Sermons on Sin

A general forum for all in-character posts as they relate to Act VI: Absolution, the characters that inhabit the world at large, and the events that help shape both.
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skew
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Character: Ramona

Sermons on Sin

Post by skew » May 26th, 2021, 5:44 pm

This is the start of a series discussing the Thirteen Vices, Sins, or Thrones. These sermons were given in public and notes and transcriptions stored and distributed as requested.

Sin Sermons

Good morning, everyone. We gather today at the start of a new series of sermons, given by myself, Sister Ramona, and Sister Graelynn. We’ve already covered virtues - and for any that missed the sermons and are interested, we have notes available. Virtues are nice to talk about and serve as a good reminder, but without a discussion of sin, it’s hard to fully understand them. As such, that is what we wish to teach all the Faithful. The difference between Virtue and Sin, how they interact, and what we can do to embrace the former and reject the latter.

Of course, before we can start such a deep discussion, we need to discuss Sin, in general.

Before the Light first shown in the Verse, Darkness was everywhere. Faced with the Light, the Darkness could not survive, and so that ancient evil retreated to a new place, where the Light would not reach. We call this place Hel.

Now, in those early days, the rest of the Verse was without Sin. Life was not but Light and Love and Joy. It was not until the Thirteenth Archangel rejected the Light and dove into the Darkness and returned that Sin truly entered Eden. From this point forward, the perfection of the world was shattered. Sin became tangled with Virtue. Life became difficult.

Some of you may have heard the term “Throne” in relation to Sin. This is a word that is used to describe things that I know nothing about. It is in Hel that such words have meanings, as the demons order themselves and build upon their Darkness. Still, the word is used often, and so I wish for you all to know it. Those that sit upon the Thrones, well, they’re people who embrace and use Sin to gain power and privilege.

Decus and the Prelates that taught us these things, they have presented thirteen main vices. Which is actually twelve, plus the Thirteenth Archangel itself. In brief terms, these sins are as follows…

Falsehood: Telling lies, acting in bad faith, and encouraging deceptions for gain.

Hatred: Anger and hostility taken to such an extreme as to harm oneself and those around you.

Cowardice: Where a lack of courage prevents someone from doing their sworn duty or otherwise acting piously.

Enlightenment: Now, this is a difficult one, and the lesson on it will be complex. For now, we’ll keep it simple. The Sin of Enlightenment is knowledge, understanding, or more generally power gained through sinful practices and deeds.

Sacrilege: Disrespect and irreverence in the treatment of the Divine, the Light, the Virtues.

Covetous: Any time one puts their own desires above the desires of another.

Shame: Feelings of dishonor, unworthiness, and embarrassment, which do not lead to growth and change.

Pride: The view of one’s own being, nature, or position in this world as inherently above or better than others. Denial of the interconnectedness of the world.

Murder: Intentional killing of another.

Chaos: The rejection of order. Rebellion and contradiction for their own sake, without desiring to improve anything.

Wrath: Violence committed out of a desire for violence or vengeance.

Lust: Seeking pleasure - such as romantic pleasure - without also seeking connection, fulfillment, or love.

And then, finally, we arrive at the Thirteenth Throne. The fallen archangel - she that rejected the Light and sought the Darkness - is the very reason for Sin to exist in this world.

And so concludes our introduction to the Vices.

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