Ilmater
The Crying God, the Rack-Broken Lord, He Who Endures
Ilmater is the god of suffering, martyrdom, and perseverance, renowned for his compassion and endurance.
It is he who offers succor and calming words to those
who are in pain, victimized, or in great need. He is the
willing sufferer, the one who takes the place of another
to heft the other's burden, to take the other's pain. He is
the god of the oppressed and the unjustly treated.
It is said that if he had his way, the Crying God would take all the suffering in the world onto himself, so as to spare others. Since he can't, he blesses those who endure on others' behalf, and he alleviates suffering when he can. Martyrs who die that others may live are always blessed by Ilmater with a final rest and reward in the god's afterlife, should they so choose.
Ilmater's priests take in the ill, the starving, and the injured, and his temples give most of what they receive to help offset the suffering of the world. His followers provide succor when they can, but also use force to put an end to torture and suffering inflicted on others. Ilmater's priests travel to places where the worst possible conditions exist, ministering to the needs of the oppressed, the deceased, and the poor. They put others ahead of themselves, are sharing of all they have, and emphasize the spiritual nature of life over the welfare of the material body.
Priests of Ilmater who are on a quest to aid others can be recognized by their hair shirts, vests of coarse fur worn against the bare skin. It is taboo to harm such priests as they go about their duties, such as when they administer to the wounded on a battlefield. The taboo is so strongly felt among humans that other races respect the custom. Even ores and goblinoids will avoid directly attacking a peaceful priest of Ilmater, as long as the priest administers to their fallen warriors as well.
Most folk deeply respect the work and the sacrifice of Ilmater's faith, and lend aid to such endeavors where they can. When a temple of Ilmater sends its faithful to help refugees of war or victims of plague, their willingness to sacrifice their own well-being always prompts ordinary people to support them, whether they are inspired or shamed into action.
Priests and priestesses of Ilmater also perform the Turning, wherein they perform final rites and prayers with a dying creature in order to ease its suffering and bring it a measure of peace in the face of death.
Temples and Shrines. In Calimshan, south of the Sword Coast, the House of the Broken God rests in the center of the city of Keltar. Throughout the Sword Coast itself, Ilmater’s faith is mainly exercised by knightly and monastic orders. The reach of such orders can be found throughout the continent and especially in sites of battle.
The followers of Ilmater often enjoy a sense of protection in formal battlefields, as striking one down is often seen as a terrible affront. In turn, clerics and other devout Ilmateri seek to bring alleviation to friend and foe alike, their suffering of equal importance in the eyes of the deity.
It is said that if he had his way, the Crying God would take all the suffering in the world onto himself, so as to spare others. Since he can't, he blesses those who endure on others' behalf, and he alleviates suffering when he can. Martyrs who die that others may live are always blessed by Ilmater with a final rest and reward in the god's afterlife, should they so choose.
Ilmater's priests take in the ill, the starving, and the injured, and his temples give most of what they receive to help offset the suffering of the world. His followers provide succor when they can, but also use force to put an end to torture and suffering inflicted on others. Ilmater's priests travel to places where the worst possible conditions exist, ministering to the needs of the oppressed, the deceased, and the poor. They put others ahead of themselves, are sharing of all they have, and emphasize the spiritual nature of life over the welfare of the material body.
Priests of Ilmater who are on a quest to aid others can be recognized by their hair shirts, vests of coarse fur worn against the bare skin. It is taboo to harm such priests as they go about their duties, such as when they administer to the wounded on a battlefield. The taboo is so strongly felt among humans that other races respect the custom. Even ores and goblinoids will avoid directly attacking a peaceful priest of Ilmater, as long as the priest administers to their fallen warriors as well.
Most folk deeply respect the work and the sacrifice of Ilmater's faith, and lend aid to such endeavors where they can. When a temple of Ilmater sends its faithful to help refugees of war or victims of plague, their willingness to sacrifice their own well-being always prompts ordinary people to support them, whether they are inspired or shamed into action.
The Faith
Illmateri don’t have calendar-specific celebrations, only personal rituals or those specific to the church. When the duties of the faith become too emotionally or physically overwhelming, followers can perform a ritual plea, which grants a ten-day rest from their normal duties. Some clergy rest in order to perform tasks the church would otherwise not officially permit.Priests and priestesses of Ilmater also perform the Turning, wherein they perform final rites and prayers with a dying creature in order to ease its suffering and bring it a measure of peace in the face of death.
Temples and Shrines. In Calimshan, south of the Sword Coast, the House of the Broken God rests in the center of the city of Keltar. Throughout the Sword Coast itself, Ilmater’s faith is mainly exercised by knightly and monastic orders. The reach of such orders can be found throughout the continent and especially in sites of battle.
The followers of Ilmater often enjoy a sense of protection in formal battlefields, as striking one down is often seen as a terrible affront. In turn, clerics and other devout Ilmateri seek to bring alleviation to friend and foe alike, their suffering of equal importance in the eyes of the deity.
Symbol of Ilmater
Children
Aliases/Aspects:Ayuruk
Itishikopak
Alignment:Lawful good
SymbolPair of white hands bound with red cord
PortfolioEndurance, suffering, martyrdom, perseverance
Domains:Life
Worshippers:Oppressed, sick, lame, injured, or poor individuals
Worshipper Alias: Ilmateri
Itishikopak
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