Mithrasism - The Ancient Religion of the Celestian EmpireCourtesy of DaveIronside for original conceptThe Symbol of Mithras The Ecclesiastical State is home to the Celestian Catholic Church which is also the state religion. However prior to the arrival of St. Peter and the advent of Christianity, the Ecclesiastical State was known as the Celestian Empire, named after the capital city of Celestis, which primarily was inhabited by Noniam settlers...
Creation MythIn the beginning there was nothing but rock and water. In a cave the water began to drip onto a single spot and from this spot was born Mithras. He soon discovered that he had incredible power and could turn the rock and water into anything he desired. Being hungry he summoned a bull from the rock and with his bare hands broke its neck before feasting upon it. Over time Mithras created the world and everything in it was designed to please him. Despite his wondrous creation however he felt lonely and by weaving flowers together he created the first woman Maron. The two had many children who settled all over the world that he had created. From time to time his descendants argued and would come to him for advice, his eldest son Proteus recorded this wisdom which was often recounted by Mithras in story form. These stories were moral parables which instructed people how to act and how to behave. This document of the parables of Mithras is known as "The Code of The One" and forms the basis of worship and prayer.
After living amongst his people for thousands of years Mithras became weary of the bickering of mankind, he gave orders that a human should be picked to ensure "The Code of The One" was followed. Mithras told his followers that he would ensure that his bloodline would flow and that people would know it by it's righteousness. Having left things in order Mithras journeyed back to the cave in which he had appeared and where the single drop still flowed. He sat under the drop and in front of Maron's eyes was washed away to form a great ocean to protect those closest to him. The faithful believe that created the island continent that is today Albion.
THE CODE OF THE ONEAn ancient stone inscription in a temple showing part of "The Code" It is believed that the God Mithras passed on a moral code to the world, this is known as "The Code of the One" and it had become an integral part of the culture of the Ancient Celestian civilization. Its rules helped form the basis of law and moral decency, and even inspired the latter Christian religion which prevailed. The Code also containts an assemblage of parables and passages that the common man can relate to and live by. All topics tend to lean toward meditation on one's own significance and the path of righteousness towards a state of higher being. It also emphasizes the greatness of Mithras.
The Code is broken down into Nine Virtues.
1.Courage
2.Truth
3.Honour
4.Fidelity
5.Discipline
6.Hospitality
7.Self Reliance
8.Industriousness
9.Perseverance
Each of the virtues contains rules which the faithful follow. This list however is not complete as in total over 1,000 parables have been found.
1. COURAGE
Never turn your back on a foe
Master fear and do not let it guide you
Do not let fear change your word
Protect those who can not protect themselves.
2. TRUTH
It is your duty to learn as much truth of the world as possible
Knowledge is the path to truth
Never give false oaths even if it costs you your life
Stand up for what you know is right.
3.HONOUR
Your name is your worth, attach only good deeds to it
You owe honour to your God, your descendent and your monarch.
Respect the honour of those you meet
4. FIDELITY
Love your family and friends
The one you give your heart to is the keeper of your soul.
Loyalty is earned through actions not words
Keep the Nine Virtues in your heart in all you do
Those who give you loyalty are deserving of your faith.
5.DISCIPLINE
Control your urges lest they betray you
Do all things in moderation
Practice arts to defend yourself and those you love
Live your life to the Code
6.HOSPITALITY
Give your guests your best
Respect the home of your host, he shall be your shield while you are under his roof, your sword shall never need be unsheathed.
A guest deserves your first and your last, be it your wine or your food
Be hospitable with your actions and thoughts
7. SELF RELIANCE
Decide your own path and work hard to fulfil it.
Accept no charity you can not return
Educate yourself to be better than you were yesterday
8.INDUSTRIOUSNESS
Contribute your fair share to the table
All your hours should be filled with goodness
There is always one more thing that you can do.
9.PERSEVERANCE
Hard work brings more honour
Failure is not an acceptable excuse for stopping your duties
A journey stops at it's end not where you fall.
THE PRAYER OF THE ONE
Courage is my strength
To withstand wretched foes
To sail against the storm
And the will to insist
Honour is my will
To defend my dear folk
My moral in battle
And the drive to do Good
Truth is my oath
To keep what I pledge friends
My word to my kin
And my address to a foe
Fidelity is the love
That I give to my kin
My faith to a pledge
And the bearing of debt
Hospitality is my house
That a traveller shall share
Warm meal on a hearth
And my last horn of mead
Discipline is my strength
To adhere to routine
My daily devotion
And the restraining of wrath
Self-Reliance is my strength
To decide my own path
My hand that feeds the mouth
And my survival in wild
Industriousness is my stride
To produce what I can
The fruits of hard work
And the bread on my plate
Perseverance is my will
To pursue a hard task
My endurance of pain
And my devotion to work
Passages- "Hallowed is Mithras "
- "Truth is the beginning of the Path."
- "Blessed is The One that deliver us from evil."
- "Hallowed are those who walk in unison."
- "Sanctus Mithras." Translation: "Holy Mithras."
- "Fear not The One, fear the darkness that would conceal the knowledge of the universe. Believe in the truth of all things, and you too may find the Path to enlightenment."
- "Blessed are those who follow the Path to Origin."
- "Glorious is The One, who didst lead us to salvation, who did fight the evil that would doom us to mortal sin. And now, with the strength of our will, The One does call upon us to prevail against the corruption of all unbelievers."
- "Guide us on the Path so that we may triumph over the enemy of our salvation, and be with you in the End of Ends on the planes of enlightenment."
- "Andras chose to hunt the lion and was eaten by his prey."
"The only true darkness lives in the hearts of those who do not follow the Path. Otherwise, there is always some measure of light. And where there is light, The One sees all!"
- "Caelium videri esset. Et terra rus ad sidera tollere vultus. Ex uno disce omnes." Translation: "Heaven was seen. And the countryside will lift its face to the stars. From one, all will learn."
- "Enim lupin purnum pravus intus." Translation: "Verily, the corrupted sinner will be cleansed from within."
- "Life and death, light and darkness, hope and despair. The rift was created, and on that day The One was born. But the hatred of those who strayed from the true Path festered and bloomed in the dark corners of the Avernakis to which they have been cast! And consumed by this hatred, they poisoned all they touched, bringing death, darkness and despair. And the souls of their victims knew no peace, until The One came and whispered to them: 'Sleep, for the end draws near!' And on that day all will rejoice, when The One come and lays them low."
- "It is we who must seek the truth of the universe in order to achieve enlightenment."
- "Lessons of days gone by teach us what will come to pass."
- "From the smallest seed of doubt springs forth the mighty poisonous tree of evil."
- "Blessed are the true believers, for only they shall walk the Path, and they shall be welcomed unto the realm of The One and made as one with Him."
- "Make yourself one with the Path, and the journey will lead you to eternity."
- "Our journey towards enlightenment may take us to many unexpected places."
- "Ours is not to question, but to rejoice in their service, for The One is perfection."
- "Leave not the smallest pebble, for any hindrance will slow the people's progress."
- "Pity not the blind man, for he is hindered not by the visions of this world. But rather, pity yourselves, for he shall see the light before you."
- "Where we come from and where we are going are all the same."
- "He spoke to the sky and said: 'And the people shall deliver the wicked unto your divine judgment, where their sins shall be weighed in the balance of all that is just and true'."
- "Enemies of The One will show no mercy in their attempts to lead us astray from the true Path, likewise we must attack with all the Strength with which we have been given.
- "Those who abandon the Path are evil."
- "Foolhardy are those who do not follow the Path."
- "Those who reach enlightenment shall rejoice with The One forever."
- "The power and the greatness of The One cannot be denied. Those who reject the Path to enlightenment must be destroyed."
- "Those who seek the Path to enlightenment must not be led astray."
- "Those who follow the Path of righteousness shall be raised up high."
- "Amica was forgiven his transgression and found his way back to the Path."
- "Death is only the beginning of the real journey."
- "Truth eludes he who does not seek it with both eyes wide."
- "As he lay there, dying in the sun, the sands of the desert all around him, Petrias spoke to the rock, not with his lips, but with his mind. And the rock wept tears of fresh water, and his thirst was quenched."
- "So it came to pass that Ver Omesh was gripped by a great famine. So Markon went to the Prophet Articus and asked to go to the forest for food. The prophet bade him be patient, for The One provide for all who have faith. But Markon did not believe. So the prophet drew a line in the sand and told him, 'Step across and you may do as you wish.' So Markon did and left the village and feasted on wild berries. The fruit was bitter. It did not satisfy him. He longed to return to the village, but found that the line had widened to a great chasm. He called out to the Prophet in fear, but the Prophet said, 'The line has not changed; it is you who have changed. Step across if you truly believe.' So Markon prayed for forgiveness and took the first step. And the hands of The One enveloped all those who welcomed him back."
- "Aroden then took off the mask and revealed his face. 'Your appearance matters not,' he said. 'Only the truth of spirit in your heart'."
- "Let not the words of deceivers lead you to doubt, nor the enticements they offer cause you to stray."
- "And those who are prideful and refuse to bow down, shall be laid low and made into dust."
- "The flames of ignorance burn without pain. Beware the power or it will consume you before you know."
- "And then did Tyolus say to the people of the low plains, 'Seek not the wickedness amongst your neighbors, lest it find purchase in your own house'."
Parables- The story of Amica: This is an example of a man who swayed from the will of the Ori, but he was forgiven his transgressions and found his way back to the path.
- The story of Hannor Mir: Similar to the Earth legend of Icarus, but with a happier ending. He fell from above and learned to fly on the way down. Priors of The One called this a good example of a miracle.
- The story of Petrias: In a time of need he spoke to a rock, not with his lips, but his mind, and the rock wept tears of fresh water until his thirst was quenched.
- Egidius of Valdair needed to speak things that could only be spoken in the light of the fire.
- Andras who chose to hunt the lion and was eaten by his prey.
- The story of Tyolus who said unto the people of the low plains: "seek not the wickedness amongst your neighbors lest it find purchase in your own house."
- Antaris and the river; how the people of the low valley were freed from the yoke of an iron serpent who ruled over them without mercy.
- The story of Markon and the great famine that struck the village of Ver Omesh; where Markon went to the Prophet Articus and asked to go to the forest for food. The prophet bade him patience and stated that The One provide all those who have faith which Markon did not have. The prophet drew a line in the sand and said "'step across and you may do as you wish.". Markon did so and left the village to feast on wild berries. The fruit was bitter and did not satisfy him. He longed to return to the village but found that the line had become a great chasm and was told by the prophet that nothing had changed except Markon himself. He was told to step across if he truly believed. Markon begged for forgiveness from The One after realising his mistake and The One accepted him back. The village was also blessed with their light and prospered.
- Aroden, who wore a mask to conceal his face, but told the faithful "Your appearance matters not. Only the truth of spirit in your heart".
- The story of Ortus Mallum, the Birthplace of Evil where a mountain erupted to bury the place where evil originated.