[quote=@Kingfisher]
[hider=Upon this rock I will build my church]

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[img]   http://pre12.deviantart.net/2c1b/th/pre/i/2015/165/2/5/fallout__flag_of_the_great_midwest_commonwealth_by_okiir-d8x9tgw.png   [/img]

[h1]The Church Of Solhua[/h1]

Race/Race Description:

[b]  [u] Multiple Races [/u] [/b]
 
[img]http://pre01.deviantart.net/e8e7/th/pre/f/2011/182/4/7/tiefling_paladin_by_saturnoarg-d3kpdoj.jpg   [/img] 

Being one of the foremost religious establishments in all of Uraz, the Church of Solhua is comprised of many different races, which serves as a reflection of the diverse nation itself. Despite this, the most prominent positions within the church are held exclusively by humans. 




Culture:


A powerful ecclesiarchy, the Church of Solhua combines military strength, political intrigue, and fanatical faith to forge a civilisation built upon blind dedication to its holy masters. 

Based within the city of Otthviton, the Church of Solhua stretches out all across Uraz, manipulating entire kingdoms by hiding behind a carefully constructed veil of divine will. Whilst Otthviton may be one of smallest cities in all of Uraz, it is one which commands vast treasure troves, and entertains an overly decadent lifestyle. 

The Church of Solhua is built around the holy deity “Yathimiya”, the sacred flame. The Church preaches that Yathimiya is the sun itself, and that he casts his divine light down upon all of creation. 

In reality, the Church of Solhua is a deeply corrupt institution which controls an immensely prominent religion, and all those who follow it, by extension. The governing body of the Church are the “Divine Masters”, who will happily endorse one country's invasion of another, in return for a sizeable donation to the holy coffers. 

Location on Map:

Otthviton sits on one of Uraz’s western isles, not far from Akas. 

Technology:


The Church itself is not particularly technologically advanced, but as the dominant religion of Uraz, it doesn't need to be. The Church’s power comes from its ability to manipulate others, and not its own industrial strength. 

[img]  http://orig07.deviantart.net/2ac7/f/2009/176/e/7/cathedral_by_molybdenumgp03.jpg  [/img] 

History:

What started as the faith of an obscure Zugian tribe got picked up by an expedition of wealthy explorers, and swiftly turned into a gold making machine.

Through a mixture of scriptures and word of mouth, The Church of Solhua spread out across Uraz; using promises of divine reward and threats of eternal damnation to capture the minds of the population. The conversion to  the  Solhua faith was a quick one, and soon the institution had countless people of importance within its dark grip.  

As time swept by, the Divine Masters became increasingly more greedy and promiscuous, until any semblance of true faith was long forgotten. 

 Centuries has passed since the faith of Yathimiya became an institutionalised religion, and its shamanistic routes have been all but lost in the place of a capitalist construct. 

[img]  http://orig01.deviantart.net/2b93/f/2012/188/5/f/cathedral_by_insolense-d56dyaa.jpg [/img] 

The Divine Masters: 


Name:

High Father Benedictus VIII

Race: Human

Appearance:

[img] http://orig03.deviantart.net/814e/f/2009/033/8/f/bishop_by_eggar919.jpg [/img] 

Despite his old age, Benedictus the eighth is an imposing figure, with silvery white hair and skin like hard leather. He carries himself  with an air of divine regality, and his presence inspires unquestionable devotion. 

Backstory:

As the son of the High Father, Benedictus grew up knowing that he was destined to rule Otthviton. His childhood was an extravagant one, full of life and laughter. 

Until the day of his father’s murder. 

A faction of dissident rebels bombed the Holy City, and the then High Father was blown to smithereens. Benedictus was brought before his father, in the old man’s final hours, and watched as the mutilated body of the head of the church was slowly drained of life, writhing about in unimaginable agony within his bed chamber. 

This had a profound impact upon Benedictus, shaking him to his very core. As a result, the young man grew up hating the commonfolk of Uraz, and holding all those who weren’t members of the church in vicious contempt. 

However, he also grew up cunning. 

As soon as his father passed on, it was the job of Benedictus to assume control of the church, and that meant learning how to use and manipulate everyone around him, lest him himself become a pawn in someone else's game. 

As the years flickered by Benedictus only became more and more devious, slowly morphing into the master schemer that he is today. His life has been a decedent one, and the old man shows no signs of slowing any time soon. 






Name: 

Sir Jebediah Kothmayim

Race:

Human

Appearance: 

[img] http://pre11.deviantart.net/2812/th/pre/f/2014/125/a/0/paladin_knight_by_cynic_pavel-d7h9ls3.jpg  [/img] 

Sir Kothmayim is a towering figure, clad from head-to-toe in blessed plate mail, and broadsword bigger than some men. Beneath his armour he is just as imposing, standing at a giant height, with a body covered in finely toned muscle. 

Backstory:

Born into the noble house of Kothmayim, Jebediah was pledged to the holy vanguard of the Church from a young age, whereas his brothers and sisters grew up to become lords and ladies. 

Jebediah endured years of soul-destroying training, as the High Father slowly crafted him into the perfect weapon of the church, subjecting him to twisted alchemical experiments to boost his strength and size. Once his training was complete, The young knight was appointed as the High Father’s personal bodyguard, and the protector of the Divine Masters. 

Now, Jebediah serves as an icon of the church, and a dark reminder of its incredible wrath.







Name:

Maid Melantha, the Holy Virgin

Race:

Human 

Appearance:

[img] http://img08.deviantart.net/c727/i/2015/125/d/3/jubilicious_by_derrickfish-d1l88d6.jpg [/img] 

A short young woman, with a curvaceous form and soft white skin. Melantha has crimson hair, and has gotten considerably more plum in recent years, due to her decadent indulgences. 

Backstory:

The adopted daughter of Benedictus, and his appointed successor, the irony from the holy virgin’s name comes from the fact that she is neither of those things. Whilst her merciless cunning caught her father’s attention, Melantha is as sinful and indulgent as they come, partaking in grotesque displays of hedonism on an almost daily basis. 

Whilst the people of Uraz might see Melantha as a beacon of purity, the reality is that she is the farthest thing from holy. 






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