Holy Empowerments
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The Holy Empowerments are a collection of methods in Forntianism by which one cultivates The Keys of Transcendence, in order to grant the Forntian practitioner the ability to internalize such powers into daily experiences, and eventually to internalize it into their being. It eventually grants the believer the ability to overcome any and all weaknesses of their circumstances, and allows them to change their lives for the better. These different actions are various ritual methods by which one can learn the keys through direct experience of those powers and confronting these weaknesses with the will to destroy them. These tasks can be simple ritual and ceremony which includes demonstrative acts; devotional songs, chants, dancing, storytelling, showmanship, puppetry, and ritual drama; acts of creation, which includes drawing, painting, sculpting, woodwork, metallurgy, glassblowing, engineering and inventing; Acts of learning, which includes studying of the physical world, studying of magic and the supramundane, studying of people and societies and keeping these studies available for all to follow the path; Acts of Generosity and civil service which are acts taken to help all beings prosper happily, to preserve the world and the sacred order, to promote good and the law, and to punish crime and reward lawfulness; Self Mastery which includes physical, moral, and mental training, and performance of ordeals, meditation and contemplating the holy books and tales.
Overcoming Ignorance and Gaining Wisdom
Ignorance is considered to be a powerful weakness and it obscures many pathways to power. In addition to being a poison which inflicts stupidity, it also causes obstructive challenges to healing and empowerment. The panacea to ignorance is to take the path of discovery and the path of learning.
This Forntian empowerment takes itself in many methods:
First one must become an acolyte and learn how the world works through observation of the physical world, and study of mathematics.
Then one must examine theoretical material, facts, theories, inference, and logical reasoning.
Then one must experience the world's theories by testing and confirming or discerning truth from falsehood.
Once the Physical World and Mathematical World is thought to be Understood, one must apply this to learning what was previously unknown
Re-examine what you know, and question what you don't know.
Take a pilgrimage to discover what is new knowledge.
Teach others knowledge and be taught.
With this method, one can take the path of the Forntian Archivist in which knowledge is discovered and treasured and kept for others to discover. They may also become Loremasters through a rigorous examination and testing period.
Overcoming Fear and Gaining Courage
Fear is considered to be a crippling weakness and it obscures many pathways to power. In addition to being a poison which inflicts cowardice and recklessness, it also causes obstructive challenges to righteous and lawful action. The panacea to fear is to take the path of Bravery and the path of Self Mastery.
This Forntian empowerment takes itself in many methods:
First one must become an acolyte and learn moral honesty through philosophical discussion and study of moral texts and ideas.
Then one must gain intellectual honesty through study of the theory of knowledge and theory of mind.
One must learn physical honesty through physical training meant to push one's limits in order to learn them.
One must then contemplate these values that have been learned and apply them in specific ordeals meant to confront one's fears and weaknesses.
These weaknesses are taken forth to learn the value of community and security
Teach others knowledge and be taught.
Take a pilgrimage to discover new fears as a vision quest.
With this method, one can take the path of the Forntian Consecrator in which one learns to protect others from fearful things, and banishes away threats. They may also seek to become a Holy Paladin of the Order with a final ordeal meant to test their mettle against terror and lawlessness.
Overcoming Unsociability and Gaining Justice
Unsociability is considered to be a terrible weakness and it obscures many pathways to power. In addition to being a poison which inflicts isolation and lawlessness, it also causes obstructive challenges to good and noble friendship. The panacea to unsociability is to take the path of Righteousness and the path of Law.
This Forntian empowerment takes itself in many methods:
First one must become an acolyte and learn how people think and act as an individual and as a whole through psychological and sociological study.
Then one must gain understanding of virtue by reading the Holy Texts, watching the Noble Ones, examining history, and the Teachings in the Holy Tales.
Then one must learn the study of the Law and Learn of Virtues of Righteous Leadership.
One must then contemplate these values that have been learned and apply them in specific tasks meant to encourage civil service and charity.
They must teach others this knowledge and become leaders and defenders of the law
They must then create laws that promote proper societal benefits
Take a pilgrimage to find the meaning of justice.
With this method, one can take the path of the Forntian Councillor in which one learns to unite the populace behind ideas in creation of laws and act in service of the people or the Lawman who encourages those who defend the law. They may be given a Public Harrowing and an election by which they will be recognized as Leader of the Forntian Order of Idealists. The first among equals, and after death given the High Honor of Knight Templar. They give the faithful their holy tasks, and often assign penances and atonement for wrongdoing, and decree honors and glory to the law keepers and the good.
Overcoming Corruption and Gaining Purity
Corruption is considered to be a destructive weakness and it destroys many pathways to power. In addition to being a poison which inflicts cruelty and evil, it also causes obstructive challenges to loving families and friendships. The panacea to Corruption is to take the path of Compassion and the path of Kindness.
This Forntian empowerment takes itself in many methods:
First one must become an acolyte and learn the theory of the Good.
Then one must examine the Holy Texts, watching the Noble Ones, examining history, and Teachings in the Holy Tales.
One must learn how people think and act as an individual and as a whole through psychological and sociological study.
One must perform civil services which are acts taken to help all beings prosper happily, to preserve the world and the sacred order
One must meditate to destroy and control ill-will and cruelty
One must take Vows of Ethical Discipline
One must take a Vow of Universal Friendship, a vow to be a friend to all beings with no exceptions.
Take a pilgrimage to spread this friendship.
With this method, one can take the path of the Forntian Counselor or Spirit Healer in which they swear to protect and help act as a guide to those who desire help for their troubles and healing for ailments. Others may be given a Holy Task and will become a Holy Cleric of the faith.
Overcoming Recklessness and Gaining Temperance
Recklessness is considered to be a destructive weakness and it destroys many pathways to power. In addition to being a poison which inflicts wanton harm, it also causes destruction to good relationships with people. The panacea to Recklessness is to take the path of Mastery and the path of Control.
This Forntian empowerment takes itself in many methods:
First one must become an acolyte and learn the theory of self-mastery.
Then one must examine the Holy Texts, watching the Noble Ones, examining history, and Teachings in the Holy Tales.
One must Contemplate one's actions and their effects by meditation.
One must perform civil services which are acts taken to help all beings prosper happily, to preserve the world and the sacred order
One must meditate to destroy and control ill-will and cruelty
One must take Vows of Ethical Discipline
One must take a Vow against excess
Take a pilgrimage to defend the weak in other places.
With this method, one can take the path of the Forntian Uncorruptible in which they swear to protect and and enforce the law and protect against their own excesses and corruption. They may be given a sacred task to become a Holy Warden or a High Agent of the Faith, and others become Ascetics and monastics.
Overcoming Irreverance and Gaining Ascendance
Irreverance is considered to be a destructive weakness and it ends many pathways to power. In addition to being a poison which devalues all experience, it also causes unhappiness with life and emptiness of one's circumstances. The panacea to Irreverance is to take the path of Beauty and the path of Awe.
This Forntian empowerment takes itself in many methods:
First one must become an acolyte and learn the theory of aesthetics, philosphy and performance.
Then one must examine the Holy Texts, watching the Noble Ones, examining history, and Teachings in the Holy Tales.
One must learn the methods of beautifying the world by word, thoughts, and actions.
One must perform civil services which are acts taken to help all beings prosper happily, to preserve the world and the sacred order
One must practice rites and ceremonies to encourage the value of the society and the individual and the world as a whole
One must create value and express meaning in all actions and allow it to flourish throughout the world
Take a pilgrimage to learn the meaning of beauty elsewhere.
With this method, one can take the path of the Forntian Sacred Bard in which they swear to create and beautify the world with value and meaning in all their actions, words, and thoughts. A particularly skilled bard may be tasked with a specific Holy Drama and may gain the ability to become The Sublime Troubadour or The Rite Invoker.