Mother Rhoyne

The **Mother Rhoyne** is the historical religion of the Rhoynar, named after the chief goddess. The personification of the great River Rhoyne and a number of lesser river gods, that view the waterways as a sacred, life-giving force.

## Gods

* The **Mother Rhoyne**: The chief goddess, closely associated with the river Rhoyne.
* The **Old Man of the River**: A lesser god. The son of the Mother Rhoyne, and his form is that of a giant turtle. According to Rhoynar beliefs, the Old Man of the River fought the Crab King for dominion of all life below the flowing water. The giant turtles of the Rhoyne, the Old Men of the River, are named after him.
* The **Crab King**: A lesser god. He fights the Old Man of the River for dominion of all life below the flowing water. According to legends, the Long Night ended when a hero convinced them to put aside their bickering and join together to sing a secret song that brought back the day.

## Beliefs

Their faith and culture are intrinsically linked, strengthening the bonds of their community, though it excludes foreigners. Dogmatic adherence to old restrictions is seen to only harm the faithful. As long as they stay true to their core beliefs, they can adapt their laws to the world around them. The natural world is seen as the creation of the divine, and everyone is merely a guest in it. They must respect and honour every tree, every animal, and even the ground itself. The religion and the origin of the Rhoynar are linked heavily - the world was once just water, and Mother Rhoyne's waters have nourished them (and their crops), and when the world finally does end, it'll be consumed in water once again.

## Practices

### Worship

There are no specific places of worship in Westeros, as any body of water is suitable. Rivers are most typically attended by the followers, who may wash and bathe in the waters and be one with the Mother Rhoyne. Prayer and marriages are done in front of these waters. There are those that commit their lives to the Mother Rhoyne, typically known as river-sisters. There are no holy texts, no songs of worship, and no rites or specific rituals.

### Marriage Customs

A marriage ceremony takes place in a river, lake, or coastal water. The bride and groom are escorted by their eldest living relative. Marriage ceremonies are rather short and contain no holy people. River-sisters may be present, but it is not required. The bride and groom simply state their name and pledge their life to their intended. Words and promises and vows vary from person to person.

#### Polyamory

Though they may take one spouse, the followers of the Mother Rhoyne see the pleasures of the flesh as sublime in a way that transcends other earthly experiences, bringing the followers closer to the divine, and believe in glorifying sexual desires and seeking out opportunities to fulfil them. Love for each other should be as unconditional as Mother Rhoyne's love for us. It is agreed that one must cast away strange notions of one person owning the affections of another.

### Death

#### Afterlife

Unlike most other religions, the followers of the Mother Rhoyne do not believe in life after death.

#### Funeral Customs

All are born from water, all carry water within them, and when they die, they are commended back to it. The body is wrapped in cloth and pushed out to water on a raft. Although this is usually performed by the river-sisters, there are no specifics rites or words to be spoken, as the Mother Rhoyne is believed to take all, regardless.