Gadelthene

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Gadelthene
The symbol of Gadelthene
Beliefpolytheism
DeityAltsune
Region(s)Aurora
Founded21st century BCE
OriginUsprian mythology
Churches130,121
Followers7 million Increase

Gadelthene, or the Gadelthene Church (translated from Altferic as Beautiful One) is a polytheistic religion of Usprian origin which centers on the interactions with three deities believed to be overlooking the world and all its actions and events. Formal religious practice centers on the Holy Mother, the spiritual leader, believed to possess divine powers by virtue of their positions. They act as intermediaries between Gadelthenians and the gods.

The Gadelthene Church teaches about the various disciplines for achieving purity and honesty in ones life. Gadelthene ethics vary depending on the particular region, but in general put emphasis on naturalness, self-discipline, modesty and compassion. The life goal of a Gadelthenian is to be free of transgression, and when you die you are brought before the God of Purity and God of Honesty in your Hour of Judgement. If you pass your judgement you rest in death with the God of Warmth and Happiness; Altsune (literally the sun), where you watch over the world with them; and if you fail you are condemned to nothingness, an afterlife of reflection and sorrow. This process can be seen in the symbol of Gadelthene; the infinity represents the endlessness of the soil and the world, the horizontal lines represent the challenges of ascension in the form of the Hour of Judgement and the vertical line represents ascension itself.

For a religion over 4,100 years old, Gadelthene has had a large impact over regional culture since the end of the 3rd millennium BCE. Being a major religion of the Usprian peoples it had a profound impact on the thought and development of the world and the stars. Much of modern astrology has been influenced by Gadelthenians looking to the stars.

Today, Gadelthene remains a major religion among the Usprian peoples, though numbers have declined over the past millennium due to the religious conversion of Usprians to Thaerism and other Auroran religions. It has churches in multiple Auroran nations, including Valerica, Rosalica, Valeria, Staynes, Drakaland, Sarentria, Faethalria and Vothetria; and claims adherents in other nations as far east as Oscrelia and as far west as Emberwood Coast.