The Maker of Stars

The Maker of Stars - The Maker, the Eternal One “Hear the song of the universe, and you will understand.” The Maker of Stars is the patron deity of the House of the Sovereign Chorus. What aspects of the universe he governs is unknown to mortals, it is possible it is a divine manifestation of the universe itself. In truth, the Maker of Stars is the first and oldest of the Ky’ian Adratch. Home Plane: Unknown Description: The true form of the Maker of Stars has never been seen by mortals. It has only appeared to the living as a humanoid shaped mass made of what appears to be the night sky itself. History: Nothing is known of the history of the Maker of Stars before its first recorded appearance on Aerith after the end of the War of Mourning Saints. Even the monks of the Chorus have no secret or hidden chronicles that detail his early existence. Secrets would denote attachment and who or what the Maker is or was before his appearance on Aerith is of no concern to them either, only its current message is of any importance. Portfolio: Creation, Destruction, Order, Chaos Symbols: Followers of the Maker wear a crystal amulet handed down from the creation of the monastery. Each bears the mark of the Maker. Organization: The followers of the Maker of Stars have organized themselves into what the world knows as the House of the Sovereign Chorus. An order of monks who constantly sing “the song of the universe.” They keep a low profile on the world stage and focus on hospitality and charity. Followers: Monks of the Sovereign Chorus Favored Weapon: None. Violence is abhorrent to the monks of the Chorus. While some do practice martial arts and other forms of unarmed combat it is strictly a form of meditation. Monks are not permitted to take any form of life under any circumstances. Holy Texts: The Celestial Hymn: This haunting melody sung by monks of the Chorus is one of Aerith’s most confounding religious mysteries. It is in a language that has been impossible to decipher, though it has slight traces of Celestial. After intense study, the Knights of the Word as well as Temple scholars have only been able to deduce that the monks are repeating the song over and over again. Dogma: There is reason behind chaos, and chaos in reason. There is no creation without destruction, no discord without harmony. Put your faith in the universe, as I once did, and all will be made clear. Hear the song, and you will understand. Initiations & Rites: The Sound of Silence: The initiation ritual for the monks is simple in execution but has been known to drive those unworthy to madness. The initiate is confined in the monolith’s reliquary for three days. During that time they are subjected to complete silence and stillness allowing them the opportunity to attune their consciousness to the sound of the celestial hymn. Those that hear it emerge from the reliquary in perfect harmony with the song. Those who were never able to hear the sound never complete the three day trial. Inside the chamber is a rope attached to a large bell in the tower above the monastery, the unworthy pull the bell frantically trying to break the silence? There is, however, no limit to the number of times a person can undertake the ritual. If successful, a new monk of the chorus is given his robes and holy symbol and allowed to remain in the monastery as a full member of the order. Dissociation of Heart: The first right of passage undergone by monks of the chorus involves their transcendence from the emotional barriers that interrupt and block the natural ebb and flow of the energies of the universe as well as the consciousness of other living beings. While there are no outward or physical signs of this change, those that have passed this first great hurdle command a great peaceful, calming presence and become keenly aware of the world they seek to attune with. This stage of understanding is noted and formally recognized by the Abbott or Deacon of the Chorus and represented by a knot on the monk’s rope belt. Dissociation of Thought: The second rite of passage is also the most dramatic to behold. Having become completely attuned to the surrounding world, and with the emotional limiters stripped away the consciousness of the monk is now free to begin to understand its relationship to the greater scheme of the universe. He realizes at this point that there is no universe to attach to, that he and the totality of existence are in fact a single entity and that the only thing that limits or restricts his assimilation into the whole of existence is own interpretive and perceiving mind. He understands that reality is completely subjective and that he cannot become part of the higher consciousness if his mind still struggles to quantify and perceive a state of understanding that his mortal mind cannot hope to comprehend without becoming one with it. Allowing his thinking mind to fade away and replacing it with pure, uninterrupted presence, the monk becomes a semi-corporeal being that resembles his own form as well as that of the depictions of the Maker of Stars. This level of understanding is recognized by the Deacon or Abbott and represented by two more knots of the monk’s rope belt. Dissociation of Form: This final rite of the Chorus is the only one that isn’t undertaken voluntarily though it is one devoutly to be wished for and the most sacred as well as joyous of all rituals. By this stage, the monk has become so attuned to the greater will of the universe and so aware of his innate connection to that macrocosm that he transcends the final attachments to the only thing he has left, his physical body. Those prepared to take this final step, in the midst of singing the Celestial Hymn simply fade out of existence, leaving behind only their robes and holy symbol. It is believed they have become beings of pure consciousness and have departed to dwell with the Maker of Stars. Aphorisms: “May your soul speak freely.” – A common greeting given by monks of the Chorus. “The mind listens, the heart hears.” – A parting wish given only to non-members of the Chorus. Role of Clerics: Formal Attire: Because of their vows of detachments of material forms, monks of the chorus wear only plain robes with rope belts. Only the abbot and deacon wear different robes, and even they vary only in color. Special Dispensation: Attuned – Monks of the Chorus, unlike other ecclesiastical ranks and orders do not pray for their spells, nor must they keep sacred texts with them at all times. In order to gain their abilities, they merely have to join in song with the Hymn they always hear in the back of their minds. After an hour, their repertoire of blessings and magic is completely refreshed.
  Role of Other Classes: Few who can hear the Celestial Hymn continue their old lives and vocations, those that do live out their lives normally and while they seem to radiate an inner peace and wield preternatural understanding, they also feel a deep sense of painful incompleteness. Myths: Celebrations & Holidays: The Chorus sets aside almost no days as having any religious significance. They do however observe the anniversary of the discovery of the crystal shard with a day of total silence, and meditation. Relics of the Faith: The Crystal Monolith: Planar Ally: Unknown Avatars: The avatars of the Maker have never been seen on Aerith, but have appeared elsewhere as beings of pure energy known as Archons. Relations with Other Religions: