Church in Cressund Town

Background

The Church in Cressund Town is part of the Religion of The Towns. It is the centre of worship and other religious activities in the town.
The Religion of the Towns is monotheistic, believing in the Protector who is engaged in a constant battle with The Forces. All churches are built to the specifications of The Protector, with a large tower which acts both as a clear marker to make it visible for miles around, and also as a symbol for the sword of justice that The Protector uses daily to keep The Forces at bay.

Setting

The Church in Cressund Town is built in the center of the Town, facing onto the Town Square. It is the heart of this Town, and is attended twice a week by the Townsfolks who live there. Cressund Town is the town closest to the Endless Forest and is therefore more at danger from Nomads than most.

History

The first stone of the Church in Cressund Town was laid in the Year of the Protector 2701, and was the first building in Cressund Town to be started and the one of the last to be completed. While some space was cleared during the construction of the Church for catacombs, these were enlarged at a later date to make space for grander memorials to the Clerics and Men of Authority who were entombed there.

Among those enshrined beneath the floors of the church is Chosen Ogburn, the only one of The Protector's Clerics to be born in Cressund Town. His tenure was one of the shortest ever recorded, barely three moons, and in that time he added half a page to the Word of The Protector. An extract from this half page is inscribed on his tomb, and can also be found above the door as one exits the church.

"With the Sword of Truth in my hand, I walk always unafraid."

— Extract from Tome 75-3, Word of The Protector, transcribed by Chosen Ogburn

Purpose

The Church in Cressund Town serves the same purposes as most of the Churches within The Towns, these include;

Regular Worship

Worship takes place within the church at least twice a week. These services are attended by everyone who lives within the town walls and are led by the Town Cleric.
It is a chance for the Cleric to lecture on the word of The Protector, and point out to the congregation their observations on who may be in danger from The Forces. It is also possible for fellow townsfolk to share their concerns for others who they have noticed behaving in a corrupted or evil way, so that they might be saved by the Cleric before they are overcome.

Ceremonies

All of the major life events have ceremonies, and these ceremonies take place within the church. These include welcoming a new baby into the church, weddings and funerals.

Confessions & Blessings

While Clerics are able to conduct confessions and blessings anywhere, they are normally conducted within a church.
Confessions involve a person volunteering information to the cleric, either about transgressions they have made which go against the rules made by The Protector, or things they have noticed about other people misbehaving. The cleric advises them on how they can atone or thanks them for the information on others.
Blessings are carried out in private at the back of the church. They are usually performed on those who have lost their way.

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