The Holy Church

The most common faith among the Human race, the Ainite Church has become so profound among mankind that simply referring to it as 'The Church' is enough to reference its faith. No other Faith is so common among humans; with the Devkarti being the only human race to have a faith outside of Aine's worship. Even then, many scholars often like to make claims that Amelia and Aine are simply one and the same; though this claim is often seen as falsehood or even heresy among the believers of the Ainite faith.

Public Agenda

The general agenda of the Holy Church is quite simple; it is to preserve all the interests that the Church carries. Sadly, recent times have lead to the Church having significantly less power and control over the humans, with many groups splintering off to form their own faith around Aine. Most of the Church's interests have fallen since the creation of The Pit due to the damages it brought down upon the Holy City.

Since then, most of the Church's agenda has been recovering what was lost from the sinkhole, as well as reclaim any potential relics and unique treasures that may be laying within it.

Assets

The Church carries the most power and sway out of just about any other organization in the world of Veska; though they are not nearly as influential as they once were, it still stands as an important order to mankind. As a result, the Church has access to many different things. A vast trove of wealth is one of them, along with advanced technology that includes functional firearms and weaponry to defend their interest.
The Church also technically holds strict control over Llyne; and that jurisdiction extends to The Pit, but due to the vastness of that realm, they find it nigh-impossible to dispute it with anyone that would claim otherwise.

History

Though many today look upon the Church with clear derision due to their atrocities committed during the Crusades , The Church still remains as one of the most influential organizations in the world. They are still one of the key groups that managed to bring humanity together from its feudal state. Those living in Tregaron were shepherded by the Church during the feudal era, lead overseas to prosper and begin new life in the fabled 'Promised Land' of Llyne; and much to their success, Llyne has still remained as one of the greatest achievements the Church has ever accomplished.

Though the recent sinkhole had lead exorbitant fees and damages that are beyond repair, Llyne has still managed to stand today despite that.
The Holy Church is also the power behind humanity's unity; the Devkarti are among the only humans that do not venerate Aine, and that's often up for dispute due to scholars frequent connecting of him with The Bright Queen. Whatever the case, the Church was integral to the unification of Tregaron, and caused an end to the strife that divided all the kingdoms of man.

Divine Origins

Truthfully, Aine is a Hero-God that lived within the woods of Mordencrast, the now- Torman capital. He was a peacekeeping prophet that sought to unify the feudal world through mutual benevolence and understanding. In a world filled with misery and strife, Aine rose with the belief that humanity could find better ways to prosper and progress through means other than war. In time, his faith began to spread across Mordencrast first, then, across all of Tregaron, until every feudal kingdom had began to view Aine himself as a holy prophet. 

Unfortunately, this attention lead to fear from the then-Torman King. He feared that Aine would wind up ruling the entire continent through his influence, and thus, Aine was burnt at the stake. His faith still lived on however, and so to did his belief that peace could be found through both prayer and hope. It soon developed into the Holy Church; countless men and women flocked under the Church's banner in hopes of keeping their dead prophet's dreams alive, and through hardship and time, the Church had helped establish the three great kingdoms across Tregaron, unifying the land under three peaceful banners.
In a way, one could say that the Ainite faith is different from traditional religions in the sense that it does not have a true 'origin' story. Some claim that a benevolent God sent Aine to grace the world before he was inevitably put down by the men cursed by the corruption of Goodness. This comes from the fact that most men were much like the Sylvan(species:25e3381a-907b-45f8-bacf-0fb352fb6e0f) are today, in the fact that they recognize the @[The Fae as the fundamental driving force that controls the nature of how the world works. Some also claim Aine to actually be a Fae in on himself as a result; though such things are considered heresy among the Church.

The Way of Light

The primary belief of the Ainite faith is that Goodness will always prevail and find a way to succeed, no matter how bleak a situation may seem. Such a concept has actually said to provide blessings upon those who follow this ideology on multiple occasions. A blade may shine bright when nearing danger. A soldier, forced into a difficult situation that forces them to choose between the lives of few or many, may suddenly find a safe alternative that would allow all parties to survive. The idea is simple; to spread mutual benevolence so that all will return the favor. Treat those how you would wish to be treated, and create an ideal world where peace and love triumph over all.

There is always a light at the end of a tunnel, as they say; there just needs to be a means of reaching it. Where there's a will, there's a way, and the Ainite faith firmly asserts that there will always be a beneficial or positive way that will nudge people onto the correct path of good.

Tenets of Faith

Aine's faith IS good and will inevitably be known as right. So long as it does not harm ours, let others carry their own beliefs.
Speak not Aine's name in vain.
Do not kill. Do not harm. Do not steal. Executions are to only be used when the life of one would bring harm to the lives of many.

Do not commit adultery. Let one's lusts lie with only those betrothed.
Do not speak of or venerate Pagan gods in the House of Aine.
Do not lie while under the House of God
Accept those who would convert to our faith as a brother or sister.

"Faith is Family."

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

the Cult in White

Training Level

Elite

Demonym

Ainite

Currency

And the Lord looked down upon the shamed pygmy, who's bone had stretched through his skin. He bestowed upon him a golden cup, and in it, a modest loaf of bread. "Do not be ashamed of your misery. Accept those who would help."

In fear of those who would cower before his greatness, Aine placed upon his face a silver mask.

The Church's currency is universally accepted among most of the human kingdoms. It is a two-coin system, relying on silver 'Masks' or Golden 'Cups'. The currency is so universally popular that it's often accepted by other races as well. The Devkarti even value the pieces as if they were worth the same as their own, despite their currency relying on different coinage.

Legislative Body

The Church generally attempts to police most human settlements. While not technically carrying any power over the government, the Ainite church instead holds power through the respect it garners from Ainite worshipers. Rules and regulations are controlled by a small hierarchy established by the Church.
The Pope: Is the head of the Ainite Church as a whole. His word is generally seen as the very word of God himself. Whoever hold's the title of pope is expected to be speaking through Aine's voice, and is thus always followed and obeyed without question.
Bishop/Deacon: Is the leader of a locale. Bishops are the ones that are in charge of every Church throughout the local area. They control the actions and decisions made by the different religious establishments throughout the city or town. Small villages or hamlets do not often have a bishop appointed to them, and instead are lead by a Priest. 
Priest/Priestess: The Priest is the leader of a Flock. A Flock is essentially what the Church refers to as everyone coming in for worship at the church; they are generally appointed by the Bishop if they're found within a large area. Priests are generally referred to as 'Father', while Priestesses are referred to as 'Mother'
Brothers & Sisters: Those that serve a Church are simply referred to as brothers and sisters. They generally tend to the Flock and help the Priest orchestrate their various activities. Some Brothers and Sisters may be elevated to a Priest through the Bishop's authority.

The Faith Keepers

The Faith Keepers are a sacred sect within the Ainite Church. Members of this sect are referred to as Judges, and though they're considered to have authority second only to the Pope himself, the Faith Keepers are still considered separate and generally expected to follow the whims and wishes of a Bishop unless they've reason to suspect them infringing on the interests and beliefs of the Church.
Judges are also the jury, and in some cases, even the executioner. Such monumental power is generally only passed down upon those who have proven themselves loyal to the Church. The Faith Keepers are exactly what their title suggests: They preserve and keep all interests of the Ainite church. A Judge is always outfitted for battle; when not being dispatched by the bishop to investigate crimes or suspicious activity, Judges are often left waiting and guarding over monasteries in pairs of two. 

Related Ethnicities

• The Torman
• The Vanks
• The Villish