The Imperial Creed (Imperial Religion)

The Imperial Creed is one of wealthiest and most powerful religions known to Man. Monolithic in scope, it has an almost oppressive influence on Imperial society and anyone who considers themselves a citizen of Empire tend to at least pay lip service to the faith, as it is commonly believed that the shared religious convictions of a people bind then together in unity.

Omicron propaganda states that the Imperial Creed is a faith of worship for the Emperor, but this is a radical view of their beliefs. In truth, the Emperor and the Empire are revered as part of the faith, and believed to be blessed by the Divine, while all members of the Imperial Creed actually give praise to an impersonal god that they refer to as the Divinity. Believed to be the creator of all things, it is also thought to be unknowable to the common man, and as such only members of the Clergy and the Emperor himself can interpret the will of the Divinity, which is why they must be revered and followed, so that their faithful and members of the Empire can act properly to the will of their god.

The religious services of the Imperial Creed are highly ritualistic. Daily masses are held in nearly every community and weekly service is considered obligatory . They venerate the Divinity, as well as many “saints”; Imperial heroes of great renown who have done great deeds throughout the course of history. Such status of sainthood is given to the Emperor himself, and as a Living Saint, the faithful to the Imperial Creed believe his leadership and right to rule is a holy order.

The religion is divided into three sects, each with a different function. The clergy of the Imperial Creed wear black vestments with trim depending on their sect; gold for the Divinity of the Emperor, silver for the Divinity of the State, and white for the Divinity of Humanity.

The Holy Symbol of the Imperial Creed is a sword, pointing downwards, within a laurel.

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Divinity of the Emperor

These adherents view the Emperor as an ambassador of the Divine Will more strongly than most. By serving him, they serve Divinity directly. In Imperial controlled regions, they are the inquisitors and secret police of the the Imperial Creed and, in other places, they are information gathers and saboteurs against the faithless and heretics who would undermine the will of the Emperor and thereby, the will of the Divinity.

They view it as their duty to root out corruption within the Empire and the Imperial Creed, as well as covertly deal with the enemies of both. Because of this, even after the formation of the Council of Baraldamere (which allowed priests of the Imperial Creed to preach in other lands) this particular sect is usually outlawed beyond the borders of the Empire. Even in the city of Tel Vinrae, where most things are tolerated (albeit, quietly in some cases), those who are found to be following this particular ideology are usually removed from the city.

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Domains: Community, Destruction, Domination, Inquisition

Favored Weapon: Short Sword

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Divinity of the State

The most prominent sect within the Imperial Creed reveres the state itself as a divine institution. Emperors come and go, and sometimes historians discover unsavory things about the revered saints, but the ideal of a unified Mileria is eternally sacred. In many ways, it is the most open-minded of all sects of the Creed; all who swear to serve the Empire are equal. Unfortunately, the standing belief in this sect that all Mileria will be a better place under the banners of the Empire, has bred countless wars.

More than any other faction within the Imperial Creed, it considers militancy a virtue. To them, evangelization is often done by the sword, and it is their sacred duty to spread the glory of the Empire across Mileria and beyond. Most of the negative view from outsiders concerning the Imperial Creed is created due to over-zealous believers in the Divinity of the State.

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Domains: Community, Domination , Protection, War

Favored Weapon: Longsword

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Divinity of Humanity

Despite its name, the Divinity of Humanity is not racially motivated nor does it hold any animosity towards non-humans. Instead, it is focused on contemplation and meditation, rather than outward expressions of faith. That does not mean they are any less motivated to serve the greater good of the Imperial Cause than their more active brethren; they simply believe that the domination of the Empire can only be archived through understanding, and it is the responsibility of those with greater understanding to help those without.

While its adherents have a reputation of inward searching, they are known to work closely with the other sects of the Imperial Creed and offer insights that the stricter traditions lack. They believe that through introspection, they can better understand their place in the greater workings of the Empire, and thereby help others to find their own place in such machinations. Some of the most devout members of the faith, including the current Patriarch, are members of the Divinity of Humanity

Alignment: True Neutral

Domains: Community, Domination , Knowledge, Mysticism

Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff