THE RELIQUARY
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent:[SIZE=11pt] To expand upon the Reliquary mentioned in a previous submission.[/SIZE]
Image Credit: [SIZE=11pt]Six Petal Rosette ([/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]x[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]) Clipart Library ([/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]x[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]) colors and edits by me.[/SIZE]
Canon: N/A
Links: Wicca, CAOS, Paizo - Witch
Organization Name: The Reliquary, also known as, the Church of Lilith
Classification: Religious Cult
Affiliation: Galidraan, The Sith Empire, the Church of Lilith
Organization Symbol: Six Petal Rosette with Singular Rose Encircled [Shown Right]
Description: Founded in the early Darkness-era, the Church of Lilith worships Lilith the eldest of two sisters who are believed to have been gifted with witchcraft (the Force). The followers of Lilith believe in power, strength and are fierce protectors of independence. It was said that during the 400 Years of Darkness Lilith and her sister Eve sought relics of the Jedi-Mandalorian Conflict but instead found a source of power. Some [SIZE=11pt]say[/SIZE] Lilith slew Eve for her weakness and others say that Eve restrained Lilith. Whatever the truth may be, both churches for either sister continue to fight the holy war.
Headquarters: Galidraan
Domain: Galidraan System [Mostly]
Various Celestial Churches, Cathedrals, [SIZE=11pt]and[/SIZE] Basilicas.
The Administrative Sector of Galidraan
Seen as pagans to most of the Commonwealth in Galidraan.
They’re active members of Galidraani Society, most are unaware of their existence or of the ongoing holy war.
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Notable Assets:
Our Lady Sarissa of the Reliquary, Galidraan [HQ]
The Basilica of St. Edward, Galidraan
The Martyred Heart of Sarissa Church, Galidraan III
Church of St. Evanora, Galidraan IV
Church of Phiona the Sacred, Galidraan III
Church of St. Magda, Galidraan
Our Martyred Lady Cathedral. [SIZE=11pt]Galidraan[/SIZE] IV
St. James’s Church, Galidraan Station
Edward the Great’s Holy Shrine, Galidraan Station
Chapel of the Blessed Word, Galidraan Station
St. Miriya the Blind’s Church, Galidraan
Grand Basilica of the Celestial, Galidraan
SOCIAL INFORMATION
Hierarchy:
Abbot/Abbess- Patrons
- Seekers
- Initiates
- Members
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Membership:
Members, this is the most basic role within the Church of Lilith. This is little more than showing up to Church for mass, and making donations through tithes to the church and holding meetings for parishioners.
Those willing to do more, those who show that they are capable of more (Force Sensitives) must go through their Dark Baptism. This includes signing Lilith’s Will a book of records, a contract that signifies that they are willing to become an initiate of the Church.
The Dark Baptism is a beautiful celebration, for many [SIZE=11pt]witches, it is done on their sixteenth birthday welcoming them into their covens. For those who join the church willingly and have never been part of a coven - this is the chance for them to meet their coven. Those will bring them up and show them the Will of Lilith. It is done during a full moon (blood moons are the best), a sacrificial beast is offered to Her, the Unholy Mother. The guest of honor will sign Lilith’s Will in their own blood, and then have a portion of blood drawn to be stored in a phylactery. At the end of the [/SIZE]ceremony, the initiate's coven will brand them with their own witch’s mark.
Initiates are the next level up, these are on par with Sith Acolytes or Jedi Padawans. These initiates are paired up with Seekers to help guide them both in battle and in knowledge. Reflecting on their Dark Baptism they’ll learn the basics of the dark arts and figure out which path is best for them.
Seekers are equal Jedi and Sith Knights and have passed their Harrowings. They’ve shown that they are physically, mentally and emotionally ready for battle against the Light and the Church of Eve. From here they must show that they are capable of not only taking the fight to these harmful practitioners of light. They must show that they have the patience to show newer members of the Church how to fight. Seekers take on a number of initiates, in doing so they move forward toward their final test. The Harrowing.
The Harrowing is something every witch must go through to prove that they can not only carry out the Will of [SIZE=11pt]Lilith but to care for her children. This Harrowing puts everything the witch has learned to the test it is extensive and ongoing for thirteen [/SIZE]days and thirteen nights. Each day and each night far more brutal than the last, for when the witch has completed this test they emerge far stronger than they had in the past. Those who fail, perish.
Patron, patrons are on par with a Sith Lord or a Jedi Master these men and women have been brought to call by [SIZE=11pt]their Dark[/SIZE] Baptism they studied and learned as initiates and became seekers of knowledge. They then endured their harrowing and can now call upon the dark arts in many unique ways. They are now eligible to become more within the Church, whether that’s being part of a coven, teaching at the academy, leading mass or taking up other learnings in Lilith’s name.
OOC: Just speak with @Fiolette Raaf for more information about creating a character for the Reliquary.
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Climate: Witches are a fickle lot, some smile to your face while holding a dagger behind their back. Others are [SIZE=11pt]good-natured and willing to aid you on your path, some go on to be hags and are quite elusive. In [/SIZE]general, a new initiate to the Reliquary should feel somewhat overwhelmed, maybe even a touch of intimidation. As the new member grows they’ll soon find the climate has changed, a game of intrigue has begun.
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Reputation: Technically they don’t really exist, so there isn’t much to go on. Like all things occult there are those who venture to find these people. Those who do know of them and are not gifted with the touch of magic, steer clear. Mostly seen as crazy old men and women, the outcasts and goths who haven’t shed their love for the color black.
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Curios:
Mark of the Coven: A brand given to every member of the Church, once they’ve achieved the rank of Initiate. A witch’s mark is branded into the initiates letting the Church know which coven they belong to. The Mark is said to bond the coven together allowing them to share thoughts and sometimes even skills. Many are able to ‘sense’ their [SIZE=11pt]coven mates even from a great distance, others say the Mark allows you [/SIZE]to share experiences with members of your coven.
Witch’s Familiar: Typically a small critter who follows new witches around, each coven’s book of shadows offers a list of familiars. Some more daring witches may venture out and summon one to their aid. Familiars are said to be demons looking to repent and thus do so by protecting witches, especially new ones. Others say that familiars are simply magical conjurings, or that they’re filled with the soul of a recently departed witch.
A Coven’s Cauldron: While each witch house has a cauldron, it is the Coven’s Cauldron that is considered to be the most powerful. It has been through many generations of witches and its iron has been blessed by trees that are now considered to be quite elderly. The stronger the cauldron the stronger a witch’s brew will be, no matter what it may be.
Grimoire: Every family has a grimoire, for while a coven is strong it is only as strong as its members. Grimoires possess knowledge of witches past, their spells, their recipes, [SIZE=11pt]and knowledge all written for the next generation. Each family within a coven is responsible for their own grimoires as it may be for some. These are not to be confused with the Book of the Night, the book in which the Unholy Mother has written her laws, her parables, [/SIZE]and her knowledge.
Book of the Night: The bible for members of the Church of Lillith.
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Rules:
Secrecy. A member of the Unholy Church must maintain absolute descretion, to speak of the coven in public is to expose the entirety of the Church. There are still those who hunt our kind, still those who wish to dispose of us and thus this is one of the most important rules.
Blood Oath. You have sworn a blood oath not just to the Unholy Mother but to your coven, to your family you must protect them at all costs. Without covens, without families to keep those covens we are nothing. If you fail in your duty to uphold this creed, your life is forefeit.
Knowledge. We are only as powerful as the knowledge we have been given and maintain, so too must you maintain and give knowledge. Maintain your family's grimoire and do not covet or plagerize the knowledge of others. Instead seek first to learn and understand and in this manner can our knowledge grow.
TBD
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Goals:
Completely eliminate the Church of Eve / the Light and expand Darkness’s grip across their domain. Long term they are looking to spread Lilith’s influence across the galaxy, and thus bring order and salvation to the masses.
Increase their membership throughout Galidraan and beyond, the more who worship Lilith the stronger their overall influence.
They’re educated at Our Lady Sarissa of the Reliquary’s private school known as Our Lady Sarissa’s Home and School for the Wayward. Most refer it to as the Wayward Home, many who reside there are those who have been disowned, discarded by their families for who and what they are.
MEMBERS
Theodosia Cromwell
Regina Cromwell
Cora Sawyer
Priscilla Digby
Agatha Bellsaint
Faustus Collier
Aaryn Hammond
Odessa Cross
Ulrich Harcourt
Ginerva Russ
+ More
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
It is believed that Lilith and Eve were born from the Great Celestial who came down and crafted Galidraan in their own image. The Great Celestial, however, has not been worshipped in full on Galidraan in several centuries. It is however still a religion, and there are those who still attend service. The belief of witchcraft has largely been dismissed as children’s tales, folklore, and nothing beyond that. Witchcraft, however, has been largely associated with the Church, stemming from the four hundred years of darkness. It is believed that this was actually the Galidraani way of interpreting the Force. The Book of the Celestial contained two halves, the Testament of the Sun and the Testament of the Moon.
As time went on, the Book was rewritten to reflect Galidraan. Soon, the book would no longer contain the Testament of the Moon. This angered many within the church and caused a schism. This resulted in the birth of the two churches, the Church of Eve and the Church of Lillith each with their own view on the Testament of the Moon. Followers of the Celestial condemned both Eve and Lilith for their heretical beliefs. It resulted in the early witch hunts, and burnings. Whole towns were burned to the ground, all in the name of religious purity. This only served to drive both churches underground, and soon the talk of witches and witchcraft was hushed.
Thus it has been for centuries and thus it shall remain. The Church of Lillith welcomes those who have been cast aside from society, often taking part in many philanthropic efforts to aid those who need it most. [WIP]
