Soleannen

Overview:
Soleannen is a religion found in the Eastern Empire of Rathnir, throughout Nieden, and the state of Lumaire. The religion's primary deity is Solaris, which is the most well known among citizens and those outside the country.

History
The religion of Soleannen was found in 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 Ignii people's before the Empire's prestige and power allowed it to permeate outside of Nieden. 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 didn't want the heathens near their lands.

Main Beliefs and Practices
The Soleannen religion believes in the worship of the Soleannen Pantheon and the reverence of ones ancestors. It is important to note that Solaris is not the Sun, and that Sylene is not the moon. It is believed that those who live a good life will die permanently from the world but will depart to the Luminarium, the Luminarium is a realm similar to the mortal realm but with no suffering and pain. Those who have been able to return describe it as an eternal tranquility and happiness. Solaris and Sylene were believed to have benefited much of the mortal realm by guiding many through tough times, as well as creating some lands and peoples such as the Niedene.

To be inducted into the faith one must profess abandonment of all previous gods, profess faith in a Soleannen deity, and they are then encouraged to be baptized in a body of water that flows eastwards. After the completion of this they will officially be declared a Soleannen.

Commandments of the Soleannen religion are written in the Golden Postulates, and are as follows:

1. To worship gods not supported by The Church is blasphemous, for Solaris, The All-Father, and his Cohort, reign above all else. Saints and ancestors alike shall be revered, for they are also a part of his Cohort.

2. To kill another is to deny Solaris's gift of life, and so shall be considered not only a sin, but also a highest blasphemy.

3. To steal from another and to lie to another is to improperly use Solaris's gift of life, and so shall be considered a sin.

4. To muddle or degrade one's mind, be it enmity, excessive drinking or harlotry, is to sway from the All-Father's path, and so shall be considered a sin.

5. To treat another is akin to treating yourself, treat others with respect unless they have lost this right.

Gods
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, 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 deity of when Sylene and Solaris merge into one. Amarus is believed to have directly made the continent of Nieden in this form 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 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 Hicarys forces the wicked to fight evil in a state of purgatory in the realm of Caligo.

Gala: An evil deity which was known as Gruh to the Turtlonians, slain by Solaris.

Champions/Saints

 * 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.


 * Imaksus, Avenger of Solaris: Imaksus is said to have defeated the ancient Tesselian forces and sealed the pit the first time following the ensnarement of Solaris.
 * Miri, Savior of Gentumar: Miri is believed to have repelled a horde of blighted creatures at the site of modern Arce Gentumar.

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

Symbols
Solaris: Solaris is often symbolized by the Sun and Flames. Solaris has been known to appear as an Eagle or Pheonix. 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 Water. Sylene has been known to appear as a wolf.

Amarus: Amarus is symbolized by a cross, or occasionally a humanoid imbued with the elements.

Caligo: Caligo is symbolized by a black sword or a red eye.