Growing Your Faith in the Coalition

Growing Your Faith in the Coalition is a course of study written by the High Flamekeeper and Oracle of the Church of the Holy Coalition,maloneyzach438.

= Introduction- Welcome! = Welcome to the Church, we are glad to have you here and are pleased that you are making an effort to learn more about your faith. In 2 short lessons, we will have you equipped with the basics of our faith to live your life in reverence to the Coalition or to advance further and realize a greater purpose that the gods have for you. Before we begin with your discipleship, there are a few things you need to understand about the gods. Note: Everything described in this course is a summary, and more details can be found in the Incendium unless otherwise linked.

The gods are divided into four divine domains or kingdoms, earth, fire, water, and air. Every deity is a member of one of these domains. At the top of each domain is a domain deity. Fesdros is Ground, Yldal is Air, George is Fire, and Aquenumis is Water. These divisions were created by the Spirits who ruled the world before the people of Rathnir overthrew them, and have remained since.

= Lesson 1-What Is the Coalition? =

Founding of the Coalition
The Holy Coalition was founded when Aquenumis declared war on Yldal and the Air Domain. Fesdros was allied to Yldal and so agreed to help. George joined them as he is powerless against Aquenumis. War has raged between the two sides ever since.

The Coalition Flame
The Flame is the center of Church practice. It is a beacon of the strength of the Coalition. Once a month, Fesdros, Yldal, and George gather at one of the Coalition Flames for the Appointment of the Gods Ceremony to coordinate their attacks. All temples of the Church shall have a Coalition Flame as detailed in the Temples section.

Torches that are lit by the fires of the Coalition Flame can be used as a personal beacon to protect the carrier. These are called Coalition Torches.

Temples
Temples are essentially a place to house a Coalition Flame, and are run by Flamekeepers.

Rituals
There are two regular ceremonies that take place in Coalition practice, The Appointment of the Gods, and Weekly Sacraments. This section details how you can prepare for such events. Weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies are also carried out by the Church.

Appointment of the Gods- Happens once a month at a predetermined temple, bring an offering and if you feel inspired write a poem for the gods!

Weekly Sacraments- Performed by a Flamekeeper on a day of their choosing. Bring a sacrifice to help make the ceremony more powerful!

= Lesson 2- How does this affect me? =

How Can I Help the Coalition as a Layperson?
The Coalition can always use monetary offerings.

You can fight the water domain by fishing, and ensuring that the influence of the water domain is not allowed to spread. Destroy all infinite water sources after use, do not make man made lakes. Unless you fill in a lake of equal size.

You will receive more blessings from the gods if you bring holy artifacts like conduits and sponges. These help us contain Aquenumis more effectively.

Report any Aquenumis worshippers to the Flamebearers. They will show any blasphemers the power of the Coalition Flame.

What Happens When We Die?
When a member of the Coalition passes on from this plane, they are immediately transported to the Hero's Respite. They will be there resting and fellowshipping with their brethren until finally victory is won against Aquenumis, at which point we will all meet in the Hall of the Victorious. It is there that we shall feast and fellowship with the gods in victory forever.

What Comes Next?
Once you have passed your test, there are two paths you may take, you can remain an Acolyte and contribute to the cause in a non central role, or you can choose to advance to be either a Flamekeeper or a Flamebearer. To advance beyond Acolyte however, you must recruit and disciple three people who have never been in the Church. When you complete this you will either be inducted into the Order of Flamebearers or the Flamekeeper Assembly.