Category:Church of Brightwell - Revision history

Rock: /* Relationship with other Faiths */

2025-12-29T15:50:16Z

Relationship with other Faiths

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	[[Category:Religion]]		[[Category:Religion]]
	[[Category:Religion of the Wartorn Cluster]]		[[Category:Religion of the Wartorn Cluster]]
			[[Category:Religious Institution]]
	[[Category:Rock's Timeline]]		[[Category:Rock's Timeline]]
	[[Category:Wartorn Cluster]]		[[Category:Wartorn Cluster]]

Rock at 15:37, 29 December 2025

2025-12-29T15:37:21Z

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	[[Category:Chaotic]]		[[Category:Chaotic]]
	[[Category:Religion]]		[[Category:Religion]]
			[[Category:Religion of the Wartorn Cluster]]
	[[Category:Rock's Timeline]]		[[Category:Rock's Timeline]]
	[[Category:Wartorn Cluster]]		[[Category:Wartorn Cluster]]

Rock: /* Relationship with other Faiths */

2024-12-01T11:03:51Z

Relationship with other Faiths

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:03, 1 December 2024
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	As their patron holds little love for the other gods, the Church tends to keep most other faiths at arm's length or regards them as enemies. Particularly gods like [[Ezra]], [[Taiia]], [[Yutow]] and the [[Lawgiver]], who provide many rules and demand much of mortals, are seen as enemies of Brightwell and hence her Church.		As their patron holds little love for the other gods, the Church tends to keep most other faiths at arm's length or regards them as enemies. Particularly gods like [[Ezra]], [[Taiia]], [[Yutow]] and the [[Lawgiver]], who provide many rules and demand much of mortals, are seen as enemies of Brightwell and hence her Church.
	Open hostility is rare, though not unheard of, but the Church of Brightwell prefers to display its animosity through sabotage, subtle curses and murder under cover of night, rather than open warfare.		Open hostility is rare, though not unheard of, but the Church of Brightwell prefers to display its animosity through sabotage, subtle curses and murder under cover of night, rather than open warfare. One marked exception is the church of ''[[il Demonio]]''; even though the followers of Brightwell's [[:Category:Son\|son]] have standing orders to try and engage in positive relations with those of his [[:Category:Mother\|mother]], Brightwell's followers are more than likely to erupt in open violence as soon as they encounter them.

	The few faiths that are accepted as friendly, generally are treated with cool politeness under normal circumstances, and can count on support in difficult times with no mention of a need for compensation.		The few faiths that are accepted as friendly, generally are treated with cool politeness under normal circumstances, and can count on support in difficult times with no mention of a need for compensation.

Rock: /* Titles */

2024-11-27T11:58:10Z

Titles

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:58, 27 November 2024
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	==Titles==		==Titles==
	Auntie Thirteen, Breaker of Chains, Breaker of Worlds, Dreaming Goddess, Dreaming Vixen, Enemy of Ezra, the Great [Redacted], Our Lady in Darkness, Rising Fiend, Queen of Keys, the Vixen, Witch Goddess		Auntie Thirteen, Breaker of Chains, Breaker of Worlds, Dreaming Goddess, Dreaming Vixen, Enemy of [[Ezra (Deity)\|Ezra]], Enemy of [[Taiia]], the Great [Redacted], Our Lady in Darkness, Rising Fiend, Queen of Keys, the Vixen, Witch Goddess

	==Spell Domains==		==Spell Domains==

Rock: /* Relationship with other Faiths */

2024-08-01T11:04:22Z

Relationship with other Faiths

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:04, 1 August 2024
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	Many of the divergent origin myths of Brightwell tell how she suffered at the hands of other gods, particularly Lawful ones who wished to constrain her, but also Chaotic ones that wished to dominate her - and some her own children who badly disappointed her in various ways.		Many of the divergent origin myths of Brightwell tell how she suffered at the hands of other gods, particularly Lawful ones who wished to constrain her, but also Chaotic ones that wished to dominate her - and some her own children who badly disappointed her in various ways.

	As their patron holds little love for the other gods, the Church tends to keep most other faiths at arm's length or regards them as enemies. Particularly gods like [[Ezra]], [[Yutow]] and the [[Lawgiver]], who provide many rules and ~~demands for~~ mortals, are seen as enemies of Brightwell and hence her Church.		As their patron holds little love for the other gods, the Church tends to keep most other faiths at arm's length or regards them as enemies. Particularly gods like [[Ezra]], [[Taiia]], [[Yutow]] and the [[Lawgiver]], who provide many rules and demand much of mortals, are seen as enemies of Brightwell and hence her Church.
	Open hostility is rare, though not unheard of, but the Church of Brightwell prefers to display its animosity through sabotage, subtle curses and murder under cover of night, rather than open warfare.		Open hostility is rare, though not unheard of, but the Church of Brightwell prefers to display its animosity through sabotage, subtle curses and murder under cover of night, rather than open warfare.

Rock at 14:18, 29 January 2023

2023-01-29T14:18:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:18, 29 January 2023
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	The '''Church of Brightwell''' is a [[religion]] centered on the mercurial [[deity\|goddess]] known as [[Brightwell]]. While the Church is most widely accepted in the [[Wartorn Cluster]], it claims its roots lie in the [[Core]] and it has already spread to other parts of the [[Demiplane of Dread]].		The '''[[Church of Brightwell]]''' is a [[religion]] centered on the mercurial [[deity\|goddess]] known as [[Brightwell]]. While the Church is most widely accepted in the [[Wartorn Cluster]], it claims its roots lie in the [[Core]] and it has already spread to other parts of the [[Demiplane of Dread]].

	==Symbol==		==Symbol==

Rock: /* The Great Upheaval */

2023-01-29T14:17:42Z

The Great Upheaval

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:17, 29 January 2023
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	==Church and State==		==Church and State==
	Although the Church has a certain effect on local events, it is notoriously unwilling to (openly) involve itself with politics, even in the case of governments that display a positive attitude towards the faith. Even in the Domains known as [[Broken Wheel\|the Broken Wheel]], [[Lund\|West-Lund]], [[Malopelagio]] and [[Umbrash]], where there exist proper churches and even cathedrals dedicated to Brightwell, the faith keeps itself aloof from temporal politics - unless said politics are perceived as having devolved into tyranny and/or hostile to the faith. Generally speaking, a government with a positive attitude towards the Church of Brightwell should feel vindicated if the Church is merely standoffish but remains visible and non-hostile. Under these circumstances, the faith can occasionally be relied upon to be helpful to the populace, as can any church that provides spellcasting services. By the time the Church of Brightwell goes underground and engages in acts of sabotage and guerilla warfare against a government, it is generally safe to assume that a government has crossed the line, and has made an enemy of a folk faith with a long tradition of avoiding persecution and fighting tyrants.		Although the Church has a certain effect on local events, it is notoriously unwilling to (openly) involve itself with politics, even in the case of governments that display a positive attitude towards the faith. Even in the Domains known as [[Broken Wheel\|the Broken Wheel]], [[Lund\|West-Lund]], [[Malopelagio]] and [[Umbrash]], where there exist proper churches and even cathedrals dedicated to Brightwell, the faith keeps itself aloof from temporal politics - unless said politics are perceived as having devolved into tyranny and/or hostile to the faith. Generally speaking, a government with a positive attitude towards the Church of Brightwell should feel vindicated if the Church is merely standoffish but remains visible and non-hostile. Under these circumstances, the faith can occasionally be relied upon to be helpful to the populace, as can any church that provides spellcasting services. By the time the Church of Brightwell goes underground and engages in acts of sabotage and guerilla warfare against a government, it is generally safe to assume that a government has crossed the line, and has made an enemy of a folk faith with a long tradition of avoiding persecution and fighting tyrants.

	~~==[[Grand Conjunction\|The Great Upheaval]]==~~
	The Church of Brightwell is divided as to whether its patron had anything to do with the Great Upheaval. As the formation of the Wartorn Cluster coincides with the Great Upheaval, allowing various cults and sects of Brightwell to connect, the event is generally seen as a net gain for the Church. Certainly, the calamitous event appears to have increased the Church's scope and potential influence, indicating a beneficial situation for Brightwell herself. However, the various sects are not altogether convinced that Brightwell ''caused'' the Grand Conjunction, with the majority tending to believe the goddess capitalized on the event by somehow guiding the way it developed.

	==Relationship with other Faiths==		==Relationship with other Faiths==

Rock: Created page with "The '''Church of Brightwell''' is a religion centered on the mercurial goddess known as Brightwell. While the Church is most widely accepted in the Wartorn Cluster, it claims its roots lie in the Core and it has already spread to other parts of the Demiplane of Dread. ==Symbol== The Church has several symbols, among them: A sleeping fox, its nose tucked into its tail. A succubus, rising from nightmares, clawing and screaming at the heaven..."

2023-01-29T14:16:30Z

Created page with "The '''Church of Brightwell''' is a religion centered on the mercurial goddess known as Brightwell. While the Church is most widely accepted in the Wartorn Cluster, it claims its roots lie in the Core and it has already spread to other parts of the Demiplane of Dread. ==Symbol== The Church has several symbols, among them: *A sleeping fox, its nose tucked into its tail. *A succubus, rising from nightmares, clawing and screaming at the heaven..."

New page

The '''Church of Brightwell''' is a [[religion]] centered on the mercurial [[deity|goddess]] known as [[Brightwell]]. While the Church is most widely accepted in the [[Wartorn Cluster]], it claims its roots lie in the [[Core]] and it has already spread to other parts of the [[Demiplane of Dread]].

==Symbol==
The Church has several symbols, among them:
*A sleeping fox, its nose tucked into its tail.
*A succubus, rising from nightmares, clawing and screaming at the heavens.

==Alignment==
Brightwell is [[Chaotic Neutral]].

==Favoured Weapon==
[[Sword cane]]

==Portfolio==
[[Arcane magic]], [[Witchcraft]], [[science]], martial arts, [[prostitute|prostitutes]], [[thief|thieves]], the [[moon]], darkness, the [[night]], [[dream|dreams]], [[knowledge]], [[Vixen|Vixens]], fertility, lust, madness, nightmares

==Titles==
Auntie Thirteen, Breaker of Chains, Breaker of Worlds, Dreaming Goddess, Dreaming Vixen, Enemy of Ezra, the Great [Redacted], Our Lady in Darkness, Rising Fiend, Queen of Keys, the Vixen, Witch Goddess

==Spell Domains==
In D&D 3.5, Brightwell's spell domains are: [[Chaos Domain|Chaos]], Darkness, [[Dream]], [[Knowledge Domain|Knowledge]], [[Lust]], [[Madness]], [[Magic Domain|Magic]], Mind, [[Moon]], [[Strength Domain|Strength]]

In Pathfinder 1E, in the [[Domain]] of [[Lilliend]], Brightwell's spell domains are: [[Chaos Domain|Chaos]], Darkness, [[Knowledge Domain|Knowledge]], [[Madness]], [[Magic Domain|Magic]], Rune. Its subdomains are: Arcane, Insanity, Language, Loss, Memory, Moon, Night, Nightmare, Thought

==Clergy==
Clerics of Brightwell can be [[Chaotic Evil]], [[Chaotic Good]], [[Chaotic Neutral]] or [[True Neutral]]. They receive their spells at dusk, when darkness encroaches upon the land and men, women and creatures alike need all the power they can get to resist the forces that would enslave, maim or kill them.

==Hierarchy==
As the faith of a chaotic goddess, the church of Brightwell has little in the ways of an established hierarchy. Those who excel, be it in power, wisdom or skill, tend to rise to the leadership of their respective congregations. If a believer who excels does not wish to wield authority, however, they are not required to do so. Inter-congregation differences are typically decided by ways of vote or direct competition. Visitors to other congregations either submit to the local leadership or may contest for equal or superior standing.

==History==
In the [[Wartorn Cluster]], Brightwell's faith rises with the majority of the local Domains' own history, and is already rooted in local [[False History|false history]]. From these Domains, it has spread to most of the Cluster and beyond, as [[Cleric|Clerics]] wandered into the Mists and practised their faith elsewhere. As the faith was already present in the majority of Domains when they first combined into the Wartorn Cluster, it is difficult to say which might be its true origin.

A common element in the church's own oral history, however, is that the faith was carried to the Wartorn Cluster by a chosen of the goddess who originated somewhere in the [[Core]]. As a result, the Church believes that there is holy ground dedicated to their divine patron somewhere in the Core, even if they are not certain where it might be.

==Beliefs and Practises==
The mythology of Brightwell is confused and multiform. Some believe she is a goddess who was abused by other gods, fell into the Mists, and struggled her way back into power. Others believe she was a [[Demon|demon]] [[Succubus|succubus]] who was cast into the Mists for studying, only for her to claw her way onto a divine throne. Yet others believe she was once mortal; a [[thief]], a [[prostitute]], a [[scientist]] or a [[witch]], who suffered through a hard life but still managed to ascend to her current status. The faithful believe that in some way, all these stories are true, or at least represent the same truth: that their patron had to fight for the majesty she now possesses, and that she holds hatred for all who would oppress others and dictate the way their lives should lead.

Brightwell's primary command to her faithful is to be a saint, be a sinner, be whatever they choose to be, but regardless to ''be'' themselves as best and as hard as they can. The faith sets very few limits on the behaviour of the faithful, forbidding slavery, the twisting of others' minds and bodies with the goal of enslaving them, and abuse of young children. Crimes like [[murder]] and [[torture]] are considered to be a competition of will and skill, and thus not regulated.

Generally speaking, the only gifts Brightwell bestows are infrequent dream oracles; singposts to warn her faithful of danger ahead or chances within reach. Other than this, she encourages her followers to improve themselves: educate their minds, train their bodies, sharpen their fangs. While Brightwell will not cup the faithful in her palm and protect them, she will light the fire in their bellies and their brains to help keep them going, and lend her support to their actions when they live fierce and free and the way they wish.

Good-aligned followers of Brightwell seek to tear down tyrants and uplift the oppressed. Evil followers of Brightwell want to burn down the unfair and imperfect world so they can build a better one on its ashes. Chaotic Neutral followers of Brightwell pursue knowledge and power at all costs so they can rebuild the world into something worthy of their patron. True Neutral followers tend to lead quiet lives, pursuing dream oracles, passing down knowledge to the young, and focusing on the needs of their own community.

Worship services are held in response to astrological events or dream oracles, to facilitate magical rituals or scientific experiments, or to celebrate major events in the lives of the faithful. Although some permanent temples do exist, faithful of Brightwell prefer to meet in stone circles outside the circle of lights cast by civilization. Here they ward their ceremonies with magic, light fires, drink wine and eat roasted meat, sing songs and tell stories, and dance under the light of the moon and stars.

There is no set uniform for [[Cleric|Clerics]] of the faith, and no special requirements for clergy, other than that they must believe in the goddess. Local bias in some countries may be that women are more likely to become clergy, but there is no true dogma to enforce this in any Domain.

==Organization and Schisms==
The faith of Brightwell has little in the ways of formal organization. Leadership lies with those who are special enough to garner the admiration of their fellows, ambitious enough to seize the reins of power, and competent enough to retain the loyalty of the community. No leader has even an ounce more authority than their followers are willing to give them, and those who try to get more than their due soon fall under suspicion of blasphemy.

Most communities are oriented locally and tend their own patch. If two communities come into conflict, the general tendency is to either reconcile or ignore the differences or else for the weaker to move to a new area; truly violent conflict between communities is rare, even if individual believers may at times fight to the death.

The faithful typically convene when it suits them, although they prefer gathering at night and under the light of Brightwell's moon. If a minority or an individual wishes to depart and found their own community, or simply to practise their faith alone, they are free to do so. Only when the faith comes under attack or a believer is found to have violated the few rules of the church, do communities pool their resources to inflict harm on the enemy or the blasphemer.

==Church and State==
Although the Church has a certain effect on local events, it is notoriously unwilling to (openly) involve itself with politics, even in the case of governments that display a positive attitude towards the faith. Even in the Domains known as [[Broken Wheel|the Broken Wheel]], [[Lund|West-Lund]], [[Malopelagio]] and [[Umbrash]], where there exist proper churches and even cathedrals dedicated to Brightwell, the faith keeps itself aloof from temporal politics - unless said politics are perceived as having devolved into tyranny and/or hostile to the faith. Generally speaking, a government with a positive attitude towards the Church of Brightwell should feel vindicated if the Church is merely standoffish but remains visible and non-hostile. Under these circumstances, the faith can occasionally be relied upon to be helpful to the populace, as can any church that provides spellcasting services. By the time the Church of Brightwell goes underground and engages in acts of sabotage and guerilla warfare against a government, it is generally safe to assume that a government has crossed the line, and has made an enemy of a folk faith with a long tradition of avoiding persecution and fighting tyrants.

==[[Grand Conjunction|The Great Upheaval]]==
The Church of Brightwell is divided as to whether its patron had anything to do with the Great Upheaval. As the formation of the Wartorn Cluster coincides with the Great Upheaval, allowing various cults and sects of Brightwell to connect, the event is generally seen as a net gain for the Church. Certainly, the calamitous event appears to have increased the Church's scope and potential influence, indicating a beneficial situation for Brightwell herself. However, the various sects are not altogether convinced that Brightwell ''caused'' the Grand Conjunction, with the majority tending to believe the goddess capitalized on the event by somehow guiding the way it developed.

==Relationship with other Faiths==
Many of the divergent origin myths of Brightwell tell how she suffered at the hands of other gods, particularly Lawful ones who wished to constrain her, but also Chaotic ones that wished to dominate her - and some her own children who badly disappointed her in various ways.

As their patron holds little love for the other gods, the Church tends to keep most other faiths at arm's length or regards them as enemies. Particularly gods like [[Ezra]], [[Yutow]] and the [[Lawgiver]], who provide many rules and demands for mortals, are seen as enemies of Brightwell and hence her Church.
Open hostility is rare, though not unheard of, but the Church of Brightwell prefers to display its animosity through sabotage, subtle curses and murder under cover of night, rather than open warfare.

The few faiths that are accepted as friendly, generally are treated with cool politeness under normal circumstances, and can count on support in difficult times with no mention of a need for compensation.

[[Category:Netbook-canon]]
[[Category:Homebrew non-canon]]
[[Category:Chaotic]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Rock's Timeline]]
[[Category:Wartorn Cluster]]