Church of Ashera
Mythology & Lore
Divine Origins
The roots of The Church of Ashera began many Millennia ago before the cataclysm that destroyed the ancients. It is believed that a great many followed Ashera, but with the cataclysm destroying much of the ancients history little is known about their worship. It wasn't until St. Selen the Just of Vivolia became imprisoned that The Church of Ashera sprang anew.
St. Selen was a slave who was bought from the north some 500 years ago. She was a beautiful human with soft features and a strong sense of justice. Selen was bought by a high roller family, and though she performed her duties diligently, the family was wicked. They beat and kicked her for the slightest mistake, perceived wrong. Selen endured, and this only angered them more.
One day while cleaning the foyer, the wife of the high roller came running down the stairs shrieking at Selen. “You whore, I saw your eyes. You were lusting after my husband, you demon.” Selen tried to defend herself, she had done no such thing, but the wife continued. “I see those hungering glances, you want him for yourself. I will take those eyes of yours so you wont ever lust after another man again.”
The wife brought Selen before a judge of Vivolia, and demanded for her sight to be taken, and her imprisoned for attempting to seduce her husband. The judge agreed to the trial, and though selen spoke and defended herself greatly it was futile. The judge ruled in favor of the wife, and Selen’s eyes were gouged out. The once beautiful grey eyes of selen rolled across the floor, and the wife picked them up. “Know your place in the world,” she laughed. Selens eye sockets were covered , and she was brought to the jail. Selen sat in the jail for months singing of justice and sin to herself, but this song was heard by a messenger of Ashera. So moved by the song was the messenger, that he went to Ashera herself so that she may here her songs. Ashera went and spoke to the messengers, “Send the Commandments, we have found our chosen.”
That night Selen was visited by 10 angelic being in her dream. The largest and most beautiful being spoke to her. “Child, be not afraid, we have heard your voice and seen the injustice inflicted upon you. We are the Commandments and we are the heralds of Ashera, the Law Bringer.” Selen was in shock, but it continued. “We embody her Commandments, and if you will allow up we will shepherd you to found a new church of Ashera.” Selen could only nod, too awestruck by these beings to even breath. “We are grateful. Now listen to our voice and remember what we tell you. These are the laws of Ashera.” Each being one by one spoke a single commandment to Selen. When the 10th had finished the first commandment spoke again. “Keep the commandments in your heart. We will be with you always.”
Upon waking up Selen spoke to her captors.”Release me from these shackles, I am the speaker for Ashera, and you are enforcing a false justice. I have heard her commandments, and seen her heralds. She is the Law incarnate, and the true judge of the guilty.” Her voice became that of the first, and the guards fell in awe of Selen. A guard crawled to the cell and opened it. Selen her head surrounded by a holy light, crouch down to one and spoke “Stand up and rejoice, you have beared witness to a miracle. Seek penance and absolve you of wrong doings for Ashera is merciful to the repentant.” She then stated to all of them “Follow me, with Ashera at my side we shall rebuild her church and lead the nations to a future of justice and order.” With all guards arose and unlocked the cells, the prisoners came out and fell upon the ground. Begging for absolution and forgiveness. ‘“Repent, and follow me. You shall do Ashera's work and find redemption before her.” She left and all in the jail followed.
Cosmological Views
The Church of Ashera pushes a dualistic version of the Cosmos and planes. There is the Positive energy plane which is one large plane holding the various celestial domains and those of order. On the flipside there is the negative energy plane. This is a large plane which holds the evil planes, those of chaos, and the elemental planes of fire, water, earth, and air. However, unlike many other churches, planes of chaotic good gods are considered a part of the negative energy planes, and the planes of lawful evil gods are believed to be found in the positive energy planes.
The Feywild, and the Shadowfell are considered areas which fell because they refused Ashera. The Feywild was once an area of Eluth which is now the Elysian gulf. The fey that lived there refused to heed Ashera or her tenants, and were cast out of Eovillia. The Shadowfell however was said to be a part of the positive energy plane. However, the entities there did not heed the natural order of life and death, and were cast out. Beyond Eovillia, there is said to be the astral sea which is said to lie outside all other realms. This is a realm of pure chaos and disorder, and is hated by Ashera above all else. The Astral Sea is the realm from which aberrations, and beings of elder evil swim.
Tenets of Faith
The Daily Tenets
Seek Peace and harmony whenever Possible.
-
War is chaos and chaos is war. The idea of a just war is false, and herasy. Should you be forced into a war you must do what you can to protect yourself, but to warmonger is to sin. Let the war end as soon as possible. Should you fight allies of chaos only when they are eliminated can your safety be assured.
Laws are the Cornerstone of any Society:
-
Without laws there is only chaos, and chaos is the anathema of life. Society works because laws exist, and laws exist to safeguard society. Let not yourself doubt the law, and let the law guide you.
Chaos must be snuffed out in all forms:
-
Demons and creatures of chaos are the primal enemy of Ashera and of her people. If the taint of chaos or demons are felt within the realm, stop at nothing to eliminate them. The war against them is ongoing and can only end when the abyss itself is destroyed.
A law broken is a life taken:
-
The law is absolute and shall be treated as such. Each law exists for a reason, to break a law is the same as murder. Both require to look upon the creations of Ashera, and decide to harm it.
Laws and Rules are absolute:
-
There is no such thing as bending the rules, or justified law breaking. They are written perfectly and divinely, and no doubt can be spared at their expense. No matter the law, and no matter the rule, they are all of equal importance.
Order is a necessity for any species:
-
There is order in everything, the body each being inhabits has order. To remove the order is to destroy the self. The “Chaos of Life” is a myth. All life has reason, and all reason leads to life.
The Commandments of Ashera
The First Commandment
-
Ashera is the prime and the reason for life. No other gods shall come before her.
The Second Commandment.
-
Ashera is the name of the most high. Do not use her name in vanity.
The Third Commandment
-
Always set a day to rest, and meditate on Ashera the most holy.
The Fourth Commandment
-
The parents are the creators of the self. Give them Honor, Respect, and Love
The Fifth Commandment
-
Life is Order. Needless destruction of order is forbidden.
The Sixth Commandment
-
A marriage is holy and the will of Ashera. To lie with another is unforgivable.
The 7th Commandment
-
Do not steal from others.
The 8th Commandment
-
The truth is absolute. To lie is to turn from Ashera.
The 9th Commandment
-
Marriage is Holy and blessed by Ashera. To lust after the spouse of another is to betray them and Ashera.
The 10th Commandment:
-
You are blessed by Ashera. Your possessions are gifts from Ashera, as are the possessions of all. To envy the possessions of others is to doubt the will of Ashera.
Ethics
Worship
Priesthood
The Church of Ashera is structured and immaluable. At the lowest levels are the acolytes of the Cleric Ecclesia (Cleric of the church). These are chosen from local youth who are shown to have an above average divine spark. They are taught the teachings of Ashera more intensively than the average public. When not studying the teachings of Ashera, they aid the Cleric Ecclesia. This can include cleaning, preparing scriptures, and fetching goods.
The next level up is the Cleric Ecclesia. These are the head clerics of a church, and are the highest official most individuals see. The Cleric Ecclesia, is able to perform sacraments of Ashera, and perform divine miracles in Ashera’s name. They lead each sermon of Ashera, but each temple to Ashera only has one Cleric Ecclesia. When a Cleric Ecclesia passes away, the acolytes who worked under the Cleric Ecclesia are looked over by the Regio Administrator (Region Administrator). The acolyte who shows the greatest understanding of Ashera, and has the greatest divine spark is taken to be taught the ways of the Cleric Ecclesia, and anointed as a true Cleric of Ashera. The Regio Administrator, overlooks a region of many churches. They each give guidance to the Cleric Ecclesia and are the middle men of the Inquisicio de Ecclesia (Inquisition of the Church) and the Consilium de Mandatis (The Council of the Commandments). They usually take care of the administrative side of the churches, keeping tabs on tithes, the local laws, clearance from the regents of the land. Should an exorcism need to take place the Exorcista vero Electi (Chosen Exorcist) needs approval from the Regio Administrator, before the exorcism can take place.
The Inquisicio de Ecclesia are the militant wing of the church and are tasked with the hunting of heretics, and demons. At the head of the Inquisicio de Ecclesia is the Magister inquisitor (Master Inquisitor). This Inquisitor is allowed to sit in on meetings of the Consilium de Mandatis, but can have no say on the proceedings. They act as a advisor on matters such as demons and chaotic beings. The Magister Inquisitor is chosen from the Prorex Inquisitor (The Regent Inquisitors) by vote of the Consilium de Mandatis. The Prorex Inquisitor that is chosen must then spend 5 years each with the other Prorex Inquisitor to learn all they can of the threat that Inquisitor combats. Once a decade passes the chosen Prorex Inquisitor takes their place as Magister Inquisitor.
Under the Magister Inquisitor is the Prorex Inquisitor. Each Prorex inquisitor oversees a certain area of the inquisition there is the Officium Heresis (Office of Heresy), the Officium Daemoniorum (Office of Demons), and the Officium Chao (Office of Chaos). These Inquisitors are masters on the topic of their office. Any question the Magister has can be answered by his Prorex Inquisitor. If a Prorex Inquisitor leaves his seat for whatever reason an Exorcista vero Elect (Chosen Exorcist) is chosen by the Magister Inquisitor to take the place of the Prorex inquisitor.
The Prorex Inquisitor has a number of Exorcista vero Electi who works as the book keeper and reporter of the Exorcistae (Exorcist) under their watch. Should an Exorcistae bring news of a large incursion of heretics, chaos, or demons, the Exorcista vero Electi sends two letters, one is to the Prorex Inquisitor to confirm the necessity and gain the blessing to proceed. This is largely a ceremonial gesture as the Exorcista vero Electi are specially chosen by the Prorex Inquisitor and have their complete trust. The second is sent to the Regio Administrator. This is to obtain permission to proceed into their region and send word to the Consilium de Mandatis of the exorcism taking place. When both are accepted the Exorcista vero Electi goes with the Exorcistae to perform the exorcism in order to drive out, quash, or otherwise eliminate the enemy. An Exorcista vero Electi is chosen by the Prorex Inquisitor of who they serve. There is no limit to the amount of Exorcista vero Electi a Prorex Inquisitor can have, but the common number is usually between 5 and 10.
The Exorcistae are the field agents of the Exorcista vero Electi, and are the ones who go from town to town looking for heretics, demons, or chaos. They will usually spend time looking for unusual behavior in the selected region they are a part of and take notes. Should an Exorcistae find evidence of the enemy they will assess the threat. Should the threat be low, they or their inquisitors can handle it there. Then they would send a full report to an Exorcista vero Electi of the office of the threat type. Should an Exorcista vero Electi find that the Exorcistae acted in fault, recklessly, or malice the Exorcista vero Electi may fire or demote the Exorcistae in question. However if the action was considered especially negligent or malicious the Exorcista vero Electi sends request to the Consilium de Mandatis for excommunication. If the Consilium de Mandatis find the Exorcista vero Electi is correct is their assessment, they are ruled a traitor and excommunicated. The selected Exorcistae will be hunted down as a heretic by the church, and if caught will be forever sealed away to be forgotten.
If an Exorcista for whatever reason, aside from excommunication, end their time as an Exorcista a new Exorcista from their Inquisitors will be chosen. Usually the Exorcistae will leave behind a will that states who from their retinue of Inquisitors should be chosen.The will is then sent to the Exorcista de Electi who may approve or disapprove of the choice. Disapproval of the choice is very rare however, and it has only happened a handful of times in the centuries the Church has existed. The Exorcista vero Electi will then send a request of promotio to the Magister Inquisitor for approval. Should the approval be granted, the inquisitor is promoted to Exorcistae.
Each Exorcistae will have a retinue of inquisitors who serve as their eyes and ears. They are taught exclusively by their Exorcistae the signs and strategies used to hunt down the enemies. Should an inquisitor find a suspected enemy the action taken varies. In the case of a suspected heretic, the inquisitor may take the individual in for interrogation. Should the heretic confess to worshiping chaotic evil deities, demons, or spreading misinformation on Ashera or the church. They are branded with the symbol of the Heretic, and depending on the severity may be executed, disabled, or imprisoned. Should a demonic entity be found the inquisitor is to immediately report back to the Exorcistae. The Exorcistae will then assess whether the demonic creature is alone or in a group if alone or in a small group the Exorcistae will engage with the creature and fight it. However if the creature is especially powerful or in a large group a request for exorcism must be sent to the Exorcista vero Electi along with a detailed report. However in the case of chaos worshipers they are immediately arrested. Far more foul than heretics, the worshipers and agents of Chaos work to unravel the very fabric of society and spread chaos wherever they go. The Inquisitor will then send for the Exorcistae who will question the accused, and if found guilty will execute them. Inquisitors are chosen from the general public similar to acolytes. However, once chosen as an inquisitor, the hopeful must go through a great deal of combat training, and be greatly taught and tutored on Ashera.
The Regio Administrator, and Magister Inquisitor both report to the Consilium de Mandatis. This is a group of 10 who are titled Et de Universis Mandatis Martyrs (Martyrs of the Commandments). The Martyrs each host one of the Angelic Avatars of the Commandments of Ashera (called the Commandments). They are gifted with unique abilities and strength in order to enforce their commandments. The Martyrs are chosen by the Commandments themselves. Should they find an individual of great strength and devotion to Ashera, the Commandment will enter the body of the Individual and possess them. This individual will have a radiant glow and a halo marking them as a Martyr. No Martyr holds higher station over the other aside from the Martyris et Primum (Martyr of the First).
The Martyris et Primum is the de facto leader of the Church. Their full title is Maxius Iudex. Martyrem Avatar de Primo Pracepto (The Grand Judge. Martyr and Avatar of the First Commandment). They are usually dressed in a full white robe, wearing a blindfold, and have the sacred Sword of Ashera, Fierent (Lawbringer). Along with the scales of Ashera, Trahentium Innocentiae (Trial of Innocence). They hold the First Commandment within them who was the advisor of St. Selen the Just. They are the de facto leader as the church is awaiting the Incarnatio Ashera (the Incarnation of Ashera.) The Ashera de Solio (Throne of Ashera) is the throne of the Incarnatio and was last sat upon by St. Selen the Just. However it now sits empty awaiting the next Incarnatio Ashera.
Political Influence & Intrigue
