Congregation of Tederi
The Congregation of Tederi is a religious group who worships the minor god Tederi, who is in turn primarily known for being their patron god. The group is most active in the Cradle, and dates back to around 3791 EC. The Congregation was once larger, but has fallen out of favor in modern times. It is believed this is due in part to the vast array of guidelines that Tederi lays upon his followers.
There are only a few thousand followers of Tederi left, with most living in the town of Luton in the nation of Iccot.
Tederi's followers, also known as Tederites, are often seen as the those escaping slavery, and more negatively as criminals and smugglers.
Divine Origins
The Congregation of Tederi was formed around 3791 EC when a minor god named Tederi agreed to protect a small village. Under his protection the village thrived, and its people formalized their following into a religion. Though his worship remains popular in the original village (now a larger town), interest faded as others discovered that Tederi was not able to aid everyone who prayed to him.
Tenets of Faith
Tederites, as his followers are called, are expected to follow a long list of guidelines set forth by their god. As they follow these guides, and the guidance of their priests, they receive small rings which are attached to a holy object known as an aaraket. The aaraket acts as the record of all of the good deeds that have pleased their god, as well as any shames they may have caused during their life. When a follower passes away, they are buried with their aaraket, which may grant them safety as they pass onto the Void.
To lose one's aaraket risks losing all of the progress they made throughout their life, and they are almost always kept on ones person.
Tederi seems to have a fondness for protecting those that are being hunted, whether for true or imagined crimes. Towns that follow Tederite traditions towns maintain special sanctuaries at the center of their villages, or in nearby areas. Much like other traditions, these sanctuaries are governed by a unique set of laws laid down by Tederi himself.
The sanctuaries are open to all who seek to hide from pursuers, for any reason. Should their pursuers attempt enter after them or investigate a sanctuary, most Tederite towns consider this a capital offense.
Only high priests are allowed to enter the sanctuaries, all other followers are barred. This allows them some semblance of plausible deniability, and an inability to confirm whether they are harboring criminals or not. Though Tederi protects those who are taking sanctuary, this does not mean his followers must abide any criminal. Though they cannot enter themselves, they are free to wait and arrest those outside of the sanctuaries, should they choose to.
Tederite sanctuaries have continued to be a great boon to those escaping slavery in Zabria and Iccot.
Related Ethnicities
