Temple of Ziva

A number of religions are practiced throughout Atios, but one of the most prominent is the Temple of Ziva. The doctrine of the Temple is centered on the goddess Ziva and the belief that she brought kinfire to the elves in order to overcome the Darkness that had spread through Atios.

 

Primarily practiced within the lands of the Luminated Alliance, the Temple of Ziva is heavily associated with elves. In fact, the church and its statutes were the basis of government for the mostly-elven city-states of the Alliance.

 

Kinfire

 

To believers, kinfire represents Ziva's blessings and protection. If the Holy Flame burning in the The Great Lighthouse were to ever be extinguished, it is thought that Ziva would turn her back on Atios and her people. It is, therefore, seen as their duty to guard the flame and protect kinfire from any who would seek to desecrate it.

 

The Temple believes that it is Ziva's desire for kinfire to remain unblemished, burning brightly as a protective beacon for those under her blessing. Non-believers, however, see kinfire in a much different light. It is an extremely powerful source of magical energy, and to some, there is an obligation to use kinfire to help those in need and to improve quality of life through magical innovation.

 

According to the Temple's teachings, when Ziva first brought the gift of kinfire, the elves generously shared it with the other peoples of Atios so that they might all experience her blessings. But when the kinfire was not treated with the care and reverence that Ziva demands, followers of the Temple were obligated to take it back. As divinely appointed protectors of the Holy Flame and of the world of Atios, they felt they had no choice but to defend kinfire with their very lives.

 

This resulted in a long and costly conflict known as the Great War, fought between the Luminated Alliance, a Temple-run theocracy, and Dwar Fell, a mostly dwarven kingdom who believed that kinfire was a scientific wonder that should be shared with all of Atios.

 

The Hymnals

 

The ancient religious texts studied by the priests of the Temple of Ziva are known collectively as the Hymnals. These tomes, believed to have been written between two and three thousand years ago, contain accounts of the creation of Atios as well as the Three Appearances of Ziva. The writing of these accounts are poetic in nature and are taught to Temple members as songs from a very young age.

 

The Hymnals frequently speak of emotion as the true source of power given to Atios. In fact, the ancient words used for emotion and magic are nearly identical. The relationship between magical energy and emotion is an observable connection that is recognized by both science and religion.

 

Though it has not been confirmed, it is rumored that a few of the Hymnals have not yet been translated and instead are kept locked away in secret, only accessible to the highest order of priests, the Flame Keepers .

 

The Creation of Atios

 

According to the Temple’s followers, their goddess Ziva created the world of Atios and populated it with life. Many believe that the elves were the first of Ziva's creations and are therefore chosen by her as recipients of her blessings.

 

Ziva, the goddess, a being of pure light and joy encountered an emotion previously unknown to her: loneliness. Thus she created two twin sons who became the center of her world. She loved them more than all else and her loneliness was no more.

 

Magic was plentiful in this realm, and Ziva allowed her sons to possess as much as they wished. The firstborn twin believed that, as the eldest, magic was his birthright and that he was therefore deserving of more. The second born twin argued that he, as a far more kindhearted and thoughtful son, would use magic to do great good and was therefore deserving of more. The two sons quarreled until their hatred grew so great that they murdered one another out of jealousy and spite.

 

Ziva was left in anguish and grief. Not wanting to be parted with her sons, she reformed their bodies into a mass of clay. With a great angry breath of fire, she hardened the clay into a ball of rock and with her rivers of tears, she covered the rock with great bodies of water. Thus the world of Atios was born. By releasing her sons’ last breaths onto the world, she ignited the first spark of life.

- The Fourth Hymnal
 

Worship

 

Though the worship of Ziva is not restricted to any physical place, many worshippers choose to gather together at shrines or in churches. These gatherings are intended to produce great displays of happiness and joy, which visibly affect kinfire flames, causing them to burn more brightly and shimmer with a brilliant range of color. It is believed that the worship of Ziva and the display of emotion must continue in order to maintain the Holy Flame.

 

Songs are an essential part of these worship services, and the singing and laughing of participants can be heard throughout the city late into the night. Many of these worship songs tell moving stories of joy and thankfulness and are intended to elicit strong emotions, which is the true essence of worshiping Ziva.

 

Plays and re-enactments are put on in Temple churches as another method of bringing forth emotion. While these plays are sometimes religious in nature, they are often dramatic stories of fiction and legend. Some are tales of heroes and villains, while others are lively comedies accompanied by expertly composed music.

 

Within the tunnels beneath the city of Din’Lux lies an enormous underground concert hall intended to house large audiences. Many of the spectators attending these shows are not even followers of Ziva but simply appreciate the entertainment. The most popular show to date is The Hierophant's Heretical Haberdashery, a comedy about Hierophant Selen's wardrobe coming to life and causing havoc in the city of Din'Lux. Unfortunately, it was also the very last comedy to be performed in the underground theater. The show caused such an echoing of laughter that a number of stalactites came falling from the ceiling and injured several audience members.

   

The Luminated Alliance

 

The mostly-elven lands north of the Great Sea were separated into a number of city-states, including Din'Lux and Aes’Tos. Each of these city-states were devoted to the Temple of Ziva and to the protection of kinfire. With this common goal, they united their forces as the Luminated Alliance in order to defend against those who did not serve Ziva.

 

Dwar Fell, the kingdom to the east, had committed grievous transgressions by manipulating and desecrating kinfire. When the Luminated Alliance took back what kinfire they could and demanded the rest, Dwar Fell refused. Thus began the Great War, a holy war that continued on for nearly a thousand years until the return of the Darkness.

 

For more, see the Luminated Alliance and the Great War.

 

Theocracy

 

Before the return of the Darkness, the Temple of Ziva acted as both church and state for Din’Lux and the other city-states of the Luminated Alliance. The Hierophant controlled leadership of both the Temple and the government. When the Starless Nights returned, however, Vath of the Tuskrippers—concerned for the well being of the refugees in Din’Lux—staged a coup. Once the violence subsided, Vath formed a new government with equal representation for all peoples and religions.

 

Leaders

 

The head of the Temple of Ziva is the hierophant, an individual chosen by Ziva herself. This choice is voiced by the previous hierophant on the eve of their fiftieth year as leader of the Temple. Prior to this anniversary, they lock themselves away for a number of days, which are spent in fits of shouting and tears until the voice of Ziva proclaims to them the next chosen hierophant.

 

Once the next hierophant is declared, the successor dedicates themselves to study and prayer until the previous leader dies and the position passes on. If a hierophant perishes before a successor is proclaimed, the decision falls to the head of the Flame Keepers. This situation has occurred twice in recorded history, and on each occasion, the senior Flame Keeper declared themselves to be the chosen successor.

 

Priesthood

 

Parents who wish their children to become priests may pay tuition in order to send their child to seminary to be educated by the Temple. Because the priesthood is such a highly desired and respected occupation, the cost of tuition makes it prohibitive for those without means.

 

Once ordained, priests are assigned to one of a number of Temple positions. These positions might include leading music at the Temple, attending to many shrines throughout the city, or acting in a religious theater production. The Temple also runs a few small charities in the city, including an orphanage, housing and education for the displaced, and healers who see to the sick and injured.

 

Priests are also expected to promote the expression of joy and happiness through art, performance, and music. They sponsor artists, singers, and actors as well as commission pieces intended to provoke emotional responses. Many priests are artistically talented as well and utilize those talents for Temple causes.

 

One particular priest, Keeper Aquila of Hallstatt, rose to great fame in the city of Din'Lux with the unique timber of his voice and his on-stage charm. Though he was a talented singer, his favored form of performance was poetry. He grew to such celebrity that crowds would form around him wherever he went, shouting for an impromptu poem. He commissioned a craftsman to create a large collection of elven masks and attire to help hide his identity. Despite these efforts, his tall figure and the unique sound of his voice made him instantly recognizable. Uncomfortable with the attention and fame, Keeper Aquila quit performing and retired to his small hometown of Hallstatt to live in peace.

 

Flame Keepers

 

The Flame Keepers are an exclusive order of priests tasked with maintaining the Holy Flame. In order to become a Flame Keeper, one must be nominated by the other Keepers and approved by the Hierophant. It is believed that these priests are given special access to a number of hidden texts—parts of the Hymnals that have never been translated–and likely contain the secrets of kinfire. These priests are also greatly respected by the people and are often involved in Temple performances and politics.

 

For more, see Flame Keepers.

Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Notable Members

Articles under Temple of Ziva


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