The Priesthood of Geltia
Originally, Geltia was a heretical deity within Hythness arising during
the Gnoman Empire.
The Priesthood exists solely in Geltvyre, (where the deity gets its
name), and although tracing a storied lineage, many of the practices
have arisen in the last 400 years or so. While Geltia was only begrudgingly accepted in Cathirian company, it was outright shunned in Hythnetic ones and there had been generations of skirmishes and outright war fought over the depiction of the Gelts favoured deity. As such, the main trade of the nation was with other Cathirians, who in turn benefitted from the target on the Gelts back. As economic ties grew, so too did the insidious thought that Gelts odd believe wasn't all that outlandish, perhaps those Cathirian heathens weren't too far off the mark? A marriage of convenience was shifting to one of understanding, albeit begrudging and it was inevitable given the obvious advantages of it, that a union would occer.
The Priesthood was formally accepted as a Syncretised Church in 971 MH by Pope Trajan III, on the behest of the Cardinal of Hedderdon Setch, (the capital of Geltvyre). There was a brief period of transition, in which the former rithlings of Geltia earned robes, became priests, and reorganised their temples into Churches by accommodating of both Cathirian and Geltic rituals. The relatively organised nature of Geltism prior to syncretisation meant the transition went smoothly, and almost immediately the grateful Priesthood began codifying its ritualistic practices.
Some similarities may be drawn to the Western Church. The Priesthood too idolise the Great Lord, here in the form of Geltia, a winged hermaphroditic horse with rams horns, commonly also depicted with their stomach engorged symbolising a term of self-impregnation that lead to the birth of horses, cattle, and sheep, and the use of the standard ranks, servant, priests, saccerdos, but unlike other syncretised Churches that commonly adopt Cathirian practices, almost all Geltist practices are original, if alluding to Cathirian concepts. These are distinct even from Hythness, as a form of rebellion against their prior religion.
Geltism
Offerings:
A hangover from its Hythnetic roots, the Geltist priests prepare offerings to honour Geltia. Unlike typical Hythness, where offerings are varied, Geltists exclusively cremate horse corpses in honour of their god. This may seem odd to the outsider, but Geltists view it as returning flesh and blood to Geltia, horses being his offspring. The use of the corpse is due to horses still being considered of divine provenance, but also has the duel purpose of irritating the Hythnetics, who believe it disrespectful to misuse an animals remains.
Geltia’s Prayer:
Purposely inspired by Cathirianism, Geltia’s Prayer is as follows: ‘Let he who is unto all of us be praised. Geltia the Great Lord of horn, wing, and hoof. Let him deliver us unto piety, to faith and reflection. Let him rule us graciously and bless the spurn of his soul. None are greater, none than the Lord, none other worthy.’
While this has the appearance of a typical prayer praising the Great Lord, it once again directly besmirches Hythnetic teachings. ‘He who is...’ refers to the monotheist worship, going against both the polytheist Hythness and specifically, the Unified, the Stallion and Mare, Gelden and Equina, the very deities which Geltia is derived from. ‘the Great Lord...’ again another jibe. Although the Council of Cirithlings, (the highest authority of Hythness), did not appreciate Geltia, it was tolerable as a Hythnetic deity. This line, however, would firmly ensure it is would never be considered anything other than Cathirian. Finally, ’...bless the spurn of his soul...’, is in reference to the belief that cattle, horses, and sheep, are all offspring of Geltia, an unconscionable thought in Hythness.