Cult of the King of Dirt

The prophecies in days of old, of which the tides speak, begin with the island of Tess.
There, many Gods and Goddesses convened and warred, and disappeared.  While all that happened,
people gave to the King of Dirt without realizing it. There, once the cities of Soleanen fell,
The people rose up on the island and made many mounds to the least of the Gods,
The King of Dirt.  There he chose Talimartian, the chosen one and High Priest of the King of
Dirt.
----"Legends of Tessel, Volume XII" - Author Unknown
=== How to divinate a yes/no question ===
Make the ancient Symbol, (seen on the next page) with torches or Lamps.  Ask your question of the Gods out loud, then lay out 4 dirts, 2 on each side as if the formation of torches were holding the pieces of dirt. Make note of your orientation, and note that the blocks to the left mean yes, and the right mean no.
Visit the Divination Temple at 6356, 73, 101 for a more in depth divination.  However, be warned, you may not get the answer you want.  Open ended questions should be asked and interpreted in a temple by a High Priest of the King of Dirt.
=== Worship at home ===
Make a mound.  Big or small, it is up to you!  The simplest mound is a single block of Dirt that has nothing around it and is on a flat surface.  Then put up a sign praising the King of Dirt. On the full and new moon's highest point, gather close with your friends and plant an orchid on the mound on the new moon and take it away on the full moon. This is the ceremony of duality, a reminder of the passage of time. Both times are times of celebration, and is an all night ceremony. Imbibe to your delight, or mark the moment with jovial reflection, the King of Dirt knows what matters most, and that's the friends we made along the way.
Greet all in the wilderness with open arms, and help those on the road. Carry a blue orchid and kneel to others to signify protection of the traveller. All who hold to these customs are to be guaranteed peaceful travel. A simple meal of bread or other simple foods should be provided to travelers.
=== The initiatory mysteries ===
Once you have heard of the King of Dirt, then you have had your first initiation. Congrats!
After that, you may choose to become a Priest. A Priest is the normal membership layer for the cult.
To Become a Priest, you must have been baptised in another religion, or be baptised by way of the King of Dirt. Ask a member of the Priesthood to help you as they will be your sponsor for the priesthood.  There are mysteries that I will not relate here to the process.
After you have become a Priest, you may choose a specialty.  These are the Farmer, Chef, Guard, Cantor, and High Priest.  These relate to what you do in worship, but not everyday life.  However, many choose a specialty that they are familiar with.
The King of Dirt promotes Renewal of the Ancient Lands, and the Balance of Nature, by way of Nurture.
=== Religio dei terrae nuli et renovatio ===
In summary, worship of the Cult of the King of Dirt is not found in the civilized places, but rather out in the wilderness. While occasional temples pop up in towns, the most interesting ones are the ones guarded in secret in the Terra Nullius, where a single whisper may reveal a complex society, and just as soon vanish.
=== The Creation of the Tess ===
In the time when the world was still young, when the stars danced close to the earth, there lived a mighty being known as the King of Dirt. He was born of the earth itself, shaped from the rich, fertile soil, and was the elder brother to all that grew and walked upon the land. 
One day, as the King of Dirt walked among the hills and valleys, he saw the world was empty and devoid of life. His heart filled with sorrow, and he reached down to scoop up a handful of the earth. He blew gently upon the soil in his hand, and as the dust drifted away, it transformed into countless seeds that scattered across the land. Wherever a seed landed, there sprang forth a tree, a flower, or a blade of grass. The world grew green and lush, filled with the sound of rustling leaves and the sweet scent of blossoms. 
But the King of Dirt was not yet satisfied, for the land was still silent, devoid of laughter and song. So, he walked to the shore where the land kissed the sea. He knelt down and scooped up a handful of wet sand. Mixing it with the dirt, he shaped the form of a man and a woman, first of the Tess. He pressed his hand over their hearts, and as he lifted his palm, their chests began to rise and fall. They opened their eyes, filled with wonder, and their voices rang out, breaking the silence of the world. 
He then made a pact with his creations, that if they remember him and follow his ways they will have prosperity. He then made a mound, and as a symbol of his pact created the Blue-Orchid Seed and planted it at the peak of the mound. It quickly sprouted forth and its beauty was known to the man and woman, who were overwhelmed and overjoyed. The King of Dirt watched as the man and woman multiplied, spreading across the land, living in harmony with the earth. They danced under the stars and sang songs of gratitude to the King of Dirt, who had given them life. For many generations, this held true.
However, as time passed, some forgot their gratitude and began to take more from the earth than they needed. They cut down the trees and poisoned the rivers, forgetting the balance that the King of Dirt had taught them.
Seeing this, the King of Dirt's heart ached, but he knew he could not reverse what had been done. Instead, he decided to teach them a lesson. He chose to retreat, to hide beneath the very soil he was born from, waiting for the day when they would remember and return to the old ways.
It is said that those who respect the earth, who plant a seed or build a mound in his honor, can still hear the King of Dirt's voice whispering on the wind. He reminds us of the sacred balance, of the life that springs from the earth, and of the respect that we owe to the land that sustains us. The King of Dirt may be hidden, but he is never truly gone, for he lives in every grain of soil, in every root and stone, watching over the world he helped to create.
=== Contact info ===
Get in Contact with a Priest! Message Talimar#5027 on Discord or https://discord.gg/WxvVV6QNrD for our public Discord.
Category:Religions
Category:Traveler's Era