Karsten von Vasmer
Duke of Pomegratia
- Category: Ritual
- Image Credit: Here, headers and dividers made by Nefadar
- Intent: To create a niche Curian religious practice.
- Development Thread: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Name: Theos' Embrace, a.k.a. the Rite of Wax
- Classification: Religious rite
- Influence: This religious practice can mostly be found in the regions of Northern Ostrien and Northern Goravolst, having a deep history with the peoples there. Beyond that region, there are small groups of Curians throughout greater Ostrien and Eroba that practice it as well, though in much smaller numbers.
- Dissemination Method: There are a select few texts that detail the process of undergoing Theos' Embrace, but due to the controversial nature of the rite, such texts are difficult to find. As such, this particular practice tends to spread, more often than not, as an oral tradition.
- Origin: In short, no one knows the origin of Theos' Embrace. The roots of the rite go far back, and whoever might have first performed it has faded into obscurity.
Theos' Embrace is an incredibly old ritual, upheld by the more esoteric and "traditional" members of Curian society. It is used as either a method of penance or a demonstration of devotion, causing considerable pain to the person undergoing the rite.
The ritual involves wearing a piece of clothing known as the Shroud of Sin. This garment is essentially a rugged, grey shroud with pauldrons and a mask. The pauldrons and mask are adorned with several distorted faces, representing the torment one feels upon going against the teachings of Edom, thereby failing Theos. Also adorning the mask and pauldrons is a series of candlesticks, used to hold a group of golden candles that are used in the rite itself.
After placing the shroud upon one's body, several candles are placed within the candlesticks. Once the candles are lit, the individual wearing the shroud must remain still, praying and meditating until the candles are completely melted. The number and length of the candles varies depending on the intent of the participant. Greater penance and devotion require more, lengthening the rite and increasing the amount of pain experienced.
Once all of the candles are melted, the shroud is removed, and the wearer may be seen as redeemed in the eyes of both Theos and Edom. The shroud, now covered in golden wax, represents the sins of the individual being washed away by the light of Theos. However, should the candles snuff out prematurely, it is seen as a sign from the heavens that the participant is unworthy, and should the participant falter in the stillness of their prayer, it would be seen as an offensive lack of faith. It is not a ritual to take lightly, and is therefore treated with the utmost importance and care.
The origins of Theos' Embrace are lost to time, but the general consensus among those that practice it is that its origins lie within the time of Edom, and maintain the belief that it is a practice of old that has been lost even to the holy scriptures. What is known is that the practice became known to the greater Curian world around 270 ME, not long before the First Ecumenical Council. After the first council was held and the Book of Edom was fully established, the Rite of Wax was labeled as heretical, causing a wane in its practice for many years. Despite this, there were enough people still engaging in the rite for it to survive, even to this very day.
Theos' Embrace went through a bit of a resurgence around 520 ME. With the War of Apostasy in full swing, many began to question some of the minutiae of the Book of Edom, and whether or not some of the elements of faith that had been omitted should have remained. As the conflict between the two major sects of the Curian world raged on, several pockets of believers began incorporating older practices into their faith, including the Rite of Wax.
In 735 ME, the practice was once again called into question, with Marloman the Great publicly denouncing the rite as heresy. The grounds used for this were claims that the practice had roots in paganism. This claim may have been somehow connected to the burning of the Goðstokkr, though none have been able to confirm this. What is known is that there had been great violence carried out against the pagans in Oberseaxlund, and the claims against Theos' Embrace may have been another effort to suppress any lingering pagan beliefs within the region. Those who refused to end the practice were severely punished, causing the practice to return to the shadows once again.
Though much more obscure in practice now, there are many that have kept Theos' Embrace close to their chest, continuing its long, holy tradition whenever they can. Though still actively shunned by the Sanctus, the stubborn nature of the Northern peoples remain unconvinced of the claims of heresy brought against the rite. As such, they meet in secret, hoping to cleanse their souls in the name of Edom and Theos, away from the prying eyes of the Sanctus.
