Secrets of Endari #7: Religion

In Endari, the many different cultures practice a variety of religions, many of them philosophical in nature rather than centered around a deity. In Book 1, two religions will receive the relative spotlight.

The Church of Ascension is the officially sanctioned religion of the Shendari Empire. An individualistic faith, it focuses on inward perfection and improvement of the self in order to improve the Empire.

The Way of Peace, followed by the people of Haltor, is also the philosophy inspiring Edward Bearson, one of our two central protagonists. It is a pacifist religion. For Edward, someone becoming heavily involved in a possible revolution, it creates quite the crisis of conscience.

While religion isn't central to the narrative of Secrets of Endari, it is part of the world and informs the actions of certain characters. More importantly, I wanted to ensure I included a "state-sanctioned" religion: The Church of Ascension. When political institutions involve themselves with religious control, it's never pretty.

The Way of Peace also has a colored history. During the time of Secrets of Endari, the Haltor people are a tributary state to the Shendari Empire. The Haltor religion, the Way of Peace, has been co-opted to force them into submission.

Edward's family, having fled the war in Haltor generations prior, hold onto a "untarnished" version of the Way of Peace.

I won't go into more detail about the religions of Secrets of Endari, but I'm excited for readers to see how religion subtly influences the world... and the actions of its characters.