The Cult of Resshe

"I entered their house of worship to discover a circular room, the floors festooned with feather pillows, roughspun blankets and soft tapestries. Along the walls, bronze braziers burned an intoxicating mixture of herbs that beguiled the senses, and within moments I could feel my head becoming lighter than the clouds above. At the centre of the room, the Seer sat, not at an altar or upon a pedestal, but upon the floor, at equal height with their faithful flock. They spoke of gilded cities in distant lands, of the Waking World and the Great Dream that their Prophet resided in, and how one day those two world would become one in a calamitous awakening that would sear the sky and split the seas asunder. Then they added more water to the coals and more herbs to the braziers, and I experience what can only be described as an ascension. When I came to again, the Seer was at my side, asking me to describe everything I'd seen in as much detail as I could. I stammered through my half-formed dream, and the Seer simply nodded and smiled. "They've seen you," the Seer said, "You've passed through the Dream, and now you'll always carry it with you."
Excerpted from Tales of a Wandering Hedge-Knight

Structure

The Cult of Resshe is a decentralized religious organization; each chapter is organized and run by a veteran cultist with a great deal of experience guiding others through the dreams of Resshe. Leaders of the chapter are also responsible for ensuring they have a steady supply of dreamsmoke herbs to facilitate their connection with the Prophet, the funds for which are often readily provided by their followers.

Divine Origins

The faith originated in the distant lands of the Dunefalle, where the Golden Prophet was born and walked among mortals. It was he that first discovered the alchemy that creates Dreamsmoke, and with it he entered into the Great Dream and saw the world for what it was. He gathered adherents and followers as use of the Dreamsmoke spread, and it is said that mighty Dunefalle grew to devour its rival nations on the strength of the Golden Prophet's foretellings. When at last his work was done, The Golden Prophet embarked to seek out the final dream, the one from which he would awaken into a different world entirely. Today, the herbs used to craft Dreamsmoke only grow in the Dunefalle, and all farms growing it are owned by the church.

Cosmological Views

The world was created in the dream of Resshe, and one day the Prophet will wake and the world as we know it will end.

Tenets of Faith

To walk among the dreams of the Prophet is to bear witness to His glory.
Dreams are messages from Resshe and their divine agents, and should be interpreted in accordance with our faith.
This mortal plane is fleeting, and true eternity awaits us in the Great Dream when we are ready to embrace it completely. Resshe will choose us when we are truly ready, and not before. Until we are prepared to set foot in the Great Dream, we must fulfill our duties in the waking world.
Sentinels must be in place to watch over those who walk in the Prophet's Dream, lest they be preyed upon by the unbelievers and the infidels. These sentinels must be bound and trusted, close to your heart and ready to protect you. It is an honour to watch over the Dreamers.
While the Waking World might be filled with sickness, suffering, famine and war, the Prophet's Dream knows no such things. It is a paradise wherein all desires may be made manifest without fear.
Impure minds and dark desires can cloud the Dream we share with one another. Those that sully the shared dreams of the congregation must divest themselves of their devils, lest their corruption spread to others.
Those who are untethered in this world, lacking family and means, can have a special place within our congregation as Practicals. They typically stay apart from the Dream, protecting the dreamers and undertaking earthly business on the behalf of the priesthood. Many Seers of Resshe travel with at least one Practical at their side to serve as protector and able dogsbody, should the need arise.

Worship

Worship of Resshe is conducted in both the waking world and in the Great Dream. Diluted dreamsmoke essence is often burned to fill a ceremonial room with a mild haze that heightens the senses and imparts a sense of euphoria in the worshippers. The chapter's Seer will lead them in ruminations on the documented Dreams of the Prophet, or on dreams they have themselves experienced and believe to be divine portents. Many worshippers and Seers of Resshe have mentioned "The Presence" when discussing their experiences. When engaged in worship, cultists of Resshe often become aware of an additional entity in the room with them, as if someone were standing beside them, silent and observant. The Cult of Resshe states that The Presence is none other than Resshe themselves, drifting through their dreams, bestowing their blessings.

Adornment of Practicals
During religious ceremonies or events Practicals wear a thick linen mask. Relatively rigid, it fits over the top of the head and covers down to the nostrils, with two eye holes and reinforced linens crossing in an X around the eyes. A key item for Practicals, it is closely guarded and protected, even though it is worth very little materially, it is of great social and religious importance to Practicals as a sign of their role in the Cult. -- Contributed by Marc

Priesthood

Each seer of Resshe is the autonomous leader of their own branch of the sect, with however many followers they can gather. They are adept at navigating the depths of the dream, and can often take others with them to ensure their safety. Seers mentor their replacements from among their congregation.

Adornment of the Seers
When leading Dreaming Circles, Seers traditionally dons robes befitting the ritual. These are comprised of deep blues and purples to represent night, and a silver half-mask. Many of these masks are featureless, though some are made in the image of his vigilant companion Cybela - silver to denote the moon, and the owl to distinguish them as a practitioner of Cybela's teachings. While the half-mask is common amongst dream seers, most followers of Resshe's masks are more mirrored, and less stylized, allowing dreamers to see in Resshe their own reflections. -- Contributed by Matt T.

Political Influence & Intrigue

Priests of the Golden Prophet are kept as advisors in the courts of Dunefalle. Here in Banteave, their influence is challenged by the Church of the Six Saints, which holds dominance over the population and its rulers. In the North, the druids of The Red Sisters balk at the presence of the Seers, believing them to be heretical interlopers from afar.