Church of Utu
The Church of Utu is one of the most widespread and revered churches in all the kingdoms. Concerned with law and justice they work hand in hand with the Church of Laki to provide advocates for those accused of crimes and to settle civil disputes. Many temples in addition to doubling as courtrooms, also give away firewood, candles, and lamp oil to the less fortunate to ensure that all have light and warmth.
Structure
The Hamil Hai Sabak or hamlan for short are the particularly devoted followers of the church, those who have distinguished themselves from the rest of the worshipers by their service to the temple. While these services are usually paid some token salary the hamlan generally do not rely on this for their living.
Above the hamlan are the Dome Sepideh Waker, called dome for short. These are those who are studying the faith and hope one day to become active members of the temple hierarchy. They spend their days doing those chores not done by the hamlan and studying the various books of Utu. Most also spend time studying local law and man work in the law library kept in each temple.
Next up in the hierarchy are the Dome Sepideh Amozan Danesh, also called dome for short. Dome sepideh waker who have proven themselves devout in the studies and true to their vows, the dome sepideh amozan danesh spend their time instructing the lesser dome, in addition to study and chores, as well as being charged with some of the less important temple ceremonies. Most are also well versed in local law and serve as advocates for those who come to the temple seeking legal help.
Above the dome are the Khorshed Hai Hast. Called khorshed for short each temple is in the charge of one, who oversees everything, from the training of dome to the running of services, and the assigning of tasks. Larger temples with extensive law libraries may have a second khorshed hai hast in charge of the library, though in this case the library khorshed is subordinate to the temple khorshed. Khorshed hai hast are selected from the ranks od the dome sepideh amozan danesh to be assigned wherever a new temple is being established or a khorshed hai hast needs to be replaced.
The khorshed hai hast and all of the following ranks are addressed as, “khorshed” by their subordinates regardless of relative ranks, subordinates who would also be addressed as “khorshed” are in turn addressed as “khawahir” by their superiors. Thus, a khorshed toloue would be addressed as, “khorshed” by a khorshed hai hast and a dome sepidah amozan danesh, and he (or she) would in turn address them as “khawahir” and “dome” respectively. Full titles are only used in ceremonial circumstances, and in the most relaxed settings titles are eschewed and names are used.
Above the khorshed hai hast are the Khorshed Toloue. A khorshed toloue will be in charge of all the temples and shrines in a given town or city. As such these individuals wield a bit of temporal power along with their religious pull. Chosen from the ranks of the khorshed hai hast they coordinate between multiple temples and shrines as well as partner with the adjudicator of the church of Laki to ensure that justice is meted out fairly in the community.
Next in power are the Khorshed Sobhgahi. Each one of the khorshed sobhgahi will be in charge of the temples and shrines in several communities. Sometimes as many as seven towns will be under the hand of a single khorshed sobhgahi. In addition to serving as the mediators between the higher ups and the local temples, these khorshed are often called on to make important decisions themselves. A process that can take weeks as they will always want to spend time consulting scroll after scroll of church precedent before handing down a decision.
The next rung in the hierarchy are the Khorshed Zuhr. The church of Utu divides each kingdom into a number of regions, and each region is under the sway of khorshed zhur. Consequently, a khorshed zhur van have as many as a dozen khorshed sobhgahi under her. This gives this rank quite a bit of pull in the temporal world, often akin to a duke.
Each kingdom is assigned a single Khorshed Sedaye who oversees all the church activity in that kingdom. Seen as the voices of Utu the khorshed sedaye is the undisputed ruler of the church in a given kingdom and no follower of Utu would question one of his edicts. Even rulers, most of who are crowned by the local khorshed sedaye, give them a lot of deference. The only one with more power than a khorshed sedaye is the khorshed brai bolandgu.
The undisputed leader of the church of Utu is titled the Khorshed Brai Bolandgu. Chosen from the ranks of the khorshed sedaye, the khorshed brai bolandgu is the temporal representative of Utu and speaks in his place. His proclamations are considered to be the words of Utu and he is the final authority on all things in the church. The current khorshed brai bolandgu is Anssi ja Ohertelem.
Above the hamlan are the Dome Sepideh Waker, called dome for short. These are those who are studying the faith and hope one day to become active members of the temple hierarchy. They spend their days doing those chores not done by the hamlan and studying the various books of Utu. Most also spend time studying local law and man work in the law library kept in each temple.
Next up in the hierarchy are the Dome Sepideh Amozan Danesh, also called dome for short. Dome sepideh waker who have proven themselves devout in the studies and true to their vows, the dome sepideh amozan danesh spend their time instructing the lesser dome, in addition to study and chores, as well as being charged with some of the less important temple ceremonies. Most are also well versed in local law and serve as advocates for those who come to the temple seeking legal help.
Above the dome are the Khorshed Hai Hast. Called khorshed for short each temple is in the charge of one, who oversees everything, from the training of dome to the running of services, and the assigning of tasks. Larger temples with extensive law libraries may have a second khorshed hai hast in charge of the library, though in this case the library khorshed is subordinate to the temple khorshed. Khorshed hai hast are selected from the ranks od the dome sepideh amozan danesh to be assigned wherever a new temple is being established or a khorshed hai hast needs to be replaced.
The khorshed hai hast and all of the following ranks are addressed as, “khorshed” by their subordinates regardless of relative ranks, subordinates who would also be addressed as “khorshed” are in turn addressed as “khawahir” by their superiors. Thus, a khorshed toloue would be addressed as, “khorshed” by a khorshed hai hast and a dome sepidah amozan danesh, and he (or she) would in turn address them as “khawahir” and “dome” respectively. Full titles are only used in ceremonial circumstances, and in the most relaxed settings titles are eschewed and names are used.
Above the khorshed hai hast are the Khorshed Toloue. A khorshed toloue will be in charge of all the temples and shrines in a given town or city. As such these individuals wield a bit of temporal power along with their religious pull. Chosen from the ranks of the khorshed hai hast they coordinate between multiple temples and shrines as well as partner with the adjudicator of the church of Laki to ensure that justice is meted out fairly in the community.
Next in power are the Khorshed Sobhgahi. Each one of the khorshed sobhgahi will be in charge of the temples and shrines in several communities. Sometimes as many as seven towns will be under the hand of a single khorshed sobhgahi. In addition to serving as the mediators between the higher ups and the local temples, these khorshed are often called on to make important decisions themselves. A process that can take weeks as they will always want to spend time consulting scroll after scroll of church precedent before handing down a decision.
The next rung in the hierarchy are the Khorshed Zuhr. The church of Utu divides each kingdom into a number of regions, and each region is under the sway of khorshed zhur. Consequently, a khorshed zhur van have as many as a dozen khorshed sobhgahi under her. This gives this rank quite a bit of pull in the temporal world, often akin to a duke.
Each kingdom is assigned a single Khorshed Sedaye who oversees all the church activity in that kingdom. Seen as the voices of Utu the khorshed sedaye is the undisputed ruler of the church in a given kingdom and no follower of Utu would question one of his edicts. Even rulers, most of who are crowned by the local khorshed sedaye, give them a lot of deference. The only one with more power than a khorshed sedaye is the khorshed brai bolandgu.
The undisputed leader of the church of Utu is titled the Khorshed Brai Bolandgu. Chosen from the ranks of the khorshed sedaye, the khorshed brai bolandgu is the temporal representative of Utu and speaks in his place. His proclamations are considered to be the words of Utu and he is the final authority on all things in the church. The current khorshed brai bolandgu is Anssi ja Ohertelem.
Public Agenda
The church of Utu seeks to promote order and good, believing that one cannot exist without the other. To this end the clergy often serve as advocates in cases of law to aid those who are not familiar with it’s ins and outs. They also offer temple space for use as a courtroom, and the clergy are frequently called on to ensure the truth of the testimony given in trials. They also believe in supplying the needs of the downtrodden, in addition to small amounts of food, they provide the poor with candles, lamp oil, and firewood in winter.
Assets
Most temples to Utu are grand affairs with stained glass windows to catch and display the sunlight at various times per day. They are generally well lit with continual flames so even in the darkest nights they are well lit. The church however does not believe in unnecessary ostentation, and much of the money they take in is used to purchase the items that they distribute to the needy. Consequently, while any particular temple will not have a lot of coin on hand it will have large stores of foodstuffs, as well as candles, lamp oil and firewood. Indeed, after building a temple for worship the next thing the clergy concentrates on is a warehouse for the goods that are distributed to the poor and needy. While the church doesn’t restrict its benevolence to its members, Utu shines his light on all, it does encourage those who have received to come to services, and many do.
History
The worship of Utu is as old as recorded history, and almost all who draw breath worship him. Humans of course, the Manneskor calling him the Storsol, to the dwarves he is Nískos, the elves revere him as Rífibäcosgot. Even the goblinoids fear him as Æxɦɒvʂoʢ. So, his worship is old and universal.
His modern church originated in the southern Old Kingdoms, where it spread north with trade. Wherever he was preached he found adherents especially in the colder northern Old Kingdoms, where he was seen as an aspect of the great god Kaikkisä. Soon his worship as utu had spread throughout the Old Kingdoms.
When settlers from the Old Kingdoms travelled to the New Kingdoms, they naturally brought the worship of Utu with them. The elves and dwarves of the New Kingdoms already knew Utu by their own names, and it was through this common bond that violence between the newcome humans and the long-established elves was so infrequent. The church of Utu helped the New Kingdoms establish themselves as kingdoms, ensuring that only the worthiest sat on the throne, and blessing the noble houses that did good.
Naturally when the humans, halflings, and elves began to settle in the frontier Lands the Church of Utu went wit them to ensure that order and good would stem from the migration. Pilgrims from Utu accompanied almost every leader who established a kingdom, and as he built his first community they ensured there was a temple to Utu in it.
His modern church originated in the southern Old Kingdoms, where it spread north with trade. Wherever he was preached he found adherents especially in the colder northern Old Kingdoms, where he was seen as an aspect of the great god Kaikkisä. Soon his worship as utu had spread throughout the Old Kingdoms.
When settlers from the Old Kingdoms travelled to the New Kingdoms, they naturally brought the worship of Utu with them. The elves and dwarves of the New Kingdoms already knew Utu by their own names, and it was through this common bond that violence between the newcome humans and the long-established elves was so infrequent. The church of Utu helped the New Kingdoms establish themselves as kingdoms, ensuring that only the worthiest sat on the throne, and blessing the noble houses that did good.
Naturally when the humans, halflings, and elves began to settle in the frontier Lands the Church of Utu went wit them to ensure that order and good would stem from the migration. Pilgrims from Utu accompanied almost every leader who established a kingdom, and as he built his first community they ensured there was a temple to Utu in it.
Mythology & Lore
The church teaches that Utu was the first being to emerge from the primal chaos. That his glorious countenance was the first light to shine in reality. Then Asmodeous emerged and sought to banish the light and return everything to darkness. The two fought for supremacy until Io and Eresu emerged and sided with the light. Asmodeous departed to the pit to sulk in the dark. Ereu feeling lonely began the task of creation at first at random, but Utu quickly encouraged her to order and plan her creations. Together the two of the fashioned The First World.
Eresu was happy, but Utu disliked the parts that had been fashioned before he encouraged her to order her creation. He proposed a new creation based on what they had learned from fashioning the First World, but this time planned from the beginning. Eresu went along, but here and there she and some of her children deviated from the plan introducing chaos into the world of Arda. Utu was displeased with these changes, but Eresu managed to sooth his displeasure and calm him, so these changes were allowed to stay. When the world had been created, Utu called a stop to the process, and proposed the creation of the mortal races to continue shaping the world. Each race was created in turn and given a part to shape, the exception being the humans who were permitted to shape anywhere they could.
Then started the Godswar. Asmodeous and his followers wanted the mortal races to be made to follow the gods will, while Utu and his followers wanted the mortal races to have free will to choose their own path even if it meant abandoning the gods. The war went on for an eon and rocked all of creation. The battle was largely in the favor of the gods of good, who wished the mortal races to have free will, thanks to the tactical acumen of Rohkea, but the willingness of the gods of evil to resort to dishonorable tactics kept the war dragging on. Things came to a climax when Asmodeous attempted a sneak attack on Utu, a blow that would have destroyed the god, but Io, who had long kept out of the fighting, intercepted the blow sparing Utu but dying in the process.
With the death of Io the gods, both good and evil, realized that they too could be destroyed permanently, and a truce was called. A compromise was reached, the mortal races would be free to choose their own path, but Asmodeus and his followers were free to use any means at their disposal to lure the mortal races into servitude to his cause. While neither side was truly happy with the compromise, they saw it as the best way to end the fighting and ensure the survival of the gods and their creation.
Eresu was happy, but Utu disliked the parts that had been fashioned before he encouraged her to order her creation. He proposed a new creation based on what they had learned from fashioning the First World, but this time planned from the beginning. Eresu went along, but here and there she and some of her children deviated from the plan introducing chaos into the world of Arda. Utu was displeased with these changes, but Eresu managed to sooth his displeasure and calm him, so these changes were allowed to stay. When the world had been created, Utu called a stop to the process, and proposed the creation of the mortal races to continue shaping the world. Each race was created in turn and given a part to shape, the exception being the humans who were permitted to shape anywhere they could.
Then started the Godswar. Asmodeous and his followers wanted the mortal races to be made to follow the gods will, while Utu and his followers wanted the mortal races to have free will to choose their own path even if it meant abandoning the gods. The war went on for an eon and rocked all of creation. The battle was largely in the favor of the gods of good, who wished the mortal races to have free will, thanks to the tactical acumen of Rohkea, but the willingness of the gods of evil to resort to dishonorable tactics kept the war dragging on. Things came to a climax when Asmodeous attempted a sneak attack on Utu, a blow that would have destroyed the god, but Io, who had long kept out of the fighting, intercepted the blow sparing Utu but dying in the process.
With the death of Io the gods, both good and evil, realized that they too could be destroyed permanently, and a truce was called. A compromise was reached, the mortal races would be free to choose their own path, but Asmodeus and his followers were free to use any means at their disposal to lure the mortal races into servitude to his cause. While neither side was truly happy with the compromise, they saw it as the best way to end the fighting and ensure the survival of the gods and their creation.
Tenets of Faith
- Abhor evil in all its aspects.
- Protect the lives of others at your own risk.
- Protect the weak and the innocent.
- No individual is better than any other.
- People are meant to be free.
- The true measure of a person is her honor.
- It is important that others receive the punishment they deserve for wrongdoings.
- The law must be fair to all.
- All beings should be treated with compassion, even if they are transgressors.
- Good can only be achieved through order.
- Strive for order and organization.
- Right wrongs and stamp out evil and injustice.
Ethics
To an Utite willful evil is the greatest abomination that an individual can commit. They abhor evil in all its aspects and seek to combat it wherever it may arise. To them the knowledge of evil is coded into the law, and as one Utite summed it up, “You don’t hurt people, and you don’t take their stuff.” While to some this is an oversimplification, the basic premise underlies all of Utu’s teachings.
Utites see themselves as defenders of others, particularly the weak and innocent. It is the duty of every true believer of Utu to place themselves between harm and those who cannot defend themselves. Utite believe that to protect others from evil is more important than to fight evil directly. For a being who is subsumed by evil has lost the most precious gift their freedom to choose.
Utites believe in equality, in the eyes of Utu no individual is better than any other. Some may have been born into a higher position in life, but that does not make them better. Consequently, while the lowborn are expected to obey their lords and ladies, the nobility are often reminded that their position is a blessing from Utu and can be taken away if it is abused. While the church of Utu has rarely had to replace a reigning monarch, it still has happened, and this knowledge keeps the nobles from becoming too puffed up.
Freedom to choose one’s destiny is the most precious gift of Utu to the mortal races. Any who would deny another this freedom is the worst sort of evil. Because of this belief Utites abhor slavery and urge civilized kingdoms to punish slavers with the harshest of punishments. However, this belief also extends to murder and other crimes against a person, which the church views as attacks on the other persons freedom to live their life.
To an Utite, the true measure of a person is her honor, how she responds and acts, whether in the midst of war or in everyday matters. Utites follow a strict code of behavior that guides their path in this world, and they expect others to do likewise. They are often disappointed, but not greatly and they are not fools, knowing that not everyone values honor as much as they do.
Utites believe it is important that others receive the punishment they deserve for wrongdoings. They hold that the punishment that must be paid is life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise. In other words, they strictly believe that the punishment must fit the crime. Imprisonment at hard labor and repayment for injuries are two common Utite recommendations for punishments for theft, while harm to another can involve equally harsh measures in return. But for all their strictness when it comes to punishment, they believe the law must be fair to all, that is applied equally to all. The noble is not above the law and should receive the same punishment for her transgressions as the peasant receives for his. However, for all their belief in harsh punishments they believe in compassion also. Once a person has paid the price for their transgression, the matter is over and dropped the transgressor is welcomed back into the flock. Only those who continue to transgress is excommunicated, a punishment that excludes one from the protection of the church and its benevolence.
The Utites teach that good can only be achieved through order and to that end they strive for order and organization. They believe that strong families build strong communities, which in turn build strong nations, so they encourage husbands and wives to do their best for their children. The church takes in orphans and foundlings and quickly arranges foster homes for them. Many a half-or child has been left on the steps of a temple to Utu, to be found a loving family by the church. Consequently, many half-orcs are devout utites.
Utites see themselves as defenders of others, particularly the weak and innocent. It is the duty of every true believer of Utu to place themselves between harm and those who cannot defend themselves. Utite believe that to protect others from evil is more important than to fight evil directly. For a being who is subsumed by evil has lost the most precious gift their freedom to choose.
Utites believe in equality, in the eyes of Utu no individual is better than any other. Some may have been born into a higher position in life, but that does not make them better. Consequently, while the lowborn are expected to obey their lords and ladies, the nobility are often reminded that their position is a blessing from Utu and can be taken away if it is abused. While the church of Utu has rarely had to replace a reigning monarch, it still has happened, and this knowledge keeps the nobles from becoming too puffed up.
Freedom to choose one’s destiny is the most precious gift of Utu to the mortal races. Any who would deny another this freedom is the worst sort of evil. Because of this belief Utites abhor slavery and urge civilized kingdoms to punish slavers with the harshest of punishments. However, this belief also extends to murder and other crimes against a person, which the church views as attacks on the other persons freedom to live their life.
To an Utite, the true measure of a person is her honor, how she responds and acts, whether in the midst of war or in everyday matters. Utites follow a strict code of behavior that guides their path in this world, and they expect others to do likewise. They are often disappointed, but not greatly and they are not fools, knowing that not everyone values honor as much as they do.
Utites believe it is important that others receive the punishment they deserve for wrongdoings. They hold that the punishment that must be paid is life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise. In other words, they strictly believe that the punishment must fit the crime. Imprisonment at hard labor and repayment for injuries are two common Utite recommendations for punishments for theft, while harm to another can involve equally harsh measures in return. But for all their strictness when it comes to punishment, they believe the law must be fair to all, that is applied equally to all. The noble is not above the law and should receive the same punishment for her transgressions as the peasant receives for his. However, for all their belief in harsh punishments they believe in compassion also. Once a person has paid the price for their transgression, the matter is over and dropped the transgressor is welcomed back into the flock. Only those who continue to transgress is excommunicated, a punishment that excludes one from the protection of the church and its benevolence.
The Utites teach that good can only be achieved through order and to that end they strive for order and organization. They believe that strong families build strong communities, which in turn build strong nations, so they encourage husbands and wives to do their best for their children. The church takes in orphans and foundlings and quickly arranges foster homes for them. Many a half-or child has been left on the steps of a temple to Utu, to be found a loving family by the church. Consequently, many half-orcs are devout utites.
Worship
Temples and shrines to Utu hold worship services either at sunrise, or at noon. Sometimes both if the temple is large enough to have two Khorshed Hai Hast. Services involve singing praises to Utu and which can vary from joyous to solemn depending on the nature of the service. This is followed by a sermon from the Khorshed Hai Hast extoling the virtues of order and urging the people to follow the path of good and order. On high holy days the church will offer burnt sacrifices to Utu, usually a young lamb or calf, or for the poor a handful of wheat. These sacrifices are burnt on a special alter that is used only for that purpose, and in larger cities, the sacrifices can last all day as people come in to offer their sacrifice and receive a blessing. While individual temples set the frequency of worship services, the church expects them to be at least one a tenday, with most temples and shrines having at least one every five days or more.
Priesthood
The priesthood of Utu, called khorshed believe it is their duty to spread the light of utu everywhere. For ceremonial purposes they dress in robes of sky blue trimmed with scarlet and often tied with a scarlet sash. Their robes, when it is possible are woven through with golden threads and usually have a large sun disc emblazoned on the back. Khorshed take their vows very seriously, and while not dour and of very genial, they are a serious lot, who can turn anything into a lesson on Utu and his ways. Occasionally a cleric of Utu will take up the life of an adventurer, the church sees this as taking the light of Utu into the darkest regions and expect the adventuring khorshed to continue to preach the word to all he may encounter.
Political Influence & Intrigue
As the god of nobility and the supreme deity of good, it is natural that the church of Utu would have widespread influence. Indeed, the members of the church hierarchy often had the power of nobles, though without the land and power over the peasants. However, since many if not most nobles give at least some reverence to Utu the church doesn’t need to control land or people directly. Khorshed Sobhgahi are usually given the respect due to a knight or similar member of the chivalric class. Khorshed Zuhr are granted the respect normally reserved for members of the noble classes. It is a very brave and or very foolish king who would cross a Khorshed Sedaye much less the Khorshed Brai Bolandgu. For very few kings would risk the wrath of Utu. For their part the church tries to guide rulers and their subjects in the paths of good and order. It’s members usually have little interest in temporal power for themselves. Instead preferring to give a word of advice here and a subtle hint there.
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