Arthelian Faith
Overview
The Arthelian Faith is a monotheistic religion founded on the teachings of Idrendor Arthel. His Chosen is a man named Agyrios. Agyrios walks the world preaching Arthel’s tenets. He is known as the Messiah, and he possesses the ability to perform Arthelian miracles. Arthel has ascended to a place beyond mortal comprehension and does not meddle in mortal affairs.
The Arthelian Faith coexists alongside others, despite its stance that all other deities are below its own god. It is young compared to other established religions and its spread is localized to the continent of Anash’col.
The Arthelian head of faith is known as the Ecumenical Patriarch. This title is presently owned by the angel Nikandros. He guides a series of lesser Patriarchs and Priests who organize the faith, build churches, recruit, and serve members of the faith.
Arthelian scriptures are written by Agyrios himself. He interprets and conveys Idrendor Arthel’s words rather than claiming divine authorship directly. His scripts contain revelations that priests study and share with their congregations.
Guiding Principles
Ilisara’s gods are imperfect. Ilisara’s gods, however powerful, are not divine in the absolute sense. They are mighty beings that carry stains of mortal imperfection. Only Idrendor Arthel is perfect, the God of Gods, with ultimate power and righteousness.
Good and evil are absolute. Good and Evil are not matters of perspective or cultural context. All people are either moving toward Good or away from it. There is no neutral ground. Stand for Good, always and forever, and do not give into temptation.
Oppose evil. Evil is not an abstraction. It is an active force in the world with agents, institutions, and intentions. Demons are an example of evil made manifest, and they must be destroyed.
Forgiveness for all. Every soul is equally eligible for forgiveness, so long as they repent for their sins. Repentance must be pure and true; Idrendor Arthel sees souls for what they are, not what they convince themself to be.
The Messiah is the living grace of Idrendor Arthel. Agyrios was killed in battle and resurrected by the power of the Spear of Destiny at Idrendor Arthel's hand. His presence is Arthel’s parting gift to mankind.
The Arthelian Creed
Arthelians evaluate actions, people, and institutions against an absolute standard; not against what is normal in their culture, what feels right personally, or against what their king or queen says is acceptable. All moral behavior can be understood through Virtues that describe the qualities a person must cultivate to move toward Good. Sins describe the forces that pull a person towards Evil.
Virtues
Faith — Trust in Idrendor Arthel and his Chosen Messiah, even when circumstances make it difficult.
Hope — Believe that Good will ultimately prevail, that redemption is always possible, and that no soul is beyond saving.
Charity — Give to others without expectation of return. Charity is the outward expression that all people have equal worth.
Justice — The commitment to uphold what is right, to protect the innocent, and to oppose evil without compromise.
Prudence — The ability to discern good from evil in complex situations, to think before acting, and to choose the right means as well as the right ends.
Fortitude — Courage in the face of suffering, persecution, and death. The willingness to endure hardship rather than abandon what is right.
Temperance — Self-mastery. The discipline to govern one's own appetites, impulses, and desires so that they do not govern you.
Sins
Pride — The belief that one is above reproach, accountability, or has more inherent value or worth than their peers.
Greed — The insatiable desire for more (wealth, power, land, or influence) at the expense of others.
Wrath — Destructive, uncontrolled anger without restraint or purpose.
Envy — The resentment of someone else’s talents, gifts, or happiness.
Sloth — Commonly oversimplified as laziness, true sloth is the deliberate refusal to act when action is required. Arthelians demand active opposition to evil. Pacifism is, at times, moral cowardice.
Gluttony — Overconsumption of pleasurable things (food, comfort, power) beyond what is needed.
Lust — The reduction of other people to objects of appetite.
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