Faith of Farasta

The faith of Farasta is highly organised, ordered and impressive in its wealth and influence. It is now, more and more every passing year, a joint faith of Abrastis and Farasta, with clerics praying to Abrastis par Farasta, or ‘Abrastis through Farasta’, and to her directly. Nonetheless, the two faiths are still separate, and those who worship Farasta as Queen of Light are known across the world as reliable, upstanding, good-hearted individuals – if not always kind. They uphold traditions, work closely with rulers and other authorities, and have a passionate dislike for rebellion and revolution which, they believe, creates the chaos for evil to thrive. Despite that, they oppose evil laws, abhor slavery for it mars the intended freedoms of mortals, and they are eternal guardians against the Blight and the Calculix, with Farasta’s faith itself being a repository of lore about the Machine God, and how it was defeated two thousand years ago. Her Inquisition is focused solely on seeking out the Calculix, and destroying it. Whilst local priests protect their communities against all evil, when the Inquisition arrive, they seek only the servants of the Machine God, and only aid others when it does not interfere with their eternal quest. Her clerics were stylised, beautiful robes of white and gold, or white and silver. Almost all of her clerics use quarterstaffs as a symbol of divine authority, but many will also use sceptres (maces). For ceremonial dress and during services, all clerics of Farasta will use their personalised quarterstaff that they created themselves. Each staff is different, and can often tell much about a cleric’s personality. There are a considerable number of elves that name Farasta as their patron, more so than almost any other faith save Triodar. For the Republic, they see her as a sacred guardian for the rule of law, and for the Empire, they see her as a preserver of tradition. In this guise, she is Aerdrie Faenya of the Seldarine. The faith is structured so that it is neutral in the great wars between Kharasaki and the free realms, but it is known that the Patriarch of Light seeks to unify the world under the banner of the Empire. Whilst they do not allow their clerics to fight for either side, offering only guidance and healing, there are those that argue this passive stance favours Kharasaki much more, for it bars the followers of Farasta from taking to the field to guard their Realms. There is only one exception to this, and that is in the case of a raid or attack that was not officially communicated to the Patriarch or Matriarch in advance. This is, again, deliberate, as it has ensured that treacherous attacks on either side have been destroyed almost utterly by the might of Farasta’s warrior priests, whilst those that are ‘sanctioned’ as crusades of unity or freedom (on either side) tend to end in a stalemate. Every year there are motions at the Sanctum of Light to end the neutrality of Farasta’s faith, and side with Kharasaki, but so far all communications from Farasta are that they are to remain clear of the conflict.

Tenets of Faith

Obey the law, save when it is of extreme evil;
Keep to traditions, for they are beautiful;
Goodness is not passive, action must be taken;
A lantern spreads light far and wide, do not hide away;
Respect must be given to the clergy of Farasta;
Maintain order and inspire great deeds;
Always oppose the Machine, for it has destroyed more than we can know;
Always oppose the Blight, for it has tainted every part of our world;
There can be no mercy for followers of darkness, only a swift death;
Stay neutral between the Empire of Light, and the Free Realms.

Priesthood

Ranks within the faith:

The Patriarch (rules over the whole faith)
Conclave / Council of Light (elects the Patriarch, offers advice when sought)
Bishops of Light (one per realm, save when mandated otherwise)
High Priests (one per city or region, often consider themselves the equals of other realms’ high priests
Lightbringer (individual priest)

Holy symbol / robes:

White robes, with gold or silver trim; lantern holy symbol, or sun, or golden staff; always has a ceremonial quarterstaff; hoods are optional, but all robes have them. Significant use of incense and massed chants.

Approaches to conflict between clerics Farasta’s clerics can disagree, but have sworn an oath never to fight one of their own, knowingly. If this occurs, both must seek instant penance. The only exception to this is the Inquisition, which has authority above even the Patriarch where an investigation dictates it. The faith is strictly neutral, and when faced by another cleric of Farasta, they will discuss, consult the scriptures, and if necessary, summon a judgement by a Bishop or, where necessary, even the Patriarch himself.

Sects

Notable Figures: Pyrrhon Vass, White Mage of Farasta The High Mage of Farasta, based in The Holy City, he oversees the work of the abjurers of Light, dispatching them far and wide to ensure the world of magic, so dangerous and full of temptation, does not spread uncontrolled across the world. He categorises and catalogues the mystical threats that face the world, and whilst formal and distant, has decreed that his order must listen to any threat reported, no matter how strange or insignificant. Aegal Raben The Master of the Machine Inquisition, this robed and masked cleric or assassin (few know) leads the most powerful and interventionist part of Farasta’s faith, and answers to nobody. He reports once a year, and more if needed, to the Patriarch, but answers to the sacred scriptures of Farasta herself. He is, interestingly, one of the few clerics of the Queen who does not wield a staff. Haim ben Yitav and Yitav ben Machol This family have been Bishops of Light for the kingdom of Sarn for centuries, and they have passed on their authority through their lineage. Always, the firstborn son will inherit the Diocese of Light, due to a dispensation granted by Farasta to the first Bishop, three hundred years ago. The family has been blessed with good administrators for many years, but Yitav is said to be more interested with his own position, than with good rulership. His son, Haim, has little love for the distant and authoritative father. Nylaathria Ravalla The Bishop of Light for the elven nations, she is the only priestess that can currently command respect both within the Republic and the Empire, and has complete authority over the churches in both Realms. She has been working tirelessly for two hundred years to bring both Realms together into an alliance given the decline of their race, and despite having no great success, she considers it a blessing that there has been no war between them since she was consecrated. She has been blessed with a pseudodragon familiar, said to be a sign of Farasta’s high favour. Aelwen Brys The White Knight, Aelwen Brys, has been leading the paladins of Farasta for only three years, but has already made a name for herself. She has ridden against the Blight and the Machine both, wielding her spear-staff of mithril, and summoning great holy power against the enemies of Light. She is known to be impetuous and reckless, but her fellow knights love her for it. She chafes at the neutrality enforced on the faith, but would never disobey her Goddess. Patriarch Salathiel Dardariel An elderly man now, the Patriarch is almost ready to abdicate, but it is not clear where the Council of Light will place their trust. Gossip has Nylaathria as the obvious choice of the conclave, but the other Bishops will want to be considered as well. He has been a consummate political operator for many years, but there are rumours as well that his mind has started to slip. Kunourra Brightbringer A rare dwarven cleric of Farasta, Kunourra dwells within the Kadars, and tends to mix very little with the elf-centric faith hierarchy, but the Bishop of the Rockfolk still has a great respect for the faith. She knows she will never be Matriarch, but she is clear that she will be at least counted in the coming conclave, and that if Nylaastria – her old opponent – is Matriarch, she at least has to respect Kunourra. Analasta Ferros This questing Bishop once held the role within the Republic, before the Patriarch announced Nylaastria would hold the title for both elven realms. Analasta, never truly having enjoyed the responsibility placed upon her, was relieved, and since then has been a questing priestess across the Realm, allying with the Inquisition, and working closely – against the better judgement of the Council – with Asaldine’s faith. She is a kind-hearted, informal elf, but whose love of order and law shows through when she sees corruption. She has very few airs and graces. Emelsine, Bishop of Delvia Emelsine has governed Delvia as its Bishop for many years. She is said to be weary of the work, and seeks to hand the role to a cousin, but the current Patriarch understands in his lucid moments that Delvia is too important to entrust to an inexperienced Bishop. Emelsine therefore, although she wishes nothing more than to return to the seclusion of her Abbey, must remain in her position for some years to come.

Deities