Order of Deus
NOTICE: The most sacred order of Deus has been labelled as a cult above; this is false.
Residing in the outskirts of Ghearas sits a convent, the last known one dedicated to the ancient deity Deus, Lord of Light and Mercy (Among other titles). While not very large, the members of the order are very dedicated and typically raised from birth as apostles of Deus, with very few (typically social outcasts looking for a new start) joining as adults.
Structure
At the top is the Light-Father, the only one said to be able to directly commue with Deus. Holding council with him, for it is of course always a man, are the rest of the High Clergy who together elect a new one among them to be Light-Father when it is time. The rest of the order are divided between the Apostles, ones typically raised from birth to study the word of Deus, and on the other hand the members of the commune.
It should be noted that there has been a great deal of time since a member was appointed to the High Clergy, as none have walked the Path of Flames.
This commune is divided between the family which make it up, with every father being responsible for and in charge of their own family. Outsiders joining are typically assigned to join an already existing family to learn life within the commune.
Among the Apostles there are elevated to Paragons of Deus, followers who truly exemplify the faith and dedicate their entire lives to the study and worship of Deus. While they are technically not higher up than other Apostles in hierarchical structure, they are far more revered by the others of the faith.
Culture
The culture surrounding the order are very much defined by a patriarchical structure and traditional family values. The greatest thing one can do is fulfill ones biological and religious duty as a follower of the one true god. Wether that be being an obedient housewife, a harsh yet just family father, or an apostle learning the word of Deus does not truly matter; what matters is that one does what one is supposed to.
Public Agenda
The Order of Deus aspire to bring all those who are fitting into their flock so that they together may ascend to eternal paradise when the second rupture is brought forth to finish the sins of civilisation once and for all.
Assets
The convent is made up of something like a disproportionately monastic village, with a small longhouse per family. These longhouses are all built up around individual temples dedicated to Deus and instructed to lead their flock. Every one of these temples typically house one or two of the High Clergy and their servants/apostles.
While the church isn't monetarily very rich, joining the church does put one in eternal debt to Deus (Read: the church) in exchange for his mercy, meaning that essentially the whole commune is dedicated to him.
History
With the Temple Exemplar of Deus destroyed as part of Rapture (previously residing outside of Kehlenburr), the first Light-Father of the order gathered resources to re-found the faith in Ghearas instead. It took some years and a lot of preaching, but eventually a temple-monastery was raised in the outskirts of the city. Due to the faith-shattering event that was Rapture, it did not take long to find devotees willing to follow a god who promised them mercy. Quit early on a commune was established around the temple, as to let people live enveloped by the faith, and soon joining the order would require living in the commune.
Since then, the Order has grown to some 1,000 members living together in their convent and commune, living and praying together.
Mythology & Lore
Not many texts of Deus survived the destruction of the Temple Examplar during rapture, with the only major one being the Hymns Luxium. This collection of prayers to and songs of Deus do not speak very specifically on the mythologies of the faith, and as such the church has promoted their telling focusing on Rapture, and how it was punishment for civilisations crimes against the world so lovingly crafted by Deus.
As Ghearas, that one infestation of corrupt thought, remains, there will be a second Rapture. Upon that Rapture, the followers of Deus will ascend to join their deity in an eternal paradise of light.
Tenets of Faith
See "Deus, Lord of Light and Mercy".
Worship
All parts of the day include some sort of worship in the form of doing ones natural duties. Apart from this, there are the morning and evening prayers, where followers collect around a temple to join in song lead by an apostle or, rarely, a member of the High Clergy. The only ones exempt from this are those who truly cannot be moved.
Priesthood
The greatest followers of the order are divided between the High Clergy, the Apostles, and the Paragons of Deus. The High Clergy elect among them one to be the Light-Father, foremost of their flock. The Apostles are raised from birth to understand the texts of Deus, and to understand the faith. Most Apostles never join higher in the faith, but those seen as most exemplary of the faith are raised by the Light-Father to be Paragons of Deus. These Paragons and Apostles also have one more option to advance in the faith, to join the High Clergy, but for this one must walk the Path of Flames.
Walking the Path of Flames means reciting by heart the Hymns Luxium, start to finish, while walking upon hot coals. This process usually takes over one day, and failing means forever losing their credibility as an Apostle as they would have shown that they do not truly know the word of Deus. Due to this, none have joined the ranks of the High Clergy for years.
Granted Divine Powers
While there have been some Paladins of Deus, these have not truly been granted divine power; rather, their power purely stems from their faith. Instead, only two followers of Deus within the Order have been granted true clerical magic. These are the First Light-Father, and a strange, infernal child known as Gilred.
Blessed guardian of souls, I beg you to hear my prayer. I plead of you in your hallowed name, o eternal keeper. Empower me with your gracious soul... (First verse in the Hymns Luxium)
Founding Date
Year 7 After Rapture
Type
Religious, Cult
Alternative Names
Cult of Light, the Candlekeepers, "bunch of maniacs in all honesty...", etc.
Demonym
Deities
Leader
Leader Title
Deities
Divines
Location
Notable Members
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