Church of Wytris
The Church of Wytris is the religious order dedicated to the worship of the moon goddess Wytris. It is almost entirely located in the nation of Lenif, where Wytris has made her home.
The church is widely accepted and encouraged in Lenif, and even those who do not count themselves particularly religious commonly take part in its holidays and festivals. The church has close ties to the country itself, and is second in power only to the royal family who is directly guided by the goddess.
Wytris's clergy can be found engaging in all levels of society, from tending a simple shrine in tiny hamlets, to overseeing the governing of the largest cities in Lenif.
Tenets of Faith
Wytris's faith extols the virtues of charity and selflessness. Making personal sacrifices to further your fellow man is one of the greatest acts a follower can do. Giving alms is a common behavior among followers of the faith, both individually and among organized churches. Military and guard service also generally falls under this umbrella, and most towns have at least a vaguely trained militia. Faith and piety is considered virtuous by the church, as it brings a community together under shared morals and goals. Regardless of ones upbringing, whether poor or of noble lineage, by devoting yourself to high ideals one can achieve anything. To this end, Wytris often hand picks devout individuals to serve as her clerics and missionaries. The uninitiated are treated well, with most of Wytris' faithful understanding that her worship is fairly regional. Missionaries and preachers are common, friendly, and welcoming to those not yet part of the faith. In the eyes of the faith, the worst sins are envy, greed, and despair, which are said to lead to a fractured society. Though not a tenet passed down by their goddess, the faith frowns on alcohol and similar substances, but does not wholly forbid them. A fair number of devout followers do not drink, or only drink on special occasions. Nighttime is seen as a somewhat holy time, and violence during nighttime is greatly frowned upon as something that is likely to draw Wytris's ire. Exceptions are implicitly made for clergy and those acting to achieve Wytris's goals, those most still pray to her beforehand.Church Law
Churches are considered holy places, and violence within them strictly prohibited. Sanctuary is given to those who seek it, though criminals tend to find it inhospitable with the church so closely tied to the nation's lawkeepers. To be excommunicated from the faith means losing the protection of Wytris, and leaving one's soul in danger when they die. Psychopomps rarely travel to Lenif to guide souls, as Wytris's faith already aligns with their goals and includes most of the population. Forgiveness can generally be earned through vows and service to the church, or great acts that aid the people of Lenif.Structure
The church follows a loose hierarchical structure, and is generally lead by those clergy members who have been practicing the faith the longest. Wealthier and more established churches in major cities often aid and oversee smaller, more remote locations, but formal definitions of power are rare.
Worship of Wytris is strongest in Lenif's capital of Etsa, where both Wytris and the royal family are located. The royal family is second only to the goddess herself, and are entrusted to be the interpreter of the goddess' wishes when she is not present. Below the royal family is a single high priest who mediates and oversees any conflict between the church.
Clergy of the church are given the title of 'Brother' and 'Sister'. Clergy who have not yet come of age are often referred to as 'Children of Wytris', though this is a more informal title.
Assets
Other than the physical buildings themselves, the church maintains a treasury in the capital, collecting tithes from each church in order to redistribute funds to support the construction of new church houses.
History
The Church of Wytris was founded shortly after she made her presence known in the country in 3791 EC. By 3840 EC, the church had grown to eclipse the noble families that previously held power in Lenif.
Sects
In addition to its treasury, the church maintains the militias in many towns and cities. The Temmuic Order is a militaristic branch of the church comprised of career soldiers that have pledged themselves to the defense of the church and the country. These soldiers are often dispatched to deal with dangers that local militias are unable to, such as criminals on major roadways, or roaming magical creatures.
In darkness, a guiding light burns brightest.
Founding Date
3791 EC
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Leader
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Location
Related Ethnicities
