![[Spoilers#^DLS]] ## **History** The name Hessa Ideras is etched into the earliest records of the Stonespeakers. She is regarded as the de facto founder of the [[Isylorian Order]], despite having lived in a time before [[The Collapse|Collapse]]. The official founding of the church was in the 3rd century PC. There is no specific creation myth. Humanity is far beyond the notion that a god created the universe, but we know or at least acknowledge that gods exist (whether they are really gods or something else is up for debate). However, the vague or lost history of humanity’s past leave a lot of gaps to insert divine influence into. --- ## **The Gods** A mysterious man, later deified as [[Ezkel|Ezkelion]], was responsible for helping empower and guide Hessa Ideras. The church itself doesn’t know if this was actual divine intervention, assuming a general favor from the Isys’ir’s court itself. The gods themselves are said to be primordial and everlasting, existing outside the universe in their divine realm (the [[High Seat]]). --- >[!note] >The trials and chronicles information below is also in the [[Historical Chronicles]] entry, which was updated. This version is older. ## **The Downfall** *This is long before any reliable history.* The [[Falinjorin]] are seen as emissaries of the gods, who came to uplift humans and lead us on the path of righteousness. However, we coveted the Falinjorin technology and divine blood. So we attacked, killed and… interbred with them. Stealing their technology and forging our own destiny outside of the [[Isys’ir]]’s plan. This was our moment of downfall. We were now on a course to face a series of trials that would ultimately lead to our ruin. --- ## **The First Trial** *This is only known of in the vaguest of terms.* Humanity’s hubris extended throughout the galaxy. As we reached for the core of the galaxy, we encountered the [[Yill Maingess]]. Who are said to be the Isys’ir’s first trial. We were meant to turn back, be humble, and explore other regions of space. Yet we attacked them, much like we had done with the Falinjorin. But the [[Yill Maingess|Yims]] weren’t as vulnerable as our divine counterparts. The war raged for an age and ultimately we prevailed. --- ## **The Second Trial** *This is merely myth.* In a fit of rage, the Isys’ir began to snuff out the stars. Forcing us out of the territory that wasn’t intended for us. We refused to beg forgiveness, so the [[Stellar Decay]] continued. This was our second trial. One that we were failing spectacularly. Only when the [[Methuselan|Methuselans]] sacrificed themselves was the decay stopped. It is said that their willingness to give up their immortality impressed the Isys’ir enough that he decided to stop the decay and allow humanity another chance. --- ## **The Third Trial** *Aside from tales of [[Hessa Ideras]], very little is truly known of this time.* During the [[Second Golden Age]], it is written that we slid into hedonism and refused to see the Isys’ir’s grace. Thus, we were punished again. This time with the plague. Even with our numbers dwindling, we refused to acknowledge the divine, so we were set upon by the [[Morocaschic|Morocaschics]]. They are seen as demons by the church. The mythology of the church begins to thin at this point as recorded history becomes more clear. One of the last declarations in the Chronicles regarding the Lacir leading us to the promised land (the [[Core Worlds]]) by the grace of the Isys’ir. --- ## A Note On - *A Note On* - The Chronicles *Note: The Isylorian holy book is not a singular tome, but rather a series of “chronicles.” Each book contains the basics of the history and doctrines, but also includes the deeds of saintly individuals throughout history. There has been much debate about how to consolidate the chronicles into a single and manageable volume. A primary concern is that different parishes may adopt one chronicle over the complete teachings, causing variations in the faith.* *The Stonespeakers believe the Chronicles should be recorded only in the cathedrals and the holy books should be trimmed down to the doctrines and a handful of inspirational (and cautionary) tales. They have a few versions of just such a book prepared for review, but there has been some pushback from the church leadership. Perhaps a decision will be made soon.* --- ## **General Doctrine** The overall doctrine of the church isn’t that much different from our own (western) religions. Many of the rules and teachings are about keeping a less enlightened population healthy, safe and not killing each other on a regular basis. See: [[Tenets]] The various “heresies” have been added over time, starting with the [[Amerdus]]. The Morocaschic are reviled, as they were seen as an instrument of divine punishment. [[Magic]] was directly involved in the religion's founding, so the path of [[Theomancy]] is seen as divine and righteous. Other paths are considered abhorrent. They preach that divine retribution will come for us again if we do not follow a righteous path. Often stating that we are already too far gone, and a fourth trial is inevitable. --- ## **The Human Soul And The Afterlife** Promises of an afterlife revolve around the [[Fallen City]]. Not understanding that this is a physical place and has little to do with the afterlife, let alone a reward for a life live piously. The church differentiates the human “soul” from the [[Essence]] within us. The soul itself is an intangible divine energy, whereas essence is something known and measurable. Albeit with arcane methods, rather than scientific. The [[Second Realm]] is not seen as a place where the souls go, but rather a place of essence and lost spirits ([[Ashkions]]). These distinctions are necessary to justify the use of magic. If it was known or acknowledged that magic is effectively powered by human “souls” and there is no afterlife, the church would face complex doctrinal problems. --- ## **Theocracy** There was a time when the church sought a full theocracy over humankind, but they fell back on being spiritual leaders and influencing other factions. Operating as a government leads to corruption and has been shown to cause even the most holy individuals to lose their way. --- ## **The Inquisition** The [[Inquisition]] itself does not persecute minor or societal heresies, but rather focuses on the most vile. They are also a military force, which can be deployed if the sanctity of the church is threatened. The amount of sway the church has among the various governments isn’t truly known outside the church itself. But they are often able to send [[Inquisition|Inquisitors]] almost anywhere with few exceptions (namely, secret and possibly heretical facilities, and corporate headquarters). [[EBRIS]] tolerates Inquisitors and missionaries, but bars them from all government facilities and is generally uncooperative in their investigations. --- ## **The Leducian Orthodoxy** The [[Leducian Orthodoxy]] is very similar to the mother church, but rejects many of the new chronicles. Choosing to focus on the churches early teachings. They see the deeds of more recent individuals as irrelevant to the core faith. They also believe that the current church is too tolerant of the modern era. We have returned arrogance and hedonism, rejecting the grace of the Isys’ir. This age has become incurably corrupted by greed and power mongering. Only the holy nation of the [[Viltorian Combine]] adheres to the ancient ideals and ascetic lifestyles. Rejecting technology not derived from the divine artifacts scattered across the galaxy. They do not have their own equivalent to the inquisition. Choosing to focus on their missionary work instead. Sending thousands of their flock to the fringes of human occupied space, where the rot of the [[Core Worlds]] has not yet set in. They do have a group of female cleri who operate as assassins. Known as the Sisters of Judgement (see: [[Leducian Orthodoxy]]).