Religions

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[SIZE= 18px]Religion of Azae[/SIZE]
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Five Ways To Peace

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I. Trust Azae to be the one true god.
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II. Trust in your family as they trust in you.
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III. Kill not.
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IV. Steal not.
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V. All are sons and daughters of Azae
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The words of Azae, as inscribed upon the side of possibly Mount Zalur marking the creation of time.
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Time has since eroded the commands upon the mountain away, but recordings still remain. The many sects all agree that the Five Ways were once written on the side of the mountain, though which mountain is disputed. Some say that it is now naught but a hill.
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There are a multitude of sects. Many of them follow the teachings of the first prophet. The first prophet spoke of the rebirth of all life. S/he said that all lifeforms make up the soul of Azae. Most version of the religion differ only by which prophets they believe.
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There are two extreme sects, though they are are not the most popular. One believes that Azae, the planet, is a higher being that communes with other other forces beyond the world. This is highly blasphemous to most because it seems to violate the first way to peace. The second extreme sect believe none of the prophets. They think the words on the mountain are the only truth. They do not think of an afterlife saying that one must only live in the present and seek peace.
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Followers of Saran Melander
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The Followers believe that Saran was the first person to walk the earth. The Followers are split into two philosophies. One, the Church of the Mother, believe Saran Melander to be a woman, and thus, so was Azae a Goddess who created her in her likeness. The Church of the Father believe Saran was a man created by the male depicted God of Azae. Early in the history of the religion many people did not care about this distinction and worshiped both sides of the holy legend. Ideally the two churches decided on one high priest. In the past, there have been times where two priest vied for control of the religion. This was until Roadalia adopted the Church of the Mother as their official religion, and almost all followers of that sect decided to make the permanent move from Kildra. The Church of the Mother eventually fell out of favor with the people of Kildra over the decades as it became entangled in the government and culture of Roadalia.

Church of the Mother
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The Church of the Mother believes that Saran Melender is reborn each generation. It is said that in the first five hundred years of time Saran ruled all the land through many different lives. At last, when she had taught all she could and completed the Book of Azae she disappeared. Some believe that she ascended the cycle of time, but most think she still lives, stepping in to intervene only when needed.  They believe that Couswa Serda, the Second Prophet wrote the Book of Azae.

• A reading from the Church of the Mother's Book of Azae
  
  "Saran Melander was the first woman. She was born from the holy mountain on which the Five Ways to Peace were inscribed. She entered the world full grown and with understanding of all creatures. After Saran came so did many more, but none with wisdom and knowledge as pure as the first mother’s. Through her complete understanding of Azae’s form, Saran taught the first people much about the world. She tells that by following the Ways to find peace will lead us to an understanding of Azae’s will and plan. In Saran’s enlightenment, she saw that our souls are destined to be reborn. Through meditation and by following the Ways we can learn to understand Azae’s plan and thereby secure a more meaningful role in the lives to come."
  

Church of the Father
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The Church of the Father believe that Melander was an immortal being that ruled for the first thousand years of time. His kingdom was vast and beautiful, expanding the entire world. However, one thousand years of peace bred envy in the hearts of many. Weak men, who had not not meditated deeply enough upon Azae, betrayed Melander and declared war upon his works. After many wars, Melander at last allowed himself to be slain in battle so that the fighting might end. Their holy scripture is the original Book of Azae, as put down by Arlin Adrian, descendant of Onta the Large.


Arlin had claimed that Onta had remembered the life of Saran Melander. Arlin rewrote the Book of Azae Onta had started to include more specific depictions of Saran and the God of Azae. This became the basis for the Church of the Father's Book of Azae.

• A reading from the Church of the Father's Book of Azae
  
  "Saran Melander was the first man. He was born from the holy mountain on which the Five Ways to Peace were inscribed. He entered the world with a power over all creatures. After Saan came many more, but none with such wisdom and strength as Melander. Through his complete control over the magics of Azae Melander created the first kingdom of men. To all his people he taught that following the Ways of Peace will lead them to an understanding of Azae’s will and plan. In Melander’s enlightenment, he saw that all souls would be reborn. His soul was so pure that Melander transcended mortal flesh and became lived for 1000 years."
  

 
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Brethren of the Mountain
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The Brethren of the Mountain believe only in the words of the mountain. They claim to remember past lives that had gazed upon the mountain where the Five Ways to Peace had been written. The Brethren believe in many saints, but do not hold Saran Melander is such high esteem, and some do not believe in the legend at all. They believe that history has made a legend of Saran that bare no real truth. The brethren have their own book of Azae that was written over many years by many saints. The book consists of each saint recording their past memories. Though it is long, much of it is the same.


The Brethren is a led by the Leader of the Mountain. The Lead is chosen each generation by determining who has the best memory of their past lives.

• A reading from the Brethren of the Mountain's Book of Azae:
  
  "The words of the mountain are the only truth. Azae, the perfect being, gave us life and gave us the earth, which is Azae's holy body. At the dawn of time Azae inscribed upon a mountain the Five Ways to Peace. By following these ways harmony is found. Though in Azae's benevolence a great many pleasures can be found on earth, none are so fulfilling as embracing the words of Azae. By meditating upon those holy words one may touch the spirit of the world and bask in its unending power and bliss."
  

The Way of Sin & Discourse
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The Way of Sin & Discourse is a cultural phenomenon that all people of Azae experience. Many Followers of Saran Meander hold the fear that peace and perfection is unattainable. Those who have strayed far enough away from the faith run the risk of losing their soul completely. There is a legend that the end of time will come when all have strayed from the Ways.

 
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Inner Circle of Sin & Discourse
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There is an inner circle of the Way of Discourse that is very secretive. Debate rages on on whether or not they even exist. It is said that they make decisions within the church that surpass that of the High Priest. They claim to have recorded all the transgression against the Way of Peace since the beginning of time.

Warriors of Stone
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A fabled and secret religious army in Kildra that is supposedly led by the Inner Circle of Discourse, the High Priest, and the Leader of the Mountain. It is employed only to defend the faith.

 
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Atheist Scholars
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There are many scholars that study the religion of Azae in hopes to find information about ancient nomadic tribes. Some believe that the religion of Azae has developed out of multiple tribal rituals.