Connlaothian Religion

Despite their aversion to magic, most Connlaothians are religious. They draw a distinction between magic and miracles, and divine miracles are not believed to be magical or against nature; they are the work of God. Their national religion is Ansgarism, a monotheistic faith.

It must be noted that while the following is a general run-down of their faith, there are many different denominations within the religion and different duchies and individuals may follow different versions of the religion. And while most people are religious, born raised in their nation's faith from childhood, that is not to say that every citizen is devout. Cities, being cultural hubs, tend to be more secular (with the busy citizens paying lip-service more than anything) than the more religious country, though the church still has a strong influence in the nation as a whole.

Ansgarism

Ansgarism is a monotheistic religion that worships a deity named Ansgar, a male warrior god who is addressed both by name and simply as "God". However, there are a large number of saints that are worshiped heavily, for they are viewed as a more human and less intimidating figure to pray to than Ansgar. Different areas have different patron saints that they revere and saints all have sway over something, such as lost children or battlefield injuries. Many churches that worship a particular saint have mementos of that saint, such as a skull or robe that belonged to the saint.

Connlaothians are all taught that magic goes against nature and against Ansgar. Magic is a tainted force, sent to tempt and corrupt the weak. It is the use of magic that causes the violent and dangerous weather that plagues Connlaoth. It is Ansgar's will that all magic be purged from the land. Once the land and its people have been freed of the taint of magic, it is believed that Ansgar will return and there will be paradise on Earth.

They believe in an afterlife and that those who led good lives get to live in paradise. Those that have sinned are sent to a fiery hell, where they are burned by fire until they have been cleansed of their sins and repented. But while they do believe in hell, redemption and forgiveness is a large tenant of their faith, and their hell is not a permanent torture but a purifying force. Once they have been cleansed, they are reborn on Earth to try again to live a good life and reach paradise.

In Connlaothian mythology, Ansgar was a great and holy warrior that defeated the forces of magic that had destroyed the Earth, though he died in the process. He favors soldiers, his teachings focusing on purging magic from the world and the importance of harmony with the natural forces of Earth.

The church has a structure of ranks, with monks and priests giving mass in towns and running most of the smaller churches. The higher ranking members of the church are typically found in the larger cities and in the grander churches. All churches have some religious relic of some kind in them, anything from a skull or finger bone or other piece of a saint to something that was used by the saint.

Mass occurs everyday, though most people only attend on Ansgar's Day; only the very pious attend daily. Still, the church plays a large role in peoples' lives and people who do not attend church to at least pay lip-service are generally noticed and gossiped about.

During mass, the priest gives a sermon, incense is lit, and then people come forward to place a small, hard baked loaf of soldiers' bread at the base on the reliquary. Priests will also hear confession and give out the appropriate penance for the sin; fasting and self flagellation are common penance. The church believes strongly in redemption, salvation, and the power of choice. They want to help guide people onto the correct path. After all, life is all about choices, and anyone can choose to go to paradise if they make the right decisions. Those that make poor decisions must face the consequences in the afterlife--just like in life, if you commit a crime you are punished.

The church does not teach that those who possess magic are evil; instead, it teaches that they are merely being tested. Those that succumb and use magic have turned their back on Ansgar and are to be destroyed. Those that have been convicted of great crimes, such as murder or magic-use, are still given the chance to repent and save their soul before they are executed. The church does its best to help those with magical powers resist using them, often providing them places to live and helping them learn to live with the constant urge to use magic.

Because Connlaothian religion makes a distinction between magic and miracles, some magic-users are able to slip through the cracks, posing as faith healers and prophets. The real test for them is when a Mordecai is sent to investigate the phenomena.

Church Ranks

• The Patriarch is the head of the Church as a collective whole.

• Cardinals advise the Patriarch, and when the Patriarch dies, the Cardinals elect the next Patriarch.

• Bishops are ordained ministers who are responsible for teaching the faith and running the church.

• Priests have the authority to administer religious rites, and offer advice to those who seek help with spiritual matters. They are responsible for holding mass and hearing confession, as well as doling out penance.

• Deacons assist the priests and many are priests-in-training, in the process of completing the last year or so of their ordination. Deacons can run Mass in the absence of a priest.

• Brothers and Sisters are the servants of the church, that help out in the community and the church. Many are mages, as the church is a safe haven for them and can assist them in resisting temptation. This is the only rank that women and mages can join.

Mages who commit the crime of using magic may also come to the church, repent, and be absolved of their crime--but only if they agree to devote their life to the church and serve.

Churches also offer food and shelter to travelers, but only if they agree to work during their stay.

View on Other Religions

While Connlaoth's national religion is monotheistic, worshiping only one god, they do not believe he is the only god out there. They fully acknowledge the gods of other religions, and they are fine with other religions and accepting of their citizens practicing other faiths and following other gods so long as they do not delve into magic-based rituals and practices. They are even open to people blending religions, practicing both their original faith and Connlaothian religion and worshiping both their own gods and Ansgar. Connlaothian religion is quite flexible.

While they do not endorse other religions, and while they try and spread the word of Ansgar, people who follow other faiths are free to practice within their borders.

While Connlaothians are tolerant of other religions, they do still genuinely believe that theirs is the best one and even practice evangelism. Some especially pious members of the church even journey to the neighboring nations in order to try and share the word of Ansgar outside their borders. They do not believe in forcing their religion onto others, though they do enjoy spreading the word of Ansgar and converting others through discussion, sharing, and convincing.