Really? I always thought they were different from each other, kind of like how there are different shrines and temples based on the gods you worshipped.
[ he is very :o as they go inside... take me to plurch (plant church) ]
Maybe in other places, but not so much for us. It's rare to find anyone in Solistia who worships outside of the Sacred Flame; even the individual gods are always worshipped together, though someone may find themselves more drawn to one or the other.
[ even though this is a weird scifi church it's still like, a chapel, so... it is kind of nice. it feels very homey, and temenos walks down the aisles between the pew like he owns the place, lacing his hands behind his back as he looks around. ]
I grew up around a very large church, myself, but it's hardly necessary for any sort of practice. You could pray in a barn, for all the gods really care.
Guess that's true... I don't practice or anything, but I know a couple of people who are really into their beliefs. I've got nothing but respect for 'em.
[ ichiban views their surroundings more with curiosity than reverence, though he's very respectful either way. it's kind of like someone gushing about a fandom you're not in—you have no idea what the hell they're talking about, but it's their jam and it sounds kinda cool, so you're happy for them. ]
Thinking about some higher power out there in the heavens dealin' cards to us lowly mortals just isn't my style, heh. But... if it gives meaning to other people's lives, who am I to tell 'em to stop? S'long as they're not hurting anyone else, more power to them, I say.
Oh, I highly doubt they care enough to deal cards to anyone.
[ ichiban is being so nice and good and respectful about this and temenos is like eh. fuck em. fuck the gods. ]
You and I are in accordance, at any rate. [ temenos reaches the podium and turns around again, looking thoughtfully at ichiban, hand to his chin. ] I don't quite know where you'd find yourself falling, among our pantheon, truthfully, though I'm sure I know what you would like.
Aha, something like that, yes. The Flamebringer is the patron god of clerics, as he was one himself.
[ (baby temenos voice) he's cool and has a CATCHPHRASE ]
But, I am well versed in all eight of them, and extraordinarily well versed in the scriptures as a whole. Such is the life of an inquisitor - memorizing ad nauseam since I was old enough to read. They are all part of the Sacred Flame, anyhow.
Huh, that so? The religion I learned about while I was in Hawaii was fire-based, too... what is it about fire that makes people wanna start entire belief systems about it?
[ again, he asks more out of genuine curiosity than trying to give off any smartass vibes! much to consider... ]
[ again the comedy of ichiban who is so respectful and genuine and temenos who is just a smartass ]
I imagine because light and warmth are something we all need. It is simultaneously powerful and welcoming - a beacon and a burning, depending on friend or foe. [ temenos hums a little. ] Ours has a bit of a tale to it, if you'd like to hear it.
[ you know the best thing about this is that i've already played temenos before so i have this already written out!!! but he chuckles a little when he takes to the pew and then walks past him, heading for the lectern. and then, with a bit of a sweep of his arms, a little flourish, he will launch into the story. the lore is told in the voice of a storyteller - he does have a knack for it, and the drama builds through each line... ]
Long, long ago, darkness and chaos reigned over the lands of Solistia. The hearts of the people ran over with wickedness, and the world reveled in its misery and despair, with naught a mote of hope or warmth to fight back against the icy weight of the dark. The god Vide had taken its place at the crest of the world, powerful and cruel in its desire to race the world to its very end.
Eight godly beings were the only remains of any righteousness in the world. These eight fought valiantly against Vide's forces, and as they reached the heart of Vide's power, many were near slain, lying unconscious on the stone floors. With the last of their powers, Alephan the Scholarking and Dohter the Charitable led the charge for a final, ultimate act of desperation - each of the gods poured all of their divine might into Aelfric, the Flamebringer, the final god left standing.
And Aelfric did turn towards the altar, and said the words, "The truth... lies in the flame", and ascended the stairs to confront Vide alone, with the power of all of the last gods of Solistia behind him.
"Do you truly mean to enshroud us in shadow?!", he asked.
And the god of chaos turned the world to darkness, and its red, red eye did come to turn on Aelfric, as it spoke, "Now, I am become chaos...devourer of all life in this world. Even you, foolish Gods! All shall be mine!"
"You have made your choice," said Aelfric, the Flamebringer, "And now my righteous Flames shall burn you to ash!"
And the battle raged on, glorious and powerful. Vide's forces were nearly too strong - a dark calamity threatened to sweep the land. Aelfric was near his end, bleeding his very lifeblood on the altar, and Vide did laugh. "You cannot hope to best me," it said, "See how the light fades from this world."
"...No." Aelfric said, "The flame has been entrusted to me. From its humble light shall a fire be lit...shining its light upon the darkness."
And with his divine resolve, and all the skills of the gods behind him, Aelfric brought down a divine effulgence, calling upon the Sacred Flame, newly created. "Burn bright, O Sacred Flame. Burn bright..."
[ here he
pauses. frowns. wrinkles his nose? all the dramatic storytelling drops and he waves a hand. ]
.... Well, there's another line there, but I forgot what it was. Ah well. To spare the dramatics - Aelfric's divine flames consumed the wicked Vide, and disaster was averted. The eight gods had no life force remaining, but the flame that Aelfric used was repurposed, and took their immortal souls into its breast, and spread across the land of Solistia, into eight sacred Flames, located across the continent. And thus, the Sacred Flame was born, and the people did continue to live in light and warmth.
[ JOKE TAGS AND LIFE HAPPENING ASIDE, ichiban actually does pay attention to temenos's tale, no bullshit given. he's something of a natural born storyteller himself, too, so he appreciates the dedication to the craft, the theatricality of making the story come alive. ]
Man, and that's the kid-friendly version? Kinda makes you wonder how things really went down before the history books had to clean things up over the years...
[ he leans back in his pew, crossing his arms thoughtfully. ]
What happened to Aelfric himself after all that? Did he die after the others once everything was said and done, or did he stick around afterward?
[ i was expecting to parent up and see the zzz tag still here im ngl
temenos appreciates the rapt attention, honestly - though yes, it definitely feels lacking without his paper play. he has a feeling ichiban might have actually enjoyed that quite a bit, all teasing aside. but, he props his chin in his hands and leans on the lectern afterwards, regarding his audience. ]
He joined the others to be the final Sacred Flame. It is said that his Flame is the one that rests in Flamechurch, now - thus the aptly named town.
[ and my username. ] The Cathedral of the Order of the Sacred Flame was built just outside of it, and the faithful make pilgrimages through the mountains and to the Cathedral itself at least once in their lifetimes. Supposedly, the gods watch over us through the flames themselves, or something along those lines.
You really like saying that, huh? [ "or something along those lines," he means. ] What happened to studying the scripture so many times you know it by heart?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ he is very :o as they go inside... take me to plurch (plant church) ]
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[ even though this is a weird scifi church it's still like, a chapel, so... it is kind of nice. it feels very homey, and temenos walks down the aisles between the pew like he owns the place, lacing his hands behind his back as he looks around. ]
I grew up around a very large church, myself, but it's hardly necessary for any sort of practice. You could pray in a barn, for all the gods really care.
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[ ichiban views their surroundings more with curiosity than reverence, though he's very respectful either way. it's kind of like someone gushing about a fandom you're not in—you have no idea what the hell they're talking about, but it's their jam and it sounds kinda cool, so you're happy for them. ]
Thinking about some higher power out there in the heavens dealin' cards to us lowly mortals just isn't my style, heh. But... if it gives meaning to other people's lives, who am I to tell 'em to stop? S'long as they're not hurting anyone else, more power to them, I say.
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[ ichiban is being so nice and good and respectful about this and temenos is like eh. fuck em. fuck the gods. ]
You and I are in accordance, at any rate. [ temenos reaches the podium and turns around again, looking thoughtfully at ichiban, hand to his chin. ] I don't quite know where you'd find yourself falling, among our pantheon, truthfully, though I'm sure I know what you would like.
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Haha. No, no, not really. Most people just worship them all together, but someone like Throné, for example, has found her path with Aeber, the Prince of Thieves.
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[ (baby temenos voice) he's cool and has a CATCHPHRASE ]
But, I am well versed in all eight of them, and extraordinarily well versed in the scriptures as a whole. Such is the life of an inquisitor - memorizing ad nauseam since I was old enough to read. They are all part of the Sacred Flame, anyhow.
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[ again, he asks more out of genuine curiosity than trying to give off any smartass vibes! much to consider... ]
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I imagine because light and warmth are something we all need. It is simultaneously powerful and welcoming - a beacon and a burning, depending on friend or foe. [ temenos hums a little. ] Ours has a bit of a tale to it, if you'd like to hear it.
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I'm listening.
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Long, long ago, darkness and chaos reigned over the lands of Solistia. The hearts of the people ran over with wickedness, and the world reveled in its misery and despair, with naught a mote of hope or warmth to fight back against the icy weight of the dark. The god Vide had taken its place at the crest of the world, powerful and cruel in its desire to race the world to its very end.
Eight godly beings were the only remains of any righteousness in the world. These eight fought valiantly against Vide's forces, and as they reached the heart of Vide's power, many were near slain, lying unconscious on the stone floors. With the last of their powers, Alephan the Scholarking and Dohter the Charitable led the charge for a final, ultimate act of desperation - each of the gods poured all of their divine might into Aelfric, the Flamebringer, the final god left standing.
And Aelfric did turn towards the altar, and said the words, "The truth... lies in the flame", and ascended the stairs to confront Vide alone, with the power of all of the last gods of Solistia behind him.
"Do you truly mean to enshroud us in shadow?!", he asked.
And the god of chaos turned the world to darkness, and its red, red eye did come to turn on Aelfric, as it spoke, "Now, I am become chaos...devourer of all life in this world. Even you, foolish Gods! All shall be mine!"
"You have made your choice," said Aelfric, the Flamebringer, "And now my righteous Flames shall burn you to ash!"
And the battle raged on, glorious and powerful. Vide's forces were nearly too strong - a dark calamity threatened to sweep the land. Aelfric was near his end, bleeding his very lifeblood on the altar, and Vide did laugh. "You cannot hope to best me," it said, "See how the light fades from this world."
"...No." Aelfric said, "The flame has been entrusted to me. From its humble light shall a fire be lit...shining its light upon the darkness."
And with his divine resolve, and all the skills of the gods behind him, Aelfric brought down a divine effulgence, calling upon the Sacred Flame, newly created. "Burn bright, O Sacred Flame. Burn bright..."
[ here he
pauses. frowns. wrinkles his nose? all the dramatic storytelling drops and he waves a hand. ]
.... Well, there's another line there, but I forgot what it was. Ah well. To spare the dramatics - Aelfric's divine flames consumed the wicked Vide, and disaster was averted. The eight gods had no life force remaining, but the flame that Aelfric used was repurposed, and took their immortal souls into its breast, and spread across the land of Solistia, into eight sacred Flames, located across the continent. And thus, the Sacred Flame was born, and the people did continue to live in light and warmth.
[ the end. ]
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Man, and that's the kid-friendly version? Kinda makes you wonder how things really went down before the history books had to clean things up over the years...
[ he leans back in his pew, crossing his arms thoughtfully. ]
What happened to Aelfric himself after all that? Did he die after the others once everything was said and done, or did he stick around afterward?
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temenos appreciates the rapt attention, honestly - though yes, it definitely feels lacking without his paper play. he has a feeling ichiban might have actually enjoyed that quite a bit, all teasing aside. but, he props his chin in his hands and leans on the lectern afterwards, regarding his audience. ]
He joined the others to be the final Sacred Flame. It is said that his Flame is the one that rests in Flamechurch, now - thus the aptly named town.
[ and my username. ] The Cathedral of the Order of the Sacred Flame was built just outside of it, and the faithful make pilgrimages through the mountains and to the Cathedral itself at least once in their lifetimes. Supposedly, the gods watch over us through the flames themselves, or something along those lines.
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[ are you you're only thirty ]
I have been memorizing it since I was old enough to read...It gets terribly repetitive.
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Younger at heart, though, perhaps.
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I can't tell if that puts me or you in a worse spot.