The Three Divine Patrons
The people of the Jeweled Cities believe in the Three Divine Patrons: Lady Venta, Loreto, and Arete. They do not so much believe these figures are material beings, but instead the embodiments of concepts. Lady Venta is the Lady of Winds, but she is also the patron of beauty, wisdom, and sailors. She tends to be considered the 'highest' of the three. Arete is the Breath of Inspiration, the patron of craftsmen, artists, and laborers. He is the spark that drives one to creativity, but also to strive to be excellent in all that one does. Loreto is the Protector of traders and travelers, but also the one who exemplifies charity for those unfortunate. He is often portrayed in art as an armored warrior, with a shield ready to defend.
Divine Origins
The Three Divine Patrons is a fairly young pantheon by the Imperial Records. It has its origins in the idea of the City-Gods of the Old Iron Empire, where every city had a divine founder who protected it and watched over it, though the Three Divine Patrons is a few steps removed from that original conception. As the culture of the Gold Coast developed to reflect the very materialistic and mercantile focuses of the citizens of the Jeweled Coast, they began to venerate the personifications of concepts that were relevant to their daily life. Beauty, artistic vision, charity, trade. From there, the poets of the Jeweled Coast would tie in ephemeral things to these concepts for comparisons, such as the sea being beautiful, which tied the concept of beauty to the fleeting winds as beauty too is fleeting. Thus, Lady Venta, the Lady of Winds, emerged as a figure that represents not only beauty, but the winds that carry the ships of the Jeweled Cities, and from there to be the patron of sailors, and so one and so forth.
Once poets began to use the same imagery for these three figures, born from these conceptual beings, they took a more standard form. From having a standard form, they became recognized by the people of the cities, spread by the artists as they traveled from patron to patron. Once the pantheon took root among the common folk, there were those who sought to utilize it to their benefit and those who sought to solidify the teachings. Within the last seventy years, much of the teachings regarding the Three Divine Patrons has come from the Brotherhood of the Seven Facets, using their founding text authored by Prince Jais II of Ruby as a base from which to explore and debate the proper way to venerate the Three.
Cosmological Views
The Citizens of the Jeweled City do not much as a whole question where Terraneus came from. Perhaps the average citizen could tell you that it likely involved the Mistlands and demons and maybe the Wyrdtower if they were feeling particularly creative, but no one knows. Nor does it particularly concern most folk. Jais did not even try to claim the Three Divine Patrons created the world.
Tenets of Faith
The Brotherhood of the Seven Facets has stated that there are seven aspects to each one of the patron, for a total of twenty one. This is a recent development in the worship of the Three Divine Patrons, though the number seven obviously is important to the Jeweled Cities. Skeptics have scoffed that if another is founded, everyone will start talking about the eight aspects and the Brotherhood will change its name, but for now, the reason for seven is clear, and it suits the tastes of the Seven Jeweled Cities well enough that their gods are a reflection of them.
The Seven Aspects of Lady Venta
Beauty Lady Venta embodies the concept of Beauty for the Jeweled Cities, so to make one's self beautiful is to venerate the Lady Venta. This refers to the social expectation that one is expected, almost demanded, to take pride in their appearance. Outfits must be carefully considered, hair must be done and makeup must be applied with a light but skilled hand. To do otherwise is to disrespect Lady Venta.Grace
One should carry themselves with Grace. A person should be charming and should strive to move with purpose but also fluidity, like the wind across the sea rather than a lumbering ox. If Beauty is to take care of how one looks, Grace is to take care of how one moves and acts.Wisdom
Lady Venta is wise and you should be as well. Ignorance is a fault in oneself and no one else. After all, is it not wise to study the charts and wind patterns common on a trade route before setting sail? Lady Venta does not smile on fools, so you should make yourself not foolish. Thus, often is the ultimate goal in the courts of the Jeweled Cities is to make one's rival appear the fool. For does that not then make you look all the wiser?Wealth
Lady Venta is the Lady of Winds and so carries the trade ships to and from the Gold Coast, and with that comes wealth. To prosper is to venerate Lady Venta. She does not provide wealth, she is wealth, and so to become wealthy is to become closer to the Patron.Civilization
This one emerged due to her prominence as the most venerated of the patrons, but Lady Venta is considered to be the patron that brings structure and order to the way of life in the Jeweled Cities. Thus, one should follow the laws of the city for it is a gift from Venta.Sorcery
The Lady of Winds is of course associated with the Wyrdwinds. This aspect of Lady Venta represents not literal sorcery but her mastery over the Wyrdwinds. Scholars and Lotusmasters alike claim that by studying what is deemed magic, they are emulating Lady Venta.The Lady of Winds
The ultimate aspect of Lady Venta, this represents her embodiment as the Patron of trade, the sea, and the natural winds. To sail across the Shimmering Sea is to honor Lady Venta and she rewards those she favors with her blessed winds.The Seven Aspects of Loreto
Protector
Loreto is the warrior, the guardian, who protects traders and travelers on the road from the ever present dangers. For those who remain in the cities or the villages, he embodies the role of a defender from outside threats like the Mistwalkers or enemy armies. To protect others is to embody this aspect. The Brotherhood of the Seven Facets have many who leave their monasteries to follow this aspect of Loreto. For many mercenaries, they claim this aspect as well...for it says nothing of not charging for the service.Charity
Loreto, as a protector, is naturally one predisposed to showing kindness to the unfortunate. In this aspect, one is to care for the downtrodden with charity.Unyielding
Though some may say stubborn, Loreto is often compared to the Wyrdtower or the earth of Terraneus. He is unyielding in the tasks he sets himself upon, and thus a person should not be afraid to hold their ground, rather than be carried on the winds of others.Justice
From unyielding, the Brothers sought to soften Loreto a bit. This is one of his more recent attributes. While Lady Venta is civilization, Loreto is the justice that is meted out to those who would commit injustices.Patience
Loreto is like the mountain. He does not move. Thus he also must have patience to wait. The people of the Jeweled Cities know that sometimes it takes time for plans to come to fruitions, or gambles to pay off.Humility
This might seem an odd aspect for the very proud people of the Jeweled Cities and it is one that has had trouble catching on. The Brothers teach it not that you must be humble or humiliate yourself, but that you should know your own limits and accept them. For if you do not know your own shortcomings, you cannot plan to compensate for them.Loyalty
Loreto is the stalwart defender of Lady Venta, thus he must be loyal to the Lady of Winds. Thus, one should be loyal. This of course refers to the meaning of loyal that is very accepted on the Gold Coast. That is to say, loyal...for a price.The Seven Aspects of Arete
Excellence
Arete embodies excellence and the strive to improve oneself. This incorporates the idea of ambition as well, where you should always be trying to be 'better', even if that's within regards to your standing.Creation
Arete is the Patron of craftsmen and considered the Breath of Inspiration. To create art (or, the Brothers would insist, anything) is a veneration of Arete.Hard Work
Creation is not easy. One must put in effort. The Patrons do not simply reward one because he desires it, he must work to see his dreams manifest.Persistence
Whereas Loreto is unyielding and immovable, Arete never stops moving. He is like the river, always running towards the Sea, and if he is stopped by a rock, he will find a way around. This is to say that to continue to try even after failure is considered a veneration of Arete.Fluidity
Similar to Persistence, Arete does not bash his head into a wall to go through it; he finds a way to flow around it. A person who wishes to embody this aspect must not be stubborn or stiff, but must be flexible in thought.Luck
Gamblers love Arete, but also curse him. For he is the god of fortune, but he can change his favored at a whim.Wit
The other part of Grace. While Grace is to be charming, wit is to be clever and quick. Those who can use words as sharp as rapiers honor Arete.Worship
One worships the Divine Patrons by embodying the aspects they represent.
Priesthood
The Brotherhood of the Seven Facets are the accepted authority on understanding and discussing the Three Divine Patrons, though poets argue the patrons are their creations, and they would not be entirely wrong. Still, the Brotherhood have taken it and presented a more consistent vision. They are noticeable for the plain, hooded robes they wear to mark them as Brothers of the Seven Facets.
Sects
The faith is so new that there are many sects but few that are not recognizable as still being the Three Divine Patrons, with the exception of Jade where there are Four, for they include the Commander.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Location
Notable Members
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