Post by Admin on Oct 10, 2017 22:28:51 GMT
The religion of Eastwind has been around for long enough that most people do not remember how it started, and those very few that do are too old and addled to tell the tale truthfully. All that is left is the legend and the myth--the foundations of the faith. The tale of the Goddesses has been around since the time of the First Oracle.
The three Goddesses are:
The Mother Goddess
AKA: Terra, Marvira, Candra The One
Associated Magic: Elemental Magic
This is the first Goddess, and the most powerful in the eyes of many Havenfolk. She is seen as the embodiment of the planet on which the people thrive, the one who gives the seasons, grants harvest to crops, blesses new mothers, and gave birth to the world. She is often praised for her love for her creation, and called upon for protection in times of illness.
The Lunar Goddess
AKA: Luna, Mara
Associated Magic: Psychic
This is one of the Twin Goddesses, often depicted as either children of or two halves of the Mother Goddess. She and her twin are identical save for their hair color and cut. Luna wears her hair long and unbound to her waist, and is often depicted with long bangs that hide her eyes. She is the goddess of the moon, darkness, and death. She is not seen as vengeful, but as a quiet soul who comes only for those who have found their time. There are said to be a few hidden sects that see her as a more violent goddess, but if those existed, they have surely been eradicated as heresy...
The Solar Goddess
AKA: Solaris, Vira
Associated Magic: Summoning
The younger of the Twin Goddesses, identical to her sister in all but her hair. Solaris's is cut short, and she is often shown as wearing crowns of flowers in her hair. She is the goddess of the sun, light, and life. She is portrayed as full of boundless but gentle energy, and is often seen as the patron of young children and young women in love.
Note: Healing magic may be associated with any Goddess, but is primarily linked with the Mother Goddess by those who follow the majority belief listed below.
There are several schools of belief when it comes to the way these three goddesses are connected, and they are listed here from most popular to least. Your character may belong to any of these groups or none, but if they are atheist, they will need to carefully conceal that fact lest they be seized by the Temple forces.
1. The Three Goddesses are actually one true goddess, but each face is equally as valid as the others. They are simply aspects that the people of the Goddess can understand and give praise to, a gift from her to allow them into her grace and love.
2. The Mother Goddess truly is the mother of the Twin Goddesses, and they are seen as being under her influence as mother. She is the one who set them out to light the world for her people, and the one who gave them life. The Twin Goddesses are also worshiped in their own right in this belief, as some people feel an affinity for one or the other.
3. All Three Goddesses are individuals, portrayed only as mother and children by the simpleminded. People in this group believe that the Goddess you worship will grant you favors and power, and this is the only way to become truly skilled in any type of magic.
4. The Twin Goddesses are two halves of a 'split' Mother Goddess. Were they to join completely in unison, their true power of creation would be released, allowing them to perform great miracles and create new worlds and living creatures.
Temples:
Candra Temple
A temple dedicated to the mother goddess that takes devotees of all types, including priests, monks, priestesses, and acolytes (who do not take orders/vows). They are the largest temple, and their campus takes up more room in the city than the palace itself. There are schools within specializing in each type of magic, and one for scholars of mathematics and alchemy.
Haiyang Temple
A temple built on stilts on the warm shores of the Vivani Sea. Only priestesses are trained here, in the ways of the Sun Goddess. Many Summoners are trained here. A small community of fishermen and their families surrounds the temple, having sprung up to support its needs.
Sanyama Temple
A temple situated high in the mountain range on the Northern coasts of Easthaven. It is dedicated to Mara, goddess of the Moon. People of all genders train here, but males and females are separated into their own dorms for sleeping and are not encouraged to associate with one another. Many Psychics train here.
Shou Temple
A forest temple dedicated to all three goddesses, but more specifically to exploring the connection with them granted by Elemental Magic. The temple is situated on the border between the massive Southern forests and the rice fields. Both priests and priestesses are accepted here, and a strong connection to the earth and nature is emphasized. Breeding is considered a great honor, but must be applied for. See the section below.
Priests and Priestesses:
Most people who do not have magic join the temples at age 16, when they can legally choose to do so. They will usually undergo a year of training before taking their official vows. Relationships outside of your temple are highly discouraged, although clerics who wish to have children may apply for a mate to have children with. These children would be raised inside the temple by the appointed parent. For example, if a priestess applied, she'd be assigned a mate to produce the child, but the child would be hers, and vice versa for a priest. Temples assist in childcare and education for these children. The children are not obligated to stay in the temple once they come of age.
Young children with magic may be sent to temples as soon as their magic manifests, and this is actually encouraged by the society at large. Most people believe that the best place for magic users to learn discipline and master their powers is in a temple. Students live in dorms, which usually have a large shared room full of bunks (think military/camp style) and open baths.
Temples will also accept children without magic, and raise them in common. The Candra temple is the most popular place for these orphans/boarders, and they now have a large school dedicated to them and other children from the capital city. Parents who cannot care for their children may leave them at any temple, and the children will grow up there, and children may also attend school at their nearest temple as opposed to a public (government created) school.
People may live at the temple at any age, and priests/priestesses may leave at any age should they decide to break their vows. This is regarded poorly, but it is done from time to time when people wish to marry, or have a crisis of faith.
The Inquisitors:
This is a small militant sect in the Candra temple made up mainly of men. They were started during the rein of the last Oracle, and perpetuated by the old council. As the new Oracles and council take control, their power will fade unless they find a new patron on the council. They are dedicated to rooting out heresy and rebellion in the Capital, but were often used to eliminate political enemies and rebels by the old council, or bring them in for interrogation. They are a small group, but well trained in martial arts, and won't be eliminated easily. Rumors say that the High General was once a member of this group, but no one knows for sure.
The three Goddesses are:
The Mother Goddess
AKA: Terra, Marvira, Candra The One
Associated Magic: Elemental Magic
This is the first Goddess, and the most powerful in the eyes of many Havenfolk. She is seen as the embodiment of the planet on which the people thrive, the one who gives the seasons, grants harvest to crops, blesses new mothers, and gave birth to the world. She is often praised for her love for her creation, and called upon for protection in times of illness.
The Lunar Goddess
AKA: Luna, Mara
Associated Magic: Psychic
This is one of the Twin Goddesses, often depicted as either children of or two halves of the Mother Goddess. She and her twin are identical save for their hair color and cut. Luna wears her hair long and unbound to her waist, and is often depicted with long bangs that hide her eyes. She is the goddess of the moon, darkness, and death. She is not seen as vengeful, but as a quiet soul who comes only for those who have found their time. There are said to be a few hidden sects that see her as a more violent goddess, but if those existed, they have surely been eradicated as heresy...
The Solar Goddess
AKA: Solaris, Vira
Associated Magic: Summoning
The younger of the Twin Goddesses, identical to her sister in all but her hair. Solaris's is cut short, and she is often shown as wearing crowns of flowers in her hair. She is the goddess of the sun, light, and life. She is portrayed as full of boundless but gentle energy, and is often seen as the patron of young children and young women in love.
Note: Healing magic may be associated with any Goddess, but is primarily linked with the Mother Goddess by those who follow the majority belief listed below.
There are several schools of belief when it comes to the way these three goddesses are connected, and they are listed here from most popular to least. Your character may belong to any of these groups or none, but if they are atheist, they will need to carefully conceal that fact lest they be seized by the Temple forces.
1. The Three Goddesses are actually one true goddess, but each face is equally as valid as the others. They are simply aspects that the people of the Goddess can understand and give praise to, a gift from her to allow them into her grace and love.
2. The Mother Goddess truly is the mother of the Twin Goddesses, and they are seen as being under her influence as mother. She is the one who set them out to light the world for her people, and the one who gave them life. The Twin Goddesses are also worshiped in their own right in this belief, as some people feel an affinity for one or the other.
3. All Three Goddesses are individuals, portrayed only as mother and children by the simpleminded. People in this group believe that the Goddess you worship will grant you favors and power, and this is the only way to become truly skilled in any type of magic.
4. The Twin Goddesses are two halves of a 'split' Mother Goddess. Were they to join completely in unison, their true power of creation would be released, allowing them to perform great miracles and create new worlds and living creatures.
Temples:
Candra Temple
A temple dedicated to the mother goddess that takes devotees of all types, including priests, monks, priestesses, and acolytes (who do not take orders/vows). They are the largest temple, and their campus takes up more room in the city than the palace itself. There are schools within specializing in each type of magic, and one for scholars of mathematics and alchemy.
Haiyang Temple
A temple built on stilts on the warm shores of the Vivani Sea. Only priestesses are trained here, in the ways of the Sun Goddess. Many Summoners are trained here. A small community of fishermen and their families surrounds the temple, having sprung up to support its needs.
Sanyama Temple
A temple situated high in the mountain range on the Northern coasts of Easthaven. It is dedicated to Mara, goddess of the Moon. People of all genders train here, but males and females are separated into their own dorms for sleeping and are not encouraged to associate with one another. Many Psychics train here.
Shou Temple
A forest temple dedicated to all three goddesses, but more specifically to exploring the connection with them granted by Elemental Magic. The temple is situated on the border between the massive Southern forests and the rice fields. Both priests and priestesses are accepted here, and a strong connection to the earth and nature is emphasized. Breeding is considered a great honor, but must be applied for. See the section below.
Priests and Priestesses:
Most people who do not have magic join the temples at age 16, when they can legally choose to do so. They will usually undergo a year of training before taking their official vows. Relationships outside of your temple are highly discouraged, although clerics who wish to have children may apply for a mate to have children with. These children would be raised inside the temple by the appointed parent. For example, if a priestess applied, she'd be assigned a mate to produce the child, but the child would be hers, and vice versa for a priest. Temples assist in childcare and education for these children. The children are not obligated to stay in the temple once they come of age.
Young children with magic may be sent to temples as soon as their magic manifests, and this is actually encouraged by the society at large. Most people believe that the best place for magic users to learn discipline and master their powers is in a temple. Students live in dorms, which usually have a large shared room full of bunks (think military/camp style) and open baths.
Temples will also accept children without magic, and raise them in common. The Candra temple is the most popular place for these orphans/boarders, and they now have a large school dedicated to them and other children from the capital city. Parents who cannot care for their children may leave them at any temple, and the children will grow up there, and children may also attend school at their nearest temple as opposed to a public (government created) school.
People may live at the temple at any age, and priests/priestesses may leave at any age should they decide to break their vows. This is regarded poorly, but it is done from time to time when people wish to marry, or have a crisis of faith.
The Inquisitors:
This is a small militant sect in the Candra temple made up mainly of men. They were started during the rein of the last Oracle, and perpetuated by the old council. As the new Oracles and council take control, their power will fade unless they find a new patron on the council. They are dedicated to rooting out heresy and rebellion in the Capital, but were often used to eliminate political enemies and rebels by the old council, or bring them in for interrogation. They are a small group, but well trained in martial arts, and won't be eliminated easily. Rumors say that the High General was once a member of this group, but no one knows for sure.
