Aetherianity

Aetherianity is the continuation of the orthodox teachings of the Villager Lore which is the ancient faith of the Testificates pre-dating the arrival of the marked ones, in combination with divine insight from witnessed events revolving around G0NF, his journey and teachings of peace and forgiveness, and his eventual crucifixion and ascension. The Codex Aetherni is the primary religious scripture of Aetherianity.

Deties
The faith revolves around the belief that anyone can achieve ascendance through the good works and deeds they do throughout their life and through belief in GONF and the faith.

Old Testificate deities
Within the Old Testificate there are two gods and two dualities. Hrma is the Sun God who passes judgement on all souls and those entering into the afterlife. Henu is the Moon God who is locked in perpetual struggle with Hrma in a constant shift of day and night.

Hmar and Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam are the dualities of the Old Testificate. Hmar, also referred to as the "Earth Force" representats all worldly desires and actions while Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam, the "Sky Force", represents a divine struggle between the Gods in the firmament of the sky.

New Testificate deities
Within the New Testificate, GONF is the central deity. There are also deities in the New Testificate that are those figures which have followed in the footsteps of GONF and achieved ascendance to the highest Aether and are worshipped under him.

GONF is the central deity to the New Testificate. He is believed to have descended to the world sent by Hrma due to the sudden arrival of the "marked ones" and mass destruction being inflicted upon the Testificates. Spread teachings of peace, humility, and forgiveness before being crucified and ascending back to the heavens.

Realms
The devout believe they either ascend to or descend to these realms, depending on their deeds in life as well as their belief in GONF and his teachings. All souls enter the void realm upon death in which they are judged by the sun god Hmra until they are seen as worthy or unworthy to enter into the higher Aethers.

Those deemed unworthy are made into nether mobs and if one continues to be unworthy they are sent into the lowest realm as an enderman and cast out for eternity with no hope of redemption, tortured by Emen

Souls and the Afterlife
XP is seen as the lifeforce of all creatures and only those with lifeforce are considered living creatures thus trees are not living among other things. Those that follow the faith, GONF and his teachings ascend to higher realms, the highest of which is known as the 5th Aether, while those that do bad through their life are judged and cast into the lower realms, each one being progressively worse than the last. The final realm is ruled by Emen who tortures all those who enter upon his realm for eternity to which there is no redemption from this realm.

Teachings
The teachings of Aetherianity revolve around the "10 Wisdoms of The Almighty" and the "8 Pillars of GONF", which mean to serve as guidance on how believers should live their lives. The "10 Wisdoms of The Almighty" are words by the Almighty within the "Player's Book" of the Old Testificate. They were stated to Ovo by the Almighty upon witnessing each of the 12 realms which in which are ways to live.

The 8 Pillars of GONF are based around the Book of GONF and his central teachings in his life as these are taught to the devout as pillars to live by alongside the 10 Wisdoms of the Almighty.

Ascendant Saints
Achieving Ascendant Saint status is a possible goal for all those who follow the faith though becoming one can occur in a variety of different ways from person to person. Saints are mortals who are the embodiment of the faiths teachings and through their good works, heroics, tales and acts in life have achieved Ascendant Saint status in which they are worshipped as a quasi-god and are given their own altars within the Temples. There are two Ascendant Saints in current day Aetherianity.

Testificus, also referred to as Pure_Frosty, was the first Testificate cleric to follow and worship the words of GONF and to who had stayed by his side and recorded the actions and deeds of GONF to that day and many others. He is known to spread the word of GONF to villages far and wide. The Book of Testificus was written to him.

Meiddaura Kul, also referred to as Meiddas, was the first Baghra of the Bai Federation. The poem of the Idyllrus Pyrus serves as a tale for the devout about a man who had transformed his nation with bountiful fields of harvest for all to feed from and his ascendance after continuous acts of selfless service to others within his nation. Kul is mostly associated with a peaceful agrarian lifestyle, the harvest and agriculture.

Structure
The Pontifex is the spiritual leader of the people, the Gods representative in the world and infallible when speaking on the faith and morals. The Pontifex may serve until death, with the succeeding Pontifex being chosen by a council of all clergymen attending through weighted votes based on their position.

Archbishops are assigned to oversee the faith and its administration in They are selected by the Pontifex and oversee a minimum of two other Bishops. Generally Archbishops are assigned to oversee the faith in an entire nation with multiple towns.

The Bishops are local leaders of the Faith, Bishops are assigned to capitals of other nations and generally assigned to oversee the faith in the entirety of a nation. They are picked by the Pontifex and a council of current Bishops and Archbishops. The Bishops have the ability to manage and promote the clergy below them and induct people into the faith as Laybrothers.

Abbots are members of the clergy who lead the faith in a single Church and Town and can administer all main religious ceremonies including marriages and others and who have Laybrothers under them who are in training to become Abbots.

Laybrothers are starting members of the clergy -people  who seek to learn more about thefaith and take part in the Church as well as move up the ranks of the clergy. They are learning more about the faith and being taught by other members of the clergy. They are usually given missionary work to spread the faith.

The Grand Intercessor Responsible for overseeing the Pillarmen in military and inquisitional matters - only assigned during a period of inquisition. Inquisitors are responsible for investigations during a period of inquisition.

Pillarmen are believers that take the oaths of a Pillarmen dedicate their life to the protection of the church and its values militarily, they uphold the Pillars.

Mass
It is traditionally performed by an Abbot or higher and it can be done in a variety of ways such as traditionally within a Temple or even a circle of people in a forest.

Clergy are instructed to say mass in an engaging and short form way. The faith has endeavored over centuries on how to best capture the attention of the people. Clergy frequently interact with their people using examples that are personal to the locals or asking someone to confess and be rid of their guilt in front of everyone.

Prayer
Prayer is a direct communication with the Gods, GONF and the Ascended Saints. Some prayers can be simple utterances and silent thoughts, while others are sung or highly ritualized. The purpose of praying ranges from requesting help to beginning for enlightenment and insight from specific ascendants. Universal Prayer of Aetherianity "The faith grants me the power to pass Justice,

Through Justice comes Penitence,

From Penitence comes Forgiveness,

Through Forgiveness may I rest peacefully in the Realms,

From I, your faithful servant"

Confession
Confession is a sacred and strictly confidential practice between one person and a clergymen. Clergy often encourage people to confess their sins and crimes in public, but the more common is done privately. Confession can either be done on a purpose-made confessionary in a temple or by asking a clergyman to talk in a secluded spot. The clergyman listens to a person's sins and provides advice on how to redeem themselves and be forgiven.

Baptism
Baptism is the primary rite which is bestowed upon converts to the faith and those who receive a second chance at forgiveness. With Baptism, whatever a person's crime against the state, sins against their god or gods, or all else is forgiven and they are made anew and washed clean using fire and water and through the taking of the transformation potion which is said to represent the captured blood of GONF.