Solonism

General.
Solonism is a monothestic religion created in the mid-west region of Eldham. The religion believes the Sun (Solon) is the creator and destroyer of worlds, and is to be both feared and praised.

Creation
Solonists believe that Eldam is the third attempt by the god Solon to create a perfect world-- the first two being Paxia and Jagdas. Solon's first trial was Paxia, which he disliked and decided to end the world inn flame. From the ashes of the Paxia, Jagdas emerged. This new world still displeased Solon, so it too was burned away. After this, Solon, not even waiting for Jagdas to stop burning, decided to create new world. Thus, Eldham was born. He didn't want to leave Eldham completely without help, so, using the first ashes from Jagdas, he formed the sunflower-- a flower meant to morally guide the people of Eldham. To this day, Jagdas, now commonly known as "the nether" still burns, constantly reminding the people of Eldham what they will become if they aren't pure.

The Great Fire
The faith believes that when the creature's of Eldham's Sin has become too much, Solon will wipe set the world aflame. It is debated when this day will happen--after a huge catastrophy, the end of his worshipers, or just when he feels like it. All that is known is, when the day comes, the sun shall fall onto the earth and the sunflowers shall wilt; the ground shall quake and the air will be scented with the foul odor of smoke. And then all will be set alight and all that shall be left will be Ash. Which then will be promptly turned into a new world.

Rituals
Most Solonist rituals include either fire or lava as the Solonists believe that the flame is the beginner of all things and the ender of all things.

The Cleansing
The Cleansing ritual is a ritual undertaken to either relive the body of sin or an angel inhabiting it. In the ritual, the participant jumps into a pit of lava and is burned alive. It is believed that the lava, representing the flames of Solon, destroys the old (sometimes sinful) body and creates a new pure one. The cleansing ritual is often used as a punishment for criminals.

Angels
Solonism also has other Celestial beings other than Solon, the Angels, but because they are ascended mortals they are not considered Gods. The 5 angels, mortals that Solon deemed Morally good enough to survive the great fires of Paxia and Jagdas, are constantly being reincarnated in Eldham and are listed below:

Zelaqil
The First Mortal Angelified. Born in a small Paxian town, Zelaqil was the first faithful in Solon. Not much is known about him aside from his extreme ambitiousness.

Chandia
Born in Paxia, not much is known about her either. It is said that she once starved herself to protect her village from famine and, when she was at death's door, Solon granted her immortality for her sacrifice. The truth behind this story is debatable.

Jugrad
The First Angel Born in Jagdas, Jugrad was a valiant knight of the Kaihyo Shogunate and Loyally defended the Shogun from rebel forces. His sword, the Netherbane, was rumored to be able to slice a mountain in half.

Murandel
Born in an unknown town in Jagdas, Murandel dedicated his life to travelling around Jagdas in a quest for knowledge and truth. When all he he saw was sin and misfortune on his journeys, Murandel decided to Isolate in a cave on his quest for purity. Living in the cave, all he consumed was fish from a nearby river and he would only talk to a small singular Sunflower outside the cave. After he achieved angel status, Murandel reincarnated into a mortal body and, when it died, laid it beneath the sunflower. Soon, with the added nutrients, the sunflower grew and grew and then seeded till a valley of sunflowers emerged. This sunflower valley is located in the modern city of Soliana.

Vasquel
Born in the later period of Jagdas, Vasquel is arguably the least pure of the 5 angels. But what he lacked in pureity, he made up in intellect-- he invented cheese, alcohol, and many other useful items of the modern age.

Angel Reincarnations
Angels often reincarnate themselves into mortals in Eldham. When an angel has chosen a vessel, the vessel is given the soul of the angel and their old personality is revoked. When the Angel decides they wish to leave (or if they are commanded to), the soul of the angel shall be removed and the vessel body will be thrown into lava as part of the cleansing ritual.

Organization
The Sunflower Church is the institution that represents all Solonists of Eldham.