Soleannen

Soleannen (Also called Solaris) is an religion found in the Eastern Empire of Rathnir. The religion's primary deity is Solaris, which is the most well known among citizens and those foreign.

History
The religion of Soleannen was founded by the Imperium Soleanna which used to rule over the realm of the Eastern Empire hundreds of years ago. It was the native belief of the Variscii culture before the Empire's prestige and power allowed it to permeate into the Escharian home region. Chief Auberon I adopted the religion over 200 years ago within his tribe before he went on to unify the region and form the predecessor state of the Escharian Empire. Auberon's son Dietrich I went on to build religious sites and is said to have translated many of the texts of the religion. Today the Escharian people follow the same beliefs but focus much more on the primary god Solaris. The religion was used as a Casus-Belli against the Turtlonians in the Poaching of Turtlonia, as the Escharians didnt want the heathens near their lands.

Main Beliefs and Practices
The Soleannen religion believes that the Ignii/Niedene peoples were directly created in the image of Solaris, with the help of his wife Sylene. It is believed that there have been several individuals throughout history that have been influenced by Deities directly and have been made Saints/Champions. The founder of the Variscii Empire of Soleanna is said to have been the first champion of the sun. One does not have to be Niedene to follow the religion, those who are Niedene simply are believed to be the children of Solaris and Sylene directly.

Soleannen is not tolerant of syncretism. All new inductees must be baptized in a river that flows eastwards or an east facing lake, as east is a holy direction due to the sunrises. Lycanthropes are highly discouraged as its seen as a corruption of the image of Solaris and a magic created by Caligo.

Symbols
Solaris: Solaris is often symbolized by the Sun, Flames, and a great Eagle. As he is the head of the religion these are the main religious symbols as well.

Sylene: Sylene is often symbolized by the Moon, and the Wolf.

Caligo: Caligo is symbolized by darkness or a black sword.

Champions
Ceasare, Founder of the Soleannan Empire: Ceasare is often regarded as the first champion and founder of the Soleannan Empire, which helped spread the religion and morals of Solaris across to the Nieden people.

Marius, Prominent Author: Marius is said to have written much of the history and practices down of the religion and empire after receiving divine visions from Solaris.

Auberon I, Founder of the Escharian Empire: Auberon I is said to have founded the Empire of Escharia after converting to Soleannen. He is said to have used the Flames of Solaris to defeat the pagan confederation that opposed him.

Several Important Deities
Solaris: The Chief God of the Nieden people and is believed to have created the Nieden people with his wife. He is cursed by Caligo out of envy, and as such he is trapped in the sun and can only rarely escape to see his wife. When they finally meet they temporarily form the figure Amarus (an Eclipse), this is seen as a holy event.

Sylene: Wife of Solaris and assisted in the creation of the Nieden People. She was cursed to be trapped in the moon and out of sorrow her light is a cold light. No longer filled with the warmth of her love.

Amarus: The name for the combination of when Sylene and Solaris meet. Amarus is believed to have directly made the continent of Nieden but the Nieden people especially were carefully made with tenderness in mind.

Caligo: A God of darkness and obscurity who wishes to keep Sylene and Solaris separate so that he may retain his hold over the night and the evil within so that he may destroy the creations of Solaris and take his wife.

Hicarys: Hicarys (Hel in the splinter cults to her) is goddess thought to bring the souls of those fallen to the Luminarium, another plane of existence symbolized by peace and kindness. Where evil and darkness dare not dwell. The splinter cults believe that Hel forces the wicked to fight evil in a state of purgatory in the realm of Caligo.

Religious Sites
There are multiple religious sites in the lands of the eastern empire. Most prominently the Cathedral to Solaris in the Capital but as well as Stones dotted in the countryside.