Children of Terusha
Members of the Greenmother's clergy divide themselves into two factions of roughly equal size. Those clerics who minister to farmers and agricultural workers in cities, towns, and villages refer to themselves as Pastorals, while those of the wilder, older sect that caters to the wilderness call themselves, with a touch of arrogance, the True Shapers. Memebrs of both sects recognize no central authority--theirs is a highly individualistic faith. The Greenmother sets out a doctrine outlining a general set of values and taboos, but how each cleric adapts this code for herself and her flock is largely a matter of personal interpretation. The church welcomes members of all races, though women vastly outnumber men, perhaps because the religion’s liturgy is infused with references to fertility, motherhood, and femininity.
Clerics and druids of the Greenmother often double as farmers or gardeners, and Pastorals frequently hold positions of great respect in rural communities. They were usually born in small villages or country farms, and while few eschew cities altogether, most came to the church through an appreciation of natural beauty, a feeling of peace when standing at the center of a tilled field under the light of the midsummer sun. They earn the admiration of their peers by strengthening yields and driving away natural blights or predators with magic spells. They also don’t hesitate to pin up their skirts and join locals at harvest time, keeping farming families healthy and providing an additional pair of hands for even the most arduous and menial tasks. Like their deity, most who serve the Greenmotherare patient and quiet, slow to anger, and prefer passive diplomacy to open conflict.
Surprisingly, quite a few cities sport temples to the Greenmother, usually large, many-windowed structures that double as granaries or impressive open gardens. In the outlands, most ceremonies take place under the light of the sun or moon, with clerics holding special services in their homes, small shrines, or even barns or haylofts. In such places, clerics and druids of the Greenmother instruct congregants on proper methods of planting, identification of plant and animal diseases, and herb lore. Many perform marriages and act as midwives for human and animal births. They preach a respect for the natural world and emphasize programs of replanting, careful irrigation, and crop rotation to ensure that the earth is not despoiled.
Militant druids of the Greenmother scoff at these lessons, however, claiming that the very act of agriculture is an affront to nature. It allows more people to live in a given area that can be sustained in the long term, and hence fosters overpopulation and environmental destruction, despite the best intentions of the Pastorals. They assert that over time, the Greenmother's agriculture, with its diverted waterflow, drained wetlands, and emphasis in supporting cities, will do irreparable damage to the natural balance. The Pastorals have caused a great deal of turmoil among the druids.
The Children are often close with low level members of the The Eight-Pointed Star, but due to their poor status and “secular” beliefs, many move on from them quickly.
Within the Empire the Children maintain a secular façade and do not openly worship the Greenmother, though each is a committed member. The Star allows the Children to operate within their borders because the Children do difficult work that the Star does not wish to occupy its time with. The Children do not require payment, and, as such, are often taken advantage of.
The Children are tenacious as maintaining a proper garden is steady work. They also serve as wandering priests, healers, and doctors.
Clerics and druids of the Greenmother often double as farmers or gardeners, and Pastorals frequently hold positions of great respect in rural communities. They were usually born in small villages or country farms, and while few eschew cities altogether, most came to the church through an appreciation of natural beauty, a feeling of peace when standing at the center of a tilled field under the light of the midsummer sun. They earn the admiration of their peers by strengthening yields and driving away natural blights or predators with magic spells. They also don’t hesitate to pin up their skirts and join locals at harvest time, keeping farming families healthy and providing an additional pair of hands for even the most arduous and menial tasks. Like their deity, most who serve the Greenmotherare patient and quiet, slow to anger, and prefer passive diplomacy to open conflict.
Surprisingly, quite a few cities sport temples to the Greenmother, usually large, many-windowed structures that double as granaries or impressive open gardens. In the outlands, most ceremonies take place under the light of the sun or moon, with clerics holding special services in their homes, small shrines, or even barns or haylofts. In such places, clerics and druids of the Greenmother instruct congregants on proper methods of planting, identification of plant and animal diseases, and herb lore. Many perform marriages and act as midwives for human and animal births. They preach a respect for the natural world and emphasize programs of replanting, careful irrigation, and crop rotation to ensure that the earth is not despoiled.
Militant druids of the Greenmother scoff at these lessons, however, claiming that the very act of agriculture is an affront to nature. It allows more people to live in a given area that can be sustained in the long term, and hence fosters overpopulation and environmental destruction, despite the best intentions of the Pastorals. They assert that over time, the Greenmother's agriculture, with its diverted waterflow, drained wetlands, and emphasis in supporting cities, will do irreparable damage to the natural balance. The Pastorals have caused a great deal of turmoil among the druids.
The Children are often close with low level members of the The Eight-Pointed Star, but due to their poor status and “secular” beliefs, many move on from them quickly.
Within the Empire the Children maintain a secular façade and do not openly worship the Greenmother, though each is a committed member. The Star allows the Children to operate within their borders because the Children do difficult work that the Star does not wish to occupy its time with. The Children do not require payment, and, as such, are often taken advantage of.
The Children are tenacious as maintaining a proper garden is steady work. They also serve as wandering priests, healers, and doctors.
Structure
The Lifegivers lead the church, they are united in purpose of bringing the world to a more natural benevolent state. They are highly skilled doctors and healers. Lifegivers tend to large kingdom wide “gardens.” Healers travel Terusha, spreading the word of the Greenmother. While Initiates are low level members whom have committed to the Greenmother.
| Title | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Lifegiver | Gold Tree |
| Healer | Silver Tree |
| Initiate | Copper Tree |
Divine Origins
The followers of The Greenmother would say that they do not have an origin, as the Greenmother has no beginning and her children have always been.
Tenets of Faith
The Children of Terusha are a poor group that exist within the Final Empire. Benevolence, compassion, and industriousness are the hallmarks of the Children of Terusha. The chief aim of the Children is to alleviate physical suffering by providing direct aid to the sick, the hungry, the poor, and the dying.
The Green House is founded in benevolence and compassion. Though the domineering nature of the plant life of Terusha leads the House to understand that kindness is a fine goal, but it is not how the world is, or even should be. “If the forest were kind, all would have light and none would eat.”
BALANCE - Nature exists in a balance, sometimes a forest is overgrown and a cleansing fire is needed, other times a forest must be planted. We must strive for balance in ourselves.
BENEVOLENCE - We must foster, preserve and protect the goodness we find. We must approach with good intent.
COMPASSION - The world is cruel and kindness is rare. We must aspire to be better, though it is not the way of the world.
INDUSTRIOUSNESS - Though our goals are good, it is a continuous struggle that we must not relent.
The Green House is founded in benevolence and compassion. Though the domineering nature of the plant life of Terusha leads the House to understand that kindness is a fine goal, but it is not how the world is, or even should be. “If the forest were kind, all would have light and none would eat.”
BALANCE - Nature exists in a balance, sometimes a forest is overgrown and a cleansing fire is needed, other times a forest must be planted. We must strive for balance in ourselves.
BENEVOLENCE - We must foster, preserve and protect the goodness we find. We must approach with good intent.
COMPASSION - The world is cruel and kindness is rare. We must aspire to be better, though it is not the way of the world.
INDUSTRIOUSNESS - Though our goals are good, it is a continuous struggle that we must not relent.
Ethics
Balance and Benevolence are common among followers of the Greenmother, however, honesty is not. The Children must never reveal their true origins, as such it is typical that those who join their ranks are moved from their town. The Green House are strict vegetarians and notable cooks.
Granted Divine Powers
The Green House may take the Nature, Life or Peace domains. Though the Children of Terusha typically take Life or Peace.
Sects
The Church is split into two groups, the Green House and the Children of Terusha though they share the same beliefs
Live Long and Prosper
Associated Fighting Order:
Order of Thorns
Order of Thorns
Common Sayings:
- Life Finds a Way
- Peace in Our Time
- Balance Must be Maintained
- Live Long and Prosper
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