Arimathica
The Breathe of Life
Arimathica (Are-ee-mah-th-i-ka) the Breath of Life is a gentle being, whose only goal is to ease pain and relieve suffering. She takes great care to shepherd her flock and protect all the creatures of Tarien. She is often seen as an alabaster white maiden, dressed in flowing white robes.
The church of Arimathica is perhaps the most widespread of the faiths, chiefly due to the devotion of his priesthood towards the safekeeping of all life. Arimathica’s church is based in the Kingdom of Galencia, where she is revered also revered as ‘The Compassionate Lady’. Due to her church’s assistance after the burning of Geyla by a dracolich many centuries ago, the people of Galencia revere her above all the other gods of Tarien. Arimathica’s faith has flourished more in Galencia than anywhere else, but almost every large human settlement has a church or shrine to her name.
History/Relationships
Arimathica, is among the kindest of the gods of good. Arimathica counts all good and neutral gods among her allies, but she is closest to Anderi, the Lord of Light.
Dogma
A priest of Arimathica's first duty is to the people, believer or not. Any injured or sick individual who asks an Arimathican Hospitaler for help must be aided in some way. They do not discriminate when it comes to aiding those in need. They assist the desperate, evil and good alike, as long as they are suffering. As healers, priest of Arimathica are forbidden from using piercing or slashing weapons, forbidden from the use of poisons or similar materials, or from needlessly injuring sentient beings.
Church/Priesthood
Arimathica’s priests pray for their spells in the early morning, just before the first service of the day. When a priest is in the field, his morning devotions are held at dawn (or as near to it as possible). Arimathica’s clerics are concerned exclusively with reverence for life, and healing those in need. Due to their long association with the Drakshal monks, priests of Arimathica value introspection, and will often spend long periods of time in meditation. They also are taught the basics of hand-to-hand unarmed combat during their initiate years, to better defend themselves without causing undue injury. The only holiday that is celebrated by the Arimathican church is Kingsday, Thirdscore, the Crimson Moon, the Day of Drakshal Benevolence. The day mourns Kerr’s assault on Geyla and celebrates the Drakshal’s tending the Galencian wounded. The Drakshal Monks peace, love and generosity exemplifies the highest ideals of Arimathica.
Most religions are acknowledged in Galencia, but the faith of Arimathica, due to her great assistance in the past, has become the Kingdom’s patron. The Arimathican church has its center in the Cathedral of Arimathica; a tremendous structure built by Drakshal, Galencian, and Khadric worshipers immediately after the city was destroyed by the dragon Kerr in 543 BC. It is the oldest building in the Galencian Kingdom and new Kings and nobles are ordained there. The church of Arimathica’s chief concern is the health and well-being of it’s followers. This leaves little time for concerns of rank. Each temple of Arimathica is tended by a Chief Hospitaler and a staff of clerics and lay healers. The Chief Hospitaler of the Cathedral of Arimathica is considered the de facto head of the Arimathican church.
Hospitallers of Arimathica wear un-dyed, ankle length robes, from rough-spun wool to the finest linen, depending on the charity of the community that they are found. Many hospitallers of Arimathica take vows of poverty, but all are strictly forbidden from owning more than they can carry and may carry no more coin than can fit into their two cupped hands. All other wealth accumulated by the priests must be donated back to the church, to be used to purchase supplies, and spread the word of Arimathica. The only extravagance that the priests are allowed is that they may own a single diamond of any value, since it is a symbol of their faith.
No matter the harm they may have done, to person or to Tarien, through each of us, Arimithica grants her blessings of life to all.
Religions
Alignment
Lawful Good
Children
Ruled Locations
Rose and Bird
Main Temple
Cathedral of Arimathica, Geyla
Portfolio
Family, Fertility, Kindness, Healing, Life, Love
Domain
Life
Head of Priesthood
Patyr Goustau
The Cathedral of Arimathica, Geyla