The Church of Abareus
The Church of Abareus is the official organization of the Abareden faith and is the official state religion of Otmorea.
Mythology & Lore
Before there was anything there was Abareus. Roughly translating to “Father Giant” Abareus is the source of all life and all that is good. Upon his own will, Abareus decided to create a space for a garden. From a single red seed, all life began to sprout up. First the vegetation, flowers, then fish in the water ways, then birds in the sky, all enjoying the guarden. Not long after the first legged creatures began to walk the guarden, from the largest dragon to the smallest ant.
As the garden grew, Abareus took several of his favored creatures and appointed them as the Vousharpa, an order of beings dedicated to service to Abareus and being beacons of his power to the garden. Each were appointed to specific tasks within the garden. There was the tallest tree, Liaan, for the vegetation. The largest mountain, Kiel, for the land. Loct, the largest cloud in the sky. Hoo, the greatest wave for the mighty oceans and rivers. Naham, the night sky. And the chief of all Vousharpa, Helder, the bright morning star.
As creation grew Abareus explained to his messengers that all life was his to grow. Helder, who felt himself equal to Abareus as the light of all, sought to make his own creation. Abareus, warned Helder that such an action was impossible since life is only his to give. Any attempt at creation by Helder would only corrupt. Helder, in a fit of rage unleashed his power in an attempt to create what would prove him to be Abareus’ equal. Yet, as Abareus said, Helder could only corrupt. A dragon flying high in the heavens was corrupted and began to lash out at his own kind. Helder appeared before the Dragon and convinced it to submit to his authority, as what dragon would not bow before the sun. Seeing his new corrupted creature, he dubbed it Theda, the first of the dead.
Abareus seeing the corruption banished Helder to Scadur, A Realm of pure shadow. Taking the light that once rested with Helder and hanging it in the sky, free of his influence. Theda likewise was cast to the shadows confined to the darkness where the light does not show.
After letting the guarden grow and grow, Abareus decided to draw forth the first of the Ha’dasmen a race of bipedal people that are said to look like small versions of Abareus himself, save for his limitless power and immense stature. The first two of these were Ianis and his wife Voora, as they were given the garden they were told to enjoy and live. Day in and day out the pair would sing and feast with Abareus while the Vousharpa declared the majesty of the garden and its gardener.
The two explored the garden, constantly yet never ceased discovering new things about it and the creativity of its maker. The existence was blissful free of want. Abareus showed them the aspects of his garden down to the finest detail, save one. The knowledge of light and darkness. A cave beneath the guarden is the path to the Scadur, the realm where Helder and Theda were sealed away. The closer one becomes to Helder the greater chance they could be corrupted and suffer a similar fate as Theda.
The two avoided the cave, until one evening, in the darkness of the night the cave was not so easily avoided. They ventured into it until they heard the whispers of Helder, begging them to allow him to show them truth, the truth that Abareus had not given them. What is the difference between darkness and light. Claiming that once they held the knowledge they had no need for Abareus to tend the garden for them, they could be independent.
Together they began to open the door to the cave, before they could the door burst open as the mighty dragon Theda crashed out and spilled into the world, covered in the shadowy darkness of shade. Helder, now content with his new kingdom remained in Scadur.
Theda tried to take flight and began pealing his scales and screaming into the night of the excruciating pain of his existence. The shade from his scales seeping off into the night. Upon the site of the original red seed, Theda crashed into the ground clawing desperately to escape his pain. Abareus arrived to see the havoc unleashed. Ianis and Voora each sat with a scale of Theda on them causing them to begin to feel the weight of his pain. Theda reached into the ground to touch the seed of life desperate to feel relief from his pain but it helped him not, instead the seed of life was corrupted by the shade which marked him.
The world, once constantly producing life, was now terminally ill with a infection that could not be removed or cured.
For his crimes Theda was once again banished, upon the site of his banishment, Abareus created a well, and used the water within to clean the shade from Ianis and Voora. He named the site the Well of Iniquity. The curse unleashed by their disobedience would result in the eventual decay of the life in the garden, and all would be effected.
Abareus, unable to be in the presence of shade returned to his home. It is said that his home lies on the other side of an ocean filled with the same water that runs in the well of Iniquity. Only those who cross the waters can live forever with Abareus.
Before his departure, he told Ianis and Voora to move throughout the garden and live, and that one day he would create a path across the sea for them. But until then, they had to wait and have faith that he will do exactly what he said.
Divine Origins
As far back as recorded history the Otmoreans have worshiped Abareus, the church was formed officially along with the monarchy not long before the Litia dynasty began.
Tenets of Faith
Abareus is the only god, and he is in control and command of everything. If one seeks a good life they must profess their faith and obey his teachings.
Priesthood
Gardeners are men trained in the history of Abareus and his people. Their job is to ensure the healthy growth of all Abareus' children, and the prevention of any weeds that may harm the garden.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Church and the Monarchy are intrinsically linked as they were founded near the same time. The Church's temple was constructed by King Holden Litia and sits mere feet away from the Palace in the capital city. Historically, King and Magisters alike have sought wisdom from the High Gardener and all Kings and their families attend the daily worship services that occur at midday.
"O' children, thy ground be only temporary, come and dwell in the house of the One who created you."
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