The Pelorian Church
Mythology & Lore
Eovillia laid bare, flat, and dark the elements spread across the lands. Then unto Eovillia the creator descended. From each of the elements he created his children, and from fire came his first born, Pelor. The second was formed from earth. From the water he created Melora, and from the air he created Talos.
He then said unto his children, let us create a realm fit for the future. The Creator tilled the earth creating the continents. Melora filled the trenches with water creating the ocean. Pelor placed in in the astral sea a great light to shine unto the realm creating the Sun. Talos used his great strength to create the wind and sky so that the astral sea may not encroach upon their creation. While the second born, moved the earth heating it, creating hot springs, and volcanoes.
The creator, pleased with the work, asked each to bring forth a gift so that the realm change and grow. Melora created the tide so that the ocean may be ever changing. Talos created the clouds so that the world may have shade to rest in. The second born created the night so that Pelor may rest. While Pelor brought forward a single flower, the first life.
The gods rested but Eovillia moved and charged. It was during a great storm brought upon by Talos that the flower died. Pelor was heartbroken and cursed his brother, but the creator came down from the heavens and spoke to Pelor. “My child, do not blame your brother. Did not his rain feed your flower, and his wind spread its leaves? There is a duality to all and your gift of life is the same.”
The creator then took the flower and buried the flower. From the grave sprung the Raven Queen the goddess of death. Pelor and the Raven Queen laid together and became one. Their union was the first marriage. The creator gave her domain over death and second born gave to her the moon as her throne, from which she may watch over Eovillia. The two then left to the heavens.
Divine Origins
Ancestor of the Pelorian church dates back to before the cataclysm. Scholars are unsure of the teachings and origins of this faith, but it appears to be very similar to the teachings of the Pelorian Church. It was during 1000 BA that the ancient church fathers unearthed the Book of Light. They translated it to common, and from that they birthed the Pelorian Church.
These early father’s names were lost to time but it seems that the church spent its infancy in the south unclaimed expanse, near the Grand Archive. It was then spread slowly across the south of the continent, but with the rise of the Zaleruth kingdom the spread was slowed. The dragons killed all who did not worship Tiamat, and due to the opposition of the two gods, Pelor believers were heavily hunted and killed by the Kingdom. They ran to the region of the modern day Golden Empire and hid in the caves that dotted the land. When the fall of the dragons came the church emerged from hiding to spread the word of Pelor once again.
Cosmological Views
The Pelorian Church believes in the astral sea model of the realms. Eovillia exists in the middle of the astral sea which the sky keeps from leaking into Eovillia. While the other realms are as islands in the sea. In fact it is possible to see into these realms by looking into the sky. The sun is the Golden Fields from which Pelor watches. What we see when looking at the sun is the his throne and to allow the complete realm to be seen by mortal eyes would cause a great bombardment of radiant energy destroying the life Pelor so greatly cares for.
It is possible for one to traverse the astral sea, and journey to other realms, however the journey is extremely dangerous, and is unfit for all but the most powerful. THis is why the spell gate and planeshift became the norm. If one wanted to journey to say the feywild, one would have to travel for months, and battle great horrors of the astral sea.
Tenets of Faith
Alleviate suffering wherever you find it.
- The sick and weak are all brothers in the light of Pelor. His gift lies in all of us and to turn from them is to turn from Pelor. However, aiding and serving them is to serve Pelor.
Bring Pelor’s light into places of darkness, showing kindness, mercy, and compassion
- Love for one another is the greatest action one can do in the service of Pelor. When you spread kindness you spread the light of Pelor.
Be watchful against evil
- Evil lurks in this world. It tricks, hurts, and ensnares many. Its insidious grasp can infect many. You must be watchful and not allow yourself to be tempted by its siren song.
Ethics
The ethics of the church is built upon the seven virtues which one should endeavour to embody as a follower of Pelor. The first virtue is humility, Pelor cares not for braggarts, and his followers should know it is by his grace that they are capable. Allow the self to be happy for their successes but realize they are imperfect.
The second virtue is Temperance. Over indulgence of any substance is a road to ruin. Allow others to partake in the feasts and pleasures of life, and do not take more than your share. Do not overindulge in alcohol as that can lead to addiction and unsavory activities.
The third virtue is generosity. You who have much are blessed by Pelor. Do not allow greed to overtake you, for you have been given much to help many. Give alms to the poor, buy food for the hungry, and build houses for the homeless. Let your wealth be the tool with which you can help others.
The fourth virtue is honesty. Deceit is against the teachings of Pelor and should be avoided. Defrauding, and swindling others is among the most heinous of actions one can do to another and should be condemned with zeal. Speak only the truth and live in the light of Pelor.
The fifth virtue is diligence. Laziness and sloth is the entitlement to live off the works of others. Let your hands work the earth and feed your family. Allow rest but remember the Pelor rewards those who work hard.
The sixth virtue is kindness. Show mercy and compassion to all, even those who are undeserving. Wrath and anger only breeds violence. Let you voice be one of welcome and love, and allow not your fellow beings to suffer.
The final virtue is patience. Things will come in time, and you will be tested. Control over yourself and your emotions will allow you to act with caution and grace. Impulsivity and recklessness should be avoided.
Worship
Priesthood
The Pelorian Church is a large church with members throughout Eovillia. The highest Office of the Pelorian Church is The Gold Robed. This role is chosen from among the many clerics of Pelor. Only those who have shown great compassion, knowledge, and wisdom are considered however. This decision is made by the Golden Robed, who will choose their successor 4 years into their time as The Golden Robed. They create a ranked list, which they must constantly update. Should The Golden Robed pass away, the highest ranked successor that is alive is chosen to be the next Golden Robed.
However, should The Golden Robed pass away before they are able to create their list of successors a trail is created. The hopeful clerics must submit a letter of intent, then they convene at a secret location where they are given their duty. They are to enter the Underdark armed only with a mace, and clothed in their cleric frock. There they must spend 1 year surviving in the underdark and looking for proof that they were chosen by Pelor. Upon returning they must show their proof to the Goldenrods who will decide who is blessed by Pelor. This cleric becomes the New Golden Robed
The Goldenrods, are a group of 6 elder clerics who administer to the various areas where churches of Pelor exist. They act as advisors to the Golden Robed, and scholars on the faith of Pelor. The Goldenrods are chosen by the Golden Robed, and are unable to be the next Golden Robed. The Clerics of Pelor are just that: Clerics of Pelor. They oversee a temple of Pelor and lead sermons. They are the overseer of the temple to which they belong and give guidance to the people and the Priests of Pelor.
The priests of Pelor, are clerics who either are not in charge of the temple to which they belong or belong to no temple. These are the traveling cleric adventurers that one may find throughout the realm.
Sects
The Receivers of his Immaculate Gift
- These are followers who strictly follow the teachings of Pelor when it comes to life. Extreme pacifists, self defense is unheard of for this group, and meat consumption is all but forbidden. Firm believers in every life are sacred, they spend much of their time in temples alone. They often carry brooms with them and sweep in front of them to ensure they do not tread on bugs as they walk.
The Church of the Cleansing Fire
- A strict fundamentalist group that has disdain for all but followers of Pelor, and The Raven Queen. Has one of the highest volumes of witch hunters and demon slayers, and they see all arcane casters as tools of Asmodeus. The church burns these casters at the pyre to cleanse their taint from the land. They have an extreme hatred of demons and devils and will hunt them relentlessly. One situation lead to members of the church storming the Iron Republic and killing 100 individuals including 20 non devils. Fire is usually the preferred choice of the church, but radiant spells are also used quite often. Completely disowned by the Pelorian church, this sect has become hated by all but the most sympathetic towns of Eluth.
The Cult of Rebirth
- This church is relatively new, but has gained notoriety fast for their unusual view. The Cult believes that the Raven Queen and Pelor are not different beings, but rather one in the same. They take the passage which states that the two became one to mean that the two gods literally became one god. This new god is what they believe Pelor is and that it embodies both life and death. The core tenet of the faith is that upon death the individual will be reborn, and only by cultivating the divine spark shall one be able to transcend to the Golden Fields. Though dismissed as heresy by the Church of the Cleansing Fire, and uninformed conspiracy by the Pelorian church at large, the cult is nevertheless gaining followers at an astonishing rate.
