Olde Faythe

The olde faythe has been around for as long as people can remember. The religion was very common along the western coast of Amestria in ancient times, but the fall of Exodia triggered the inevitable birth of the Holy Cardinal Pontificate which precluded and replaced the olde faythe almost everywhere. In the olde faythe heaven is considered the singular seat of divinity, which makes the religion semi-monotheistic. There are also gods, servants of heaven which are occasionally sent down to Amestria to perform the will of heaven. The interpretation of heaven has always been disputed among believers, and has resulted in countless different interpretations known as faythes.

Beliefs and Practices

The core beliefs and practices of the olde faythe are mostly uniform across all believers, but the fundamental interpretation of heaven is divided into faythes.

Holy Aura

It is believed that heaven engulfs all of those who reside within it in a holy aura. The holy aura's effects have been interpreted differently over the millennia, but in most cases it relates to gaining characteristics commonly associated with gods. The gods themselves reside in heaven, and are nurtured by the holy aura. When they descend from heaven to carry out the divine will, it is believed they cannot stay long lest they lose their power and become weakened through the absence of heaven's aura. For most people the holy aura relates to the afterlife, where they are promised eternal life and of course the holy aura.

The Faythes

There used to be a limitless number of different faythes in ancient times, but after other religions started to take root only the most prevalent faythes survived. Today there are two major faythes which exist, the celestial faythe and the todo faythe.

Celestial Faythe

This faythe believes that heaven completely surrounds Amestria, being represented by the night sky. The sun is considered the center of heaven with the holy aura's light emanating from it. The stars in the sky are believed to be the gods who reside in heaven, exuding the light of the holy aura. Amestria is considered impure and absent of heaven's aura and in need of guidance by heaven. (Other non-luminous objects in the sky are treated the same way.) When people die, it is believed their soul travels to heaven. If they were a particularly benevolent person their soul might even emit the light of the holy aura over Amestria as a new star for all to see. This faythe is quickly declining in modern times, most likely due to pressure from the Pontificate and recent discoveries in astronomy.

todo Faythe

The todo faythe believes that heaven is an intangible plane of existence that can only be reached as a body-less soul or as a god. Heaven itself is rumored to be realm of pure golden light and eternal bliss, a utopia reserved only for gods and those who were benevolent to others while alive. Benevolence is very important here, as it signifies the emulation of godliness.

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marriage under the stars