Mercy

## Domains

Compassion, restraint, healing, honesty, light, gold, the sun, love, and all emotion.

## Tenets

   As the Father of the Church of Mercy

I have sworn to uphold these fundamental truths:

To speak and act truthfully. My service must be unclouded by lies and deceit. Her works and Her blessing are to always be fully understood. Never will I withold Her light, Her compassion, or any of Her gifts from another. Never will I contort Her meaning. No falsehood may keep Us apart. Only through integrity may I best serve Mercy.

To protect. The Church of Mercy is Our home. Our gift. As the halls of Our shelter remain open to all who seek refuge, so too are Our hands. I will never to fail to extend myself. Neither the fall of our home or a crack in my shield will halt my oath. I will not hesitate to use my own vessel in the name of Mercy.

To exercise restraint.

To heal. I am to grant Our children relief from their pain. Through the Goddess, and her everlasting compassion, I will cure them. Through the arts of medicine, I will soothe. Prudence will not my judgement. If a man, woman or child seeks my aid, I must aid them to the best of my ability- and Our ability is unparalleled.

To be chaste. My devotion to Mercy must be without equal. My faithfulness to Her must be uncompromising. No physical temptation can rival the blessing of the Goddess. No mortal coil can dissuade Our bond. My love for Mercy remain as immaculate as the Goddess Herself.

The Church of Mercy

Has accepted these fundamental truths,

I, too, accept them into my heart.

I swear by all the Gods and Goddesses

That I will carry out Her word:

To exercise restraint, especially in the face of temptation. I will withold my anger. I will stay my hand. I will abstain from causing any harm unto another. I will temper my hunger for all carnal pleasures- to best give my body, mind and soul unto Mercy.

To speak and act truthfully. I will remain pure in my intent, as I preach Her works. I will not withold that which I know to be certain from those within my care. I will not mislead, not will I exaggerate. So long as I draw breath, I am beholden to my word and that I swear to another. I will honor my oaths and my bonds, but none more so than that between myself and Mercy.

To heal. I will never turn a blind eye to the weary, the sick, or the injured. Pure are my hands. Pure is Her blessing. Pure is made blood spilled when held by Mercy.

To protect. Her hands are open to all who accept Mercy into their hearts. I will open my hands, my home and my church in turn. I will give my bread, my coin, and my shield to those who are in need. I will never turn a blind eye to those seeking aid. In whatever form I can give myself, always, I will seek to give myself Mercy.

## Invocation

**Intended Use:** Light, comfort, temperance, slow healing, protection.

**Paragon of Devotion:** Rapid healing (can extend to others). Artificial tissue or limb replacement. Melt enemies (blinds onlookers). Impose physical and/or emotional restraint.

**Indications of Abuse:** Chest pain, followed by production of blood from the mouth.

## Summoning

> "*This is one thing you need* **never** *ask for. You can* **always** *speak with me.*."
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While summoned, Mercy is dependent on Richard's love, light, compassion, and proximity. (They all seem to hold equal significance to Her.)

Intimacy has been capable of extending Her physical manifestations to upwards of 3 days at a time. Distressing the Goddess through confrontation, distance, or otherwise not demonstrating Her love language taxes Richard proportionately.

They see each other every Sunday, at minimum— at which time **no one else** can invoke Mercy.

## Faith of a Goddess

> "Promise me, then. Promise me that you will live your best life. No matter what den of sin you must enter, or what enemies that come upon Our door. No matter what illness may befall you, or how dearly Our tenets are tested. Promise me that you will stay true to yourself, Richard. Your search for answers. All of your compassion, and humility, and love. Never stop sharing hope with the world. *Never let your light go out.*"
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''*Don't respect a man for making a promise. Respect him for keeping it.*

**+10 FAITH OF A GODDESS**

Richard has forged a PACT with a GODDESS.

This bonus can and will be lost if his word is not kept (e.g. actions unbecoming of Mercy's tenets, self-destructive behavior, and/or sabotaging his self-improvement.)

Severe psychological and emotional consequences can and will result if his word is not kept, and the promise is broken.

This permanent modifier applies to all actions befitting of Richard's promise to Mercy (e.g. forging new political alliances, sparing enemies, healing the sick, protecting the weak, etc.).