Post by Faust on May 1, 2022 18:50:15 GMT -5
Aldeism
Aldeism is an eclectic religious tradition that is constructed from a combined canon of orthodoxies, folk beliefs, native spiritualism and other praxis that existed within the Granarha before before and after the founding of Nevarra. The faith itself is recorded to have evolved from a combination of early Nevarran ritual-spiritual practice, ancestor veneration, and common desert folklore at the time where during the Reconquista the faith formally organized with a recognizable orthodoxy that was implemented in order to aid in forming the common Nevarran identity to halt and abolish continued Veracization in Nevarran lands while reigniting a national identity among Nevarrans.
The faith roughly translates to "The Faith of the God(s)" sometimes also called Manera Deia meaning the "Way of God". Further expanding upon the veneration of ancestors, filial piety, and the worship of local deities, Aldeism espouses devotion to one of two theological principles; the worship a single, all-powerful god through nine recognizable aspects, or, the worship of a communal pantheon of nine greater divinities believed to be the combined elements of certain venerable spirits and popular ancestral figures combined into a single entity. Among Nevarrans today the former interpretation is popular within the institutional religion among the clergy while the latter is prolifically abundant throughout they laity of the church.
Though there are nine gods that are widely recognized, the faith doesn't reject the notion of their being other supernatural powers and often in relation to the faith there are notably innumerable other lesser spirits which include monsters and demons, spirits of the land or hallowed locations, servants and messengers of God(s), and posthumously elevated humans recognized as saints in the church. Among the venerable figures in Aldeism include the following:
Dios, the One: The name of the singular, all-powerful divine force of creation, sovereign of the world, and the collective of the nine divines assembled together. During the initial founding of Aldeism, fervent worship of Dios was at its peak and many who converted or were converted to the faith often swore their devotion to Dios. God in Aldean tradition is often symbolically represented as the Sun or a star, being a genderless divine force with the rays of light coming off of its center being each emanating aspect of its will and presence. Dios is not counted among the nine, but, is instead represented as the unified representation of the Aldean pantheon.
Aldia, the Father: Also known as the Lord and the most closely linked to Dios, Aldia is the divine aspect of Oaths, Justice, Judgement, and the Afterlife. In Aldean tradition Aldia is the keeper of laws and covenants and he oversees bonds and promises made between people, nations, and divines. The nature of Aldia is that of a stern but loving father that embraces the righteous, redeems the wayward, and protects against the wicked. With the founding of almost each new settlement a structure dedicated to Aldia is immediately erected. Aldia is also speculated by those both within and outside of the church to have been the original namesake for the faith when tracing its etymological roots and that Aldia in esoteric sources is actually an incarnation of Dios.
Marcia, the Mother: The divine aspect of Love, Fertility, Agriculture, and Compassion. Next to any other divine aspect including Dios, Marcia stands as one of the most popular divines due to many invoking her blessing in matters regarding the field and household. It is commonly believed that the matriarch of any household serves as the high priestess for Marcia's will and omens within the family.
Lledo, the Smith: Patron to laborers and fortune-seekers and the divine aspect of Work, Commerce, Wealth, and Community. Lledo is often recognized for his epithets "The Provider" and "The Cultivator" as the being which inspires the machinations of civilization. In truth, Lledo has a far greater portfolio than any of the other emanations and is one of the most recognized divinities for his patronage and practicality. It is often said that Lledo also follows Aldeans to war but hangs up his armaments in times of peace to focus on bringing prosperity.
Iria, the Tempest: Iria occupies a unique position among the divine aspects where her devotions tend to be the most removed from civil society and focused more on the abstract veneration of the natural world. The divine aspect of the Heavens, Winds, Storms, and Unseen Spirits many attribute Iria to being the sovereign of places beyond taming. Among the other emanations, Iria is the least anthromorphically depicted and is instead venerated through natural phenomena such as wind, rain, storms, earthquakes, and other events.
Leyre, the Maiden: Occupying a controversial position within the pantheon Leyre is the divine aspect of Beauty, Love, Affection, and Art. While Marcia often represents elements of familial bonds and the love between spouses, the aspects of love that Leyre oversees equally the bonds of friendship and camaraderie as well as carnal passion and desire. Her position within the faith is controversial as there is great debate to this day between orthodoxic followers on whether she serves the role as a protector of the innocent and guide for the pure, an instigator of earthly passions, or both.
Arturo, the Warrior: Regarded as the divine aspect of War, Bravery, Battle, and Strength, Arturo is recognized as one of the most important emanations within Aldeism. It is believed that during the Reconquista that Arturo manifested and either embodied King Martin de Vivar who led the unification of the Nevarran Kingdoms and reunited the Granarha under Nevarran control or, was rather, a companion of Martin who joined him in the fray of combat and provided him the strength to take on legions of the Veraki. Arturo is also known for being the father of Hector, a legendary hero in Nevarran folklore and a symbol of Nevarran unification and nationalism.
Saulo, the Guardian: Perhaps having the most unique origins in regards to the emanations, Saulo is the divine aspect of Mercy, Compassion, Redemption and Healing. When initially introduced Saulo was less of a divine recognized for his forgiveness and patience and moreso understood to be the "Lord of Ransom". This interpretation of Saulo was at most prominent during the Reconquista when Aldeism was properly formalized and as such having a nature tied to keeping prisoners rather than executing them even if it was just for gain, overtime, morphed the divine into being interpreted as a protector and moral guide for the meek and the forsaken. Saulo encourages followers to be charitable and does not demand faith, but instead, encourages rightful action and good deeds.
Morenon, the Guide: The divine aspect of Death, Burials, Rites, and Seasons. Moreno plays a role of unspoken importance within Aldean custom and tradition. Rather than referred to by name they are more often than not called by their epithet; "The Guide" or "Laguia" as though they are honored and respected as much as any other divine it is common superstition that invoking their name casually and without care invites ill-omens and misfortune. Among the other divines Moreno is the only one referred to as both male and female though in liturgy they are simultaneously neither and both at the same time.
Zaira, the Sage: An emanation that holds a unique position amongst the others, Zaira is the divine aspect of Wisdom, Dreams, Fate, and Prophecy. Because of her obscure domains Zaira is often determined to be the most secretive and withdrawn of the divines but those that do follow her, which are most often coventries of women or anchorites, are considered among the most devoted within the Aldean faith. Many often choose to delve into the mysteries of Zaira or pray for her blessing when they need spiritual understanding and renewal. Zaira is the namesake for the the capital of Nevarra for it was believed that she would council those that were dedicated to her.
Aldeism is an eclectic religious tradition that is constructed from a combined canon of orthodoxies, folk beliefs, native spiritualism and other praxis that existed within the Granarha before before and after the founding of Nevarra. The faith itself is recorded to have evolved from a combination of early Nevarran ritual-spiritual practice, ancestor veneration, and common desert folklore at the time where during the Reconquista the faith formally organized with a recognizable orthodoxy that was implemented in order to aid in forming the common Nevarran identity to halt and abolish continued Veracization in Nevarran lands while reigniting a national identity among Nevarrans.
The faith roughly translates to "The Faith of the God(s)" sometimes also called Manera Deia meaning the "Way of God". Further expanding upon the veneration of ancestors, filial piety, and the worship of local deities, Aldeism espouses devotion to one of two theological principles; the worship a single, all-powerful god through nine recognizable aspects, or, the worship of a communal pantheon of nine greater divinities believed to be the combined elements of certain venerable spirits and popular ancestral figures combined into a single entity. Among Nevarrans today the former interpretation is popular within the institutional religion among the clergy while the latter is prolifically abundant throughout they laity of the church.
Though there are nine gods that are widely recognized, the faith doesn't reject the notion of their being other supernatural powers and often in relation to the faith there are notably innumerable other lesser spirits which include monsters and demons, spirits of the land or hallowed locations, servants and messengers of God(s), and posthumously elevated humans recognized as saints in the church. Among the venerable figures in Aldeism include the following:
Dios, the One: The name of the singular, all-powerful divine force of creation, sovereign of the world, and the collective of the nine divines assembled together. During the initial founding of Aldeism, fervent worship of Dios was at its peak and many who converted or were converted to the faith often swore their devotion to Dios. God in Aldean tradition is often symbolically represented as the Sun or a star, being a genderless divine force with the rays of light coming off of its center being each emanating aspect of its will and presence. Dios is not counted among the nine, but, is instead represented as the unified representation of the Aldean pantheon.
Aldia, the Father: Also known as the Lord and the most closely linked to Dios, Aldia is the divine aspect of Oaths, Justice, Judgement, and the Afterlife. In Aldean tradition Aldia is the keeper of laws and covenants and he oversees bonds and promises made between people, nations, and divines. The nature of Aldia is that of a stern but loving father that embraces the righteous, redeems the wayward, and protects against the wicked. With the founding of almost each new settlement a structure dedicated to Aldia is immediately erected. Aldia is also speculated by those both within and outside of the church to have been the original namesake for the faith when tracing its etymological roots and that Aldia in esoteric sources is actually an incarnation of Dios.
Marcia, the Mother: The divine aspect of Love, Fertility, Agriculture, and Compassion. Next to any other divine aspect including Dios, Marcia stands as one of the most popular divines due to many invoking her blessing in matters regarding the field and household. It is commonly believed that the matriarch of any household serves as the high priestess for Marcia's will and omens within the family.
Lledo, the Smith: Patron to laborers and fortune-seekers and the divine aspect of Work, Commerce, Wealth, and Community. Lledo is often recognized for his epithets "The Provider" and "The Cultivator" as the being which inspires the machinations of civilization. In truth, Lledo has a far greater portfolio than any of the other emanations and is one of the most recognized divinities for his patronage and practicality. It is often said that Lledo also follows Aldeans to war but hangs up his armaments in times of peace to focus on bringing prosperity.
Iria, the Tempest: Iria occupies a unique position among the divine aspects where her devotions tend to be the most removed from civil society and focused more on the abstract veneration of the natural world. The divine aspect of the Heavens, Winds, Storms, and Unseen Spirits many attribute Iria to being the sovereign of places beyond taming. Among the other emanations, Iria is the least anthromorphically depicted and is instead venerated through natural phenomena such as wind, rain, storms, earthquakes, and other events.
Leyre, the Maiden: Occupying a controversial position within the pantheon Leyre is the divine aspect of Beauty, Love, Affection, and Art. While Marcia often represents elements of familial bonds and the love between spouses, the aspects of love that Leyre oversees equally the bonds of friendship and camaraderie as well as carnal passion and desire. Her position within the faith is controversial as there is great debate to this day between orthodoxic followers on whether she serves the role as a protector of the innocent and guide for the pure, an instigator of earthly passions, or both.
Arturo, the Warrior: Regarded as the divine aspect of War, Bravery, Battle, and Strength, Arturo is recognized as one of the most important emanations within Aldeism. It is believed that during the Reconquista that Arturo manifested and either embodied King Martin de Vivar who led the unification of the Nevarran Kingdoms and reunited the Granarha under Nevarran control or, was rather, a companion of Martin who joined him in the fray of combat and provided him the strength to take on legions of the Veraki. Arturo is also known for being the father of Hector, a legendary hero in Nevarran folklore and a symbol of Nevarran unification and nationalism.
Saulo, the Guardian: Perhaps having the most unique origins in regards to the emanations, Saulo is the divine aspect of Mercy, Compassion, Redemption and Healing. When initially introduced Saulo was less of a divine recognized for his forgiveness and patience and moreso understood to be the "Lord of Ransom". This interpretation of Saulo was at most prominent during the Reconquista when Aldeism was properly formalized and as such having a nature tied to keeping prisoners rather than executing them even if it was just for gain, overtime, morphed the divine into being interpreted as a protector and moral guide for the meek and the forsaken. Saulo encourages followers to be charitable and does not demand faith, but instead, encourages rightful action and good deeds.
Morenon, the Guide: The divine aspect of Death, Burials, Rites, and Seasons. Moreno plays a role of unspoken importance within Aldean custom and tradition. Rather than referred to by name they are more often than not called by their epithet; "The Guide" or "Laguia" as though they are honored and respected as much as any other divine it is common superstition that invoking their name casually and without care invites ill-omens and misfortune. Among the other divines Moreno is the only one referred to as both male and female though in liturgy they are simultaneously neither and both at the same time.
Zaira, the Sage: An emanation that holds a unique position amongst the others, Zaira is the divine aspect of Wisdom, Dreams, Fate, and Prophecy. Because of her obscure domains Zaira is often determined to be the most secretive and withdrawn of the divines but those that do follow her, which are most often coventries of women or anchorites, are considered among the most devoted within the Aldean faith. Many often choose to delve into the mysteries of Zaira or pray for her blessing when they need spiritual understanding and renewal. Zaira is the namesake for the the capital of Nevarra for it was believed that she would council those that were dedicated to her.