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(....continued)
The End Before The Beginning
The Order does embrace something of an origin myth, reminiscent of Genesis as well as the Enuma Eliš...
It begins as the destruction of some far away universe is taking place, as the last of its inhabitants are fighting desperately for survival. As everything around them is collapsing, an epic cosmic battle takes place as God and His strongest angels pursue a primordial chaos dragon, T*****. As a vortex of destruction spirals around them, an epic and unfathomable battle takes place. T***** fights back with tremendous power and an army of abominations, but is defeated, and God absorbs her strength, and utilizes her power to save His people.
Thus began our universe in an explosion of divine light as God and His angels emerged from another universe, and the remnants of Tiamat’s celestial body scattered into every direction, forming the cosmos. As God institutes divine Order over primordial Chaos... Genesis begins.
However...
T***** was defeated, but a spark of life remained. God sealed her spirit away at the place furthest away from Him, along with her army of titanic Abominations, to a place only He and one other know of. That being is God’s most powerful angel- S****- God’s greatest champion, who guards the Gates of Chaos, that none shall ever pass. S**** exists in our hearts as a terrible inclination, but remains at the edge of the universe in a form far more terrifying, defending our world from primeval Chaos out of unwavering loyalty to God.
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How would you deal with people who decided to leave your religion?
Honor vs Dishonor
If they depart while on good terms with the Order, then they are sent honorably on their way to pursue their destiny, with a small brand or tattoo on their arm or chest- a symbol of the Order as well as a personal sigil related to their Aspect- to signify the respect shared and the everlasting memories of their experiences with the Order... and most importantly, as proof of kin. Having previously passed our trials and earned our trust, they are to remain welcome among the Order and can come and go as they please so long as the relations remain positive.
If they depart on bad terms, they are granted an honorable death. Okay maybe not. They are banished from the Order, with all ties severed. No support at all. If they bear our marks, the marks must be removed.
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Would you use elements from other religions or start from scratch?
Inception
Two Thousand and Seven years after the death of Christ... alone and at night in the Sonoran Desert, the Prophet Aštra’el, set out on a journey of the Spirit and reached out beyond this world.
Something reached back.
Visions entered Aštra’el’s mind. Multiple futures were seen, as well as the paths to those futures, guided by various divine beings. Astra’el was faced with a choice. Embracing any of these futures meant sacrificing the others.
Aštra’el made a choice.
A bright turquoise aura emerged from the darkness. A fiery six winged angel clad in black armor appeared to Astra’el. A being infinitely times greater approached Aštra’el as an equal, and introduced herself as Aš******.
As Aštra’el would come to understand, this was not an introduction. It was reunification. And this was not the beginning of a journey. It was a continuation, over the course of many Aeons.
In those moments, Heaven and Earth were connected. And in those moments, unbeknownst to Aštra’el, Order ***7 had blossomed that night in the Sonoran Desert under a moonlit sky.
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Strength, Power, Wisdom, and Beauty
Order ***7 embraces the strength, power, wisdom, and beauty found within the Abrahamic religions and various Mesopotamian mythologies. But there is strength to be found in any religion. Strength is absorbed where strength is found. The few who make it into the Order, must contribute in their own way, as Aštra’el did before them. In doing so, the Order continuously evolves with each Aeon. The strength, power, wisdom, and beauty they bring with them, becomes our strength, power, wisdom, and beauty.
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How would you setup succession of power/authority?
The Four Clans, The 4 Vanguard
Four individuals at the forefront of the movement are appointed to the rank of Vanguard, each one representing one Aspect of the Tetramorph and leading a Clan under that Aspect’s banner. It is the Vanguard’s duty to seek out and train new recruits, and to lead the Clan as their Aspect’s Champion. A combination of trials, tests, and accumulated honor and respect will prove who among the clan is most worthy of one day inheriting the position of Vanguard. And so they shall, when the current Vanguard is no longer fit to lead.
Should a Vanguard fall, and no successors remain, then balance must be restored by any means necessary, and the other clans must come together to rebuild from the ashes and recreate the fallen clan, and appoint a new Vanguard among whoever is deemed most fit for the position.
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What would you require of aspirants wanting to join your religion?
Prove Yourself
Devote yourself to an Aspect of the Tetramorph. Worship God above all others, understand and pursue your own True Will, and contribute to the collective.
Pass our tests. Prove yourself strong in mind and body. Prove yourself a dragon among men. Prove that you can wield the Sun at Night and the Moon by Day. Prove that you can be loyal and that you are worthy of our trust, love and respect. Prove that you can think for yourself and contribute in some meaningful, lasting way. Prove to us that by accepting you, we are becoming stronger for it.
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If you could fix the world, or destroy it, depending on your preference, with religion, what would that religion be?
New Endings, New Beginnings
***7 finds Destruction and Creation equally alluring. Both are acceptable so long as these actions operate in harmony with the perceived Will of the Aspect and the True Will of whoever is practicing it .
My Aspect is Aš******, who wields in one hand a sword from Above and in the other a sword from Below. Balance is my calling. Balance is my passion. Sun, Moon, Heaven, Hell, Order, Chaos.... Creation, Destruction.
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