Pheridian

Ensharden Nedrahsne

Pheridian belief is often defined by some as an Obscuran religion. While true by some definitions, Pheridian belief is one of the larges religious denominations that is not a Zolaen-Centric, or Trinity-Centric belief system. It is based in worship of The Oldshards. Two ancient and mysterious relics with magical properties like nothing else. The Apex and The Vertex. Pheridian belief sees The Oldshards as perfect objects. Two things which strike order amongst the chaos of Zol.

The true nature of The Oldshards is not known, but it is written in Pheridian scripture that they were once understood by Pre-Undoing Changelings. Pheridian belief idealizes the concept of rediscovering The Oldshards. Only through this understanding can order be made of a chaotic world.

• The Oldshards
• The Glassius Reach
• Changelings
• The Pattern
• Pure Form
• Pure Voice
• True Form
• Shardcallers
• Singing
• Form Art
• Symmetry
• Perfection
• Order

• The Oldshards

Pheridian scripture believes that Goh’zul, while destructive and terrible, was a collector of great things. He would scour the cosmos, accumulating pieces of the universe within himself. These things swirled within his infinite form. Together they blended and merged into a wonderous, and chaotic mess. The world of Zol. This interaction within Goh’zul’s body killed him, but Zol grew from his remains.

Goh’zul collected many things. Forces, Gods, and objects of immense power. Each one a marvel in its own right. However, only 2 objects stood out as perfect. The Oldshards.

Pheridian scripture tells of ancient people being advanced and peaceful. Pheridian belief rejects the theory of the Triumvirate. It is thought that ancient Changelings had a comprehensive understanding of The Oldshards before The Undoing.

Pheridian scripture does not give a cause for The Undoing. It actually claims that attempting to infer that information is heretical. It instead believes that the true cause of The Undoing is information that is actually stored within The Oldshards. It is only to be known when that information is dispensed by them.

The church within Pheridian belief are unique as they also serve as places of education. It is an organization known as The Eelynn. Leading these organizations is handled by Shardwitnesses. Shardwitnesses are much more than just clergy within The Glassius Reach, as they are also scholars, politicians, tacticians, and things of the like. However, some Shardwitnesses bear the responsibility of leading their people in faith. They do bear a hierarchy within The Eelynn, however there are not titles associated with rank. All leaders are simply known as Shardwitnesses, but rank is a carefully determined structure done based on the individuals within the organization.

Each Glassian city has its own manifestation of The Eelynn, with its own organizational structure.

• The Eelynn

Modernist belief focuses on the idea living ones life in an orderly way. Each person’s life has its own unique shape and the process of strengthening one’s faith involves finding how that shape fits into The Pattern. Modernist belief sees The Pattern as more of a suggestion rather than a set of distinct rules.

Fundamentalist belief consists of very strict adherence to The Pattern. It is believed by these individuals that more information about The Oldshards can only be found through devotion to The Pattern. Straying from The Pattern is a sin in the eyes of a Fundamentalist.

• The Glassius Reach

• Pheridian religion was significantly harmed during the Western War when The Apex was lost. This has caused much uproar within Pheridian belief and the effects are still at the core of this great loss.
• Pheridian belief sees other Gods merely as powerful entities, not divinity. They are to be respected, but not worshiped.

• The Eelynn