Ascendancy
The Ascendancy is the official religion of Hale. Those who follow this religion worship the triad of the Father, Mother and Child, and call themselves the Ascendants. Anyone called to join the Ascendancy in any official capacity begins as an apprentice within their local church, and through hard work and dedication, can rise up through the ranks of the religious institution.
Notable Figures
Leslie Rahman (they/he): An elder of the Ascendancy, they're known for their vast political influence. He is married to a chamberlain of The Fairelands.
Henrick Olsen (he/him): The groundskeeper at Sacred Ascension Cemetery. Candela Obscura believes he is associated with Pyre.
Sato Ayumi (she/her): The Holy Mother at the Chapel of the Child's Grace. She is known for her soft speaking voice and dedication to penance.
Notable Locations
The Constellation: A well-tended network of small Ascendancy churches that dot the outlying regions of The Fairelands.
Sacred Child Orphanage: An exceedingly strict school for orphaned children. Children rasied here are often adopted quickly, and are known to fear adults.
Redemption Square: The central area where Ascendants willingly put themselves in the public stocks to earn penance for their transgressions. It is the responsibility of other congregants to shame them.
Tenets of Faith
The Ascendency is a religion that highlights "purity" as a key virtue, though worshippers are as likely to argue about the meaning of the word as they are to agree. There is a strong emphasis on penance and forgiveness, and the familial structure of their pantheon means that they highlight the importance of blood relatives over all other relationships. Traditional Ascendents fear the evil influence of "demons and devils," and it's not uncommon for the church to, knowingly or unknowingly, attribute the effects of magickal phenomena to these "evil adversaries" as a way to convert members of the public.
Worship
The average Ascendent will attend worship once a week, typically on a weekend or outside their usual working hours. During a service, they will listen to a sermon performed by their local priest and engage with their local community. However, the more zealous devotees may attend services daily and form a strong ideological connection to tehir religious identity.
Priesthood
Each region within Hale is assigned a cardinal, a religious offical appointed from within the faith by a conclave of Elders. The most powerful member of the Ascendancy is known as the Divine Herald, and is similarly appointed by the Cardinals of Hale. The Herald holds their position until they die or choose to step down. Local churches are led by priests who are also referred to as holy fathers, mothers, or guardians. The leaders within the Ascendnacy have incredible influence and are highly corrupt.
Copyright: This product was created using the Darrington Press Community Gaming License. The Illuminated Worlds Standard Resource Document is owned and copyrighted by Darrington Press, LLC. All rights reserved.
Attribution: This product is based on the following Public Game Content created and owned by Darrington Press: Illuminated Worlds Standard Resource Document, Darrington Press, LLC, 2023, available at https://darringtonpress.com.
License: The Public Game Content identified above is licensed via the Darrington Press Community Gaming License available at https://darringtonpress.com.
Modification: The Public Game Content has not been modified by the author.
Comments