The_Hol2



The World of Samoth

Religions - Faith of the Hol

			The Mythic History of the Faith of the Hol: 2
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			What are their intentions toward the world?

		See above; the Hol is very concerned with protecting all creatures on Sudor from demonic influences. The entire religion is structured around this conflict.

		Does anything inhibit them?

		If the Hol have been wounded in a recent battle with Demons, they are oftentimes unable to come to the aid of mortals on Sudor while they tend to their wounds. For the most part, any follower who tries to improve himself by making himself stronger in the face of demonic temptation believes that the Hol will help him to succeed in his task.

		Humans, Humanoids, Plants, and Animals: How were they all created?

		See previous page under "Creation." The Hol created the entire universe and then expended the last of their energy to populate the planet Sudor with people, animals, and plants. While the Hol rested over many millennia, the Demons and Ifrit came and tried to corrupt the mortal races. The Hol rose from their rest and have been battling demons ever since. Worshippers of the Hol believe that certain animals were created as Watchers, who can detect demonic influences around them. These animals are held to be sacred by the Hol and no member of the faith will kill or harm them. These watchers include Ravens, Desert Foxes, and the Horned Viper.

		Fall from Grace: Did sentient races fall from grace? If so, how?

		Central to the faith in the Hol is the belief that mortals were created from the pure essence of the Hol, but were corrupted by Demons while the Hol were sleeping. The Demons and Ifrit did not believe that mortals should be left to "rule the world" on their own and therefore they corrupted the mortals in the belief that the Hol would become disgusted with the mortal races and would never again meddle in the affairs of the world. The intent of the Demons and Ifrit was to then start over and rule Sudor on their own in order to gain more power in preparation for overthrowing the Hol. Their plan failed when, instead of abandoning Sudor, the Hol awoke and began to battle against the Demons. The Hol created armies of Elysians and Djinn to assist the mortals in their attempts to fight back against demonic corruption. This battle continues to the present day.

	The Challenge: What is the afterlife believed to be like?

	The main thrust of faith in the Hol is the conquering of corruption. All followers of the faith believe that they are inherently corrupted with evil forces and that through a series of rituals and prayers they can overcome this weakness and enjoy a good life. Upon death, these "Conquerers" will be reborn as spiritual soldiers in the Heavenly Oasis of Righteousness and take part in the great war against the Demons and the Ifrit. Followers of the Hol can achieve this blissful state of afterlife by participating in the "War of the Hol" against demonic corruption while they are alive. The War consists of three types of battle: 1. By the Heart - The follower seeks to purify himself by overcoming the demonic corruption within. This is typically accomplished by fasting and spending a week wandering through the desert as part of the rite of adulthood. 2. By the Word - All followers, not just priests, are expected to try to convert others to the faith in order to help save their souls and gain new recruits for the spiritual war against the Demons and Ifrit. 3. By the Sword - If conversion by the Word fails, then conversion by the Sword is the next option. Followers of the Hol are known throughout the central part of the Samothian world continent for being especially vicious opponents in battle due to their religious fervor and their belief that they are actually saving mortals from corruption by killing them. In addition to the War of the Hol, followers of the faith adhere to the doctrines of the Realities of Corruption and the Path to Salvation. The Realities of Corruption: 1. The reality that mortals are corrupted by demonic influences. 2. The reality that this corruption came from a desire for pleasure. 3. The reality that this corruption can be eliminated. 4. The reality that this elimination of corruption is achieved through the Path to Salvation.

				The Hol Page 1 The Hol Page 2 The Hol Page 3 The Hol Page 4 Priests of the Hol: Page 1 Priests of the Hol: Page 2 Priests of the Hol: Page 3

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