House of the Great Protector

When the cataclysm struck, there were many who feared the gods abandoned us. But look up on the Great Goddess as she stands over us all. Can you see her eyes that blaze, her armor that shimmers and her weapons that burn? Do you think that this would be possible in a world where She abandoned us? No. We in Kadmos know that She is always with us, and this temple will work to ensure that those who dwell in this land will never doubt that.

- Priestess Isabella Butacu of the House of the Great Protector

Divine Origins

Worship of Ashtyr has existed for as long life existed on Cadash. Even though Kor created the first folk, they knew of his sister Ashtyr and worshiped her as a goddess of flame and war.
Worship in Ashtyr really blossomed when her creations were put upon the world: dwarves, halflings and humans. All three of those races see her as the Greatest Goddess over all other lesser gods and demigods. While lip services is given to Kor and Yeno as being equal to Ashtyr, most of her faithful put Ashtyr at the top of the pantheon.
Through the ages humans have never lost faith completely in their goddess. Her avatar and champion Red Talon was always on hand to prove that she cared and wished to guide them. But after the cataclysm, things changed. Faith was shaken and Red Talon has not been seen. Dwarves and Halflings have turned to their own gods such as Denyo  and Tillia. 
In these times the major churches dedicated to Ashtyr have done everything they could to assure the faithful, pushing hard to spread her teachings and stories as much as possible. In the The Grand Duchy of Kadmos they have become a major political power working with the Duke. They are focused on proving her power, but become a power in their own right. Not all agree with this view.

Tenets of Faith

The Great Goddess Ashtyr protects those who need it, and avenges those who fall protecting. She is light in darkness. She brings order to chaos. She is defender and warrior. She is great beyond all measure.
The Cataclysm was a result of Chaos attacking Cadash. It has cracked our world, but did not break it. Ashtyr has protected us for so long, now we must help her. We must work to build our faith and our power. When she calls us to face Chaos again, we will answer and we will drive it back into the void of oblivion from whence it came.
Know Ashtyr. Those who don't know must be taught. Those that refuse to know must learn the error of their thinking.

Ethics

Over all, those who work for the temple are sworn to protect those who need and ask for it. They then will avenge those who fall in act of protecting the weak and helpless. 
Of course it is up to the individual to determine who is worthy of protection, and how they will avenge the fallen.
Some creative interpretations of these guidelines have lead to power plays and particularly vicious "avenging" in the name of the Great Goddess.

Worship

Most faithful have a small idol or shrine to Ashtyr in their home or neighborhood. A daily prayer to the goddess is expected. In small villages and towns, the local church will hold daily morning and afternoon prayers. In Mystemere, the Grand Temple also holds similar services, but they are not well attended and done more as part of the ritual to praise the Goddess.
The last day of the week, Soladain, is when the Temple holds its most ornate services, and has the largest attendance for the week. The summer festival on the first day of Klarmont is considered a holy day of Ashtyr. Her faithful sing her praises and welcome summer on that day.

Priesthood

The priestesshood in Kadmos is closely modeled after the Theosian Empire model. Females are the only ones allowed to deliver the words of Ashtyr and her teachings. They are the only ones allowed to rise the ranks of the priestesshood. Males can work for the church in the business side, or as monks acting as protectors.
Priestesses are trained in Mystemere to know The Book of the Shield and The Book of the Axe. Most of the teachings are human centric, but they are taught to help any who come for aid. Their main goal is to help spread the belief of Ashtyr in the towns and villages and to guide the people away from the other faiths that the Temple sees as eroding the power of their great goddess.
A major difference between the Temple in Kadmos and other versions of Ashtyr's religion is the reduction of martial aspects to priestess teachings. Few priestesses show interest in learning to use the axe or shield, and stick mostly to knowledge and oratory to get what they need. A class of paladins and monks have evolved in Kadmos who are to work as the actual holy protectors in Ashtyr's name.

Political Influence & Intrigue

Many of the Temple priestesses seek power and influence in Mystemere, especially with the Duchess and her network. They see the pursuit of power as key to the ability to protect and avenge. 
They see some serious issues with the The Brass Horde and their claims that "sacred fire" has come into thier possession and is going to be used to burn away the evil in Cadash. For the Temple any sacred flames are tied directly to Ashtyr and her chosen. The Brass Horde is considered heretical and especially dangerous.

Sects

The Order of the Divine Sun is considered a fringe monastic group well versed in the art of combat, but holding strange views of the goddess and her relationship with the sun. The Temple sees them as valuable allies, but also keeps them at arms length. It isn't difficult since the monastery is located on the opposite side of the Duchy and then beyond into the Wilderlands.
The temple is uneasy with the stories of cults dedicated to Red Talon popping up throughout Reluria. In some cases these cults are declaring that the Temple has moved away from the truth of Ashtyr and doing more harm than good. In some cases, there have been tales of heretics pretending to be Red Talon. These individuals have been dealt with... severely.

She protects us always.

Type

Religious, Temple

Alternative Names

The Grand Temple, The Temple of the Great Goddess, The Grand Temple of Ashtyr

Deities

• Ashtyr