Church of Gnost

The Church of Gnost is a massive monotheistic religion with a large following in the south of the world, particularly Ganzabar. Despite a strong central doctrine, it has spawned a multitude of sub-sects and offshoots that re-interpret it in a variety of different ways. Adherents are known as Gnostics or Gnostists.

Beliefs

The Gnostics hold a dualist view of the universe; that there is a spirit realm (Arkaedis) and a physical realm (Urth) and that humans are just one of many entities to bridge the two. They hold that, some thousand or more years ago, the world was visited by a man; an embodiment of the Supreme (by various names, most commonly Gnost but others insist that the name relates to an ancient word for knowledge). The Supreme is said to be an entity that presides over Arkaedis. Gnost, or "the Embodiment" in some denominations, came with the aim to teach mankind to live in peace with one another. It is unclear if the man to whom the scripture refers to actually existed or not.

Gnostics hold that when a person dies, they will become at one with the Supreme in Arkaedis if they have served good lives. However, if they have committed sin, they will be cast out of Arkaedis and relegated to Hadnar, the realm of eternal void, often depicted as a dark and freezing place where all is empty and lifeless. Sinners must visit a Gnostic monastery and confide in the guidance of a monk or priest to be granted forgiveness. Failure to do so can result in eternal damnation.

Sins against the Supreme include:

• Killing of those pure from sin
• Stealing
• Deception
• Worship of false idols
• Denial of scripture
• Deviation from Tradition (*)

(*) - This one in particular has been subject to much varied interpretation and cause of a great many conflicts within and around the Gnostic faith.