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== Beliefs ==
In Vorin religion, people believe in the [[Almighty]], the force of good and creator of mankind, along with animals and plantlife.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} The glory of Almighty is such that anyone looking upon him would immediately burn to ash.{{book ref|sa1|7}} As such, he is typically represented by the divine prism with ten facets, one for each of the Heralds.{{book ref|sa1|33}} Each Herald is an emissary of the Almighty, wielding potent magical powers, as well as the ability to respond to prayers and patronage over a specific part of human experience.{{book ref|sa3|part=ars}} Vorinism typically places [[Jezrien]] and [[Kalak]] as the highest among the Heralds, with others beneath them.{{book ref|sa3|26}} Occasionally, either of them are conflated with the [[Stormfather]], who in turn is commonly equated with the Almighty himself, although this depends on the particular Vorin country.{{book ref|sa3|64}}{{book ref|sa2|74}}▼
=== The Almighty ===
In Vorin religion, people believe in the [[Almighty]], the force of good and creator of mankind, along with animals and plantlife and Roshar itself.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}{{book ref|sa1|7}} The glory of Almighty is such that anyone looking upon him would immediately burn to ash.{{book ref|sa1|7}} As such, he is typically represented by the divine prism with ten facets, one for each of the Heralds.{{book ref|sa1|33}}
The Almighty is believed to have ten holy names; including his tenth name, Elithanathile or ''He who Transforms''; which is allowed only to be spoken by members of the Ardentia.{{book ref|sa1|7}}{{book ref|sa4|97}}
{{image|Chasmfiend_old.jpg|side=left|width=250px|Artistic representation of a Desolation.}}
=== The Heralds ===
The Heralds were believed to be forces of good which fought against the Voidbringers in one-hundred Desolations. After the hundredth Desolation, the Last Desolation or Aharietiam, they cast away the Voidbringers from Roshar forever. But they continue to fight against them in the Tranquline Hills, in order to liberate the Hills from them.{{book ref|sa1|45}}
▲
=== Creation Myth ===
=== Morality ===
==== Calling ====
All Vorins are expected to choose a '''Calling''', their greatest talent, and practice it until death.{{book ref|sa1|33}} However, it seems acceptable for one to choice to change their Calling.{{book ref|sa1|i|8}}
In the Alethi variety of Vorinism, fighting is considered the most important Calling, as the Almighty depends on Alethi to join the Heralds' army in their afterlife and win back the Tranquiline Halls.{{book ref|sa1|18}} The ardents are supposed to help someone follow their Calling, helping them to set goals for them to achieve in furtherance of it.{{book ref|sa1|18}} When one furthers their Calling enough, they '''Elevate''', one goes through multiple Elevations in the pursuance of their Calling.{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa4|22}}
===== Known Glories =====
* Determination{{book ref|sa1|18}}
* Denial{{book ref|sa2|i|12}}
* Insight{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{file ref|Kholinar.jpg|Map of Kholinar}}
* Mercy{{book ref|sa4|25}}
* Purity{{book ref|sa1|33}}
* Sincerity{{book ref|sa1|48}}
==== Telling the Future ====
Due to this, Vorins look down upon gambling and games of chance, seeing them as immoral, heretical, and dangerous.{{cite}}
==== Transformation and Change ====
Vorinism preaches change and becoming something better. They believe that the ability of mankind to change and grow, making their mind and soul into something better, is one of the Almighty's greatest gifts. This concept forms a core pillar of their doctrine.{{book ref|sa2|i|12}}{{book ref|sa4|26}}{{book ref|sa4|i|2}} The power of change and transformation is also held to be holy, and to be one of the greatest powers held by the Almighty.{{book ref|sa1|7}}
==== Oaths and Marriage ====
{{anchor|Causal}} ▼
When it comes to relationships, Vorinism is focused on making and upholding oaths. Breaking oaths, or acting without proper oaths, such as having sex outside of marriage, is frowned upon.{{wob ref|1443}} However, Vorinism offers a wide variety of partnership oaths for those who do wish to pursue relationships, including some for same-sex couples.{{wob ref|1443}} All official Vorin betrothals must be signed and verified by ardents. As a result, people sometimes use a '''causal''' betrothal, which makes them practically engaged but confers no legal benefits.{{book ref|sa2|1}}▼
Ardents are permitted to marry, but only within the ardentia.{{book ref|sa3|10}}
▲When it comes to relationships, Vorinism is focused on making and upholding oaths. Breaking oaths, or acting without proper oaths, such as having sex outside of marriage, is frowned upon.{{wob ref|1443}} However, Vorinism offers a wide variety of partnership oaths for those who do wish to pursue relationships, including some for same-sex couples.{{wob ref|1443}}
==== Sex and Sexuality ====
The Heraldic Forces were a believed to be the army of the [[Herald]]s that fought the [[Voidbringer]]s for the [[Tranquiline Halls]]{{book ref|twok|15}} in what was called the War for Heaven.{{book ref|sa1|59}} It was said that the sound of a horn would call the Heraldic Forces to the field of battle.{{book ref|twok|17}} Joining the Heraldic forces was the considered to be highest Calling of men.{{book ref|sa1|18}}
Those who do not achieve their greatest potential are stuck in a dreamless sleep until the Halls are reconquered,{{book ref|sa1|59}} while those who do horrible things are cast into Damnation. Damnation is believed to be a cold place where the dead are punished for their sins.{{book ref|tsm|34}}
They appear to have some awareness of the Spiritual Realm, but conflate it with the afterlife.{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|i|8}}
=== Belief in Symmetry ===
==== Importance of Opposites ====
This belief in symmetry also extends to a metaphysical dimension. Vorinism teaches that, as the Almighty and his goodness exists, so too must an opposite force as evil as he is good. It is this necessity for symmetry that led to the birth of the Voidbringers as a rival evil to his good.{{book ref|sa1|45}} The belief in opposites can also be seen in the dichotomy between the Tranquiline Hills and Damnation.
=== Temples ===
Traditional Vorin temples are circular and domed, with a sloping mound in the center. Usually, the dome is exactly ten feet tall at its highest point. They are often filled with statues and pictures of the Heralds.{{book ref|sa1|18}} A major city is expected to have a separate temple for each Herald.{{file ref|Thaylen City.jpg|Map of Thaylen City}}{{file ref|Kholinar.jpg|Map of Kholinar}} Additionally, wealthy lighteye families will often have private chapels, and the ardentia maintains monasteries throughout the continent. Such monasteries, like [[Jokasha Monastery|Jokasha]], are often seen as highly desirable postings, with many ardents working decades to get into one.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}}
=== Ten Essences ===
{{for|Ten Essences}}
The Ten Essences are a Vorin framework for understanding the nature of reality and of Soulcasting. Each Essence is associated with a [[polestone]], a body focus, its soulcasting properties, a Herald, and the attributes associated with that Herald, amongst other associations.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} The Ten Essences have their foundation in Soulcasting, and what soulcasted materials are associated with what polestone.
=== Prayer ===
There is some crossover among different groups within Vorinism, such as with Essential Theology, which is known to be used by ardents, scholars, and Soulcasters, and is related to polestones.{{book ref|sa3|109}}
▲{{anchor|Causal}}
=== Law ===
Ardents are separated into Devotaries, sects devoted to different aspects of Vorinism. Devotaries come in different forms: some, like the Devotary of the Mind, are monastic, sequestered away from civilization to devote themselves, while others permit their members to remain in touch with the rest of the world.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}}{{book ref|sa1|7}} This being said, ardents are generally not allowed to marry outside of their orders, though at least some orders allow them to marry each other.{{book ref|sa1|42}}{{book ref|sa1|8}} Overall, their chief purpose is to aid in nurturing the believers' Callings.
Devotaries are dedicated either to a specific Glory,{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{book ref|sa2|i|12}} or to a specific Herald.{{book ref|sa4|25}}{{book ref|sa1|54}}
Known devotaries include:
* {{anchor|Devotary of Denial}}'''The Devotary of Denial''' seems to emphasize the denial of desires to the point of asceticism.{{book ref|sa2|i|12}}
* {{anchor|Order of Talenelat}}'''The Order of Talenelat''' is related to the [[Herald]] [[Taln]] and, likely, the attributes ascribed to him by Vorinism. Those dedicated to this particular devotary are said to have a dislike for theological debates. It is viewed by some as an order for lesser people.{{book ref|sa1|54}} The Order of Talenelat maintains a presence in western [[Kholinar]], adjacent to the temple of Talenelat.{{file ref|Kholinar.jpg|Map of Kholinar}} [[Dalinar Kholin]] was a follower of this devotary prior to his excommunication.{{book ref|sa1|54}}▼
* {{anchor|Devotary of Mind}}'''The Devotary of the Mind''' is a monastic devotary with its home at the [[Jokasha Monastery]] on the western slopes of the [[Horneater Peaks]]. It is devoted to historical and linguistic study, with the focus on literature.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}}
* {{anchor|Devotary of Kelek}}'''The Devotary of Kelek''' is a devotary with a presence in [[Urithiru]]. Their ardents will take commissions for prayers and glyphwards.{{book ref|sa4|25}}▼
* {{anchor|Devotary of Mercy}}'''The Devotary of Mercy''' is a devotary with a presence in [[Urithiru]]. Their ardents care for those who have trouble with their minds.{{book ref|sa4|25}}
▲* {{anchor|Devotary of Kelek}}'''The Devotary of Kelek''' is a devotary with a presence in [[Urithiru]]. Their ardents will take commissions for prayers and glyphwards.{{book ref|sa4|25}} This devotary is likely related to the attributes ascribed to Kelek by Vorin tradition.
▲* {{anchor|Order of Talenelat}}'''The Order of Talenelat''' is related to the [[Herald]] [[Taln]] and, likely, the attributes ascribed to him by Vorinism. Those dedicated to this particular devotary are said to have a dislike for theological debates. It is viewed by some as an order for lesser people.{{book ref|sa1|54}} The Order of Talenelat maintains a presence in western [[Kholinar]], adjacent to the temple of Talenelat.{{file ref|Kholinar.jpg|Map of Kholinar}} [[Dalinar Kholin]] was a follower of this devotary prior to his excommunication.{{book ref|sa1|54}}
== History ==
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