Cult of Shallaya

The Cult of Shallaya is perhaps one of the most if not the most beloved and mutually respected religious Cult within the world. This is due in most part because Shallaya, the sacred Goddess of Healing, Mercy, and Childbirth, is possibly the most beloved deity within the entire Pantheon. Many enter it at a temple of Shalalya, or at least attended by one of the priestesses, and almost all need the services of the priestesses at some point in their lives. The refusal of the cult to become involved in politics has made it a popular target of charity from wealthy nobles and merchants, and the success of the priestesses in channeling that wealth to the needy is notable. Most temples of Shallaya are simply decorated, with the money received going to the relief of pain, and those temples are everywhere, from the smallest village to the largest city.

Structure

Individual temples of Shallya are exceptionally well organised, with clear responsibilities for all residents, and defined chains of authority. This enables them to respond to crises, and to deal with the dozens, if not hundreds, of supplicants who come every day. The cult as a whole, however, does not have policies or plans of action. Shallya is concerned with relieving the individual distresses of the people, not with grand schemes.

Tenets of Faith

Avoid killing. It is only permissible in cases or self defense, or against the servants of the Fly Lord.
Never refuse healing to a supplicant genuinely in need.
Never halt a soul when it is time for it to depart.
Go about your life unarmed. Courage and a stout walking staff is all you’ll ever need.
Abhor the Fly Lord in all his forms, and hunt down his servants.

Ethics

Initiates of Shallya are expected to spend all their time working with those in need, and to show, at least, a lack of concern for their own comfort. Those who do so may become priests, and continuing selfless work results in promotion within the temple.

Priesthood

Most priestesses of Shallya are orphans, raised in a temple and destined for the priesthood almost from birth. Those who wish to become initiates of Shallya must first demonstrate their continuing devotion to the Goddess. A single spectacular act of selfless mercy is almost never enough; rather, the character must pour much of her energy into helping others over a substantial period of time, typically at least a year, although temple wards spend their childhood at this stage. Different temples favour different kinds of service Initiates of Shallya normally wear simple long white robes, a style copied by the more devout lay members. The materials are normally hard-wearing and safe to wash by boiling, as the robes of Shallyan devotees often become spattered with deeply unpleasant substances. This means that they are often quite expensive, but do not look it, a combination that suits the cult well. Priests wear white robes, often with a hood, with a heart embroidered over the left breast. On daily robes, this is embroidered in yellow, but most priests also have ceremonial robes, made of expensive fabric and with the heart embroidered in gold. Otherwise, Shallyans wear little in the way of ornamentation.

Type

Religious, Cult

Demonym

Shallayan

Deities