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 of Eldham-Rathnir
Eldham-Rathnir is known to be the Third World created by Solon; the first being Paxia, and the second Jagdas. Both predecessors were destroyed when Solon considered them irredeemable, Paxia becoming the End and Jagdas the Nether. To avert destroying the Eldham-Rathnir as well, Solon formed the Sunflower from the ashes of Jagdas to serve as guidance for all people.

The Angelic Truths
Every time a Phoenix ascended, Solon made known to all Solonists pillars of purity, by whispering guidance into the sunflowers. They are, in order:


 * 1) Thou shall love all people, no matter race, culture, or religion.
 * 2) Thou shall not lie, cheat, or steal.
 * 3) Thou shall not slay without warrant.
 * 4) Thou shall not burn a sunflower.
 * 5) Thou shall not grief and destroy and lands..

Reincarnation
Solonists believe that after life, is death, and then reincarnation with a new body. All deaths work like this, falling, being killed, drowning. The only death that is permanent is by Solon's flames, which will consume all of Eldham-Rathnir in the end. The only way to avoid a permanent death is to A, delay the burning through improving the overall purity of the creatures of eldham, or B, being yourself so pure that you are angelified.

Destruction of Eldham-Rathnir
It is told that, when Eldham-Rathnir has become overwhelmed by Evil, Solon will set it aflame. It is debated percisely when this will occur; all that is known is when the day comes, the Sun shall fall to the ground, every Sunflower will wilt, and the air will be scented of Smoke. Then at last all will be set alight, burning into Ash, which shall be reformed into the Fourth 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 Ritual
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.

The Guidance Ritual
The Guidance ritual is a ritual focused on interpreting omens and advice from Sunflowers. The ritual, that can only be done by priests, begins when the priest takes a drink of Holy Water (The more consumed the more accurate the prediction is), an alcohol beverage, and stands in front of a sunflower. The Priest, temporarily channeling the spirit of an angel, will attempt to read a sunflower and write their prophesy into chat, the meaning of which is determined by onlookers. This is usually done before a war or battle to determine the success of it.

Marriage
Marriage, defined as a legal union between two people, is of pivotal significance in the Solonist Faith. Solonists believe that marriage is a merger of Souls and is an expression of Humanities love and kindness. The Ritual, which must take place during the day and in a temple, can only be conducted by an approved Solonist priest. In the Ceremony none but the priest and two future spouses are allowed to speak, and a sunflower must be present in the temple. The Priest will begin by having one of the spouses read the vows which (normally) are: "I, [name], promise to love, cherish, honor, and defend you. I swear on the Sun above I shall be faithful to you and only you till I am taken by Solons holy flames," but variations can be made. The other spouse will usually respond with the same oath or just saying "And I the same."

The Next part of the ritual is the most important part: The merging of the Souls. The Two spouses are moved into separate rooms each with a trapdoor over lava with (preferable loud) music playing. The priest will then count 3, 2, 1, and then both f the spouses are expected to open the trapdoor and burn together. If one Spouse either refuses to open the trap door or is 3 seconds late (approximately the time it takes for someone to burn in lava) the marriage is called off and the spouse burned in the lava is greatly humiliated. After this, the priests declares the souls unified and then the afterparty begins.

Phoenixes
The Phoenixes are mortals who have been deemed pure enough by Solon to reach the enlightened form, the Phoenix, and ascend to the Celestial Plane. The Phoenixes, selected by Solon, are granted the power to survive the ending of worlds-- when burned, they simply rise again from their ashes. Over the course of Jagdas and Paxia, 5 Phoenixes have been chosen.

Zelaqil
The First Mortal Ascended. 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 Phoenix 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.

Churches and Holy Orders
The Sunflower Church, headed by High Pontifex Rai Solonéc, is the organization which represents all Solonists.

The Anointed Knights of Murandel
The Annointed Knights of Murandel is a small Solonist Holy Order of Knights who's goal is to protect the Solonists of the world.

The Grand Church of Soliana.
The Grand Church of Soliana is managed by Archbishop W3ste. The Church is currently the main the church for the faith, and the home-base of the Anointed Knights of Murandel.

The Church of Amarillo
The Church of Amarillo, located in the The Republic of Amarillo, is managed by priest Jegalo.

The Church of Portavel
The Church of Portavel, located in the Zamotz Union's Province of Portavel, is managed by High priest SlimIcee. The Church is primarily made from Blackstone.

The Church of Zirbenburg
The Church of Zirbenburg, located in the Republic of Sethris, is managed by priest Paffacubes and is often regarded as one of the most ornate and beautiful of the Solonist Churches.