The Cult of the Twins
Though referred to as a cult, in truth it is a fully recognized and accepted religion. However it is not an organized religious order like say the Church of the Flame. Vebastonne has wisely chosen and maintained that to organize the faith till it becomes its own political entity is not the way to go, and so maintain a sort of loose organization. Being a collection of monks, nuns, and damsels and even Lilian Knights, the faith is held strong by its servants, and the Vestoni look to them for protection and guidance through their lives. Formed by the High Prophetess, it has maintained its influence over the fair lands of Vebastonne, and has largely avoided the corruption rampant in the Church of the Flame.
Ethics
Their ethics are largely governed by the edicts of the twins, being chivalry and good virtue.
Priesthood
The ranking structure of the Cult is largely loose, with the lowest rank being the monks, who are largely independent men staffing small shrines and churches. Sharing the same rank are the female counterpart known as the dames du grail. Since traditionally (and only changing recently) that women could not be knights, the daughters or sisters of knights who chose to devote themselves to the Twins, and became nuns. They typically healed wounded knights and lived in slightly larger chapels and churches, while also attending to the religious needs of the common folk. Then comes the Damsels, who are powerful sorcerer clerics capable of calling down both arcane and divine magic down upon their enemies with the blessing of the Twins. Above them are the Prophetesses, who are even more powerful spellcasters, and then comes the High Prophetess.
Being technically apart of the cult are the Knights Gallant, those who quest for the grail, and the Lilian Knights, those who have supped from the grail and became a direct servant of the Lady of the Lake.
Political Influence & Intrigue
As stated above, the cult has largely seen to avoid being a centralized and organized religion like the Church of the Flame, and so largely are left to independent action. However though they are considered apart from the typical politics and courtly intrigue, their power is considered absolute. Even the lowest ranking Damsel can give orders to a duke if it is deemed necessary, and none would dare question the word of a Damsel or Prophetess lest they incur the terrible wrath of the Twins.
Founding Date
400EC
Type
Religious, Cult
Alternative Names
The Damsel Cult, The Cult of the Ladies
Permeated Organizations
