Turinism

## Overview

Turinism is the state and most commonly practiced religion of Toria. It is widespread throughout the country, though the church itself holds less political power than some other nations of similar size. It focused around the six deities of the Steel Pantheon, five of which are actively worshiped.

## Beliefs

In Turin religion, people place their faith in the members of the Steel Pantheon; The Ore, The Delver, The Smith, The Guard, The Artisan and The Marred, the deities responsible for the creation of the world. Each of the deities represent a certain domain or field of existence, and are credited with different aspects of creation. As such, certain deities tend to be worshipped more by different people depending on their location or profession.

### **Creation Myth**

The Turin creation myth focuses on the Ore, the father of the Pantheon, and the Marred, his wife. It is said that the Ore and the Marred formed the world together, crafting the land, water, plants and animals from Uuraia, the Unseen Flame. The pair then had four children, the other members of the Pantheon. These four wished to give some of their divine understanding to the creatures of the world. To bestow, and thus spread, the gift of creation.

The Ore agreed with his children, but the Marred did not. She wished to hoard the power of creation to herself. So, as the Ore and his children created humanity and the other sentient races, the Marred created the Cursed Ones in secret, creatures of destruction. The Cursed Ones rushed across Verramar, killing everything in their way. Any that survived the onslaught were corrupted by the Marred's malice and cruelty, the origin of negative emotions.

The Marred then gave some of her power to these corrupted individuals, a blessing of destruction. Her most powerful general, the Marredwalker, personally led the attack on those people remaining.

The other members of the Pantheon were horrified by the intensity and swiftness of the attack. Steeling themselves, they struck her down, naming her the Marred and erasing her prior name. She was imprisoned behind the stars, creating the night in a rage as she unleashed her power, all that she could do to try and erase her family's creations.

Once the Marred was locked away, the Pantheon imbued a mortal with access to their own divine power; the Brightwalker. This one went forth, slew the Marredwalker and sent the Cursed Ones away. Those that were corrupt were restored, but their curse corrupted the ways of men forever more. The last curse from the Marred.

### **Morality**

The primary tenant of the Turin faith is doing good with the gift of nature, with further creation or safeguarding creations being the best examples.

The active worship of the faith is also a quiet one, with most Torian's only performing religious rituals on certain holidays. Torians believe the deities can see their actions always, so working hard for a common good is seen as the best form of worship over things like speeches and congregating in buildings.

The only form of religious expression shared by all Torians is the carrying of metal. Metal is seen as the purest form of the Five's touch on the world, so carrying it is a sign that you respect their creation; a silent thanks.

When it comes to relationships, Turinism is focused on creating lasting bonds between those involved, and then guarding those bonds. Breaking a marriage oath, or having relations outside of said oath, is frowned upon. In contrast, creating and raising new life is seen as a high act of virtue.

Same-sex relations aren't common or actively encouraged, but neither are they discriminated against. Those that engage in such are also held in high regard if they adopt and raise lost children; safeguarding creation.

### **Life After Death**

The Turin faith believes in a gentle afterlife for those that strived towards good and leaving the world better than they found it, without harming others to get there. Their afterlife involves being accepted in the glowing arms of the Five; in particular the member they followed most closely, for an eternity of peace and rest.

Those that were geared towards destruction, torment and left the world worse than they found it are left for the Marred to consume. Their spirits are absorbed into the darkness of the night, congealed and twisted in a writhing mass of liquidized, melting metal. Thus is the fate of the Cursed Ones.

### **Temples**

Any town of reasonable size will have a Turin church as part of its layout. These churches aren't generally used for ceremony outside of specific holidays. Instead, they act as a place of quiet for more focused prayer, a library for scripture and Turin literature and a home for the priests and their family.

The temples themselves will always have statues of the Five within, though some may focus on one more than the others. Alternatively, in larger cities, there may be an individual temple for each of the Five.

The churches are always kept clean and relatively simple in design, typically constructed of stone and marble, with accents of various metals. Excessive opulence and adornment is generally seen as unnecessary within the walls. Those wanting to display wealth in a church will often do so through the building's size and materials used to construct it, rather than things like artwork.

### **Prayer**

Prayer is a common practice among the Turin faith, but it is seen as a very individual process and experience; a link between the worshiper and the Five directly. Even priests do not pray on behalf of the people. They will instead offer a time for the people to pray themselves, playing a soft song as an interlude.

The Turin churches are typically used as a place of prayer, as they offer a place of quiet outside of the bustle of a busy city.

### **Scripture**

The Turin faith has no single sacred text, but it does have a number of mythological, theological and biographical texts that describe tales of mortals dealing and interacting with members of the Pantheon and those imbued with their power. There are also a large number of scholarly accounts outlining the spread of the religion itself.

## Culture

The Turin Church is ingrained quite heavily into the people of Toria, with it's roots dating back thousands of years. However, it also lacks much political and social power. Part of this is due to the practical nature of the religion itself; focused on performing good acts over supplying a specific organisation, but the majority is due to the church falling under the Torian crown in terms of hierarchy.

### **Metal**

As mentioned, metal is held in high regard all across Toria. The origin of this belief is linked to the Turin faith, as most ascribe metal to be the closest thing to the 'body' of the Five. As Toria holds some of the highest quality ore across all of Verramar, this faith and the overall metal industry has flourished considerably.

In general, metal that has low corrosion and high lustre is deemed more prized than those of lesser value, but all metal is appreciated.

### **Holidays**

Turinism celebrates six annual holidays, the only days the temples are used for active worship. These correspond to the members of the Pantheon, including a day to celebrate the victory against the Marred.

### **Law**

The Turin church has a few specific tenants that have made it into the legal system of Toria, often linked to the maintaining and spread of creation.

#### Right to Letters

Linked to the worship of the Artisan and the nature of the Arcs. Every Torian has the right to learn how to read and write, with most cities offering courses at public schools for this basic education. Most villages will also have a Booksmith, who offers the same trade to the people of the area.

#### Right to Travel

Linked to the worship of the Delver. Every Torian has the right to travel freely throughout the land, so long as they do not disturb others doing likewise.

#### Right to Family

Linked to the worship of the Smith. Every orphaned Torian, especially those orphaned by conflict, has the right to a home. This usually takes the form of one of the Crown-sanctioned orphanages dotted throughout various cities and villages across the country. Certain families can also be given a stipend if they volunteer to raise orphaned children, though this is tightly monitored.

#### Right to Metal

Linked to the worship of the Guard. Every Torian has the right to carry a metallic ornament, trinket or symbol, and this metal can be worn in anyone's presence, unless it is a weapon. To strip someone of their last metal is seen as a grievous offence.

## Priesthood

The Turin priests, sometimes called Mediators, are the primary religious body of the Turin Church. Their main purpose is the spread and encourage the worship of the Five, and to help their followers to pursue their callings, use their talents, and better the world around them.

Most Mediators were simple robes of blue and white cloth, adorned with a simple chain around their neck, displaying one or all five holy symbols. Some will wear additional metal apart from this, but not enough to stray into a show of wealth. They are also expected to be clean and modest, though there isn't much else limiting their physical appearance or expression.

### **Hierarchy**

The Turin Church, while influential, possess little political power. Their temples are owned by the Crown and the people, akin to a public park, with the Mediators serving the Crown or their local lord. No Mediator is allowed to participate in other politics or hold social offices. However, they do provide both spiritual and practical wisdom to the Barons, City Lords and people they serve.

In matters of faith, the Mediators are led by the Turin Council, based out of Hewenhall. This body is typically brought together to discuss various societal issues, scripture and religious undertaking. They also organize the nationwide logistics of Church resources and funds.

The Turin Church is divided into the following ranks.

* **Pure Speaker**: The highest ranking individual within the Turin Council. Has final say in matters of faith.
* **High Speaker**: The majority of the Turin Council. There are roughly thirty High Speakers at any given time.
* **Speaker**: Priests in charge of a large temple within a city, often an advisor to a City Lord.
* **High Mediator**: Priests in charge of a local temple, church or group of followers.
* **Mediator**: General priests that work within a temple, church or group of followers. The most common form of priest.
* **Page**: A Mediator is training.

### **Roles and Responsibilities**

More than anything else, the Mediators act as a spiritual guide to help the common people in times of strife and to strengthen their faith. Their doors and ears are always open, as the saying goes. Those in higher positions or those linked to certain families are also tasked with maintaining the spiritual wellbeing of their charges.

Mediators will also perform specific rituals on the six holiday days of the Turin calendar. These range from giving sermons, melting and forging certain ore, dressing as the Marred One and the Five to be cast down, and a dozen other smaller rites.

In more general terms, the Turin priesthood is also tasked with helping the less fortunate; safeguarding the creations of the Five. This includes acts of charity such a providing easy shelter, giving food and water, providing healing and medicine and similar moral actions.

Some Arcanists also become Mediators, adding their magic to aiding the people.

### **Family**

Mediators are not prohibited from getting married and having children. In fact, many are encouraged as it is considered one of the purest forms of creation. In addition, many Mediators adopt or raise orphaned and displaced children, with their church doubling as the orphanage.

Some Mediators with families will often have a secondary home outside of the church, but most live within the building proper.

### **Funding**

The Turin Mediators are funded directly by the local lord, lady or Baron who's land their church resides in. Each priest is allocated a wage, as their role is seen as an essential and highly valued one. This wage scales depending on the temple, the Mediators rank and the responsibilities they manage.

Other funding is passed down through the feudal system, allocated by the Crown and the Treasury.