Courts of Inequity
Tenets of Faith
ADVANCEMENT
Advancement within this church is granted by a simple majority vote of all above a cleric’s level. The favor of higher level clerics is gained through valuable gifts and loyalty. Often, ambitious clerics try to gain an advantage in the voting by spreading false rumors about those competing for the same position. This system tends to keep the lower level clerics under control but the political maneuvering for votes can become deadly.Worship
PLACE OF WORSHIP
Temple. The Courts themselves are stately structures, built on huge, majestic estates. They are equipped with enormous law libraries, one or more formal courtrooms and at least two opulently furnished ballrooms. The temple proper is invariably located in an underground ballroom. The Covetous Ones fill their temples with valuable relics purloined from other churches. Additionally, the altars are inlaid with precious metals and gems because the Jealous Eye needs the best.SACRIFICE & FREQUENCY
The monthly sacrifice is a particularly beautiful or valuable object preferably plundered from some good church.Priesthood
The Covetous Ones
The Covetous Ones are almost always born of high lineage, although normal followers can be of any social class. They recruit new clerics only from the nobility. Famous, wealthy and noble converts are the ultimate prizes, for the Mistress of Spite needs and deserves only the finest clerics. Many congregants are also members of the Secret Network of the Blue Salamander and some clerics are reputed to be high-ranking officials of the Network.
In an effort to spread envy and obtain a constant flow of new recruits, clerics of the Covetous One host huge parties and extravagant balls at the Courts of Inequity. They invite only the most fashionable members of the rich and social elite. In most areas, the nobility will do anything to attend the ball. During these affairs, the Covetous Ones will do their utmost to spread envy and jealousy among the gentry. It is usually not difficult to find recruits among the nobility, especially after a ball. However, when new congregants cannot be found, cradle robbing and kidnapping may be employed.
The Covetous Ones know that their Queen revels in the misery of good people who are unjustly treated. Thus, they strive to cause the faultless to be blamed for acts they did not commit while the guilty roam free. To this end, clerics of the Corrupter offer their services to the local ruler as justices or magistrates. Clerics of the Jealous Eye will then try to gain authority in the local court system so they may ruin the lives of the innocent with their warped interpretation of the law.
The clerics will always volunteer the use of the Courts of Inequity to the local lord, free of charge. Most lords find this proposal very attractive because it eliminates the need to spend time and money operating their own courthouse. Rulers who accept this seemingly gracious proposition soon find their justice system falling further and further into the hands of the Covetous Ones. When the clerics wield absolute judicial authority, they take heavy bribes and charge outrageous fees for hearing even the simplest case. In any event, the rulings are typically inequitable, harsh and cruel.
The religion is also popular among evil humanoids, especially those at odds with humans. The Corrupter likes the way they kill and steal to reap the fruits of the more industrious races. These cults are, however, looked down upon by human and humanoid clerics and are not even considered part of the formal Court Order.
Followers and clerics of the Mistress of Spite guard their own possessions to the point of paranoia. Traps set by them are usually very destructive since they would rather see both the item and the thief destroyed than risk losing something once owned. This attitude keeps the local thieves’ guild from plundering the Courts of Inequity.
Covetous Ones adventure to cement or extend their political power. At all levels, gaining political strength is a goal mandated by the faith. Covetous Ones are natural leaders of any group – their faith demands that they assume the role. If prevented from being a titular leader, the Covetous Ones attempts to rule through advice, threat, coercion or whatever means are available.
RAIMENT
Human and humanoid clerics are always well dressed in the latest fashions when traveling through towns. See the chart for ceremonial garb.
