Way of Sacred Heart
Religion practiced in western realms of Zem, youngest religion on continent but one with most followers, mainly practiced by humans. They worship Onegod Hellmarus.
Hellmarus was once a human that through his sacrifice ascended to Haven casting off his mortality and becoming God.
Mythology
Breaking of shackles
At the end of 4th era of Old Age races subjugated by elves stood up in rebellion to overthrow their oppressors. It all begun when one young slave broke free from their master killing it in process. Working on a field while beaten by whip for most of his life, young Hellmarus know nothing else but hard work and pain. But one day he stood up to his overseer caught his whip and strangled him with it. Although he had the option to escape, he decided to stand his ground and face his captors in battle to the death, beating them unarmed but overcomed with sheer numbers of his foes he faced certain death. Impressed by his courage and strong will old heathen god Hrom descended to mortal plane and gave him his sword Stormbringer. Wielding this mighty weapon Hellmarus fought of all of his captors and released his fellow slaves on the estate beginning the Great Uprising.Sacred Sacrifice
After the battle that marked end of Great Uprising and downfall of Elven Hegemony. Claiming last bastion of Elven Empire, city of Tarquil (todays Terenčin), Hellmarus proclaimed victory on main square, but in desperate and cowardly display of dishonesty elven mages that surrendered and to whom were given mercy, summoned dark powers of arcane and opened a rift to abyss from which emerged three demons. With evil powers they rained fire and froze all others present, only Hellamurs in his might withstood their influence. Bravely clashing with them alone knowing that as a mere mortal he can not stand against such a force, Hellmarus nonetheless fought them vigorously and with enormous courage but in the end he was beaten. With his enemies in for final blow Hellmarus soul refused to give up and burst out trough his pure heart erupting wave of divine energy casting demons back into Abyss, and with that action Hellmarus soul ascended to Celestial plane.Celestial war
Hellmarus now part of Celestial plane decided to form his own Kingdom where he can protect and care for his people as he did in life. Assembling army of arch-angels. Hellmarus stormed Dol Alantralion(Celestial kingdom), part of Celestial plane from which Elven gods reigned. After long conflict Elven gods was driven out from their domain and retreated to Ancient forest of Dorei, Altra and Fearan on Material plane. Hellmarus raze their kingdom and on top of ruins built his Heaven.Beliefs
Followers of Sacred Heart worship The Onegod Hellmarus as only deity worthy of their devotion and forsake any other gods and perceive their followers as heretics. When they die their souls will travel through Corridor of Memories in which they will be accompanied by St. Orpheus that will annotate their lives. At the end of Corridor they will enter Hall of Judgment where St. Aurelius will decide they final fate. If they lived piously and in accordance to principals of faith they will be granted entrance to Haven where their souls will find everlasting comfort, most devoted may even earn Sainthood and join Hellmarus in High Haven. On other hand if soul is judged unworthy of Haven it is thrown in abyss and condemned to eternal turmoil of river Styx.Heaven And High Heaven
Both are parts of Hellmarus domain on celestial plain. Heaven is lower part of his domain where souls of his devoted followers resides and where his army of angels trains awaiting his commands. High Haven is upper part of his domain where he resides along with his Saints and Archangels, golden palace from which he reigns over his celestial kingdom and overlooks affairs of mortals.View on other religions
Followers of Sacred Heart acknowledge existence of other gods ,for example, Old Gods but they view them as betrayers of mortal races for their inactivity during Bellum Aracnum and Demon Infestation that proceed it. For Hellmarus was only god that intervened during this age of troubles earning him devotion of his followers and title "Protector of mortals".Followers
Followers of Sacred Heart are divided in two categories: worshipers, common folk that abides laws of faith through prayer and communion, and "devoted", men and women that devote their lives in service of Hellmarus taking vows of celibacy, forsaking their birth given names and joining one of holy orders.Holy Orders
Knights of Flaming Fist
Warriors devoted to Hellmarus, soldiers that took the oath to protect lands that accepted the path of Sacred heart. Currently standing army for Theocracy of Thaon. Founded by St. Theodoseus members of this order strive to be most heroic of paladins to become Angels after their demise.Knights Justiciars
Abadeing to teachings of St. Aurelius knights Justiciars strive to bring justice upon the world. Usually found in urban locations they, alongside guards, serve as police forces and higher members of order serve as judges.Sisters of Healing Hand
Order devoted to healing sick and injured. Comprised only of women. Founded by St. Julia.Purefing Light
Inquisitor order. Founded to purefiy world of demon scurge, in last years their focus was turned towards fighting heresy, mainly on Rodna soil. Members wore metal masks representing face of St.CastusSanctus Animus
Order of Holy Soul. Bureaucratic order that presides over all other orders and institutions of faith. Sanctus Animus is incorporated in governing body of all realms that proclaimed Sacred Heart as their main religion.Angels and Arch-angles
When warrior worshiping Way of Sacred Heart dies and his soul arrives at Hall of Judgment, if worthy, may ask to join ranks of Sacred Army. One of Arch-angels then decides on his hate. If chosen soul becomes angel. When Hellmarus achieved divinity he transcended trough planes of existence and entered Realm of death puling out souls of his fallen brethren. Then together with them claimed part of celestial plane, anchoring his god status. Forming his kingdom and celestial army he gave position of generals to this souls thous creating Arch-angels. There is five arch-angels but name of only one is known. Thaon "The Bllesed" archangel that Hellmarus sent to Alba in first century to protect mortals from demon infestation.Saints
Onegod Hellmarus reigns from High Haven on celestial plane, as his name implies he is only god present but he does not resides there alone. Mortals that during their lives prove themselves worthy through sacrifice for principles of faith, or through devoted and pious life, at Hall of Judgment are chosen by Hellmarus to join him in High Haven. Their souls ascend and they become Saints, demigods in service of their master that are returned to mortal plains as his agents when he deems it necessary. As they earn their way to Haven by their deeds, mortals proclaims them patrons of that discipline.List of Saints
St. Aurelius patron saint of Justice
St. Agripa patron saint of Builders
St. Baradas patron saint of Blacksmiths
St. Castus patron saint of Light
St. Julia patron saint of Healing
St. Mindratis patron saint of Knowledge
St. Orpheus patron Saint of Afterlife
St. Rodneus "The Thunderer" patron saint of Tempest
St. Theodoseus patron saint of Soldiers
Hail Hellmarus, Protector of mortals
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