The Path of Inspiration is the state religion of Riedra, and the faith forms the backbone of the nation.[2][3] Indeed, the faith and the nation are one and the same in the eyes of most of its citizens.[2]
Doctrine[]
The main precept of the Path of Inspiration is that devotion to the il-altas, the great spirits, comes first. They believe these great spirits are opposed by evil gods and fiends, which they call the altavars. These evil spirits tempt the faithful to wander from the path and threaten their ability to progress along the path to the next life in the cycle of reincarnation.[1][3]
The Path of Inspiration bears some basic resemblance to the Church of the Silver Flame.[1] However, followers of the Path believe that all foreign faiths worship altavars, and that these faiths are corrupted.[2]
Most Riedrans are illiterate, and are taught the precepts of the Path of Inspiration by the sermons of the priests in their waking hours and by lessons broadcast into their dreams from the monoliths at night.[2]
Cycles of Reincarnation[]
Followers of the Path of Inspiration believe in cycles of reincarnation and spiritual evolution along this path to enlightenment. Followers of the precepts of the faith hold that should they obey the will of their Chosen representatives on Eberron so that they too can eventually be reincarnated into one of the il-altas.[1][2] Inspiration refers to when a Chosen is inhabited by one of these great spirits.[2]
The various tiers of this cycle to reach enlightenment are:[2]
- The il-altas who cannot manifest on the Material Plane and instead must act through the Inspired;
- The Chosen, also called the Inspired (those who are guided by the il-altas);
- Changelings;
- Humans;
- Nonhumans (dromites, duergar, dwarves, elans, ogres, ogre mages, shifters);
- Beasts
The Path of Inspiration teaches that some creatures house altavars within them, such as elans, ogre mages, and the dreaded kalashtar of Adar.[2]
Garb[]
Riedrans who observe this faith dress in brown, black, and white clothing with complex embroidery on the hems. The Inspired are permitted to wear blue and red on their robes.[2]
Hierarchy[]
Members of the priesthood of the Path of Inspiration are the only citizens of Riedra permitted to use divine magic. All members of the priesthood of the Path of Inspiration belong to a single rank—that of the priest. Priests report to those who serve the Inspired lords of Riedra, whom they may never encounter in person. Priests help indoctrinate the common folk of Riedra into the rule of the Inspired. They are dispatched as servants to quell dissent and contain opponents of the rule of the Inspired over Riedra. Any priests who disobey the whims of their masters are dealt with permanently.[1][2]
The Inspired stand above all other members of the Path of Inspiration, and can command all followers at a whim.[1][2][3]
Holy Sites[]
The most iconic locations for worshipers of the Path of Inspiration are the monoliths called the hanbalani altas, or "sanctuaries of the soul".[1][2][3] Citizens of Riedra believe these places house the spirits of the dead before they transition into their next life along the path.[2]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 121–126. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 184, 256. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
Connections[]
| Faiths of Eberron |
|---|
| The Silver Flame | The Sovereign Host | The Dark Six | The Blood of Vol | The Cults of the Dragon Below | The Path of Light | Path of Inspiration | Undying Court | The Lord of Blades | The Becoming God | Keepers of the Past | Thir | Druidic sects | Vulkoor |