The Faith of the Divine Tree (Divinism)
神樹教
One of the world’s largest religions, the Faith of the Divine Tree, commonly known as Divinism, teaches that all life originates from the Tree of Mana and that god once spoke more clearly to the mortal world through its branches. Followers, known as Divinists, believe that while the connection between mortals and the divine was weakened after the Tree’s destruction, it was never completely severed. Upon death, the soul journeys beyond the mortal world to the Heavenly Realm, where it is judged by god according to the life it lived.
The faith places strong emphasis on personal morality, charity, forgiveness, family, and service to one’s community. While interpretations vary between nations and denominations, most Divinists believe that individuals are judged by their actions rather than their race, lineage, or status.
Divinism is particularly influential within Amarath, where many of its teachings helped shape the nation’s ideals of unity and coexistence. Although Amarath maintains a separation between religion and government, the faith remains deeply rooted in the country’s culture, traditions, and public life.
Following the burning of the Tree of Mana, theological disagreements emerged regarding whether the event was a tragic loss, a necessary sacrifice, or part of a divine plan. Some believe the destruction greatly weakened the connection between the mortal world and the heavens, while others argue that the gods allowed the sacrifice to occur for a greater purpose. A common teaching among many denominations holds that before the Tree’s destruction, souls could more easily find their way to the divine realm. After the loss of the Tree, however, mortals were no longer guaranteed such a path and must now face judgment before the Father of Creation and prove themselves worthy of entering the Heavenly Realm.
-
The Eternal Grove 永恆聖林
The Eternal Grove is the dominant Elven tradition within Divinism, particularly among the people of Sylvenor and Enhnore. Like other Divinists, its followers believe that all life originates from the Tree of Mana and that the gods maintain a connection to the mortal world through the divine order established at creation. However, the Eternal Grove places greater emphasis on the Tree itself, viewing it not merely as a gift from the gods but as the sacred bridge that united mortals, spirits, and the divine realm.
Followers believe that every living thing carries a fragment of this connection, forming a vast and eternal cycle that links all life together. As a result, the faith places great importance on harmony with nature, respect for spirits, reverence for ancestors, and stewardship of the natural world.
The burning of the Tree of Mana remains one of the tradition's defining events. While Divinists generally agree that the Tree’s destruction weakened the connection between mortals and the divine, followers of the Eternal Grove often place particular significance on the loss, believing it permanently disrupted a sacred balance established at the beginning of creation. For this reason, the event is remembered as both a tragedy and a warning against placing mortal ambition above the natural order.
Upon death, followers believe the soul continues its journey within the divine cycle and remains connected to the gods, the Tree, and the ancestors who came before. The Eternal Grove continues to shape Elven culture and identity, particularly within Sylvenor, where its teachings remain deeply influential.