Staterism

Overview
Staterism (or Concordia Per Statera) was created by Taven Johan when he saw two gods in the sky, commanding war and suing for peace, a sign of god ancestors, according to ancient texts.

Gods
Staterism is a polytheist religion, consisting of two gods, Bellumia, goddess of war, struggle, and pain, and Paxum, God of peace, welfare and prosperity.

Creation
Maximus, the God of the Beyond came into existence when a mysterious force created the universe, also creating the 40 gods and goddesses. The mysterious force was named "Concordia" by Maximus. Concordia went into hibernation after creating the gods though, temporarily destroying balance. Maximus made himself king, making the realm of Caelum an Empire. The population of the gods grew from 40 to 32,000 during the 2,000 years of the empire. At about 1891 B.R. (Before Rathnir) Concordia came out of their hiding, restoring balance. Concordia asked Maximus to dissolve the Empire, which he did. Some gods though, liked the Empire very much and declared war on the Concordians, starting The Concordia-Caelumi Empire War. The war lasted only for 12 years, when the Concordians and Caelumis came to an agreement that the Empire would be dissolved but Concordia had to go back into hibernation. It was only until Bellumia's brother kidnapped and killed the holy being of "Concordia", the thin, snake like creature that created the universe. Bellumia, being the goddess of war, attacked her brother by waging war upon all the gods who opposed her and supported her brother. Hundreds of years later, The Grand War of The Gods raged on, with Bellumia and her allies winning. It was only until the Grand God, Maximus commanded Paxum to stop the war as many gods were dead and the war was no longer winnable for the "Restorationists" (gods who hated harmony and wanted to have themselves rule over the other gods just like in the old Empire) even though Maximus was neutral in the conflict. Bellumia was exiled from Caelum, the land of the gods following the end of the war for killing too many restorationists. With the new peace, Maximus created Rathnir when he merged Caelum and Infernum. What Maximus did not realize though, is that he accidently freed Bellumia. Bellumia with her new found freedom, created humans, a war loving race to destroy the gods on Rathnir and take revenge for Maximus' poor decision to imprison her. Bellumia herself however, killed the gods who were still in Caelum, including Maximus and her own brother. Before Maximus' death however, he created animals and twigs, a reincarnation of Concordia to try to keep the harmony on Rathnir. The only god that she didn't kill though was Paxum, knowing that the humans would not survive without peace even with animals and the new Concordias. Paxum, realizing Bellumia's sudden mercy for her subjects of Rathnir, granted the world elves, a peace-loving creature who kept watch on the humans to make sure they would not kill themselves. Bellumia and Paxum also kept watch of each other, achieving perfect balance in the universe Concordia created. This was the first (true) victory for the Concordians, the gods who believe there cannot be life without balance and harmony, which included Bellumia and Paxum.

Afterlife
To maintain the balance of the three worlds made by Maximus, when humans die they all go to Infernum AKA Eldham, with the exception of the humans who have defied their waring nature, who go to Caelum, and those who are half human, half elf, they are reincarnated back to Rathnir. All elves go to Caelum, except for those who defied Paxum and his peace wishes.

"Government"
Bellumia and Paxum are equal, creating balance in the worlds beyond Rathnir. Saints are the religious leaders who connect the mortal people with their gods. Saints are not only desendents of the first human and the first elf, but are also half human, half elf. Bishops are mortals who have been chosen by Saints to be their right hand man. Mortals are either humans or elves, who are allowed to worship either god based on their scenario. The mortals are equal, creating balance on the world of Rathnir.

Beliefs
Every mortal is equal, including saints, who are just pathways from Rathnir to the world beyond. Every wrong must be followed by a right, and every right must be followed with a wrong. Markings, such as defects, are symbols of Saintism, but must be removed to make sure every human/elf are equal to humans and elves. Animals are considered holy, as they were the 2nd of 2 creatures created by Maximus. All other races are branches of either elves or humans. Since animals are holy and every human and elf are equal, sacrifices are only allowed to be ores, a thank you to the gods for the materials that they gave us in this world. Twigs are considered holy as they are the reincarnation of Concordia.

Festivals and celebrations
January 1st- Concordia day, the day Concordia created the universe

March 19th- Festival la Bellumia, the day Bellumia created humans

June 7th- Festival le Paxum, the day Paxum created elves

Ceremonia le Saintism, the ceremony where a mortal is granted the title of saint

Ceremonia le Sacrifice, the ceremony where a saint sacrifices an ore to a god