Church of Ilíos
For much of the world, the Church of Ilíos is the only religion they've ever known. It provides a spiritual structure that emulates the feudal government structures found throughout the world. While it is most prevalent in Alandr, Estemar, and Arkanmere, one can find heliocese in nine of Argea's twelve realms (only Funanori, the Aurium Pirate Republic, and Taqqadiya do not contain at least one heliocese).
It is the oldest faith in Argea--aside from First God worship--and can trace its history back to when Ilíos Himself walked on the face of the planet. While He could still commune with mere mortals, He dictated His teachings and it was recorded as the Lantern's Scroll. Later on, additional chapters were added to the book around the time of the First Founding of Alandr. These additions are collectively referred to as the Radiant Chapters or just the Radiant. One major difference between Ilotians (followers of the Church of Ilíos) and generic luminicists involves these added chapters. While the Radiant is treated as scripture by the Ilotian faithful, most luminicists do not include it in the Lantern's Scroll.
The Church is organized into twenty heliocese, or large geographic areas. Each heliocese is supervised by a Lantern who is assisted by a Lamplighter. The twenty heliocese listed below are each split into four Incandensces. Each of the eighty Incandensces are supervised by a Luminary. These eighty Luminaries oversee about 300 Hearths, or local congregations, in total.
Heliocese of the Church of Ilíos (as of 1131 YGP):
*Rwohatin Cathedral is the newest Ilotian cathedral. It was built in the Arkannic style (thick, stone, isometric walls illuminated with reliefs and painted windows).
| Heliocese | Cathedral | Year Dedicated | Lantern | Lamplighter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldenshade | Shershu Cathedral (SHAYR-shoo) | 670 YGP | Ltn. Madin Spiritheart | Lmp. Am Glanirsh |
| Catallo | Sajsax Cathedral (ZAZJ-zash) | 104 YGP | Ltn. Ashul Bassi | Lmp. Liochor Dirsk |
| Cinderscar | Lyony Cathedral (Lee-OWN-yuh) | 810 YGP | Ltn. Kourlat Raseri | Lmp. Tromol Pimi |
| Coldharbour | Crédondua Cathedral (Cray-dawn-DOO-uh) | 4112 YGR | Ltn. Kasimir Ebral | Lmp. Elben Vronzino |
| Deepwater | Ampirrel Cathedral (Ahm-PEER-ahl) | 865 YGP | Ltn. Jajef Trevamoni | Lmp. Godis Jahre |
| Edmund's Bridge | Rónntadonliar Cathedral (Ron-tah-dawn-LEE-uhr) | 71 YGP | Archltn. Jehnur Karsk | Lmp. Tellelm Dawnwater |
| Ferrostone | Nabyirakos Cathedral (Nab-YEER-aw-kohsh) | 15 YGP | Ltn. Ummurth Khasheir | Lmp. Gliff Zuricil |
| Griffenberg | Órbragó Cathedral (Or-BRAW-joh) | 444 YGP | Ltn. Vlasar Stodrosk | Lmp. Zirnil Vemerni |
| Immelvig | Gykbraire Cathedral (Gick-brray-EAR-eh) | 419 YGP | Ltn. Falvarod Ziyamur | Lmp. Shathes Skuove |
| Ironlight | Kyil Cathedral (KYEEL) | 277 YGP | Ltn. Rhekheim Bado | Lmp. Mendirvak Vlinzak |
| Khadzhan | Pliftormer Cathedral (Pliff-TOR-myerj) | 518 YGP | Ltn. Assonov Timofeyevich | Lmp. Krikov Savlievich |
| Kolavik | Broaslåba Cathedral (Brew-uh-SLOW-baw) | 729 YGP | Ltn. Sigegar Anlafsson | Lmp. Grimar Skidisson |
| Long Hearth | Sking Cathedral (SKEEN) | 887 YGP | Ltn. Votis Sezargo | Lmp. Rojat Havenstone |
| Ngome | Mkarchsenyuw Cathedral (Mkarzj-SEE-nyuw) | 3101 YGR | Ltn. Gloa Mabostas | Lmp. Nyalem Hihlu |
| Ravingen | Sullschbie Cathedral (SULSH-bee) | 3 YGP | Ltn. Vetkaf Runkrihr | Lmp. Manvar Bearguard |
| Salan | Saslonpañuf Cathedral (Thawz-lone-PAN-yoof) | 218 YGP | Ltn. Reo Badi | Lmp. Votinrin Viscisal |
| Seascale | Banterate Cathedral (Byan-jzer-AW-tay) | 3596 YGR | Ltn. Hom Oddgor | Lmp. Chiscivar Sadrirgun |
| Smouldervault | Fiúorte Cathedral (Fyoo-ORRJ-tay) | 4663 YGR | Ltn. Rovus Godrasqin | Lmp. Bodjor Gogige |
| Sterlingstead | Rwohatin Cathedral (ROW-aw-teen) | 909 YGP* | Ltn. Teniz Tokevko | Lmp. Stoth Nikulmalde |
| Virezzo | Soeyr̄id Cathedral (Zoe-AY-rid) | 332 YGR | Ltn. Ennet Onzosca | Lmp. Fildocos Nuroste |
Structure
Organization
- Heliocese (HEEL-o-seez) The largest organizational body of the Church of Ilíos. Heliocese are supervised by Lanterns. There are twenty heliocese in Argea.
- Incandensce (In-CAN-dense) Each heliocese is split into four incandensces. Each incandensce is supervised by a Luminary. Incandensces are locally named and managed.
- Hearths Each incandensce can contain an unlimited number of hearths. Anywhere from 1-1,000 individuals can belong to a single hearth. Hearths are supervised by Hearthers, the most local of all Ilotian clergymen.
Divine Origins
When Ilíos first visited the world, He bestowed great power upon His followers and aided them in their quest to eradicate their draconic overlords. He guided His followers, educating and uplifting them through His holy word. Once, while walking with a throng of followers among the Balimar Highlands, He referred to the group as His "luminaries." Thus, the name of the religion was created. Centuries later, some followers began to refer to themselves as "luminicists" instead. This distinction is unnecessary, but ardent believers continue to argue over which is proper regardless.
Tenets of Faith
And then the Lord of Light spake unto His followers, saying,
"Be ye lanterns unto others. Shine my light upon those who remain in darkness that they may have health and happiness;
Write ye my words and ponder upon them, for they contain vestiges of my light.
Preach ye nothing unto the nonbelievers lest your generosity be misconstrued as foolishness. Let those who seek the light walk forward upon their own power and enter into my glow." (Lantern's Scroll, The Radiant, The Beacon, verse 1).
Worship
Members read daily from the Lantern's Scroll. Zealous adherents often transcribe bits of the Scrolls and weave them into the hems of their clothing. It is not uncommon to see a believing household with framed quotes and illustrative paintings referencing the Lantern's Scroll.
Believers are to confess--and forgive--their trespasses against one another each year on Ilíos' Day. They are also expected to attend services each Sondre at a chapel, temple, or cathedral dedicated to Ilíos. Where one cannot find a building, they are to read and ponder on the Lantern's Scroll for an hour.
Baptized members of the faith can purchase indulgences to absolve themselves of sins. This practice is frowned upon by other luminicists.
Priesthood
Lord Lantern
The King of Alandr is the Lord Lantern of the Church of Ilíos and Defender of the Faith.Archlantern
The Archbishop is the functional head of the Church and runs the day-to-day operations. He is the highest-ranking minister in the Church and functionally holds an equivalent rank to the Monarch.Lantern
Lanterns are responsible for large districts--called heliocese, or a collection of four incandensces--of believers and are typically headquartered in a cathedral in a major city. A Lantern has typically been a professional clergyman for more than fifteen years.Lamplighter
Lamplighters are responsible for the secular needs of heliocese and report directly to Lanterns. A Lamplighter has typically been a professional clergyman for more than eight years.Luminary
Luminaries are responsible for an incandensce, a collection of hearths. They are primarily concerned with the spiritual wellbeing of these congregations and assist in guiding Hearthers through challenging episodes. A Luminary has typically been a professional clergyman for more than five years.Hearther
Hearthers oversee a single congregation, or hearth. They are responsible for the secular and spiritual needs of their members. They report to the Luminary and have typically been a professional clergyman for more than three years.Sects
There are two major sects of the Church. While neither separated entirely from the Church, they are different enough to be considered separate religions according to some.
Unlike the two major sects of the Church of Ilíos, there are four major monastic orders faithful to Ilotian doctrine. As of 1131 YGP, they are as follows:
| Sect Name | Headquarters | Year Founded | Core Beliefs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luminicism | Edmund's Bridge | 611 YGR | One can worship in their heart. The sacraments of the Church are not necessary. |
| Seraphism | Acadicci | 124 YGP | Glory belongs to all of the Nine Spears, not only Ilíos. |
| Order Name | Headquarters | Year Founded | Abbot | Core Beliefs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illumine Guard | Eilítúbei Castle, Djinnscar (Ell-ee-TYOOH-byay) | 434 YGR | Sir Annar the Honorable | Church property must be protected by any means--even violence. |
| Acluan Order | Cróruas Abbey, Scarra (Cryoh-ROO-ayce) | 1251 YGR | Prior Maisier Hudirgo | Service to Ilíos requires vows of poverty and chastity. |
| Order of Llaladil | Ćosḡifijo, Montevarre (Koz-gee-FEE-jzoh) | 3493 YGR | Father Forcirvir Cemascur | The philosophy and theology of Ilíos must be collected and shared. |
| Zlursivlos (Pilgrim's Guard) | Ftorkubr Citadel, Vetochkin (Ftor-KOO-buhrj) | 788 YGP | Sir Galvet Krasimir | Pilgrims, travelers, and crusaders must be protected and defended from all non-believers. |
Founding Date
332 YGR
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Demonym
Ilotian
Leader
Leader Title
Permeated Organizations
Comments