Church of Aroden
At its height, Aroden’s faith was by far the most widespread and powerful human religion in the Inner Sea region, with massive cathedrals in nearly every major city and minor shrines just about everywhere. Most of Aroden’s clergy were clerics, with some paladins and magi. The religion influenced nearly all aspects of daily life, from municipal administration to sacramental services celebrating birth, marriage, and death.
Owing to a myth cycle covering thousands of years, Aroden’s faith is packed with saints, famous martyrs, and local heroes. Some of these approached demigod status, but like Arazni they are all either long dead or largely forgotten—only Iomedae remains. The names of these heroes survive, however, in the churches and cathedrals named for them, and in the countless statues and temple frescoes bearing their images.
In the decades following Aroden’s death, many of his clergy lost faith or drifted to other religions headed by deities capable of answering their prayers. Many of the most devout, delirious with dreams of Aroden’s imminent return or fatalistic at the prospect that he never would, threw themselves into the First Mendevian Crusade against the returned demon lord Deskari and the Worldwound.
Aroden’s rural churches often contained shrines to Abadar, Cayden Cailean, Desna, Erastil, Sarenrae, and Shelyn—allies in the march of humanity toward its glorious destiny. Religious services were usually held in the morning, with more orthodox temples (especially in Cheliax) sponsoring sermons after sundown or even at midnight, particularly on Sundays. These beautiful ceremonies featured choirs of adults and children accompanied by highly skilled bards who often wove encouraging and magical effects into the proceedings. Many Arodenite hymns live on today as the melodies of songs devoted to other gods (particularly Iomedae and Abadar), and underlie countless popular tavern songs.
Each priest sought to model herself on the life and accomplishments of Aroden. The Last Azlanti was not the savior of human history and culture because the stars and the prophets said he would be, but because he recognized the hero of the Starfall Doctrine in himself, and acted to fulfill what he believed to be his destiny. Priests of Aroden therefore advocated personal reliance and responsibility, urging all followers to live to the utmost of their potential.
Today, the central question to what remains of the Arodenite faith is this: Why worship a dead god? The truth is that not very many people do. Without the tangible spells granted by her deity, a cleric has little to show for her devotion. In a world where clerics of even the most minor godlings can heal wounds and cure disease, a powerless clergy leads to empty churches. But the church of Aroden still controls many properties, buildings, and other remnants of its once-continent-spanning infrastructure, all of which require administration. Aroden’s faithful also have law-appointed seats on city councils, ecumenical organizations, trade guilds, and other social circles throughout Avistan. At one time, priests of Aroden had the ear of nearly every ruler in the land, and while this influence has certainly waned in the last century, it still exists in places. Where there is political power lying about, there will always be those who step forward to claim it. This means that few of the remaining priests of Aroden truly “believe” in their deity, paying only the barest of lip service to their doctrines or duties. Only the oldest cling to their faith, and their numbers thin with the passing of every year.
Owing to a myth cycle covering thousands of years, Aroden’s faith is packed with saints, famous martyrs, and local heroes. Some of these approached demigod status, but like Arazni they are all either long dead or largely forgotten—only Iomedae remains. The names of these heroes survive, however, in the churches and cathedrals named for them, and in the countless statues and temple frescoes bearing their images.
In the decades following Aroden’s death, many of his clergy lost faith or drifted to other religions headed by deities capable of answering their prayers. Many of the most devout, delirious with dreams of Aroden’s imminent return or fatalistic at the prospect that he never would, threw themselves into the First Mendevian Crusade against the returned demon lord Deskari and the Worldwound.
Temples & Shrines
Most Arodenite temples bear Azlanti architectural features—thin spires, domes, and marble columns and statues. Stained glass windows predominate, with the richest temples sporting examples that qualify as priceless works of art. Major temples are almost always dedicated to a saint or martyr, the most famous example being Saint Sarnax in Absalom’s Petal District, the current home of the religion’s patriarch and the center of its worldwide religious organization (such as it is). Other notable temples include Absalom’s Hall of Aroden (the city’s current Chelish embassy), the Almas Cathedral in Andoran’s capital (now a famous Pathfinder Society lodge), and the legendary Lost Sanctum of Aroden somewhere below the streets of Absalom, which served as the modern headquarters of Aroden’s faithful Knights of the Ioun Star.Aroden’s rural churches often contained shrines to Abadar, Cayden Cailean, Desna, Erastil, Sarenrae, and Shelyn—allies in the march of humanity toward its glorious destiny. Religious services were usually held in the morning, with more orthodox temples (especially in Cheliax) sponsoring sermons after sundown or even at midnight, particularly on Sundays. These beautiful ceremonies featured choirs of adults and children accompanied by highly skilled bards who often wove encouraging and magical effects into the proceedings. Many Arodenite hymns live on today as the melodies of songs devoted to other gods (particularly Iomedae and Abadar), and underlie countless popular tavern songs.
A Priest’s Role
For millennia, the lay clergy of Aroden served as the cultural custodians of humanity, the chroniclers of its many accomplishments, and the inspiration for its greatest innovations. They led congregations to seek justice for even the weakest members of society, galvanizing the wealthy to offer succor to the impoverished and the poor to aspire and work toward a more rewarding life. They encouraged focus on the community over the individual, urging all toward a shared destiny of survival, strength, and spiritual and fiscal enrichment.Each priest sought to model herself on the life and accomplishments of Aroden. The Last Azlanti was not the savior of human history and culture because the stars and the prophets said he would be, but because he recognized the hero of the Starfall Doctrine in himself, and acted to fulfill what he believed to be his destiny. Priests of Aroden therefore advocated personal reliance and responsibility, urging all followers to live to the utmost of their potential.
Today, the central question to what remains of the Arodenite faith is this: Why worship a dead god? The truth is that not very many people do. Without the tangible spells granted by her deity, a cleric has little to show for her devotion. In a world where clerics of even the most minor godlings can heal wounds and cure disease, a powerless clergy leads to empty churches. But the church of Aroden still controls many properties, buildings, and other remnants of its once-continent-spanning infrastructure, all of which require administration. Aroden’s faithful also have law-appointed seats on city councils, ecumenical organizations, trade guilds, and other social circles throughout Avistan. At one time, priests of Aroden had the ear of nearly every ruler in the land, and while this influence has certainly waned in the last century, it still exists in places. Where there is political power lying about, there will always be those who step forward to claim it. This means that few of the remaining priests of Aroden truly “believe” in their deity, paying only the barest of lip service to their doctrines or duties. Only the oldest cling to their faith, and their numbers thin with the passing of every year.
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