Aradin the Unifier
Aradin is known in human history for collecting the various sects and worshipers of Diavna and uniting them under the Church of the One True God. After establishing the Church, Aradin summoned the seven high Chaplains of the largest denominations and demanded they elect a leader. With Aradin himself making eight, the Chaplains voted unanimously for Aradin to rule as the Vanar over the newly wedded church to Diavna. It was in this way that Aradin also created The Counsel of the High Chaplains and is largely responsible for the organizational structure of the Church in present day.
The story of Aradin's early life is that he was born the second son of a Cleric of Diavna, Bolvin when The Ornithian Empire was still a young city state. Traditionally, the first born son takes on the father clerical duties, and the second manages the estates. While the two boys were in their early years, Aradin had already demonstrated a superior possession of their father's natural talent for speech and spells. Stories conflict on whether Bolvin instructed him in the arts of clerical duty, or if Aradin assumed its mastery by divinity. However, it is known that by the time they came of age, Bolvin had reassigned his sons' birthrights and Aradin quickly assumed control of his father's temple.
Even as a young cleric, Aradin was a fervent man. He spoke with passion and captivated the attention of his town. As Diavna's congregation began to swell, other local temples and gods began to take notice and acknowledged the temple of Diavna and brought him honor. However, in the eyes of Aradin, this was praise from false gods and blasphemous prophets; and his mind became fixated on their own flocks. It was on these priests, spirits, and clerics did Aradin cut his teeth into politicking and found another natural gift. Aradin graciously accepted their praise, and loudly spoke on being first among equals to the worshipers of Diavna. Yet quietly, Aradin poised his enemies against one another. Over the next several years their power dwindled dynamically, and the temple of Diavna swelled. Aradin's influence began to spread to neighboring towns and villages.
With his competition safely put to rest, Aradin declared himself a Bishop of Diavna and left one of his most faithful priests as Cleric of the temple of his father, and set out to more firmly establish temples in neighboring villages and towns. With this accomplished, Aradin finally made for the city of Ornitha to establish a humble, yet reasonably sized church. It is with no doubt that the rise of Diavna's influence in the region certainly helped paved the way for Aradin's success. The streets of the Ornthia were particularly enthralled with his impassioned sermons, and Aradin quickly gained many new additions to his loyal flock.
Aradin had at this point made himself known to all other local spirits and followers of other gods, as well as other worshipers of Diavna in the region. Now as at deft at politics as he was with crowds, Aradin negotiated these relationships with other Chaplains, priests, and clerics of Diavna carefully. And many years later at the christening of the new, more illustrious Temple of Diavna, Aradin invited the leaders of the eight most prominent sects of Diavna to the city temple. It was at this week long counsel that the Church of the One True God was formally declared; with the temple at the epicenter, and Aradin alone at its head.
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