Elementalism/Protosism

In prehistoric times, Selestya was inhabited by elementals, who leaked into the world, along with the elements themselves, from the elemental realms that surround this dimension. Over the aeons, as the elemental creatures warred, adapted, interbred, and basically went native, they evolved into the ancestors of the races we know today (along with the flora and fauna that adapted to this mixed element world). However the original elemental creatures were, and are, immortal. Their spirits were allowed to come to this realm and draw from the material here to form bodies, but if these were destroyed, they were sent packing back home. (This is still the way of things in terms of summoning these critters).
Naturally the offspring worshipped the power of these beings, and well, some folks still do. The people of Valay do not worship the gods of Selestya, or pay respect to the Forces (they consider the Forces simply abstract concepts.) Valasians worship the elementals and consider them the true gods of the world - they are aware that the younger gods exist (at least the educated among them) but consider them apostate upstarts.

Structure

The religion, and indeed the Empire, are led by the Viziers, a combination of sorcerer and priest. The viziers practice divine magic but from an elemental source. Also, they must learn their spells in an arcane fashion. There are four sorts of Vizier, one for each element, but these are not necessarily adverserial, or allied, by their element. They are however, ranked in terms of authority and title, in a rigid heriarchical feudal system:

1. Padishah Vizier (leader of the viziers and of the empire, the emperor)
2. Malik Vizier (leader of one of the six regions, equivalent to a prince or duke)
3. Bey Vizier (leader of one of the 36 subregions, equivalent to an earl)
4. Majul Vizier (everyone else, equivalent to a baron - over 200 of these)

It is important to note that all but the Padishah will very likely be called "Majul (name)" in conversation or by address. It is forbidden for common people to know or understand the ranks of the nobility and considered churlish to address anyone by rank within the nobility. A fiction of equality is projected and maintained. 
Also it should be noted that titles are not hereditary and moving up within the nobility is almost never done by any kind of magical contest. This is what the barbarian north does. Generally a vizier will clearly state who their successor will be (apart from the Padishah - this is elected from the Malikim). This is usually the least risky of a number of risky options - who might be poisioned (successor/successee), where will suspicion fall, who stands to gain, who's been framed for the whole mess? These questions will always be asked  regardless so another fiction of order might prevent some bloodshed.

Culture

The Valasian Empire is a highly cutthroat and competetive society, in the ranks of leadership at least. The Viziers have maintained an iron fist of control for aeons, and there's no sign of that changing any time soon. Below the viziers is an equally competetive merchant class, and many of the merchants are themselves viziers, in terms of magic ability, but they will in no way be recognized by the title Majul by any of the nobility.
Selestyans use the terms "protose" and "protosean" for elementals and elementalists, but these words are considered blasphemic in Valasian culture. Instead, elementals are called by the Valasian equivalent of "angels" and "demons"  - djinn, efreeti, marid, dao and so on. Normal elemental creatures such as sylphs, salamanders and the like will also be called by these names, or simply demons.

Granted Divine Powers

Game Notes:

Viziers cast divine magic, but from an elemental source. Also, they must learn their spells in an arcane fashion. Viziers cast spells using the cleric table (including domain bonuses) but need not memorize specific spells. Also, any spell having to do with their element is available to them, regardless of its class (but using the highest level applicable -- for instance fire trap is a Dr 2/Sor 4 spell. A fire vizier could cast it as a 4th level spell.) A vizier’s other spells are cleric spells, but only those from available domains, and remember that these must be learned in an arcane (i.e. taught or copied from a scroll) fashion first. Also, he cannot cast spells from the opposite element of his chosen one.
The domains available are: air, earth, fire, water, (one of these must be taken), destruction, knowledge, magic, divination, domination, exorcism, mind, mysticism, summoning. So, a vizier with the domains fire and summoning casts these spells at +1 level, can’t cast water spells, and other spells are those available from the remaining domains only.
A vizier uses a d6 for hp, gains a +2 on any saves to do with his element, can use simple weapons and no armour.

Type

Religious, Other

Demonym

Protosean