Manaia : The Sobanite Religion
The Sobanite religion and its church was founded approximately 997 years ago, at the end of the first century S.O (Since Ollivus), though the traditions were practised centuries beforehand. The religion is based around the doctrine of The Libra, the Sobanite Holy Book, which is a collection of scriptures said to penned by Hehu himself, operating through wilfully possessed and graciously chosen prophets.
There are several branches of Sobanism, with the two most commonly practised being Objectionism and Subserviesm. The categorical difference between the two major branches of Sobanism, is that Objectionists believe that one is meant to be guided by their own interpretation of the Libra, while Subserviests believe that only anointed Listeners of the Light who are in communion with Hehu can interpret the scriptures correctly. Both believe in a need for the church, but Objectionists have argued that under Subserviest rule, the church has become corrupt and overreaching in its power, taking the form of an invasive force in the lives of the people.
Regardless of which branch one follows, the principle beliefs of the religion tend to be agreed upon. Sobanites believe that Hehu is the father of all fathered, and the giver of all given. Hehu has many titles throughout the Libra, including Great Grandsire, The Progenitor, The Fatherless and God of Gods. Sobanite faith also carries the belief that man are inherently corrupt and can only be saved through acceptance and recognition of Ollivus - the Son of Hehu who came before and will come again. It is believed that Ollivus was carried to Manaia from Heaven upon the back of the Angel Helian, to battle the great evil that had manifested in the world as a result of man's misdeeds. Ollivus, the Saviour, is said to have slain the dragon Slaekin by jumping from a mountain peak and piercing the dragon's heart with his sword. The two fell together from a great height, with Ollivus being crushed beneath the weight of the dragon upon impact with the ground. His great sacrifice was rewarded by Hehu, his Father, who resurrected his body from the grave and lifted him back to Heaven. According to the Sobanite religion, one must have faith in Ollivus' power and sacrifice to be freed from the wickedness of the flesh, and granted a new heart which is light enough to carry one's spirit to Heaven after death.
It is believed that Ollivus will return again, being born into the same bloodline he sired before slaying the dragon, but dispute over the bloodline has caused controversy in Manaia for many centuries. The seed of the saviour was preserved through the line of first born sons for many centuries. However, when one firstborn Magna elected to annul his marriage to his sister and marry another for love, fathering a second son - firstborn to a second wife, controversy ensued over the rightful heir to the throne of Euchao and to the carrier of the saviour's seed. There are further rumours of a bastard lineage that carries the true seed of the saviour, but the line has never made a public claim to the right to rule as Magna.
The high priest of the Sobanite religion is known as the Magna, and believed to be Hehu's voice and presence on Manaia. He serves also as the King of Euchao and all of its provinces throughout Manaia. The current ruler is Magna Luxlow II, of the line of Fox - a Subserviest borne of the line of love, having descended from the second marriage of the Magna who confused the line. Many still support, though secretly more often than not, Zebedee Winters IV, of the line of siblings, having descended from the first marriage of the Magna in the year of confusion. Zebedee Winters IV is an Objectionist, and many in Manaia would love to see him in power to negate the invasive overreaching of the church in recent decades.
The Sobanite Magna rules from Shipeva. His purpose is reportedly to battle the evil of Slaekin, whose spirit continued to exist in Manaia after Ollivus gave his life to destroy the dragon's material form. Slaekin is said to be the author of all misdeeds, creating new ways to sin and then tempting man to succumb to them. Slaekin also holds various titles including The One Who Fell, The Dark One, The Tempter, The Adversary, The Deceiver, The Dragon, The Shadow, The Destroyer and The Master of Mayhem and Malice.
The Sobanite religion is most prevalent in Euchao, where the majority of the population follow the Libra, but there is also as many as 4-5 million Sobanites residing in the continent of Shevarah.
Magic is outlawed explicitly in the Libra, though in spite of its ubiquity throughout the scriptures, the overwhelming majority of Sobanites believe that it does not exist, or no longer exists.
Wow! This is a nicely written, and really creative write-up... I actually thought this sobanite religion was real, and happening in what location of the world? I read it all the way down only to discover its some awesome fiction. Nice one!
I have resteemed and upvoted. Cheers
Thanks, this is a very encouraging comment and I appreciate you sharing it too.
This post was shared in the Curation Collective Discord community for curators, and upvoted and resteemed by the @c-squared community account after manual review.
@c-squared runs a community witness. Please consider using one of your witness votes on us here