Church of Kurgess
The church of Kurgess is first and foremost dedicated to the pursuit of good sportsmanship and athletic achievements. Kurgessans believe that strength of body and character is the key that opens the gates to Nirvana, and train day in and day out to emulate the magnificent victories and honorable deeds of their god. In addition to participating in sporting events and competitions, followers of Kurgess donate their time and muscles to good causes such as aiding the ill, building homes, and performing acts of kindness for any strangers they encounter.
Most of Kurgess’s devotees pursue a roaming lifestyle that mirrors their god’s legendary travels, chasing competitions and contests all across Avistan and Garund. Whenever Kurgessans worship or win an important personal competition at a significant site, they leave their marks by hanging gilded chains from high rafters, tall spires, or otherwise seemingly unreachable places. This practice has inspired an unspoken tradition across southern Avistan: when a Kurgessan sees one of the telltale golden chains left by a previous adherent, the latest arrival does her best to climb, jump, or otherwise mount the obstacle and reach the chain, so she can add one of her own links to it. Heavily trafficked shrines can see dozens of traveling Kurgessans each year, and the most hallowed sanctuaries of the Strong Man bear golden chains hundreds of feet long.
Members of Kurgess’s church generally fall into three categories, which are recognized by all members of the faith: champions, heralds, and laity. Champions are the most numerous among Kurgess’s devoted—these are the brawlers, strongfolk, and athletes who embody Kurgess’s strength and seek to follow in his divine footsteps. Officiates, priests, and other servants of the church who don’t actually participate in physical competitions are called heralds—they are responsible for coordinating sporting events, maintaining the church and training grounds, and serving as squires for their champions in the arena. Least numerous are the laity, or lay worshippers—the common (and often destitute) farmers and artisans who make food and equipment for champions and heralds and rely heavily on the church’s charity.
Unlike worshippers of other gods of battle who may revel in the bloodshed of their enemies, Kurgessans take little pleasure in mortal combat, and are hesitant to rush into war or prolonged political conflicts. Worshippers of Kurgess enjoy performing heroic acts for the less fortunate and are willing to reveal their true strength on the battlefield, but they are primarily a lighthearted lot who would prefer to train their bodies and play games in a world of peace rather than fight.
The few priests of Kurgess who adopt settled lifestyles tend to practice their faith by committing energy to charities, organizing sporting events to draw visitors to town, and training militia groups to defend their settlements and eradicate monsters. As an orphan himself, Kurgess smiles down on those who help youths from unfortunate backgrounds.
The hardiest Kurgessan priests wear thick iron bangles, anklets, and leather vests lined with iron tablets that can weigh upward of 100 pounds. Such zealots train daily while wearing weighted garb, honing their bodies against the added weight until it is practically a second skin. When the time comes to finally put their training to the test, these disciples shed their self-imposed burdens, their muscles so unrestrained they practically fly into the fray.
“Honor, fairness, and above all, respect”—this is Kurgess’s dogma. Kurgessan priests love the thrill of a win, but they also know the value of bittersweet losses, seeing victory and defeat as closely intertwined. So too do these revelers understand that in order to claim glory, one must do so graciously; a boastful winner is no winner at all, and sore losers create mental and spiritual baggage that only weighs them down during the next match. Of course, in mortal combat, the niceties of sportsmanship and good manners are set aside so that a Kurgessan can protect herself and her allies. Clerics of Kurgess can prepare expeditious retreat and jump as 1st-level spells.
It isn’t in a Kurgessan’s nature to stay in one place for too long. Devotees seek to emulate their god’s accomplishments by leading a nomadic life in order to compete in as many matches, spars, and tournaments as they can in their lifetimes.
Most of Kurgess’s devotees pursue a roaming lifestyle that mirrors their god’s legendary travels, chasing competitions and contests all across Avistan and Garund. Whenever Kurgessans worship or win an important personal competition at a significant site, they leave their marks by hanging gilded chains from high rafters, tall spires, or otherwise seemingly unreachable places. This practice has inspired an unspoken tradition across southern Avistan: when a Kurgessan sees one of the telltale golden chains left by a previous adherent, the latest arrival does her best to climb, jump, or otherwise mount the obstacle and reach the chain, so she can add one of her own links to it. Heavily trafficked shrines can see dozens of traveling Kurgessans each year, and the most hallowed sanctuaries of the Strong Man bear golden chains hundreds of feet long.
Members of Kurgess’s church generally fall into three categories, which are recognized by all members of the faith: champions, heralds, and laity. Champions are the most numerous among Kurgess’s devoted—these are the brawlers, strongfolk, and athletes who embody Kurgess’s strength and seek to follow in his divine footsteps. Officiates, priests, and other servants of the church who don’t actually participate in physical competitions are called heralds—they are responsible for coordinating sporting events, maintaining the church and training grounds, and serving as squires for their champions in the arena. Least numerous are the laity, or lay worshippers—the common (and often destitute) farmers and artisans who make food and equipment for champions and heralds and rely heavily on the church’s charity.
Unlike worshippers of other gods of battle who may revel in the bloodshed of their enemies, Kurgessans take little pleasure in mortal combat, and are hesitant to rush into war or prolonged political conflicts. Worshippers of Kurgess enjoy performing heroic acts for the less fortunate and are willing to reveal their true strength on the battlefield, but they are primarily a lighthearted lot who would prefer to train their bodies and play games in a world of peace rather than fight.
Temples & Shrines
The largest Kurgessan temples—mostly in Taldor, though several have been built elsewhere—are broad stone structures held up with iron pillars gilded in gold. Blacksmiths, armorers, and farriers convene near these temples, crafting gold-colored ceremonial armor for the evangelists who spread the Strong Man’s gospel through sports and charity. Temples to Kurgess are nearly always built next to stadiums, coliseums, and arenas; sometimes they are part of those structures themselves. When they aren’t, sacred halls typically connect the church to its adjacent sporting ground, allowing adherents of the Strong Man to easily find their way to their next sparring match after prayer or return to the temple after a long day of wrestling. Smaller or poorer temples typically occupy single stone buildings in settlements where sports are less celebrated.Clothing
In life, Kurgess was famous for wearing sparse attire and eschewing civilized garb. In turn, Kurgess’s adherents prefer humble gladiatorial gear such as short togas, cloth pants or wrappings, and loincloths. This clothing is often held together with small golden chains. Officiates of the Strong Man usually wear tabards or togas bearing their god’s holy symbol. Of course, clothing standards tend to fall by the wayside in the heat of sports, and adherents focus more on comfort and ease of mobility than modesty.A Priest’s Role
Like all members of the church, Kurgessan priests are often wanderers. They journey across southern Avistan and beyond, scouring the globe for honorable competitions (in the case of priests who compete) or worthy athletes to convert to the faith and sponsor in future contests. Sponsorship is a great responsibility for Kurgessan priests, and one not to be taken lightly.The few priests of Kurgess who adopt settled lifestyles tend to practice their faith by committing energy to charities, organizing sporting events to draw visitors to town, and training militia groups to defend their settlements and eradicate monsters. As an orphan himself, Kurgess smiles down on those who help youths from unfortunate backgrounds.
The hardiest Kurgessan priests wear thick iron bangles, anklets, and leather vests lined with iron tablets that can weigh upward of 100 pounds. Such zealots train daily while wearing weighted garb, honing their bodies against the added weight until it is practically a second skin. When the time comes to finally put their training to the test, these disciples shed their self-imposed burdens, their muscles so unrestrained they practically fly into the fray.
“Honor, fairness, and above all, respect”—this is Kurgess’s dogma. Kurgessan priests love the thrill of a win, but they also know the value of bittersweet losses, seeing victory and defeat as closely intertwined. So too do these revelers understand that in order to claim glory, one must do so graciously; a boastful winner is no winner at all, and sore losers create mental and spiritual baggage that only weighs them down during the next match. Of course, in mortal combat, the niceties of sportsmanship and good manners are set aside so that a Kurgessan can protect herself and her allies. Clerics of Kurgess can prepare expeditious retreat and jump as 1st-level spells.
Adventurers
Performing acts of good, finding new competitors to best, and rooting out the unjust are all vital aspects of Kurgess’s ethos, and they make for a good adventuring lifestyle as well. What’s more, over the last 300 years, there have been rumors of Kurgess himself appearing in mortal guise to take part in sporting events. It is said that he equally protects and encourages his fellow competitors while doing so. This has led to a gradual expansion of his faith, and consequently, of the number of adventurers who count themselves among his followers.It isn’t in a Kurgessan’s nature to stay in one place for too long. Devotees seek to emulate their god’s accomplishments by leading a nomadic life in order to compete in as many matches, spars, and tournaments as they can in their lifetimes.
Kurgess’s Champion Code
Champions of Kurgess are jovial in nature but firm in conviction, and brook no cheaters or liars among their ranks. Their tenants include the following affirmations.- Fairness and good sportsmanship are testaments to one’s virtue. I must set the finest example of what it means to be sporting and noble in challenges of strength and honor.
- A challenge that is won unfairly is not a challenge won. I am no cheat, and I will lose any contest of brawn, honor, or mettle rather than resort to knavery or trickery.
- Frauds have no place among true competitors. In contests of import and high-stakes trials, I will unrelentingly reveal the untruthful and deliver them to their proper justice.
- Winning and losing are two sides of the same coin, and both are worthy of acknowledgment. I treat champions with respect, but honor losers for their courage and willingness to challenge themselves.
- I respectfully seek tutelage from my betters, give honest guidance to the less accomplished, and cherish most of all my friendships with rivals whose skill matches my own.
- Every day is a contest to better oneself, and every deed undertaken is an opportunity to condition my allies and myself for the trials ahead.
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