The Church of the Stormwyrm
The Church of The Stormwyrm is the organised worship of The Stormwyrm, a bestial goddess associated with Loss, Reclamation, Storms, and the Oceans.
Whilst the Stormwyrm is worshipped primarily in The Swamps of Baycotte, the Church is in The Kingdom of Somercrag, and followers of the faith can be found in coastal settlements across the world.
Originally considered little more than superstition, faith in the Stormwyrm developed over the years in Baycotte into a cult in response to the continued flooding in the region. Then, in 443KS, the first dedicated church to the deity was founded in @city_of, which slowly began training a clergy who spread throughout the kingdom and beyond.
Culture
The Church of the Stormwyrm is suprisingly indivudalistic for an organised religion. It teaches followers of the faith to find their own meaning and interpretations in their beliefs, which has led to many sects and offshoots throughout the continent of Greland.
However, the majority of the faithful adhere to the culture first laid out in the Southbay Church - which emphasises a more optimistic interpretation of the tenets and beliefs associated with the Stormwyrm. As such, the common culture of the Church deals with coping and accepting loss, as well as focusing on rebuilding after hardship (both physically and spiritually).
Because of this, churches often become the centres of their local communities, offering aid and support to the unfortunate, promoting a spirit of cooperation and equality, and sheltering any who desire it.
Tenets of Faith
‘Til Sea Swallows All
As once the oceans covered the world, they will once more. Soon or not makes no difference, it is an inevitability as nothing lasts forever in the world. So take comfort in knowing that your faults and mistakes are only your companions as long as you consider them such. Let them go and move forwards, for there is always more to achieve in the finite time left to us.
The Bottomless Sea Is Accepting Of All That Can Be
All stand equal before the Wyrm, for people are nothing in the face of the sea, and they all drown the same. No matter one’s past or beliefs, nothing elevates one over another. Anything achieved by the noblest Lord can be done by the crudest peasant. The only thing standing against us are our own assumptions.
She Seeks Her Children
The Stormwyrm is of the habit of flooding the land and seeking out her children stranded when the lands rose from the sea. As such, it is traditional in settlements that engage in fishing to offer a portion of their catch back to the sea to assuage Her that her children have not been caught by accident.
The Undersea
Those who perish in water, whether at sea or not, have their spirits drawn to the Undersea, a memory of the primordial waters from which all we know arose. There, they remain free and unbound as the water itself, free to become part of life itself, or guide those who yet linger amongst the living.
Worship
Since the creation of the Abyssal Codex, the faithful of the Church have adopted the practices and rituals outlined within its pages. These involve:
- Attending a gathering of fellow faithful or the local community once a week, to share their joys and woes.
- Tithe a portion of any gains to the community.
- Meditate on their understanding of the faith.
- Offer aid to the unfortunate, and ask for aid if in need.
Priesthood
The Church of the Stormwyrm has two ranks within it's clergy - Wyrmspeaker and Stormprophet.
Wyrmspeakers
Priests charged with tending to specific groups of faithful, often found serving in churches and shrines. There is no officially recognised seniority within the rank of Wyrmspeaker, with each performing whatever duties are necessary in a rota.
Stormprophets
Wandering missionaries and preachers, Stormprophets yend to be young and brave Wyrmspeakers who volunteer to travel the lands of Greland and spread the teachings of the Church and Abyssal Codex.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Church of the Stormwyrm is regarded with indifference in most places, as it does not contradict the widespread animism throughout Greland. However, it is viewed with wariness when it comes to politics, slowly growing in popularity and counting several notable figures amongst it’s faithful. The creation of a dedicated military sworn to the Church, even if primarily for defence, has increased concerns.
Sects
The Templars of the Stormwyrm
The mailed fist of the Church, exisitng to protect it's places of worship and followers. Founded in the city of Southbay, the Templars consist of knights sworn to a militarised variant of the tenets so as to carry out their duties. They are also charged with seeking out and punishing any who would pervert the teachings, to avoid a repeat of the tumultuous first years of the Church.
Comments