Temple of the Twin Goddesses
The primary religion of Amaun's oceans is referred to as the Temple of the Twin Goddesses. Almost no other religions are practiced beneath the waves, although the occasional missionary gains a few converts.
They worship sea goddesses Estae and Theane. Estae represents light and joy, while Theane represents darkness and sorrow. The temple recognizes and embraces the necessity of both.
Structure
At a local level, the religion is generally disorganized, with priests serving the spiritual needs of their local communities. Clerics often become initiates at their town's temple and quite often don't leave.
Mir'assen is another story altogether. The holy city's many priests-- often the more ambitious ones from other communities-- are all in a very strict hierarchy divided into the followers of Estae and the followers of Theane.
The high priestess chooses her successor, usually from the upper ranks of Mir'assen's clerics. The temple's laws don't specify that this successor must be female, but it is traditional.
Mythology & Lore
The Temple of the Twin Goddesses is based around the story of Estae and Theane. The twin goddesses formed from nothing and instantly fell in love with the sea. The made the sea their home, and gave all life within it their blessing.
Estae's heart was filled with life and joy, so she lived in the bright shallow seas, surrounded by life. Theane's heart was filled with darkness and sorrow, so she fell into the dark, lonely depths.
Estae lived happily and well, but Theane slipped into the deep despair of loneliness. Eventually, her sorrow grew more than she could bear until she went to the deepest part of the depths and cut out her own heart. She then rose into the oversky and joined the stars.
Her sister was heartbroken. She hadn't seen that she had abandoned the sister she loved. She vowed she would never abandon her again so she cut out her heart as well. Before she left for the oversky, she gave her heart to her chosen people, the sea elves to keep them safe.
From that day forward, the Hearts of the Sea sing their mournful song to one another, Estae's from the temple of her people, and Theane's from the loneliest place in the deep.
Tenets of Faith
The temple's priesthood is divided between the followers of Estae and Theane. Both groups have their own tenants and practice their faith their own way.
The followers of Estae are dedicated to the spreading of joy. The priests sing, dance and carouse. They endeavor to see that all have a song in their hearts and a smile on their faces.
The followers of Theane are dedicated to the alleviation of sorrow. These priests provide counsel for the grieving and empathy for the lonely. It is their duty to ensure that none are overcome with sorrow, as Theane was.
Worship
The worship of the twin goddesses is generally not very demanding. Most simply have a small shrine in their home dedicated to both goddesses. Regular sermons are a concept alien to the temple's clergy.
The priests usually serve as advisors for the community, and often officiate events. Clerics of Estae perform weddings, deliver children, and oversee rites of passage. Clerics of Theane officiate funerals, divorces, and executions. If a community does not have a priest of both goddesses, a cleric of one goddess can perform the rites of the other.
Priesthood
The priesthood of the temple is open to all, but it is sadly not without its traditions of favoritism. As such, sea elf women make up a vast majority of the temple's clergy.
Generally, these priests are apprenticed in a manner almost similar to craftsman. Perspective clerics find their way to a temple and learn at the feet of that priest. When they have completed their education, they undergo a baptism by light or darkness and receive the magic of their goddess.
Because of the somber nature of Theane's worship, most priests are drawn to the more lively service of Estae. It is allowed to switch one's service between the goddesses, but this is rare. It is usually only done after a great tragedy or deliverance.
The service of paladins is also welcomed. In contrast to the clerics, most of the temple's paladins choose to serve Theane by protecting the innocent from tragedy.
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