Lux

Lux is a light religion, much like Soleannen, but with some key differences. Luxites believe in only two gods, Lux, the light Goddess, and Tenebris, the Void God, it is also important to note that the religion does not have evil deities. Lux is the state religion of Solisios, and the capital of the religion being the holy city of Luxantia.

Cosmology and Beliefs
Luxites believe that Rathnir is between two planes, the heavens and the void. They are seperated by barriers in which humans cannot pass. The Heavens and Rathnir are seperated by the Stars, and the Void by Deep Rock.

Luxites also believe in the cyclical nature of the world. With the natural cycles of the Day, Month, Season and Year being represented in Lux architecture as well as the practices used in celebration of Lux deities. This is also crucial to the belief in life after death, which in Lux is more complicated than most other religions.

It is said that after death a person is weighed on their nature. If they were good, they will become fuel for the Eternal Flame. It is said their souls are what propagates light and good will across the world, inspiring all and adding to Lux's powers, however, if they were evil, they will be cast into the eternal nothingness, the void, by Tenebris to be forever forgotten and ultimately destroyed.

The Eternal Flame and an Eternal Flame are two different entities, though both of them are very important to the religion. Firstly, The Eternal Flame is located in Luxios and it is said that this flame is the lifeblood of Lux herself. If, for whatever reason, the flame might go out, it will spell doom and destruction, an instability in the Eternal War. This will also end the eternal and cyclical nature of the world, which is said to be created and reborn from the flame, fueled by the people who do good in their lives, if during a given cycle enough practice the faith and do good in the world, a better world will be reborn in the future. Nobody can ever know when a cycle truly begun, and when it will end.

No of the two gods is believed to be evil. Lux posses constructive power, while Tenebris, the destructive. Both can be used for good. Lux's creation can inspire, while Tenebris' destruction may banish evil into the realm of the past. True evil is said to be born of inaction and ill will. Evil people are regarded as ones that do not believe Lux, since Lux in its esssence was, and still is, about hospitality, due to its nomadic belief roots as it was important to help eachother in times of drought on the Ummarnu deserts.

Dieties
Lux: The goddess of light, and she embodies the sun. There is some debate, however, on whether she is the sun or whether she merely uses her power to manifest it. She is a benevolent being and fights on Rathnir's behalf.

Tenebris: The god of darkness, he embodies the void. He is darkness, death, and chaos. Similarities between Tenebris and Entropy are not coincidental, for luxites believe that Tenebris manifested his chaos in form of Entropy and sent it to Rathnir.

There are also a few minor deities, which are half-gods. Lux's court includes:

Paridu: The lady of the household and the hearth.

Wajdu: The lord of order and knowledge.

Parabu: The lady of life and prosperity.

And the court of Tenebris includes:

Cutu: The lord of wind and solace.

Kejde: The lady of chaos and ignorance.

Pburadi: The lord of death and warfare.

Legend
Lux and Tenebris are said to be in a constant state of battle, called The Eternal War. When Lux has a victory, the sun rises. When Tenebris has a victory, the sun sets. Day and Night are very significant concepts to Luxites, as they believe day gives them strength and goodness, while the night breeds weakness and evil. Though many may shout, "Praise death to Tenebris!", Luxites claim that Tenebris cannot be killed, nor can Lux. Their war will never end so long as Rathnir stands.

Clergy
Lux is headed by a High Priest/Priestess who is appointed by the Shah of Solisios and its Council. Once appointed, they keep their position for life. The High Priest/Priestess is the ultimate voice on religious matters, even higher than the Shah. They may make other members of the religion a priest or revoke it at their discretion. Priests have the ability to marry couples, divorce them, and be the head of temples.

List of High Priests/Priestesses of Solisios:

 * 1) High Priestess EcksSteal
 * 2) High Priest Wialend
 * 3) High Priest Jade (current)

List of Foreign High Priests/Priestesses:

 * 1) High Priest Echo (current, of Areveyi in Eldham)

Practicing
Lux is practiced by a few means:

Sacrificing: Sacrificing valuables and meat at temples is a way to worship Lux and thank her for her light and warmth.

Processions: Around temples or 4 stations: I - the station of Sunrise, where a minor deity of the Lux's court is celebrated; II - the station of Noon, where Lux is celebrated; III - the station of Moonrise, where a minor deity from Tenebris' court is celebrated; and lastly IV - the Moon's Peak, where Tenebris is celebrated.

Spreading the word: Telling others of Lux is a way to spread the religion and see that others worship Lux. Priests will often announce that a battle has been won by Lux at sunrise, and that Lux has lost a battle at dusk.

Founding
The religion traces back to desert nomads in Ummarnu who revered sun as something holy and sacred because of its great influence in their lives, bringing heat and light in the drifting sands, and when it was gone there was cold and darkness. They called the Sun their word for light, Lux, and the night sky (the void) their word for darkness, Tenebris. A Millenia after its conception, Lux became the founding religion of Solisios, turning the series of legends of the Eternal War into a practiced religion.

The Original Sacrifice
The religion was founded with the city of Luxios where the first temple was built. The King of Solisios and the High Priestess of Lux performed The Original Sacrifice. A witness describes it as such:

Several Shards of the Sun were distributed among those at the top of the temple. Some may have been given to other high ranking members of the religion. They remain as holy objects to be revered.

The Holy City of Luxantia
The city of Luxantia, located in Solisios, is a large temple with a city under it. While it is currently under construction, a large artificial sun on the ceiling of the temple. A central building called the spire is the home of religious affairs and the High Priest/Priestess. The city is the center of the religion and many make pilgrimages to it to worship Lux.

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