Soledom

Soledom, or Solen is a polytheistic religion and branch of the Soleannen doctrine, domestically located in Valreach. It was founded after the Valrean Holy War by Emperor Yorg.

Information
Soledom is a complex and diverse system of beliefs that is practiced in the region of Valriegesland. Unlike the Soleannen Doctrine, which is also a polytheistic faith that recognizes the existence of multiple gods, Soledom incorporates the worship of local spirits and deities that are exclusive to the region where it was founded. In contrast, the religion of Soledom recognizes the importance of local beliefs and practices, and seeks to incorporate them into its own religious traditions. This often means that the worship of specific spirits and deities is deeply ingrained in the culture and history of the region where Soledom was founded, and that these beliefs are tied to the natural world and the environment in which people live.

One unique aspect of Soledom is its spiritual connection to the Emperor of the Valrean Realm, who is believed to be a divine figure and the protector of the people of the Valriegesland. This connection is exclusive to the region and is not recognized by the Soleannen Doctrine. The people of Valriegesland believe that the Emperor is a direct descendant of the Gods and has a divine mandate to protect and guide the people of the region. They also believe that the Emperor has a spiritual connection to the land and the natural world, and that he can communicate with the spirits and deities that are worshipped in Soledom.

History
Following the Inquisition against both Soleannen and Solevielism in the Empire of Simulami which led to major decline in Soleviel faith, and growing tensions between religious factions in the Empire of Valreach in-which led to conflict and ruin in central Valriegesland, orders of both Soleviel faith and Shroudism in the Valrean Holy War ceased their arms, and negotiated a new religious doctrine for the Valrean Realm.

It was to become Soledom, a Valrean answer to Soleannen and a church in-which power wasn't in the hands of foreign nations nor a elected hierchy, but the Valrean Realm itself. Emperor Yorg M. Aulian declared the religion a faith for the Valreans and Valreach, where both Soleannenism and Shroudism would unify under a new church.

Hierarchy of the Soledom Clergy
 Emperor of the Faithful:  The Emperor of Valreach leads the Soledom faith as its head. He has absolute authority over the faith and his duties include promoting members of the Clergy, teaching and praying for the faithful, and coming to conclusions on theology and doctrines.

 Archbishops: 

 Bishops: 

 Archiereus:   The leaders of Monastic communities of the faith,

 Monks/Mystics: 

 Priests: 

Solarien
Solaris, also referred to as Solarien, is the Chief God of the Valrean people who is representative of fire, passion, and refined emotion. He was trapped in the Sun before being freed following the Ascension. He is currently in Luminarium beside his wife Sylene.

Sylene
Sylene is the wife of Solaris who is representative of water, serenity, and love. She was trapped in the Moon. When the Moon exploded, she was killed, but was reborn. She currently resides in the Luminarium, not showing herself to the mortals of Hemnerei.

Shrouden
Shroud, also referred to as Shrouden, is the wrath, impurity, and raw emotion of Solaris, that was split from him after creation. Unable to reunite with its other half, he causes major change in the world and exists in multiple forms in different dimensions. Shrouds immortal form streams through fires of the Ignium dimension.

Hicarys
Hicarys is thought to represent forgiveness, agility, and physical strength. He is believed to bring the souls of the dead to the Luminarium.

Meruvien
Meruvia, also referred to as Meruvien, is representative of joy, happiness, general pleasantness, and love. She is believed to rule over her domain of the Silvaen, and is found to roam within the forests of the Hemnerein. Temples and shrines to her are often built in places of natural beauty, she is also worshipped for certain occasions such as friendships or marriage ceremonies. Meruvien is most commonly depicted in the form of an Elk, but may also appear in her humanoid form.

Iamaien
Iamai, also reffered as Iamaien is the Goddess and patron of all Merchants and sea fairers, she's known to travel the seas and oversee traveling vessels.

Domari
Domari is thought to represent work, vigilance, and general integrity. He is often one to be found in mines or impersonating workers.

Arose
Arose is the goddess of harvest, and growth. She is often among the outer rims of plains impersonating an elder with a stick, or riding a skeleton horse, also known as the Pale Horse.

Caligo
Caligo, also referred to as Caligen, is the one representative of darkness and obscurity, jealousy and vengeance. He is the one who trapped Solaris and Sylene. It is noted that the worship of this god is not common.

Realms / Dimensions
In the religion there exists several planes of existence, most notably the Luminarium, Ultimare, Ignium, Immerium, and Hemeri. Several of these realms are freely travelable by people through portals while others are not.

Hemnereien
Hemnerei is simply what the believers refer to as the Overworld. Where one wanders and sees Empires rise and fall on the day, where life is abundant and days pass as normal. To many this is the realm of Rathnir, a place where death is frequent.

Luminarien
Luminarium is a heavenlike tranquil alternate plane of existence, where one may go upon dying provided they have been deemed worthy by the creators. It is here that most of the gods are believed to have resided, but now those fallen may live out a calm and peaceful existence here. Accounts of Spirits claim that the skies shine a warm blue or gray, with a gentle breeze on many days in the part they traveled.

Ignium
Ignium is the realm of fire accessible through the use of an ancient Soledom circle. In this realm it is believed that the Shrouden wanders, channeling the fires to his will. Over time Ignium forts have since fallen into disrepair and the ancient stones used to make them have been brought back home for construction purposes worldwide.

Immerien
Immerium is the realm of darkness which Caligo is. The Immerium is most often seen when one heads to the Ultimare and looks off the edge into the void below. It is said that the land in the Immerium resembles the Hemerei but is often black, with various creatures of malevolent intent roaming the fields and stalking the forests for those unlucky enough to be trapped here. It is believed that those who are evil in life are eventually trapped here with the god and his dark creations, forever a victim of the unending death.

Silvaen
Silvaen is the domain of the Goddess Meruvia. The existence of this realm was discovered by Valrean Emperor Yorg M. Aulian who was able to visit parts of it for a brief time. The account of the land describes it as a lush flower forest with fauna and wildlife much larger then those found within the Hemnerein, it was found that various spirits roamed such as wisps roamed throughout the forest. Within the center of this realm one can find a massive oak that stretches high up into the heavens, hallowed out within is the palace of Meruvia where she rules over her domain.

Spirits / Deities
Soledom as a set of traditions and beliefs that, added to the base Soledom Pantheon, form the Soledom Doctrine. These are the main additions the Valrean people embrace.

The Pale Horse
The Pale Horse is a mythical creature, which spirit remains on the Hemnerei. It was a equine creature at the service of Arose. Blessing the world with fertility. Arose is commonly represented riding the Pale Horse in the Valriegesland.

The spirit of the Pale Horse is worshipped specially on the Eldhamite region of the Valriegesland. The local worshippers, even the ones not followers of Soledom, usually pray for the resurrection of the horses they rode in life. If the prays are heard by Erose, they revive the horses into skeleton creatures.

The spirit of the Pale Horse could be found in every single one of this specimens, reincarnated to give them a second life.

The Mole King and his kin
The Mole King is a twisted spirit of the Immerium, serf of Caligo. One of the many creatures that comes from the Immerium. The Mole King uses the Tunnels of Nidaros to find more souls to dominate and add to his horde. It is believed that the Mole King is the one responsible for the construction of the Tunnels.

The Ashen People of Ignium
Ashen is another word for what many refer to as fire, and the Ashen people are the main creatures of the dimension Ignium, represented as burning humanoid people of magma and Blackstone, who entered the Hemnerei through the Ancient Solen circle rituals, known to wander in the Isle of Nujh. Guided by Shroud, a major god that split from Solaris in his creation, representing wrath, impurity, and raw emotion, who is known to wander ignium and channel the flames of the people, and the dimension, causing changes to worlds and its people.

A Corrupted Ashen is a curse of Shroud upon creatures of Hemnerei, changing the creatures’ physical form and flames to a dark purple, and changing the mind, becoming controlled by Shroud, often causing wrath and despair for the one cursed. A case of this is Vix Aulian, becoming bloodlust and insane.

The Fiddle Mountain Goat
The Fiddle Mountain Goat is a spirit of music, poetry, and art, known to have played his fiddle on the Mountain of Heidrun. He is known for grabbing the attention of two explorers, whom heard sounds of eerie fiddle strings playing upon the mountain ranges. It is also said that the explorers traveled further up the mountain, making the music the goat played more clear and pleasing, and when approaching the spirit, the travelers felt a sense of euphoria and desire to dance. They learnt from the goat and how to play his music, and that he is playing his fiddle as a call to seek new protectors of his music and spiritual mountain. It's said that he told the young explorers that he must travel to another realm to adjoin the gods, and that he may soon return to continue his play.

Eagle of Valreach
The Eagle of Valreach is a spirit which is believed to be a colossal black Eagle, represented as a Edenheim Highland Imperial Eagle (Valrean Eagle). The ruler of the Valrean lands is believed to be connected and in control of this spirit. It is also believed that the Eagle is connected to Solaris. It has been spotted soaring through the clouds of the Edenheim valleys and other places in the Valrean realm, as well in times of war. It is represented in the Valrean flag and Coat of Arms, holding Imperial scepters and the Valrean Shield and Crown. Symbolism of the Eagle represents the unity of the Valrean lands and loyalty to the Emperor of Valreach.

The Edenheim Highland Imperial Eagle is a large bird of prey, 80 cm in width and 220 cm in wingspan. All black feather with a dark gold-orange beak and legs and talons. It breeds in the mountains of Edenheim and migrates to the Saafir deserts in the winter.