The Fayth

Overview

The Fayth is the primary religion found throughout the Verda Empire, Bevany, Calcera, western Tarquinia and southern Ursal - led by the Erzherzog, who resides in the holy city state of Imperium in the Verda Empire.

Its origins lie thousands of years ago, far to the west and outside the continent, but it rose quickly to become one of the most dominant religions in the known world. For a religion so large, many denominations exist from place to place, with variations on what they preach and believe.

The Fayth's symbol is a white ring inlaid with gold - worn as rings, or displayed in other ring-shaped forms such as a wreath of flowers or twisted reeds, with the wealthier the patron, the more extravagant the display. The grandest example is the white marble circle inlaid with purest gold in the Imperium's cathedral.

Core Beliefs

Individual churches preach their own interpretations, but nearly all subscribe to a shared foundation:

  • There is one God, and humanity is made in their image. God is Good in all its forms, is genderless, and protects against Evil. God is too great for mortals to fully perceive and thus there is no true depiction of God's likeness.
  • Those who also identify as genderless are seen as more able to understand people from all walks of life, and so more able to understand God.
  • God sends messengers in the form of Angels, omnipotent beacons of Good who fight Evil before it slips into the world, though Evil's power means they can only prevent so much.
  • Only God can bring true salvation. Humans are born Good, but the world is tainted by Evil - a life of piety under The Fayth is the only path into Heaven.
  • Those who fall to Evil are barred from Heaven and endure eternal torment in Hell.
  • Other religions and gods are Evil masquerading as Good, tempting the weak-willed. Only the God of The Fayth is truly Good.

The Litany

The Fayth's central text is The Litany - teachings compiled by Erzherzogs of old.

Believed to be written in the 3rd century by the prophet Ptolemy, who preached God's word against Pagans and, through righteous will, brought a savage world to order.

On God's Power

Blessed be the almighty God,
the Architect of Heavens,
whose divine hand sculpts the firmament and churns the seas.

In their hallowed halls,
no wickedness may dwell;
for they are the Beacon that guides the lost,
the Shield against the tempest,
and the Sword that cleaves the darkness.

On the Devil

Hearken, O ye faithful,
to the whispers of the almighty God,
for their words are woven into the tapestry of fate.

Shun the sweet lies of the Devil,
for he is the thief of truth,
seeking to corrupt virtuous minds with his silver tongue.

Resilience of One's Faith

In the hour of twilight,
when shadows merge with the waning light,
the almighty God's gaze pierces through the gloom.

Fear not the creeping dread,
nor the Devil's hollow promises of power;
for those who walk in God's grace shall never falter,
their spirits alight with eternal flame.

Rituals of Redemption

For those who confess their sins but
find their souls still strained or tempted, they may seek the Church on the eve of the waning moon, where the faithful gather with hearts heavy with unspoken sins.

In the sanctity of these hallowed chapels, they commence the Vigil of the Penitent - eyes cast downward,
hands clasped in silent supplication,
seeking mercy through the long hours of the night.

It is said that in the stillness of the vigil,
the voice of God resonates clearer,
and the soul, laid bare, finds redemption in their light.

Religious Order

The Erzherzog (Archduke) is the figurehead and leader of The Fayth, and the political ruler of the Verda Empire — embodying the religion's tenets and holding the position for life. On their death, a replacement is voted on by the Tyrians. They wear resplendent white robes and a violet stole with the finest gold embroidery.

The Tyranic Order are senior members, their titles grantable only by an Erzherzog. Close advisors to the Erzherzog, their roles are for life; when an Erzherzog dies, a Tyrian is voted onto the holy burden by fellow Tyrians. They wear a white robe beneath dark purple ceremonial robes embellished with silver embroidery.

Tyrians manage the Carmine, who are location-based and lead The Fayth across large regions - an entire State in the Verda Empire, or a collection of towns or a county elsewhere. Carmine wear black and white robes with a crimson stole, plus a red and gold overcoat for ceremonies.

Within their districts, Carmine oversee several Azurites - the first "rank" more ingrained into daily life, given their regular presence leading larger congregations. Azurites wear black and white robes with a deep blue stole.

Azurites manage the lower clergy: Priests, who hold their own flocks. Populated areas may have multiple Priests per church; rural areas often have just one per town. Priests wear plain black and white robes, or a black and white stole.

Beyond this hierarchy, some devote themselves to study, chastity and poverty - friars, monks and nuns hold no formal rank but are deeply respected, having abandoned normal life to avoid temptation by Evil. Their monasteries commonly run schools and hospices, providing education and healthcare locally.

The Devil

The antithesis of God. Most commonly depicted as a clean-shaven masculine figure with torn leathery wings, or with the legs of a rooster - but never both.

The Devil sprung forth from God's shadow during the world's creation, and tricked God into creating the Plane of Evil. The two entities are locked in eternal war for the souls of humanity.

To Jaegers, the Devil is believed to be an Archdemon of immense power - likely the Archdemon above all others. He's never been seen by mortal eyes, but studies of the Demonic Plane suggest he rules it, just as The Fayth's stories claim.

Creation Myth

There are many stories and fables in The Litany and surrounding philosophies and literature. While there will be variations of this tale, the creation myth below contains the most commonly accepted features across them all.

In the beginning, there was nothing. From this nothing, God sprang forth in an explosive act of spontaneous creation. Growing lonely in the void, God shaped the world - sun for day, moon and stars for night, valleys and mountains, deserts and rivers, all flora and fauna. It was beautiful, and all was Good. It did not last.

In casting the sun, God cast a shadow - and from that shadow sprang the Devil, Evil in his heart, bringing chaos to God's creation. He burned forests, drank oceans dry, kicked down mountains and trampled all that was Good into wasteland.

God wept and restored what Evil destroyed, but the Devil ruined it again just as fast. Frustrated, God created the Angels to combat and capture him - but as they chased him across the world, he left destruction in his wake. God then created the first humans, tasked with protecting the world and regrowing what the Devil had taken, while the Angels kept them safe.

Eventually the Devil tired of the chase and hid among humanity, taking human form. Here he found something more entertaining than destruction - how soft-hearted and easily misled humans were. He began corrupting humanity, luring them into acts of Evil. By the time God noticed, humanity had fractured into war, and some, twisted beyond recognition by Evil, became the first demons.

God wept again, and the Angels searched for the Devil among the humans until he came to God himself. “I am bored of this world," he declared, snapping his fingers, “Make me a new one."

Enraged, God struck him down with a thunderbolt, “This world was never meant for you or your Evil," God said, “So I will grant your request. I will make you a new world - a pit of misery. Take those you've corrupted and live there, where you may fester and burn. This world is for the Good; those who fall to Evil I will cast into your wretched realm."

The Devil feigned a tear, “Such a dreadful place it will be. I will gather my demons, and we will leave." He kept his word, dragging his demons through a portal into the new realm - but as it began to close with him yet to step through, he laughed. “You poor fools! I will never stop my assault - you have merely given me my own kingdom to build my strength. This is not the last you'll see of me or my creations!"

The Angels struggled to force him through, bolstered as he was by his new realm's power - until a small white stoat, one of God's most humble creations, sensed the threat to its home and flew at the Devil and sank its teeth into his ankle. Startled by its audacity, he lost his footing, and the Angels seized the moment to throw him through the portal and seal it shut behind him.

God turned to the Angels, “You must patrol the fabric between the realms and ensure Evil does not return. I will guide humanity and help them heal. We will keep this a world of Good, where Evil cannot latch its claws in so easily again." The Angels scattered into the place between realms, and began their eternal patrol.

God lifted the little stoat and cradled it gently, “And you, brave little one, will bring hope to humanity. You and your kin will be a blessing, able to thwart the Devil himself."

Prayers & Passages for Jaeger

There are some commonly used prayers and passages used by Jaeger, taught as part of their Devotee pathway at the hauses. Here is a selection for any discerning Jaeger to make use of:

"Look to your congregation as a shepherd looks to their flock. Guide them to the light of God, tend to their souls, for every child of God denied to the devil is another victory over the force of evil."

"Though I be beset on all sides by darkness and evil, I shall not falter from thy path, for before me lies salvation and the eternal reward of your love."

"Temptation lurks in the hearts of all and yet my children will turn their faces away from the path of darkness and walk in the light as part of the righteous host, and thus will they be rewarded in Heaven for all eternity."

"Blessed be The Ascended, may they inspire and give courage to all. In their sacrifice do they take the fight to the devil's doorstep and strike at the very heart of the evil that taints our Godly world. Look up to them, their ideals, and ask yourselves how you may serve for the greater whole, for in each of us dwells the spark of potential to achieve the devout greatness of their sacrifice."

"Be cautious and mindful of the signs of evil - strange scents and sounds, a change in your hound's behaviour - all these can indicate a den of corruption and villainy lurking nearby."

Ascendants

Ascendants, or Ascended, are the deified concepts of those who achieved great deeds in life - prayed to and revered, with missions, hospitals, schools and other institutions often named for them. They're given the title Asc. with their surname (e.g. Asc. Strausburg).

Players are welcome to create their own Ascendants as part of backstory, group concepts or plot interaction - as mundane or spectacular as you like. If you're unsure whether your concept fits, reach out.

Common Ascended

Matthias Strausberg

The first Jaeger, founder of the profession. He called for sweeping tax changes to ensure Jaegerhauses were built and funded.

Markus Streng

Ascendant of Metalworking. A master smith whose methods made metallic alloys more resilient against the forces of vileness.

Hortencia De'Lany

Ascendant of the Natural Sciences. Successfully petitioned for the study of biology within Fayth doctrine.

Bruno Hiedelberg

Ascendant of Travellers & Pilgrims. Improved highways and causeways for journeying and pilgrimage.

Gabrielle Ducout

Ascendant of Musicians & Writers. Responsible for many hymns still sung in praise of the Fayth.

Bortenzi Francesco

Ascendant of Soldiers & Peacekeepers. Overhauled military doctrine into the blueprint modern armies still follow.

Gille's De Chantal 

Ascendant of Animals & Husbandry. Herded flocks and herds over mountainous terrain to replace animals lost to the great hoof plague of 1462.

Hissrich Kunesmer 

Ascendant of Justice & Law. Created the foundations of the modern judicial system.

Klaus Vodelberger

Ascendant of Medicine & Doctors. Created numerous treatments, surgeries and surgical tools still used today.

Renata Modenheim

Ascendant of Bridges & Bridgebuilding. Pioneered stone bridge construction, some so large that towns were founded atop them.