The Marches religious beliefs - Revision history

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

2026-01-15T22:10:01Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Friar Alan.jpg\|title=Friar Alan Young of King's Stoke\|caption=The Marchers take a practical approach to religion.\|width=250\|align=left}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Friar Alan.jpg\|title=Friar Alan Young of King's Stoke\|caption=The Marchers take a practical approach to religion.\|width=250\|align=left}}
	__TOC__		__TOC__
	Long before the foundation of the Empire, the people of the Marches looked to their friars for spiritual guidance. These plain spoken folk were often at the centre of the Marcher households. Although they worked their own land, they also provided spiritual advice and counsel to their fellow [[Yeomen of the Marches\|yeomen]]. Many also served as scholars for their communities, acting as a [[Surgical skills#Chirurgeon\|chirurgeon]], assisting with the writing and interpretation of formal correspondence, and teaching letters and history to young children. Awareness of, and belief in, reincarnation was a strong component of Marcher faith even before [[The Way]] took hold. Today, some of these beliefs are seen as problematic by the [[~~Imperial~~ Synod]] - especially the beliefs to do with reincarnation as trees or vermin - but the Marchers cleave to them with stubborn indifference to the criticism of foreign priests.		Long before the foundation of the Empire, the people of the Marches looked to their friars for spiritual guidance. These plain spoken folk were often at the centre of the Marcher households. Although they worked their own land, they also provided spiritual advice and counsel to their fellow [[Yeomen of the Marches\|yeomen]]. Many also served as scholars for their communities, acting as a [[Surgical skills#Chirurgeon\|chirurgeon]], assisting with the writing and interpretation of formal correspondence, and teaching letters and history to young children. Awareness of, and belief in, reincarnation was a strong component of Marcher faith even before [[The Way]] took hold. Today, some of these beliefs are seen as problematic by the [[Synod]] - especially the beliefs to do with reincarnation as trees or vermin - but the Marchers cleave to them with stubborn indifference to the criticism of foreign priests.

	Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].		Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].

Hailmur at 01:25, 21 February 2025

2025-02-21T01:25:30Z

Hailmur at 21:08, 8 January 2024

2024-01-08T21:08:09Z

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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Friar Alan.jpg\|title=Friar Alan Young of King's Stoke\|caption=The Marchers take a practical approach to religion.\|width=250\|align=left}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Friar Alan.jpg\|title=Friar Alan Young of King's Stoke\|caption=The Marchers take a practical approach to religion.\|width=250\|align=left}}
			__TOC__
	Long before the foundation of the Empire, the people of the Marches looked to their friars for spiritual guidance. These plain spoken folk were often at the centre of the Marcher households. Although they worked their own land, they also provided spiritual advice and counsel to their fellow [[Yeomen of the Marches\|yeomen]]. Many also served as scholars for their communities, acting as a [[Surgical skills#Chirurgeon\|chirurgeon]], assisting with the writing and interpretation of formal correspondence, and teaching letters and history to young children. Awareness of, and belief in, reincarnation was a strong component of Marcher faith even before [[The Way]] took hold. Today, some of these beliefs are seen as problematic by the [[Imperial Synod]] - especially the beliefs to do with reincarnation as trees or vermin - but the Marchers cleave to them with stubborn indifference to the criticism of foreign priests.		Long before the foundation of the Empire, the people of the Marches looked to their friars for spiritual guidance. These plain spoken folk were often at the centre of the Marcher households. Although they worked their own land, they also provided spiritual advice and counsel to their fellow [[Yeomen of the Marches\|yeomen]]. Many also served as scholars for their communities, acting as a [[Surgical skills#Chirurgeon\|chirurgeon]], assisting with the writing and interpretation of formal correspondence, and teaching letters and history to young children. Awareness of, and belief in, reincarnation was a strong component of Marcher faith even before [[The Way]] took hold. Today, some of these beliefs are seen as problematic by the [[Imperial Synod]] - especially the beliefs to do with reincarnation as trees or vermin - but the Marchers cleave to them with stubborn indifference to the criticism of foreign priests.

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	''Monks'' live in politically powerful monasteries, their control of farmland granting them the power and influence of an equivalent household.		''Monks'' live in politically powerful monasteries, their control of farmland granting them the power and influence of an equivalent household.

			== Marchers and the Way of Virtue ==
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher Pilgrim.jpg\|caption=Not everything in the Marches is completely orthodox.\|width=250\|align=right}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher Pilgrim.jpg\|caption=Not everything in the Marches is completely orthodox.\|width=250\|align=right}}
	~~== Marchers and the Way of Virtue ==~~
	As with any adherents of [[The Way\|the Way]] the Marchers believe that unvirtuous behaviour and unworthy thoughts stain the soul, and that a soul that has more dark deeds weighing on its conscience than virtuous deeds is deemed wicked, and faces a dreadful fate after death. However, some of the older pre-Imperial beliefs about reincarnation still linger.		As with any adherents of [[The Way\|the Way]] the Marchers believe that unvirtuous behaviour and unworthy thoughts stain the soul, and that a soul that has more dark deeds weighing on its conscience than virtuous deeds is deemed wicked, and faces a dreadful fate after death. However, some of the older pre-Imperial beliefs about reincarnation still linger.

Cathtice at 17:28, 12 August 2021

2021-08-12T17:28:40Z

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	{{The Marches Links}}		{{The Marches Links}}

			[[Category:The Marches]]
			[[Category:Archetype]]

Rafferty at 16:16, 19 February 2020

2020-02-19T16:16:48Z

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	to the Winds of Virtue Chapter, 12BE</em></ic>		to the Winds of Virtue Chapter, 12BE</em></ic>

	~~[[Category:~~The Marches]]		{{The Marches Links}}
	~~[[Category:Nations]]~~

Rafferty: /* Marchers and the Way of Virtue */

2019-06-10T23:33:39Z

Marchers and the Way of Virtue

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:33, 10 June 2019
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	=== Shriving ===		=== Shriving ===
			Another old Marcher tradition holds that dark deeds can be mitigated somewhat through the ceremony of shriving. Marcher folk disavow their actions and try to cleanse their souls through this practice. By unburdening oneself of the misbehaviour and dark thoughts to a willing person, a trusted friar or monk, one makes them complicit in the actions and shares some of the burden. Both souls are then stained by the deed, halving the burden between them. The assumption behind shriving is that the person offering absolution - usually a priest - will pursue a highly virtuous life and thus mitigate the effect of some dark marks on their soul. Following the acceptance of The Way, Friars of the Marches continued to perform shriving, and the practice has occasionally been taken up by priests in other nations.
	<div style="float:right;"><quote by="from the Pickham shriving benediction">May your sins be shared,<br>your burdened halved,<br> and your spirit guided<br>by the virtues.</quote></div>		<div style="float:right;"><quote by="from the Pickham shriving benediction">May your sins be shared,<br>your burdened halved,<br> and your spirit guided<br>by the virtues.</quote></div>
	Another old Marcher tradition holds that dark deeds can be mitigated somewhat through the ceremony of shriving. Marcher folk disavow their actions and try to cleanse their souls through this practice. By unburdening oneself of the misbehaviour and dark thoughts to a willing person, a trusted friar or monk, one makes them complicit in the actions and shares some of the burden. Both souls are then stained by the deed, halving the burden between them. The assumption behind shriving is that the person offering absolution - usually a priest - will pursue a highly virtuous life and thus mitigate the effect of some dark marks on their soul. Following the acceptance of The Way, Friars of the Marches continued to perform shriving, and the practice has occasionally been taken up by priests in other nations.

	While [[liao]] is sometimes used during shriving, it is not generally accepted as a true liao [[Religious skills\|ceremony]] in its own right. Rather, some priests adapt the [[dedication]] ceremony that allows a priest and a pilgrim to share virtuous [[dedication#Dreams\|dreams]] to gain greater insight into the darkness within the petitioner, and to gain a clearer understanding of the burden that is to be taken on.		While [[liao]] is sometimes used during shriving, it is not generally accepted as a true liao [[Religious skills\|ceremony]] in its own right. Rather, some priests adapt the [[dedication]] ceremony that allows a priest and a pilgrim to share virtuous [[dedication#Dreams\|dreams]] to gain greater insight into the darkness within the petitioner, and to gain a clearer understanding of the burden that is to be taken on.

Rafferty at 23:33, 10 June 2019

2019-06-10T23:33:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:33, 10 June 2019
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	Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars and undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].		Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars and undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].
	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher Pilgrim.jpg\|caption=Not everything in the Marches is completely orthodox.\|width=250\|align=right}}~~
	Upon returning from Highguard, some of these pilgrims founded the first [[monastery]].		Upon returning from Highguard, some of these pilgrims founded the first [[monastery]].

	== Monks and Friars ==		== Monks and Friars ==
	Today there are two distinct priestly traditions in the Marches. The ''friars'' live amongst the households and market towns, tend to their spiritual needs and exert gentle but far-reaching influence.		Today there are two distinct priestly traditions in the Marches. The ''friars'' live amongst the households and market towns, tend to their spiritual needs and exert gentle but far-reaching influence.

	''Monks'' live in politically powerful monasteries, their control of farmland granting them the power and influence of an equivalent household.		''Monks'' live in politically powerful monasteries, their control of farmland granting them the power and influence of an equivalent household.
			{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher Pilgrim.jpg\|caption=Not everything in the Marches is completely orthodox.\|width=250\|align=right}}
	== Marchers and the Way of Virtue ==		== Marchers and the Way of Virtue ==
	As with any adherents of [[The Way\|the Way]] the Marchers believe that unvirtuous behaviour and unworthy thoughts stain the soul, and that a soul that has more dark deeds weighing on its conscience than virtuous deeds is deemed wicked, and faces a dreadful fate after death. However, some of the older pre-Imperial beliefs about reincarnation still linger.		As with any adherents of [[The Way\|the Way]] the Marchers believe that unvirtuous behaviour and unworthy thoughts stain the soul, and that a soul that has more dark deeds weighing on its conscience than virtuous deeds is deemed wicked, and faces a dreadful fate after death. However, some of the older pre-Imperial beliefs about reincarnation still linger.

Rafferty at 23:32, 10 June 2019

2019-06-10T23:32:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 10 June 2019
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	''Monks'' live in politically powerful monasteries, their control of farmland granting them the power and influence of an equivalent household.		''Monks'' live in politically powerful monasteries, their control of farmland granting them the power and influence of an equivalent household.
	~~<br style="clear:both"/>~~
	== Marchers and the Way of Virtue ==		== Marchers and the Way of Virtue ==
	As with any adherents of [[The Way\|the Way]] the Marchers believe that unvirtuous behaviour and unworthy thoughts stain the soul, and that a soul that has more dark deeds weighing on its conscience than virtuous deeds is deemed wicked, and faces a dreadful fate after death. However, some of the older pre-Imperial beliefs about reincarnation still linger.		As with any adherents of [[The Way\|the Way]] the Marchers believe that unvirtuous behaviour and unworthy thoughts stain the soul, and that a soul that has more dark deeds weighing on its conscience than virtuous deeds is deemed wicked, and faces a dreadful fate after death. However, some of the older pre-Imperial beliefs about reincarnation still linger.

Rafferty at 23:32, 10 June 2019

2019-06-10T23:32:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 10 June 2019
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	Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars and undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].		Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars and undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher Pilgrim.jpg\|caption=Not everything in the Marches is completely orthodox.\|width=250\|align=~~left~~}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher Pilgrim.jpg\|caption=Not everything in the Marches is completely orthodox.\|width=250\|align=right}}
	Upon returning from Highguard, some of these pilgrims founded the first [[monastery]].		Upon returning from Highguard, some of these pilgrims founded the first [[monastery]].
	== Monks and Friars ==		== Monks and Friars ==

Rafferty at 23:32, 10 June 2019

2019-06-10T23:32:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 10 June 2019
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	Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars and undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].		Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars and undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].
			{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher Pilgrim.jpg\|caption=Not everything in the Marches is completely orthodox.\|width=250\|align=left}}
	Upon returning from Highguard, some of these pilgrims founded the first [[monastery]].		Upon returning from Highguard, some of these pilgrims founded the first [[monastery]].
	== Monks and Friars ==		== Monks and Friars ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:25, 21 February 2025
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	Long before the foundation of the Empire, the people of the Marches looked to their friars for spiritual guidance. These plain spoken folk were often at the centre of the Marcher households. Although they worked their own land, they also provided spiritual advice and counsel to their fellow [[Yeomen of the Marches\|yeomen]]. Many also served as scholars for their communities, acting as a [[Surgical skills#Chirurgeon\|chirurgeon]], assisting with the writing and interpretation of formal correspondence, and teaching letters and history to young children. Awareness of, and belief in, reincarnation was a strong component of Marcher faith even before [[The Way]] took hold. Today, some of these beliefs are seen as problematic by the [[Imperial Synod]] - especially the beliefs to do with reincarnation as trees or vermin - but the Marchers cleave to them with stubborn indifference to the criticism of foreign priests.		Long before the foundation of the Empire, the people of the Marches looked to their friars for spiritual guidance. These plain spoken folk were often at the centre of the Marcher households. Although they worked their own land, they also provided spiritual advice and counsel to their fellow [[Yeomen of the Marches\|yeomen]]. Many also served as scholars for their communities, acting as a [[Surgical skills#Chirurgeon\|chirurgeon]], assisting with the writing and interpretation of formal correspondence, and teaching letters and history to young children. Awareness of, and belief in, reincarnation was a strong component of Marcher faith even before [[The Way]] took hold. Today, some of these beliefs are seen as problematic by the [[Imperial Synod]] - especially the beliefs to do with reincarnation as trees or vermin - but the Marchers cleave to them with stubborn indifference to the criticism of foreign priests.

	Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars ~~and~~ undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].		Following contact with [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Wayfarers\|wayfarers]], many friars undertook a pilgrimage to [[Bastion]]. Marcher folk are not easily impressed, but it is difficult to visit the great white towers of Bastion without being moved and inspired by their majestic spirituality, and soon other Marchers followed in their footsteps. Long discussions between the friars and the Highborn priests saw the legendary Marcher figure, [[Good Walder]], recognised as a Paragon of [[Prosperity]].

	Upon returning from Highguard, some of these pilgrims founded the first [[monastery]].		Upon returning from Highguard, some of these pilgrims founded the first [[monastery]].

	== Monks and Friars ==		== Monks and Friars ==
	Today there are two distinct priestly traditions in the Marches. The ''friars'' live amongst the households and market towns, tend to their spiritual needs and exert gentle but far-reaching influence.		Today there are two distinct priestly traditions in the Marches. The friars live amongst the households and market towns, tend to their spiritual needs and exert gentle but far-reaching influence.

	''Monks'' live in politically powerful monasteries, their control of farmland granting them the power and influence of an equivalent household.		Monks live in politically powerful monasteries, their control of farmland granting them the power and influence of an equivalent household.

	== Marchers and the Way of Virtue ==		== Marchers and the Way of Virtue ==
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	Another old Marcher tradition holds that dark deeds can be mitigated somewhat through the ceremony of shriving. Marcher folk disavow their actions and try to cleanse their souls through this practice. By unburdening oneself of the misbehaviour and dark thoughts to a willing person, a trusted friar or monk, one makes them complicit in the actions and shares some of the burden. Both souls are then stained by the deed, halving the burden between them. The assumption behind shriving is that the person offering absolution - usually a priest - will pursue a highly virtuous life and thus mitigate the effect of some dark marks on their soul. Following the acceptance of The Way, Friars of the Marches continued to perform shriving, and the practice has occasionally been taken up by priests in other nations.		Another old Marcher tradition holds that dark deeds can be mitigated somewhat through the ceremony of shriving. Marcher folk disavow their actions and try to cleanse their souls through this practice. By unburdening oneself of the misbehaviour and dark thoughts to a willing person, a trusted friar or monk, one makes them complicit in the actions and shares some of the burden. Both souls are then stained by the deed, halving the burden between them. The assumption behind shriving is that the person offering absolution - usually a priest - will pursue a highly virtuous life and thus mitigate the effect of some dark marks on their soul. Following the acceptance of The Way, Friars of the Marches continued to perform shriving, and the practice has occasionally been taken up by priests in other nations.
	<div style="float:right;"><quote by="from the Pickham shriving benediction">May your sins be shared,<br>your burdened halved,<br> and your spirit guided<br>by the virtues.</quote></div>		<div style="float:right;"><quote by="from the Pickham shriving benediction">May your sins be shared,<br>your burdened halved,<br> and your spirit guided<br>by the virtues.</quote></div>
	While [[liao]] is sometimes used during shriving, it is not generally accepted as a true liao [[Religious skills\|ceremony]] in its own right. Rather, some priests adapt the [[dedication]] ceremony that allows a priest and a pilgrim to share virtuous [[dedication#Dreams\|dreams]] to gain greater insight into the darkness within the petitioner, and to gain a clearer understanding of the burden that is to be taken on.		While [[liao]] is sometimes used during shriving, it is not generally accepted as a true liao [[Religious skills\|ceremony]] in its own right. Rather, some priests adapt the [[dedication]] ceremony that allows a priest and a pilgrim to share virtuous [[dedication#Dreams\|dreams]] to gain greater insight into the darkness within the petitioner and to gain a clearer understanding of the burden that is to be taken on.

	Because of the burden taken on by the confessor, pious Marchers expect to pay for this service, and contributions to pay for the shared guilt have helped swell the coffers of the monasteries.		Because of the burden taken on by the confessor, pious Marchers expect to pay for this service, and contributions to pay for the shared guilt have helped swell the coffers of the monasteries.

	Another way to deal with unvirtuous behaviour, which has not ~~traveled~~ quite so well, is through sacrifice, most often in a [[Marches culture and customs#The Wicker Man\|wicker man]]. This sacrifice also allows for one person to take the spiritual taint of failure and ~~unvirtous~~ behaviour from several people and then absolve themselves - and their companions - through self-sacrifice. A Marcher who offers themselves as a sacrifice is believed by fellow Marcher to be completely purified by the act, passing immediately to their next life.		Another way to deal with unvirtuous behaviour, which has not travelled quite so well, is through sacrifice, most often in a [[Marches culture and customs#The Wicker Man\|wicker man]]. This sacrifice also allows for one person to take the spiritual taint of failure and unvirtuous behaviour from several people and then absolve themselves - and their companions - through self-sacrifice. A Marcher who offers themselves as a sacrifice is believed by fellow Marcher to be completely purified by the act, passing immediately to their next life.

	<ic>Initially our efforts to spread the Way in the Marches were fruitful.<br>		<ic>Initially our efforts to spread the Way in the Marches were fruitful.<br>