Torlyr

Torlyr is a monotheistic faith mainly practiced in the Grand Princedom of Alarital. The faith itself is quite old, having existed centuries for centuries before Kyra’s centralization of the churches.

I - Torlyran History
Much is not known about the early history of the Torlyran faith, due to the lack of translatable documents. Scholars speculate that the faith first emerged as a small primitive cult, several millennia before the year O. We know from Fex Tormente that the faith would’ve grown to be an unorganized faith spanning multiple countries (at the time of Johaeles), including the first Grand Princedom. Kyra Torlhaed (TheOtakuKaiser) stabilized the faith and created the modern Torlyran church as we know it today.

II - Practices and Believes
The Torlyrans believed that God created the foundations of the universe, such as gravity and other physical laws, and let the universe evolve from there. God wants us to see the beauty of his creation, and for that, we must know the truth behind all (a minority even believe that god wished to have equals, but all he could make himself wouldn't be equal to him, so he used evolution to create companions for him). Thus science is a very important part of Torlyran culture. The modern Torlyran church also believes that we need to add even more beauty and depth to God’s creation, specifically in the form of culture and tradition, so most prosperous Torlyran societies also tend to invest a lot in theaters and the arts. The Church separates society in layers of ‘’enlightenment’’, with those more invested in the truth and arts being higher up in the religious and cultural hierarchy. More on this can be found in section IV.

III - Commandments
(this section will be finalized after Fex Tormente reaches the chapter in which the commandments of the faith are discussed)

IV - The Divine Hierarchy
The Church separates society in layers of ‘’enlightenment’’, with those more invested in the truth and arts being higher up in the religious and cultural hierarchy. This section will explain both the hierarchy of Torlyran society and that of Torlyran clergy. This section focuses mostly on how these castes work in Alarital, but these castes may also exist in other communities outside of Alarital.

1 - The divine and semi-divine (Contains the Grand Prince, the Royal Family, the High Priest, and Faithful Electors)

2 - Clergy (Contains the whole clerical hierarchy, a rigid and disciplined organization)

3 - Nobility (Contains high, greater, and low nobility)

4 - Commoners (Contains the Peasant, Burger and scholar classes. Scholars are the closest thing to nobility that a commoner can achieve)

5 - Slaves (This contains slaves... not really sure there ever really will be a massive surplus of this cast so I personally wouldn't bother trying to make 3 of em' unless its purely for developing holy numbers)

Slaves:
Slaves: This cast is the lowest and has limited rights. They are in this cast because of their lack of faith, and ignorance for truth. They may only enter the public portions of religious buildings/sites and may only enter public buildings if they are there on an assignment. This cast is entered by being demoted from other casts or by entering the Princedom as slave imports, prisoners of war, or criminals. This cast can also be entered willingly from any cast... Members of this cast can be promoted to the commoners' cast by accepting the true faith and fulfilling a final "ascension task" which is determined by their former master and a member of the clergy(this would be a task for lesser members of the clergy such as the local priest). Members of this task must fulfill all tasks (in-game)given to them by their masters. Their reward is that the master must provide them with food, the tools for the job, as well as housing. This cast may not own any personal possessions except what is given to them by their master. This cast has no direct military obligations but if their master commands them to fight then they must fulfill that task just like any other. Should members of this cast ascend to the commoners' cast, they keep any personal possessions that their master may have granted them, however they must move out of the provided housing immediately. When ascending to the commoners cast slaves move into the peasant rank.

Commoners:
Peasants: This cast represents the less fortunate and less enlightened citizens. Peasants are members of society, or a descendant of one, who lazily sought after only their basic survival needs and did not seek the truth full heartedly. Now those who have gained favor in the sight of God provide the necessary properties for peasants to continue doing what they have always done…survive, only now they must at least contribute economically to God's Princedom. Peasants do not have the right to own any land or slaves, they do not have the right to own any building and they must have a patron lord of the noble cast. Peasants are also not permitted to own any armor or weapons. Peasants do not have the right to participate in any government processes. Peasants may only enter public portions of religious buildings/sites and may not enter public buildings. Peasants may use any land or buildings granted to their kind by their patron, however the peasants of a given patron must collectively pay a rent to the patron for his generosity. In times of war their patron has the right to recruit his peasants and command them on the battlefield. If a peasant is found to have broken any law or purposefully neglected the military summons of their patron the peasant is demoted to the slave cast. A member of the peasant cast may be promoted to the burger cast if they have served honorably on 3 battlefields, donated ($$Enter Sum$$) in support of the clergy, and if they have the ability to obtain a home and source of income immediately upon promotion.

Burgers:
This cast is the majority of the citizens within the Grand Princedom. They have most citizen rights with a few exceptions, such as public speaking (Public speaking is not speaking in public, public speaking is when you speak to a crowd. The right to speak to crowds first appears in the scholar cast if they are in a lecture hall or other dedicated site, and is fully granted to higher casts). Commoners may only enter non-scholarly public buildings and the public portions of religious buildings/sites. This cast may not own slaves (All Higher Casts may). If a Burger is working in a specialized profession and a member of a higher class considers them to be reducing their profits then they may demand that the Burger picks up a new trade or moves to a new location. This cast has a military service requirement, they must serve at least one military term when they come of age or join the Burger class. Burgers must comply with conscription laws of their local government, and that of the Grand Princedom. Unlike Peasants, Burgers may possess military equipment, however they may not wear or use it in public unless they are on duty or traveling on roads. Burgers are not permitted to marry with lesser nobility or higher castes. Burgers are not allowed to participate in any government positions, should their local Duchy have a democratic government only scholars or higher casts may participate. This cast is entered by being promoted from the peasant cast or demoted from a higher cast. Members of this cast may be promoted either to the lesser nobility cast or to the Scholar cast. To be promoted to the lesser nobility cast the individual must have participated in at least 5 battles, performed at least one recognized act of valor, converted to the true faith, and accumulated a wealth of ($$$Enter Large Sum$$$). To enter the Scholar cast the individual must have converted to the True faith, acquired the equipment required for a specialized profession, joined or formed a guild, obeyed the most recent 5 call to arms, acquired a wealth of ($$Enter Medium Sum$$)and contributed to at least one discussion on the Alarital’s Forum (Discord).

Scholars:
This cast represents the educated and professional citizens within the Grand Princedom. Scholars must have a specialized profession or occupation. and have nearly full citizen rights with very few exceptions. Scholars may not marry with High Nobility or higher casts. Scholars may access institutional buildings and public buildings such as libraries. They may only access the public portions of Religious buildings/sites unless invited by a member of the clergy. Scholars may give public lectures in dedicated spaces or for scheduled events. Scholars are required to obey call to arms and local service requirements, however the scholar cast is usually not targeted by these laws and policies. Scholars may not join the military service unless they are generals, or working as military engineers. Scholars can participate in government to whatever degree is permitted by their local laws and government type. Scholars are demoted to the Burgers class if they fail to fulfill their obligations as a member of the Scholars cast. Scholars can enter the clergy cast freely. Entering the Lesser Nobility cast is more difficult. To enter the Lesser Nobility Cast a scholar must marry a lesser noble, or acquired a wealth of ($$$LARGE Sum$$$), acquired land holdings, and received the Grand Prince’s approval. Scholars may follow any faith, however, to become a scholar requires converting to the true faith. So the only reason a scholar should be following any faith other than the true faith is if they followed a false religion at the time their nation joined the Grand Princedom as a member state and they fulfilled the other requirements to be placed in this caste.

Lesser Nobility:
Contrary to what the title may imply, Lesser Nobles are not necessarily land owners, although they can be appointed as the nobles of a region by a High Noble or the Grand Prince. Lesser Nobles may fully participate in the government according to their rank and according to the local laws and system. Lesser Nobles must serve in the military at all times and be prepared for military conflicts. Lesser Nobles are forced to join the clergy as a monk or demoted to Burgers cast if they act with cowardice. Lesser Nobles may rule over their own land holdings, however these holdings must be the subject of a higher ranking noble, and follow the laws appointed by the high noble over them. The exception to this is if the lesser noble has secured the rulership position of a Duchy/Princedom. Lesser Nobles may access all public buildings but only the public portions of Religious buildings and sites. Lesser Nobles may marry High nobles and even members of the Royal family! Lesser Nobles may enter any public building but may only enter the public portions of religious buildings/sites. Lesser Nobles can join the clergy at any time by joining a military order (Only lesser Nobles can directly join a military order). Lesser Nobles can join a higher nobility class by marrying into the class or by marrying a member of the Royal family (They can not marry into the divine cast, instead they would become a High Noble). Lesser Nobles can not have subject lesser nobles or be the ruler of a Duchy/ Princedom, however they can acquire these positions and automatically join the Greater Nobility class. A Lesser Noble can become a High Noble directly by fulfilling the following Criteria: Have secured the rulership position of a Duchy/Princedom, secured the Grand Prince’s approval, have a spotless military track record, and have converted to the true faith (The faith requirement is not in effect if their land holdings are located in a Duchy/Princedom that is not fully converted). Lesser Nobles do not need to follow the true faith however this cast can not be attained by members of lower casts unless they are converted.

Greater Nobility:
Members of the greater nobility are higher ranking Nobles than the lesser nobility but for the most part are quite similar. They also must serve in the military at all times and be prepared for military conflicts. Greater Nobles are forced to join the clergy as a monk or demoted to Burgers cast if they act with cowardice. Members of this class however must also have land holdings and are required to participate in the governments of those lands. The land holdings of the Greater Nobility must be subjects of a state or High Noble. Greater nobles may access all public and religious buildings and sites. If a Greater Noble fails to participate in the government over their land holdings or no longer possesses any land holdings, they are demoted to a Lesser Noble. The Greater Nobility must follow the True Faith unless they have landholdings in a state that is not fully converted. Failing this requirement demotes a Greater Noble to the Lesser Noble class.

High Nobility:
High Nobles Must have land holdings. High Nobles must be subjects of the Grand Princedom or rulers of a Duchy/Princedom. High Nobles are demoted to lesser nobles if they fail these requirements. High Nobles may make their own laws, but must still follow the laws of the Princedom. High Nobles may marry members of the Royal family, however this does not elevate them to a higher cast. High Nobles have the rights of a full citizen, must fully participate in all governments where they have land holdings, and may enter all public/state and religious buildings/sites. High Nobles are not required to serve in the military but must participate in all conflicts that involve the states where they have land holdings, either by participating in the fighting, commanding their troops, or by sending supplies. Acting with cowardice forces a High Noble to join the clergy as a monk or be demoted to the Scholar Cast. High Nobles Must convert to the true faith unless they come from a state that has not fully embraced the Faith yet; failing this requirement demotes a High Noble to the cast of Lesser Noble.

Clergy:
This class is any member of the clergy. The cast is regarded as higher than that of nobility since they approach the divine, however they have little political power outside of military orders, and theocratic Clerical states within the Grand Princedom. This cast can be entered by becoming a member of the clergy. Anyone within the scholar or higher cast may freely choose to enter the clergy cast at any time. However this requires forfeiting their status within the previous cast, and any titles. Any possessions must be given away or become possessions of the Clergy. All possessions of the Clergy and its members are shared according to the structure of the clergy and its hierarchy. The Electors and High Priest reserve the right to Kick members out of this cast or to ban them from entering it. Members of this cast are demoted to the Scholar cast if they leave the clergy willingly. If they renounce the faith, or acknowledge another faith they are demoted to the slaves cast. If a member of this cast is kicked from the clergy they will be moved into the commoners cast. Members of this cast must devote themselves to the truth. They must strive to climb the ranks of the clergy and work their way towards the divine. They must work towards the advancement of the faith, and debate the theological truths. The clergy must unravel God's truths and revelation by studying the world around them, proposing new truths and revelations within the clergy and seek their verification and ratification by the divine (High Priest must verify new revelations). Like the scholar cast the clergy must study the world, other civilizations and science. Members of the clergy must care for the less fortunate and guide the rulers and authorities of the Grand Princedom to do what is truthful and holy. Member of this cast have full citizen rights and may enter any faith building/site. (more on this later)

Divine Apparents:
The Royal family and the Clergy Electors make up this class. The members of this class have the divine opportunity to be elected as the next High Priest or in the case of the Royal family to inherit the golden throne and ascend as the next Grand Prince. The Clergy Electors assist the High Priest in his Duties and help lead the Clergy. The members of the Royal family may participate in the governance of the Grand Princedom. The members of this class are not required to serve in the military, however members of the Royal family may assume military command. If any member of this class fails to follow the true faith then if they are members of the royal family they are demoted to high nobles and disinherited and if they are Clergy Electors then they shall face execution.

The High Priest:
The High Priest is gods representative on earth. It is his duty to ultimately judge whether the proposed revelations and discoveries of the clergy are truth or lie. The High Priest must ensure that the members of the royal family and clergy follow the true faith and that there is no spread of heresy.

The Grand Prince:
The Grand Prince is the most direct living descendant of Johaeles and gods chosen ruler for the world. He is to be guided by the clergy and rule through the nobles so that god's will may be done on earth. The Grand Prince must follow the true faith or face execution and may not acknowledge another faith as the truth or be forced to abdicate and be demoted to the High Nobility class. The Grand Prince must fulfill the duties and obligations of his position or else retire. The Grand Prince may choose his next heir from among the members of the royal family. In the absence of an heir apparent, the next Grand Prince is chosen according to the fashion of the nobility. The Grand Prince may also disinherit a member of the Royal Family and demote them to the High Noble class.

Place Within The Casts:
The clergy has a hierarchical structure that allows it to function as an organized and effective body as it pursues, proclaims and defends The Truth.

Within the caste system the clergy are the second highest class just below the divine and semi-divine. As such even the lowliest member of the clergy is more prestigious than the highest noble. In Noble vs. Clergy relations Clergy outclass the Nobles but usually do not outrank the nobles. This plays out as follows; Assume a lowly monk and a high noble meet. The monk has no political authority, however, the noble is obliged to ensure the monks well being by providing food and shelter, as well as heeding any message the monk bears from the divine. When seated at a table even the lowest monk receives a seat of higher honors than the highest noble.

Monk:
Monks are the entry level members of the clergy. Monks are assigned an elder and assist the elder in their tasks. Monks may also be dispatched by higher members of the clergy as messengers, missionaries, or Proclaimers. In these roles they deliver messages from the higher members of the clergy to each other or to rulers of the faith, spread established truths to those yet trapped in lies, and Proclaim new ratified truths to the masses. In their spare time monks should assist the lesser casts who are in need, or study the things of the universe and ponder their Truths.

Alarean(Specialized Monk):
Alareans are monks that have shown skill in a particular area and have been promoted by the higher members of the clergy to fulfill the needs of the faith. Alareans usually adopt roles such as Clerical Farmer or Tradesperson. The fruits of their labor are then distributed among the clergy. Alareans will often have monks assigned to their tutelage that will assist them in their work. In their spare time Alareans are like monks called to help the needy and ponder the truths of the Universe.

Theologian:
Any monk or Alarean that has contributed to the Truths established within the faith, and that is greatly involved in the debates of revelation can be promoted by the high clergy to the position of Theologian. As a Theologian physical labor is no longer required, however, they should dedicate themselves to the higher pursuits of Truth and Development. Highly Reputable Theologians may be highered out to nobles, or other nations and contribute to the clerical coffers in this way.

Holy Paladin:
A Holy Paladin is a member of the clergy that has been recruited by a Cagomethir into their order. In order to be recruited they must feel the calling to defend the truth and crush all lies and herecies to end their reign of poison and terror. To this end they must swear an oath when entering the order. One can not join a Holy order, only be invited, but petitions for recruitment following a revelation are permitted.

Cagomarn(Commander of a Company of Paladins):
The Cagomarn is a commander of a company of Paladins and is promoted from the ranks of the Holy Paladins based on military achievement.

Cagomethir(Head of Military Order):
The Cagomethir is the Head of a Military order. It is their responsibility to properly equip, train, promote and employ their order in the service of the Divine. They must also provide a base of operations for the Order. A Cagomethir is not permitted to recruit a new member if they are unable to provide the military equipment of a Holy Paladin to the new recruit. Cagomethirs may employ their Order to any cause worthy of the champions of Truth, unless they are given clerical orders by the high clergy and given a divine mission. Any Holy Paladin may start a new Order if they can acquire the resources necessary for the venture from the clerical coffers. Alternatively a new Cagomethir may also be appointed by the high clergy directly as the result of a divine revelation.

Priest:
Priests are the primary cleric of a Shrine or Cathedral. They may also be the heads of any non-military orders. Priests must ensure the maintenance of their holy site, distribute resources provided to them from the clerical coffers appropriately among the clergy under them and among the needy, provide services for the faithful, and direct the efforts of the monks. Priests are usually the ones that promote monks to Alareans although in special cases the high clergy may also perform this honor. Priests can be promoted to the rank of Edechenart by the High Priest, or by their respective Elector with the High Priests consent.

Edechenart:
An Edechenart still performs many of the tasks of a priest, however they are the primary cleric of Cathedrals or Temples, and may often administer several other Shrines and/or Cathedrals which are led by Priests. The Edechenart is responsible for the Truthfulness of the Clergy in their domain and for promoting monks to Theologians, only in special cases would an elector or the High Priest perform this honor. Only Edechenarts may be promoted to Elector and only Electors of Edechenarts may be elected as the High Priest.

Elector:
Electors are the heads of a clerical state. These clerical states are always members of the Torlyran Church, and often princedoms under Alarital. Electors must run their state with accordance to the Truths revealed to the clergy and deal with the politics of their domain, as well as ensure the safety of their subjects. Electors vote in the new High Priest upon the death or retirement of the former High Priest. The only exception to an elector running a clerical state is the Archelector. The Archelector is a member of the royal family and may under special circumstances even be the Grand Prince. The Archelector is the right hand of the High Priest and the main authority that ensures the faithfulness of the Electors and Edechenarts. The Archelector has no clerical state of their own, instead being based out of the crownlands of the Grand Princedom itself. The Archelector is either based out of the High Temple like the High Priest, or out of the Arch Temple.

High Priest:
The High Priest is the voice of The Ede and the Truth in the mortal realm. The High Priest is elected by the Electors and does not have a clerical state, instead being based out of the High Temple from the crownlands of the Grand Princedom itself. The High Priest is the only individual that can ratify a Truth that has been revealed to the clergy and is petitioned by the Electoral Council (Before reaching the High Priest, Truths must climb the ranks of the Clergy and be approved by the Electoral Council). The High Priest has the authority to rebuke rulers and nobles if they do not abide by the Truth or remain faithful. The High Priest may also call for crusades against heathens or rebellious rulers. Any law that is contrary to the Truth may be rebuked by the High Priest and annulled (Whether it is contrary to the Truth must be determined by the Electoral Council). The High Priest must ensure the faithfulness and fairness of all members of the clergy and administer the proper distribution of the clerical resources.

V - Organisations
The Torlyran faith has many organisations related to it, in this section some of the notable ones are listed.

The Grand Princedom Alarital: A large nation-state which serves as the headquarters of the Torlyran church, here the popes are elected and the Grand Prince rules.

The Torlyran Church: The main organisation of clergy, led by the pope. They handle most of the administration and bureaucracy of the faith, and are those who help the world communicate with God.

VI - Important Figures
Johaeles Torlhaed: He who guided us during our time of need, a man with the blood of humanity and divinity flowing through his veins. His life is recorded in Fex Tormente.

Kyra Torlhaed: Grand Prince of Alarital, and figurehead of the Torlyran faith.