Story
They came at dawn, as they always did. Hooded, silent, save for the scrape of iron-shod boots across the stone streets. The people of Ashveil had already gathered in the square, packed shoulder to shoulder in the cold gray light, faces aflame with reverence and religious fervor.
At the center of the square stood the Pyre Throne, a pillar of charred stone, stained black with the ashes of hundreds. Today, it was already prepared. The ropes were stained, the iron shackles still steaming from the last judgment. Nearby, a tall bronze kettle burned low, filled with sacred oil that spat and hissed in the wind.
The Flamewardens emerged first, crimson cloaks streaked with soot, helmets wrought in the shape of burning coals. Behind them came the Penitent Choir, barefoot children with shaved heads and stitched lips, carrying holy banners and ringing dull iron bells in slow rhythm.
And then came the heretics.
Six of them. Eyes swollen from questioning. Tongues torn. One limped, dragging a broken leg. Another had no ears. They wore white, the color of guilt, so that the blood would be more visible when the flame kissed them.
The Flamefather ascended the dais. He was ancient, thin as a rod, robed in black linen inscribed with verses of the Codex Omrosi. His voice, though thin, carried across the square like a knife.
"These souls refused the Light. They whispered in darkness. They consorted with filth. They dared question the one mercy offered to man: obedience."
He turned slowly, arms raised.
"Burn the sin, cleanse the soul. Let Omros be praised."
And the crowd, on cue, began to chant.
"Mercy is fire. Mercy is pain. Mercy is Omros. Omros is all."
The heretics were dragged forward. Chained to the pillar. The youngest of the Penitent Choir, a boy of ten with no tongue, offered the Blessing of the Flame, a silent prayer, arms trembling as he tipped the bronze kettle.
The burning oil lazily flowed in channels carved in a spiral pattern around the pillar. getting closer to the heretics, until the very rock they stood on started to flow with burning oil.
The heretics screamed.
The crowd chanted louder, swaying, eyes open in holy fervor, tears running freely, not for the dying, but in awe of the holy act.
"Mercy is fire. Mercy is pain. Mercy is Omros. Omros is all."
One of the heretics, a woman, managed to speak before the flames took her throat.
"Mercy...?"
But no one listened.
Her words were lost in the roar of fire and the blind devotion of a thousand voices.

Description

The Faith of Omros

Omros is believed to be the One True Flame, the creator of all existence, who forged humanity from pure light and placed them above all others. All other gods are considered false idols and demons wearing masks. Worshiping or even speaking of other deities is a capital offense.

Religious doctrine teaches that Omros demands purity, discipline, and complete submission to his will, which is interpreted and enforced by the Hierophant Supreme, Omros's chosen on earth. The priesthood teaches that the soul must be constantly purified through prayer and obedience, and only through total devotion can one approach the divine.

Daily Life and Society

Life in the Hierophate is bleak and rigid. Citizens are expected to pray at dawn, midday, dusk, and midnight, each session lasting an hour. On holy days, which occur multiple times per month, these sessions are longer and sometimes involve fasting, self-flagellation, or silent vigils.

Children are separated from their families at age seven to be raised by the Church, until their 13th birthday. This period is called "The second birth". They undergo religious indoctrination, physical hardening, and moral conditioning. Emotional expression is discouraged. Laughter and affection are seen as distractions from faith. One of the tenets of the religion is "There is no love except for the love of God".

Clothing is uniform by class and gender. All garments are gray or black bulky robes, without embroidery or decoration. Jewelry is forbidden. Food is bland and strictly regulated-salt is a rare luxury used only in sacred rites. Alcohol, sweets, and spices are banned.

No music is allowed other than somber religious chants sung in ancient tongues. Art is limited to stark religious iconography and is used as teaching tools rather than expression. Festivals are replaced by mass ceremonies of prayer and repentance.

The Law and Punishment

The Para Omros' laws are drawn directly from the Codex Omrosi, a sacred book said to have been burned into stone by Omros himself. Even minor transgressions are punished brutally to deter sin and impurity. Failure to punish a sin is seen as a greater sin than the sin itself.

Common punishments include:

• Maiming (removal of fingers, tongues, or eyes for blasphemy or sedition).
• Being tied with thick ropes soaked in oil or grease, which are then set on fire. Those who survive are horribly scarred, in the patterns of the ropes.
• Public burnings for heresy or apostasy.
• Impalement for demon worship, interracial unions, or aiding non-humans. The impalement is especially brutal, as it is a combination of crucifixion and impalement, where the victim is hung by the arms, preventing a quick impalement.
• Branding for first offenses, such as wearing colored clothing or missing prayer sessions.

The clergy operate secret tribunals called Mercy Courts, where the accused are presumed guilty and often tortured into confession.

The Clergy and Government

The ruling priesthood is a rigid caste. At the top sits the Hierophant Supreme, a living god-king figure said to commune directly with Omros in nightly visions. Beneath him are the Flame Cardinals, Purity Inquisitors, and Penitent Scribes, each with specific roles in governance, law enforcement, and spiritual maintenance.

Secular roles such as farming, construction, and blacksmithing are carried out by the Lowly, the citizen class. There is a strict caste system, your role is decided by the priesthood during The Second Birth. These workers are monitored constantly by robed Watchers, who ensure piety and report any lapses to the nearest inquisitor.

Relations with Non-Humans

Non-humans are universally seen as abominations, thought to be servants of evil. Elves are seducers, dwarves hoarders, and orcs agents of bloodlust, and so on.

Foreigners who are not human and not converted are either expelled or burned.

Slavery

Para Omros does not have slaves, as that would put some people in a position of power not suitable for a follower of Omros. It would not be sufficiently humble.

Notable Locations

The Pit of Light: A chasm of fire into which the dead are thrown, believed to lead to Omros's judgment seat.

The Hall of Tongues: A tower where the tongues of heretics are nailed to the walls as warning.

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