Foreword on Aereth Religions

The Game Managers and creators of The Chronicles of Aereth are not trying to exclude any Earth-based religion or belief system. If someone wishes to contact us about creating another belief system or religion, we are happy to discuss it although we will not promise anything. Currently, Aereth's two predominant religions are a polytheistic belief in a pantheon of gods and goddesses - rather more pagan in structure and spirituality and the Church of Ceros, normally referred to as The Faith, which is a monotheistic belief system akin to Judaism, Christianity or Islam. As with any strong belief system, extremism happens.

The Church of Ceros is based on pre-Protestant Christianity in the real world. The idea of creating a completely new and unique religion was just far too challenging and time consuming. The Cerosian Codex (Bible) references saints, angels, demons, and many of the other symbols of Christianity. As we encounter and document some of these things in gameplay, we will make modifications to this document.

The Church of Ceros

We are going to leave the origins of the Church of Ceros vague. As things are defined during gameplay, this document will be updated.

History

There is very little historical documentation on The Faith. It is known that it originated in lands far to the east and that it replaced most of the pagan polytheistic belief systems. What is known is that the Church of Ceros swiftly became the dominant religion of the various human populations throughout the known world. There are some minor variations from one culture to another. The Church considers them to be “sects” of the True Faith and almost all of them recognize Elysia as the center of the Faithful. Not all nations, Sask in particular, recognize Elysia as their religious authority over them.

While a few groups believe that Ceros is God incarnate, the majority believe Ceros started life as a man and was taken into the heavens to wield the Sword of Light (i.e., Milky Way). Ceros was elevated to god-status because of all he endured for the benefit of humankind on Aereth and for heroic / miraculous deeds that saved all of humanity from the Desolation of Aereth. This probably came about after a major cataclysm that resulted in the near destruction of Aereth itself, likely one of the ice-ages that periodically holds Aereth in its grasp. Or, perhaps, considering that the Faithful are distrustful of magic, it came about due to a major incursion by the Shadow Hordes.

Whatever its origins, Ceros is considered the One True God and The Light. The latter title does cause a few problems with the Drakeri and even the dragons to some extent as they still follow Erais, the Arcane Light and the pantheon of gods known as the Tuatha dé Danann.

There are still other religions throughout the world-moon of Aereth. However, other belief systems are barely tolerated by the Faithful, especially the heretic magic using Drakeri.

Iconography

Various emblems have come into use to visually represent The Faith. The most common and strongest image of all are the various renditions of a cross. It is believed this symbol was adopted in the early days of the religion when word was just spreading. Many of those that held to more ancient belief systems felt threatened and it became a common practice to crucify and burn The Faithful on a giant wooden “X”. Over time, it became drawn as an upright cross, an upright center pole with a crossbar. It often includes a robed figure hanging from the crossbar, sometimes even surrounded by flames, which is meant to depict the martyrdom of The Faithful.

The Writ of Ceros

Other Names

• Bible
• Cerosian Codex
• Scripture of Ceros

No matter what the people call it, the Writ lays out how the Faithful practice their religion, its religious foundation, laws, ethics, morality, etc. Some variants practice follows the Writ more precisely than others. Also, the Writ has been modified to be more in line with some of the variants of the Faith. These variations in the practice of the Faith can be explored more fully as interest is shown. As of this writing, the primary focus will be on The Faith as it is practiced throughout the lands of A’elnore.

The Faith

In the lands of A’elnore, humans prefer to be called The Faithful. The Faithful do have other names for their God, just as He is known by many names here on Earth. Amongst His other names are Ceros, God, One True God, The One, The Light (trying to eclipse and supplant the Drakeri belief in the Arcane Light), Shining One, the Protector, the Defender, etc.

The Church

The Church of Ceros, simply known as the Church, is very powerful and considers itself the equal of any land’s ruler or ruling elite. It is loosely based on the rituals of the pre-protestant churches of old Europe and England. Aereth’s Church, however, has a simpler hierarchical structure.

Cardinal of Elysia

• The Big Guy, Head Honcho, Numero Uno, The Big Cheese! The Archbishop is the overall ruler of the Faith. His seat is in the city-state of Elysia.

Structure

• The Guardian Knights of the Temple of Ceros (Templars): This is the military arm of the Faith. They answer to their Lord Commander first and foremost. If his orders happen to conflict with the orders of the Archbishop, fireworks ensue. The Templars enforce the laws of the Faith and see to it that the Faithful are … well … faithful. They also escort the Bringers of Truth (Acolytes of the Faith).
• Archbishops: The Cardinal chooses an advisory council from amongst his appointed bishops. The archbishops also oversee the bishops of the various sees.
• Bishops: Next level, the bishops.
• Holy Mother: Oversees all of the various convents and their orders. Her offices are in Elysia.
• Priests, Nuns (Sisters): Those that lead the parishes and flocks of the Faithful.

Elysia

Elysia’s closest parallel in the real world would be Vatican City. It is a small, self-governing city-state. There is enough land surrounding the main city-keep-temple complex to allow for some communal farms, abbeys, monasteries, shrines, etc.  All their laws revolve around the world’s main monotheistic religion, the Church of Ceros. Magic and magic-users are not welcome in Elysia and, if caught, can be put to death. Elysia is also where the main body of the Templars are located although there are Templar holds throughout the land.

The city-state of Elysia was formed shortly after the Unification of Brydd (250 years ago).

Read Next: The Templars of Ceros