Illarion

Illarion is the name of the religious order that the Priestesses belong to. Divara is the religion itself. Illarion enforces belief and are also the political rulers of Altierra.

Etymology

From iluminar (to illuminate, from Latin illuminare). Illarion could be seen as “those of the illumination,” i.e. bringers of sacred light. The suffix “ión” is a very common Spanish suffix from Latin -io / -ionis, forming abstract nouns (religión, oración, salvación).

Variants / everyday forms:

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Respectful or Semi-formal

• Illaras – the most natural shortening, soft and easy on the tongue. “An Illara came to bless the harvest.”
• Illarinas – diminutive but still respectful, could be used for novices or younger priestesses.
• Illarianas – more poetic, used in songs or ceremony.

Neutral or Colloquial

• Larias – contraction of the middle syllable, what common folk might say in the market.
• Illanas – smoother, easier form; feels natural in peasant speech.
• Irias – very pared down, almost nickname-like.

Reverential / Elevated

• Las Luminas – “The Luminous Ones”, poetic reverence that links back to illumination.
• Las Santas Illaras – “The Holy Illaras”, a formal title.
• Las Voces – “The Voices”, if the people think of them as speaking for Divara.

Disrespectful (used by dissenters or rebels)

• Illas – curt and dismissive.
• Las Lloras – play on llorar (to cry), mocking them as “the weepers”.
• Las Velas – literally “candles”, poking fun at their association with light and ritual.

So you might have: The formal chronicles always say Illarion. Common folk say Illaras or Illanas. Rebels or enemies spit Illas.

The Four Casta

The religious order consists of four casta or castes:

The Sacerdotisa or Priestesses

The Sacerdotisa or Priestesses are the rulers of Altierra. Ostensibly they are only rulers of Divara but, as everyone is a follower of the religion, this results in the Priestesses also ruling politically.

The Ceremony of Purification

All members of the four casta must undergo the Ceremony of Purification before acceptance. For Sacerdotisa and Criada, this is a requirement of qualification. For Guardia and Bestia, it is strictly speaking only necessary before residing in a cregan but, because they are likely to enter a cregan at any time, it is nearly always performed on their initial admission.

The Guardia and Bestia (and the younger Sacerdotisa and Criada) undergo a simple, symbolic Ceremony, but the adult Sacerdotisa and Criada face the full version.

Institutions

There a three principle establishments In Illarion and sereval minor ones:

The cregan

The cregan is the principle establishment on each of the Triada, the place where the Alta Sacerdotisa live (and the Arcipresta Suprema), and where government decisions are made.

The Sacerdotisa training school

There is only one training school for Priestesses, situated on Veridia at Prueban. All Priestesses spend six years there as Acólitas.

The Bestia training schools

There are two Bestia training schools, Alta not having enough of a population to warrant it. Bestia are generally born nearby and spend their childhood there until the age of fifteen.

Punishments

As well as the normal judicial sanctions such as fines, corporal punishments and imprisonment, there are two specifically Illarion: