The Teachings of Chantrel
Gameplay:
Cleric and paladin classes are open to players how want to play as members of the Holy Universal Church of Chantrel. Female cleric class characters can play as a Priestess of Chantrel or as a Sister of Chantrel. Male cleric class characters can play only as a Brother of Chantrel. While priestesses enjoy higher position in the church than Sisters or Brothers do, spell casting and other class based effects are treated identically. The paladin class is open to both male and female characters. These characters generally belong to one of the many military orders of the church. While the military orders of the church usually are only open to men, a few are open to men and women, and fewer still to women only. Work with your DM to determine the nature of your character’s order. Is it dedicated to education and healing? Does it call for defense of the faith from the infidels? Was it commissioned in the name of a great sacred mother who brought Chantrel’s Holy Word to your home land? Decide with your DM. Such characters hold great respect and standing in communities where The Teachings is the dominant religion. However, they are expected to take orders from their superiors in the church and may be reacted to negatively by members of other religions that have had conflict with the church. Independent clergy player-characters garner mixed reactions from main line Disciples and others. Many will see them as heretical apostates. Others may see them as wayward souls, that need to be brought back to the true faith. And others may be open to their “radical” message. However, such a character is free of the church hierarchy and has greater freedom to make their own decisions.The Teachings of Chantrel or The Teachings is the most followed religion on the Sword Coast. Men and women of every race raise their children with The Teachings of Chantrel. Her Holy Scripture is a common site in the homes of humans, elves, dwarves, and halflings.
The Holy Universal Church of Chantrel’s leader, The Grand Matriarch Mother, is one of the most powerful people ever to live. The church's missionaries have spread Her Holy Word to all the realms of the known world. The Brothers and Sisters of Chantrel, have set up an extensive network of temples, schools, universities, alms houses, and hospitals throughout The Sword Coast.
Mythology & Lore
Chantrel has three aspects; The Maiden, The Mother, and The Sacred Flamed. The Maiden is most often portrayed as a young human woman, with a crown of light, blue robes with gold embroideries, arms open, looking down with compassion upon all the world. She represents missionary zeal and love for all the creatures of the world. The Mother is most often portrayed as an older version of The Maiden dressed in a plain house smock. She represents motherly love that is found in the family. The Sacred Flame is not personified. It is usually represented by a single candle flame. The Sacred Flame is the illuminating light of inspiration and grace that lives in all souls.
Tenets of Faith
The Holy Scriptures of Chantrel command that Her Holy Word be spread to all people of all the races of all the realms of the world, that Chantrel is the one true god. Over the last millennia of The Church’s history, this has led both to extensive charity work by its missionaries and to bloody purges and crusades against infidels and apostates.
Disciples are taught that her way is one of love, compassion, and forgiveness. She teaches that one is delivered from enemies when one makes them friends. And all will be friends when all accept Her Holy Scripture.
Worship
Places of worship
The arms of Chantrel embrace the world. Her temples have spread to almost every city and village of The Races of The Sword Coast.
Manner of worship
The Church holds mandatory ceremonies every eight day. Whole villages will gather during these ceremonies. The holy days of Chantrel are a series of religious observances throughout the year. Their exact dates can vary from canton to canton, but the are treated as festival days with feasts, entertainment, and games.
Priesthood
The Holy Universal Church
Chantrel's Instrument:
The Holy Universal Church of Chantrel claims to be Chantrel’s instrument in the world, the one and only true religion, and the only legitimate interpreters of Her Holy Scripture. Although, how seriously an individual disciple takes the various dictates of the church varies wildly from individual to individual.
Granted Divine Powers
Like most clergy in the world, most of the ordained and unordained clergy of The Church have not been given the gift of divine magic. In fact, the current Grand Matriarch Mother does not have this gift. About only one in twenty pastresses have access to divine magic.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Holy Universal Church is an extremely powerful organization. The power of the Grand Matriach rivals that of all the kings and queens of The Sword Coast. The Sacred Mothers are both powerful figures in the courts of those rulers and hold political power independent of the state. The church’s land holdings are immense, the church collects it own taxes in many cantons, and can field its own armies. Many rulers both court the favor of the church and resent having to share power with it.
Sects
The Brothers & Sisters of Church
While the church is a matriarchal organization that only offers priesthood to women, men have their place in the organization. The Brothers and Sisters of Chantrel are an organization of non-ordained clergy who do much of the church’s missionary and education work. In addition, the church has various military orders, charged with defense of the faith. What exactly that means can vary wildly from order to order. Breakaway Sects & Clergy
There are sects and clergy who have attempted to breakaway from the church. Independent clergy are not uncommon. Perhaps, the former priestess, sister, or brother became disillusioned with internal church politics and hypocrisy and decided to got out on their own and teach the true word of Chantrel. Perhaps she was sent out on a mission to a far off land, and the church bureaucracy lost track of her and she hasn’t reported back yet. Perhaps she was excommunicated from the church for heresy (real or imagined) and has become part of a break-away sect. Chætral: Chætral is a version of Chantrel that followers of The Old Ways have incorporated into their pantheon. However, instead of viewing her as the one true god, followers of The Old Ways view her as one of many dieties.
While the church is a matriarchal organization that only offers priesthood to women, men have their place in the organization. The Brothers and Sisters of Chantrel are an organization of non-ordained clergy who do much of the church’s missionary and education work. In addition, the church has various military orders, charged with defense of the faith. What exactly that means can vary wildly from order to order. Breakaway Sects & Clergy
There are sects and clergy who have attempted to breakaway from the church. Independent clergy are not uncommon. Perhaps, the former priestess, sister, or brother became disillusioned with internal church politics and hypocrisy and decided to got out on their own and teach the true word of Chantrel. Perhaps she was sent out on a mission to a far off land, and the church bureaucracy lost track of her and she hasn’t reported back yet. Perhaps she was excommunicated from the church for heresy (real or imagined) and has become part of a break-away sect. Chætral: Chætral is a version of Chantrel that followers of The Old Ways have incorporated into their pantheon. However, instead of viewing her as the one true god, followers of The Old Ways view her as one of many dieties.
Hail Chantrel, blessed be her name, on earth as it is in the heavens. Bless us, the unworthy, and deliver us into her love.
Founding Date
0 AHL
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
The Church
Demonym
Disciples
Deities
Divines
Location
Related Myths
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild