Faxemis Angelae

Faxemis Angelae is an ancient polytheistic religion from western Haven which has migrated to Alteniquia, exerting its influence in the Archduchy of Azuria. Because of this the capital of Azuria, the city of Grandia, served as the headquarters of the Church until the creation of Faxemia.

Faxemis Angelae has a very strict and well-defined hierarchy, the higher being the Kentis (or first servant), and the lowest being the unbaptised practitioner. It has 10 different ranks, being lead by the Kentis and a Council of Cardinals, with the help of Patriarchs1, Bishops and Archbishops, Priests and Archpriests. Faxemis Angelae is a highly polytheistic faith, with various different deities organized in a strict hierarchy.

Believers in Faxemis Angelae also worship individual guardian spirits, or angels, which are thought to protect specific people, places, and things. It is common for Faxemis Angelaean households to have a small area dedicated to prayer, and many larger castles and buildings have their own chapels or churches. Though the majority of Faxemis Angelaean believers are found in Faxemia, Azuria and Kranga, there are also small populations of Angelaeans in other countries, such as Sylvania.

1 Check the clergy hierarchy for more info

Origins
Faxemis Angelae is a religious tradition that was founded in November 2021 by a hermit monk named Théodred Onevior. Théodred is believed to have been chosen by the gods to be their representative on earth, and to have been tasked with spreading the religion across Rathnir. After spending centuries living a peaceful life on his farm near Alfheim, Théodred set out on a journey to find a suitable place to establish his religion. After many days and nights of travel, he eventually came across the Archduchy of Azuria and decided to settle there.

Théodred spent the rest of his life spreading the teachings of Faxemis Angelae and establishing the religious tradition in Azuria. Over time, the religion grew and gained followers, and eventually became a dominant force in the region. Today, Faxemis Angelae is still widely practiced in Azuria and other parts of Rathnir, and continues to be guided by the principles and teachings of Théodred Onevior

The holy revelation marks the start of the Angelaean calendars, and is the most important miracle of the faith, being celebrated with a big festival. The hill which Faxemus chose to step on is considered sacred, and has been dubbed "The holy hill".

His teachings were recorded into The book of the Prophet, and were later transcribed to the Testaments of Faxemus and to the wiki. It is thanks to Faxemus and to Théodred that we know so much about the gods.

He swam and walked across Rathnir, until he reached the gigantic desert of Yimmi-Audal, where Faxemus spoke to him once again, telling him about a land of sailors and merchants, where he sould settle. He walked trough the desert for weeks, but it didnt seem to end. He knew the promised land was on the other side of the desert, but he didn’t know how to get there.

Fortunately, some days later, while singing a tune from his native land, he noticed he had finally left the desert. He road east, until he reached the town of Grandia, where he settled.

Early times
After settling in Grandia, Théodred made a great sacrifice to the gods to thank them for guiding and protecting him throughout his journey. He soon discovered the city's church, which he converted into the first Faxemis Angelaean church. One month after the creation of the faith, the first convert, Saint Pep the Lion of Bellum, joined Théodred. They became close friends and worked together to spread the religion throughout Rathnir.

On Christmas Eve 2021, Bellum himself appeared to Théodred and Saint Pep. He told them ancient tales of salvation and gave them the god's teachings carved into logs, which Théodred later transcribed into a book. Bellum also answered their questions and invoked the four great angels: Saxhreask, Terenalak, Ataron, and Fasherak. These prophets stood silently, listening to their master, as Bellum bestowed the title of "Lion of Bellum" upon Saint Pep, making him the rightful leader of the Bellumite Knights.

Inspired by Bellum's words, Théodred and Saint Pep set out to spread the religion of Faxemis Angelae far and wide. Saint Pep traveled throughout Rathnir, evangelizing and building churches, while Théodred remained in Grandia, constructing the grand Basilica of the all-powerful Faxemus.

Tragically, Saint Pep was killed shortly after completing the church in his own town by a group of angry neighbors. He became the first martyr of the Faxemis Angelaean faith and is now revered as a saint. Despite this setback, the religion continued to grow and thrive, thanks to the dedication and sacrifice of Théodred and the other followers of Faxemis Angelae.

His death, which took place on spring 38 P.R (3rd of June 2022), marked the end of the first period of the faith.

Eldhamite expansion of the Faith
After the creation of the Faxemis Angelaean faith, a mysterious player named Kayeda appeared in Grandia. She claimed that she had been guided by the gods to seek out a monk named Théodred Onevior, the founder and leader of the religion. Kayeda explained that she had stumbled upon a church in the Eldhamite city of Perdin that seemed to belong to the Faxemis Angelaean faith, and her patron angel, Arayl, had told her to seek out Théodred for guidance and direction.

Théodred was pleased to meet Kayeda and learn of the existence of a Faxemis Angelaean church in Perdin. He welcomed her into the faith and instructed her on the proper practices and beliefs of Faxemis Angelae. Kayeda became a devoted follower of the religion and worked to spread its teachings throughout Eldham. Over time, more and more followers of Faxemis Angelae emerged in Perdin and other parts of Eldham, strengthening the presence of the religion in that region. The church, dubbed Arayl's Garden, is a symbol of Faxemis Angelae's Eldhamite expansion, which is still taking place, and has already spread the religion to the eldhamite nations of Sylvania and Aristios.

Creation Myth
In the beginning, when the universe was still a vast expanse of nothingness, Faxemus stood alone. Spaceless he was, for there was no space; Timeless he was, for there was no time; Shapeless he was, for there was no matter; He spoke in a grand voice "Let the golden one come forth", and from the nothingness of the void came Bellum, the offspring of his thought. He too was spaceless, timeless and shapeless as his creator, and yet just a part of the nothingness. And then The First spoke to him: "Let the nothingness be split into two, and let the spaceless, timeless and shapeless live in a shapeless, timeless and shapeless realm, made of naught but the nothingness of universe". And Bellum nodded;

The Golden One spoke to the nothingess, but he was not its lord, but a part of the darkness of the timeless void. And yet he persisted, and the shapeless, spaceless and timeless halls of Bariteliath came forth, naught but a part of the nothingness, just like its creator. And thus the first realm was created, a vast realm of shapeless, spaceless and timeless nothingness, made of nothing but thought. Bellum rejoiced with his creation, for he had fullfilled The First's request.

The First spoke once again: "Let there be space from the spaceless darkness, time from the timeless void, and matter from the shapeless nothingness" and so Liliath, a great ball of something, rose from the emptyness. It was not like any other thing from the nothingness, for it was not just shapeless thought, but it was space, time and matter itself, commanded to rise by the First. Then Faxemus spoke, once again: "Let there be more space", and Liliath listened. A great explosion took place, and the nothingness was filled with something. Great bright stars and rocky planets filled the universe, as it grew bigger and bigger, expanding into the spaceless nothingness. And yet, the nothingness stayed intact;

Once again, The First spoke to the void: "Let Avelinae come forth, let he be the master of his own thought, and let he turn the thoughtless matter into inteligent beings, who too are masters of their own thought". And so, from the realm of the nothingness came Avelinae, to whom Faxemus spoke: "Avelinae, bringer of light, let thy power be used to bring the ultimate grace to the thoughtless matter. Maketh a planet worthy of thought, make life out of the dead matter, and I shall let it have a small part of the spaceless thought." Thus Avelinae and molded the matter to his will, for the thoughtful void is lord of the thoughtless matter. Avelinae spoke to the thoughtless matter: "Let there be a great star to light the world of the living", and so there was. The star stood alone, amidst many others of its kind, with no planets to fill its system. But then Avelinae said: [WIP]

The Great War
''In the early days of humanity, rumors began to spread about a group of people who worshiped an evil deity known as Noxetus. When these rumors reached the ears of the god Bellum, he was filled with concern and took immediate action. Along with his most powerful angels, Lux and Aqua, Bellum set out to hunt down Noxetus and free humanity from the dark spirit's corruption.''

But what Bellum and his companions did not know was that Noxetus had already gathered a following of devoted servants, who had been strengthening Noxetus with their worship, allowing him to grow in power.

''When Bellum and his companions finally located Noxetus, they discovered that the spirit had already corrupted much of humanity. Avelinae, the creator of mankind, was heartbroken to see what had become of his creation.''

''A fierce battle ensued between the forces of good and evil, with Noxetus and his followers on one side, and Bellum and his angels on the other. The battle was so intense that it split the universe in half, with one side being plunged into eternal darkness.''

''Despite their best efforts, Bellum and his companions were ultimately victorious, and they were able to imprison the in Infaiall, the realm beneath the void. But Noxetus was not so easily defeated, and he managed to escape once more, taking Lux with him.''

''Fortunately, three brave individuals were able to track down Noxetus and rescue Lux, finally imprisoning the evil spirit once more with the help of a powerful sacrifice to the gods. And so, the universe was saved from the darkness that threatened to consume it.''

Realms
Bariteliath

Bariteliath is described in Faxemis Angelaean teachings as a magnificent golden palace located above the clouds. Its halls are said to be so bright that they outshine the sun, and its beds are so comfortable that any mortal who lies on them would never want to leave. The palace is also said to have stables full of majestic white horses with three sets of wings and six legs each. These horses wear golden armor that is so shiny that it could blind any mortal who looked at it.

The Faxemis Angelaean gods are believed to reside in this palace, where they oversee the workings of the universe and guide their followers on earth. It is said to be a place of great beauty and wonder, where the gods live in splendor and comfort. Those who are deemed worthy may be granted the privilege of visiting the palace, where they can bask in the glory of the gods and gain wisdom and guidance for their lives on earth.

Gondorien (The universe)

Although it is technically a realm and a no-realm at the same time, due to it not being purely spiritual, it does still allow for interaction with the spiritual beings, making it worthy of the title of realm. Here reside the people, the animals, the planets and the stars.

Infaiall

Infaiall is a mysterious and dangerous place in the cosmology of the Faxemis Angelaean faith. It is said to be located beneath the realm of Gondorien and serves as a prison for spiritual beings who have committed grave transgressions. Little is known about the specifics of Infaiall, as it is shrouded in darkness and fear.

According to Faxemis Angelaean teachings, Infaiall is a place of great suffering and torment, where the souls of the wicked are punished for their misdeeds. It is believed to be guarded by fierce and powerful beings, who ensure that no one escapes from Infaiall's grasp. Those who find themselves imprisoned in Infaiall are said to face endless torment and misery, from which they can never escape. Because of its fearsome reputation, Infaiall is a place that is feared and avoided by most spiritual beings.

Deities
Gods Faxemus

Also known as "The First", he is the creator of the gods, lord of the whole known and unknown universe and Judge of the angelic Court, where he decides those who are worthy of entering the great halls of Bariteliath, where he resides. Fairest of all beings, Faxemus spends his time in the golden halls, mantaining the balance in the universe.

Bellum

God of war and creator of angels, the realms and lord of good spirits. He commands the legions of mighty angels, who are ready to give anything to achieve their goals. Known as "The Golden One", Bellum is the protector of those who are too weak to protect themselves, and is in an eternal fight against Noxetus, lord of the unknown

Avelinae

Lord and creator of the earth and of all it's life. Also known as Sakrelith, he resides, like the previous Gods, in Bariteliath, though he is constantly interfering in the affairs of men.

Evil spirits and Demons

Noxetus

Noxetus, also known as "The Unknown", is an ancient being, who appeared at the beginning of the universe and corrupted humanity from the beginning of its existence. He spoke to players through supernatural holes that pierced the earth's foundation and corrupted them by stealing their souls and possessing them. Noxetus is the lord of the unknown and the personification of the void itself, being in constant conflict with the golden legions of Bellum.

Noxetus is currently imprisioned in the deep halls of Infaial, though it is believed that he will rise once again, in the second war in the heavens, and strike fear into the heart of the mortals. But the great Judge will not let him be: he will be casted back into unnexistance, deprived of the great gift of the First.

Afton

An apprentice of the the Unknown, Afton is a lesser spirit from the void, who was corrupted by his twisted words. Tricked by Noxetus, Afton has taken the dark lord's side in the eternal fight. Known as the necromancer, Afton spawns legions of dark creatures in the night, who haunt those who are still loyal to the gods of old. Many have come to worship him, in fear of his retribution. For many years he roamed the lands of the living, harvesting the souls of those who dared to oppose him. But eventually, the necromancer's reign of terror came to an end. A legion of warriors led by the brave Saxhearask was able to stop him, putting an end to his evil deeds and bringing peace to the land once more. The necromancer's power and influence were forever broken, and he was left to wander the earth as a mere shadow of his former self.

Angels

Lux

Lux is the angel of Light and the Nightime Sky, and the guardian of the unknown himself. She is believed to have fought in the great war in the heavens on Bellum's side, having led a successful charge against the legions of the unknown.

Aqua

Patron Angel of the Oceans, Seas and rivers and all those who inhabit them, Aqua also fought in the Great war side by side with Bellum.

Ataron

Ataron was once a devoted human worshipper of the gods. So devoted, in fact, that the god Bellum granted him a wish in recognition of his faith. Despite the vast array of possibilities that lay before him, Ataron chose to continue serving the gods until the end of his days. In recognition of his selflessness and devotion, Bellum transformed Ataron into an angel.

As the angel of fire, lava, and the Nether dimension, Ataron is responsible for these powerful and dangerous elements. He is said to possess great knowledge and control over these forces, and is revered by those who seek to harness their power for good. Those who worship Ataron often seek his guidance and protection as they navigate the treacherous realm of fire and the Nether. Though he is known for his fearsome abilities, Ataron is also said to be a kind and compassionate angel, always willing to help those in need.

Saxhreask

Saxhreask is the angel of nature, responsible for the care and well-being of all living beings. She is known for her kindness and compassion, and is widely loved and worshipped by those who appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural world. As the guardian of all living things, Saxhreask is believed to possess deep knowledge and understanding of the natural world, and to have the power to nurture and protect the creatures that inhabit it. Many who worship Saxhreask seek to emulate her kindness and to live in harmony with the natural world, cherishing and protecting the plants, animals, and ecosystems that make up the earth.

Terenalak

Terenalak was once a humble angel, tasked with protecting a small town in the southwestern region of Rathnir from malevolent spirits. However, when the town was destroyed by a neighboring nation, Terenalak was left without a purpose. In response, he dedicated himself to improving the lives of the people of Rathnir and Eldham. As the angel of creativity and craftsmanship, Terenalak is revered for his ability to inspire and guide those who seek to develop their artistic and technical skills. Many in Rathnir and Eldham look to Terenalak for inspiration and guidance as they strive to create and build beautiful things.

Fasherak

Fasherak, the angel of intelligence and wisdom, is revered by members of the Faxemis Angelaean religion as a prophet and a source of knowledge. Clergy members and historians, in particular, often turn to Fasherak for guidance and inspiration in their pursuit of wisdom. Like the three previous angels, Fasherak is believed to possess divine insight and a deep understanding of the mysteries of the universe. Those who worship Fasherak seek to emulate his intelligence and wisdom, and to apply his teachings in their daily lives.

Sins and Good deeds
The Faxemis Angelaen faith has a really developed system when it comes to sins and good deeds, which is written in the holy book "The God's Teachings", by Théodred Onevior. It is believed that sinning is a natural thing, and that everyone is guilty - [3] "we are all guilty of failing to follow the gods' teachings" [2] "Rejecting the god's teachings is a sin" [6] "to sin is to break the god's trust" and [7] "to break the god's trust in to live in darkness". The sins can be cleansed by doing good deeds, and trough praying and sacrificing to the gods.

Common Sins

[2] "Rejecting the god's teachings is a sin" [6] "to sin is to break the gods' trust", and [7] "to break the gods' trust is to live in darkness". Those who refuse to follow the god's teachings by doing any of the actions listed here are therefore considered sinners.

Good deeds
 * Griefing
 * Lying
 * Stealing
 * Killing
 * Greed
 * Lust
 * Laziness
 * Narcissism
 * Hatred
 * Kind to every mortal
 * Gentle to nature
 * Fight with honor
 * Merciful
 * Cheerful to give
 * Joyful to help and be hospitable
 * Encouraging of friendship, even among rivals, enemies, and nonbelievers
 * Promoting the religion

Non-believers are regarded as ones that have not yet been presented with salvation, but they are not to be regarded as evil,- simply unaware.

Customs
Daily Prayers

It is not uncommon for Faxemis Angelaeans start and end each day with a prayer to their deities, asking for guidance, protection, and blessings. This could involve reciting specific prayers or simply expressing gratitude and devotion. Many converts make worshipping their patron angels part of their daily routine, some even going as far as building a small shrine inside their houses to facilitate prayer sessions.

Spiritual Retreats

Many Faxemis Angelaeans participate in spiritual retreats, which provide an opportunity to deepen their devotion and connection to their deities. Most retreats involve a pilgrimage to a holy place, the most popular being the holy island-town of Faxemia. These retreats may also involve meditation, fasting, or other practices designed to purify the mind and body.

Family and Communion

Family and community are central to Faxemis Angelaean life, and many customs and practices are designed to strengthen these bonds. In the Faxemis Angelaean religion people are known and judged based on their families and their position within those said families. Members of important families or members with high positions whithin their families are seen as more trustable by the Angelaean people.

Naming rules

Babies born in Angelaean households are to be given the name of one of their parents as a middle name, and the family name as the last name. They will also be assigned a colour, depending on their position within their family.

The existing colours are:


 * Yellow: Family Head
 * Red: Oldest member within the family
 * Green: Important member within the family who has brought honor to the family.
 * Blue: Normal Family member
 * White: Dead
 * Black: Banished and hated by the family. Has brought dishonor to the family.

Example: Theodred Kronison (Father's name + son suffix) Angelae-Onevior (Family Name), the Yellow (Family Head)

This is due to the Angelaean People's way of keeping track of their family members. Families will build tree-like structures in their gardens, with each branch being a person. On each branch there is the name of the family member which it represents and a banner, which informs any visitors of said member's position within the family.

Talking to ancestors

Many Faxemis Angelaeans start their day by consulting their ancestors. This is usually done by building a small statue of dead family members, and placing a soul torch infront of it. Anyone who wishes to consult their ancestors may then come forward and offer the statue a dandelion, before kneeling infront of it to pray.

Holidays
Faxemus' Day

Faxemus' Day, which takes place on the 8th of April and October, is by far the most popular Faxemis Angelaean holiday. Every Faxemus' Day, the worshippers gather up and organize a big event: The Faxemus' Festival, which celebrates the creation of the universe, and serves as a gateway for newcommers.

Avelinae's Day

Avelinae's day takes place on the 2nd sunday of February; Also know as the life's day, the Avelinae's day is a day of respect, which forbids the consuption of meat and the usage of any kind of animal.

Bellum's Day

Bellum's Day, which takes place on the 15th of March and December, is known by it's pvp contests, ranging from fists fights to archery contests, and for the colourful decorations placed in towns and cities.

The Seasons’ Period

The Seasons' Period (15th of July - 23rd of August), is a time of peace and relaxation, which most use to party with friends.

Revelation Day

Revelation's day (23rd of November) celebrates the creation of the church and the spreading of Faxemis Angelae. It is believed that, on the 23rd of November 2021, Faxemus revealed himself to Théodred Onevior, which lead to him travelling around Rathnir.

Symbology
The Faxemis Angelaean symbols arecommonly used in churches, monuments, paintings and even shrines. Therefore its very important to know what they represent

The tree: The Faxemis Angelaean tree represents the belief that every religion in both Rathnir and Eldham came from Faxemis Angelae. The trunk represents Faxemis Angelae, and the branches represent the other faiths.

The golden star: Represents Faxemus; It is usually represented with a red circle inside it;

Blue star: Represents Avelinae; Smaller than the golden star;

Green star: Represents Bellum; Smaller than the golden star;

Red circle: Represents Liliath;

Althought these are commonly used, the stars' colour and shape may change, specially if represented inside the tree symbol.

Hierarchy of the Clergy
Kentis

Formally know as "The First Servant", the kentis is the head of the Angelaean church. The Kentis are expected to work to ensure the survival of the faith. They are supported by a group of Cardinals, who link the Kentis to the rest of the world.

Cardinals

The cardinal council works like a council of higher priests, making decision about the religion which a deemed too insignificant for the Kentis. Once a Kentis resigns/ dies without appoiniting anyone as the new leader, the cardinal council will become responsible for choosing the new leader.

Patriarch

A patriarch is the highest ranking clergy member in a Faxemis Angelaean nation. They are responsible for organizing nation-wide religious events, cannonizing local saints and promoting active members within the nation.

Bishop/ Archbishop

Clergy member who‘s responsible for one or more cathedrals.

Priest / Archpriest

A Clergy member who's responsible for one or more churches.

Discipuli (aprentices)

People in the path of becoming part of the clergy


 * Finis fidei: People in the 2nd stage of becoming a priest.


 * Initium fidei: People in the 1st stage of becoming a priest

Monk Hierarchy
Head Monk

Responsible for the city's monastery and general of the troops with religious functions in his city/ nation. He commands the monastery, acting as it's leader.

Substitutus

Head monk's replacement, that has the responsibility of distributing tasks among the monks.

Monk

Member of the city monastery

Temples and Rituals
For a temple to be considered as Faxemis Angelaean it must only worship the Faxemis Angelaean deities, have altar where the cardinal can perform masses and sacrifices, have benches where people who wish to attend masses or sacrifices can sit and have a body of water, with a minimum size of 3 x 3, where sacrifices can be placed (normally inside a barrel that is set on fire)

The religion of Faxemis Angelae has 5 types of temples: Shrines, Undefined temples, Churches, Cathedrals and Basilicas.

Temples of the Faith
Shrines

It is very common for Angelaeans to have small shrines built within their own homes, as they're used as the main place of worship for local saints and ancestor spirits. Furthermore, shrines are also very commonly found in the wilderness, serving as a safe place for travelers.

Churches

Churches are the default Angelaean temple. They are overseen by a priest or an archpriest and hold holy ceremonies such as masses, marriages and conversion rituals. Unlike what is commonly believed, the size of a temple doesn't determine its rank, as many churches are bigger than cathedrals. Churches, Cathedrals and Basilicas are overseen by clergymembers whose rank ultimately decides the rank of said temple. Cathedrals

A Cathedral is a temple overseen by a Bishop or an Archbishop. They will usually get their rank from the responsible clergyman, climbing up and down the ranks depending on its overseer. However, it is also possible for a church to become a cathedral on its own if a significant event takes place there, such as an apparition.

Basilicas

A Basilica is a temple held by the Kentis, the head of the faith, and therefore the most important type of temple. Supposedly, 3 Basilicas exist, one for each god, although Faxemus is the only deity who has had a Basilica built in his honor. The only Basilica of the faith at the moment is located in the holy island of Faxemia.

Unclassified Worshipping Sites

Although less common, there are also some worshipping sites which do not fall into any of the previous categories, such as the Saint Harold Statue in Fort Harold. These structures usually predate the faith in that area, and are normally just places of worship used by older faiths of the region.

Rituals of the Faith
Sacrifices The temple must be purified trough placing redstone scattered throughout it, and in front of the doors overlooking the outside. Then the priest should go up to the altar and call the divinity to whom the sacrifices are intended. After calling it several times and saying prayers together with the worshippers they must say what they need from that divinity (protection, help, wisdom, etc.). Then put the barrel in the center of the water, put the sacrifices inside the barrel, catch fire to the barrel, and then call the divinity that you're worshiping to come and get your sacrifices

 Conversion ritual 

The conversion ritual is usually done in (or near) a Faxemis Angelaean holiday, to honor the gods and make it even more special. The ceremony shall take place in a church or cathedral, and a clergy memeber must be present. The fëdro3 should stand in the middle of the water inside the church while the priest starts the ceremony. There should always be some guests. Marriages 

 Priest ordination process 

1st stage: The Discipuli shall be introduced to the clergy tools, to the holy books and to how rituals work. While in their first stage they shal build a chuch of their own.

2nd stage: They will be introduced to other clergy members’ texts and will conduct some supervised rituals. They must now write at least one theological book of their own.

Last stage: They shall now swear loyalty to the gods and to the Kentis and go on a pilgrimage to a holy site.

 Death Blessings 

It is common for the deceased to be blessed before their funeral, as a way to clense them of their sins, and to pray that their souls may be worthy of the golden halls.