Skill Writeup: Crooked Warden Priesthood.
Sep. 15th, 2013 01:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
theliesofIn Locke's world, the pantheon of gods most commonly worshiped is said to be twelve in number. Aza Guilla, Lady of the Long Silence; Azri; Callo Androno, the Eyes-on-the-Crossroads; Gandolo, Lord of Coin and Commerce; Dama Elliza - Mother of Rains and Reaping; Iono - Lord of Grasping Waters; Morgante - City Father, Lord of Noose and Trowel; Nara - Lady of Ubiquitous Maladies; Perelandro - Father of Mercies, Lord of the Overlooked; Sendovani, & Venaportha.
While their literal existence is debatable, their worship is a central part of life, and the tenets of their religion are very specific about their number. There are many ways to praise or appease them, rituals and sacrifices, distinct and respected orders of priesthood...
And then there's a less respected priesthood. A secret priesthood, generally speaking. Thieves worship the Nameless Thirteenth, also called the Crooked Warden, Thiefwatcher, Benefactor, Father of Necessary Pretexts. Like almost any priesthood, they have their own rites and traditions, and are rumored to have certain supernatural powers. Primarily, priests of the Nameless Thirteenth are said to be strangely immune to divine punishment for blasphemy - they regularly hide their heresy by posing as priests of other deities, normally an unthinkable act for which most people would expect divine retribution. They also bless deceased thieves and unfortunates, asking the Benefactor to place his thumb upon the scales when their souls are weighed. But there are two parts to their priestly traditions that are most vital.
First, the death-offering. Any follower of the Thirteenth, whether clergy or humble thief, is expected to make recompense if their actions cause the deaths of other thieves, directly or indirectly. The more the fault, or the greater the respect... the bigger the offering. Locke still doesn't remember details, but he's made some pretty damned big death-offerings in his time.
Second. The dogma of the Thirteenth is simple. Two commandments, no more.
Thieves prosper. The rich remember.
On a practical level, what this means for Locke is that as soon as he takes this skill he's going to be much more conscientious about his knighthood. He'll do a better job of looking after heroes, although he'll still lie and cheat just as much - but he'll want everyone to succeed, not just himself, and he'll go to great lengths to make that happen. This will be especially true of more roguish characters, but in general, well, everyone's trying to steal worlds back from the darkness. You're all under his damn keeping now, gods have pity on you/
He'll also redouble his efforts to trick, cheat, confound, or steal from Personae, especially those who mistreat heroes or act as if they're automatically deserving of respect because of their powers or station. The rich remember means nobody gets to put on airs, nobody gets to believe in their inherent superiority. This may also apply to knights and heroes, but the Personae are the obvious targets.
While their literal existence is debatable, their worship is a central part of life, and the tenets of their religion are very specific about their number. There are many ways to praise or appease them, rituals and sacrifices, distinct and respected orders of priesthood...
And then there's a less respected priesthood. A secret priesthood, generally speaking. Thieves worship the Nameless Thirteenth, also called the Crooked Warden, Thiefwatcher, Benefactor, Father of Necessary Pretexts. Like almost any priesthood, they have their own rites and traditions, and are rumored to have certain supernatural powers. Primarily, priests of the Nameless Thirteenth are said to be strangely immune to divine punishment for blasphemy - they regularly hide their heresy by posing as priests of other deities, normally an unthinkable act for which most people would expect divine retribution. They also bless deceased thieves and unfortunates, asking the Benefactor to place his thumb upon the scales when their souls are weighed. But there are two parts to their priestly traditions that are most vital.
First, the death-offering. Any follower of the Thirteenth, whether clergy or humble thief, is expected to make recompense if their actions cause the deaths of other thieves, directly or indirectly. The more the fault, or the greater the respect... the bigger the offering. Locke still doesn't remember details, but he's made some pretty damned big death-offerings in his time.
Second. The dogma of the Thirteenth is simple. Two commandments, no more.
Thieves prosper. The rich remember.
On a practical level, what this means for Locke is that as soon as he takes this skill he's going to be much more conscientious about his knighthood. He'll do a better job of looking after heroes, although he'll still lie and cheat just as much - but he'll want everyone to succeed, not just himself, and he'll go to great lengths to make that happen. This will be especially true of more roguish characters, but in general, well, everyone's trying to steal worlds back from the darkness. You're all under his damn keeping now, gods have pity on you/
He'll also redouble his efforts to trick, cheat, confound, or steal from Personae, especially those who mistreat heroes or act as if they're automatically deserving of respect because of their powers or station. The rich remember means nobody gets to put on airs, nobody gets to believe in their inherent superiority. This may also apply to knights and heroes, but the Personae are the obvious targets.
