Church of the Holy Pentatheon

The overwhelmingly dominant religion in Lysonne is the collective veneration of the five known gods called The Pentatheon. They are worshiped by all the sentient races, and variously depicted as humans, loxodons, or whatever race the worshipers prefer, since it is clearly understood that such entities as the gods are far beyond any mortal limitations such as race or physical appearance.

Structure

Clerical Ranks

• Promessi: Initiates to the clergy that have taken vows to serve the Church but have not yet been fully invested.
• Bastioni: (Chaplains): itinerant clergy sent into the world to help those in need and minister to the faithful. They wear a red surcoat with a silver star-and-pentagram, and often travel armed with sword and mail hauberk.
• Pastori: (Stewards): the resident priests of local churches.
• Siniscalchi (Seneschals): high priests who administer large duchies or even small counties.
• Castellani: In larger countries with multiple counties or provinces, Siniscalchi report to a Castellano.
• Marshalls: The top members of the lower clergy who direct the Castellani and Siniscalchi across the five regions of the Empire.
• High Officers: These are various administrative roles that include the Grand Pastore, Grand Preceptor, Grand Sentinel, and the Grand Bastione
• Grand Patriarch/Matriarch. The head of the Imperial Church. Attended by the Conclave of Marshalls and the Grand Council (the High Officers). The current Patriarch is Sir Priant de Ralais.

Older Orders

• Cercatori: Officers of the Inquisition, charging with rooting out heresy and keeping Church doctrine true.
• Arrogati: An old, much rarer order whose office was to take on necessary but soul-damaging tasks to spare others from doing it themselves. They were rumored to be able to draw the regret and guilt over past deeds from a penitent and take it upon themselves in order to heal the person’s soul.

Cosmological Views

There are five known gods in the universe, known collectively as The Pentatheon. Rather than having specific “portfolios” or events under their control such War, Life, Nature, etc., the Penthatheon gods represent portions of the Arunic code, and each god or goddess has two main virtues associated with him or her. Note the concepts of Good and Evil, Law and Chaos are not represented, nor are any of the gods definable as such. Instead, the gods are above such value judgments or “alignments,” as mortals are the ones whose view matters in such limited terms.

Below each god are saints, or Paladins. The common folk (and even clerics) have much more interaction with the Paladins than the gods, although everyone is quite aware the the power of any Paladin flows down from the god above. T

Tenets of Faith

The Arunic Code

1. Protect yourself and defend those under your care. (Prudence) 2. Never betray your lord or your vassals. (Loyalty) 3. Keep only what you need and give the rest to the less fortunate. (Largesse) 4. Obey the law and bring to justice those who flout it. (Justice) 5. Be prepared to blaze your own trail, if need be. (Independence) 6. Be bold and courageous, whether in love or war. (Gallantry) 7. Know your station and uphold your rights and obligations. (Franchise) 8. Know the difference between bravery and stupidity. Look for other ways. (Cunning) 9. You owe respect to the righteous poor. You have a duty to care for the weak. (Compassion) 10. Never be lazy. Find a goal and achieve it. (Ambition)

The Five Tensions

Each of the ten virtues are be desirable and worthy in their own right, but can be taken to excess and so must be held in tension with another balancing or tempering virtue.

The Five Tensions are:

• Justice vs Compassion
  

• Franchise vs Independence
  

• Gallantry vs Prudence
  

• Largesse vs Ambition
  

• Loyalty vs Cunning

Ethics

Minor Infractions

Not welcoming the sun each morning; performing an evil act; disobeying a superior church official

Venal Sins

Permanently blinding a foe; not being willing to fight the forces of darkness

Mortal Sins

Willingly aiding the forces of darkness; knowingly spreading heretical teachings

Worship

Before Going to Worship

Adorateurs (devout believers) often make numerous preparations before entering a temple, such as bathing themselves and dressing in modest clothing. Most temples discourage the wearing of armor into a temple or bringing weapons other than the Poignard Sacré, the ceremonial dagger.

Entering the Temple

Once arriving at the temple, Adorateurs often stop at its entrance to pray in either kneeling on one knee or with their hands above their heads. Many temples also have an outdoor flagpole bearing the star-and-pentagram banner, where worshipers can pray and clear their heads of negative thoughts. Before entering the temple, worshipers are usually required to remove their shoes as a sign of respect to the Pentatheon.
Upon entering a temple, Adorateurs often see a small bell by the door that they traditionally ring in order to announce themselves to the gods. It’s then customary for worshipers to visit each of the shrines within the temple and to offer a flower in honor of each represented god. Worshipers then customarily walk clockwise around the temple’s primary shrine and clear their heads of non-religious thoughts. At each of the five shrines, Adorateurs ritually use the small raised stone on the center of each shrine to hone their poignard sacré, making one sharpening pass on each side of the blade at each shrine in turn. This symbolizes how the Pentatheon hone our spirits to be ready to face the challenges of life.

Afterward, Adorateurs place an offering (often a coin or flowers) at the shrine to honor the deity, then sit for the worship service known as Adoration.

Adoration

During Adoration, devotees sit on reed mats before the temple’s main shrine and places their poignard sacré on the ground in front of them while a priest chants in Lalange and makes symbolic hand gestures that are intended to attract the notice of the gods. The priest then rings a bell and places offerings for the gods on the central altar. These offerings usually consist of food and holy ash made from burning sacred incense.
The priest then waves a lamp over the altar while bells ring. This symbolizes Aruna sending the sun arcing through the sky again and again, and it is the time when the deities sending their power into the shrine. The worshipers then pray in a prostrate position toward the shrine.

Adoration Sacraments

The priest then holds the lamp in front of each Adorateur, who then traditionally wave their hands across its flame three times. The devotee then softly touches their eyes in a gesture meant to draw blessings into themselves. A priest, usually a junior clergyman, offers each devotee sandalwood paste and red powder, which are then applied in a small dot at the outside corner of each eye, applied with the ring finger.

After Adoration

When Adoration is finished, devotees participate in a related activities while at the temple. Worshipers may sing hymns to themselves or with a group. Some may choose to meditate or mentally repeat a mantra while counting prayer beads, an act known as japa. It’s also common practice for noble or wealthy Adorateurs to receive an individualized Adoration service, known as Archana, which can be obtained through a modest fee and offering. As the final act as Adorateurs leave the temple, they dip the blade of their poignard sacré into a basin of holy oil and wiping off the excess on a white cloth. They then return the poignard to its sheath, collect their boots or shoes from the shoe room, and leave the temple.

Sects

Order of Armel (Armelites): an order of monks who follow the teachings of Grand Patriarch Armel Michaux. They focus on quiet study and the collection of knowledge.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Demonym

Venerati

Permeated Organizations

• County Lorinne (Lysonne)

Divines

• Sorcelle Foquet

Controlled Territories

• Church of Saint Roland
• Church of the Unfailing Bastion
• Citadel of Viresh
• Our Lady of Mysteries Abbey

Related Items

• Journal of Dame Giselle

Notable Members

• Castellan Benedicte Kampari
• Seneschal Auguste Kapoor (Lorinne)