Ishgardian Orthodox Church

Following the death of King Thordan and his son Haldrath abandoning the throne to become the first Azure Dragoon, the people of Ishgard needed leadership. Thus did the surviving Knights Twelve come together to form the High Houses, which would later form the Ishgardian Orthodox Church. To suppress the knowledge of their part in the shattering of the peace between Dragons and Elezen, they came up with an "officially sanctioned" series of events that would paint the people of Ishgard as the victims who valiantly fought back against Nidhogg and his brood. To facilitate bringing this knowledge to the people, the story of King Thordan was woven into the teachings of the Church alongside their worship of Halone.

Following the revelations of the truth to the beginning of the Dragonsong War, the Church came under intense scrutiny, with many of the people feeling betrayed. While many maintain their devotion to Halone, it is up for debate what place the Church will have in Ishgardian Society.

Structure

The Archbishop

The Church is led by the Archbishop, who also serves as the Ishgardian head of state. When the archbishop passes away, the title is not handed down to his next of kin, but rather the high-ranking members of the clergy, as well as representatives of the four High Houses meet and select the successor. The archbishop presides in The Vault, where he determines major public policy, which is carried out by officials such as the Temple Knights. The archbishop is advised by the Synod, seven high-ranking bishops of Saint Reymanaud's Cathedral, and is guarded by The Heavens' Ward.

The Holy See

Directly below the archbishop is The Holy See, which views itself as a "maternal and paternal" figure to the people. In its maternal role, it guides the people by teaching the lessons of Halone through the church. In a paternal role, it dictates policy to the people in order to protect them from the Dragons and "preserves the state's sovereignty".
To help spread the teachings of the Church and enforce public policy, the Holy See commands several contingencies, such as the Congregation of Our Knights Most Heavenly, and various other dicasteries.

The Temple Knights

Main article: Temple Knights

The Knights Dragoon

The formal order from which the Dragoon class originates. It's leader is referred to as the Azure Dragoon.

The Tribunal

The judicial arm of the Holy See.

“

The Supreme Sacred Tribunal of Halonic Inquisitory Doctrine is a place where penitents come to stand before the Fury and answer for their sins.

— Urbicien

Main article: The Supreme Sacred Tribunal of Halonic Inquisitory Doctrine

Doctrine and Teachings

The Halonic Enchiridion

The core teachings of the Ishgardian Church can be found encapsulated in a single book of scriptures, called the Enchiridion. Unlike other sects that worship the Twelve, the Halonic doctrines are very strict, and deliberately reject outsiders who do not conform. This was among the reasons that Ishgard withdrew from the Eorzean Alliance after the battle of Silvertear Skies, and remained fully inaccessible to "outsiders" (such as the player) until the events of Heavensward.

“

A man must gaze not upon the eyes of a dragon.
A man must hearken not the words of a dragon.
A man must lay his hands not upon the flesh nor blood of a dragon.
The archbishop, his Holiness, declares thus, and thus is it law.

— Hubairtin

Heretic Sects

Speaking out or disobeying the teachings of the Halonic church is a very serious crime, and violators of this are branded "heretics." Even consorting with other known heretics can be considered an offense worthy of punishment. The Tribunal exists to investigate accusations of heresy and dispense "justice" if necessary. Those accused of Heresy are allowed the right to Trial by Combat, or the right to have a champion fight in their name if they are unable to fight.

The Peacemakers

“

One such group calls themselves “peacemakers,” and they wear scouting masks to conceal their identities while they foment heresy. One of my subordinates wishes to infiltrate their group, and I would pay you well to forge me a proper scouting mask similar to theirs.”

— A Halonic Masquerade

The Faces of Mercy

“

A band of assassins is said to prowl the mountain passes. The Faces of Mercy, they call themselves. Some think them outlaws exiled form Ishgard, but some go so far as to claim they are part of the Conclave. Whatever the case, they’ve a reputation for being fierce killers to a man.

— Beli

“

The infamous company of thieves, brigands, mercenaries, and outlaws who will do almost anything provided the fee is paid up front? Well, it is said that they have connections within all the houses of Ishgard, and that those connections can grant them passage into the region’s many restricted areas, including the Darkhold. The Faces of Mercy do not maintain a permanent headquarters, and they only communicate through a complex network of contacts. Each member will only know the names of three others, and no two members will know the same three. That way, if one is caught and tortured, he cannot divulge more than the bare minimum to his captors.”

— Hasthwab

The Bloodbearers

“

They call themselves the Bloodbearers, and their leader is a man named Matheonien. He and his minions are all capable of assuming the form of dragons. Such a transformation is possible by partaking of dragon blood─I daresay you have borne witness to it─and it grants the individual unholy strength. Though the sanguine substance is precious, the Bloodbearers have access to an abundant supply owing to their pact with Graoully.”

— Alberic

History

Important Historical and Mythological Figures

Halone

Main article: Halone

Patron goddess of the religion, also known as The Fury. No Orthodox church is said to be complete without a towering statue of Halone, girt for battle.

King Thordan I (Saint Thordan)

The 'founding father' of Ishgard, said by the scriptures to have answered the call of Halone and led his people to the promised land of Coerthas. The scriptures also teach that he was killed while defending the settlers' caravans from Nidhogg, along with half of his knights. He is the namesake of Saint Thordan's Basilica.

Haldrath

Son of Thordan I, and the first Azure Dragoon. Famous for being the first to defeat the Great Wyrm Nidhogg, and for leading the Elezen people the rest of the way to Coerthas after his father was slain in battle. Camp Dragonhead is built atop a hillside called "Haldrath's March" in his honor. In Riversmeet, there is also a monumental stone sculpture carved in his likeness by the afamed stonemason Percelle.

Saint Reinette

A former Azure Dragoon said to have wielded the weapon Gae Bolg, striking down a dragon who slew her beloved. Upon exacting her revenge, it is said that she cast her weapon aside on the site the dragon was felled, taking up the cloth in its place and devoting the remainder of her years to uplifting the poor and downtrodden. She was made a Halonic saint in 1289 of the Sixth Astral Era, over a century after her death.

Lore

Foundation

The Elezen who settled in Coerthas had already been worshipping Halone as their patron deity for some time. As their population swelled and their settlements expanded, so too did their centers of worship. The clergy recognized the need for more structure, and perhaps an organization that could standardize the teachings of the faith: namely, the Ishgardian Orthodox Church.

Precepts of the Faith

The primary mission of the Ishgardian Orthodox Church is to “spread the teachings of Halone and to glory in Her works.” To that end, the Holy See promotes a comprehensive—and officially sanctioned—historical education, and any accounts which contradict these established facts are considered heretical.

However, following the shocking revelations regarding some of the most celebrated figures in Ishgardian history, the church was subject to unprecedented criticism. While the people remain devoted to Halone, it remains to be seen what place the church as an establishment will have henceforth in Ishgardian society.

Church Structure

The leader of the Ishgardian Orthodox Church is the archbishop, who also serves as the Ishgardian head of state. However, unlike the kings of old, his title cannot be passed down. Upon an archbishop’s death, a conclave comprised of high-ranking clergy and representatives from the four High Houses is convened to select the successor. As such, despite being bound to observe the will of the archbishop, the nobility has significant influence over who shall rise to the position.

The archbishop presides over Ishgard from the Vault, which functions as both the center of the church and of the government. There he determines major public policy, which is then carried out by senior officials in various dicasteries, as well as the Temple Knights and the inquisition.

Additionally, there are two unique groups to whom the archbishop may turn should the need arise. The Synod, a council comprised of seven bishops of Saint Reymanaud’s Cathedral, serves to advise His Eminence on matters of policy. The Heavens’ Ward, on the other hand, is a select group comprised of twelve handpicked knights who serve as his personal guard.

All dicasteries vital to the governance of the nation of Ishgard fall under the authority of the Holy See.

The Holy See

The Holy See often describes its relationship with the people as one with "maternal" and "paternal" facets. In its maternal role, the archbishop and his clergy nurture and guide their people through the teachings of the church. In its paternal role, the archbishop strives to dictate policy that protects his people from the Dravanians and preserves the city-state's sovereignty.

However, in light of recent efforts to disentangle church from state and reduce the church's direct influence over military affairs, this paternal role is likely to be reduced, much to the consternation of some clergy.