Holy Orders of Zheenkeef
There is no “supreme order” of the vineyards; each determines its own power structure. Usually, the highest- ranking local oracle oversees the vineyard, but there are vineyards run by councils of children or the local halfwit— even a vineyard that takes its instruction from an enchanted gibbon. No matter how the Zhenkefans structure their faith, no one gainsays them. Regardless of vineyard structure, though, there are three orders universal to the Zhenkefan faith. A person who dedicates her life to Zheenkeef’s works can join one of these orders, whether it is powerful in her local vineyard or not.
The clergy are called the apostles. The holy warriors are called the joyous brotherhood, and have two levels of status: laughing brother or sister, and drunken brother or sister. The oracles, who most consider religious authorities, have two levels of status: seer and prophet.
There is no “average” vineyard, though most have an oracle in residence and three or four apostles. Yet there are many vineyards made up of local Zhenkefans, with no one from the holy orders.
The Vineyards of Zheenkeef
The vineyards of Zheenkeef, where the Zhenkefans (zhenn-KEFF-uhnz) worship, are raucous and lively places. Overseen by the oracles (or not, depending on the community), the vineyards are not places of strict authority, as each vineyard’s members determine its hierarchy. One thing is, however, constant: The vineyards are places of celebration, invention, folly, and, sometimes, even danger. They are enormously popular among the common folk. They make some of the finest—if not the finest— wine in the world, and the oracles living there are the best source of prophecies one can find. Many cultures disallow vineyards in their more important cities or, at least, in their “higher class” neighborhoods and temple districts, for the temples are home to wild revelries and sometimes, a fair bit of debauchery. The refined and lawful members of society therefore consider them a “necessary evil.” Someone from the upper crust of lawful society might visit an oracle, but would do so hooded, to keep from being seen. Essentially, the vineyards are popular, but of ill repute. Few are concerned that shunning the vineyards will draw Zheenkeef’s wrath, as everyone knows Zheenkeef cares little about the opinions of mortals. Regardless of high society’s attitudes, the Zhenkefan faith is popular, and her apostles and oracles might be seen wherever one travels. Zheenkeef cares about her church only as much as it keeps her entertained. She has never had much interest in structures or organizations, but individual members of the faith often draw her eye. Particularly faithful members of the vineyards who seek change, alteration, insight, and inspiration sometimes find themselves protected and guided by their goddess. More often, though, they’re not even noticed. The Zhenkefans have a saying: “Her vision is not ours to fathom.” They utter it when it seems like she cares nothing for them. It is a frequent problem for the faithful, as Zheenkeef seems just as likely to take an interest in a mad peasant as in the workings of her worshipers. For this reason, she watches vineyards, but does little to interfere with their affairs, and relies on her servants in the heavens to tend to such trivial matters as heeding prayers and supplying powers.Tenets of Faith
Doctrine
“We have no need for great men and their towering spires. We cast our lot with the outsider, the poet, and the fool. In the end times, we will all be remembered by the mad acts of the shunned and the outcast, not the rigid perfection of the pillars of society.” —The Visions of the Prophet Glorik HillockThe Zhenkefan faith revolves around six sayings, called “The Vintner’s Creed,” or just “The Creed.” The earliest oracles of Zheenkeef handed down these maxims at the founding of the vineyards. This was quite some time ago; vineyards have maintained their form of worship longer than nearly any other church. Perhaps this is because the traditions are captured in six simple sayings, and do not require a great deal of doctrine or dogma to be passed from generation to generation. Whatever the case, all Zhenkefans contemplate and observe the Creed. It is supposed to be repeated daily, if the Zhenkefan remembers, but weekly observance suffices. The reason for the Creed is that the true worship of Zheenkeef is difficult to grasp for those who do not possess profound wisdom. As her greatest apostles, oracles, and joyous brothers understand, Zheenkeef’s nature is highly mystical—for what does it mean to be the source of inspiration, to be the feelings below the surface that people rarely heed? The wise understand that the strength, the inner glow one feels when one has drunk too much wine, is Zheenkeef. There are those who can harness that deep assurance, that happy strength, without the aid of wine, but for most, accessing it requires drink in copious amounts. Just as those truly touched by the Mother of Madness can experience inspiration without the aid of wine, those who are wisest can contemplate her without the Creed. But for most, wine and these sayings are necessary.
The fruit of the vine is sweet. Drink deep!
Always the first invocation of the Zhenkefan, this is a remembrance of Zheenkeef’s gift of wine to the mortal races. It is also a rumination on the power of Zheenkeef— through her gift of wine, she makes life sweeter for the mortal races. A Zhenkefan seeks to savor the sweetness of life, finding the joy and vibrancy in all things, that most find only in wine. There is only one terrible sin among them: to refuse to drink from the cup of life. Life is filled with wonder and despair, and many try to avoid the despair by living quiet lives of caution, and miss the wonder as well. Wine should not be sipped moderately, and neither should life. One must live to the fullest, and savor life’s wonder and sadness.There is no joy without suffering
This is the saying in which the Zhenkefan ponders savoring despair. Zheenkeef is a goddess with bright red hair, but is also embodied in the grapevine. In the summer, the grapevine yields the grapes that make wine, but in the winter, the vines must be pruned constantly, or they will not produce their bounty in the following year. In legend, Zheenkeef is often joyous and wild, like the vines in bloom, but at other times she is dark and sorrowful, like the vines of winter, undergoing the pain of a thousand cuts. She is the patron of tragedy, sometimes filled with delight, but at other times overtaken by dark madness. Many of the ingenious artists and inventors for whom she is Inspiration suffer from similar tragedy.All that there is will be undone
Everything changes, and everything will change, regardless of the hopes and endeavors of the mortal races. For this reason, it is folly to become attached to societies, structures, or any other mortal work. They will all be washed away in the end. The Zhenkefans, therefore, do not become attached to their inventions or ideas. They happily turn them over to others who wish to waste their time building upon those works, just as Zheenkeef gave music to her daughter to look after. For this reason, Zhenkefans are more interested in the works of those on the fringes of society, unfettered by convention, than they are in the lives and times of the powerful and noteworthy.Only that which you have not done is worthy
Since nothing lasts, repetition of labor or ideas is an utter waste of one’s life. Each person should broaden their experiences—visit new places and cultures, learn new things, and partake in new activities. It is particularly good when a Zhenkefan manages something mortals have never done before. Thus, invention and creativity are truly holy pursuits.Inspiration’s voice is felt, not heard
Zheenkeef is the goddess of intuition, the gut feeling, the well of emotions deep below the surface, and harder to interpret than the love, loyalty, and courage other gods represent. Zhenkefans heed their intuition and act on it, for it is the voice of Zheenkeef. It is in intuition that inspiration and invention can be found. Giving oneself over to one’s intuition is likened, by most, to madness.Those who crave control are slaves
People who would impose law and structure on others are deluded. They are slaves to their beliefs, as much in need of liberation as those they seek to control. The Zhenkefans actively undermine lawful beliefs, usually through mockery or humor, sometimes through debate and argument, and in some rare cases, through violent overthrow. They know those who impose laws are wrong, and that the only sensible laws are those all people agree to abide by. Some Zhenkefans are so individualistic that they believe all laws are wrong, but most are more democratic. So long as people agree to laws, they are valid. These beliefs make vocal Zhenkefans unpopular with authoritarian governments. It is rare for vineyards take an active hand in politics, however (what could be more boring and repetitive?), so most authorities ignore them.Worship
Zhenkefan Prayers
The Zhenkefans do not adhere to standard structures, symbolism, or even liturgy, and so there are no set prayers to the faith other than the Creed. Indeed, every Zhenkefan is expected to extemporaneously compose prayers for any given situation. There are some common themes in these prayers, however. They often begin with an invocation to Zheenkeef—usually, “Mother of Madness, heed my prayer!” Prayers are said while drinking wine, and are nearly always take the form of poems or songs. The more complex the rhyme scheme, the better.Priesthood
Saints
While the Zhenkefans do not name saints (they do not like such titles) they have a strong appreciation for martyrdom. Because the Zhenkefans have a fondness for those at the fringe of society, they revere and remember those who give up their lives for change, innovation, and wild ideas. Sometimes big, new ideas are unpopular, deemed dangerous, and result in the innovator’s horrible death. Zhenkefan vineyards remember such people with occasional toasts, honoring them as martyrs of the faith.
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Demonym
Zhenkefan
Subsidiary Organizations
Deities
Divines
Related Myths
