Followers of Olidammara

Structure

The church of Olidammara is a decentralized ordeal with many of his followers having their own prayers (more like songs), rites (the Ceremony of the Cork to celebrate the opening of a particularly fine wine) and other objects of worship.

Assets

His temples exist in two forms: public places where the arts are practiced and wine is drunk (in other words: concert halls, museums and inns) and outright temples to the Rogue. These are almost always hidden though: mainly because they house large numbers of thieves, smugglers, burglars and other criminals who are willing to trade their (often stolen or illegal) goods for gold. Small shrines to Olidammara are more common than actual temples; these can be found anywhere, in pubs, in dens of thieves, and in the form of piles of stones at roadsides, carved with his symbol. Most faithful drop a small token of their esteem by the shrine: a few coins, a bit of tasty food, or a cup of wine. Many of Olidammara's temples are converted inns or taverns, while some are theaters or actual thieves' guilds. Larger temples are hidden, often within the city's sewer networks, because they double as hide-outs of thieves. Those who know of them can buy stolen or forbidden goods there. Olidammara's temples are often guarded by warrior/thieves who combine combat training with sneak attacks.

History

Olidammara is an exceedingly old deity. His worship is thought to have originated among nomads and travelers of no particular race, but it soon spread to settled communities and cities.

Mythology & Lore

Andromalius Andromalius, once Olidammara's herald, repented of mischief and roguery on his deathbed, hoping in this way to cheat his god of his soul. This, Andromalius believed, would be the greatest theft of his long career. The Laughing Rogue was at first upset with his servant at this apparent betrayal, but soon he laughed, realizing the irony of a thief who seeks to steal by forsaking thievery. Yet he couldn't accept Andromalius' spirit, for that would ruin the joke; nor did he wish for another god to have such a clever soul. Finally, the god decided to "steal" Andromalius from the cosmos altogether, casting him into a void between existence and non-existence. Whether Andromalius appreciated this "joke" was never clear. The Grand Illusion This myth tells of how Olidammara, in the guise of a beggar and wielding the Kanteel of the Oldest, inspired a rebellion against a tyrannical lich-king thousands of years ago. Olidammara and the Grand Talisman This myth tells of how Olidammara, charmed a Demon and forced him to give up the amulet that contained his soul. Zagig and the Carapace This myth, of very recent vintage, tells of Olidammara's attempt to loot a noble's castle of its treasure in the last days of the noble's residence. To his surprise, his protégé Rudd was imprisoned there. He tried to rescue her, but the noble turned the tables on him and imprisoned him in the form of a small, carapaced animal. Olidammara escaped, later stealing some of the noble's treasure anyway. He retains the ability to form a shell to protect himself, leaving the shell behind as he teleports merrily away.

Tenets of Faith

Olidammara teaches his followers to avoid predictability and routine, to delight in wine, to learn music, to seek out happiness, joy, entertainment, and the company of others. Olidammara advises his faithful to appreciate both the jokes they play and the jokes played on them. He also teaches that misery, temperance, and solemnity are the greatest poisons to the soul.

Worship

Olidammara is worshiped by rogues, bards, beggars, storytellers, vintners, thieves, and all lovers of life. Rituals to Olidammara include the simple Ceremony of the Cork, performed whenever a wine bottle is opened. A more elaborate ceremony is the New Moon Follies, a three-act comedy performed by and for Olidammara's worshipers. Most services feature alcohol, feasts, song, and laughter. Missions that involve stealing from the rich and embarrassing the mighty are the headiest of wines for this faith. Prayers to Olidammara are sung rather than spoken, and they almost always rhyme. Worshipers are expected to keep improvising new ones, so there are few established liturgies in the faith.

Priesthood

Cleric: As long as they align somehow with Olidammara's way of life anyone can join his service: the Rogue expects them to be at least some form of artist, prankster, or vintner. Being a cleric of The Laughing Rogue is not a full-time job: many remain in their previous lives of artists or winemakers while paying tribute to their lord with making and spreading their works and mirth. Olidammara's clerics often have a second occupation, such as vintners and entertainers in urban areas, or as minstrels, messengers, and jacks-of-all-trades in rural areas. They wear comfortable clothes, preferring browns, greens, and blacks. Some wear an actual mask as their holy symbol, while others merely wear a signet or amulet inscribed with a drawing of a mask. Becoming a cleric of Olidammara seems simple at first glance; the initial training seems an unending series of celebrations and escapades. Initiates are actually being carefully observed by their superiors, however, who look for a rare combination of joy, mischief, and whimsy.

Sects

Temple raiders of Olidammara are an elite cadre of thieves, their abilities supplemented by divine magic, who raid the temples of other faiths. Obviously, they don't advertise this.