The Church Under The Sea

The Church under the Sea is a secretive branch of what appears to be Christianity. It presently holds sway in Brittany, and regions along the coast of Hibernia, Wales, and south-western Britain, as well as making inroads to coastal settlements along northern Frankia & the Iberian Peninsula. A few monastic settlements are found inland, and members are starting to show up in Parisius, and other major towns & cities in the west.
They preach that the true saviour lies deep in the oceans of the world, and calls regularly to devotees when being baptised in briny water, and a few in any water source. Each priest involved with this organisation is still part of the Roman Catholic church but differs slightly in outlook in some other ways. They believe baptism in water is the most important aspect, and that since it is more important to life than food, that fasts including the drinking of sea water brings them closer to God. They also believe that John the Baptist is equally as important as the Virgin Mary, and interchange the two regularly. Many creatures involved with water, like sailors & fishermen, are frequent members of these churches.
What many don't realise is that the main church, with the aid of many of the other religions in the areas they operate, suspect they are a front for something much much worse, if not just heretical. A few preachers tied to this church seem to have slight scaly skin or similar markings when examined closely. A few seem to cover their necks when out in public and in private seem to have something similar to gills on their necks. A few have a fishy smell about them too. Many of the laypeople & worshippers also refer to the priests as Kraken Priests. Many members seem to believe too, that when the stars are right and fall from they sky, that this will show the saviour returning with fish & bread in hand to feed the whole world both physically & spiritually.
Investigations ordered by authorities into the church shows that strange disturbing creatures are reported by locals around these regions. Each is warped demented creatures that attack non-believers, and sometimes take away the faithful. The leaders seem to be able to call upon theses creatures or send them away, speaking in some strange language unknown to all but a select few. Those that have seen the texts of the faith, or examined the places of worship, seem to written or adorned with strange symbols & languages that defy normal explanation. A few seem to have been driven mad by both the appearance of the creatures & the symbols / languages. In every case a feeling of dread seems to eventually overcome nonbelievers, and a sense of joy builds in the believers. In a few instances the settlements end up abandoned, and a few disappear altogether.
One rumour that appears to follow the church around is a symbol that is regularly worn by the members. It hangs on a chain made out of a blue/cyan coloured ornament made of coral, and looks like a wavy pentagram, and a flame style iris in the centre. Those not of the faith seem to have disturbing nightmares involving being in a body of water with creatures just out of sight moving & circling, getting closer & closer to them, ready to rip apart any who doesn't believe. A number who have tried wearing one without believing has slowly succumbed to madness and even suicide.

Structure

The church follows the basic structure of the Roman Catholic diocese in a given region with the kraken priests being in positions of power, and making up a conclave of bishops, that act as if they are really an off-shoot of the church.

Public Agenda

The agenda, at least to the population at large, is to bring in followers, and devout followers at that. The more they bring in the stronger the cult grows. By doing so, the cult increases in size until they are noticed by their overlords, who eventually offer up a form of salvation, or be used as sacrifices.

History

There is little in the way of history of the cult. It seems to started only in the past few years and they have not spread too much, but with plenty of firm believers the word of their offshoot has now reached many major settlements, and classed by many others as a bizarre cult.

Founding Date

798 AD

Type

Religious, Coven

Leader Title

Bishop

Related Traditions

• The Ritual to the Ancient Ones

Related Species

• Greater Star Spawn Emissary
• Kraken
• Kraken Priest
• Lesser Star Spawn Emissary
• Lion
• Star Spawn Burning Children
• Star Spawn Flesh Figure
• Star Spawn Grue
• Star Spawn Hulk
• Star Spawn Larva Mage
• Star Spawn Mangler
• Star Spawn Monstrous Spiker
• Star Spawn Seer
• Star Spawn Split Skull
• Star Spawn Tentacled Monstrosity

Related Plots

• Something is Calling