Church of Aurelia
The Church of Aurelia is the national religion of Mercadia. Founded after the end of the Last Night, it reveres the angels that led the war to eliminate darkness. Led by the Scepter of Aurelia, practitioners pledge loyalty to one of the nine devotaries upon reaching adulthood- seeking to embody the virtue that their angel represents. In the wake of the Last Night the royalty retreated into their castles, satisfied that they were the divinely chosen leaders of Mercadia by decree of Pelor. In their absence, the church has become the defacto government of Mercadia. Each of the devotaries runs a part of the government, led by their Scion.
Structure
The Archpriest of Aurelia is the face and leader of the church. They are elected from the Scions by votes from all Winged members of the church. Each of the nine devotaries is led by a Scion, appointed by their predecessor as the embodiment of their devotary. Each Scion appoints a Confessor to assist them in their duties. Underneath the Confessors, the Bishops manage the church in several smaller towns, or several districts of larger cities. Priests preach at the churches and are the local face of the church.
Culture
Upon their 18th birthday, members of the church choose a devotary to devote themselves to. Each devotary has a specific trial, and once passed the new member gets their Wings.
Mythology & Lore
500 years ago the kingdom of Mercadia was almost consumed by the forces of evil. Archangel Aurelia and her host of nine angels descended from the heavens and led humanity to victory over the forces of darkness. This event is called the Last Night. After the Last Night, Aurelia and her angels stayed with the people of Mercadia for 10 years; teaching them new technologies and helping them to rebuild.
Bruna showed the people how to be just and fair. Shalai fed the hungry and the poor. Linvala revealed great knowledge and secrets of the world. Lyra took in the broken, the forgotten, and the criminal and made them great warriors. Gisela rewrote the laws of humanity to the benefit of all. Akroma watched the battlefield, and saved those in need. Sigarda ensured the war did not touch the supply lines and the farmlands. Tiana healed the sick and the injured. Liesa spread word of the angels and the hope that they carried. The greatest angel, Aurelia the Archangel, led humanity in battle and defeated the forces of darkness forever.
When the Last Night was over, the 10 angels continued their work, and ensured that Mercadia would last forever. At the end of a decade, they declared their work complete and returned to the heavens from which they came.
Since the angels left, the church has continued on in its crusade against darkness. With actual evil gone, its attention has turned to corrupt and evil individuals. Unfortunately, some of those individuals like the power and influence that comes with being a priest.
Bruna showed the people how to be just and fair. Shalai fed the hungry and the poor. Linvala revealed great knowledge and secrets of the world. Lyra took in the broken, the forgotten, and the criminal and made them great warriors. Gisela rewrote the laws of humanity to the benefit of all. Akroma watched the battlefield, and saved those in need. Sigarda ensured the war did not touch the supply lines and the farmlands. Tiana healed the sick and the injured. Liesa spread word of the angels and the hope that they carried. The greatest angel, Aurelia the Archangel, led humanity in battle and defeated the forces of darkness forever.
When the Last Night was over, the 10 angels continued their work, and ensured that Mercadia would last forever. At the end of a decade, they declared their work complete and returned to the heavens from which they came.
Since the angels left, the church has continued on in its crusade against darkness. With actual evil gone, its attention has turned to corrupt and evil individuals. Unfortunately, some of those individuals like the power and influence that comes with being a priest.
Priesthood
Due to the lack of leadership from the monarchy, the church has taken over as the primary government of Mercadia. As such, priests can have many duties other than preaching and helping the poor. Based on the devotionary of the priest, they can have tasks as varied as managing farmland, adjudicating court cases, healing the sick, or teaching.
Priesthood is attained when a Winged member of the church applies and passes a second trial. This second trial is more difficult than the one to attain their Wings, and requires a show of ingenuity or leadership not required of a typical member of the church.
Sects
Devotaries of the Church of Aurelia
The Nine Devotaries of the Church of Aurelia and their Angels are as follows:
Bruna of Justice- The Devotary of Justice is in charge of the courts system in Mercadia. Priests of Justice act as judges for crimes.
Shalai of Charity- The Devotary of Charity helps distribute food, clothes and supplies to those in need. Priests of Charity look for those in need and use the resources of the church to assist.
Linvala of Wisdom- The Devotary of Wisdom acts as the University of Mercadia. Priests of Wisdom teach those who meet the high standards of the devotary.
Lyra of Redemption- The Devotary of Redemption assists those that have been judged by Priests of Justice as guilty for their crimes. Depending on the severity of the crime, redemption can be found through labor, isolation, or performing quests for the church. Priests of Redemption determine how the guilty can be redeemed.
Gisela of Order- The Devotary of Order works closely with the nobles who believe they run the townships and cities of Mercadia. They ensure laws are fair, just, and available for all citizens to know and follow. Priests of Order draft the laws that the nobles and themselves discuss.
Akroma of Protection- The Devotary of Protectionacts as both the military and police force of Mercadia. Due to its isolation, the army has not seen action since the Last Night. The policing arm of the devotary brings suspects of robbery, murder, or other crimes before the Priests of Justice. Priests of Protection act as sergeants for their Winged followers.
Sigarda of Abundance- The Devotary of Abundance works with farmers to ensure the maximum crop yield for each harvest. Using the resources of the devotary, Priests of Abundance are able to coordinate crops between farms, project food needs for the winter months, and ensure maximum utilization of farmland. Additionally, the Devotary of Abundance ensures the borders of Mercadia do not extend into the Garden of Freyalise and ruin the peace between mankind, elves, and fey.
Tiana of Vigor- The Devotary of Vigor acts as the healthcare arm of the church. Priests of Vigor are both doctors of medicine and clerics with healing magic.
Liesa of Reverence- The Devotary of Reverence is the religious sect of the church. The Priests of Reverence hold congregations in all hamlets, towns, and cities of Mercadia. They study the Last Night and the teachings of the Angels of Pelor to find meaning and spirituality for the people of the land.
The Nine Devotaries of the Church of Aurelia and their Angels are as follows:
Bruna of Justice- The Devotary of Justice is in charge of the courts system in Mercadia. Priests of Justice act as judges for crimes.
Shalai of Charity- The Devotary of Charity helps distribute food, clothes and supplies to those in need. Priests of Charity look for those in need and use the resources of the church to assist.
Linvala of Wisdom- The Devotary of Wisdom acts as the University of Mercadia. Priests of Wisdom teach those who meet the high standards of the devotary.
Lyra of Redemption- The Devotary of Redemption assists those that have been judged by Priests of Justice as guilty for their crimes. Depending on the severity of the crime, redemption can be found through labor, isolation, or performing quests for the church. Priests of Redemption determine how the guilty can be redeemed.
Gisela of Order- The Devotary of Order works closely with the nobles who believe they run the townships and cities of Mercadia. They ensure laws are fair, just, and available for all citizens to know and follow. Priests of Order draft the laws that the nobles and themselves discuss.
Akroma of Protection- The Devotary of Protectionacts as both the military and police force of Mercadia. Due to its isolation, the army has not seen action since the Last Night. The policing arm of the devotary brings suspects of robbery, murder, or other crimes before the Priests of Justice. Priests of Protection act as sergeants for their Winged followers.
Sigarda of Abundance- The Devotary of Abundance works with farmers to ensure the maximum crop yield for each harvest. Using the resources of the devotary, Priests of Abundance are able to coordinate crops between farms, project food needs for the winter months, and ensure maximum utilization of farmland. Additionally, the Devotary of Abundance ensures the borders of Mercadia do not extend into the Garden of Freyalise and ruin the peace between mankind, elves, and fey.
Tiana of Vigor- The Devotary of Vigor acts as the healthcare arm of the church. Priests of Vigor are both doctors of medicine and clerics with healing magic.
Liesa of Reverence- The Devotary of Reverence is the religious sect of the church. The Priests of Reverence hold congregations in all hamlets, towns, and cities of Mercadia. They study the Last Night and the teachings of the Angels of Pelor to find meaning and spirituality for the people of the land.
Daylight Eternal
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Leader
Leader Title
Subsidiary Organizations
Deities
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Related Ranks & Titles
Wings
Members of the church choose a devotionary at 18, and complete a trial to attain their Wings. The Wings themselves are a pin to be worn on the lapel, indicating the bearer is a full member of the church. Winged members can have jobs in their devotionaries, vote for a Scepter of Aurelia, apply for priesthood, and use the resources of the church when in need.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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