Ardeism

Home
Ardeism is a religion centered around a monotheistic deity named Arde, as well as the wise spirtual leader of animals, the Sea Turtle Gelkle. Followers of Ardeism believe that all beings eventually reach Doxt, which is a sort of afterlife that is reached after enlightenment. During the time between Life and Doxt, a being is in a state of being called Tenpo, which is a sort of empty like state. Once a month, at the break of the fourth day, a festival is held in order to commemorate the end of a fabled "Pilgrimage" in where four titans warred against Arde's desciples. In this festival, the followers feast on meats that were not sourced from the trees and the seas, as it is believed that these animals were the gift of Arde to the disciples. There is also a large bonfire held, where followers burn their most valuable items to sacrifice to Arde. The most sacred sacrifice is a Sea Turtle, which can only be killed during the Festival and only in order to Return the animal to Doxt to be with Gelkle. Curiously, outside of the Festival, the consumption of animals from the trees and sea is permitted, however the killing of a Sea Turtle is a huge sin, and could be punished with many more years in Tenpo.

The Three Day Pilgrimage
It is said that in ancient times, a war between Titans and mortals broke out across Rathnir, when the Titans decided to expand into the mortal realm. Three Titans lead the war against the disciples, called Daether, Siila and Linpd. One of these Titans, Daether ( Deriving from the Coobard words Daeth meaning Evil and Er as an emotion word ) Blew away Berfhii with a gust of red hot flame. This knocked the being to the forests below. angering Arde

First Day
On the First Day Arde rose from the "depths" to save the disciples from the Titans during the pilgrimage. Where titans created holes in the ground from battle, Arde put water to make the rivers and seas. Where the titans had plucked trees bare of their leaves, he put dense vegetation and branches. He then spoke to the disciples, informing them of his gift, encouraging them to fight on against the titans. This gave them the morale to fight back the first titan, Daether, who's body was split into a different dimension, where those who never reach Doxt reside.

Second Day
On the Second Day Gelkle rose from the "depths" to give the disciples the animals of the world. Livestock and wildlife filled the open skies, bringing back life to the bland planet. Gelkle then said to the disciples below, that this was his gift, which gave them the motivation to push back even further against the enemy titan forces. It was here that Linpd was split into a semi dimension, below and above the surfaces of Earth.

Third Day
On the Third Day Berfhii rose from the "depths" to give the disciples the landscapes of the world. Before where once was empty gray plains now was beautiful rolling hills, and lush grass beneath their feet. He then told the disciples this was his gift, and the last too. With the disciples now filled with faith and courage in their god, they pushed back against the third and final titan, splitting it's body into the third unreachable dimension, Siila.

The Grand Holy Feast
The Grand Holy Feast is a festival that all followers of Arde celebrate at the break of the fourth day of every 6 months. This is to celebrate and give thanks to Arde and his salvation of the people from the Titans during the Pilgrimage. They celebrate with grand meals of meat, but it is forbidden to eat any animals of the Trees or Seas, which Arde was said to have given the people on the first day of the Pilgrimage. This rule only goes for the duration of the festival, which ends at the break of the fifth day of the month. A large bonfire is often also erected, where Ardeists can sacrifice valuables, in order to thank the divine ruler Arde. The best gift one can give to Arde, is a Sea Turtle, which can only be killed during the times of Festival.

Arde
Arde, derived from the words Ard meaning superior and Er being an emotion word, is the First Holy Being that rose from the depths during the First Day of Pilgrimage, and the one who brought to the barren lands Trees and Seas and all life that accompanies them. He is the indisputable ruler of Ardeism and all Ardeists, and the land between the Depths and Doxt.

Gelkle
Gelkle was the second holy being to rise from the depths on the second day of the pilgrimage, after Arde. It is written that he rose, and perched on Arde's shoulder, overlooking Earth from their place in Doxt. It takes the spirit and form of a Sea Turtle, made out of pure spirit and air. It's name originated from the Coobard words Gelde meaning Unite and Akle meaning animal. The United Animal Gelkle is said to oversee all innocent animals of the Earth and Doxte. For an animal to be considered innocent, it cannot contain self awareness, meaning Humans, Elves and other similar creatures are meant to be overseen by Arde.

Berfhii
Berfhii was set to be the ruler of the planet, and the landscapes and vegetation that scattered it. They are the god that looks after crop health, seasons, fertility and more. The name Berfhii means Earth Life in Coobard. They dress in red coats and golden jewellery to symbolise the wealth of Doxt

Coobard
Coobard is one of the official languages of Ardeism, and is a very important aspect in Ardeist culture. The language is extremely simple and not fully translated even today, as only a select few people are left of this ancient tribe. The word Coobard stems from the words, Coo meaning Different, and Bard meaning Word. Read the dictionary here: Coobard

The Holy Poppy
The Holy Poppy is a religiously significant flower that was taken on High Priest Andreas' (ImYourLad) journey from CoolIsland to AweBriiss. It is stated that an aura around the flower drew the Priest in, swapping it out for an item of much higher rarity. It is unknown where the Poppy originally comes from, but it was found alone in the middle of a messy chest, of the abandoned CoolIsland homes. It currently resides in the front yard of the Cathedral in Awebriiss

Demographics
Most Ardeists reside in the town of AweBriiss, in Seratovia. According to a recent poll, 75% of town residents subscribed to Ardeism, with the other 25% being Blue Phonexian. Some other roaming players are also known to subscribe to Ardeist beliefs

First Cathedral
The First Religious Building in the name of Ardeism was built in the newly founded town of AweBriiss, in the state of Seratovia