by David Hall and Nick Brooke
History
The Henotheist Church of Azilos was the state religion of the Stygian Alliance, now known as Arkat's Dark Empire. It was given by Arkat of Azilos to his followers in the glorious days of the Empire. Sometimes it is also called the Cult of Arkat.
After Arkat's death his family continued to lead the church until the evil God Learners conspired against the Empire and brought it down. In the years that followed the creed was kept hidden within the hearts and minds of the Counts of Azilos until the time that God Learners were themselves cast down.
The Counts of Azilos have continued to lead the faith until this day, as the descendants of Arkat and the inheritors of his Dark Empire.
Theology
There is only one Supreme Deity and he is the Invisible God. There are many other gods and Saints in his divine host who deserve worship for their aid and protection.
Tapping of animals and non-humans is permissible with the Lord's permission. Tapping has nothing to do with love. It is a sacred ritual that celebrates the great power of the Invisible God over his Creation.
We believe that there are four castes: farmer, warrior, priest and lord. All are born into one of these castes, but have the freedom to change if they prove that they are worthy.
The enemy of the Invisible God is the Devil, also called Gbaji the Deceiver and Tyrant, and he leads a demonic host of Chaos Gods and Demons. Chaos is evil and constantly fights to destroy the worship of the Invisible God. Chaos must be fought at every opportunity and in its every guise.
Women's role in life is different from men's role, but both are equal in spirit. The woman's role is that of the life-giver and nurturer, the man's role that of the protector and provider. Both need to work in concert for the good of Creation.
Hierarchy
The leader of our church is the Count of Azilos, who is a descendant of Arkat the Saviour. He has the power to appoint Bishops and Abbots of the Church and to remove them if they act against the interests of the Church.
The leaders of the Church are specially chosen at the bi-annual Questioning and Riddling contests at which their knowledge, experience and spiritual nature are tested.
Important Saints and Gods
Arkat is the greatest mortal hero ever. He defeated Gbaji the Deceiver in a war which lasted for generations and spanned two thirds of the continent. Then he founded the Stygian Alliance which brought human, elf and troll together in peaceful co-operation.
After his death he ascended to sit at the right-hand side of the Creator. One day, in our darkest hour, he will return.
Malkion brought the word of the Supreme Deity to the people and showed them how to survive during the great darkness. He taught how the duties of the people of each clan should be split into the four castes: farmer, soldier, wizard, lord.
Orlanth led the Holy Seven in combat against the Chaos Host to recreate the world. His actions led to the ending of the Great Darkness and the beginning of Time.
Saint Paslac, Last Autarch of the Stygian Alliance, Valiant Defender against the Jrusteli Invasion. He was killed trying to save the Dark Empire. We remember him as the model of everything that a perfect ruler should be.
Hrestol taught that the Brithini were wrong in their strict interpretation of Malkion's Law. His actions, and supreme self-sacrifice, showed that anyone could change their caste if they proved themselves worthy. He is also known for teaching the concepts of Honour and Chivalry.
The Lightbringers, the Holy Seven: these were the six gods who accompanied Orlanth on his Quest to recreate the world. They lent their powers to Creation, and are revered for this. They were Chalana Arroy, Goldentongue, Lhankor Mhy, Trickster, Ginna Jar, and Humakt.
Attitudes to other Beliefs
Rokari
This church has turned away from the freedom of the Creator back into the rigid castes of the Brithini. They deny the existence of the gods and of the Chaos host. They are dangerous for within their ranks chaos may seep in undetected.
Hrestoli
This church is enlightened as it accepts caste mobility. However, like all of the other churches of the west, they have forgotten the other gods and the lessons of Arkat.
Darkness Gods
The Darkness gods are a host of gods who are not wholly chaotic but not wholly divine either. Their worshippers are the degenerate results of humans who failed to hear Malkion during the Great Darkness. They are the dark side of humanity, a side which can just as easily turn to Chaos as fight it.
Borists
The Borists are an evil sect that worships chaos by tapping chaos creatures. All Chaos is Evil!
