation, that dependency is not weakness but beautiful and meaningful.
Dragon Gods Morgan and Narsil
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  • Name: Morgan (left) and Narsil (right), Gods of the corrupted excellence.
  • Patron: Those who question leadership and faith in the right and respectful ways.
  • Symbols: The Cobra hooded head, and the snake-forked tongue and snake-hair head.
  • Role: Morgan and Narsil exist as warnings to blind faith and unquestioning obedience.
  • Traits: Selfish, Greedy, Cruel, Wroth, Prideful, Hyper-Competent, Self-assured.
  • Temple: Morgan and Narsil don't have an official Temple because of vandalism.
  • Allies: Slizzar, Criminals, Gang Leaders, Spies, Saboteurs, and Rogues.
  • Enemies: Those who use Emperor, Faith, or Law, to justify cruelty and evil.
  • Rituals: Rituals of Morgan and Narsil are less in service to them, and more in deterrence to the qualities of Morgan. The most common form of ritual is the Public Examination, where large crowds gather in front of a speaking stand, where citizens and commoners hold a public debate on the competency and virtues and morality of an individual in office or power, as a means to hold them accountable to good governance and keep them on the right track.

Armageddon Cult

The Armageddon Cult originated in the preaching of the Evintarian priest Belisarius, whose core belief was that while Paradise is certain to come at the end of the Great Way, that the traditional doctrine does not account for the non-mortal elements of the world. In essence, while believers and mortal non-believers alike could bring about Paradise, the dogma does not account for the existence of Demons, those who reject the Emperor's love, and Vampires who by nature cannot love his grace. Belisarius believed that on the Eve of Paradise, an event would occur called the Armageddon, where all the Demons, Demon worshipers, Arken, Void Gods, and other entities that wish to prevent Paradise, would unleash a holy war on Unionism and that the final test before Paradise would be winning this cataclysmic war that would touch all corners of the mortal realm. Armageddon Cultists in essence believe in an inevitable "War in Heaven", and express their belief mainly in daily "thinning the herd" of Demons and Vampires so as to reduce the overwhelming forces that the Demons will come to possess when Armageddon begins.

They are doomsday preppers, with many even entertaining that Armageddon will not come in their lifetime, but that they will contribute to a reduction of the numbers of the enemy, and preparing the Empire and their descendants for the final war by producing more weapons, and researching every edge they might gain against the Demons. The Armageddon Cult is unique in Unionism in that it acknowledges an actual canonical evil, the supreme devil as it were, and entertains the idea that there is actually a chance that the Armageddon war might be lost if too many people fall to the vices of Demon worship and consorting with the Devil. The Armageddon Cult was accepted into the faith along with the other Cults, and conformed just like the others. It is a relatively small cult, but it is immensely popular among purists and those who make it their daily employment to hunt down Demons and serve the Emperor by slaying his detractors. It should be noted that a more twisted version of the Armageddon Cult also exists. Because the "evil" Gods (perceived similarly to Guided Unionism in more of a fear-worship, or appeasement to keep them away) are still immensely powerful, some Vampires have developed a twisted version of the Armageddon Cult where they believe that when Armageddon begins, they will all rise up against the Gods of Evil, and join the righteous in the war in heaven for Paradise, and redeem themselves.

Through this belief, some of them have become pro-Regalian pro-Emperor, acting from the shadows in the benefit of the Regalian Empire, even if the Empire would have them slain at the earliest convenience. This Vampiric interpretation is obviously heretical and not supported by the Cult itself, but it is notable enough to be mentioned, and why some Vampires might worship the Armageddon Cult Gods. On a closing note, while the Armageddon Cult only has two Devil Gods, the theology allows for a much larger range of evil entities to be acknowledged as "Aspects of the Endwar", such as Void Gods, Arken, Greater Demons, and in some interpretations even Estelley Gods. The Armageddon Cult has many superstitions concerning the Endwar, and players are encouraged to experiment with catholic apocalypse visions and the circles of hell.

Anticipating Gods Celestina and Eòin
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  • Name: Celestina (left) and Eòin (right), Gods of service for bounties they may never see.
  • Patron: Doomsday preppers, Purists, Demon Hunters, Vampire Hunters, Anti-Evolists.
  • Symbols: The Habit and mask of the Silent Sisters, and the Imperial Guard Seal.
  • Role: Celestina and Eòin teach the virtue of doing good without material reward.
  • Traits: Altruistic, Resolute, Combative, Unforgiving, Unrelenting, Prepared.
  • Temple: The Divine Advent Temple in Regalia, found in the countryside on roads.
  • Allies: Those that fight, restrain, or otherwise hamper the forces of the Void.
  • Enemies: Evolists, Kathar, Demons, Theurgists, Those that consort with Demons.
  • Rituals: Celestina and Eòin represent the spoken word and the prepared mind, and the physical arm and execution of the divine plan. Their rituals involve preparing one's self, or the world around one, for the inevitable Armageddon, and to find peace in the fact that all the toil of a lifetime may not ever see fruits while alive, and that the benefit of one's labor must be for one's descendants or those who come after. and never for one's self.
Endwar Devils Belialus and Sablael
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  • Name: Belialus(left) devil of the Sanguine, and Sablael (right) devil of Shadows.
  • Patron: The Devils are not patrons, they are entities to appease into inaction.
  • Symbols: The Vampiric Curse, the twisted and coiling shadow, and the hooked tail.
  • Role: Belialus and Sablael act as a focal point of a clearly defined evil to fight.
  • Traits: Destructive, Corrupting, Seducing, Enrapturing, Dangerous, Evil.
  • Temple: No official Temple, but Vampires worship in the House of Blood in the sewers.
  • Allies: Those who would seek evolution and advances through the Demonic and Void.
  • Enemies: Paladins, Priests, Holy Figures and those who hunt Vampires and Demons.
  • Rituals: Rituals of Belialus (called Behesael by Elves) and Sablael involve candle night vigils and ritual purification of objects and people touched by the Devils. The idea is to cast away the evil presence of the Devils (a word itself taken from the Velheim Djevel or "evil one"), because the belief is held that if their influence is cast back into the Void, that their connection with the mortal world is disrupted and they enter a state of slumber.

Priestly Activities

Unionist priests are part of the so-called Covenant College. At the very top is the Secilly Council. Originally this organization had a leader called the Supreme Reverend, however the Supreme Reverend position was abolished when the last Supreme Reverend discovered insidious corruption within the religious community, tried to expose it, and was assassinated for it. To compensate, Conclave determined that the Dogmatic community should henceforth be ruled by a Council of elder Arch-Everians. Below the Secilly Council, are the Arch-Everian, which are equivalents to Dukes in the Regalian Empire. They wield considerable power and rule over vast areas of land, subdivided into Everies. Below the Arch-Everian is the Everian, or just the average priest. Each Everian administrates an Everie, which is usually a piece of land donated to the clergy where they maintain temples, shrines, and sanctuaries, while also producing crops and tending to cattle. Everians perform all religious tasks such as confession, preaching, hearing concerns, and simply taking care of Unionist needs like a social caretaker or mental health worker. Arch-Everians on the other hand are more administrative in that they take care of the treasury, any military attached to the religious orders, and communication between the Secilly Council and the vast wide-spread Unionist elements. Formally the Emperor is the leader of the Holy Seat, which is more of a group term for the Palace and the Secilly Council grouped together, but historically Emperors have interfered very little in the day to day running of the Everies, and as such, this fact is usually ignored, the Emperor being considered a completely independent entity. This has also historically separated the Emperor from controversy among the Everians, and vice versa.

Expanded Lore

The Expanded Lore section contains additional contextual information about the Gods. While the above sections will provide enough information to get a clear picture, there are some nuances and subtext to the Gods that are not apparent on first inspection, but that may be very useful for super-pious Characters. This section will tackle each God pair in greater detail (eventually) and discuss various additional pieces of information available for the faithful.

Faith Syncretism

All Gods and all Religions in Lore are valid, because they physically exist in the world and constantly provide evidence to their divinity, however, Religions have boundaries to which Gods to worship and which ones not to. Faith Syncretism is an optional concept where a person who is faithful to the Religion found on this Page, includes two Gods from another Religion to expand their Pantheon and acquire additional beliefs. While this concept stands on shaky grounds when examining canon lore too closely, it is mostly motivated because Religion sometimes creates unnecessary obstacles for Roleplay Alliances or interactions. By allowing Religious figures to expand their Religious loyalty, they gain access to a wider range of people to interact with that would otherwise be closed due to Religious dogma. Syncretism has several rules applied:

  • Only one Syncretism may be chosen, and this choice is permanent. The Syncretism should be recorded in the same place where Religions are mentioned on a Character Application.
  • Syncretic believers do not worship all the Gods of the second faith, only the two included in the Syncretic belief, it is not possible to expand beyond that or choose other Gods.
  • Syncretic beliefs do not grant access to Religious Mechanics of the secondary Religion or other bonuses acquired from Religions or Gods as mentioned on their Pages.
  • Syncretic believers cannot be Priests, Godchosen, or any other type of Religious figure as described on the Pages. They must be singularly loyal to their own Religion.
  • Syncretic believers are not discriminated against by believers of the secondary Faith. They can however be criticized by their primary faith for their choice of Syncretism.

Syncretism Variants

  • Fornoss Syncretisms
    • Love for Life Syncretism: Leif and Eikki form the basis of the Love for Life Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Love and Affection God Leif, and the Feasting and Joy God Eikki. This Syncretic theme incorporates a love for life and others, while bringing more nature-elemental and shamanistic aesthetics to Unionism.
    • Chained Guilt Syncretism: Bard and Hrymrök form the basis of the Chained Guilt Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with Retribution and Judgement God Bard, and the Freedom and Liberty Goddess Hrymrök. This Syncretic theme incorporates a more violent and aggressive hostility towards the enemies of Unionism, and taking the initiative on destroying Unionism's rivals, while bringing more while bringing more nature-elemental and shamanistic aesthetics to Unionism.
  • Draconism Syncretisms
    • Imperial Core Syncretism: Regulus and Gaia form the basis of the Imperial Core Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Rulership and Time God Regulus, and the Preservation and Redemption God Gaia. This Syncretism theme incorporates Dragons as divine beings created by the Everwatcher to preserve Unionism, and identify the so-called Imperial Dragons as Regalian-native Gods, while bringing respect and preservation of old Draconic Sites and Radicals of the Dragons along with it.
    • The Black Flame Syncretism: Caius and Umbra form the basis of the Black Flame Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Violence and Battle God Caius, and the Death and Decay dragon Umbra. This Syncretism draws direct lines from the Immortal War and the fight of Dragons against the Occult, and the Unionist Purist stance on Magic usage, identifying the Dragons as some type of Everwatcher ordained holy protector, and bringing with it the use of Leytech to fight the Occult.
  • Estelley Syncretisms
    • The Fae Queens Syncretism: Vyrë and Mana form the basis of the Fae Queens Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Commanding Ocean Goddess Vyrë and the Compassionate Nature Goddess Mana. This Syncretism poses that Unionism lacks an explanation for the natural realm, a Nature Goddess to praise for the bounty of the forests, and a Sea Goddess to worship for safe passage on the open seas. This Syncretism also ports pro-Magic and Elven Mysticism into Unionism.
    • The Moon Gazer Syncretism: Leyon and Melca form the basis of the Moon Gazer Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Protection and Benevolence God Leyon, and the Foresight and Mysteries Goddess Melca. This Syncretism poses that Unionism focuses too strongly on the mechanical industrial world, failing to see the mystical and often Magical reality that exists also, and assumes too much from a Mundane point of view, thus expanding horizons to truly connect with Mysticism.
  • Baskarr Syncretisms
    • The Golden Hour Syncretism: Tjafar and Akhet form the basis of the Golden Hour Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Insight and Rulership God Tjafar, and the Unaccountable Reclaimer God Akhet. The Golden Hour Syncretism incorporates the Asha as brother-folk to the Unionists, in that much of their Allorn-oppressed history is aligned, and their long term goals also align. Golden Hour Syncretism believers acknowledge Asha and Ailor as the same people.
    • The Relentless Vengeance Syncretism: Khannar and Wadj form the basis of the Relentless Vengeance Syncretism, which supplements the Unionist Pantheon with the Hateful Vengeance God Khannar, and the Intrigue and Deceit God Wadj. This Syncretism takes a lesson from the Revenge Asha: Unionism and the Regalian Empire move too slowly to punish evil, and all forces should be more aggressively forced away from inaction and apathy, and into Violence against the Allorn.
  • Evolism Syncretisms do not exist in Unionism, due to their extreme opposition to one another.

Trivia

  • Unionism used to be mandatory for nobility somewhere during the second century after Cataclysm, though this Holy Law was removed when the war against the Skagger Horde ceased, and the Empire benefited more from including non-Unionists into the peerage. An exception had always been made for the Solvaan nobles in Solleria however, called the Confessions of Melennar.
  • Sectarian violence largely came to an end at the turn into the fourth century as the last attacks on Vultragon Unionist by state forces ceased, and an uneasy truce was signed between the Schism religious communities. They still do not see eye-to-eye, and the different Schismatic groups still prod at each other, but instead of murdering each other over sectarian differences, they mostly fight with words nowadays, a legacy of the Kleine Rechnung, the document that called for the truce.
  • Despite Eirlys's absorption into Unionism, the Breizh still maintained a high level of cultural autonomy, some even clinging to old beliefs. As such, even when Magic became illegal in the Empire, the Breizh Aelrrigan Order continued to find and train Mages safely in their sanctuaries while the rest of the Empire turned to brutal oppression (and the Magic part of Eirlys was suppressed from dogma). Eirlys' faithful among the Aelrrigan Order are commonly cited as the reason why Magic acceptance eventually returned, and Eirlys' magical nature in theological teachings was returned.
• Unionism • Draconism • Estelley • Fornoss • Evolism • Khama • Nilthism • Minor Faiths •
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Last EditorHydraLana on 05/15/2024.
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