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The Way

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<quote>Seven Paths.<br>Seven Virtues.<br>One Way.</quote>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Labyrinth.jpg|width=243|height=240|align=right|caption=The labyrinth is a common symbol of the Way}}
==Overview==
==Overview==
The '''Way of Virtue''' – often simply known as The Way – is the dominant and pre-eminent religion of the Empire. It found its birth amongst the [[Highguard|Highborn]] and was adopted across the Empire at the Founding, though its roots go back to the very dawn of time, and it is one of the forces that binds the Empire together.
The Way of Virtue – often simply known as the Way – is the religion that was adopted across the Empire when it was founded.


At its core, The Way of Virtue teaches:
At its core, the Way of Virtue teaches:
* Human flesh is perishable but human spirits are immortal. After death, the spirit must traverse the [[The Labyrinth of Ages and the Paragons and Exemplars|Labyrinth of Ages]] before being reborn through reincarnation.
* Human souls are immortal and, upon death, will eventually be reincarnated as a newborn child.
* The journey from death to rebirth is not instantaneous, and passage through the [[The Labyrinth of Ages and the Paragons and Exemplars|Labyrinth of Ages]] is influenced by how virtuous a soul is.
* Reincarnation is not instantaneous. The soul must first travel through the [[The Labyrinth of Ages and the Paragons and Exemplars|Labyrinth of Ages]] before being reincarnated.
* The Way of Virtue comprises the [[The Virtues|Seven Paths of Virtue]] each of which prospers the individual in life, enhances the purity of their spirit, and speeds their reincarnation through the Labyrinth of Ages.
* Those who follow the paths of Virtue pass through the Labyrinth more quickly and with greater integrity of their soul; wicked souls are trapped in the Labyrinth for longer and perhaps forever.
* The Way teaches that all laudable human qualities are rooted in the Seven Virtues. For example, the [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] commitment to Truth is actually an expression of Courage and Pride.  
* The Way teaches that all laudable human qualities are rooted in the paths of Virtue. For example, the [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] commitment to truth is actually an expression of Courage and Pride.
* Outside of the Seven Virtues there are spiritual forces, or qualities, that are [[Malign Spiritual Presences|malign]] and which The Way teaches actively hinder a soul in life and the Labyrinth.
* Souls who attain sufficient purity of spirit, predominantly through perfection of virtue, pass through the Labyrinth to enlightenment. These individuals are called paragons.
* Individuals who have attained sufficient purity of spirit, predominantly through perfection of a Virtue, pass through the Labyrinth of Ages unhindered to [[#LabyrinthOfAges|Enlightenment]] and are never again reborn. These individuals are called [[#LabyrinthOfAges|Paragons]].  
* There are some [[Religious skills|priestly ceremonies]] that require dedication to a single Virtue. Dedication is practised by those who have a calling, such as priests, pilgrims, exemplars and paragons.
* Individuals who embody, or illustrate, a particular Virtue, or Virtues, are called [[#LabyrinthOfAges|Exemplars]] and are considered to be strongly on the path to becoming a Paragon, if indeed their spirit is not already ready.
* For most Imperial citizens, dedication is not required. It is sufficient to know of the paths of Virtue and how they can positively influence this life, and the next.
* There is no expectation that every Imperial Citizen be an Exemplar or Paragon, though that is the eventual goal of The Way. For the majority it is sufficient to be aware of the Seven Paths of Virtue and how they influence your life so you can pass through the Labyrinth of Ages.
__TOC__
* There are some [[Liao Ceremonies|priestly ceremonies]] that require dedication to a single Virtue. As a result, dedication is only normally practiced by some priests and individuals who aspire to be Exemplars of that Virtue.
The Way of Virtue is promoted and protected by [[The Synod|the Imperial Synod]] and is shaped by [[Imperial Theology|Imperial theology]].
* Only human spirits reincarnate. As a consequence of this, humans – especially the citizens of the Empire who follow The Way of Virtue – are the greatest agents in creation and are inherently superior to non-humans.


The Way of Virtue is promoted and protected by [[The Synod|The Imperial Synod]] and is shaped by [[Imperial Theology|Imperial Theology]].
==The Way and the Non-human==
Pure liao has an equal effect on all adult humans, including those who are lineaged. However, it has no particular effect on orcs or, it is assumed, any other non-human species. This is understood to mean that the non-humans have no 'past lives' and thus supports the [[Imperial Theology|Doctrine of Reincarnation]]’s claim that only human spirits traverse the Labyrinth of Ages.  


==Index==
Opinions are divided as to what this means for the non-human. Some maintain that they are incapable of following the Way because of their natures. Others maintain that, even if they do not reincarnate, they should still be encouraged to follow the example of the paragons and exemplars.
* [[The Virtues|The Seven Paths of Virtue]]
 
* [[The History of The Way]]
==The Paths of Virtue==
* [[The Labyrinth of Ages and the Paragons and Exemplars]]
Imperial [[The Doctrines of the Faith|doctrine]] currently states that there are seven paths of Virtue that make up the Way. These are:
* [[Citizens, Priests, Pilgrims and Dedication]]
* [[Ambition]]
* [[Liao Ceremonies]]
* [[Courage]]
* [[Idolatry, Blasphemy and Heresy]]
* [[Loyalty]]
* [[Malign Spiritual Presences]]
* [[Pride]]
* [[Symbols, Icons and Trappings]]
* [[Prosperity]]
* [[The Way and the Non-human]]
* [[Vigilance]]
* [[The Synod|The Imperial Synod]]
* [[Wisdom]]
 
==Further reading for religious PCs==
* [[Imperial Synod]]
* [[The history of the Way|History of the Way]]
* [[The Labyrinth of Ages and the Paragons and Exemplars|The Labyrinth of Ages]]
* [[Paragons and exemplars]]
* [[Citizens, priests, pilgrims and dedication|The Way and Imperial Citizens]]
* [[Religious skills]]
* [[Religious Crimes]]
* [[Malign spiritual presences]]
* [[Symbols of the Way]]
* [[Imperial Theology|Imperial Theology]]
* [[Imperial Theology|Imperial Theology]]
** [[Liao]]
** [[The Doctrines of the Faith]]
** [[Signs of the paragon and exemplar]]
** [[Schisms and Heresies]]
** [[Investigative Theology]]
{{pdf|title=Category:Religion}}




[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:The Way of Virtue]]
[[Category:The Empire]]
[[Category:The Empire]]

Revision as of 23:02, 24 June 2023

Seven Paths.
Seven Virtues.
One Way.

Labyrinth.jpg
The labyrinth is a common symbol of the Way

Overview

The Way of Virtue – often simply known as the Way – is the religion that was adopted across the Empire when it was founded.

At its core, the Way of Virtue teaches:

  • Human souls are immortal and, upon death, will eventually be reincarnated as a newborn child.
  • Reincarnation is not instantaneous. The soul must first travel through the Labyrinth of Ages before being reincarnated.
  • Those who follow the paths of Virtue pass through the Labyrinth more quickly and with greater integrity of their soul; wicked souls are trapped in the Labyrinth for longer and perhaps forever.
  • The Way teaches that all laudable human qualities are rooted in the paths of Virtue. For example, the Freeborn commitment to truth is actually an expression of Courage and Pride.
  • Souls who attain sufficient purity of spirit, predominantly through perfection of virtue, pass through the Labyrinth to enlightenment. These individuals are called paragons.
  • There are some priestly ceremonies that require dedication to a single Virtue. Dedication is practised by those who have a calling, such as priests, pilgrims, exemplars and paragons.
  • For most Imperial citizens, dedication is not required. It is sufficient to know of the paths of Virtue and how they can positively influence this life, and the next.

The Way of Virtue is promoted and protected by the Imperial Synod and is shaped by Imperial theology.

The Way and the Non-human

Pure liao has an equal effect on all adult humans, including those who are lineaged. However, it has no particular effect on orcs or, it is assumed, any other non-human species. This is understood to mean that the non-humans have no 'past lives' and thus supports the Doctrine of Reincarnation’s claim that only human spirits traverse the Labyrinth of Ages.

Opinions are divided as to what this means for the non-human. Some maintain that they are incapable of following the Way because of their natures. Others maintain that, even if they do not reincarnate, they should still be encouraged to follow the example of the paragons and exemplars.

The Paths of Virtue

Imperial doctrine currently states that there are seven paths of Virtue that make up the Way. These are:

Further reading for religious PCs


This selection of articles can be downloaded as a PDF book (or as html only)
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