The Church of the Trium

The Triumite Church stands as a bastion of traditionalism within the Nemeiran Synod, tracing its origins to the aftermath of the final Amalgatarian-Free Circle war. Followers of this faith believe in the existence of three distinct deities: the Mother, the Merchant, and the Soldier. Each god embodies a vital aspect of life, representing nurturing, prosperity, and justice. Triumites hold that the harmonious interaction and balance of these divine forces are essential for maintaining order in the world, ensuring that each aspect of existence supports the others.

In the wake of the revelations that caused the split within the Triumite Church, the majority of its followers have come to understand that the aspects of the Soldier and Merchant have been fractured in divine, violent events known as “Splintering.” However, unlike the Unitarians, they remain steadfast in their devotion to the Trium, continuing to honour and worship all three aspects. While some Conclaves focus solely on their broken god, they hold firm to the belief that one day these shards will be reunited, restoring their god to wholeness once again.

History

For centuries, humankind lived in bondage under the yoke of the powerful Elven Empire. Enslaved and oppressed, humans endured the cruelty of their elven overlords, denied their freedom and dignity. However, this period of subjugation came to a turning point with the emergence of a charismatic leader named Nikodemius. Rising from the heart of Primea, Nikodemius became a beacon of hope for humanity. He preached fervently against the oppression of the Elven Empire, calling for his people to reject their elven masters and embrace "the Trium" as their true saviours and divine protectors. His passionate sermons ignited the spark of rebellion within the hearts of humanity, inspiring a movement that would forever change the course of history.

Nikodemius' outspoken defiance of the Elven Empire did not go unpunished, however. He was captured and executed, but his death only solidified his status as a martyr for the cause of human liberation. His legacy lived on, laying the foundation for what would become the Free Circle, a growing religious movement that sought to reclaim humanity's freedom and divine connection. Over the years, through fierce and relentless battles, humans gradually broke free from the shackles of elven domination and established themselves as an independent power - “The First Kingdom”.

As the Free Circle expanded and solidified its influence, internal conflicts began to brew within the faith. The most significant schism came under the leadership of a figure known as Amalgatarius. A charismatic and zealous Rector, Amalgatarius rejected the centralised hierarchy of the Free Circle and proposed a more stringent form of worship that focused solely on the Mother. His intense personal conviction in her supreme divinity led him to create the Amalgatarian Church and its militant branch, Amalgatarius’ Divine Inquisition. The Inquisition sought to purify the faith and enforce Amalgatarian doctrine, leading to the first great religious divide in human history.

The creation of the Amalgatarian Church led to a period of religious conflict between the Amalgatarians and the Free Circle. These two factions were at odds for years, waging numerous bloody wars at the expense of thousands of lives. The violent schism devastated human lands until a new external focus emerged—the Elves and the Fae, or simply the Fae as a blanket term. Driven by a desire to purge non-human influences from their lands, the Amalgatarians shifted their attention toward the complete eradication of the Fae. This led to the formation of the first Coalition of Man, a unified human force that carried out the genocide and expulsion of the Fae from the continent. The Coalition’s brutal campaign was a defining moment in the rise of humanity, ensuring their dominance over the land.

In the aftermath of the purge, three noble houses—Janus, Friedrich, and Fletcher—formed an alliance with House Corinfyre, who sought the ascension of Hector Corinfyre to the position of the first Emperor of mankind. By their hand, the Empire of Man was born, consolidating human territories into a vast and unified realm. The Heartlands, Wetlands, Fells, and Camden’s Plain became the core regions of the newly established Empire. Regardless of this, however, religious tensions persisted within humankind. Eventually, under Emperor Hector Corinfyre, the Empire launched a final, devastating war against the Free Circle in the southern territories. This conflict was brutal and costly, but it ultimately unified the entire Reveian continent under one banner.

Following the war, a fragile peace was brokered through the creation of the Triumite Church, a union of both the Free Circle and the Amalgatarians. The Amalgatarians, now content with their victories and influence, rebranded themselves as “Bastionists” or the Stalwart Bastion, adopting a conservative and militant stance within the faith. While relative peace reigned, the Bastionists maintained a powerful grip of control through continuous persecutions conducted by the Inquisition under the banner of Wakendor.

Peace, however, was eventually shattered by the arrival of the Demontide, an invasion that decimated the vast majority of the Empire of Man. Both factions of the Church suffered massive losses during this apocalyptic event, devastating the communities of the entire continent for decades. In the wake of this devastation, the Reveian Empire eventually rose again, this time under the rule of House Orsinian, who rebuilt and stabilised the Empire following the Demontide.

Having eventually recovered from the Demontide, the Bastionists turned their attention back to their old rivals—the weakened Free Circle. In a sweeping campaign of persecution, thousands of members of the Free Circle were declared heretics and sentenced to imprisonment or death. This relentless oppression nearly eradicated the Free Circle, reducing the once-prominent sect to isolated pockets of believers in the more progressive southern regions of the Empire. For decades then, the conservative branch of the Church, dominated by the Bastionists, maintained power. Though occasionally splintering into smaller sub-sects, these groups tended to dissolve with the deaths of their respective leaders.

The Church faced its next significant upheaval with the rise of High Rector Mordred Janus, who introduced radical revelations that gave birth to the Unitarian Church. The Unitarians diverged sharply from the established Triumite doctrines, causing a second major schism within the faith. Those who refused to follow Mordred Janus continued to practise under the Triumite Church, leading to the existence of two rival religious institutions. Which ignited yet another round of religious violence, culminating in one of the darkest chapters in the Church's history—the Massacre of the Triumites. The horrors of this massacre shocked the continent, leading the Reveian Crown to intervene and impose order by establishing the Nemerian Synod, an effort to restore peace and prevent further religious bloodshed. Despite these efforts, the scars of division remain, and the Church continues to grapple with its fractured identity.

Core Beliefs

Triumites believe the world was first created by the will of the Trium. They hold that the Mother birthed all life, including humankind, the Merchant filled the mountains and caverns with minerals and gems, and the Soldier taught the first humans to defend against the wild beasts, created to maintain societal balance. Triumites do not believe in evil gods or inherently evil nature. While acknowledging that actions can be morally wrong, they believe everything can be used for good, and repentance is always accepted. Consequently, they see no place for wicked souls in the afterlife, believing all humans, being good by nature, enter Evermoor upon death. However, in Evermoor, a social hierarchy exists based on earthly deeds. For instance, a charitable and kind king would rank above others, even if they too were kings.

Nemeira, the Mother, is the most revered of the Trium gods. Symbolised by a dove, she is credited with birthing mankind and all life. She is prayed to for childbirth, healthy marriages, and daily blessings, embodying peace and well-being.

Casseo, the Merchant, governs commerce, fortune, and wealth. Prayers are offered to him for success in investments, business, and trade. However, he is also cursed by those whose fortunes fail, particularly gamblers.

Rodax, the Soldier, is the God of War and creator of the chivalric codes that guided the Aracellian knights of old. Highly esteemed by martial Triumites, he is invoked before battles and is celebrated as an undefeated warrior.

Sects

The Stalwart Bastion

The members of this Sect, often referred to as 'Bastionists' are a cabal of like minded conservative leaders within the Church. It has the firmest hold over portions of the Southern Heartlands, the Greenwood, the Highlands, and the Dragon Isles. The Stalwart Bastion emphasises forceful conversion of heathens, ultra-traditionalism, and a distrust of progressive technological or arcane advancements, with a deep hatred for the magical arts.

The Free Circle

The Free Circle, its members generally called 'Freethinkers', is a loose conglomerate of Lord-Rectors which embrace the liberty of thought and mankind's individualistic approach to religious activity. Freethinkers have largely been forcefully-converted or massacred in recent times, leading to a severe decline in their numbers. Though pockets still exist within the Grapelands, Primea, and Lomeria. While the Cliffs are divided between Bastionists and Freethinkers, their Lord-Rectors have had a legacy of aligning with the Free Circle. Freethinkers believe the Trium wants nothing more than for their creation to experience joy and earthly pleasures. While many Freethinkers believe the Trium designed Humandom to endeavour for prosperity and luxury in this world, they also see the safeguarding of their ability to philosophically ponder their own existence as paramount. Freethinkers reject centralised notions of Church structure, resent when the Church attempts to force nonbelievers to conversion, and oppose cruelty carried out by Church officials, all the while advocating for progress in civil liberties, a right to privacy, and peace across the realm.

The Conclaves

Known as "Conclavists," members of this sect share similarities with other Triumites but uniquely focus their worship on a single Trium god. Naturally making them a bridge between the broader Triumite and Unitarian Churches, while still firmly believing in the existence of all three gods. The Conclavists' devotion often shapes their cultural and social structures. For example, the Ecclesia Militum of the East is devoted entirely to the Soldier. Which emphasises martial prowess, discipline, and loyalty, deeply influencing the region’s military and political strategies.

In contrast, the Southern Patriarchate of Primea is notorious for its practices, particularly slavery, which has made them enduring adversaries of the Stalwart Bastion. Their dedication to a specific god often leads to intense rivalries with other groups inside and outside of their own Church, fueling conflicts that have persisted through the ages.

These conclaves not only impact religious life but also affect trade, governance, and alliances across the realm. Their specialised worship often results in distinct cultural identities, with festivals and rituals dedicated to their chosen deity.

Recognised Saints

Saint Nikodemius

Saint Nikodemius emerged as a courageous voice against the oppression of the Elven Empire, urging humanity to cast off their subjugation and embrace the Mother as their true saviour. His outspoken stance and inspirational messages galvanised a significant movement among humans, seeking liberation from Elven rule. Tragically, his commitment to the cause led to his execution by the Elves, cementing his status as a martyr whose legacy would inspire future generations to fight for their freedom.

Saint Amalgatarius

Saint Amalgatarius was a pivotal figure in the history of the faith, instigating the first schism within the church. Rejecting the concept of a centralised ecclesiastical authority, he advocated for the sole worship of the Mother. His belief in her paramount importance was based not on traditional evidence but on a profound personal conviction of her supreme divinity. He established Amalgatarius’ Divine Inquisition, a body that aimed to purify the faith and enforce his doctrinal views.

Saint Joaquim

Saint Joaquim, renowned for his deep devotion to the Trium, holds a unique place in the Church’s history as one of the few Free Circle Arch-Rectors ever to serve. His rivalry with Saint Ludwik was the stuff of legend, marked by frequent clashes and mutual disdain. Yet, when the Demontide descended upon the Empire, Saint Joaquim stood resolute beside the Grand Inquisitor, fighting valiantly in numerous battles. His unwavering courage ultimately cost him his life, as he fell while defending the southern regions of the Empire against the relentless tide of demons.

Saint Ludwik

Saint Ludwik was a warrior-saint and Grand Inquisitor who played a crucial role in the Confederation of Man during their battles against the final remains of the Elven Empire on Reveian soil. His dual contributions on the battlefield and as a provider of religious guidance helped to forge the first Empire from the Confederation. Saint Ludwik met his heroic end during the Demontide, where he died defending the City of Wakendor and its faith.

Saint Ehmyr

Like Saint Ludwik, Saint Ehmyr was instrumental in the defeat of the Elven Empire and the establishment of the first Corinfyre Empire. His valour and strategic acumen were critical in the battles fought on Reveian soil, contributing to the eventual victory of the Confederation of Man. Saint Ehmyr’s life was cut short during the Demontide, where he perished combating the demonic forces that threatened his people and their faith.

Saint Hector

Saint Hector's legacy is particularly distinguished; he not only fought valiantly alongside the Confederation of Man against the Elves but was also crowned the first Corinfyre Emperor after their victory. His reign, however, was short-lived as he too fell during the Demontide, battling the demonic hordes that invaded.

Saint Leto

Saint Leto is revered as a living saint who was miraculously brought back to life by the Mother herself. His legendary feats include battling against the servants of Valthour in hell itself and directly communicating with the Mother to secure her freedom from Valthour’s clutches. Saint Leto's extraordinary experiences and divine interactions underscore his profound connection with the Mother and his pivotal role in the spiritual and literal battles for the faith.