Celestial Flame
Before its destruction the Celestial Flame was the largest sect of Celestial worshippers in Aberddu. Clerics of the flame were renowned for their scholarly skills and understanding of madness, indeed Clerics of the flame were often sought to counter madness and cure those that lived under its curse. Equally many of them were hotheaded crusaders eager to fight the "good fight".
The Celestial Flame was destroyed at the end of the God war, when it refused to leave this plane and was rendered mortal and killed.
See Also : Temple of the Celestial Flame
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The Rise of the Religion
In 1107, a cleric of the Celestial Flame, Nostros Delthan arrived in Aberddu. His mind had been destroyed by the fall of the flame during the God war, as had the mind of many of the true clerics of the Celestial Flame. Many of them took their own lives, or forsook the Flame entirely. Nostros, as one does, wandered into the Adventures Guild, and so was born a new Era for the Religion of the Celestial Flame. It wasn't long before Nostros found his way to the temple of the Fallen Gods, where he found that there was still a brazier, and still some people tending it. The fight had long since gone out of them, and their actions had become more habit than faith. Nostros began holding services, doing everything he can for the poor around him. These actions found favour with the Govenor Solomon Tyrell, and he was given an abandend house, along with the Asthetics, to build up his Temple.
The Religion of the Flame
Overview
There are three pillars of the religion of the Celestial Flame, Passion, Pnuma (Spirit) and Purity. Followers of the Flame bounce between firey passion, and a deep madness that comes from the burning passions. Using the analogy of the Flame, it can be seen that the Flame is nither good nor bad. It can purify things (boil water to remove impurities, kill germs, clear forrests to allow new growth), or destroy (burn buildings, kill, and so on). It is somewhere in the middle that the Pnuma, the Spirit of life, the Spirit of the Flame is to be found. It is in living life to the full, and protecting all those that have the spark of the Flame in them.
The Spark Of the Flame is roughly anything that shows drive. As such, lesser undead are an abomination to the Flame. For many followers of the Flame, greater undead are also abominations, having no true emotions, however there is much recent discussion as wether or not a truly driven undead counts as having the Spark of the Flame.
This idea of the "Spark of the Flame" has meant that the followers of the Flame have approached others with the utmost respect. Seeing belief in a God (even if it's not the Flame) to be one of the deepest examples of this Spark, as should be fanned, not quenched. This has meant that relations between follwers of the Flame and others has been good, even leading to the Flame being recognised as a true religion, and being given a seat on the council of faiths.
There is a great hope amongst the followers that the Flame, who is now believed to have fallen in order that his power may save the world will one day return. This belief began before the returning of the Gods, and has only been strengthened by the part played by the followers of the Celestial Flame in praying for the return of the Godess of the Asthetics. In their morning acclamation, they each day look to the Sun (the symbol used by the followers to show that the Flame has not left them, as the Sun obviously belongs to the Flame), and express their hope that today the Flame will return.
Developments
The Celestial Flame followers are still great scholars, and have also taken to thinking through the information written in their holy books, rather than following it as a litteral truth. As many of the fallen Gods rise again, but in a different form, the followers of the Flame are being cautious less they miss the return of the Flame. This thinking on the words of the Flame, and past great leaders and scholars is what is currently driving the renewal of the Celestial Flame.
Primary among them is the sense of Brotherhood for those who are lost and forgotten. Having for so long been lost and forgotten themselfs, a large proportion of the money that the temple raises (through giving of it's members) is ploughed back into helping the people, this means that clerics of the Celestial Flame are often poor, but never wanting.
The Flame is not just a symbol for the followers, but something living. To symbolise this, there is a large brazier in the center of the Temple, which is kept lit at all times. The followers also visit the poorest people to tell them about the flame, but normally with gifts of wood, or other burnable materials, and only stay as long as it takes to light the fire, believing that the Flame will be able to take it from there. Their simple, practical approach has meant that the Temple is thriving.
Beliefs
NOTE : The followers of the Celestial Flame are called upon to think these things through, and to find where their heart takes them. The followers of the Flame put of stock in the way a person's "emotions" respond to a specific belief, seeing it as the "Spark of the Flame" directing their life.
- The Spark of the Flame lives in everyone : The "spark" that makes someone alive is thought to be the spark placed there by the Celestial Flame at the very beginning of time. There is much debate as to wether or not this "spark" is actually the soul or not, some think it is the "essance of a person" which is distinct from the soul.
- In the beginning was Celestine : Celestine, the female creater-God made the four Celestials, Earth, Fire, Air, Water.TCelestine, with these 4 then created the world and the universe. Celestine then retired to her realm to watch over creation, and prepare a place for souls. The four Celestials in turn made the world Gods, (Life, Death, Sea, Kesoth, Chaos) and so on to watch over individual aspects of the lives of their creations. These Gods took to warring, and when the Celestines tried to interfere, the minor Gods (created by the world Gods, they watched over things like "grass growing", and so on.), bound together to form Kearnog (aka Krynok), to drive out the Celestines. In the battle that followed, the Celesials managed to lock Kearnog away, with his followers, but many of the Celestials were damaged. Eventually, all the Celestials but the Flame left for the realm of Celestine. The followers of the Celestial Flame still look to the return of Celestine, which will signify the end of the world as we know it (though of course, what this actually means is under much discussion, and in recent years, the return of the Flame has taken precedent). Originally, this creation story used the word "lesser Gods" instead of "world Gods". Though this is still the wording in the book, it is not the wording used in the Temple, nor is it the wording taught in the Temple. The word "lesser Gods" is actively discouraged, and in some cases punishable.
- Passion and Madness are two sides of the same coin: One is simply an extreeme of the other. Followers of the Celestial Flame are trained to give themselfs over to madness, so they can explore the true extreemes of their own passions. This is most often done through celebrations and festivals, where safe places are created for followers to explore their madness/passion. The Temple of the Celestial Flame in Aberddu will still take in those suffering from Madness, and will work with them to bring them out of it, though as there is an Insane Asylym in Aberddu (which took over when the temple collapsed following the folly of Ina), there are not many who come.
- The Flame is not dead, simply "Dimensionally Challenged" : This is the belief that the flame will return. Followers of the flame are called upon to correct anyone who says the Flame is dead (with respect, and without insulting the person who said it). This comes from the idea that the Flame only remains in the realm of Celestine because people believe that is where he/she is. The more this belief can be changed and challenged, the quicker the Flame will return. That said, the believers are also aware that they are in for the long haul. They are prepared to wait many, many years for his/her return if necessary.
- The Flame is with us : Though there may not be magic as the other Gods see it, the action of the flame can be felt and seen by those that understand the signs. Followers generally do not expect the Flame to perform "Palour tricks", and secretly look down on those that require a God to probe itself before they believe in it as not having a true faith.
- The Flame speaks through the Priests: in these recent times, followers look to the Priests who remember the Flame, or who have been dillegently taught by one who does.
Temple Tennants
NOTE : These are not beliefs laid down specifically by the faith, rather are decrees made by the Temple. Though technically these are up for discussion, in practice they are not questioned.
- The followers of the dark god Waheed (lyingly known as truth) are an Anathem to the Flame. They should be avoided at all costs. They are not welcome in the temple, and followers of Flame should avoid making contacts with followers of the God of Truth. This is because Boralis, the main figure in the Temple of the God of Truth attempted to assassinate Papa Nostros.
- Those of the tarter Clan Pheonix are welcome in the Temple. Ferrar and Kiri both of Pheonix are the first marters of the New Temple of the Celestial Flame of Aberddu.
- The Flame may be Female : Traditionally, the Flame has been looked upon as male (though the Flame itself is normally without Gender), the Flame has appeared to Papa Nostros and Paladin as Female.
- The Flame Will Never Be Extinguished : Papa Nostros has heard the flame say these words to him during a quest where they were sent back in time in a dream state. When Papa Nostros tried to warn the Flame about the coming God War, the Flame gently told him that the Flame will never be extinguished. Also, the magic of the Flame returned to Papa Nostros for a week during 1109, further showing that the Flame was still watching, and the return of the Pheonix Totem was taken as further evidence, as the Pheonix is considered a "removed aspect" of the Celestial Flame.
Priests of the Flame
Priests of the Flame are those who have learned at the feet of one who knew the flame. Their full title includes the list of those who have taught them. Priests are trained in the ways of Binding Wounds, of Knowledge of Herbs, Knowledge of the Woods, and in Hypnosis. They are scribes, and often have other practical skills as well (Blacksmiths, Farmers, Carpenters), though that is not essential. They will have spent many summers learning at the feet of another Priest, before they themselves can take on the mantle of Priest. Before this, they are called "Neonates of the Flame".
The Book of the Flame
The book of the Flame is essentially the "holy book" for the followers of the Celestial Flame. It is not just one book, but a collection of books written by various high-profile members of the faith. While no book is removed, books are often added, or appended too as the Flame reveals herself more clearly.
Extracts
Book of the Flame, 25:17
The path of the purified is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the Spirit, and the tyrinies of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of Charity and Good Will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper, and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengance and furious anger those who attempt to poisen and distroy my brothers, and you will know my name is the flame, when I lay my vengance upon thee.
Purify yourselfs for the time of return is at hand!
Clerical Spell Lists (Obsolete)
As The Flame is "Dimensionally Challenged", priest of the Celestial Flame do not have access to these magics.
| The Gods of Aberddu and Urdd | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Light Alliance | Neutral | The Dark Alliance | ||||||||
| Law | Sea God | Krynok | Aesthetics | Celestines | Trickster | Chaos | Keesoth | Death | ||
| Dead Gods | ||||||||||
| Celestial Flame | ||||||||||
