Bartollanism

### Tenets

Sanctity of Nature, Matriarchal Spiritualism, Respect for Veterans, Ruralism, Sacred Childbirth

### Direction

Inward

Bartolianism is the largest Brytite denomination. It is considered by most as the successor of previous Brytite traditions, and the main orthodox branch of the religion. Despite this, it is the denomination that is most differentiated from the old Brytite faiths, as when Gaia replaced Kairos as the Council's godhead, 'Her' influence over the religion became near-absolute, leading to a big shift in values, rites and structure.

## **Structure**

### **Clergy (Spiritual | Pacification and Control)**

The clergy exists in the form of druids, ordained men and women who perform and oversee rites, serve as advisors to local authorit and care for the natural balance. Druids are are to sort out natural excesses, such as plagues or invasive species, as well as caring for the welfare of the faithful community. Druids are allowed (and encouraged) to marry. They are expected to have some proficiency in Alchemy, Morphomancy and Hulemancy, perform divination and commune with higher powers, as well as dispense wisdom and spiritual enlightenment born from their observance of natural cycles.

Druids typically serve crucial roles in their community. they Legitimize temporal power, offer herbal remedies without pay, and provide unity to local culture, instructing younger generations in the talents and lore of their ancestors. As legitimacy of temporal powers relies entirely on the support of religions authorities, there is little separation between them. Although it is impossible for a druid to hold a political role themselves, it is even more so for a politician to perform without their supervision. In a king's court, they may be a chief advisor or court wizard; in a city, they typically become mendicant preachers and doctors; and in smaller settlements, they may replace the mayor or elder as the leading political figure.

Each druid belongs to a Circle, which is headed by two Daughters of Gaia. As the name implies, the role of Daughter can only be held by women. These are selected and trained by their predecessors or, if this is impossible, are directly chosen by the Council. The Daughters of Gaia convene at the spring equinox within a hidden grove, where they commune with the Mother Goddess, discuss and formulate responses to pertinent matters, and elect one among them to serve as Gaia’s chief representative, bestowing them the title of Pontiff, at the death of the previous holder of the title.

It is normal for a druid to have a garden or small plantation to grow plants that are typically used in brytite rituals - namely hibiscus. To that end, they carry a sickle, ideally made from rose gold so as to simultaneously appease the *higher triad* - Gaia, Fengyaion and Íllion - which became so iconic that it is now synonymous with druidhood.

### **Temples (Monasteries | Spiritual and Secular)**

If more than a few druids are assigned to the same area (such as the case with a metropolis or large city), they frequently build a Grove away from urban areas, where they shape the wood and make use of natural formations to construct living abodes for themselves and their families, as well as temples and gardens. When not living within a Grove, Druids are typically hosted by shrines and hospitals, as it is there where they will most frequently perform their duties. Each Grove is responsible for a particular geographical region, usually demarcated by large forests and mountain ranges. Each is expected to maintain a private dinning hall, intended to host any necessary gatherings, and two small apartments to house any of their Circle's Daughters, should they happen to visit or live there. A Grove is also typically dedicated and named after an aspect of the higher triad, or of natural phenomena, such as Moonlight, Rain, Daybreak or Woodlands.

Although traditional shrines and temples do exist, these are only built when access to a natural holy ground is impeded. Shrines can be anything from a small recipient for offerings or sacrifices, to lavish statue gardens, or precious figures housed in a dedicated altar.

Temples are even more diverse. Most possess dedicated places of worship for every deity in the pantheon, while others are solely focused on only one deity. In the latter cases, the temple will also serve some secular role, such as a house of law, a hospital, a barrack or fortress, a university, a library, or even as the house of an oracle.

## **Beliefs**

### **Virtues and Sins**

Bartollanism holds Humility, Loyalty, Justice, Erudition and Lust as cardinal virtues, while Wrath, Indolence, Pride and Envy are held as its cardinal sins.

It considers life and nature as sacred, the acts of farming, hunting and fishing are highly codified and respected. Wasting parts of an animal or plant is considered to be sinful, as it devalues their life and promotes further destruction of life, so bartollians tend to utilize them in a lot of their crafts, art and cuisine, usually being at the forefront of farming technology. Pregnancy is seen as a mystical, or even divine process, with the local community usually getting highly involved. Bringing harm to a mother or her child is a most abhorrent sins to bartollian societies.

### **Doctrines**

Blood and clan relations are seen as of great importance, though martial merit in itself is still somewhat valued. Necromancy is frowned upon, and outlawed for those outside of Kefka's Church, with whom druids maintain a cordial relationship. Blood sacrifices are officially banned for all but a few specialized druids. Arkomancy is highly frowned upon.

### **Soul**

In brytite belief, a person’s true self is the harmony between their three components: mind, body and soul. Souls are created naturally from the copulation of living creatures, an act that is given mystical properties. Because of they are not directly created by the gods, however, souls are imperfect and impure - allowing for temptation and sin. The body and body are thought to be restored to their prime and fused with the soul in the afterlife.

### **Warfare**

War and violence are seen as normal, as if even the gods had to battle for every blessing in an hostile universe, mortals even more so must respect it. Martial might is admired, and wounded veterans are seen with some reverence, usually becoming important elders and wise-men.

### **Role of Prayer**

Prayer and devotion to the gods maintains one in the right path and prevents them from committing evil acts during their life. Sins can be absolved by persevering in a holy labor or test issued by a priest of Íllion. This test can take any form, being entirely up to the priest’s discretion, so long as it is made in humility toward the Sun Goddess.

### **Role of the Gods**

During the day, Acteon helps one endure the harshness of the material world, providing one targets to aim for, a path to follow, and the courage to walk it. The soul is harmed in this process, so, during the night, Fengyaion heals the soul trough dreams, in which the goddess may communicate with a person trough symbolism and metaphors, attempting to help them trough their ordeals. Nightmares are either a sign of disappointment or a dire warning from the Moon Goddess.

Íllion issues the judgments and tests one faces during the day, granting the opportunity for redemption. Kvasir records one's every deeds, allowing them to be be fairly judged in the afterlife. Gaia nourishs the plants and the fertility of all creatures, promoting bountiful harvests and fruitful families.

### **Symbols and Art**

Sun, wheat, trees, the moon, antlers and animal imagery are very common in Bartollian artwork. Wood and bones are commonly utilized in everything from objects to architecture, preferably naturally shaped for its role, or made so through Hule- or Sarkomancy. Stone is used wherever it is not possible or convenient to use organic materials, preferably carved into sleek, organic curves and decorated in Bartolian mottifs.

### **Afterlife (Heaven, Hell and Reincarnation | Many Heavens, one Hell)**

Upon one’s death, a person is given a papyrus by an emissary of Kvsasir, containing 'His' records of their life and deeds, before the impurities of their soul drags them to the Infernal Rings. There, they must deliver the papyrus to Igaleth, and face 'His' judgment and trickery. If one cedes to 'His' temptations, sinned greatly, or harbored many evil thoughts in life, they are devoured by Igaleth and excreted as demons, doomed to suffer for the rest of eternity. If, however, they remain unfazed by 'His' offerings, and their sins are not so great that 'He' can judge them evil, their soul will be cleansed and sent to board the river Styx, into Kefka’s domain. When Kefka receives the soul, 'He' will ask them what god they love the most, and the afterlife they wish to spend their time in. If one answers truthfully, they are sent to the realm dictated by their heart, otherwise, they are drowned in the Styx, forgetting their life, and sent back to reincarnate in the Mundane World.

## **Sphere**

Bartolianism is the majority faith of the Summerwall Leagues, Chæmeron, Pragmas, the Wild Elves and Qirora.