Sisterhood of the Six Sisters
A small resurgence of the faith dedicated to the Six Sisters, worshipping the creators of the Mortal races as a specific group rather than individual actors. They are committed to the Goddesses glory, and the mission of unity and peace.
Structure
there are currently five circles, with about a score of Sisters and acolytes in each. The circles operate independently of each other, the leaders having agreed to follow the same guidance from Sapphohiro, the leader. The circles operate in different villages and cities, trying to proselytize and be a positive influence in those communities.
Culture
The Sisterhood of the Sisters believes that the Goddesses can only do so much to repair society. Preaching alone can only do so much, especially in such am embittered world. The fate of the previous Cathedral of the Six Sisters was testament enough to that. The people they are looking to convert and mold must be see the behavior and life they wish to spread in order to succeed.
The more the mortals have disregarded the Sisters as a group and only worshipped their creator, the more the world has fallen into chaos and violence. The Sisters always meant for their creations to live and work together, and to defy that idea is to defy the Goddesses, and everyone is paying the consequences.
Public Agenda
They are looking to convert the population to their cause, first and foremost. If they can't do that, they hope to at least get people to subscribe to their more inclusive paradigm.
Assets
Circles of Sisters cohabitate in the same residence if possible, or adjoining ones, or close as possible. When not working their religious duties, they try to find some means of income to sustain themselves. There is hope that they may be able to gather funds to rebuild a Cathedral, but that is a long time coming.
History
The Cathedral of the Six Sisters, the last standing building to a mostly forgotten church, was attacked and burned early in the Triumverate War, where Orcs and Drow sided with Demons in a global conflict to claim land they believed was rightfully theirs. Sapphohiro's father, the last leader of the diminished faith, fled across the ocean to Hlysa; the Dual Khanate of Elves of Humans. He would establish new roots, finding a wife with whom he would have his only daughter. The family would transplant again, moving north, close to the burgeoning nation of Intransica, which had stood firm against the Orcs and was quickly taking over every human kingdom that the retreating armies had claimed.
There was no apetite for a message of peace there; no apetite for any message beyond the Immortal Emperor ascending to Godhood to stamp out the existential threats, once and for all. Dismayed, he gave up his faith and any hope of restarting his mission again.
Sapphohiro had no memory of her father being a missionary or holy leader of any sort by the time that he had passed, so it was a surprise going through his things to find a locked chest, containing dozens upon dozens of holy books, committed to each of the Six Sisters, and the last books of the prior Church. Sappho, as she preferred to be known, pored through every word of every book. She finally felt that she truly knew her father, though far too late, and she knew that she had to pick up where he left off. She would dedicate herself to this cause.
After memorizing nearly every line of text she could, she went out in the streets to preach. Many scoffed, and those who knew her personally were surprised at this sudden change in the aimless young elf. Still, she slowly found five other young women who were convinced by her words. She would teach them what she knew and believed, creating the first Sisterhood of the Six Sisters. They would devise a plan to spread to different areas to help the message grow as Sappho would remain local in hopes to build a true congregation, and with luck, a church.
There was no apetite for a message of peace there; no apetite for any message beyond the Immortal Emperor ascending to Godhood to stamp out the existential threats, once and for all. Dismayed, he gave up his faith and any hope of restarting his mission again.
Sapphohiro had no memory of her father being a missionary or holy leader of any sort by the time that he had passed, so it was a surprise going through his things to find a locked chest, containing dozens upon dozens of holy books, committed to each of the Six Sisters, and the last books of the prior Church. Sappho, as she preferred to be known, pored through every word of every book. She finally felt that she truly knew her father, though far too late, and she knew that she had to pick up where he left off. She would dedicate herself to this cause.
After memorizing nearly every line of text she could, she went out in the streets to preach. Many scoffed, and those who knew her personally were surprised at this sudden change in the aimless young elf. Still, she slowly found five other young women who were convinced by her words. She would teach them what she knew and believed, creating the first Sisterhood of the Six Sisters. They would devise a plan to spread to different areas to help the message grow as Sappho would remain local in hopes to build a true congregation, and with luck, a church.
Mythology & Lore
The Sisterhood has a mythologized and romantic notion of the creation of the world. They are correct in the rough history, but their mythologized account of events makes the Sisters out to be far more noble and collaborative than they really were.
Divine Origins
Each of The Six Sisters is already well respected and worshipped for various reasons; generally for creating the sentient species of the world. In the First Age there was a faith that worshipped them as a group: Six Goddesses who cooperated and had they worked alone, would have failed and been destroyed by the Fey. That church promised that if the people came together as their creators did, that they would overcome the adversity of the world they lived in. By the Second Age, it seemed clear that prayers were not being answered. By the dawn of the Triumverate War, the prospect of Elves, Drow, Humans, Orcs, Dwarves and Halflings could ever come together again was a childhood dream.
Tenets of Faith
The Sisterhood are pacifists, and are arguing for a spiritiual and diplomatic rebirth of T'sara. Even if the foretold literal rebirth does not come, such a new awakening is necessary, lest the world be destroyed by hate. This rebirth requires a heavy task, especially for those still embittered by the aftermath of the Triumverate War two centuries ago: complete and total forgiveness of others and all past events between the races. Whatever happened in the past must stay there if there is to be any hope for the future.
The most basic edict is to abandon prayer to Varissa, Vrishka, Quargh, Hjanda, Draenysis, or Phoenicia individually. They are all due their respect within their domains, but their actions were not done in isolation. Each creation, physical or not, was created with the others in mind and for the purpose of a unified body of life. Unity cannot occur if the worship and the beliefs are not unified as well.
The most basic edict is to abandon prayer to Varissa, Vrishka, Quargh, Hjanda, Draenysis, or Phoenicia individually. They are all due their respect within their domains, but their actions were not done in isolation. Each creation, physical or not, was created with the others in mind and for the purpose of a unified body of life. Unity cannot occur if the worship and the beliefs are not unified as well.
Priesthood
Sapphohiro guides the Sisterhood. The leaders of the five Circles were her original acolytes, who are in turn gathering and leading congregations of acolytes and followers themselves in different locations. They are communicating with each other to the degree that they can through carried letter, with hopes that the leaders can reconvene together soon to restrategize and determine next steps.
This small group has made an official edict that was not present in any preceding version of the religion, nor in any faith dedicated to each of the Goddesses individually. Only women are allowed to lead this faith. Sapphohiro determined, and convinced her acolytes, that this was correct. Although male Gods absolutely had their hand in creating in T'sara, the creators of mortals are The Six Sisters for a reason, so those most dedicated to them must be "Sisters" as well, and will curry their favor as a result.
This small group has made an official edict that was not present in any preceding version of the religion, nor in any faith dedicated to each of the Goddesses individually. Only women are allowed to lead this faith. Sapphohiro determined, and convinced her acolytes, that this was correct. Although male Gods absolutely had their hand in creating in T'sara, the creators of mortals are The Six Sisters for a reason, so those most dedicated to them must be "Sisters" as well, and will curry their favor as a result.
Granted Divine Powers
The Sisterhood has not as of yet publicly displayed any of the divine magic that clerics of the faiths associated the Six Sisters or other dieties. This is generally countered that as of yet, there has not been a need for them in their lives. The Sisterhood are not divine mercenaries traveling with The Pathfinder Society to go out and fight dragons; they are firmly in the here and now, trying to change minds and prevent more senseless violence. If situations may change and a local crisis appears, than that would be the real telling as to whether the Sisterhood truly has the blessing of the Six Sisters, or not.
Political Influence & Intrigue
One of the Circles is operating within the Wolfront province of The Intransican Empire. Although the Circle was formed there and showed some initial success, it has already been proving to be controversial and difficult to grow further. It was recognized by Silmare, the Priestess who formed the circle, that whereever it was most difficult to lead would also be where it was most needed. If she can make any strong headway, than perhaps the Empire will have less support in it's open and genocidal war against the Orcs in the Krag'ash region in the northeast. On the other hand, it is just as likely fomenting that form of dissent against the official position of the Empire could label her and the followers as Enemies of the State and tried for treason.
An equally brave priestess, Koshk, has gone into that area and tried to convert from the tribal Orcs. Fighting for their land as well as their lives, it would be wrong to suggest that both sides are equally guilty at this point, or that the Orcs should surrender and hope for peace. Rather, Koshk is trying to convince the tribes and especially their leaders that when a chance for peace comes, they not be wrapped up in dreams of honor and vengeance, and take the opportunity to end this mess, hopefully for good. Not all need be so dangerous. Another circle has formed in the coastal trade city of Emwall. The hope there is that if the traveling Sailors can be convinced and converted, they can take the message and spread it to the other continents. The other two are locally found in the Kingdoms of Stormfall and Milysa respectively. It is hoped that in these compartively calmer areas, a significant base can be formed with which to grow and be the new proper home of the Sisterhood.
An equally brave priestess, Koshk, has gone into that area and tried to convert from the tribal Orcs. Fighting for their land as well as their lives, it would be wrong to suggest that both sides are equally guilty at this point, or that the Orcs should surrender and hope for peace. Rather, Koshk is trying to convince the tribes and especially their leaders that when a chance for peace comes, they not be wrapped up in dreams of honor and vengeance, and take the opportunity to end this mess, hopefully for good. Not all need be so dangerous. Another circle has formed in the coastal trade city of Emwall. The hope there is that if the traveling Sailors can be convinced and converted, they can take the message and spread it to the other continents. The other two are locally found in the Kingdoms of Stormfall and Milysa respectively. It is hoped that in these compartively calmer areas, a significant base can be formed with which to grow and be the new proper home of the Sisterhood.
Sects
As of now, the Sisterhood is too small to have any meaningful sects or differences. If the faith grows as well as it's hoped, than the manner in which the Humans in Intransica are being preached to compared to the Orcs in Kra'gash could create sects. Sapphohiro hopes to avoid that as much as possible, as this would be counter to the Sisterhood's narrative and aims.
