Post by Xaos on Feb 23, 2006 2:28:45 GMT -5
Tethyr has always been tolerant of religions. However, gods that condone the wanton destruction of land, such as Talos (a.k.a. Bhaelros in areas south of Darromar), tend to be shunned and their faithful ostracized. Some creeds (e.g., Bane, Beshaba, and Cyric) are also unwelcome because of connections with the old regime or the Alemandrian Interregnum. Gods such as Helm, Ilmater, Torm, Tyr, and the nature gods revered in the Forest of Tethir are now prominent thanks to their worshipers' benevolent activities during the last two decades of chaos. With the reestablishment of order, some strictures were set on religious practices to prevent a resurgence of the anarchy present during the Interregnum. For example, the widespread worship of Bane reputedly fueled the havoc of the Ten Black Days of Eleint as well as maintained some despotic overlords in the years that followed. A measure enforced in Waterdeep has been borrowed to prevent such pious lawlessness. By decree of the Monarch's Privy Council, faiths that wish to worship within Tethyr must hold to the following canon: Worship of an individual deity cannot involve the theft or destruction of other beings. No sacrifice of humans, demihumans, humanoids, or animals is allowed. A deity's veneration cannot demand tribute from those outside its faith. The faithful may give offerings as they see fit, but nonbelievers cannot be coerced to do so. Harmful activities countenanced by one's religion cannot be practiced upon nonbelievers with impunity. For example, followers of Tempus cannot run amok in the highlands, wantonly attacking others simply to further the name of the god of battle. Such worship is often welcome in times of war, provided it is used against Tethyr's foes. The most prominent gods worshiped in this land are not always the most powerful ones. Nearly every god is paid lip service, depending on the situation, but the following gods carry the most influence and worship throughout the country.
Ilmater's importance comes from the alleviation of the suffering of Tethyr's people during the last century. The
Church established 10 cloisters in Tethyr over the past 400 years, three of which came into being during the Alemandrian Interregnum. All cloisters are placed throughout the country so that a pilgrim or devotee can, with effort, travel from one to another within a day's ride.
Helm's church established knightly orders that partially curbed the havoc of the Interregnum. The three major fortified holdings of this church at Survale Ford, Velen, and Saradush kept the abuses of nobles and would-be kings to a minimum. Helm and his priests are still respected in Tethyr, if in few other places in Faerûn, for just this reason.
Silvanus and Eldath are equally revered by the folk of Mosstone, Port Kir, Brost, and other settlements near the Forest of Tethir. Astonishingly, elves of the forest also honor these gods as protectors of their home. Unlike other sects that place Silvanus above other nature gods, those within Tethir's glades treat the strength of Silvanus equally with the peace of Eldath to show the power of nature's harmony.
Sune and Lliira are powers among the idle rich in the cities of Tethyr. Rural citizens frown upon such worship.
Siamorphe, a demigoddess formerly limited to Waterdeep, has a small but growing following in Tethyr. Queen Zaranda's public conversion to the church of Siamorphe were proof to Tethyrians of her nobility; the manifestations of Siamorphe at Zaranda's wedding and coronation showed many the power of the queen's noble heart. Many nobles now either piously worship or at least pay lip service to Siamorphe, to show their people that they, too, are accepted as nobles by the goddess of divine rule. While she herself holds no noble title, the Queen's Minister Lady Harlaa Assumbar, as the chief priestess of Siamorphe, is respected, loved, or feared by various nobles.
Ilmater's importance comes from the alleviation of the suffering of Tethyr's people during the last century. The
Church established 10 cloisters in Tethyr over the past 400 years, three of which came into being during the Alemandrian Interregnum. All cloisters are placed throughout the country so that a pilgrim or devotee can, with effort, travel from one to another within a day's ride.
Helm's church established knightly orders that partially curbed the havoc of the Interregnum. The three major fortified holdings of this church at Survale Ford, Velen, and Saradush kept the abuses of nobles and would-be kings to a minimum. Helm and his priests are still respected in Tethyr, if in few other places in Faerûn, for just this reason.
Silvanus and Eldath are equally revered by the folk of Mosstone, Port Kir, Brost, and other settlements near the Forest of Tethir. Astonishingly, elves of the forest also honor these gods as protectors of their home. Unlike other sects that place Silvanus above other nature gods, those within Tethir's glades treat the strength of Silvanus equally with the peace of Eldath to show the power of nature's harmony.
Sune and Lliira are powers among the idle rich in the cities of Tethyr. Rural citizens frown upon such worship.
Siamorphe, a demigoddess formerly limited to Waterdeep, has a small but growing following in Tethyr. Queen Zaranda's public conversion to the church of Siamorphe were proof to Tethyrians of her nobility; the manifestations of Siamorphe at Zaranda's wedding and coronation showed many the power of the queen's noble heart. Many nobles now either piously worship or at least pay lip service to Siamorphe, to show their people that they, too, are accepted as nobles by the goddess of divine rule. While she herself holds no noble title, the Queen's Minister Lady Harlaa Assumbar, as the chief priestess of Siamorphe, is respected, loved, or feared by various nobles.