Sacred Church of Mizu

The Sacred Church of Mizu stands as one of the esteemed sects within The Follower of the Sacred Divine 8 Devoted to the worship of the goddess Mizu, who holds her place among the divine 8, she is revered for her associations with water, life, cleanliness, and travel. Within her temples, travelers and those burdened by the weight of their journeys find solace and sanctuary. The followers of Mizu embody traits of love and compassion, readily extending aid to all who seek it.

Divine Origins

The founder, a member of The order of the 8, initiated the formation of a multifaceted group with distinct components dedicated to fulfilling Mizu's desires.  Through collective exploration, these groups unearthed a central theme: the importance of purifying oneself, embarking on journeys of discovery, and prioritizing the healing and welfare of others. These principles, guided by the teachings of Mizu Goddess of Waterserve as the cornerstone upon which the church was established.

Tenets of Faith

The followers made a collective decision to elevate Mizu as their primary deity. In accordance with her wishes, they undertake the task of purifying their minds, bodies, and souls. This purification entails cleansing the physical body, engaging in introspective reflection, and seeking spiritual renewal through immersion in water. Additionally, Mizu mandates that her devotees extend aid to those in need, offering medical assistance and various forms of support. Furthermore, she encourages exploration and deep inquiry into new realms of knowledge. Embarking on this path requires unwavering perseverance through life's challenges and fluctuations. As followers emerge from their watery immersion, Mizu awaits them with open arms, embracing them with boundless love and acceptance.

Ethics

The goddess Mizu does not condone succumbing to fury and wrath. Instead, she expects her followers to stand resiliently against storms, refusing to be overwhelmed by them. While she encourages the full range of emotions, including wrath, she emphasizes the importance of not allowing them to control or dominate one's life or the lives of others. Mizu's desire is for people worldwide to experience joy and to extend help to each other. Yielding to fury can lead to harm and suffering for everyone, including oneself. Therefore, she urges her followers to embrace their emotions, assist and connect with others, and find their path, knowing that ultimately all streams lead back to her.

Worship

1. To ensure your prayers reach the goddess Mizu with greater resonance, seek out the largest body of water available where your reflection can be clearly seen. Wade into the water until it reaches your waist, then fix your gaze upon your reflection, allowing the water to guide you to an ideal spot. Close your eyes and offer your prayers to the goddess. Upon finishing, reopen your eyes and wait, as her response may come immediately or over time.
   
   
2. As a devotee of Mizu, partake in a cleansing ritual by acquiring blessed soap and sacred lotion. Begin by praying for the purification of your mind, body, and soul, reflecting on past challenges, and seeking assistance in preparing for what lies ahead. Utilize the blessed soap to cleanse your body before bathing. Conclude by applying the sacred lotion, expressing gratitude to Mizu for this cleansing.



3. For those bestowed with the goddess's blessings of power and skill, charging one's gifts for the forthcoming day is imperative. At night, procure a bowl of water to see your entire face. While beholding your reflection in the tranquil water, offer prayers to Mizu, presenting your testimony of faith and requesting her blessing. If deemed worthy, the blessing will be replenished as you slumber.



4. On Diveday, a significant gathering is held for Mizu during the evening hours. Believers convene to cleanse themselves of the previous week's burdens and prepare for the week ahead. Upon entering the chapel, one must remove their shoes and cleanse their feet, symbolizing the transition from worldly travels to a state of rest and purification. Seated on a stone platform within the main chapel, attendees immerse their feet in blessed water, signifying the reprieve from life's constant journeys while absorbing teachings about Mizu.

Priesthood

The head priestess, revered as Lady Seer, presides over the church alongside other priestesses. While clerics include both men and women, leadership positions are exclusively held by females, rooted in the belief that women possess inherent wisdom in caring for themselves and others. Paladins primarily focus on defending the city and are commonly deployed on boats, earning them the title "guardians of the sea," tasked with protecting voyages. Clerics, on the other hand, undergo comprehensive training to become versatile individuals capable of offering assistance wherever needed, reflecting the ethos of aiding those in distress.

Granted Divine Powers

Mizu Domains

Healing, Water, Cold, Ocean, Celerity, Travel, Storms, Reflection, Family, Growth, Life, Self Future\ Self Pass,

Trial of Self Pond

The Trial of the Self Pond serves as the final stage in the journey to become a Mizu Paladin. Upon arrival, you will be led to a room housing a small, deep pond filled with the darkest blue water imaginable. Approaching the pond, you offer a prayer and beseech Mizu for the Paladin's gift. Subsequently, you immerse yourself in the water, holding your breath for as long as possible. Emerging from the water, you wait for 12 minutes, and if no transformation occurs, it signifies failure - Mizu deems you unworthy of the Paladin trial.



However, if a figure resembling you emerges from the pond, the exam commences. This water duplicate mirrors every aspect of your being, not only physically but also reflecting your memories and experiences. In the midst of combat with this duplicate, you'll be tested on your prowess, confronting memories of past challenges and hardships. Mizu aims for you to overcome or make decisions regarding these specific trials, each tailored to your individual experiences. This evaluation can last from minutes to hours, concluding only when the water copy dissolves into the pond, signaling failure.


Upon successful completion, you'll feel the sensation of approval. Walking towards your water duplicate, you merge with it, feeling Mizu's embrace as you absorb the replica into your being, signifying your ascension to the status of Mizu's Paladin.

Trial Depths of Understanding

The Trial Depths of Understanding represent the final stage in the journey toward becoming a full Cleric or Priestess/Priest of Mizu. Led to a special well filled with sanctified and purified clear water, you'll spend an hour in meditation and prayer, seeking help and understanding as you prepare to take the plunge. Lowered into the well, your task is to swim to the bottom and retrieve a shell. Failure to reach the bottom signifies Mizu's judgment of unworthiness, akin to swimming into a void with no escape except upwards.

For those deemed worthy to lead Mizu's church, the journey to the bottom of the well is transformative. Along the way, you'll receive visions and guidance encompassing your past, present, and future. Upon retrieving the shell, you'll gain the benefits of the stations Mizu intends for you to hold, offering a glimpse of the voyage ahead. As you're raised from the well, the shell you retrieved becomes a necklace, symbolizing the commencement of your new journey.

Blessing of the Goddess

Mizu accepts and blesses Priestess/Priests, Clerics, and Paladins. Your Natural magical power transforms into water or liquid type power. Their abilities will be basically the same, with the possibility of some additional attributes, but they will be drawn from the same pool as the original. Their aura shifts to several degrees of blue, light green, and clear. This is Mizu's blessing, and it shows that they are her followers.

Political Influence & Intrigue

The influence of the Sacred Divine 8 in political intrigue varies depending on the kingdom and the size of the religion's following in that region. Regardless of location, adherents wield significant sway over political and economic dynamics, shaping societal interactions. Faith in the gods and goddesses holds paramount importance in this universe, impacting every aspect of life. Moreover, being the world's largest religion, the Sacred Divine 8 commands immense power, further amplifying its impact on political landscapes.

We travel with the goddess Mizu to the depths of the water

Type

Religious, Pantheon

Parent Organization

The Followers of the Sacred Divine 8

Deities

• Mizu Goddess of Water

Divines

• Mizu Goddess of Water

Notable Members

• Wilder Cokilin Age