Cult of Melora

Established during the War of the Gods, the Cult of Melora is a religious organization devoted to worship of the goddess of nature, wilderness, reproduction, and beauty, Melora. Its symbol is a wreath of grass and grain affixed to a crook. Currently, the Cult rules the theocracy of Albasca.

Values

The main values of the Cult of Melora are generally regarded as fanatically progressive, and include proselytizing of the Cult as much as possible and strict adherence to its tenants. Its tenants include the protection of nature, the destruction of undead, abominations, and most extraplanar beings, sexual freedom, and respecting the limits of ones own abilities. The Cult's values conflict massively with those of the followers of the gods of the Ascan Pantheon.

Conflict

The Cult's reputation for fanatic proselytizing and set of values has put it in conflict with the Ascan Pantheon, directly leading to war between Albasca and the Ascalon Empire. Specifically, the Cult's emphasis on greater sexual freedom for both men and women, even in the clergy, and insistence that Melora is the lover of Erathis are both seen as threats the traditional views of the Ascan Pantheon. This lead to the worship of Melora being banned in the Ascalon Empire.

History

The Cult was particularly popular in the period after the War of the Gods but declined swiftly in popularity due to cultural conflict after the founding of the Three Kingdoms and its derivatives including Ascalon. In the modern era, the Cult has enjoyed a fervent resurgence in ruling the theocracy of Albasca and spreading the worship of Melora into Ascalon Empire, where it is illegal, leading to religious conflict.

Locations

The Cult rules as the state religion of the theocracy of Albasca. However, the cult has sects in nearly all human civilizations, most notably in the Ascalon Empire.