eberron

The Path of Inspiration is the state religion of Riedra, and the faith forms the backbone of the nation.[5][6] Indeed, the faith and the nation are one and the same in the eyes of most of its citizens.[5]

“
The fish does not seek to fly, and the raptor does not swim. Each life is a lesson, and you must live the life you have been given if you hope to rise in the next. Follow the path, and do not stray. Help your neighbors, and call on them when you are in need. And above all, trust the Inspired, whose wisdom guides us all.
”
— Excerpt from the Path of Inspiration[7]

Dogma

The main precept of the Path of Inspiration is that devotion to the il-altas, Quori for "great spirits," comes first. They believe these great spirits are opposed by altavars, Quori for "evil spirits," meaning evil gods and fiends. These evil spirits tempt the faithful to wander from the path and threaten their ability to progress along the path to the next life in the cycle of reincarnation.[2][6]

The Path of Inspiration bears some basic resemblance to the Church of the Silver Flame.[2] However, followers of the Path believe that all foreign faiths worship altavars, and that these faiths are corrupted.[5]

Most Riedrans are illiterate, and are taught the precepts of the Path of Inspiration by the sermons of the priests in their waking hours and by lessons broadcast into their dreams from the monoliths at night.[5]

It is the only faith permitted in Riedra, and practice of other faiths is a criminal offense.[8]

Cycles of Reincarnation

Followers of the Path of Inspiration believe in cycles of reincarnation and spiritual evolution along this path to enlightenment. Followers of the precepts of the faith hold that should they obey the will of their Chosen representatives on Eberron so that they too can eventually be reincarnated into one of the il-altas.[2][5] Inspiration refers to when a Chosen is inhabited by one of these great spirits, and they are thereafter referred to as "Inspired."[5] Nonhumans are thought to have souls that have yet to advance far enough on the path. Loyal service is rewarded with reincarnation as a human, or as one of the Chosen for humans.[6]

The various tiers of this cycle to reach enlightenment are:[5]

The Path of Inspiration teaches that some creatures house altavars within them, such as elans, ogre mages, and the dreaded kalashtar of Adar.[5]

Falling off the Path

Some il-altas are said to fall from grace. These altavars are both the guiding quori spirits of the kalashtar and the gods of every other faith. Followers of the Path of Inspiration believe that the altavars are eternally suffering, and lessen their torment through the corruption of others.[6]

Worshipers

The majority of the Riedrans who follow the Path of Inspiration are not evil and, instead, are true believers in the faith that they were taught. They believe that they are doing the right thing by living in their given level of the spiritual hierarchy, and trust that their devotion to the Inspired will be rewarded.[6]

Garb

Riedrans who observe this faith dress in brown, black, and white clothing with complex embroidery on the hems. The Inspired are permitted to wear blue and red on their robes.[5]

Clergy

Members of the priesthood of the Path of Inspiration are the only citizens of Riedra permitted to use divine magic. All members of the priesthood of the Path of Inspiration belong to a single rank—that of the priest. Priests report to those who serve the Inspired lords of Riedra, whom they may never encounter in person. Priests help indoctrinate the common folk of Riedra into the rule of the Inspired. They are dispatched as servants to quell dissent and contain opponents of the rule of the Inspired over Riedra. Any priests who disobey the whims of their masters are dealt with permanently.[2][5]

The Inspired stand above all other members of the Path of Inspiration, and can command all followers at a whim.[2][5][6]

Symbols

The symbol of the Path of Inspiration is a crystal in front of a shape that evokes the quori monoliths. The symbol is meant to represent a seed from which the soul will be reborn.[3]

The hanbalani altas ("sanctuaries of the soul") are the most obvious symbols of the Path of Inspiration.[9]

Holy Sites

See also: Hanbalani altas

The most iconic locations for worshipers of the Path of Inspiration are the monoliths called the hanbalani altas, or "sanctuaries of the soul."[2][5][6] Citizens of Riedra believe these places house the spirits of the dead before they transition into their next life along the path.[5]

History

Main articles: The Sundering and Unity of Riedra

Appendix

Further Reading

References

  1. ↑ Keith Baker (2020). Exploring Eberron. (Dungeon Masters Guild), p. 217.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 121–126. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 121. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
  4. ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 43. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 184, 256. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
  7. ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  8. ↑ David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 152. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
  9. ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 11. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.

Connections


Faiths of Eberron
The Silver Flame | The Sovereign Host | The Dark Six | The Blood of Vol | The Cults of the Dragon Below | The Path of Light | Path of Inspiration | Undying Court | The Lord of Blades | The Becoming God | Spirits of the Past | Thir | Druidic sects | Vulkoor