The Church of the Trium

The Church of the Trium is the dominant faith of the Reveian continent. Followers of the faith are called Triumites. Triumites believe in the union of three gods known as the Mother, the Merchant, and the Soldier. The Holy Church is the core structure in which the faith stands upon, charged with the guidance and welfare of all believers.

Beliefs

Triumites believe the world was first created by the will of the Trium. They believe the Mother birthed all life including mankind, that the Merchant placed the minerals and gems in the mountains and caverns, and that the Soldier taught the first men how to defend themselves from beasts of the wild, which were created to keep order in society.

Triumites do not believe in evil gods or really in evil nature at all. They believe that while there are many things which can be deemed morally evil or wicked, all things can be used for good and repentance is always accepted. With this said, they have no place in the afterlife for wicked souls, and instead believe all Humans, being good by nature, are allowed to proceed to the afterlife upon death, which they call Evermoor.

While all souls proceed to Evermoor after death on Earth, there is actually a social hierarchy which exists in Evermoor that ranks souls based on their good deeds done on earth. For example, this means a king who is perceived as charitable and kind, overall being a good king, will rule over those who did less good, even if they’re another king on earth. Alongside this is the belief that those who also toil and work hard in life, will never have to do so again in Evermoor.

Nemeira, The Mother, is the most often acknowledged and prayed to of the Trium gods. She is represented by a dove by the Holy Church. Triumites credit the Mother to birthing mankind and all life, and in accordance with such she is prayed to when a child is born, for healthy marriages and relationships, and for most daily occurrences through life. She’s believed to be the most caring of the Trium, and the overall advocate for peace and well-being.

Casseo, The Merchant, is the God of Commerce. He is often regarded as god of fortune and wealth, too. The Merchant is prayed to for good luck in investments, business, trade, and really all things to do with money. This equally leads the Merchant to be the most cursed and despised of the Trium as angry gamblers find themselves broke and left with nothing, seeing their prayers unanswered.

Rodax, The Soldier, is the God of War. He’s believed to be not only an undefeated warrior but also the creator of the codes of chivalry which inspired the Aracellian knights’ ways of conduct. The Soldier is prayed to before going into any sort of battle and is highly praised among more martial Triumites.

Sects of the Faith

After the gradual decline and eventual dissolution of the Free Thinker Sect in recent years, a consequence brought about by the rigorous actions of the Inquisition, the Stalwart Bastion has effectively seized complete dominion over the Church. Through this ascension, they have zealously imposed their doctrines, leading to the incarceration of individuals whose beliefs diverge from their own. Consequently, a fresh ideology under the banner of Bastionism has surfaced in recent periods, recognised as the Reformist Sect. Members of this group have garnered notable attention due to their distinctive "Eyes of Ilus".

Lacrymist Sect

The official Sect of the Holy Church, the Lacrymists are stalwart in their adherence to the ancient ways, finding solace and direction in the structured embrace of rituals and codes of conduct. For them, the path to redemption lies in strict penance and unwavering adherence to a divine order that demands appeasement through ritualistic practices. Seeking forgiveness is a journey paved with tangible acts of contrition, carried out through intricate ceremonies that have stood the test of time.

Holiness, for the Lacrymist Church, is measured by one's unyielding dedication to rituals and the disciplined adherence to prescribed codes of behaviour. The purity they seek is not only of the soul but also in the execution of their practices. They embrace the concept of holiness as an external manifestation, a visible testimony to their unwavering loyalty to the divine order. In the heart of this sect beats a fervent cult of martyrdom. To them, those who sacrifice their lives in the name of faith are elevated to the realm of the revered. Their valorous endeavours, often dangerous and self-destructive, are a means to beckon back the gods who have seemingly grown distant.

Opium rituals are a cornerstone of their worship, supposedly connecting them with the Trium. They view these ceremonies as an avenue through which the Mother's guidance flows, allowing them to commune with divine wisdom. To the Lacrymists, these rituals offer them insights and assurances from the Mother.

Relics and artefacts hold a place of paramount importance within this sect. These material remnants, imbued with divine favor, are coveted symbols of their devotion. Pursuing them with a fervour that borders on obsession, the Lacrymists safeguard these items as the most tangible links to their faith's legacy.

Their stance towards non-believers is a reflection of their zealous devotion. Employing forceful methods, they see it as their sacred duty to convert and suppress those who resist their faith. In their eyes, the salvation of others lies in their embrace of the Mother's teachings, no matter the cost.

Reformist Sect

The Reformist Sect seeks a different path within the folds of Bastionism. Embracing change, they champion a doctrine where atonement is no longer a matter of rigid penance but of personal growth, heartfelt remorse, and compassionate actions. In their eyes, the journey to redemption is paved with introspection and genuine transformation.

Holiness, to the Reformists, transcends external practices. They view it as an inner radiance that emanates from a heart steeped in humility, and a soul dedicated to selfless service. This sanctity is achieved not through rigorous rituals, but by embodying qualities of compassion, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to aid others.

Relics and artefacts, to the Reformists, are secondary to spiritual enlightenment. They view the pursuit of material tokens as a distraction from true spiritual growth.

Their approach to non-believers stems from a place of empathy. They engage in dialogue, extending compassion rather than coercion. Viewing other faiths as misguided, they believe in offering guidance to illuminate the paths of those who have not yet found their way.

Similar to the ethos of the Lacrymist Church, the Reformists embrace the wisdom of prophets and oracles, emphasizing the importance of personal spiritual encounters. Instead of opium, they employ Wris spice, allowing its influence to guide their insights. Their faith in personal revelations serves as their compass, fostering a collective commitment to establishing connections with the divine through this distinctive practice.

Holy Institutions

Holy Synod

The Holy Synod stands as the heart and mind of the Church, a venerable assembly entrusted with the sacred duty of governance under the vigilant gaze of the High Rector. Their decisions shape the course of the Church, spanning matters of doctrine, ritual, and policy that influence the lives of countless faithful. Clad in the vestments of wisdom, the members of the Holy Synod convene to deliberate, reconcile, and steer the Church through the tides of change, safeguarding its traditions while adapting to the currents of progress.

Divine Inquisition

The Divine Inquisition looms as an embodiment of the Church's vigilant resolve. A secretive order tasked with upholding doctrinal purity and rooting out heresy. Each Inquisitor is bound by an unyielding loyalty to the Church's teachings, the members of the Divine Inquisition dedicate their lives to scrutinizing the faith's adherents and practices. They are not only seekers of heresy, but also enforcers of divine justice, seeking to redeem or eliminate those who stray from the Church's prescribed path. Operating in the cities, towns and villages, they are an embodiment of both fear and salvation, a force that keeps the faithful in check while eradicating those who threaten the faith's sanctity.

Confessors

Confessors stand as zealous missionaries deployed to foreign lands the Inquisition cannot reach. They are unafraid to wield both spiritual persuasion and brutal interrogation tactics. Their presence in foreign territories is marked by an unrelenting drive to bend the populace to their beliefs. They view their work as a sacred duty, one that justifies the use of force if it serves the greater purpose of saving souls.

Holy Order of Saint Ehmyr

The Order of Saint Ehmyr emerged as a reformation of surviving converts of military factions within the Church—the Order of Saint Marcus, the Templars of Orsk'aal, the Shield Protectors, and the Black Dawn Order—overseen by the Arch Rector Ignatius I. Led by their Grandmaster Wilhelm II Friedrich, the Order acts as the military strongarm of the Church, reinforcing the Divine Militia when necessary or protecting the interests of the Lacrymist Church.

Divine Militia

The Divine Militia is an army of peasant conscripts armed by the Church and led by the Gonfalonier at Arms. Comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds, this militia fights not with professional training, but with unwavering faith. Their weapons, blessed by the clergy, symbolize their divine purpose. The Gonfalonier leads through inspiration and spiritual guidance, fostering unity among conscripts of all walks of life. Bound by shared devotion, the militia employs simple yet effective tactics that leverage their collective strength.

Lesser Holy Orders

The Arch-Protectors

The Arch-Protectors stand as the pinnacle of elite guard forces within the Church, serving as the unwavering defenders of the Arch-Rector, the highest authority in the Church. Composed of individuals chosen for their exceptional physical prowess, unyielding loyalty, and impeccable training, these protectors are entrusted with the Arch-Rector's safety and the security of vital Church secrets. Adorned in distinctive armour that symbolizes their elevated status, the Arch-Protectors are known for their seamless coordination, strategic thinking, and unshakable discipline, making them an imposing and formidable presence. Through their unparalleled dedication and readiness to pay the ultimate price for their leader, the Arch-Protectors embody honour, sacrifice, and unbreakable devotion.

Unicorn Knights

The Unicorn Knights are a fraternal knight order founded in ancient times and thought lost to history, only to recently resurface under their new Grandmaster, Percival Fletcher. They serve as the largest knight order founded in the wetlands kingdom with its members serving as the personal elites of House Fletcher. Legends tell of the founding father of the order discovering the elusive and mythical unicorn which they tamed and rode to battle as a shining beacon of hope.

Templar Order of the White Tower

A holy order founded by and bound to House Tallwood, dedicated to the working of good deeds across the Empire and the stalwart defence of the Faith and the faithful.

Sacrosanct Inquisitors

The Sacrosanct Inquisitors embody the zenith of House Janus's personal elite forces. Forged in the crucible of unyielding loyalty and rigorous training, these exceptional individuals rise as vigilant enforcers of House Janus's authority. Bedecked in the relics of elven heritage from the fabled Vault of Wakendor, their ancient armour and weapons echo with the whispers of time. Their garb, a symbol of awe-inspiring grandeur, harks back to an era of mystique and power.

Notable Locations

Holy City of Saint Jenavene

Initially a colony under House Janus in the Eastern realms, Saint Jenavene evolved into a self-standing entity, presided over by a Lord-Abbott. Across the annals of time, it has ignited a series of conflicts, embroiling itself in repeated clashes with the Zusko people.

Arch-Rectorship of Wakendor

The official headquarters of the Church, and ancestral home of House Janus, this state serves an independent realm within the Wetlands. It is governed directly by the Arch-Rector from the mighty fortress within the city.

Falkhalten Citadel

An expansive citadel, deep within the heart of Ruddelmark's capital, once stood as the bastion of the Inquisition prior to the establishment of the Confederation of Man. Today, it assumes the role of a distinguished chapterhouse for the Inquisition in the Fells, its guardianship fervently undertaken by the vigilant House Friedrich.

Holy City of Castor

Regarded by many as the very cradle of humanity, Castor stands as the first recorded human city. Throughout history, this cityscape has been the cause of numerous conflicts, at times even succumbing to the dominion of the ancient Elves.

The White Tower

A prison fortress that has stood against the tests of time without fail. The White Tower houses some of the most dangerous criminals in the Empire, specifically those who wield magic. It is also the home of the secretive mage order known as the "Order of the White Tower", the only guild of its type that is tolerated by the Church.

Trivia

• The renowned "Eyes of Ilus" stand as a direct outcome of the continuous use of Wris spice among a select few within the Reformist movement, bestowing upon them the unmistakable glowing green eyes.
• The name “Lacrymist” comes from the scientific name for opium: Lachryma papaveris. Which the sect regularly uses in their sacred practices.