St. Cuthbert
Title(s)
The Cudgel, The Saint, Champion of Common Sense, The Righteous Reformer
Alignment
Lawful Neutral (with tendencies toward Lawful Good)
Symbol
A wooden cudgel or crumpled hat, representing the practicality and common sense of St. Cuthbert's teachings. His followers often carry this symbol as a badge of faith, carved into their weaponry, or displayed in their places of worship as a reminder of the saint's commitment to justice and straightforwardness.
Domains
Law, Protection, Strength, Zeal
Followers and Clergy
St. Cuthbert's followers are common folk, soldiers, farmers, and all who value law, order, and the power of common sense. His clergy is divided into three main orders: The Chapeaux, who focus on converting new followers and sometimes serve as paladins known as Votaries or Communicants; The Stars, who enforce doctrinal purity within the faith; and The Billets, who minister to the faithful and offer protection. Each order has its own symbol and mission, with the Chapeaux represented by a crumpled hat, The Stars by a starburst, and The Billets by a wooden club. There are also lesser orders, such as L'Ordre de la Croix-Rose Veritas, which hunts disguised devils, and The Society of the Sanctified Mind, which battles psionic threats. Clerics of St. Cuthbert often wear simple robes or armor, marked with their order’s symbol, and carry cudgels as their preferred weapon.
Worship Practices
Worship of St. Cuthbert emphasizes straightforwardness, discipline, and the application of common sense. Services are pragmatic and include moral teachings based on parables from St. Cuthbert and Common Sense or The Parables of the Wise Fool, focusing on everyday life. St. Cuthbert’s followers gather in simple, small chapels, wayside shrines, or even grand cathedrals for worship. Rituals involve practical blessings, such as consecrating tools for work or weapons for battle. The faithful often recite homilies or sayings from the Wise Fool, reflecting their appreciation for straightforward wisdom. Festivals may include contests of skill, tests of strength, or demonstrations of practical crafts, embodying the virtues of hard work and common sense.
Character and Doctrine
St. Cuthbert teaches the value of law, common sense, and moral fortitude. He emphasizes that righteousness comes from living a good and practical life, following the law, and using straightforward reasoning to overcome challenges. His followers are taught to uphold justice and protect their communities, standing against evil wherever it appears. While St. Cuthbert values kindness and charity, he does not tolerate laziness or indulgence in idle thought. His doctrine is captured in St. Cuthbert and Common Sense, a text that lays out the virtues of his faith in simple terms. The saint is especially concerned with teaching evil the error of its ways, and his followers are encouraged to use reason, and if necessary, force, to bring wrongdoers back to the path of righteousness.
Manifestations and Interventions
St. Cuthbert is often depicted as a muscular, middle-aged man wearing a crumpled hat and carrying a wooden cudgel. His interventions are direct and to the point; he may appear to deliver a straightforward message or offer a solution to a pressing problem. When St. Cuthbert intervenes, it is typically through signs of practical significance, such as a sturdy tree that falls to block a marauder's path or a sudden inspiration for a plan that is simple yet effective. His followers also believe that his power is evident in their ability to make sound judgments under pressure. He wields the Mace of Cuthbert, an artifact that symbolizes his power to enforce justice and maintain order.
Divine Relationships and Stories
St. Cuthbert is a staunch ally of Rao, with whom he shares a commitment to law and good, and he is friendly with Heironeous and Pelor. However, his intense rivalry with Pholtus arises from their differing interpretations of law, with St. Cuthbert favoring a more pragmatic approach. St. Cuthbert is an enemy of evil deities such as Iuz and Vecna, actively working to thwart their schemes. Legends tell of his mortal origins as a shepherd who lived a humble life and was rewarded by the gods, brought to Primea as a holy man, and eventually ascended to godhood. This tale serves as a model for his followers, demonstrating the power of a life lived in accordance with common sense and moral righteousness.
Sacred Items and Symbols
St. Cuthbert’s sacred items include the Mace of Cuthbert, which is used to enforce his will and symbolizes his power to deliver justice. The cudgel, often referred to as "the cudgel that never forgets," serves as a reminder of St. Cuthbert's straightforward and practical approach to problem-solving. Another relic, the tabard of the great crusade, represents his role in leading others to righteous action. His followers often carry small cudgels or other simple tools blessed by the clergy as symbols of their faith. Symbols of St. Cuthbert are straightforward and utilitarian, reflecting his values of common sense and practicality.
Temples and Shrines
Temples dedicated to St. Cuthbert range from large cathedrals in cities to small, crude chapels and wayside shrines in rural areas. The architecture is practical and unadorned, often featuring simple wooden furnishings and minimal decoration. Rural chapels may have paintings of the Wise Fool or other depictions of Cuthbert’s parables on their walls. His places of worship emphasize function over form, serving as community centers where the faithful gather for services, moral instruction, and practical advice. The Bastion of Law, also known as the Basilica of St. Cuthbert, is his divine realm in Arcadia, where souls of the faithful observe him dispensing justice from his Seat of Truth.
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