Bao Tse, The Furred Bodhisattva
Risen God of Inner Peace, Strength, Virtue, and Enlightenment
Just as he who has lived a life of temperance grows weak in his innocence, so too does he who knows only indulgence.Titles: The Furred Bodhisattva, Master of the Three Pillars, The Skyshaman, Master of the Inner and Outer, Qigong Lord Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff Alignment: Lawful Neutral Church Moniker: The Church of the Skyshaman Obedience: Spend an hour in quiet meditation in simply robes or clothes and with as little adornments as possible - especially devout followers of Bao-Tse take pride in shaving their heads or otherwise altering their appearance in drastic ways as a sign of dedication and abandonment of worldly desires, but this is not required. Surround yourself with symbols of the indulgences or attachments that most tempt or interest you yet do not indulge in them for the entire hour - once the hour is up, weave the symbols into your hair or clothing and display them proudly for the next 24 hours. Effect: Whenever you take damage from an attack or fail a save against a hostile effect, you automatically learn one piece of relevant piece of information about the source as if you had succeeded a knowledge check against it. Whenever you willingly relinquish one of your own belongings, you can throw your senses into it and sense its general direction and distance from you so long as it remains on the same plane as you for the next 24 hours - if you have not recovered at this point you stop being able to do so.
Divine Domains
Strength, Travel, Law, Protection, Knowledge, Community
Artifacts
Though Bao Tse's faith has always been known to not only lack artifacts but oftentimes eschew them entirely in favor of living simple, monastic lives, there is one notable exception to this - though it is perhaps the most closely guarded secret of the Church of the Skyshaman, as the greatest and only artifact of their faith is said to be known only to the High Monk who oversees Tri-Pillar Temple high in the mountains of central Inara; a secret said to be nothing less than the location of Bao Tse himself - who is said to have reached enlightenment long ago and remained behind in this world as a Bodhisattva - enlightened beings in Inaran religious belief who have put off entering paradise in order to help others attain enlightenment.
This secret, the location of the Risen God Bao Tse himself, has always been a closely guarded secret of the faith - for reasons that have never been entirely clear to many outsiders, though is assumed to be due to reasons that likely surround Bao Tse's very nature as the greatest of artifacts himself; a being who has attained enlightenment and perhaps contains wisdom enough within him to answer all questions of existence.
Otherwise, while rumors exist of various other lesser 'artifacts' of the faith that have been made over the centuries by High Priests of the faithful(Usually in fits of rapturous inspiration or on the moment of their own enlightenment), these objects are difficult to call true "artifacts" - and are often enshrined in temples of the faithful as relics of those who have attained enlightenment as their god has.
Holy Books & Codes
The Tri-Pillar Sutras
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Three Pillars within a perfect circle surrounded by clouds
Tenets of Faith
Live with humility and do not hoard or covet in excess. He who must rely on the kindness of others and endure the trials of hardship shall emerge all the better for it.
Patience and Understanding. Never close your door to the lost, the ignorant, or those in need and never turn away the wisdom of another. Keep a cool head and do not let your emotions control you.
Temperance is weakness. One cannot hope to resist the allure of attachment without first experiencing and knowing it - avail yourself of craving and attachment to better temper your mind and soul.
Indulgence is destruction. Guide others along the path of moderation and walk it yourself as an example. Deny no indulgence or attachment for its mere nature - neither is inherently sinful until given meaning by those who wallow in them.
Enlightment is ephemeral. He who seeks it is he who shall ultimately fall short of it - temper your mind and body into unity, live an ordered life, and follow your curiosity; Enlightenment shall come naturally in time to those who walk the path.
Holidays
The Festival of the Bear
Divine Goals & Aspirations
To teach others to reach enlightenment.
Spread the teachings of mastery of the inner and outer selves.
Teach all creatures to strive for harmony and to respect their elders and ancestors.
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Divine Classification
Religions
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Children
Quotes & Catchphrases
The man who speaks of virtue without experiencing vice will suffer longer than the man who indulges in vice while striving for virtue.
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