Church of Shizuru
Shizuru’s faith is devoted to maintaining a just and dignified order in which all people have clearly defined places that enable them to contribute to the welfare and happiness of society. Shizurans also consider it their sacred obligation to protect both farmlands and wildlands from wanton destruction or corruption. Their considerable martial skill and the quasi-military organization of their church are dedicated to furthering these ideals. Despite this, Shizuru’s faithful know that the beauty of life is wasted on war, and their most common prayers are for peaceful times.
Every Shizuran occupies a specific rung in the church hierarchy, from worshipper to 1-month monk to instructor of priests, but the complexity of the organization and the temporary nature of certain positions (such as the 1-month monk, who is assigned to tend a particularly lonely or dangerous shrine for 1 month as a test of discipline) makes it impossible for most outsiders to keep them all straight. Thus, most Shizuran priests are simply called “Honorable Master” by lay worshippers, and it is understood that the honorific encompasses almost all the ranks in the faith.
Of special importance to Shizuru’s church are the imperial dragons of Tian Xia, who treat Shizuru as a combination divine god and mortal empress. Even the most greedy and vile of imperial dragons pays at least some regard to the will of Shizuru; few dare to attack her clergy without strong provocation, for fear of invoking the wrath of their heavenly ruler. This is encouraged by the church, which treats nearby dragons as respected guardians and indulges a dragon’s behavior so long as it remains a net benefit to the areas it claims as its own.
Shizurans typically carry themselves with courteous reserve. They display an outward humility that masks deep pride, and conduct themselves with grave politeness while never entirely overlooking any insult. In this, they follow the example set by their draconic goddess, who carries herself with the quiet but profound confidence of one who knows her own strength well, and who is not easily roused by insults but notes them nevertheless.
All Shizuran holy sites incorporate either a sundial or a mirror made from gold and mercury in their design. Most also have astrological tablets and charts of celestial omens that correspond to seasonal tasks such as planting and harvest cycles. Priests use these tools to forecast eclipses, which are of great holy significance.
Just as Shizuru distracts herself from Tsukiyo’s absence by performing her divine duties, many of her faithful seek an escape from their own haunted pasts and complicated feelings. For such worshippers, it is easier to focus on the simple purity of sword mastery and honorable, selfless service to “the people” as an abstract idea, rather than becoming entangled with closely known and imperfect individuals. Thus, Shizuran priests can come off as haughty and distant when, in fact, they are trying to avoid recreating old pains.
Regardless of their reclusive image, Shizurans are greatly respected in their communities,and are often called upon to deal with danger. Local leaders seldom ask their aid lightly—it is widely, and correctly ,believed that Shizuran priests will abandon a community that repeatedly wastes their time on trivial tasks—but a Shizuran priest is considered almost as good as a patron spirit for protection.
Wandering priests are also treated with respect, for most assume that a Shizuran would not waste time on aimless travels and must be embarked upon a task of heavenly importance. Locals vie for the honor of hosting and helping such a dignitary, even if they do not care about the underlying righteousness of the mission and want only the bragging rights of having personally assisted the Empress of Heaven. Even the vilest tyrant hesitates to openly strike a Shizuran, since the dishonor that accompanies such an action is catastrophic.
Casual worshippers are also common throughout Tian Xia. Many followers of other divinities honor Shizuru as the rightful Empress of Heaven. They ask her favor before battle, or plead for her intercession when subject to an unjust mortal ruler. Those who hope to absolve dishonored ancestors of past misdeeds, or who hope to secure heaven’s acceptance for the restless ghosts of those who could not obtain proper funerals, also may petition Shizuru for aid.
Every Shizuran occupies a specific rung in the church hierarchy, from worshipper to 1-month monk to instructor of priests, but the complexity of the organization and the temporary nature of certain positions (such as the 1-month monk, who is assigned to tend a particularly lonely or dangerous shrine for 1 month as a test of discipline) makes it impossible for most outsiders to keep them all straight. Thus, most Shizuran priests are simply called “Honorable Master” by lay worshippers, and it is understood that the honorific encompasses almost all the ranks in the faith.
Of special importance to Shizuru’s church are the imperial dragons of Tian Xia, who treat Shizuru as a combination divine god and mortal empress. Even the most greedy and vile of imperial dragons pays at least some regard to the will of Shizuru; few dare to attack her clergy without strong provocation, for fear of invoking the wrath of their heavenly ruler. This is encouraged by the church, which treats nearby dragons as respected guardians and indulges a dragon’s behavior so long as it remains a net benefit to the areas it claims as its own.
Shizurans typically carry themselves with courteous reserve. They display an outward humility that masks deep pride, and conduct themselves with grave politeness while never entirely overlooking any insult. In this, they follow the example set by their draconic goddess, who carries herself with the quiet but profound confidence of one who knows her own strength well, and who is not easily roused by insults but notes them nevertheless.
Temples & Shrines
Because Shizurans consider themselves responsible for both the righteous administration of cities and the fertility of the natural world, they can be found in both urban temples and remote monasteries, or even isolated forest shrines tended by a single dedicant. In towns and cities, Shizuran temples are conjoined with temples of Tsukiyo. Larger Shizuran temples are built around a sword school, where students learn swordplay under the guidance of priests.All Shizuran holy sites incorporate either a sundial or a mirror made from gold and mercury in their design. Most also have astrological tablets and charts of celestial omens that correspond to seasonal tasks such as planting and harvest cycles. Priests use these tools to forecast eclipses, which are of great holy significance.
Clothing
It is easier to identify a Shizuran by his weapon than his dress. Shizuru’s faithful may be wealthy or poor, clad in silks or humble rags, but their blades are always carefully protected, beautifully maintained, and of the finest quality that they can afford. Formal attire within the church is adorned with gold: either golden lamellar armor, wing-shouldered robes of stiff gold silk, or a headband or sash of gold enembroidery if the priest is unable to afford more lavish costuming.A Priest’s Role
Shizuru’s worship has a strong undercurrent of asceticism. Her priests tend to be remote from the world, seldom actively engaged in the day-to-day lives of those they protect. A priest is perceived as a somewhat distant figure—revered and trusted without question, regarded with a hint of awe, and never treated with casual familiarity. In part, this notion comes from the highly disciplined and solitary nature of most Shizuran pursuits, which often involve spending extensive time in focused concentration that others are loath to interrupt.Just as Shizuru distracts herself from Tsukiyo’s absence by performing her divine duties, many of her faithful seek an escape from their own haunted pasts and complicated feelings. For such worshippers, it is easier to focus on the simple purity of sword mastery and honorable, selfless service to “the people” as an abstract idea, rather than becoming entangled with closely known and imperfect individuals. Thus, Shizuran priests can come off as haughty and distant when, in fact, they are trying to avoid recreating old pains.
Regardless of their reclusive image, Shizurans are greatly respected in their communities,and are often called upon to deal with danger. Local leaders seldom ask their aid lightly—it is widely, and correctly ,believed that Shizuran priests will abandon a community that repeatedly wastes their time on trivial tasks—but a Shizuran priest is considered almost as good as a patron spirit for protection.
Wandering priests are also treated with respect, for most assume that a Shizuran would not waste time on aimless travels and must be embarked upon a task of heavenly importance. Locals vie for the honor of hosting and helping such a dignitary, even if they do not care about the underlying righteousness of the mission and want only the bragging rights of having personally assisted the Empress of Heaven. Even the vilest tyrant hesitates to openly strike a Shizuran, since the dishonor that accompanies such an action is catastrophic.
Adventurers
Dedicated Shizurans travel across the Dragon Empires, and even farther abroad, to confront and put an end to the myriad evils that threaten peaceful lives. Given her emphasis on swordfighting, most of Shizuru’s sworn servants are fighters, paladins, samurai, or members of other martial classes who can develop the skills to truly excel with the katana.Casual worshippers are also common throughout Tian Xia. Many followers of other divinities honor Shizuru as the rightful Empress of Heaven. They ask her favor before battle, or plead for her intercession when subject to an unjust mortal ruler. Those who hope to absolve dishonored ancestors of past misdeeds, or who hope to secure heaven’s acceptance for the restless ghosts of those who could not obtain proper funerals, also may petition Shizuru for aid.
Shizuru’s Champion Code
Much of Shizuru’s champion code overlaps with the warrior code of ichimeiyo, which is so closely aligned with the goddess’s tenets that those outside the faith may perceive no distinction between them. In addition to the tenets of ichimeiyo, the Empress of Heaven’s champions are expected to obey the following precepts.- Both my sword and my swordplay have been entrusted to me by those who have mastered their craft, and both deserve to be wielded by a skilled hand. My training will be consistent, and I will impart my training to others, as others passed my training down to me.
- I will honor the ancestors who have come before me and provided for my life.
- Though the bonds of love extend across any distance, I will not stretch them further by separating lovers.
- The Empress rules all under Heaven. I am a guardian of the land and its health, as well as of civilized empires that live upon it. I will defend nature from the twisted influence of undead and aberrations, and seek mutual peace with creatures that defend nature from humanity.
- My personal conduct reflects on my family and my god; I will conscientiously maintain my reputation for the sake of theirs, even on the battlefield.
- The strategy of war involves deception by nature, but the flag of peace is sacrosanct. I accept no negotiations from those who have attacked a foe under the pretense of arbitration or truce for their own gain; they have destroyed the trust that reconciliation requires.
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