Latternism

Codex Latterni
The Codex Latterni is a compilation of religious texts, scripture and various books which can take various forms including stories, prophesies and sermons among other works. The religious texts were compiled together by the Church into the Codex Latterni which is itself the foundational Holy Book of Latternism. The first book of the Codex Latterni known as "Beginnings" is believed to have been written by the Makers three sons with the direct instructions and words from the Maker; these three sons together came down in physical form and led all beings to the conception of civilization and established the first Church - which the current Church claims direct succession from.

Religious texts and scripture which are discovered and deemed as "canon" or accepted by the Church are added to the Codex and those which are rejected and seen as "false" are seen as heresy - these being works which massively contradict previously accepted canon. Due to the nature of the Codex being compiled from many different scripture and texts, often times churches and libraries do not have the full canon set.

Codex Latterni Summaries
(OOC): Not the full texts -- just the summaries of each individual book, scripture or other works

Beginnings
For since the beginning of time and all space that is known, there were the great and powerful Gods that ruled the Universe. In the Universe at the time, there was only darkness. Though for the Gods, they can see all and Light did not exist. And that was true, until one of the Gods created the Sun, and with that, he created Light. The Gods thought nothing of it, it's only a tiny spec in the entirety of the Universe that they ruled over. The creatures that lived throughout the Universe were created by the Gods, and only for the enjoyment of torture and jokes. The Gods were cruel, and there was no meaning of love. Not until the God that created the Sun had decided to make his own planet, and on that planet he made hundreds of marvellous creatures and species. So many in fact, that the Gods became jealous of his creativity. And that jealousy only grew when that God created souls and sentience. Now, at this time, beings had no rational thought. They were as wild as any of the other animals now living on this beautiful planet. This planet that now that God called his own; he had become "The Maker".

The Maker created such a planet to escape the harshness and cruelty of the other Gods. While not all were as terrible as some, none of them shared this new emotion that the Maker had discovered -- love. And soon after, the Gods could no longer contain themselves to see such a place of beauty in their darkness of disgust. War was declared on The Maker, and the Great War had started. Now, not all the Gods had chosen to fight the Maker, but many did. And while it would seem the Maker would be outnumbered and quickly destroyed, that was not the case. For the Maker had a weapon that none of the Gods had thought useful. The Sun. And with the Sun, the Light that was produced gave immense power to the Maker. Though towards the end of the War, the Maker was losing as he had not enough Light to defeat the Gods. He had only enough left for one more strike. And so, the Maker looked down upon his planet and saw a curious event. The beings, who he created just as he created the other animals, had done something he did not expect -- tears. A dead being lay under a stone, where rocks had collapsed from a hill, killing the being. Its mate sat next to him and upon a closer look, The Maker saw tears roll down her face. What was this? The tears felt so familiar to the Maker and at first he couldn't understand why. Then it hit him. It was the emotion of love once again. Love had found its way into his creations.

The Maker decided on what his last move was to end the War with the Gods. He took the remaining Light from the Sun and put it inside beings and other species. And immediately, beings gained intelligence and rational thought. They prospered like nothing ever seen before. Sentience was created, and with that full emotions. Ethical law echoed throughout the Universe, and the Gods looked upon in horror. With the empowered beings, Light blasted throughout the Universe. The stars were created by this blast, echoing Light to all that the Gods could touch. And with that, the Maker rose out of his home and fought one last time with the Gods. They stood no chance. The Gods were defeated, and the Maker vanquished them to the Abyss. A pocket in the Universe, that only the Maker may enter; a prison. The Maker created his home inside the Sun, where he resides to watch over his planet and all beings.

Son and Sons
The Maker looked upon his world and created his first son in his own likeness named Ortysis who was meant to be a guiding hand for all beings as the Maker returned back to the sun to ponder his next creations. Ortysis brought upon the lands conflict and turmoil and destruction nearly quenching the light first brought upon the world by the Maker. The Maker once returned cast away Ortysis to the Abyss to warden all souls set upon those lands.

The Maker then created his three other sons in the perfect images of himself, he created Aragar, patron of the sky, Vhudan, patron of the Sea and Daith, patron of the land who came forth to the world in the form of physical beings and led all beings into the conception of civilization and brought the Makers words and teachings to lands throughout the world.

The Pillars of Latternism
The Faith is built upon four core teachings. Each of the teachings is paramount to anything else in Latternism, and must be followed explicitly.

Justice
Justice is the most important Pillar of the faith, and therefore is the first. The Creator, his Sons and the Kings and Nobles touched blessed into power by the Maker are there to enact justice upon the world. Should one fail to enact true justice, they face the threat of being condemned to the Abyss. When the Creator first brought beings into existence, it is told that he imbued them with the virtue of Justice - the belief that all actions require just and proportionate reaction. Every single man, woman and child are expected to be just in the face of danger or peril no matter the situation. The Creator is Justice, and as such Justice is the Creator; and Justice is to be respected.

Penitence
Penitence is the second most important of the Four Pillars. Penitence should not be abused to enact vengeance and should be reflective of the crime or failure.

Forgiveness
In the faith, the third pillar is referred to as ‘Forgiveness’. Therefore, every child of the Creator iis entitled to forgiveness, but not before serving their Penance; this leads into the final pillar.

Death
Death is a part of everyday life. The dead go either to the Creators Realm to find eternal peace with the world, or they are outcast to the Abyss where Ortysis decides what is to be done to those unworthy of entering the Creators Realm. If an individual dies before having been forgiven, then their immortal soul is weighed between their sins, and their virtues. If found lacking, they will be condemned to the Abyss.

Universal Prayer
“The Creator grants me the power to pass Justice,

Through Justice comes Penitence.

From Penitence comes Forgiveness.

Though Forgiveness, may I rest peacefully in Death.

From I, your faithful servant.”

Confession
Confession is a sacred and strictly confidential practice between one person and a clergyman. Priests often encourage people to confess their sins in public, but the more common is done privately. Confession can either be done on a purpose-made confessionary in a church or by asking the priest to talk in a secluded spot. The priest listens to the person’s sins and provides advice on how to redeem themselves and be forgiven.

Prayer
A prayer is a direct communication with the Creator. Some prayers are simple utterances and silent thoughts, while others are sung or highly ritualized. The purpose of praying ranges from requesting help to begging for forgiveness or giving thanks.

Organizational Structure
Pontifex: The Pontifex is the spiritual leader of the people, the Creators representative. He oversees the Church throughout the lands, maintaining faith and order. The Pontifex serves a specified time as per Church doctrine with the succeeding Pontifex being chosen by a council of all Abbots, Bishops and Archbishops.

Archbishop: Archbishops are assigned to oversee the faith and its administration in either large nations with multiple towns or multiple nations thus being very power and highly independent.

Bishop: The Bishops are local leaders of the Faith, each Bishop generally represents the faith in an entire nation or a large city. Bishops are chosen by the Pontifex through the council of other Bishops and Archbishops. Bishops are able to induct people into the Church as Laybrothers as well as promote local clergy to the post of Abbot. Bishops are also generally important figures in their nations community and political affairs due to their position.

Abbot: Abbots are clergy appointed by the Bishops or higher in order to lead the faith in a single Church & Town and can administer all main religious ceremonies and rites including marriages and others.

Layborthers: Starting members of the clergy, people who seek to learn more about the Maker and take part in the Church as well as move up the ranks of the clergy. They are learning more about the faith, and can begin teaching and giving sermons under the supervision on an Abbot or higher. They are usually given missionary work to spread the faith.

Order of the Pillarmen - Military Order
Pillarmen are those that take the oaths of a Pillarmen dedicate their life to the protection of the church and it’s values militarily, they uphold the Pillars of the faith and also help ensure that the values of the faith are enforced within society. With this in mind, the Church finds that penance must be served, regardless of the will of the penitent and thus Pillarmen help ensure that penitence is served.

Vows of the Pillarmen
I, your proven faithful, do now come before you this day,

In perpetuity, accept my vows,

Shall they shall never be broken.

I swear to never grow rich,

I swear to never grow fat,

I pledge my service to you, and your Field.

I swear to uphold the Pillars,

I swear to defend my peers,

I swear my sword shall never be far from my side.

I, your faithful, do devote my life.

For your Justice,

For your Penitence,

For your Forgiveness,

Unto Death.

Church Doctrine
Doctrines which are accepted and enforced by the Church, subject to change based on votes of the Grand Council of Clergy which can be called to Assemble.

Excommunication is the price anyone would have to pay for not following the laws of the Church. They are removed from the church entirely and seen as open heretics. Excommunicated peoples could enter into penitence to enter the church yet again, but the price depends on the severity of their crimes against the Church.

Infallibility of the Pontifex: The servant of servants, supreme amongst all the Bishops of the Church, direct representative of the Maker, infallible when speaking about faith and morals.

Salvation with the Church only & Through works: All those who do not acknowledge the Pontifix as the Creators Representative and the Core Latternist Church as the only true Church shall not achieve salvation and shall enter into the Abyss. Furthermore one can achieve salvation by assisting the Church in construction of Great works to the Maker or by spreading the faith.

Salvation by Works: Salvation can be achieved by following the Church and its teachings and through penance as well as other works

Grace of Clergy: The Clergy are special channels in which the Creators Grace is dispersed amongst the people, working their whole lives to be in the Creators good Grace so that the people may share in it and reach salvation.

Indulgences: For certain exchanges, a person may ask the Clergy to help them enter into the Creators good grace through an exchange in which the Clergy pray and read the Gospel for a person in order to release them of their sins.

Divine Right to Rule: Doctrine that states that the nobility, Kings & Queens and other rulers of states receive the right to rule directly from the Maker.

Interdicts: Interdicts suspend people from the church in a way in which they cant receive important rites or attend church sessions and sermons. Its similar to excommunication but not as severe.

Investiture: Doctrine in which only the church can appoint members of the clergy and not secular rulers of the nation the church resides in.