Ministry of the Three

The People’s Ministry of the Lyss- or simply "the Ministry", is a religious organization driven by extremist ideals. Instead of a large pantheon, the Ministry worships a trinity of beings, none of which are technically "gods" themselves (but combined become "the Lyss"- meaning "Blind God" in the aboriginal Shelcian language).

Originating in the slums of Shelcia, the Ministry has become one of the most powerful organizations in the Interstate in less than two-hundred years.

## The Three

### The Maker:

In theory, the Maker is the most powerful of the Three, but is often the least actively name-dropped by the Ministry's followers. According to the scriptures, the Maker was the one who created not only the world, all life, and the other members of the Three, but also wrote the Scriptures.

They are often pictured as a faceless, vaguely humanoid being of light and fire, surrounded by halos and music and shit.

### The Overseer:

The second of the Three, the Overseer (like his name suggests) is the being who watches over the world, keeping an eye on humanity and making sure they don't go awry. He is also the one who deals out punishment if the rules of the Scriptures are broken, so is often viewed as a terrifying or ominous figure.

He is often pictured as a giant eye, sometimes inside a pyramid or triangle, and has been drawn with not only halos circling him, but planets as well.

### The Lord of Bones:

The Lord of Bones, despite its title, is the only member of the Three usually depicted as female. The Lord is the being which resides over the underworld, so is therefore responsible for the dead. Her name is the most often casually sworn upon, with phrases like "Oh, Lord" and "Lord take you" being commonplace. Though, "Overseer above" is also common for expressing disbelief.

She is often pictured as an angelic woman with many arms, covered in swirling tattoos, wearing a white dress and a skull over her face. She is always drawn holding something in one or more of her right hands; usually a staff, but also bloody swords, the severed heads of sinners, etc.

## History

The history of the Ministry is a complex one, and changes drastically depending on who you ask. The Scriptures begin with the death of a tyrannical god- often assumed by scholars to be the Dead God of the Glass Desert- who had reigned over the world before the arrival of the Three.

*"I am Power," The Pretender said, his voice a whirlwind. "I am Good. I am Death. I am God."*

*"You are wrong, King of Fools." Spoke a Greater voice, Light descending upon the waters. And the Pretender knew fear.*

 As per the above quote, it can be assumed that the Lyss- being the true God- overpowered the Pretender and brought light to the world (which at that point, was apparently nothing but water).

Interestingly enough, even though the Scriptures only take credit for the "death" of the Dead God, Atticus DeOssie often wrote about the involvement of a "voice" in his discovery of nuclear power, which eventually lead to the bombing of the Black Tower and the exodus of the Old Gods. This "voice" is sometimes attributed to the Lyss, working to depose the Old Gods, though DeOssie could have also simply been insane.