Church of Viva Mori
Live to Die
Viva Mori, the Church of Life and Death, is the primary religious order of the Kingdom of Stopstalk. Their chief deities are Anima and Corpus, who together govern the cycle of mortal life and death. The church of Viva Mori believes that life is but a journey to death; More zealous followers spend their lives seeking the ideal death in order to complete their cycle and begin an ideal reincarnation.Structure
Pontifex Maximus
The Church of Viva Mori is headed by the high priest, or Pontifex Maximus, who resides in the very first temple of the church, the Hall of Life and Death. The current PM, Haana Metilene, has done much work in her tenure to connect and support the church's many branches, appointing new Priests and Primogens.Pontifex
The leader of a chapter of the church within a settlement is known as a Pontifex, or priest. A Pontifex assumes the role of a community leader in their town, giving aid and shelter to all its people.Primogen
Similar to a Pontifex in rank, a Primogen is a traveling priest. They may come to a settlement and offer aid to the community, perhaps establishing a chapter of the church if they are well-received, before moving on. While a Primogen does not have a chapter of followers, they may tend to a home shrine or temple.Culture
The Church sees itself as a bridge between the celestial and mortal worlds. They carry out the divine will of the gods, nurturing their environment and their community together.
Ethics
Heresy
To the church, there is but one practice that constitutes true, irrevocable heresy: Wizardry. Puritans of the church see the study of arcane magic as a theft from the divine. To take power from a god's essence without permission or will is the ultimate defiance. This view is only held by those who favor Runic Theoryas the foundation of the arcane. That being the primary theory behind arcane magic, and the practiced theory at the Hecater School of Magic and Mystics, which happens to be named for its founder and the creator of Runic Theory: The archmage Hecater.Worship
The Church worships its five primary deities as a whole, but many followers choose one god to whom they dedicate themselves. There are multiple sub-sects within the church dedicated to individual deities, such as the Church of Barter, which worships Ghezen.
Aside from the four prime divines —Anima, Corpus, Ghezen, and Cernos— there are a multitude of divine beings recognized by the church. The worship of these minor deities defines two major sects of the church. Puritan worshipers hold only the prime divines holy, and see minor gods or immortals as "aspects" of these four. Contrarily, more progressive members of the church view these beings as younger divines; Some as creations of the primes, others as immortals that joined the pantheon later.
A fine example of one such immortal is the Man in the Moon. Also known as the "Lord of Veils", he is a patron saint of travelers, thieves, and spies. Puritans believe him to be an aspect of Cernos, in its form as the changeling god of disguise and trickery. Myths surrounding Cernos' history and the Man in the Moon differ wildly, though such inconsistency is in character of Cernos. Nevertheless, this divide in faith has irrevocably divided the faithful.
Aside from the four prime divines —Anima, Corpus, Ghezen, and Cernos— there are a multitude of divine beings recognized by the church. The worship of these minor deities defines two major sects of the church. Puritan worshipers hold only the prime divines holy, and see minor gods or immortals as "aspects" of these four. Contrarily, more progressive members of the church view these beings as younger divines; Some as creations of the primes, others as immortals that joined the pantheon later.
A fine example of one such immortal is the Man in the Moon. Also known as the "Lord of Veils", he is a patron saint of travelers, thieves, and spies. Puritans believe him to be an aspect of Cernos, in its form as the changeling god of disguise and trickery. Myths surrounding Cernos' history and the Man in the Moon differ wildly, though such inconsistency is in character of Cernos. Nevertheless, this divide in faith has irrevocably divided the faithful.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Since the end of Queen Decima's reign, the church has been purposefully separated from politics and law in the Kingdom of Stopstalk. That said, many laws still in place in the kingdom were created to follow the moral tenets of the church. While the church holds no direct political power, its influence shows in the hearts of its followers.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Demonym
Mordites
Leader
Leader Title
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Related Myths
Comments