Church of Ilmater

The Church of Ilmater was among the most popular in Faerûn, and had the most dedicated faithful. The poor, sick, and tormented of the land relied upon the Ilmatari's aid efforts, and the common folk loved and respected them immensely. The Ilmatari in turn received a great deal of support in their work. People of almost every faith and creed donated generously to the Church of Ilmater, knowing that they could need the Ilmatari's help themselves one day.

Divine Origins

Ilmater is an old god who came to promience during Tyr's 'Procession of Justice.' Tyr's deeds and sacrifices caught the attention of Ilmater, who allied himself with the Just God.

Tenets of Faith

The main tenet of Faith is to end the suffering for as many people as possible. Self sacrifice to help those in need, whether collecting alms for the poor, or healing the sick, both commonly known acts carried out by clerics of Ilmater.

Ethics

The Ilmatari dedicated themselves to helping and healing the sick and injured, the oppressed, the deceased, and the poor. They provided healing, care, and treatment for those who suffered injuries or disease. Ilmatari also shared what they had with the needy, by donating food, drink, and firewood to the impoverished and starving, and providing shelter for the homeless. They offered moral support and counseling to those who needed it, and spoke up for the persecuted. In addition, they served as guides for those who'd become lost and buried the deceased. To fund their work, they toured the wealthy areas of towns and cities seeking donations to help cover the costs of the church.

Priesthood

The clergy referred to each other as "Brother" or "Sister". Senior clergy were called "Revered", such as "Revered Sister". Those who were leaders of temples, monasteries, and abbeys were addressed as "Mother" or "Father", and "of the House" was added to their title, such as "Revered Father of the House". No other titles were commonly used. The greatest of the faith were called "Saint", and often bore a unique title.
Monks, clerics, and specialty priests in the Ilmatari faith were known as the Adorned. Clerics and all priests of Ilmater were also called "painbearers".

Sects

The Church of Ilmater included several affiliated knightly orders consisting of paladins and other warriors, as well as numerous monastic orders of monks. Most Ilmatari monastic orders had a symbolic flower that had a particular importance to them. Traditionally, this flower formed the name of their respective monastery, but this was not a rule.

Priestly Orders

• Alleviators: A faction that focused on teaching people to cope with and endure pain and suffering.
  

Knightly Orders

• Glory of the martyr
• Companions of the Noble Heart: An aggressive order that focused on fighting and destroying those who were cruel or enjoyed the pain and suffering of others, particularly the church of Loviatar.
• Holy Warriors of Suffering
• Order of the Golden Cup: An order that focused on healing and protecting the innocent, sick, and weak.
• Order of the Lambent Rose
  

Monastic Orders

• Broken Ones: An order responsible for the defense of Ilmater's temples and shrines, which also sought to punish those who inflicted cruelty.
• Disciples of St. Morgan the Taciturn
• Disciples of St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred: A monastic order that specialized in genealogical studies.
• Followers of the Unhindered Path
• Order of St. Dionysus: An often-inebriated order active in the Bloodstone Lands.
• Order of St. Uzurr: An order that governed the city of Uzurr in Lapaliiya.
• Sisters of St. Jasper of the Rocks
• Weeping Friars: These were the most fanatical believers in the idea of "bleeding" for others.
  

Other Orders

• Cormyrean Synod: This division included members who took strict vows of celibacy, poverty, and nonviolence.
• School of the Penitents: This group spread the faith to the denizens of the Underdark from hidden enclaves.
  

Cults & Heresies

• Cult of Shared Suffering: A heretical cult that held the view that suffering should be shared with others, and non-believers in particular.

Life is sacred and suffering holy

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Demonym

Ilmatari

Deities

• Ilmater