Reborn Werranism

The Reborn Werran Rite, also known as Reborn Werranism, is the form of Werranism practiced in the swamps of Sároserdők, and the rite enforced by the Order of Hope Reborn. Originally created when native beliefs regarding magic, witchcraft, and priestly authority were syncretized with the foreign Werran faith, leading to the radical local beliefs being melded seamlessly into the "new" faith.

## Structure

Reborn Werranism is tied, inseparably, to the established government of the Order of Hope Reborn. The family is considered the first unit of the religion, and society at large, with the eldest male of the household being the primary authority within the household. A collection of families create a village, which itself has its primary authority of all matters of religion invested in the local inquisitor. Every local community has a priory, which is generally home to at least one inquisitor (although more can be assigned if population renders one inquisitor insufficient). Inquisitors, while primarily viewed as religious leaders, also take upon themselves the position of mayor, judge, and sheriff. Religious and civil law are considered one in the same. Religious devotionals are held weekly and attendance is mandatory with the exception of those incapable due to illness or infirmity.

When necessary, (generally nightly,) Inquisitors call a group of young men to aid them in searching for witches, or performing any other duty which requires additional bodies. This is called the posse system, and can be levied in times of witch-hunt or war.

Every collection of 20 inquisitors elects amongst themselves a Grand Inquisitor, who fulfills duties of region-wide administration. These administrative regions are known as lanterns. Currently, there are 15 lanterns, the most populous being the Lanternate of **Esősfalu.** The Lantern of Esősfalu doubles as the Grandmaster of the Order, also known as the Highest Inquisitor, who is also the Bishop of the Reborn Rite. To date, there has never been a time when the Bishop Supreme has refused to install the Grandmaster of the Order as the Bishop of the Reborn Rite, and in the minds of practitioners the offices are one in the same, although in technicality the Bishop Supreme could choose any clergyman for the position of Bishop of the Reborn Rite.

While Inquisitors do not have a specific uniform they must always adhere to, frequently being seen wearing armor of various qualities, Inquisitors are required to wear red-lace around their neck, ankles, and sleeves, to denote their position. They are also frequently seen wearing robes and gloves, as a way to avoid uncleanliness or being touched by witches.

## Beliefs

Reborn Werranism is a near perfect blend of local beliefs and Werranism. Unlike traditional Werranism, however, the Reborn rite believes there to be only one god, Arkhas, although you would never hear a practitioner uttering that name as they believe it a grave insult against their deity to say His name in any circumstance other than your own death. Generally preferred names are "The Creator", "The Father", "Providence", or most commonly, simply "Him".

All other gods, of all other nations, are believed to be demons misguiding and fooling superstitious heathens into evil. This is unusual among Werrans, who typically believe all gods to be real divinity, with Arkhas merely being "their team" who they wish to "help win".

Arkhas in the Reborn rite is considered to be an aloof and generally apathetic god, who, due to His perfection, is entirely disinterested in the affairs of mortals. It is only in suffering and death in His name that mortals can hope to commune with Him. Due to this, various forms of self-harm in the name of penitence are performed. This ranges from the usage of "prayer candles", wherein an individual in time of great need will hold their folded hands inches above a flame to allow the rising hot air to burn their hands as a method to commune with Him, to individuals guilty of severe sins and crimes volunteering to be beaten and whipped in public by an inquisitor for the remission of their sins, and for the alleviation of suffering in their personal life.

## Beliefs on Witches

According to the Reborn rite, one area in which Arkhas is not apathetic is the question of witches. Witches, according to the Reborn rite, are an entirely separate species from other mortals, with them merely inhabiting husks that appear to be human. It is believed that witches are malicious creatures who intentionally infiltrate communities, propagate within them as seemingly normal families, before organizing themselves into covens to hunt down non-witches. Witches are believed to have not been created by Arkhas, but rather by some "other, unknown entity", and are thus hated by the god. It is because of this hate that Arkhas has gifted the inquisitors of the Order the tools and power to defeat them, and, hopefully, one day wipe them from the face of Sabrim. Due to them being an entirely separate race, it is believed the children of witches are, themselves, witches; regardless of age. They also believe it impossible for a witch to have a child with a non-witch, meaning that the spouse of a witch is also a witch.

It is believed, however, that should a witch die and not have the proper procedure done to prevent their spirits from leaving their body, that their spirit can escape, becoming a demon to torment non-witches, in addition to being able to possess people, animals, and inanimate objects, transforming them into grotesque monsters or, in the case of people, leading them to commit atrocities or suicide. This is the Reborn explanation for mental illness, largely.

Inquisitors are believed to be infallible when declaring who is and who is not a witch, with the only other time they are privy to this infallibility being when they are choosing a new Grandmaster.

## The Rite of Damnation

The process by which a witch may be killed safely goes as follows:

Already having gone through trial under the watchful eye of a Inquisitor of the Order, by their mere selection as being a witch, no mercy shall be given to any of them. Under the watchful eye of a single inquisitor, a posse of men take a single witch and strap them down to a crucifix-like creation. The cleansing process is thorough and diligent, being carefully designed like an art piece to minimize risk of the spread of their foul magic. Firstly, the witch is blindfolded and gagged, before their arms are broken at the wrist with silver hammers. Then, blades heated glowing-hot are used to remove the hands. This is to prevent the witch from bleeding a substantial quantity, as witches' blood curses the ground it falls on. The more blood, the greater the curse, in addition to the fact witches are able to cast spells using hand signs. This same process is then performed on their feet, at the ankle, as the same signing can be done with toes and even gestures of one's wiggling feet. It is after this is performed that the eyes of the witch are then removed with the same hot daggers, which have been reheated to burn any blood residue and insure the blades are effective. The eyes are removed to prevent the witch from possessing any of the men around her through her eyes, or using her gaze to sow doubt into the hearts of the inquisitors or their posse. Finally, at the end of the whole process, a metal implement is used to open the witches mouth wide through the gag, before the gag is removed and the witches' tongue is cut out, to prevent them from uttering a spell or calling for help from their demon familiars. It is only after this process is performed that they are hoisted upon a large wooden stake, as all their possessions that could be carried by the inquisitor's posse are thrown into a massive pyre. It is at this point that the blind and mute witches are read their final rite; the rite of damnation, which reads as so.

"Foul demon; Your plot has been discovered, and your burrow smoked out. The darkness that hides you has been illuminated by the torch that is the heart of the righteous, and by the Grace of Providence, you have been captured by the leg and dragged into the light, hissing and befouling His name every yard. You have lived a life hiding amongst the Children of Righteousness, the Children of Man, but without soul or emotion, existing as only lifeless husks to imitate life in an attempt to profane it. For this cause, we find you revolting, we find you contemptible, and most of all we find you guilty of the greatest crime; even unto death does your sin reach. Your pitch-black soul has no destination but damnation; no recourse but the eternal suffering you have sold your soul for in your pact with the Forces Unnatural. Into fire, we commend your spirit. To ash, we reduce your flesh. To dust, we induce your bones. For the glory of the light, we cast out your darkness."

The pyres are then lit.

Infant children can safely be thrown onto the fire, as while they will grow into capable demons, they have yet to reach an age at which they can cast magic or even escape their body. After the fires have died down, the ashes and remains are buried in an unmarked mass-grave, before the land is sanctified and hallowed to prevent the spirits of other witches from resurrecting the deceased witches' bodies for their own use.