Tro Lusenn
The Tro Lusenn is an important cultural pilgrimage in the Duchy of Letha, circulating between seven holy sights.
History
The Tro Lusenn is thought to have originated as a network of seven important Nemeton on The Armorican Peninsula, sacred to the The Way of the Forest. However, it this route was superseded by The Southern Church, connecting the shrines of the "Seven Founding Saints of Letha", who brought about the realms shift from a Forestmen stronghold towards accepting the Faith.
While the sites retain some importance for the old religion, the Faithful interpretation is significantly more prevalent and well known. In the past, these dual claims by opposing religious forces has led to contention, sometimes escalating to defacement of holy sites, heated arguments and even violence. However, the widespread syncretism among the Lethan population has lessened these events in recent centuries.
For a time, the Brown Commandery of the Urzh Kroashent oversaw the safety and operation of the route, establishing regular patrols and waypoint lodgings. Following the orders destruction in The Black Crown Affair, these services have fallen by the wayside, and roadside resources and security, now falling to local lords, is inconsistent.
Execution
The are seven sacred sites along the Tro Lusenn, each marking an important tomb or spiritual center along the way. For the Druidic worshipers, these are seven megalithic sites dedicated to the old gods. To the Southern Church, the destinations are the tombs of the "Seven Saints", the spiritual founders of Letha. The path, around 600 km long, marks a full circuit of the peninsula, returning the pilgrims to their starting location. Typically, the path taken follows the circuit of the sun, but there is no prescribed starting or ending point.
Pilgrims must walk the entire circuit of the journey, (although many nobles pay indulgences to ride most of the way, only walking or being carried on Palanquins for key or particularly visible stretches). The seven locations are Kemper , Kastell-Paol, Landreger, Sant-Brioc Aleth, Dol and Gwened. Menez-Mikael is a popular "8th stop" along the way.
Components and tools
The symbol of the pilgrimage is a seven pointed star, which is worn by the pilgrims on their clothing or as jewelry. The symbol is commonly found on churches, cromlechs and waystations along the way.
The symbol used by the Faithful often has a slightly rounder interior shape than the Druidic variant, evoking the Exalted Sun. However, this differentiation is fairly minor and ignored by all but the most zealous, and the standard variant is frequently seen on religious properties of the Southern Church.
Participants
The stops along the way, and their related saint are:
Kemper - Corentin's Town
Kastell-Paol - Pol's town
Landreger - Sant-Tudual's town. The grandson of Budig I, Tudual was made Archperfect of Domnonea, but was driven out by Conomor the Cursed. While fleeing, he was kidnapped by The Marie-Morgane, but escaped. Returning to Letha, she defeated a sea monster threatening the Rose Granite Coast. She was instrumental is convincing Childebert I, King of Gallia, to revoke support for Conomor the Cursed and join the campaign against him, a decisive factor in the Battle of Relec. Following the Black Dog's defeat, she went on to found several monasteries the city of Landreger.
Sant-Brioc - Brioc's Town
Aleth - Malou's Town
Dol - Samson's Town
Gwened - Padarn's Town. The first Archperfect of Gwened, Padarn was a powerful similherez with a strong affinity for earth magick.
Conservative elements make it a point to avoid the cities of Naoned and Roazhon, eschewing the comforts of the urban areas. Gwened, being a stop along the trail, is exempt from this custom.
Observance
The pilgrimage has no set time period, and is carried out throughout the year, although many takiethe pilgrimage in the warmer months. Those looking for a more punishing experience to prove their faith, or at least appear that they are doing so, will undertake the trek during the winter.
Popular tradition indicates that those Lethans who do not complete the circuit while alive must do so after death as Envorad, only moving the length of their coffins every seven years until the pilgrimage is completed.
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