Stir Leyarandd

Stir Leyarandd, or the "Split Pantheon", is a dualistic religion originating in Eldham and centered on the region of Onthukhan. Primarily the deities Hephes and Virmái are worshipped, however several minor deities, aspects of the other two, are worshipped alongside them. Its practitioners are known as Kairndd Öl Ley, "People of Belief", or more simply Leyists, and they are especially prevalent in Maddrak.

Pantheon
While technically being a recent religion and a splinter faith, Stir Leyarandd is simultaneously neither. The gods Hephes and Virmái, chaos and order, are the primary primordial forces in Eldham-Rathnir, but because of their continuous contest other minor deities, spirits, and saints are also revered.

Ag’leyth
The innovative, the industrious. Ah’leyth is the …

Agör
(death)

Hephes
The Disarray, the Ineffable, the Shrouded. Hephes has been often titled according to the chaos, curses, and destruction he has wrought. He is the embodiment of an insatiable, eternal emptiness and chaos; the personification of the void itself.

Malaus
(sea)

Mürir
(strength)

Virmái
The Architect, the Sovereign, the Splendid. Virmái goes by many titles, each conveying both his authority, blessings, and order. He is the embodiment of everlasting, unchanging light and order; the very personification of the heavens.

Heirarchy
At the inception of the faith, the Kairndd Öl Ley organized into a hierarchy, not dissimilar from the Valdreach Imperial Temple, to provide a formal structure for their worship. This structure included three orders to categorize the different clerical authorities, including their varied knowledge of theology.

The Outer Order
This Order consists of the lowest Kairndd Öl Ley. All the faithful may petition to join the Outer Order as initiates, or (name), and they may be appointed as a deacon, or (name), when they are comprehensive of the faith. Those belonging to this order need not be learned in the faith’s orthodox theology, and are granted tolerance in their interpretation of the faith.

The Middle Order
This Order consists of the middling Kairndd Öl Ley. Any deacon, or (name), may be promoted to the Middle Order and appointed a priest, or (name), of a temple. Priests may additionally be appointed as inquisitors, or (name), to cull heretics and reinforce the church’s authority. Those belonging to this order are required to know and follow the faith’s orthodox theology, but not possess an in-depth knowledge of it.

The Inner Order
This Order consists of the highest Kairndd Öl Ley. Any priest or inquisitor may also be promoted to the Inner Order and appointed a bishop, or (name), of a nation’s province. Additionally, any perished believer may, provided they have done a miraculous deed, be deemed a Saint, or (name), to advise the bishops and rulers. Those belonging to this order are required to know in-depth the faith’s orthodox theology and adhere strictly to it, however they are also endowed the sole authority to dictate this theology.

Theology
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Creation
The principle of Creation holds that Eldham-Rathnir is the third world in Creation; the first having been Paxia, and the second Jagdas, now a heap of fire and brimstone. Additionally, these worlds hang between Heaven, the realm of Solon, and the Void, the realm of Hephes. Other mortal worlds besides the known three are taught to exist, yet are concealed and separated by the Divinities.

Manifestation
The principle of Manifestation holds that Divine Aspects, Deities, can manifest within mortals, making them their vessel. Divine vessels are granted the ability to perform miracles related to their Aspect, to the greatest extent. However, when a vessel acts contrary to what pleases their Aspect, the Aspect can sever their connection to their vessel. Vessels are ultimately the greatest source of divine influence in Eldham-Rathnir.

Reincarnation
The principle of Reincarnation holds that after death, mortals can be reborn as new individuals, with new bodies and new minds. When reborn, mortals are largely unaware of their past lives, yet through divine influence they can be recalled. However, one’s reincarnation can be prevented, as well as one’s soul potentially destroyed, through divine intervention.

Syncretism
The principle of Syncretism holds that all deities, from whichever religion, are primordial aspects of either Hephes or Virmái which have been misinterpreted. It allows competing religions to be assimilated and synchronized with the existing deities and theology of Stir Leyarandd, creating a unified, if not homogenous, faith for all believers. This principle additionally maintains the authority of the Prophet among any sects of the faith.