The Chantry
Religion of the Maker
The Andrastian Chantry is the dominant religious organization in Thedas. It is based on the Chant of Light, a series of teachings written and inspired by Andraste, the prophet of the Maker. The religion was formalized during the creation of the Orlesian empire, under Emperor Kordilius Drakon I.
The Chantry's goal is to spread the Chant of Light to all four corners of Thedas and to all races. Supposedly when this happens and none turn their gaze away from the Maker, She will return to her believers.
The official view of the Chantry on non-humans is that they need saving since they have turned even further from the Maker's grace than humanity has. In actuality, this view differs between different regions. In a nation such as Antiva, which is consists of a primarily Drow nation, this portion of the belief is ignored. In a similar way, it is not too uncommon to find a city elf or dwarf who believe in the teachings of the Chantry.
For most of history, the Chantry has governed and monitored both the Circle of Magi and the Templar Order. Ever since the Danforth Incident, this control has been waning.
Structure
The priesthood of the Chantry is made up almost entirely of human woman. At the head of the Chantry is the Divine, who leads from her seat in Nevarra's Grand Cathedral. Immediately beneath her are her hands: one champion warrior she chooses and another who acts as her voice if she is unable to speak for some reason. Underneath this is the Grand Cleric. They regularly travel the world and act as the eyes of the Divine, formulating opinions on what must be done (though the decision to act is up to the Divine).
Beneath the Grand Cleric are the mothers, who are responsible for administering to the spiritual well-being of their flock. If a mother is in charge of a local Chantry, she is called a Revered Mother. Beneath mothers are the brothers and sisters, consisting of three main groups: affirmed, initiates, and clerics. Brother is the only rank that men are allowed to have. The initiates take vows and receive an academic education. Those who seek to become templars receive a martial education in addition. Clerics are the scholars of the Chantry and the most senior of them receive the title of "elder," which is, however, beneath that of mother.
Men in the Chantry
Men can only be given the title of Brother, for they are judged by the betrayal of Maferath and found too passionate to lead in matters of spirit. Nevertheless, male members can and do play a vital role in its workings. At some point in their lives, most brothers find a reason to take up arms and join the Templars. There are exceptions to this usual status quo, however. Occasionally, a man shows exceptional connection to the Maker and thus operates outside of this usual hierarchy. The exact specifications of this depend upon the circumstances and are often left up to the individual Chantry's themselves to deal with. This will generally only happen if one shows clear magical connection or conviction for the Maker, beyond the usual constraints of any normal Andrastian.History
The Chantry originated as one of the many cults emerging upon the legend of Andraste's martyrdom at the hands of the Tevinter Imperium. Known as the Cult of the Maker, its followers were originally oppressed. During this period, the Chant of Light was created and popularity began to spread. The primary idea of the chant was for the religion to spread to all four corners of the world to return the Maker to the world. The cult remained fragmented until reaching the ears of Kordilius Drakon I, the future-first emperor of Orlais. When Orlais unified into the empire it is now, he formalized the Cult of the Maker as the empire's official religion. He renamed it to the Chantry.
The formalization of the religion brought the Inquisition and the newly created Circle of Magi under the Chantry's authority. The Inquisition broke into two separate groups: the Templars and Seekers of Truth. All three groups were pulled under the reigns of the Chantry and serve as arms of this religion. This is known as the Andrastian Accord.
Orlais stayed as the home of this religion for centuries, until the Nevarran Accords were signed. This deal, proposed by then Orlesian Emperor Michele Valmont, made it such that the new religious capital of Thedas would be moved to Nevarra. The title of Divine was passed to a Nevarran. However, the most interesting of changes to the Chantry's structure was that the Divine and the Grand Cleric no longer worked together directly. Rather, the position of Grand Cleric was the one thing that stayed in Orlais. It was done this way as a sign of diplomacy between Orlais and the young nation of Nevarra.
Tenets of Faith
The Chantry's faith is rooted in four core principles:
- Magic is a corrupting influence on the world.
- Humankind's pride destroyed the Golden City and created evil in the world, which is the emobidment of sin.
- Andraste was the prophet chosen by the Maker. Her ultimate sacrifice must be remembered and honored.
- Humankind has sinned and must seek penance to earn the Maker's forgiveness. When all people unite to praise the Maker, she will return to the world and make it a paradise.
Symbols
The sun represents the fundamental goal of the Chantry: if all lands under the sun raise their voices in the Chant, then the Maker's eye will turn back to her children. Fire is a symbol of purity in the Chantry, following the example of Andraste who was cleansed of her sins as she burned at the stake. Each temple maintains a brazier lit with eternal flame in her memory; the most famous of these is the Holy Brazier at the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux.
"Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow. In their blood the Maker's will is written."
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Demonym
Andrastian
Leader
Subsidiary Organizations
Deities
Location
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Ranks:
- Divine
- Grand Cleric
- Revered Mother
- Mother
- Sister/Brother
- Lay Sister/Lay Brother
- Warrior of Conscience
Comments