Summary of religion in Sammerden

This is a short, practical, explanation of how the Holy Sanctorum is structured and experienced. For a more in-depth view, please see this primer

The basics

In doing so, the Creator commanded the races of Sammerden to worship in coherent and lawful ways - and never repeat the magical catastrophe which had driven them to the brink of destruction. In obedience to this command, all races attempted to agree on how the Creator should be worshipped, and which forms of religion were appropriate.
This was, of course, unsuccessful. As a result, the Holy Sanctorum is now a huge organisation, encompassing 18 different ways of approaching the worship of the Creator, otherwise known as Cults of the Creator. These Cults and their members come together in communities to worship in buildings called Sanctorums - which is also the name for the religious workers of a given place, all working together to praise the Creator.

The Cults

The 18 Cults and their chosen focus for worshipping the Creator are:

• the Cult of Prayers - offering verbal prayers and liturgies
• the Cult of Singers - offering sung prayers and hymns
• the Cult of Rituals - performing ritual and symbolic acts and chanting
• the Cult of Preachers - preaching and hearing sermons
• the Cult of Purification - repenting of sins, and amending wrongdoing
• the Cult of Final Blessing - offering prayers for the dead, and memorialising them
• the Cult of Writers - composing, copying, and reading sacred texts
• the Cult of Mages - using their magical abilities for moral and religious ends
• the Cult of Seekers - seeking religious and worldly knowledge, and applying it for the good of all
• the Cult of Holy Arms - physically defending the Holy Sanctorum and defeating its enemies
• the Cult of Penitents - living an austere life in order to wash away great guilt
• the Cult of Contemplation - withdrawing from hectic life to meditate on religious matters
• the Cult of Builders - constructing holy buildings and statues
• the Cult of Crafts - using their talents for religious ends, and constructing holy items
• the Cult of Giving - giving money and practical relief to the needy
• the Cult of Pilgrims - visiting hold sites for inspiration
• the Cult of Conservors - conserving and stewarding creation
• the Cult of Justice - seeing justice done, and administering the Sanctorum

The practicalities

 Obviously, these forms of worship are not mutually exclusive - and many work best when combined. While the organisations (Cults) which oversee the forms of worship are distinct bodies, that is not how it is experienced by most of the people of Sammerden.
Instead, it is common for individuals to attend worship held by a large number of Cults - this can change depending on the feast day, the time of day, their profession, and many other personal factors. Even those who have made a commitment to a Cult by becoming an Acolyte ('assistant') or a Sanctor ('priest') will frequently attend other services.
An Acolyte can simultaneously serve in up to four Cults, and while a Sanctor can only serve one Cult as Sanctor they too can serve three further Cults as Acolyte.
As a demonstration of how individuals engage with the Sanctorum, here are a few common combinations Cult memberships which a person might fit into:

• Many people are devoted equally to some or all of the Prayers, Singers, Rituals, and/or Preachers. Together, these perform their own worship in combined services.
• A doctor or apothecary might primarily be attracted to the Seekers to practice their skilled craft, but also be attracted to Giving and provide medical care to the poorest for free. As learned people, they are likely also to be attracted to the Writers.
• Someone who values Contemplation might not remain meditating in one place, but might be attracted to the Pilgrims and move between holy places to meditate. If they are attracted to natural beauty, they may also be dedicated to the Conservors.
• Those who work in practical jobs might be attracted to both the Crafts and Builders, while they might also personally enjoy song and be devoted to the Singers.

These are by no means the only possible combinations - and almost every combination has been, and is being, tried by someone somewhere every day.