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{{Info religion
{{Info religion
|image = Unionismlaaol.png
|image = Unionismlaaol.png
|pronunciation = Yoon-yen-is-m
|pronunciation = Union-ism
|origins = Emperor [[Theomar]]
|origins = Emperor [[Theomar]]
|deities = The Everwatcher and various other Gods and Goddesses
|deities = The Everwatcher and various other Gods and Goddesses
Line 9: Line 9:
* The Armageddon Cult
* The Armageddon Cult
|}}
|}}
 
Unionism is the world's second largest religion only trailing shortly after Estelley, on account of the Ailor people being more religiously divided, though it is speculated that Unionism will become the largest religion within a century at least. Unionism at its core is a global unification movement which proclaims the benevolence of the divinely inspired Emperors of the Regalian Empire to bring order, stability, and law to the world that is filled with chaos and strife. Unionism is strongly tied to the Regalian State, and to some outsiders seen as an affirmation of state doctrine, but the Religion is actually quite inclusive, in that it tends to absorb tenets and Gods of other Religions to expand its inclusive message.
==Origins==
==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.  
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. Unionism is a multi-ethnic religion that invites all peoples of Aloria 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==
==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:
===Central Message===
* '''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.
The central message of Unionism is that the Everwatcher created reality and that reality itself (which is often understood to be Dragons), filled it with creation (all living and non-living things). However, the Everwatcher demanded that creation be created flawed and sinful, so that it could be measured to its own potential before deserving paradise and the defeat of death. All living beings are born full of sin and must learn through the stories and preachings of the Gods to become sin-less, but also to contribute to the Great Way. When the Great Way is achieved, the Afterlife and the living world will become one, and all suffering and death will be cast aside to become forever paradise.
* '''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.
===The Sins===
* '''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.
Central to Unionism is the idea that every newborn is full of sin and that without guidance, that sin will overcome the soul and make a person rotten to the core. Only through divine guidance of the Gods, do the people learn what the sins are, and how to overcome them just as the Gods did with each other's guidance. These sins remain relevant in nearly all Unionist teachings, so this section will set out a more clear explanation of each of these terms.
* '''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.
* '''Indulgence:''' Indulgence occurs when a faithful is self-obsessed with pleasure seeking to the point of avoiding duty and responsibility. This includes an abundance of the carnal and material pleasures, gluttony, greed, etc.
* '''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.
* '''Belicosity:''' Bellicosity occurs when a faithful seeks no other recourse but to immediately stab a problem to death with violence. Bellicosity includes obsession with vengeance, wroth, and general ill-tempered violence.
* '''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.
* '''Mutiny:''' Mutiny occurs when a faithful seeks to upend the authority and order of the Regalian State, and breaks the social contract that the state provides, and the citizenry returns their loyalty to it in equal measure.
* '''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.
* '''Hatred:''' Hatred occurs when a faithful disdain something, a thought, or a person so deeply, that reason leaves them. Hatred is the logic-deprived and soul-damning emotion that makes all decisions ill-founded.  
* '''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.
* '''Blightcraft:''' Blightcraft occurs when a faithful either makes a machine that causes suffering or re-purposes a benign device into a violent one. Exceptions are machines of war used to defend/expand the Empire/people.  
* '''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.
* '''Iconoclasm:''' Iconoclasm occurs when a faithful engages in mindless cultural and civil destruction, the burning of books, the cutting of statues and paintings, and the destruction of cultural customs and traditions.  
* '''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.
* '''Monomania:''' Monomania occurs when a faithful becomes so obsessed with a single task, person, or object, that all other pleasures and satisfaction in life withers, as do all social contacts and relationships.  
* '''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.
* '''Defeatism:''' Defeatism occurs when loss and anguish overrule bravery and composure, resulting in lack of optimism, in refusing to engage with problems, and in refusing to face the reality that is.  
===Divine Mechanics===
* '''Maleficence:''' Maleficence occurs when a faithful uses Magic or other divine blessings for personal enrichment, instead of a duty to the Gods and the Empire through moral and dutiful employment in restraint.
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.
* '''Hubris:''' Hubris occurs when a faithful's pride, ego, and vanity have reached such a point that they obsess over themselves and forget the contributions of others and venerability of those who have come before.
* 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.
* '''Contempt:''' Contempt occurs when the faithful refuse to accept their fear towards an enemy, or acknowledge their merits and skills when when they are opposed, leading to their ultimate destruction.
 
The faithful should constantly seek to overcome these in-born sins, to seek temperance from life's delectable, to seek other means of victory and completion, to stay honest and loyal to the state and one another, to show reason and logic when faced with strong emotion, to seek the betterment of others, to preserve heritage and customs, to remain sober and loving to others, to remain optimistic and objective oriented, to bring honor to the gifts of the gods, to remain humble in the face of the giants of the past, and to acknowledge the betters of one's rivals and enemies. There is no expectation that any faithful is free of sin, and even to assume so is a form of Hubris. All faithful sin, even Gods, even priests, but everyone shares a collective responsibility to point out these sinners, and to put them on the pathway of virtue.  
===The Afterlife===
The Unionism Afterlife is not yet truly reached. The Afterlife is currently called The Stairway, which refers to the idea that souls which have been allowed into The Afterlife, are in waiting, watching the still-living from a bird's eye view on the staircase that leads nowhere in the sky. The Everwatcher weighs the souls of the faithful as they perish, and if the Everwatcher finds too much sin, they are compelled back to the lower social classes, reincarnated to try again. If they have removed enough sin from their soul, the Everwatcher then measures if they have meaningfully contributed to the Great Way. If not, the Everwatcher compels them back to a higher social class in the Empire, giving them more opportunity to re-cleanse their soul of sin, and contribute to the great way. Only when one is as sinless as can be, and has contributed in some small or great means to the Great Way, does the Everwatcher permit a soul into The Afterlife, where they shall wait until the Regalian Empire spans the whole world and incorporates all living beings under one Emperor, after which Afterlife and living world are merged as one deathless and sorrowless reality. 
===The Great Way===
The Great Way is the penultimate goal of Unionism and is one of the required stages for The Afterlife to truly transition into a Paradise. The Great Way is a more gentle way of saying World Domination of the Regalian Empire, believing that all landmasses and all nations and all people should be subject to the Regalian Empire, and obey the laws and words of the Regalian Emperor. Note, that this does not include Religious supremacy, the Regalian Empire allows other Religions to exist and flourish within it, so long as they do not contradict the central tenet of the Emperor's divine supremacy. The faith requires that the whole world be embraced with the Emperor's grace and love for them, and that through him, the Everwatcher can then initiate the completion of the Great Way as unity reaches all corners of the world. There is a great deal of debate about whether this is an oppressive thought. Some would say that violating the sovereignty of other nations is in itself a hostile act, but the Empire rarely expands through warfare, and mostly through diplomacy. The Empire is also no stranger to local autonomy and preservation of local laws and traditions, the only thing it utterly demands with no objection, is to obey the authority of the Emperor.  
==Gods and Goddesses==
==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.  
Unionist Gods and Goddesses are found within the central pantheon, and two additional cults. Within the pantheon, the Gods are divided into the three Divine Paramounts, and the 24 Divine Virtues. These Divine Virtues are divided into groups of two, each being referred to as a God-union, usually with a shared theme or message within the dogma. While the Divine Paramounts are free of sin or flaw, the Divine Virtues act as lessons to the faithful to guide their life and reach fulfillment for the Great Way. Beyond the central pantheon are the Guided and Evintarian Cults, these Cults have additional optional Gods, but they are not mandatory for the faith itself, only if a believer follows their core theological message. Note, some of the Gods found in the Pantheon are Joined Gods. This term describes a God who is initially part of another pantheon, but either due to conquest or integration, they either wholly join the Unionist pantheon, or have dual-membership between multiple religions, a form of polytheistic pluralism that proposes the Religion will keep expanding, as the Regalian Empire absorbs more cultures and Religions. 
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
===The Divine Paramount===
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Prophet Gods Theomar and Thedmir'''</center></span>
<gallery mode="packed-overlay" widths="220px" heights="439px">
{|
File:Theomar.png|''Theomar, Prophet God''
[[File:Thomur.png|220px|caption|left]]
File:Everwatchger.png|''Everwatcher, the Supreme Divine''
|
File:Emperor.png|''Alexander, Vessel God''
* '''Name:''' Theomar (left) and Thedmir (right), the Prophet Gods, first believers.
</gallery>
* '''Patron:''' Fathers, Rulers, Nobles, Leaders, Commanders, and Best Friends.
* '''Theomar''' Theomar is the Prophet of Unionism, the first Vessel of the Everwatcher, and the first to speak and write the holy word of the faith in the Creed. Theomar does not represent any virtues, but he is still the most invoked God of Unionism, because he represents all the good virtues combined together. While all other Gods bar the Everwatcher have some kind of inherent flaw, Theomar is always considered the leader of the pantheon of Gods, and generally flawless.
* '''Symbols:''' Theomar and Thedmir are symbolized by the necklace of friendship.
* '''Everwatcher''' The Everwatcher is the enigmatic God being that spoke to Theomar about the gospel. No living or dead person has ever seen the Everwatcher, bar the Emperors of the Regalian Empire to whom it speaks divine will. The Everwatcher is said to be the source of all creation, even Dragons, but because it is such a mystifying being that only speaks through the Emperors, few can be said about it other than to invoke its name for good wishes or prayers. 
* '''Role:''' Theomar and Thedmir were the Prophets of Unionism, spreading the faith.
* '''Alexander''' Alexander is the Vessel of Unionism, which is a rotating Godhood position held by the faith. When the previous Emperor dies, they lose their divinity, and it passes to the next Vessel as the new Emperor is crowned. Emperors can be flawed and sinners, but are made divine by the whispers of the Everwatcher which only they can hear in divine conclave. As such, Emperors of Regalia while alive are held to god-like status among the faithful. 
* '''Traits:''' Patriarchy, Insight, Good Governance, Loyalty, Friendship, Faith.
===The Divine Virtues===
* '''Temple:''' The All-Beacon Temple in Regalia proper, the largest Unionist Temple.
<gallery mode="packed-overlay" widths="220px" heights="309px">
* '''Allies:''' Regulus Worshipers, Dáuw Worshipers, anyone in the military.
File:Ladiesladies.png|''Ness and Eora, Virtues of duty''
* '''Enemies:''' In essence all Evolist worshipers, and all Vola Fornoss Gods.
File:Solleriabit.png|''Sinnavei and Vyrë, Virtues of temper''
* '''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.
File:Glanzia.png|''Glanzia and Juvin, Virtues of reason''
|}
File:Allestu.png|''Brand and Allest, Virtues of justice''
</td><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 50%;">
File:BbdgNew Canvasgsgerhfghjyt - Copy.png|''Tanthor and Dari, Virtues of loyalty''
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Mother Gods Ness and Eora'''</center></span>
File:Mairani.png|''Marani and Al-Asir, Virtues of altruism''
{|
</gallery>
[[File:Ness.png|220px|caption|left]]
* '''Ness and Eora''' Ness (left) was the 4th Empress of Regalia Nessaria Calontir, and Eora (right) was the 4th Channcelor Eotranna I Kade. Ness was full of sinful indulgence, taking to the pleasures of life and absconding with duties of court and motherhood. Through the guidance of Eora, the both of them reached a higher state of virtue in duty and responsibility, living up to their roles in life, and being the mothers of the nation that gave all blessed forgiveness and nurture.  
|
* '''Sinnavei and Vyrë''' Sinnavei (left) is the Goddess of honor and dignity, and Vyrë (right) is the Goddess of the unknown seas. Both were Estelley Gods incorporated when the Elven lands joined. Vyrë represents the sin of Bellicosity, with violence as a first answer, while Sinnavei showed her temperance and restraint as a more powerful tool to victory. Together they represent the virtue of caution and calmness, and receive offerings for safe passage on the seas and unknown lands.
* '''Name:''' Ness (left) and Eora (right), Empress and Chancellor in life.
* '''Glanzia and Juvin''' Glanzia (left) is a mundanely raised (still living) Goddess, and Juvin (right) was the 11th Emperor of Regalia Heinrich III Ivrae Heiligenblut. Both were full of sin in their own ways, Glanzia towards her enemies, Juvin towards facts contradicting his knowledge. Through each other, they learned purity, Glanzia to seek reason over hatred, and Juvin to seek knowledge expansion over dogma. Together they are the virtue of pure soul and pure thought and knowledge.  
* '''Patron:''' Mothers, Healers, Caretakers, Protectors, Empaths, Martyrs.
* '''Brand and Allest''' Brand (left) was the 17th Chancellor of Regalia, and Allest (right) was the 15th Emperor of Regalia Allestrain I Ivrae Heiligenblut. Allestrain was full of the sin of injustice, a soldier Emperor so beset with warfare and wroth, that he treated his subjects and nobles most foul. Through the guidance of Brand, Allest bettered his approach, and became a paragon of justice who saw to it that every injustice that reached him, would be answered by his sword.
* '''Symbols:''' Ness's Butterfly Mask, and the Habit (head scarf) of Eora.
* '''Tanthor and Dari''' Tanthor (right) and Dari (left) are both mundanely raised (still living) Gods who were once crime lord and city guard respectively. Tanthor lived a life of contempt for the state, spitting at any help offered. Dari however slowly showed him the value of loyalty to the state, of the wealth and fame even the most downtrodden can achieve by working with the hierarchy and order rather than being a child of chaos. Both became paragons of the social contract of the Empire.  
* '''Role:''' Ness and Eora are the savior Goddesses of Unionism who care for believers.
* '''Marani and Al-Asir''' Marani (left) is mundanely raised and Al-Asir (right) is a Draconism God (both still living). Marani was full of the sin of blightcraft, the usage of technology to hurt and deceive, to use machines for foul deeds. Al-Asir showed him the virtue of technomoralism the idea that machines and inventions should serve progress and to better the lives of others, and that evil only comes from the use, not nature of technology. They represent altruism to the people.  
* '''Traits:''' Protective, Motherly, Nurturing, Caring, Self-Sacrificing, Forgiving.
<gallery mode="packed-overlay" widths="220px" heights="309px">
* '''Temple:''' The Temple of Salvation in Old-Town forest side, which doubles as Hospital.
File:Ewnolvenn.png|''Neall and Nolven, Virtues of culture''
* '''Allies:''' Leif Worshipers, Severena Worshipers, Daiana Worshipers, Medics of any Faith.
File:Mladies.png|''Elia and Leona, Virtues of equity''
* '''Enemies:''' Murderers, people who adopt adults, people who attack medics/the unarmed.
File:Newkacaan.png|''Kaldric & Caan, Virtues of magisters''
* '''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.  
File:Eoinnn.png|''Celest and Eoin, Virtues of veneration''
|}
File:Eryhihs.png|''Belialus and Eirlys, Virtues of respect''
</center>
File:Furrieskings.png|''Mendes and Hor, Virtues of bravery''
</tr></table>
</gallery>
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
* '''Neall and Nolven''' Neall (left) is a Fornoss God (Aedán), and Nolven is an enigmatic twin of Neall. Nolven represents the sin of Iconoclasm, the irreverent destruction of cultural heritage, or purposeful burning of art to hurt society. Neall showed Nolven the virtue of preservation and respect for diversity, and together they now represent the varied juxtaposition of art and military. Nolven is also responsible for Unionist Godborn, who usually become holy warriors or paladins.
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Pure Gods Juvin and Glanzia'''</center></span>
* '''Elia and Leona''' Elia (left) was the 15th Empress of Regalia, Leona (right) was the Knight-wife of the 15th Chancellor. Elia was the sin of Monomania, a singular obsessive behavior that sets aside all feelings and obligations to obsess over a single task or work. Elia obsessed over revenge for the death of her husband, and only the love of Leona could temper her obsession and show her how much she was losing her loved ones and purpose in life. Now they are the virtues of love and passion.
{|
* '''Kaldric and Caan''' Kaldric (left) was a mundanely raised Calemberg crimelord, Caan is a (still-living) Aelrrigan Mage-Knight of mysterious origins. Kaldric was the sin of Maleficence, the usage of the divinely burdened gift of Magic for personal pleasure and enrichment. Magic to Unionism is a great moral burden, which Caan taught him, so that he could better put his fate to work serving the Great Way. Both now represent the Magic moralism and the correct way of using Magic.  
[[File:Talli.png|220px|caption|left]]
* '''Celest and Eoin''' Celest (left) is a mundanely raised Nun, Eoin (right) is a mundanely raised Imperial Guard (both still living). Eoin was full of the sin of Hubris, to find such pride and vanity in his prestigious position in life, that he showed no regard for the actual weight of his obligation or venerability to elders and authority. Celest taught him the lessons of respect for those that came before, to honor his elders, and to serve their needs, and to respect the words of the sages.
|
* '''Belialus and Eirlys''' Belialus (left) was a Demon, Eirlys (right) was a pre-Empire Goddess of the Weard faith of the Breizh people who joined the Unionist pantheon. Belialus was a being of Contempt, showing no esteem or reverence to his enemies and suffering defeat as a result. Eirlys not only taught him humility and bravery in the face of one's enemies, she also reformed him and cleansed him of his sinful Demonhood, both representing the virtues of honesty and reform.
* '''Name:''' Glanzia (left) Goddess of Pure Soul, and Juvin (right) God of Pure Reason.
* '''Mendes and Hor''' Mendes (left) is a [[Khama]] God, Hor is a mundanely raised Asha (both still living). Mendes was full of the sin of Defeatism, the loss of his people, the suffering, it all became too much for him to bear. He gave in to despair and loss, and gave up on everyone. Hor taught him the virtue of action, and the value of time, how limited the means of mortals are to act, and the duties gods have to be diligent. They now represent the virtues of diligence and activeness.
* '''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.
|}
</td><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 50%;">
<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.
|}
</center>
</tr></table>
<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]]
|
* '''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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==Cults==
==Priestly Activities==
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.
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, 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.
===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.  
==Expanded Lore==
The Expanded Lore section contains additional contextual information about the Unionist faith. This section is not necessary to read to get a good understanding of the lore, just the background information.
===Contextual Lore===
This section contains a group of assorted ideas and pieces of information that are not at first glance relevant to the Religion or its texts, but that may become relevant when engaging in theological debate, or deeper storytelling about the Gods, as priests habitually do. This information is freely available to the people through reading archives and history books, though some of it may be a bit more contextual. If something would not be clear from history books, but learned by researching other religions and or belief systems, this will be mentioned.
* Gods are either mundanely raised, incorporated, or post-death ordained. In the case of mundane raising, it is believed that the Everwatcher chooses a Unionist born child and gives them a divine spark, testing them in life for Godhood. If they pass, they become Gods and activate their Godly powers, and should they fail, they lose their Godhood. Incorporated Gods are always Gods from other Religions bringing religious aspects from their original faith into Unionism though this can never count as Syncretism because the dogma is always slightly different. Finally, post-death ordainment occurs usually with Emperors and Empresses, who due to their closeness to the Vessel have a more likely chance of becoming Gods after death if they were legendary in life.  
* There are some speculative theories that the Chancellors and Emperors were actually Dragonsouls, that is to say, they inherited their souls from Dragons and were physically Dragons just often not aware. This doesn't strictly change theological theories, because Dragonsouls are persistent and undying, constantly reincarnating, while their divine persona diverges. In essence, while Nicholas's Dragonsoul would have been passed to his great-grandchild Morgenkroon Kade, his Unionist divine persona diverged and became a stand-alone divine entity known as the God Nicholas. The bottom line is that there is no secret Dragon plot within Unionism, and even if there was, the Dragons have been reincarnated so far away from their original intention that Unionism is no longer recognizable from whatever plot it might have originated.
* Some Gods have intense relationships that are relevant to their stories. Ness and Eora lived in the same era as mortals, and were friends. Brand and Allest lived in the same era, and were lovers, even though Allest was married to Elia and Brand to Leona. Marani and Al-Asir are rumored to be lovers, but are cagey about the subject and show no public evidence of this. Neall and Nolven are supposedly twins, but there is no evidence of Aedán having a twin in the Fornoss faith so theory has it that they may be split personalities. Elia and Leona lived in the same era, and were lovers, even though Elia was married to Allest and Leona to Brand.
* Eirlys and Sinnavei date from around the same period, and have often been treated as friend-Goddesses, both having joined Unionism at the same time, and carrying their people with them. Though, Sinnavei still also holds a role within the Estelley Religion, and also has an Evolist God as a lover called Morrlond which raises some complications.
* Mendes was once an Asha God of the Dewamenet Empire, but became disillusioned with millennia of hiding during the Pearl Wars. While most Asha Gods stayed true to the faith of Khama, Mendes did not and essentially abandoned the Asha in despair. The Gods of the Dewamenet faith, and Hor, are still in their ongoing attempts to fold Mendes back into Khama, though he has indicates that he will not do so until the faith stabilizes from its current half-broken state.


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.
===Unionism and Magic===
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
Magic has an extremely complicated place in Unionism. Unionism acknowledges God Magic (universally good), and Void/Exist Magic (mostly bad) but does not acknowledge Ordial Magic as real. Extraplanar Magic (not mechanically granted by the Unionist Gods) however, still exists with the permission of the Everwatcher and the allowance of these things to become material and tangible in Aloria, which is his created reality. As a result, priests have argued that through a roundabout way, the Everwatcher is also responsible for the Exist and Void, and thus all forms of Magic, even if Unionist God Magic is more pure. The dogma in essence has taken the stance that God Magic is often granted as a reward for service, while Extraplanar Magic is granted at birth as an additional Sin (hence, the Gods Kaldric and Caan). Extraplanar Magic carries the burden of additional duty and mental strain for the faithful, who must maneuver life to understand when and how to ply their Magic for good instead of self indulgence and evil. Magic is not by nature evil, but the dogma implies that more likely than not, do Mages fail to overcome their inherent sin, and become a type of super-sinner. This has led to periods of extreme magical repression and general mistrust towards Mages, purely because of the incidence rate at which Mages end up going in the opposite direction of what Unionism demands of them.  
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Exist/Void Gods Kithemon and Amandaros'''</center></span>
===Mournful Sisters===
{|
Burial nuns, Not yet complete
[[File:Exitciuv.png|220px|caption|left]]
===Pious Brothers===
|
Ascetic monks, Not yet complete
* '''Name:''' Kithemon (left) Protector of Minds and Amandaros (right) Protector of Proginy.
===Unionist Calendar===
* '''Patron:''' Kithemon, Patron of protections against the dark arts, and Amandaros of parents.
Not yet complete
* '''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]]
|
* '''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===
===History of the Schisms===
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.
Not yet complete


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.
===Minor Cults===
Not yet complete


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.
===Additional God Info===
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
Not yet complete
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Dragon Gods Nicholas and Aarthes'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Leadergodsas.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''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.
|}
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<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Dragon Gods Morgan and Narsil'''</center></span>
{|
[[File:Snakegods.png|220px|caption|left]]
|
* '''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.
 
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.
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Anticipating Gods Celestina and Eòin'''</center></span>
{|
[[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>
 
==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.
*[[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.


==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==
==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.
*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.
*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.
* 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:Religion]]

Latest revision as of 20:06, 29 September 2024

Unionism
Religion
PronunciationUnion-ism
OriginsEmperor Theomar
Deities
The Everwatcher and various other Gods and Goddesses

Unionism is the world's second largest religion only trailing shortly after Estelley, on account of the Ailor people being more religiously divided, though it is speculated that Unionism will become the largest religion within a century at least. Unionism at its core is a global unification movement which proclaims the benevolence of the divinely inspired Emperors of the Regalian Empire to bring order, stability, and law to the world that is filled with chaos and strife. Unionism is strongly tied to the Regalian State, and to some outsiders seen as an affirmation of state doctrine, but the Religion is actually quite inclusive, in that it tends to absorb tenets and Gods of other Religions to expand its inclusive message.

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. Unionism is a multi-ethnic religion that invites all peoples of Aloria to join under the Everwatcher.

Core Beliefs

Central Message

The central message of Unionism is that the Everwatcher created reality and that reality itself (which is often understood to be Dragons), filled it with creation (all living and non-living things). However, the Everwatcher demanded that creation be created flawed and sinful, so that it could be measured to its own potential before deserving paradise and the defeat of death. All living beings are born full of sin and must learn through the stories and preachings of the Gods to become sin-less, but also to contribute to the Great Way. When the Great Way is achieved, the Afterlife and the living world will become one, and all suffering and death will be cast aside to become forever paradise.

The Sins

Central to Unionism is the idea that every newborn is full of sin and that without guidance, that sin will overcome the soul and make a person rotten to the core. Only through divine guidance of the Gods, do the people learn what the sins are, and how to overcome them just as the Gods did with each other's guidance. These sins remain relevant in nearly all Unionist teachings, so this section will set out a more clear explanation of each of these terms.

  • Indulgence: Indulgence occurs when a faithful is self-obsessed with pleasure seeking to the point of avoiding duty and responsibility. This includes an abundance of the carnal and material pleasures, gluttony, greed, etc.
  • Belicosity: Bellicosity occurs when a faithful seeks no other recourse but to immediately stab a problem to death with violence. Bellicosity includes obsession with vengeance, wroth, and general ill-tempered violence.
  • Mutiny: Mutiny occurs when a faithful seeks to upend the authority and order of the Regalian State, and breaks the social contract that the state provides, and the citizenry returns their loyalty to it in equal measure.
  • Hatred: Hatred occurs when a faithful disdain something, a thought, or a person so deeply, that reason leaves them. Hatred is the logic-deprived and soul-damning emotion that makes all decisions ill-founded.
  • Blightcraft: Blightcraft occurs when a faithful either makes a machine that causes suffering or re-purposes a benign device into a violent one. Exceptions are machines of war used to defend/expand the Empire/people.
  • Iconoclasm: Iconoclasm occurs when a faithful engages in mindless cultural and civil destruction, the burning of books, the cutting of statues and paintings, and the destruction of cultural customs and traditions.
  • Monomania: Monomania occurs when a faithful becomes so obsessed with a single task, person, or object, that all other pleasures and satisfaction in life withers, as do all social contacts and relationships.
  • Defeatism: Defeatism occurs when loss and anguish overrule bravery and composure, resulting in lack of optimism, in refusing to engage with problems, and in refusing to face the reality that is.
  • Maleficence: Maleficence occurs when a faithful uses Magic or other divine blessings for personal enrichment, instead of a duty to the Gods and the Empire through moral and dutiful employment in restraint.
  • Hubris: Hubris occurs when a faithful's pride, ego, and vanity have reached such a point that they obsess over themselves and forget the contributions of others and venerability of those who have come before.
  • Contempt: Contempt occurs when the faithful refuse to accept their fear towards an enemy, or acknowledge their merits and skills when when they are opposed, leading to their ultimate destruction.

The faithful should constantly seek to overcome these in-born sins, to seek temperance from life's delectable, to seek other means of victory and completion, to stay honest and loyal to the state and one another, to show reason and logic when faced with strong emotion, to seek the betterment of others, to preserve heritage and customs, to remain sober and loving to others, to remain optimistic and objective oriented, to bring honor to the gifts of the gods, to remain humble in the face of the giants of the past, and to acknowledge the betters of one's rivals and enemies. There is no expectation that any faithful is free of sin, and even to assume so is a form of Hubris. All faithful sin, even Gods, even priests, but everyone shares a collective responsibility to point out these sinners, and to put them on the pathway of virtue.

The Afterlife

The Unionism Afterlife is not yet truly reached. The Afterlife is currently called The Stairway, which refers to the idea that souls which have been allowed into The Afterlife, are in waiting, watching the still-living from a bird's eye view on the staircase that leads nowhere in the sky. The Everwatcher weighs the souls of the faithful as they perish, and if the Everwatcher finds too much sin, they are compelled back to the lower social classes, reincarnated to try again. If they have removed enough sin from their soul, the Everwatcher then measures if they have meaningfully contributed to the Great Way. If not, the Everwatcher compels them back to a higher social class in the Empire, giving them more opportunity to re-cleanse their soul of sin, and contribute to the great way. Only when one is as sinless as can be, and has contributed in some small or great means to the Great Way, does the Everwatcher permit a soul into The Afterlife, where they shall wait until the Regalian Empire spans the whole world and incorporates all living beings under one Emperor, after which Afterlife and living world are merged as one deathless and sorrowless reality.

The Great Way

The Great Way is the penultimate goal of Unionism and is one of the required stages for The Afterlife to truly transition into a Paradise. The Great Way is a more gentle way of saying World Domination of the Regalian Empire, believing that all landmasses and all nations and all people should be subject to the Regalian Empire, and obey the laws and words of the Regalian Emperor. Note, that this does not include Religious supremacy, the Regalian Empire allows other Religions to exist and flourish within it, so long as they do not contradict the central tenet of the Emperor's divine supremacy. The faith requires that the whole world be embraced with the Emperor's grace and love for them, and that through him, the Everwatcher can then initiate the completion of the Great Way as unity reaches all corners of the world. There is a great deal of debate about whether this is an oppressive thought. Some would say that violating the sovereignty of other nations is in itself a hostile act, but the Empire rarely expands through warfare, and mostly through diplomacy. The Empire is also no stranger to local autonomy and preservation of local laws and traditions, the only thing it utterly demands with no objection, is to obey the authority of the Emperor.

Gods and Goddesses

Unionist Gods and Goddesses are found within the central pantheon, and two additional cults. Within the pantheon, the Gods are divided into the three Divine Paramounts, and the 24 Divine Virtues. These Divine Virtues are divided into groups of two, each being referred to as a God-union, usually with a shared theme or message within the dogma. While the Divine Paramounts are free of sin or flaw, the Divine Virtues act as lessons to the faithful to guide their life and reach fulfillment for the Great Way. Beyond the central pantheon are the Guided and Evintarian Cults, these Cults have additional optional Gods, but they are not mandatory for the faith itself, only if a believer follows their core theological message. Note, some of the Gods found in the Pantheon are Joined Gods. This term describes a God who is initially part of another pantheon, but either due to conquest or integration, they either wholly join the Unionist pantheon, or have dual-membership between multiple religions, a form of polytheistic pluralism that proposes the Religion will keep expanding, as the Regalian Empire absorbs more cultures and Religions.

The Divine Paramount

  • Theomar, Prophet God
    Theomar, Prophet God
  • Everwatcher, the Supreme Divine
    Everwatcher, the Supreme Divine
  • Alexander, Vessel God
    Alexander, Vessel God
  • Theomar Theomar is the Prophet of Unionism, the first Vessel of the Everwatcher, and the first to speak and write the holy word of the faith in the Creed. Theomar does not represent any virtues, but he is still the most invoked God of Unionism, because he represents all the good virtues combined together. While all other Gods bar the Everwatcher have some kind of inherent flaw, Theomar is always considered the leader of the pantheon of Gods, and generally flawless.
  • Everwatcher The Everwatcher is the enigmatic God being that spoke to Theomar about the gospel. No living or dead person has ever seen the Everwatcher, bar the Emperors of the Regalian Empire to whom it speaks divine will. The Everwatcher is said to be the source of all creation, even Dragons, but because it is such a mystifying being that only speaks through the Emperors, few can be said about it other than to invoke its name for good wishes or prayers.
  • Alexander Alexander is the Vessel of Unionism, which is a rotating Godhood position held by the faith. When the previous Emperor dies, they lose their divinity, and it passes to the next Vessel as the new Emperor is crowned. Emperors can be flawed and sinners, but are made divine by the whispers of the Everwatcher which only they can hear in divine conclave. As such, Emperors of Regalia while alive are held to god-like status among the faithful.

The Divine Virtues

  • Ness and Eora, Virtues of duty
    Ness and Eora, Virtues of duty
  • Sinnavei and Vyrë, Virtues of temper
    Sinnavei and Vyrë, Virtues of temper
  • Glanzia and Juvin, Virtues of reason
    Glanzia and Juvin, Virtues of reason
  • Brand and Allest, Virtues of justice
    Brand and Allest, Virtues of justice
  • Tanthor and Dari, Virtues of loyalty
    Tanthor and Dari, Virtues of loyalty
  • Marani and Al-Asir, Virtues of altruism
    Marani and Al-Asir, Virtues of altruism
  • Ness and Eora Ness (left) was the 4th Empress of Regalia Nessaria Calontir, and Eora (right) was the 4th Channcelor Eotranna I Kade. Ness was full of sinful indulgence, taking to the pleasures of life and absconding with duties of court and motherhood. Through the guidance of Eora, the both of them reached a higher state of virtue in duty and responsibility, living up to their roles in life, and being the mothers of the nation that gave all blessed forgiveness and nurture.
  • Sinnavei and Vyrë Sinnavei (left) is the Goddess of honor and dignity, and Vyrë (right) is the Goddess of the unknown seas. Both were Estelley Gods incorporated when the Elven lands joined. Vyrë represents the sin of Bellicosity, with violence as a first answer, while Sinnavei showed her temperance and restraint as a more powerful tool to victory. Together they represent the virtue of caution and calmness, and receive offerings for safe passage on the seas and unknown lands.
  • Glanzia and Juvin Glanzia (left) is a mundanely raised (still living) Goddess, and Juvin (right) was the 11th Emperor of Regalia Heinrich III Ivrae Heiligenblut. Both were full of sin in their own ways, Glanzia towards her enemies, Juvin towards facts contradicting his knowledge. Through each other, they learned purity, Glanzia to seek reason over hatred, and Juvin to seek knowledge expansion over dogma. Together they are the virtue of pure soul and pure thought and knowledge.
  • Brand and Allest Brand (left) was the 17th Chancellor of Regalia, and Allest (right) was the 15th Emperor of Regalia Allestrain I Ivrae Heiligenblut. Allestrain was full of the sin of injustice, a soldier Emperor so beset with warfare and wroth, that he treated his subjects and nobles most foul. Through the guidance of Brand, Allest bettered his approach, and became a paragon of justice who saw to it that every injustice that reached him, would be answered by his sword.
  • Tanthor and Dari Tanthor (right) and Dari (left) are both mundanely raised (still living) Gods who were once crime lord and city guard respectively. Tanthor lived a life of contempt for the state, spitting at any help offered. Dari however slowly showed him the value of loyalty to the state, of the wealth and fame even the most downtrodden can achieve by working with the hierarchy and order rather than being a child of chaos. Both became paragons of the social contract of the Empire.
  • Marani and Al-Asir Marani (left) is mundanely raised and Al-Asir (right) is a Draconism God (both still living). Marani was full of the sin of blightcraft, the usage of technology to hurt and deceive, to use machines for foul deeds. Al-Asir showed him the virtue of technomoralism the idea that machines and inventions should serve progress and to better the lives of others, and that evil only comes from the use, not nature of technology. They represent altruism to the people.
  • Neall and Nolven, Virtues of culture
    Neall and Nolven, Virtues of culture
  • Elia and Leona, Virtues of equity
    Elia and Leona, Virtues of equity
  • Kaldric & Caan, Virtues of magisters
    Kaldric & Caan, Virtues of magisters
  • Celest and Eoin, Virtues of veneration
    Celest and Eoin, Virtues of veneration
  • Belialus and Eirlys, Virtues of respect
    Belialus and Eirlys, Virtues of respect
  • Mendes and Hor, Virtues of bravery
    Mendes and Hor, Virtues of bravery
  • Neall and Nolven Neall (left) is a Fornoss God (Aedán), and Nolven is an enigmatic twin of Neall. Nolven represents the sin of Iconoclasm, the irreverent destruction of cultural heritage, or purposeful burning of art to hurt society. Neall showed Nolven the virtue of preservation and respect for diversity, and together they now represent the varied juxtaposition of art and military. Nolven is also responsible for Unionist Godborn, who usually become holy warriors or paladins.
  • Elia and Leona Elia (left) was the 15th Empress of Regalia, Leona (right) was the Knight-wife of the 15th Chancellor. Elia was the sin of Monomania, a singular obsessive behavior that sets aside all feelings and obligations to obsess over a single task or work. Elia obsessed over revenge for the death of her husband, and only the love of Leona could temper her obsession and show her how much she was losing her loved ones and purpose in life. Now they are the virtues of love and passion.
  • Kaldric and Caan Kaldric (left) was a mundanely raised Calemberg crimelord, Caan is a (still-living) Aelrrigan Mage-Knight of mysterious origins. Kaldric was the sin of Maleficence, the usage of the divinely burdened gift of Magic for personal pleasure and enrichment. Magic to Unionism is a great moral burden, which Caan taught him, so that he could better put his fate to work serving the Great Way. Both now represent the Magic moralism and the correct way of using Magic.
  • Celest and Eoin Celest (left) is a mundanely raised Nun, Eoin (right) is a mundanely raised Imperial Guard (both still living). Eoin was full of the sin of Hubris, to find such pride and vanity in his prestigious position in life, that he showed no regard for the actual weight of his obligation or venerability to elders and authority. Celest taught him the lessons of respect for those that came before, to honor his elders, and to serve their needs, and to respect the words of the sages.
  • Belialus and Eirlys Belialus (left) was a Demon, Eirlys (right) was a pre-Empire Goddess of the Weard faith of the Breizh people who joined the Unionist pantheon. Belialus was a being of Contempt, showing no esteem or reverence to his enemies and suffering defeat as a result. Eirlys not only taught him humility and bravery in the face of one's enemies, she also reformed him and cleansed him of his sinful Demonhood, both representing the virtues of honesty and reform.
  • Mendes and Hor Mendes (left) is a Khama God, Hor is a mundanely raised Asha (both still living). Mendes was full of the sin of Defeatism, the loss of his people, the suffering, it all became too much for him to bear. He gave in to despair and loss, and gave up on everyone. Hor taught him the virtue of action, and the value of time, how limited the means of mortals are to act, and the duties gods have to be diligent. They now represent the virtues of diligence and activeness.

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, 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 Unionist faith. This section is not necessary to read to get a good understanding of the lore, just the background information.

Contextual Lore

This section contains a group of assorted ideas and pieces of information that are not at first glance relevant to the Religion or its texts, but that may become relevant when engaging in theological debate, or deeper storytelling about the Gods, as priests habitually do. This information is freely available to the people through reading archives and history books, though some of it may be a bit more contextual. If something would not be clear from history books, but learned by researching other religions and or belief systems, this will be mentioned.

  • Gods are either mundanely raised, incorporated, or post-death ordained. In the case of mundane raising, it is believed that the Everwatcher chooses a Unionist born child and gives them a divine spark, testing them in life for Godhood. If they pass, they become Gods and activate their Godly powers, and should they fail, they lose their Godhood. Incorporated Gods are always Gods from other Religions bringing religious aspects from their original faith into Unionism though this can never count as Syncretism because the dogma is always slightly different. Finally, post-death ordainment occurs usually with Emperors and Empresses, who due to their closeness to the Vessel have a more likely chance of becoming Gods after death if they were legendary in life.
  • There are some speculative theories that the Chancellors and Emperors were actually Dragonsouls, that is to say, they inherited their souls from Dragons and were physically Dragons just often not aware. This doesn't strictly change theological theories, because Dragonsouls are persistent and undying, constantly reincarnating, while their divine persona diverges. In essence, while Nicholas's Dragonsoul would have been passed to his great-grandchild Morgenkroon Kade, his Unionist divine persona diverged and became a stand-alone divine entity known as the God Nicholas. The bottom line is that there is no secret Dragon plot within Unionism, and even if there was, the Dragons have been reincarnated so far away from their original intention that Unionism is no longer recognizable from whatever plot it might have originated.
  • Some Gods have intense relationships that are relevant to their stories. Ness and Eora lived in the same era as mortals, and were friends. Brand and Allest lived in the same era, and were lovers, even though Allest was married to Elia and Brand to Leona. Marani and Al-Asir are rumored to be lovers, but are cagey about the subject and show no public evidence of this. Neall and Nolven are supposedly twins, but there is no evidence of Aedán having a twin in the Fornoss faith so theory has it that they may be split personalities. Elia and Leona lived in the same era, and were lovers, even though Elia was married to Allest and Leona to Brand.
  • Eirlys and Sinnavei date from around the same period, and have often been treated as friend-Goddesses, both having joined Unionism at the same time, and carrying their people with them. Though, Sinnavei still also holds a role within the Estelley Religion, and also has an Evolist God as a lover called Morrlond which raises some complications.
  • Mendes was once an Asha God of the Dewamenet Empire, but became disillusioned with millennia of hiding during the Pearl Wars. While most Asha Gods stayed true to the faith of Khama, Mendes did not and essentially abandoned the Asha in despair. The Gods of the Dewamenet faith, and Hor, are still in their ongoing attempts to fold Mendes back into Khama, though he has indicates that he will not do so until the faith stabilizes from its current half-broken state.

Unionism and Magic

Magic has an extremely complicated place in Unionism. Unionism acknowledges God Magic (universally good), and Void/Exist Magic (mostly bad) but does not acknowledge Ordial Magic as real. Extraplanar Magic (not mechanically granted by the Unionist Gods) however, still exists with the permission of the Everwatcher and the allowance of these things to become material and tangible in Aloria, which is his created reality. As a result, priests have argued that through a roundabout way, the Everwatcher is also responsible for the Exist and Void, and thus all forms of Magic, even if Unionist God Magic is more pure. The dogma in essence has taken the stance that God Magic is often granted as a reward for service, while Extraplanar Magic is granted at birth as an additional Sin (hence, the Gods Kaldric and Caan). Extraplanar Magic carries the burden of additional duty and mental strain for the faithful, who must maneuver life to understand when and how to ply their Magic for good instead of self indulgence and evil. Magic is not by nature evil, but the dogma implies that more likely than not, do Mages fail to overcome their inherent sin, and become a type of super-sinner. This has led to periods of extreme magical repression and general mistrust towards Mages, purely because of the incidence rate at which Mages end up going in the opposite direction of what Unionism demands of them.

Mournful Sisters

Burial nuns, Not yet complete

Pious Brothers

Ascetic monks, Not yet complete

Unionist Calendar

Not yet complete

History of the Schisms

Not yet complete

Minor Cults

Not yet complete

Additional God Info

Not yet complete

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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WritersMonMarty, FireFan96
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Last EditorHydraLana on 09/29/2024.
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