Editors, Keepers
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{{culture
|image=Relief.jpg
|related=Alethkar
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}{{update|book=sa3}}
'''Vorinism''' is the one of the primary
▲'''Vorinism''' is the primary religion in [[Alethkar]], [[Jah Keved]], [[Kharbranth]] and [[Natanatan]] (known as Vorin kingdoms).{{book ref|sa1|8}} It becomes less common further west in [[Roshar]].
== Beliefs ==
In Vorin religion people believe in the [[Almighty]], force of good, creator of mankind, and the divine prism, with the ten facets representing his Heralds. It tells of a struggle between mankind and the [[Voidbringers]]. When the Voidbringers, an embodiment of evil, had forced mankind and the Heralds out of the [[Tranquiline Halls]], into [[Roshar]], the Voidbringers didn't stop there, coming again and again in times known as [[Desolation]]s, trying to force mankind off Roshar as well, into Damnation.{{book ref|sa1|45}}{{book ref|sa1|61}}▼
In Vorin religion, people believe in the [[Almighty]], the force of good and creator of mankind. To behold his glory directly is said to be deadly, as anyone who did so would surely be turned to ash.{{book ref|sa1|7}} As such, he is typically represented by the divine prism with ten facets, each for one of the Heralds. Each Herald is an emissary of the Almighty, wielding potent magical powers, as well as the ability to respond to prayers and patronage over a specific part of human experience.{{book ref|sa1|33}} Vorinism typically places [[Jezrien]] and [[Kalak]] as the highest among the Heralds, with others beneath them. Occassionally, either of them are conflated with the [[Stormfather]], who in turn is commonly equated with the Almighty himself, although this depends on the particular Vorin country.{{book ref|sa1|55}}{{book ref|sa3|64}}
On Roshar, mankind led by the Heralds and their [[Knights Radiant|chosen knights]], fought them off ninety and nine times. Until finally, Aharietiam came, the Last Desolation. The Voidbringers were defeated and cast back into the Tranquiline Halls and the Heralds followed to force them out of heaven as well and mankind entered the Era of Solitude.{{book ref|sa1|45}}▼
[[File:Chasmfiend_old.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Artistic representation of a Desolation.]]
People are expected to choose a Calling, their greatest talent, and those who grow to be the very best at their Calling are chosen to join the Heralds in the fight to regain the Tranquiline Halls when they die. Those who are the very best at farming in life become farmers for the Heralds in death, and those who are the greatest at battle are chosen to fight beside the Heralds.{{book ref|sa1|3}}{{book ref|sa1|i|8}}{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa1|28}} It is taught that those who do not achieve their greatest potential are given to a sort of dreamless sleep, stuck in limbo-like eternity, and those who do horrible things will be cast into Damnation.{{cite}} They teach that a warrior is the highest calling, because when they die they will help the fight in the Tranquiline Halls.▼
=== Creation Myth ===
▲
▲On Roshar, mankind, led by the Heralds and their [[Knights Radiant|chosen knights]], fought them off ninety
===
▲
The ardents believed that the eleven lamps in the oathgates stood for the ten [[Silver kingdoms|Epoch Kingdoms]], the eleventh for the Tranquiline Halls, and the huge keyhole to be "The need for ardents to ignore borders, and look only at the hearts of men".{{book ref|sa2|i|12} They called it the Circle of Memories in [[Kholinar]].▼
In the Alethi variety of Vorinism, warrior is considered the highest Calling, as it leads directly to the fight to reclaim the Tranquiline Halls.{{book ref|sa3|105}}
== Culture and tradition ==▼
The Vorin religion is closely interwoven with the culture of the Vorin kingdoms, to the point where the same word is applied to both the faith and the culture. Its modern form appears to be based on the book ''[[Arts and Majesty]]'', outlining what is proper for men and women. Women are expected to completely cover their left hand (called [[Safehand]] in Vorin vernacular) since the age of roughly eleven or twelve, as it is generally considered obscene.{{book ref|twok|3}}{{book ref|sa2|19}} They are, however, permitted to learn how to read and write, and expected to manage a household and business. More confrontational positions, such as politics and military, are considered masculine - however, men are forbidden (or at least discouraged) from learning the alphabet. Additionally, Vorinism differentiates between feminine and masculine foods (sweet and spicy). Those division between genders do not apply to ardents, who are considered genderless from cultural standpoint, and thus permitted to engage in both feminine and masculine activities. ▼
Closely tied to the concept of a Calling is Glory. A Glory is a particular attribute of the Almighty that one is supposed to emulate in the pursuit of their Calling. One typically choses their Glory alongside their Calling, as the two are supposed to work together; for example, the Calling of a warrior and the Glory of determination.{{book ref|sa1|18}}
When it comes to relationships, Vorinism is focused on making and upholding oaths. Breaking oaths, or acting without proper oaths, such as having sex outside of marriage, is frowned upon.{{wob ref|1443}} However, Vorinism offers a wide variety of partnership oaths for those who do wish to pursue relationships, including some for same-sex couples.{{wob ref|1443}}
=== Belief in Symmetry ===
Symmetry is considered holy in Vorinism. Among others, [[glyph]]s are shaped symmetrically, [[Silver Kingdoms]] have perfectly symmetrical names and many people's names are close to symmetrical. However, people who have names that are actually symmetric are looked down on as "too holy" and therefore blasphemous.{{book ref|sa2|29}}
Traditional Vorin temples are circular and domed. Usually, the dome is exactly ten feet tall at its highest point. They are often filled with statues and pictures of the Heralds.{{book ref|sa1|18}} A major city is expected to have a separate temple for each Herald.{{file ref|Thaylen City.jpg|Map of Thaylen City}}{{file ref|Kholinar.jpg|Map of Kholinar}} Additionally, wealthy lighteye families will often have private chapels, and the ardentia maintains monasteries throughout the continent. Such monasteries, like [[Jokasha Monastery|Jokasha]], are often seen as highly desirable postings, with many ardents working decades to get into one.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}}
=== Prayer ===
Vorin pray through [[Glyphward|glyphwards]], prayers written in glyphs, typically on a strip of paper, calling on the Almighty and, sometimes, one or more of the Heralds. They are typically burned to carry the soul of the prayer to the Almighty.{{book ref|sa1|69}}
In higher classes of [[Alethkar]], much of the religious observation falls to the the priesthood, the [[Ardent]]ia, rather than the lighteyes themselves. The ardents in the employ of a lighteye are supposed to perform the required rituals for their master, so that the lighteyes do not have to worry about the spiritual aspect of their lives.{{book ref|sa2|i|12}}
=== Oathgates ===
▲The
[[File:Vorin_Havah.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Vorin woman, with covered safehand on display.]]
▲The Vorin religion is closely interwoven with the culture of the Vorin kingdoms, to the point where the same word is applied to both the faith and the culture. Its modern form appears to be based on the book ''[[Arts and Majesty]]'', outlining what is proper for men and women. Women are expected to completely cover their left hand (called [[Safehand]] in Vorin vernacular) since the age of roughly eleven or twelve, as it is generally considered obscene.{{book ref|
In addition, the Vorin religion justifies the cultural divide between the [[Lighteyes]] and [[Darkeyes]], with the former being considered closer to the [[Almighty]] and thus more holy, giving them power over the darkeyed masses.{{book ref|sa1|73}}
Vorins are sometimes purposefully named after the Heralds - for example, [[Shallan]] for [[Shalash]] or [[Kaladin]] for [[Kalak]].{{wob ref|333}}
=== Law ===
Apart from cultural and religious aspect, Vorinism has an impact on the legal system, as the teachings of Heralds demand implementation of certain laws.
==== The Right of Travel ====
The Right of Travel allows every Vorin citizen of sixth [[nahn]] or higher to freely travel between various Vorin lands.{{book ref|sa2|15}} Vast majority of darkeyes have this right. Lacking it ties a person to the land they were born in, and usually means that something has gone very badly for their ancestors.{{wob ref|2782}} However, joining the military automatically forfeits the Right of Travel for the duration of service.{{book ref|sa2|15}}
The Right of Travel is derived from the [[Herald]]s teaching that all borders should be open.{{book ref|sa2|84}} It also serves as a form of addressing the power imbalance between lighteyes and darkeyes, as most darkeyes are able to leave a land that is poorly managed.{{wob ref|2782}}
==== The Right to Learn ====
Most people in Vorin kingdoms have the Right to Learn professions in any temple of the [[Almighty]]. Larger Vorin temples have at least one [[ardent]] who is an expert in any given art or trade, and they provide training to anyone who's interested, regardless of eye color. This Right may not be available to the lower nahn ranks.{{book ref|sa2|64}}
==== The Right of Challenge ====
{{for|Right of Challenge}}
The Right of Challenge allows a distinguished lighteyed warrior to demand justice through combat from the one who wronged him. Though the Right is almost never used in the modern day, it can still be exercised, and is well-known among lighteyes.{{book ref|sa2|55}} This Right, however, does not extend to darkeyes, and a darkeye attempting to call on it can be punished with execution.{{book ref|sa2|58}}
== Priesthood ==
{{for|Ardent|more information about Vorin clergy}}
The priesthood of the Vorin religion are referred to as ardents. Ardents join devotaries (sects) based on their beliefs. Both males and females can become an ardent,{{book ref|sa1|i|8}} though many of the devotaries encourage women toward the female arts, rather than studies of theology.{{book ref|sa1|33}}▼
▲
Following the Hierocracy, the ardents are not allowed to own any property of any kind, and
Though the heads of the Vorin church are nominally the leaders of Vorin countries, in practice the ultimate authority lies in the hands of the ardents known as the Curates, operating from the Holy Enclave in the city of [[Valath]]. They can be distinguished by blue robes and gemstone-covered staves, and have the authority to excommunicate members of the church - including the national leaders - for heresy. This right was given to them by Covenants of Theocracy, which are unspecified, but centuries old.{{book ref|sa3|100}}
=== Devotaries ===
* '''The Devotary of
* '''The Devotary of
* '''The Devotary of
* '''The Devotary of
* '''The Order of Talenelat''' is related to the [[Herald]] [[Taln]] and, likely, the attributes ascribed to him by Vorinism. Those dedicated to this particular devotary are said to have a dislike for theological debates. It is viewed by some as an order for lesser people.{{book ref|sa1|54}} The Order of Talenelat maintains a presence in western [[Kholinar]], adjacent to the temple of Talenelat.{{file ref|Kholinar.jpg|Map of Kholinar}} [[Dalinar Kholin]] was a follower of this devotary prior to his excommunication.{{book ref|sa1|54}}
* '''The Devotary of the
▲=== Ardentia ===
The Ardentia is the collective body of [[Ardent]]s from all of the separate devotaries.▼
▲The
=== Hierocracy ===
The Hierocracy
{{Quote
}}
These priests were eventually cast down by the [[Sunmaker]] in the War of Loss.
==Notable Members==
*Ellista- Second interlude in Oathbringer, Jokasha Monastery. Studied the [[Dawnchant]], discerned it was only a universal written language.▼
=== The Ardentia ===
▲* [[Ellista]] -
* [[Pai]] - new member of Queen [[Aesudan]]'s retinue. Denounced the queen for her waste and was executed as a result, sparking riots.
* [[Rushu]] - an ardent/scholar, associate of [[Navani]].
* [[Lhan]] - another member of the Queen's ardentia. Eventually subverted by [[Ashertmarn]].
* [[Kadash]] - former soldier, who resigned after the events of [[Rathalas]] and became Dalinar's ardent.
* [[Zahel]] - swordsmaster in Dalinar's employ. Taught [[Adolin Kholin|Adolin]] and [[Renarin Kholin]] in the use of Plate and Blade.
=== Lay members ===
* [[Dalinar Kholin]] - [[Bondsmith]] and [[Alethkar|Alethi]] [[highprince]]. Member of the Devotary of Talenet and the head of the Alethi church until his excommunication.{{book ref|sa1|54}}{{book ref|sa3|100}}
* [[Shallan Davar]] - [[Jah Keved|Vedish]] [[Lightweaver]]. A somewhat devout member of the Devotary of Purity.{{book ref|sa1|33}}
== Notes ==
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