Seraphism

"Long have they turned to idols and tales
Away from My light, in darkness unbroken
The last of My children, shrouded in night."

—Premonitions of A Faithful

Summary

Seraphism, also known as the "teachings of Mother" is the dominant religion in Meryndan, known for its strict yet engaging teachings and its adoration of the Holy Mother. The teachings of Seraphism embrace forgiveness and fortitude, but know not to show any form of mercy to the ones they consider foes. The focus of Seraphism is justice and judgement. Those who fall from her light are met with flames.

While this religion is primarily followed by humans, with its highest percentage of followers existing within the Human Kingdom, other places as far as Caros follow the teachings of the Mother.

Since the early days of man, the tale of the Holy Mother has resonated through the "chantries", which are the hubs of Seraphism. The central chantry of Seraphism is in Kingsrun.

Hierarchy

Those who are a part of the chantry go by different titles alluding to being a part of Mother's family. Acceptable titles of "sister", "brother", and "cousin", are the most common. If one within the chantry's following should call themselves "Mother" or "Father, they invoke the wrath of Her holy righteousness. Those who simply follow the religion are called the "children of Mother" and are in service to Her.

Origin

The tale of Mother is one not spoken of lightly. To put it shortly -- a woman was born with skin, white as snow and eyes cold as ice in a castle atop the tallest mountain in the Stormlands. Her parents (secret lovers due to a difference in status) named the child Seraph. Just hours following Seraph's birth, a bolt of lightning struck the tower, catching the tower alight and reducing it to ashes. All within except for Seraph perished. For three days and nights the child lay amongst the rubble in heavy storms, yet she remained unharmed and in perfect health.

Seraph was found by a couple who witnessed the tower's smoke from their farm, several miles away. They were shocked that a child could possibly survive such an instance, and in an effort to help the child, the woman's hands were scorched upon touching the babe's skin. The man removed his shirt and wrapped the babe in it, and brought Seraph to their farm and into the small village. Seraph was kept covered from head to toe, for if she touched anything she would turn it to flame.

For many years, people feared Seraph due to her strange abilities, and was revered as a bad omen -- many suggested she be killed out of pity. Growing up, she watched as children hugged their parents, gave aid in their family work, and lived normally, growing depressed and reclusive. She had decided that if she could not live amongst others without causing pain that she would never interact with anyone again.

One day, the couple that adopted Seraph were attacked by Elven centurions, and Seraph spouted fire from her hands, burning them to bits. The people of the village praised her heroics and bravery in this, but the threat of an Elvish counter-attack loomed overhead, forcing her to train herself in preparation. When the Elf infantry returned to destroy the village, Seraph single-handedly repelled them, ascending her fame to a level of prophecy, as those who witnessed her power and knew of her origin believed her power to come from a purely divine source. Seraph began to preach to the nearby villages words of humility and gratitude, but also words of ruin and abolition.

Those who followed her teachings and joined her in battle took to calling her Mother, and her teachings spread to all corners of the continent, filling the bellies of all folk wit ha fire that burned bright. As the humans and elves waged upon war, the elves unveiled their secret weapon: the Drow, thus beginning The Enslavement of Humanity.

The Drow took kind to enslaving humans, and felt no compassion for their pleaes. They were the first to inhabit Slaver's Bay and invented it. Both elf and drow attacked the humankind, decimating entire villages, and enslaving those who survived or surrendered. A young, charming warrior named Derrik Drakon joined forces with Seraph, and thus began to repel the elvish forces. This marks the start of the Human-Drow War.

As the Elvish forces we being forced back, the two presented them with an ultimatum, "Return our kin, leave us be, and you may walk away free and forgotten." The Elvish forces refused and began to slaughter the human armies by the hundreds, and despite her incredible abilities, Seraph fell on the battlefield, stabbed through the stomach by a Drow general, extinguishing the fire that raged inside her. Derrik and his army fought with a newfound vigor, fueled by a thirst for revenge and retribution, completely eradicating the drow and elvish armies in a single skirmish.

Derrik found Seraph, and promised to carry her word wit him wherever he went, vowing to repeat all her teaching and recite her chants, thus becoming Seraphism's first paladin. He held her hand as she ascended into the skies, watching the reveal itself through the dense smoke of battle. Derrik went on to slay the remainder of the Drow on the continent and many of the Elves (including non-combatants) before settling down and claiming the area that is now known as Kingsrun for his own. Many took to calling Derrik "Father", and thus he is not only known as the "Hero of the Human Kingdom", but also as "The Father of Light". He was the first to fly the Seraphist flag, and from him her teachings continued to spread after her death.

Main Chant

"As the Sun rose on the army of the faithful, as the shadow of a distant storm darkens the Sun.
There, in the heart of them, sang the Mother radiant
And at her side rides the Prophet. Mother, burn my heart:
Take from my life of sorrow. Lift me from my world of pain.
Reborn may I be in the fire of Your mercy.
Now Her hand is raised
A sword to pierce the Heavens. With Her light, she defends the faithful
Let chaos be undone.

Mother, though the darkness comes upon me
I shall embrace the sun. I shall weather the storm
I will not forsake You, even if I forget myself
What you have created, no one can tear asunder.

In death, they will embrace Her light
Long have they turned to idols and tales
Away from My light, in darkness unbroken
The last of My children, shrouded in night."

—Premonitions of A Faithful