The religion of Ehris: Caaphæus Ærium (Sah·fay·us Air·ri·um )

The Caaphæus Ærium (commonly simply Ærium) is the church of the Arlith, the dominion of the faith. The members of this order, known collectively as Templars, are some of the most honored and respected individuals in the land. The Templars are responsible for spreading the word of the Arlith, for helping to protect the people of Ehris in its name, and for the protection and maintenance of the Hlaniis il'Cae – the first volume of the Aria’Hlaniis. In addition, the Templars receive their power and authority directly from the Arlith (Arlith’s Blessing), and as such it is believed that they alone know the god’s true intensions.

The Ærium is very ritualistic in nature. There are many rites and ceremonies that are attended to as part of any Am’na. The rituals set the order of the faith, and in many ways govern the lives of the people of Ehris. The ceremonies performed by the Templars are the only events of any import in the lives of the Ehrisians, and as such are what the majority of them base their lives around.

There are four primary roles (classes) within the Ærium. Because all of the members of the Ærium are considered to be Templars, that title is reserved for more formal conversation and is not commonly used in colloquial parlance (for example Templar-Eldaar, or Templar-Scholar is the more formal version of Eldaar or Scholar).

• Eldaar
  The Eldaar’in are the proxies of the Arlith, the clerics of the faith. They are the highest ranking and most powerful members of the Ærium. They are charged directly with the preservation of the faith in all forms, and take on all responsibility for the order as a whole.
   
• Confessor
  The confessor is the rogue agent within the Ærium. They are the ones charged with maintaining the status quo within the organization and establishing the necessary alliances in the world at large. They are the most secretive of the Templars but also, many believe, the ones given the most latitude within the church.
   
• Scholar
  The scholar is the student of knowledge. A cleric who has dedicated his life to advancing the knowledge of his faith. The scholar is a teacher, and an advisor to many of the highest-ranking members of the Ærium.
   
• Paladin
  The paladin is the holy warrior of the Arlith who has dedicated his life to championing the cause of his god. They are warriors of the utmost resolve and honor who act as a model for all citizens to aspire to.

In addition, there are two secondary roles within the Ærium. These individuals have not yet received the Arlith's Blessing.

• Priests
  The priests perform the day-to-day rituals and ceremonies for the Ærium and are responsible for the general maintenance of the order in their respective regions.
   
• Acolytes
  The acolytes are “priests-in-training” and tend to the needs of the priests under which they serve. Many acolytes are allowed to take part in the daily rituals at the discretion of the priest.