Forntianism

Forntianism is a religion indigenous to the Mist Continent that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Grandmaster Aventris Clarius, who is commonly known as the First Knight Templar. The Knight Templar lived and taught in the eastern part of D'hɑlbrisir early in Spirean History during the Holy Wars. He is recognized by Forntians as a an exarch whose geass was to share his insights of the Holy Law to sentient beings and help them understand the sacred teachings. The teachings are the elimination of ignorance of the Sacred Law. By understanding the Sacred Law and through divine empowerment the attainment of transcendent sublime state of being is achievable.

Two major sects of Forntianism are generally recognized: Forntian Idealism "The Way of the Teachings" and Forntian Realism "The Way of the Exarchs". Forntian Idealism has a widespread following in D'hɑlbrisir and also in Mystrian Altea. Forntian Realism is found throughout Carceno and Western Mystrian Altea.

While Forntianism remains most popular within Mystria, both branches are now found throughout the world. Estimates of Forntians worldwide vary significantly depending on the way Forntian adherence is defined. Monastic Communities vary on the exact nature of the path to transcendence, the importance and canonicity of various teachings and scriptures, and especially their respective practices. The foundations of Forntian tradition and practice are Knighthood, the Monastic Community, Sacred Acolytes, the Study of Codices, the Practice of the Keys of Transcendence, Understanding The Sacred Law, and the Holy Pilgrimage.

The First Blessings, Anointing, and the ceremony of names has traditionally been a declaration and commitment to being on the religious path, and it in general distinguishes a Forntian Practicioner from a non-practicing Forntian. Forntians consider all beings to be Sacred Acolytes of the Law, so conversion in and out of Forntianism is not considered necessary to spiritual practice, but the First Blessings, Anointing, and the ceremony of names is considered a proper induction ceremony to begin the religious path in the Practicing Forntian Community.

Other practices may include taking vows and ethical precepts; support and joining of the monastic community; the development of mental discipline and empowerment; the practice of sacred trances; cultivation of higher wisdom and discernment of the Law; study of scriptures; devotional practices; ceremonies; invocation and evocation of deities; Healings and Counseling; Vigil Guarding; Ministerial Duties; Cleansing, Banishment, and Exorcism; Marriages; Funeral Services; Spellwork; Oracular Duties; Archiving; Anointing etc.

Universal Forntian concepts

The Sacred Order

Main article: The Sacred Order

The Sacred Order is a Forntian Principle in which "Fornt" is proclaimed to exist as system of deterministic laws that govern mathematics, physics, social and personal interactions. These laws are purportedly determined by nature, and thus are considered completely universal. These laws are binding rules of physical, mathematical, and moral behavior deducible by Reason, History, and by observing the Consequences of Will and Actions. The Sacred Order is the moral source from which natural laws derive their authority. The Sacred Order encompasses the natural relations of beings to one another, and to nature. The consequences from veering from the sacred order are said to produce unpleasant consequences. Laws of a given political community, society, or state may be examined for its lawfulness by its consequences, and are considered part of the Sacred Order. The sacred order can serve as a standard by which to criticize said laws and also to judge the actions, words, and thoughts of sentient beings. Virtues, Rights, and values are inherent in or universally cognizable by virtue of reason and nature, and are inherent in the sacred order.

The Holy Web of Law

Main Article: The Holy Web of Law

The Holy Web of Law is a Principle in Religious Forntianism which explores the interconnectedness of the individual person or persons with natural law. of The world to a Forntian, is considered to be governed by infinitely entangled webs of laws which control all aspects of the world. These laws are mostly unobservable and invisible, but can be made observable and visible with or without instrumentation by use of reason. Many more unobserved laws are yet unknown and cannot be observed with or without instrumentation, and there are unobservable laws, those which cannot be observed at all due to limitations of Spiritual Weakness. Attempting to view the Holy Web of Law is compared to being a hanging bug attempting to look at the cast shadow of an invisible Spider's web. One cannot see all the tendrils which bind them, but one can see the cast shadows upon the ground if they are able to carefully look or use cunningly created tools to look. While it is generally believed that none can truly escape the constantly shifting natural laws and changes, by observing the law by its effects Forntians believe one can redirect and overcome known natural laws allowing themselves to transcend beyond it. Sentient beings are said to exist as an effect of the web of law, and when they are born, they are born spiritually weak, limited, and constrained by their ignorance of the law. It is when they choose to understand it, that it gives them the ability to grow and become wiser to transcend their condition of absolute weakness and ignorance. It also promotes innovation to learn how to use natural law to one's own advantage. Therefore knowledge of the Web of Order is considered to be crucial to religious understanding, and is desired and coveted. The goal of Transcendence is compared to using discernment as a blade to cut one's self free from the invisible spider's web.

Acolytes and Transcendence

All reasoned beings without restriction are considered acolytes. Their gifted reason means they are able to understand and learn the sacred Law. The Forntian Belief in the Web of nature ensures that there is no chaos in the world, there is only complexity. Knowledge of the complex can be uncovered through use of reason and discernment. Reason grants one the ability understand the world, society, and themselves. Discernment allows one to understand their place and role within the sacred order. Once they are able to know this position, they can use knowledge and wisdom to overcome it. By overcoming one's own spiritual weaknesses, it allows one to transcend their existing condition of limitedness. One can also master society, and mastery of society allow one to master the world. The corollary of this means that there is the ability to attain a position without limitations. Therefore all Acolytes are on the path to a state of no weakness or limitations.

The Will and the Divine Mandate

Main article: The Clash Between Divine Mandate and Will

Will is considered to be the force that drives knowledge of the Sacred Order. Good lawful deeds produce good results as a force of will and bad lawless deeds produce bad results as the will allows it to come to fruition using the strings in the Web of Order. The avoidance of evil and lawless actions and the cultivation of positive actions is considered Holy action. In Forntianism, Will refers actions of body, speech or mind that spring from mental intent and they bring about a consequence or result. In Forntianism there can be no divine salvation or forgiveness for one's actions, since it is a purely impersonal process that is a part of the makeup of the universe. The notions of cosmic retribution brought about by cause and effect is based on the idea that created beings fulfill their true natures when they follow the path set for them by the ordinances of Fɔrnt, and failing to follow those ordinances was thought to be responsible for the appearance of various forms of calamity and suffering. Committing one's actions to the governance of Fɔrnt, is referred to as fulfilling divine mandate, and is understood to be imperative in ensuring one's own well-being.

Rebirth

Main Article: Forntian Conceptions of Rebirth

Rebirth refers to a process whereby beings go through a succession of lifetimes as one of many possible forms of sentient beings, each running from conception to death, however Forntianism believes that sentient beings conventionally exist as indeterminate entities made up of constantly changing parts. Beings upon death therefore are entangled by the web and the parts which make up the person are separated and change into a wholly new being. According to Forntianism there ultimately is no such thing as a being that is separate from the web of law, therefore dissolution of the conventional being is accepted as inevitable upon death. Rebirth in subsequent existences must be understood as the continuation of a dynamic, ever-changing process of transformations determined by the will and the law rather than that of one being, transmigrating or incarnating as the same being from one form to the next. Each rebirth takes place within Myriad planes of existence.

Spiritual Weakness

Main Article: Spiritual Weakness

Spiritual weakness is considered to be a combination of forces which make a person weak and limited, and unable to cope with existence as it is. Among which the most powerful force of spiritual weakness is ignorance of the law and divine mandate. Then there is the limiting force of cowardice which prohibits a person from acting on principles either out of apathy or fear. Then there is the limitation of unsociability which isolates a person from the whole community. Then there is the limitation of Corruption, a willingness to commit harmful acts in malice. The limitation of Recklessness, a willful or unwilled inability to control one's self. And the Limitation of irreverence, which is the inability to see value around one's self.

The Keys of Transcendence

Main Article: The Keys of Transcendence

The Keys of Transcendence are considered to be the ways people overcome spiritual weakness. These methods are manners of mental training and guidelines for conduct. Strengths of Wisdom and Knowledge are cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge. Strength of courage is emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, externally and internally. Strengths of Purity involve interpersonal strengths that involve attracting good wholesome power. Strength of Justice is civic strength that underlies healthy community life and discourages corruption and evil. Strength of Temperance are strengths that protect against excesses and recklessness. Strengths of Ascendance are strengths that forge connections to the larger universe at whole and provide meaning and appraisal to value experiences, persons, and objects.

Holy Empowerments

Main article: Holy Empowerments

The Holy Empowerments are a collection of methods by which one cultivates the Keys of Transcendence, in order to grant the 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. 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.

Exarchs

Main article: Exarchs

Blessed men and women who are given an assigned task by the Law are called Exarchs. They are given immortality and supramundane power to help them to achieve this task. After their task is completed, their immortality and supramundane powers dissipate, and they usually weaken and die.

Forntian Sects

Forntianism is organized into two historical sects, and these sects have very different structures, beliefs, and practices. Forntian Idealism was arguably originated with the tradition and practices of Aventris Clarius who established the First Order of Idealist Monastic Community, and they arranged the first Council of Forntian Codification. The Holy Codices were written and it included all the traditions and practices of the first order, and they were since continuously updated with each 50 years of time with a new council. With the Orderites being Ideological Conservatives, they retained a loosely hierarchical structure, with a primary focus being upon the individual believer’s relationship with the holy teachings. After the arising of heterodox teachings after the end of the Holy Wars in the Fourth Council of Forntianism, the Order of the Silver Flame broke off from the Order of Idealists. Their teachings in modern days now strongly differs.

Forntian Idealism

The existing Conceptualizations of Fornt for Forntian Idealists are specifically Panentheistic Deism. Fornt is not considered a personal God, and nor was Fornt existing post creation other than in the sublimated role of governing the laws of the existing creation itself. The Exarch’s role was to serve alongside the lay and priestly community. The Exarch was not considered a Spiritual Authority of the teachings, but the Council is, giving the Exarch a minor role in the faith. The focus of the religion is outwards, in which one's expression of religion is a social activity and it is supported by society and social institutions. The focus is on personal empowerment and purity, and finding one's place in an ordered society. The Predominant "deity" is Fornt, God of Order and Law, and every other deity is considered a different expression of Forntian Holy Order. Divine interaction is considered to be any magic or divine spells, and also in good fortune, therefore all such are considered to be divine interaction in favor of the believers, and divinity in all things. The afterlife is spread throughout several planes and cannot be reached by the living, and the dead are reincarnated into them. Belief in the supramundane is widespread, and there is much superstition which is common. The supernatural encapsulates all deities visible and invisible which are part of the universe we know and others we know not about. Worship can be very solemn with individual's prayer at shrines, or be jolly and festive with ceremonial empowerments, songs theater presentations, and ceremonial dances which present the drama of creation and of the Exarchs and saints. Clergy includes both genders who can reach to the highest levels of the clergy. Clergy function as ceremonial leaders, military leaders, police, healers, governors, counselors, ascetics, exorcists, and security consultants.

The lifestyle of the clergy is spartan, and communalist with all donated gifts being shared among the clergy and anyone may also requisition the goods needed. Family is considered core to the layfolk, and is also considered an option for the priesthood. Vows of Chastity are options among the extremely devout, but a vow of poverty is required for the clergy. One becomes part of the Forntian clergy by becoming ordained by a clerical order. One can distinguish a Forntian clergyman with a magical or divine aura, and with their uniforms which are often in the navy blue hue with gold trimming. There's also the Symbol of the silver flame and the golden scales of justice which are embroidered on the back of their uniforms with golden threads, the shield of faith which is embroidered in silver threads over the heart, and the flaming blade of discernment held on a golden badge. The Layfolk receive the knowledge passed down from clergymen via many holy books with some commentary, and also through direct interaction with the order. Associated artforms with Forntianism are tile murals, the holy dramas, the sacred dance, and the poetry of the writings. Coming of Age is 16 years old, and involves a Rite involving a test of knowledge. Marriage ceremonies begin with the engagement/proposal which is presented with a gilded arrow to one's beloved. There would be four ceremonies and the wedding ceremony which includes a ceremonial rite of lighting the flame. Each of the four ceremonies include many prayers and rituals.

Death Rites are performed after a period of mourning, and the body is embalmed during this period and then on the final day the body is placed aloft a boat or raft and fire arrows are fletched for use of the ceremony. The boat is covered in anointing oils and the prayers are recited as the boat is cast adrift and the arrows are fired at the body and it is immolated. A Major Taboo for Forntians is receiving money, to the point that corruption is punished by death. The Prevalence of Forntian Idealism is that it is believed by many in D'hɑlbrisir, and Outsiders are well-recieved and are thought to be following a different spiritual path that may lead to the same ends.

Ultimate Reality

The Web of Law is considered to be not a singular governing principle, but people refer to it as a singular system of entangled principles inseparable from one another. To say that there is One truth behind all laws is considered foolish, but to say that there is more than one is also considered foolish as the Law is formless, invisible, and mysterious. It is transcendent, and an all-pervasive reality, it is sovereign and omnipotent over all things. However it is not personal. the Law is considered to be truth and also consists of moral laws regarding polarity, relationality, and interdependence and the force behind Cosmic Justice

Origin of the Universe

The Universe is said to have Originated from “Fornt”, which is the ultimate embodiment of law and a ground of all being. Upon the universe’s creation, the living deity Fornt had become the unconscious and the underlying web, and ground of all being which sustains all law, order, and life.

The Role of the Believer

The Person’s relation with the Law

The role of the individual believer is to attempt to seek transcendent power from which one may enjoy and seek happiness and higher purpose in life in the eternal law. Inborn Goodness and Conscience is implied in the teachings, and the Believer is said to be able to deliberate and choose to willfully direct their lives. While the universe is considered to be lawful and deterministic, the believer is said to play a role by making their own effective choices. The Original Mind at birth is said to be “No Mind”, and the Forntian Idealists believe persons to have an essential blank slate from which to learn the Law.

The Person’s Relation with the Community

Aspiring to Perfect relations between the believer and the community, the family, parents and children, husband and wife, wife and wife, or husband and husband, between friends and teachers and elders, are considered to be Crucial. Unity and community are considered to be incredibly important to strengthen one's own personal character. In order to do so there must be a belief in the inherent equal value of all people within the community with regards to respect, loving-kindness, compassion, shared joy, and the mandate of harmonious ethical conduct. The struggle to create a Utopian Society is considered to be important, therefore necessitating a moral and/or a community based participatory government.

The Person’s Relation with Nature and Living Beings

There is a strong belief in the Sanctity of Nature. Temples and other religious locations may be in specific natural places, but the common belief is that nature should be respected, feared, unprofaned and untouched. Reverence and respect for life is considered to be crucial to maintain good relations with nature. Failure to do so by lack of understanding and/or lack of good-will is said to lead to harm.

Ethical Mandates

Moral ethical precepts are supposed to be in line with the Keys of Transcendence and with the additional religious belief of reciprocity. Spiritual Error is considered to be crucial weakness, there are precepts considered to be guidelines of avoiding disharmonious and lawless conduct. Idealists believe that evil originates more from a degraded moral nature. It comes from opposing good and delighting in evil which is considered the core of spiritual corruption. Therefore the mandates are to avoid evil and delight in the good.

Ethical Precepts

Precept Holding is considered to be the core of self-disciplinary conduct. The precept holder creates a law for themselves to follow. Forntian lay followers are generally given their first vows in the Ceremony of Names.
The vows for laymen are:

I vow to not harm acolytes with bodily actions and verbal actions.
I vow to aspire only to good and lawful conduct.

I vow to take nothing which is not given to me.

I vow to respect all persons’ bodily integrity

I vow to not hurt myself or others with my own mind.

Breaking Precepts are considered to be proof of spiritual weakness, and the believer is meant to continue to challenge themselves with more precepts and vows.

Clerical and Religious Duties

While Spiritual Growth is one of the most important religious duties, as is the Cultivation of the Good, Sincerity, Courage, Purity, Self-Control, Perseverance, Patience, and Wisdom; the primary duties of the Clergy are to support the lay followers and the community.

The Holy Vigil and Uncorruptibles

An example of community support are the Uncorruptible’s Holy Vigils. Uncorruptibles are Templars and Monastics who make the dangerous choice to conduct a Holy Vigil. Vigils are considered to be an act of devotion and are conducted by clergymen. They are trained to become defenders of the faithful, acolytes, and the law. Their duties are to watch the community and defend them by force of arms, force of words, and force of mind against the wicked and corrupt. They must serve and protect all those who they cross in their vigil, and their vigil once taken never ends. It is perhaps the most rigorous holy task one can take.

The Sacred Bard

The Bard is a Forntian purveyor of the mystical arts. They create poetry, song, magical, visual and physical artistry like sculpting, and modeling with wood and glass and metal. They take all such things like performances of rituals, rites, and songs and ceremony and apply them to life and express the wonder and awe of the law in practice. They are masters of performance and aesthetics and pride themselves on being able to delight the hearts with ritual storytelling and dramatic presentation. Their duties are also to teach morals in subtler forms through the arts.

The Archives and Archivists

The Search for Knowledge is meant to be done by means of studying Scripture, The World, and Tradition. Therefore it is the duty of the archivists to gather and disseminate all knowledge. Simultaneously Teacher and Disciple, an Archivist is the disseminator of Learning and Practice in the faith, and warden of the Holy Cloisters that make up the Archive. They are also meant to commemorate and document all history.

Ascetics and Monasticism

While spiritual practices such as Prayer is considered irrelevant as a practice, Meditation and Trances are considered essential rituals of empowerment, and are taught by ascetics and monks. They also teach restraint and moderation, and how to control anger and subdue personal desires and passions, which are considered important to ascetic practice. Detachment from dependence on the senses, and renunciation of personal wealth is also considered something the monastics consider essential, and therefore they conduct it. Beyond rituals the ascetics help guide the laymen on how to apply teachings to one's life. Monks accept Offerings, Donations, and Facilitate Conflict Resolution.

Holy Clerics

A Holy cleric’s duties are very important to Forntian Practices. A Cleric acts as a healer and counselor to the faithful, and also a consecrator, and an exorcist. A healer can choose to focus on one of the diverting aspects.

The Spiritual Healer

The Healer Cleric focuses on medical and magical healing arts. They may use various methods or focus on a specific kind of medical practice. Their practices vary from practicing conventional medicine, Spiritual/Psychological Healing, Herbalism, Magic of any kind is tried, and most tried and true methods of healing are explored.

The Counselor and the Lawman

Acting as a mediator, attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law and precept enforcement attempts to maintain the stability of political and social authority, and to deliver justice. A lawman involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specific individualized problems, or to advance the interests of those who retain them to perform legal services. They also retain the ability to guide the judges and judgemasters in making proper decisions.

The Consecrator

The Consecrator’s job is to protect faithful adherents from all physical and non-physical threats, to make a place safe, to provide defense, and also to make a location holy. They also offer consultations on how to make places safe, defended, and holy. They declare and purify sacred spaces, declare and purify sacred objects, declare and anoint sacred people, provide crisis management planning, provide personal protection services, provide protection of acolytes, create security systems design, guard places of Ceremony, Ritual, sport, public use, and entertainment. Provide technical surveillance countermeasures, provide threat, risk, and vulnerability tests and assessments, provide travel security briefings, and perform other Sacred Rites of Consecration.

The Exorcist

The Exorcist’s duties are to banish corruption and impurity from the community. This may be done by ordering several different methods. They may use the Ceremony of Admonishment which includes public shaming, humiliation rituals, rebuking, public censure, banishment of unholy beings. The Ceremony of Restoration which is performed by imposing tariff sentences, heavy fine, rehabilitation, mandated healing, community service orders, reparations, mandatory consecration, compensation, and unpaid work by the unholy being in order to restore their dignity and moral value to the community. The Ceremony of Binding, which includes intensive supervision orders, electronic tagging and monitoring, restraining, and imprisoning. The Ceremony of Disavowment which places banning orders of practices or persons upon a realm or place. Finally there is the Ceremony of Purification, which is when Corporeal Punishment, Physical or Mental trials, or Execution is called for.

The Councillor

A Councillor is a person who is elected by the Acolytes who writes and passes precepts, edicts, mandates, and laws. Their duty is to explore the creation of precepts which promote the interests of the good and welfare of all acolytes.They also set the temple budgets and allocate the funds to each. Their duties also extend to creating, amending, repealing and discussing edicts, precepts, mandates and laws. It is crucial for them to discuss and have support of acolytes in order to prevent the wickedness and corruption from profaning the sacred place.

Celebration and Holy Days

The Lesser Ceremony of Chillmorne is on September 23rd and is a fall harvest celebration mostly celebrated in the mountains. The Traditions of this festival is to bake cakes and also to make gourd faces which are carved faces into Wendiran Gourds. They’re also delicious in cakes for their mild sweet nutty flavor. They’re said to taste a bit like pecans but with the texture of a melon and are very good that time of year. The people to the south wear Colorful Garments and sing special folk songs called “Yittersprings” which are melodic and cheerful

The Day of Civil Service is specifically a celebration of religious significance to those who believe in the Pantheon God Fornt of Justice celebrated on October 2nd and commemorates those who go into lives of civil service, those who work in charities and those with a fair and generous spirit, and there is fasting by all Forntians, and visits to the Temples and given donations to those in need or performing meritorious actions and deeds. The focus is to perform as many selfless actions the way Civil Servants do. And for Civil Servants to get some acknowledgement for how very difficult their jobs are.

The Day of Remembrance is celebrated on October 31st and is a memorial celebration commemorating the dead and those who fell in battle protecting the freedom of Crystal Spires. Most people return to Memorial Plaques of their families and perform dedications in family shrines, and the traditional funeral garments are worn which are long draping black robes. Dirges are sung as are Remembrances and also some songs from the Canticles as well. Small glutinous rice cakes stuffed with soft fruit jams are traditionally made for the day and lilies are often draped over the Memorial sites.

The Greater Ceremony of Chillmorne is a winter season celebration and is celebrated on December 21st. And this is a festival of candles and song, celebrated with gifts and songs called “Luminae” which are traditionally festive songs. The “Viridae” are more morose songs sung during that season but it’s less common to hear them outside of rural areas. Sweet Dark Chocolate Cakes called “Chillmorn Burns” are made which is similar to Black Forest cake, but with Chocolate glaze topping and coconut shavings.

The Ceremony of Great Purification is a religious celebration mainly done by those who worship the Pantheon God Fornt celebrated on February 15th, but it's also election day, as well as a celebration where many ceremonial acts of ritual purity are performed. These acts include Cold Water dousing, usage of incense, abstinence, fasting, and smudging. Anyone running for office is expected to isolate themselves and also to meditate or keep out of the public eye.

The Lesser Ceremony of Eventide is a spring celebration that is on March 21st. It is a celebration of vibrance and color. And flowers are used to adorn peoples. Special sweets are made such as “rebiets” which are like sweet sugar cookies. There’s also the Bardic Festivals and the Art Festivals which are performed. And the most famous Spirean Theater Troupes also come to perform in most major cities.

The Greater Ceremony of Eventide is a summer festival celebrated on June 21st. It’s usually celebrated with fireworks and also with large cook offs and traditionally it’s a time where kites and floating lanterns are made and flown through the sky. Phoenixes would however become curious about the kites and play with them setting them aflame. So most people call this festival the “Evening Flame”. because all the kites would only be up as long as the phoenixes wouldn’t burn them out.

Religious Pilgrimage

Religious Pilgrimages to Holy Temples are often taken, but the ceremony of Journeys is specifically a task upon Forntian Idealists where they are to take a Spiritual Journey. The worshiper shall not know the immediate destination but their journey ends once they feel that the place and time is right and they have found where they truly belong. The journey may be a meditative one or a literal one. The wanderlust is said to be supported and not discouraged by the Forntian Idealist Practicioners.

Religious Symbolism

Forntian Idealist religious symbols seem to embrace more of the traditional symbolism which embody the universal concepts. Some of the most famous symbols are the Sword of Perception which slices through ignorance, the Shield of Temperance which guards against recklessness, the Scales of Justice which keeps the heart balanced, the Key of Transcendence which unlock the sacred realm of transcendence, the Web of the Sacred Order, the self-consuming serpent of Corruption, the golden lotus of ascension, and the All-Seeing Eye of Wisdom.

Forntian Realism

Fortian Realism recognizes Fornt as a monolatrist personal god, a concrete being that is capable of physical presence within this realm. Forntian realism is less outwardly focused than idealism, and worship is less community based and more individual focused with progression towards a spiritual growth of becoming pure enough to be reborn as an exarch. There is less emphasis on the spiritual communalism in Forntian Realism than in Idealism. Unlike Forntian Idealism which maintains that Spiritual growth is made through positive interaction with the universe, Forntian realism maintains that Fornt only interacts with believers through the fragments of his consciousness which exists in exarches. They act as avatars of his will and are given immortality until their task is completed. It is stated that Fornt created the Law, a set of inherent universal truths. The Law is transcendent, inconceivable to the mortal mind, and sovereign over the perceivable universe; a structure that holds all of creation together so that it may be in harmony with itself. It defines the universe and all in it, and forms the barrier between this world and the infinite mirror-images and perversions of reality, holding this universe to be “the original”. This means thaat the Law is subject to Fornt's designs, rather than being an expression of Fornt itself. Unlike the idealists the Exarch is imbued with a fragment of the god’s will. S/he/it is recognized as the sole messenger, interpreter, and dictator of Fornt’s will to mortal beings, and is infallible, incapable of wrongdoing. Thus the Exarch is the sole moral arbiter in the order and other institutions and Holy Books are considered irrelevant to passing on the tradition of Forntianism, but identifying with a lineage approved tradition of Realist teachings from the words of exarchs and tutelage under said persons will help your chances of becoming an exarch in the next life. In Forntian realism the undead and supernatural elements are considered to be blighted existences to be destroyed, as opposed to creatures to be pitied and comforted in their times of struggle. The symbol of realism is more associated to the silver flame rather than the scales of justice. Outsiders are viewed with much more suspicion, and apostates are shunned.