Rontras Doctrine

Peace through Acceptance

“We cannot mourn that we die, for all things die. It would serve us just as well to mourn birth. The fields are planted and grow full, and then they are harvested and made bare. They are planted once more, and again harvested. Do not mourn the cycles of life; do not resist their wonder. When we are at peace with life, then we will be at peace with each other. This is what our Grandmother wants for us.” – Great Elder Grombir Ironbrand’s “I Have Seen the Glory”

Rontran teachings are not universal; each foundation focuses on the aspect of the faith its sowers consider most important. For example, inside a dwarf hold there might be a foundation that dwells on the beauty of the earth’s treasures, and ministers mostly to miners. In this foundation, there would be no mention of planting crops at all. Conversely, a foundation in the middle of a farming community spends most of its time focusing on the health of the crops, not on the precious metals and stones hidden beneath the earth. As mentioned earlier, foundations in cities usually dwell on fertility. But the treasures of the earth, farming, and fertility are all merely aspects of Rontra’s love for those creatures living on and in the earth. On this, all sowers agree.
From this understanding, a core philosophy of the Rontran faith has emerged and can best be understood as “peace through acceptance, sharing, and love.” Rontran teaching focuses on the ramifications of wanting more than is rightfully yours—as with Durgas in the myth, it invariably results in downfall and sorrow. Rontrans believe we each have our place in the world and we must learn to accept it. Death is inevitable, and the greed and pride that moves some to seek to extend their lives is wrong, and ends badly. We all meet with tragedy in our lives, perhaps the death of a loved one or the theft of something we prize. To rage against these tragedies and try to achieve vengeance against the person responsible, or worse, against the world that makes such tragedies possible, always results in even greater tragedy. Only when all people accept their place and learn to share, to love their neighbors and to be kind and gentle with one another, will we have peace. And peace is what Rontra desires for all.
The Rontran philosophy is a gentle one, accepted by many people for its simplicity and comfort. It is easy for those who live small lives without pretension to riches or glory to see themselves, through this teaching, as fulfilling their place in a very holy order. Beyond these teachings, the Rontrans have some basic commandments that all devotees must follow. To disobey these teachings is a grave sin, and one must seek out a religious leader of the foundations to seek atonement if one does so.
• Do not consort with devils, demons, or other evil creatures that are not of this earth.
• Do not create the undead, or consort with those that do.
• Do not join in physical union with any race not born of the tree of life.
• Do not eat the flesh of any creature not born of the earth; only natural beasts and fowl are appropriate meat for a Rontran.
• Do not sow the land with salt or any other substance that will ruin it for planting.
• Do not waste seed for planting or the seed of your own flesh.
• On the first day of each week, in remembrance that the beasts of the earth came from the same fruits that gave life to the mortal races, eat no meat whatsoever.
• If you have food that you can spare and others are hungry, share.
• If you grow food from the earth, one-tenth of all you grow must be given to those needier than you, unless none are needier.
• If you pull treasures from the earth, two-tenths of all wealth you take from the Earth Mother’s treasures must be given to the needy, unless none are needier than you.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion