The Orphne Faith According to those who follow the Orphne faith believe that the world begins and ends in fire. At the beginning of time a figure known as Orphne took all the elements in creation and using the heat of fire moulded them into something new and wonderful. Over the course of several millenia Orphne worked tirelessly to perfect their creation. Only once it was complete did Orphne use the fire to create the animals that walk the world, fly in the sky and swim in the sea. The key to this though was warmth, so one existed under humanities feet and above their head. These creatures thrived but needed managing and so in one final act of crafting Orphne made humans. The creator made a pact between themselves and humanity that so long as they followed rules given to them by Orphne the creator would ensure humanity prospered.
Since the creation of humans there was the constant need for reguiding humanity as they at times lost their way on the path to following Orphne rules. Periodically it was necessary for Orphne to send help and this was in the form of Nymphs or Guides. Nymphs were female in form and were generally found during times of crisis and would offer guidance before returning to reside in paradise with Orphne. Guides meanwhile were humans with whom Orphne communed directly throughout their entire life often giving them new sets of rules or tasks to demonstrate Orphne's power.
It is believed though that a time will come when Orphne will themselves expire and though the spiritual paradise they created will survive the physical world will be consumed by flames. At this time Orphne will send a final messenger with instructions for how the faithful can avoid being destroyed in this final firestorm.
Followers of Orphne believe that when we die one of two things happens. If we have lived a life that Orphne would approve of we are permitted to enter the spiritual paradise where a person lives forever never knowing pain or unhappiness. This paradise is the world of the Nymphs and these spiritual beings ensure the worthy faithful are brought from the physical world when the time comes. If on the other hand the follower did not lead a worthy life their spirit is reborn into another physical body. This process of rebirth continues until they are deemed worthy.
The Mandates of FireThe Mandates of Fire are a list of rules given to mankind by Orphne close to the beginning of time. They are considered the most basic aspects of the faith. The faithful believe it was the 2nd Guide sent by Orphne, Dryad, who was given them during a period of mass warfare across the world. The Mandates are today on the walls of the nations Council building as well as the entrance to every royal owned property.
The Mandates are as follows.
1. You must follow no path other than that set by Orphne
2. Human life is a gift from Orphne and should not be taken in vain.
3. You should not steal
4. You should not lie
5. The firstborn animal each year must be sacrificed to Orphne
6. You must not force labour from another person.
7. You must not oppress the weak
8. Wealth must be shared among the community.
9. You must not eat blood.
10. You must not have sexual relations with anyone connected to you by blood within four generations.
11. A corner of each field must be left uncut so the poor may take what grows there.
12. You must not prevent justice.
While this mandate is the most basic of Orphne's faith there are various other rules dictating festivals, relationships with Nymphs and Guides and even dress in certain circumstances.
The PriesthoodThe Priesthood is open to both males and females. It is thought female priests can communicate with Nymphs easier than males however the majority of religious sacrifices must be carried out by men. There is a hierachy in the Priesthood which an individual must go through.
Stage 1 - Apprenticeship
This lasts three years is in all but name a degree in the faith. This is done in one of several recognised Houses of Orphne which are similar to what Christians would recognise as a monastry. In the last 15 or so years though these Houses of Orphne have begun to be recognised in a way that means they can actually issue degree certificates and so it is now extremely common for members of the Priesthood to be degree holders.
Stage 2 - Initiate
Upon completing their Apprenticeship a Priest is permitted to wear the robes of the Priesthood with a black trim. They serve two years as an Initiate at the end of which they are questioned about the faith, its rituals and ceremonies by a panel of those senior to them. Having been found knowlegable about the faith they are permitted to ceremonially trim the black trim from their robes. During time in this stage they are assigned a Priest to help mentor them and are expected to assist in various rituals, help do charitable work for the faith, tend to the Temple and various other basic duties.
Stage 4 - Junior Priest
After being passed as an Initiate a Junior Priest is permitted to wear robes with a red trim. They serve as a Junior Priest for two years which at the end of they are onec again quizzed by their seniors. During this time they are responsible for leading certain sections of worship and undertaking duties in the Temple's area that the Senior Priest may not have time for.
Stage 5- Senior Priest.
After being passed as a Junior Priest they add a yellow trim to their robe along with the red. They are now expected to run a Temple of their own if avaliable or if they do not have one of their own support the work of other Priests through such connections as through schools, helping at the Houses of Orphne or even as spiritual counsellors to bodies such as the armed forces. They lead worship and ensure rituals are carried out correctly. They are also permitted to carry out initiations, marriages and cremations. After serving a minimum of five years in this role they become eligible for promotion if selected.
Stage 6 - Temple Father/Mother
The nation is split into various districts each centred around a large Temple. A Senior Priest may apply to run one of their districts when a position becomes vacant. They are expected to oversee the House of Orphne in that area and ensure that Temples are undertaking their duties correctly. They are also responsible for securing stocks of animals for sacrifice and ensuring that they comply with the rules surrounding their use.
Stage 7 - Envoy of Orphne
There are six of these for the nation (OOC - overseas positions can be arranged). Any Temple Parent may put themselves forward for this position when a place becomes vacant. They are then interviewed by the others of this rank and the best candidate is appointed. They help create guidance for the faith and put in place programmes to promote the work of the faith and help spread the word. In addition they expected to act as judges on religious matters and produce scholar style articles on the faith.
Stage 8 - Grand Envoy
The Grand Envoy is the highest position in the faith and is voted for by the Envoy's of Orphne when the position becomes vacant which is normally only in the event of death. The Grand Envoy is the final authority in the faith and is often asked to interpret the various rules in times of ethical dispute such as issues like human cloning. They are often asked to comment by the media and their influence in the nation is very strong.
Festivals4th February - Templa Vestado (Temple Cleaning) - This is a day of duty where it is expected the faithful will visit the Temple and take with them gifts for the Priesthood or the Temple. The Temple is cleaned and any jobs such as painting are carried out by the community. At the end of the day a sacrifice is carried out and those who have helped share the meal as a way of celebrating having ensured the creators house is clean for another year.
21st June - Festivalo de Kreado (Festival of Creation) - This is the most holy day of the year for the faithful. It marks the day on which it is believed Orphne created the first human. People celebrate by sacrificing a creature of the air, land and sea to the creator. They also visit Temple and collect from there a piece of firewood which is used to keep a ceremonial fire burning throughout the coming week. Huge parades take place in local communities where celebrations tend to last 48 hours.
18th September - Tago de la Gvidistoj (Day of the Guides) - This day is put aside to show respect and admiration for the people who have been Guides for Orphne. The local community make effigies of the Guides which are paraded through the area with people throwing fresh flowers onto them as a sign of respect. Once they reach the Temple the effigies are put on display for 48 hours and locals come and pray to them in the hope that on this special day the Guides will be more receptive of their prayers.
21st December - Nokto de Nimfoj (Night of Nymphs) - It is believed that on these evening the spiritual and physical worlds are at their closest and this enables the Nymphs that serve Orphne to move between the two. Communities leave out food for the Nymphs as well as leaving lists of prayers by the fire. It is customary to stay up all night around the fire telling stories with family while eating and drinking in celebration of the works the Nymphs do.
Rituals