Church of the Cycle

The Church of the Cycle revolves around life and death, condemns anything Undead, artifical (such as the Forged), or otherwise immortal. It's believers follow that the harmony of the cycle of life and death stands above all, and breaking this cycle is a sin.

Mythology & Lore

Its mythology is very Druidic in nature. It talks of nature's power, and has many tales revolving around "The Wheel", a divine that takes the Souls of the fallen and transports them into the afterlife, where they are reborn in the next cycle.

Divine Origins

It's a religion of Elvish origins (it was first discovered in Elvish texts), however it doesn't seem to be followed inside the Underdark anymore.

Cosmological Views

They believe that the universe created itself, like nature creates nature and life creates life. Their earliest fragments of texts talk of immortal Dragons and "The Wheel"'s fight towards establishing the cycle, so new life can be born.

Tenets of Faith

Helping the Undead find afterlife is their most important mission, but they also stand against artificial life such as the Forged or other constructs. It is forbidden for them to seek immortality or the creation of immortal beings (or Undead), and stopping these from being created is a virtue. They often do not fear Death, instead accept it, because their Souls do not die with them - they are just reborn into a new body during the next cycle.

Worship

The dead (especially the ones they kill) are burnt with a ritual of offering to the cycle. Their altars are often integrated into nature itself.

Priesthood

It's a mix between Priests and Druids. The Priests often become Clerics with a mission to rid the world of Undead.

Granted Divine Powers

Their Druids are believed to get their powers from nature, and their Priests are believed to get their powers through one of the Leviathans - although it is not known which. Some Priests do stand against the Leviathans though, since they are believed to be immortal, and for those Priests the source of their powers are currently unexplained.

Political Influence & Intrigue

Ever since the foundation of Druidic Circle of the Crystal Pillar the church has strengthened too (even though they have little to do with each other). The Druids of the Cycle have formed many smaller circles already, but none have become significant yet. The church has also managed to get themselves included in the curriculum of Ora'vále School and Druid Academy.

The body dies, but the soul strengthens with every turn of the wheel

Founding Date

Unknown

Type

Religious, Pantheon