Geomancy

**Geomancy**, also known as the Faith of the Earthmother, is a religious movement worshipped by those who follow the teachings of the Worldspeaker. It's core principles dictate the healing of the World, and its teachings allow its followers to incorporate beliefs from other religious orders and movements.

## Beliefs

Followers of Geomancy, known as Geomancers, believe in the idea that the world itself is a deity. This entity is called the Earthmother in the teachings of the Worldspeaker. It is believed that She was created by the gods of Light and Dark, though the identities of these gods are never stated. The purpose of the Earthmother is said to bring peace between the powers of Light and Dark, often referred to as the Sky.

When the Earthmother grew lonely, it is said the Sky offered Her a brother, known to the Geomancers as the Seafather. While it is implied this deity is of equal standing to the Earthmother, Geomancers are taught to distance themselves from His worship while respecting His place in the world.

Still lonely, it is believed that the Earthmother then created Her own children. The First Children are said to be the plant life. The Second Children are said to be the animals. The Third Children are said to be Mankind, who the Earthmother hid from Her brother. It is believed that the first of Mankind breached the surface of the world, and were seen by the Seafather, who sent the Sculk down into the ground in order to drive them from their cities and spread them across the surface.

Now at odds with each other, the sibling deities are believed to have shed tears that formed into materials found around the world, lava from the Earthmother and prismarine from the Seafather. To stop the fighting, the Seafather is said to have created obsidian from the merging of lava and water, offering the gift to his sister in order to bring them back together.

At peace with one another, it is believed that the Earthmother allowed Mankind to spread across the surface, so long as Her brother always allowed for the creation of Obsidian.

The Nether is considered an unholy place to be avoided amongst Geomancers, and those that enter it must go through a ritual in order to cleanse themselves of the Nether's effects.

## Practices

Core practices of Geomancy revolve around fixing chasms and holes left behind by other people. These are known as Great Scars by the followers and are to be filled with excess dirt in order to reshape the land into something more suitable for building or farming.

Sustainable beliefs are also practiced by the followers, such as replanting cut trees or redirecting rivers instead of blocking them for building. Protecting all three children of the Earthmother is also practiced.

The welcoming of others into the faith is also practiced. Followers are encouraged to seek out the practices of other religions while holding the core tenants of Geomancy within their beliefs, and the followers of other religions are encouraged to pick up Geomancy in addition to the religion they already hold. While it is discouraged by core followers, it is still accepted to follow the teachings of Geomancy as a lifestyle while avoiding the religious beliefs.

## Structure

The leader of Geomancy is an individual known as the Worldspeaker, or Speaker for short. The current Speaker is Ghoulbreath, the First Speaker.

The duties of the Speaker include spreading the teachings, guiding the followers, acting as the chief diplomat of the faith, declaring the Voices, and working on behalf of the Earthmother. Only one Speaker may exist at any time, and if the current Speaker should die or give up the title, the remaining Voices will meet and declare a new Speaker by majority vote.

The Speaker may declare a follower of the faith a Voice of the Earth, or Voice for short. Voices are leaders of the faith that have healed a Great Scar and built a temple upon it. While this is the only requirement within the teachings to become a Voice, it is still up to the Speaker to declare them individually. The Speaker is considered a Voice themselves, acting as their leader, though the roles are considered separate, and the Speaker may give up their role without differing from their role as a Voice. It is believed that a Voice must give three gifts to the world in an effort to mirror the actions of the Earthmother, though what these gifts are is left up to interpretation. A Voice that has not offered their three gifts may not ascend to the role of Speaker.

The Words of the Earth, or Words for short, are followers declared as such by the Voices. These individuals are often considered to be of some importance to the faith or to the world, enough to warrant them a position higher than the standard Geomancer. They may run small temples, act as liaisons to cities or towns, or maintain shrines in specific locations.

Geomancer is the standard position given to all followers of the faith and is bestowed upon the believer by a Word or Voice. They are to follow the teachings of the Speaker, but are not expected to offer anything to the religion as a whole.

Believers of the faith that have not yet been elevated by a Word of Voice are considered adherents, and hold no rank or duties within the order. Believers may be faithful of other religious orders, or believe exclusively in the mythos of Geomancy.

Individuals that follow the teachings of the Speaker but do not follow the religious ideals or tenants of Geomancy are known as neophytes, and may not be elevated to Word or Voice without going through a trial or ritual to reaffirm their embrace with the Earthmother.

## Temples

The only temple of Geomancy is the Temple of the Earth, located on the southern peninsula in southeastern Syltör proper. It features the first temple, build by the First Speaker, as well as two small halls dedicated to the beliefs and tenants of the faith.