[Math]

Summary

The Aspera Church is one of Aphros’ most influential churches, heavily followed by the masses of Astra. They believe citizens of Umbra deserve less rights and should be utilized mainly as means to defy multiculturalism and conquer Meranthe under a theocratic, fundamentalist state (Aphros). They praise Enarr and Athelios, representing His image with a crucifix, as “the head is connected to all points of the symbol”.

During the creation of Aphros – Divino, the leader of the church (extremely small at the time) called all Astrans to organize a great army to wrest “infidels”. In addition to this initial motivation, the Church would have an interest in the movement being able to extend the influence of the Aspera Faith under regions that were free from the influence of Aphros.

The movement became quite known and expanded with the support of the media, landless nobles, marginalized populations and blacksmiths. An expressive part of the Asperan/Astran armies was formed by knights and former serfs who sought to dominate the lands of the eastern people to enhance their lives. Imbued with the belief that they fulfilled a divine determination, men, women, children and the elderly were willing to form part of these religious armies.

As time passed, merchants also took a keen interest in the formation of the Asperan armies. Several merchants and noblemen financed said crusades with the aim of controlling the land and sea trade routes that gave access to more capital. In the midst of these socio-economic motivations, the strong religious influence exerted by the Church was able to mobilize thousands of individuals.

Their militaristic approach, funded by countless parties, consequently originated the advent of science within the lands of Aphros. Some say the Asperan Militar Science is one of the best in the entirety of Meranthe. Aspera created a mixture of the Holy Arts, Magic and Technology, known as “Holytech Magic”.

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Holytech Magic

Magi of the Aspera Church often replace their body parts with cybernetic “consecrated gadgets” that both greatly enhance their physical abilities, and have various specialized functions. Doctrine defines their bodies as a product of the Church having the “apex in humankind and divine faith.”

To the followers, science and the machinery is a blessing from the gods. Humans were created with free will and the ability to pursue knowledge, thus, evolving their own bodies to the brink of perfection means enacting God's will.

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Rites

The Church of Aspera has rites for all sorts of purposes. While most pertain to some degree to their militaristic origin, some are explicitly to maintain its followers' complicity and, most importantly, believing that they are assisting a divine purpose.

• Holytech Augmentation - While it is common for those who follow the faith to augment their bodies with prosthetics, that process itself is often associated with an elaborate rite where a priest consecrates the body which will receive it and the gadget itself, claiming to form a spiritual bond between the two. This often occurs before and after the surgical procedures related.
  
  
• Machina ex poena - While some procedures are seen as a blessing, others are often used for punishment. These often involve hesitant victims, criminals and sinners, offered a second chance and forgiveness under service of the church. These involve more advanced contraptions, such as subcutaneous remote-controlled shock devices, replacing entire limbs with monstrous alternatives instead of a human-looking equivalent, often using spare parts from proper holytech augmentation.
  
  
• Capital Punishment - Unfortunately, not all are within redemption in the eyes of the church. Those that have committed crimes to humanity or to the primordials far too dire to be forgiven are to be killed; While such deaths often occur in the heat of battle, those that do not often utilize exsanguination as their method of execution. Usually, the leader of the church has the last say.
  
  
• Exsanguination - There is a certain belief that the blood of a sinner contains the depravity through which they led their lives. As such, executions by exsanguination aim to remove the blood within a sinner’s body entirely, accompanied by circles of prayer that consecrate it. This way, it is believed that a sinner may move on free from the burden of their deeds.
  
  
• Baptism - Drinking from the church’s holy chalice symbolizes the rebirth of a new member of the Aspera Church, swearing loyalty to its ideologies, this baptism is done whenever a new person wishes to join the Church despite their age.
  
  
• Marriage - Omnia vincit amor. The Aspera Church is known across Meranthe to hold numerous marriages for those that wish to pay tribute, as love creates balance and order.
  
  
• Athelios’ Holy Communion - When in times of peace, at the end of the week the Aspera Church invites both Astran and Umbran to eat, drink and recite Asperan hymns as a celebration of peace, order and balance.
  
  
• Confirmation - During a great prayer done by a higher up within the Aspera Church, the head of the prayer will ask Athelios to protect the Asperan followers from chaos and to guide them towards the true cosmic balance. After that, the head of the prayer anoints the forehead of each Asperan member, sealing them with Athelios’ benevolence.
  
  
• Ordination - A ritual which establishes a new higher up of the Aspera Church, a great prayer is performed towards God’s will, praising Athelios’ benevolence towards the weak and sinful and giving thanks to Enarr’s guidance in leadership. The new higher up then prays in the name of the Aspera Church, in which all members taking part in the great prayer shall answer by praying together. The closure of the ritual is accompanied with the Church leader's blessing.
  

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Loyalty

Followers of the church can be mere religiousmen, part of the church's official military, priests - swearing your allegiance to the Aspera faith usually comes with benefits and many wish to have a purpose to fight for. The church has use for all.

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OOC Note: works as a Noble House. Contact Santo Lúcio icly to join or Chelala#2721 oocly if you plan on spawning as a member.

[Nailman]

RANKINGS OF THE CHURCH

Pontifice (Clergy)
The head of the church, currently occupied by Santo Lúcio. They order all three branches, and while they do not make every decision personally - Anything of importance ultimately falls to the will of the Pontifice.

CLERGY
Cardeal
The highest rank of the Clergy. They have mastered every rite possible for the church, and often guide the most complex of rituals. They respond directly to the Pontifice, but oft need to take the other branches of the church in consideration. In the punishing of criminals, they oft play the role of judges.

Reverendo
Those who have achieved success as Acolytes are personally approved by the Cardeais to become Reverendos. Their authority allows for them to guide day-to-day rituals of less importance, with notable participation in those guided by the Cardeais.

MILITARY
Inquisidor
The higher rank of the Church's military branch, Inquisidores respond directly to the Pontifice. They often achieve this rank by means of proved tactical and practical prowess in combat. Often, they are used to obtain necessary victories or to enforce the will of the church upon difficult situations that lesser soldiers would not succeed.

Arbitro
Proven soldiers of the Church, Arbitros enforce the principles of the church to its followers; They play the role of the Pontifice's indirect muscle, trusted enough to play the role of executors in criminal duty.

ARTISANS AND CRAFTSMEN
Alto Nobre (Civilian)
Nobles who have proven themselves invaluable allies to the church, obtaining access to privileged information from within. They qualify as civilians before the eyes of the Pontifice, but often take oaths to uphold Divino's vision. It is not uncommon for this rank to be held by nobles who are in the process of dedicating their lives to the church, often forsaking their family's name for the greater purpose.

Vigario (Craftsmen)
Craftsmen from all walks of life who have proven themselves willing and useful allies to Divino's purpose. They are Artesanos who have obtained a certain degree of prestige due to their contributions. They are often regarded in similar eyes to the Alto Nobres due to the many familiarities between the two, being informed of the church's actions equally.

Artese (Craftsmen)
Leigos who have taken upon a craft and an oath to assist the church; These are bound to Divino's vision to assist in whatever capacity they can. Through simple monetary contributions to equipments and potions, they work for the Church as a necessary backbone to God's will.

Leigo (Civilian)
Simple followers of the church, most members fit this role. While not necessary for any of them to take upon a rank of direct assistance, it is not uncommon for them to volunteer to do the more menial tasks.

While Leigos, they can take upon the role of Acolytes for those that wish to follow upon the Clergy's path or Soldiers for those who wish to ascend upon the Military branch; Often, those that specialize in such ways take oaths to uphold God's will in their respective branches, but it is not a necessity in most cases.