Heresy & Sin
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
There has never been any small amount of heresy on the corpse of Nave, and many ask what forms of worship and what activities are considered heretical in the eyes of Pandeus. Not all heretics are equal, however, and while the temple faithful are understanding and patient by nature—should the order be founded once again—you will find its ordinators to be much less so.
Heretical Faiths
Of the heresies first is worship of the oldest; the greater numina and numina who have long since become one. Aion, Theus—and as most now know them—Maal, Thalassa, Nave, Skadi, Pontos, and Erebus. Most commonly, these cults revere the still-writhing corpse of Nave through forms of “nature” worship. Admiration of the attributes embodied by the numina is acceptable and even encouraged, but worship is considered heresy.
Examples of numina worship include the ever-shifting pantheons and cults of Tindremic gods, ancient worship of Umbra (a cult of Aion), the Huergar faith in Oghma (Nave worship), the old steppe following of Somaku (Nave worship), the forgotten myths of Manu Bellator, and the desert death cult of Seth (cult of Nave), and the Alvarin tribes which worship—rather than simply manipulate—Anam (Nave worship).
Next are the lesser numina. Immortal in spirit and mortal in body due to the curse of Nave, many of the temple faith themselves are lesser numina, and worship—regardless of one or many—is heresy.
Examples of lesser numina worship include the fallen thief of the forest Avernus, the ancient warrior Kuzen, the speculated Shinarian worship of the Sidoian Zealots, the worship of dragons, and the worship of demons.
There exist misguided followers of Sunna deities that do not meet the conditions for other heresies, who in their ignorance, truly and unknowingly worship Pandeus. While these forms of worship are still lesser heresies, unless the faith in question has made itself an enemy of the Temple, the ordination will take no action against them should they identify themselves and the nature of their beliefs.
Examples of these monotheistic faiths include the common believers in Soldeus and The Order of Lucius.
The worship of any other fringe deities or entities which are not otherwise mentioned is also considered heresy.
Examples of fringe worship include the El'ran Faith, cultists of The Bridge Gods, and The Ashen Order.
Lastly are those of no faith at all. While many who learn of The One find true faith and accept his love, those rare few who hold that The One does not exist are heretics of the highest order.
Heretical Magics
Contrary to Tindremic Law and common assumption, the temple does not treat any of the magical “schools” as heretical themselves, but some specific practices within them are considered heresy.
Of these heresies, first is the worship of Anam by Animists, a common Alvarin practice. The manipulation of Anam, which is to say plainly, the corpse of Nave and its remaining power, is perfectly acceptable so long as it is viewed by the practitioner as manipulation of any other energy. The worship of Anam, however, is considered heresy.
Next is Necromancy. While the temple does not discourage study of the necromantic arts, practitioners are expected to perform the portions of their arts which require corpses with either those of animals, monsters, heretics, or with those of temple faithful who gave permission with witnesses present prior to their separation from it. The use of corpses of temple faithful without prior consent is considered heresy and is punishable by immediate excommunication.
Demonology involves negotiations with the lesser numina known as demons, and while the temple discourages research into the subject due to the inherent risks involved, as long as practitioners remain true to the faith of The One and do not engage in pacts or worship that will prevent their return, no actions will be taken against them. The sacrifice of heretics, animals, or monsters as part of this magic school is considered permissible, but the use of any other subjects is considered heresy and is punishable by immediate excommunication.
Last is Spiritism. It is important to note that the hostile spirits located and captured by Spiritists are those which have been punished to wander forever by The One. The capture and use of these spirits is perfectly acceptable for it will consume and destroy what remains of their essence, but to worship them in any fashion is considered heresy.
Other Sins
While the temple does not condone murder, the killing of heretics is not considered a sin, nor does it affect one’s chances at returning to The One. The intentional and knowing murder of a member of the temple faithful who has not committed grave sins, however, is the very opposite. The punishment such an individual might find themselves faced with in life is both excommunication and death. When time takes them, however, The One will see that they suffer the worst of possible fates for all of untime.
It is possible to repent for the murder of an innocent, but only an Apostle or the Prophet themselves can set someone on the path.
Theft committed against temple faithful is a relatively minor sin and an Exarch can set you on the path to repentance. Stealing from heretics is not considered to be a crime.
Heresies can be broken down into lesser and greater severities. Greater heresy, similar to the murder of temple faithful, is punished by excommunication (if the individual was a member of the Temple) and death.
Temple Law
Temple Law is enforced by an arm of the temple known as the Ordination, who carry judgement if a member of the Prelacy is not present, and punishment in either case. It is not unusual to find a group of temple faithful working with a member of the Prelacy to ensure that their settlement remains free of sin, as members of the Ordination are often intimidating even to those who practice the faith unconditionally.
