The Church of Ygharis

Written by Kiki
“All that is, began in the light. All that will be, shall return to the light. From stardust to stardust.”
General Lore
Of the many deities worshiped in The Veil of Tears the church of Ygharis is one of the largest, most widespread, and influential religions. All are welcome to join and learn as Ygharis accepts all whose hearts are pure and whose intentions are true.
The temples of Ygharis are often surrounded by a garden of flowers and herbs used in medicine and rituals. Aside from being a place of worship larger temples have an infirmary to care for the sick and wounded. Temples of the Lady run on the generosity of the community and the occasional supplies from the Temple of Life in Dewberry.

Hierarchy

Light Speaker (Pope)
The leaders of the Church of Ygharis are in charge of the state of the church as a whole. The decisions that affect all believers are brought before them and the Light Bearers
They are considered the voice of the Lady and their will is her will.
Light Bearer (Cardinal)
There is only ever 1 Light Bearer, on each island that welcomes the Lady, in service of Ygharis at a time
They preside over every conclave and branch of the church and decide which decisions can be taken by the Light Speaker
Archbishop
Archbishops are in charge of overseeing both the Bishops and the High Priests
Bishop
Are often found as advisers of royalty and presiding over noble ceremonies. They are the representatives of the church in
Priest/Priestess
The heads of each temple. There can be multiple priests but only a singular high priest may be chosen by each temple.
It is from the High Priests that candidates for Bishop are chosen
Decon
Apprentice Priests and Priestess in training.
They live in the local temple and aid the priests/priestess' in their daily tasks
Lights (Followers)
A common term used for all followers of Ygharis. (Common folk to Archbishop)
“May our Lady bless her lights. Cleans them of evil and protect them from the darkness.” - Blessing given during sermon

Duties

Worship
As all followers of gods the Lights of Ygharis host prayers and sermons in their temples multiple times throughout the day.
The most significant sermons are those done at dawn and dusk, the rise and fall, beginning and end, as all life.
Blessings & Ceremonies
The Lights of Ygharis also perform sacred ceremonies such as weddings and the blessing of life (baptism).
They also preside for funerals, cleansing of evil, and exorcism. Healing
Aside from sermons and ceremonies, another task of the Lights is healing. Every Light in a temple must know at least the basics of mundane healing to aid the locals and travelers. High-Priests and Clerics of the Lady can channel divine healing but it is only used for the most severe cases.
A temple of Ygharis is forbidden from turning away the sick unless there is no other choice or it puts the populace in imminent danger. Payment is not requested or required but donations of any kind for their services is more than welcome.
Missions
Often the main temple, The Temple of Life in Dewberry, sends its deacons and priests out to smaller settlements as missionaries. Healing and preaching to all who wish it. They also have cargo ships to ferry supplies and people to every island.
The Ships: The Meadow Nest, The Light Chaser, The Soul Song

Related Historical Events

• 1356
  1356: The Church of Ysharis and the Temples of Healing