Post by tik on Nov 6, 2012 15:15:15 GMT -5
The gathering of the holy trio
[/b][/u]This is a small guide to the Gathering of the Holy Trio Cult. Please note that all this info is for players OOC. In character, most of this would not be known by characters who did not grow up within the cult. There’s a guide at the end detailing what characters who aren’t members might reasonable know. If you aren’t sure, please ask before assuming your character would know!
Main beliefs[/b]
The Gathering of the Holy Trio, more colloquially known as ‘The Gathering’ or by detractors referred to as a cult, worships the Johto Trio- Suicune, Entei, and Raikou. Worship involves a series of holidays, as well as private study. There are three sets of holy books, the Book of Wonders, the Book of Knowledge, and the Books of Devotion (4 books).
- The Book of Wonders deals with tales and stories of member interaction with the legendaries relating to holidays (unclear if any are historically accurate).
- The book of Knowledge contains information about the legendaries, some of which is true, some of which is cult conjecture. It also contains information about all the holidays.
- The books of devotions include a variety of things, such as stories that aren’t specifically related to holidays, prayers, specific rituals, etc. This includes actions relating to proving one’s worth or willingness to withstand the elements of the legendaries to honor them, such as withstanding extreme cold, handling hot objects, etc.
As the cult is located mainly within two conclaves in Goldenrod, members are part of a tightknit community. You may see a few scattered members living in other areas of Johto, but not outside of the region, and no more than a few hours away from Goldenrod. You won’t find them in distant cities.
Pillars of Entei
- Entei is considered to be male. He represents humility, compassion, loyalty, mercy and protection.
- One 'trial' used to show devotion to Entei is withstanding heat, such as using coal braziers in an overly warm room before or during prayer. More extreme members may touch or lay down on hot coals, or otherwise expose themselves to fire.
- Entei's biggest holiday is the Day of Redemption
- Children are often given an amulet of Entei to keep them safe
- Traditionally, younger children are more likely than older children to be named for Entei.
- Members of the fringe group who perform outright self-mutilation in the name of the Gods may inflict severe burns or heat damage on themselves. These people are seen as extremely pious by some, as foolish or excessive or destroying the body the gods gave them by others. Typically, a family with one member such as this will receive admiration for raising someone so devoted to the Gods, but if multiple members take this path, they may be seen as extremists or as a burden to the community, as these injuries may make the person dependant on others to support them.
Pillars of Suicine
- Suicune is considered to be male. He represents piety, justice, righteousness, logic, and faith.
- Suicune's biggest holiday is the Day of wonders. The traditional ceremony involves three laps around a temple in the snow barefoot, various prayers and ceremonial dedications, use of chemical-colored candle fires, followed by prayers inside a room with no heat. Traditionally, followers kneel on the floor during these prayers, though those in risk of frostbite are allowed suitable preventative measures.
- Am amulet of suicune is usually worn by everyone in the bridal party at a wedding, as well as the bride and groom, for their wishes that the two will do right by each other.
- Traditionally, older children are more likely than younger children to be named for Suicune.
- Members of the fringe group who perform outright self-mutilation in the name of the Gods may inflict frostbite or other similar harm on themselves. These people are seen as extremely pious by some, as foolish or excessive or destroying the body the gods gave them by others. Typically, a family with one member such as this will receive admiration for raising someone so devoted to the Gods, but if multiple members take this path, they may be seen as extremists or as a burden to the community, as these injuries may make the person dependant on others to support them.
Information about Raikou
- Raikou is seen as female, and represents the eventuality of death.
- Raikou is worshipped, but is not used in amulets and such. She is worshipped and not abhorred, but one doesn't want to tempt her to make an early visit.
- While some rituals have parts that mention Raikou, the only rituals solely aimed towards this god are funeral rites and illness rituals. There's a common ritual for those who are very ill and hospitalized- if it’s possible they may not survive, a lightbulb from their hospital room is broken to ‘ward off’ / announce unreadiness for raikou’s arrival.
The ‘evil’ bird trio of kanto
Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres are seen as false gods and scorned. Bird Pokemon are also scorned due to their resemblance.
The main area[/u]
Located on the fringe of Goldenrod, the main portion of the cult lives here, led by 8 religious leaders and a generous handful of junior priests.
- If you joined and weren’t born in, you likely are here.
- If you married in, which is damn rare, also here.
- If you were born in and named after a legendary or element, you are from here.
- If you want to be part of the main cult, you likely live here.
This area is more cohesive, less extreme in bodily harm but equally extreme in beliefs. Everyone still knows everyone’s business, and gossip gets around, so make sure you obey the rules.
The area is isolated from outsiders, and are going to have their own schools under malthus. Malthus Whitewood, current admin of Goldenrod, is the son of one of the religious leaders. The Whitewood family were originally one of the sole two religious leaders of the distal sect of the cult, but moved a few years ago to the main area.
This area is located to the north west of Goldenrod, in what was once a wooded area. The cult built up the area, which contains a large and a smaller church, as well as housing and a town set up not unlike a very large gated community.
The off-shoot / distal segment[/u]
- Has more of the folks who tend to harm/mutilate themselves for the gods
- Names relating to legends are seen as wrong and not used, elemental/nontraditional names aren’t used. Old fashioned families only, very few/selective with newcomers.
- Integrated somewhat with outsiders, including going to outsider schools
This area is in the main city area of Goldenrod, near one of the churches of dialga. It was somewhat damaged during the fighting. One road housing several cult members was destroyed by a certain Rocket executive, though the rest of their housing and the church were unharmed.
Names related to the legendaries
(used only in the main area, not the off-shoot)
Daeneger (boy from 3rd book of devotions, who preserves a cave suicune once visited and entei helps him on the day of wonders)
Aleony (11 year old martyr for Entei, mentioned in 2nd book of devotions and the tale of the Day of Gifts)
Renard (father of Aleony)
Emmaline (mother of Aleony)
John Amherst (tried to cheat Raikou by living without any electricity/rejecting her, killed by lightning, the name john is usually avoided due to this)
Named after legends:
Enteia (F)
Enten/Entein (M)
Suicurren (M)
Suicarra (f)
Entechei (m)
Enteissa (f)
Suili (pronounced Sue lee) (f/m)
Tashei (m)
(Feel free to invent your own)
Marriage[/u]
- Women are married at 18-20, Men at 20-25ish
- Remarriage is permitted only after a mourning period of 2 years and after certain rituals, 3 years if due to divorce, with an exception if one has kids under age 5, in which case since the cult believes kids need two parents, you can remarry within 6 months.
- However, if you have kids under 5 you can only divorce if one partner shows a loss of faith, commits a felony, or is involved in infidelity that leads to a pregnancy.
- Divorce is generally frowned on, but if it’s for infidelity or a partner’s loss of faith, it can happen. No-fault divorce is likely to get you kicked out or severely sanctioned and you may be denied remarriage.
- Gay marriage is not recognized, as the cult sees homosexuality as sinful.
Child rearing[/u]
- Large families are the norm. Having less than five children is frowned upon, and may be cause for investigation to see if either partner requires fertility treatments. 6-8 children is average, but more than that is not uncommon. While birth control is permitted if the parents feel they can not currently handle more children, and some measure of spacing is encouraged, children are seen as a blessing and it's expected that people will want as many of them as they can possibly support.
- Corporal punishment is used and recommended for children up until puberty. This is never done with hands, as hands are for helping and caring. An object (belt, rod, etc) will be used so the child doesn't learn to associate the parents' hands with pain. While child abuse isn't condoned, the cult operates away from outside eyes as much as possible, and no one's likely to turn in a parent who takes this too far. Some children in the cult bear scars from parents who resorted to cruelly excessive measures.
- Obedience is key. Children are educated, but religious education takes priority, 'outsider' school homework is often left undone or handled by the older kids to get it out of the way. It doesn’t impede the cult's sense of honor to do this because they don’t recognize authority of outsiders.
Role of women
UNFINISHED SEGMENT
- Have lots of kids, marry young
- Kids take priority, part time jobs allowed if the husband agrees
- Physical domestic violence isn't condoned but it is normal for a husband to have control of the wife's career pattern / be able to veto her decisions.
[/list
Pokemon
Birds like the evil kanto trio are considered bad and forbidden within the community. Flying types who resemble bats, bugs, or creatures other than birds are permitted.
Allowed:
Zubat/Golbat/Crobat
Scyther
Gyarados
Dragonite
Togetic /togekiss (some fringe elements do not approve)
Hoppip/skiploom/jumpluff
Mantyke/mantine
Tropius
salamence
drifloon/drifblim
fan rotom
woobat/swoobat
Butterfree
Ledyba/ledian
yanma/yanmega
gligar/gliscour (fringe groups hate them)
beautifly
masquerain
ninjask
mothim
combee/vespiquen
emolga (fringe groups hate them)
hydreigon
vibrava/flygon
golurk
volcarona
No:
Charizard (under debate)
Pidgey/pidgeotto/pidgeot
Spearow/Fearow
Farfetch’d
Doduo/Dodrio
Aerodactly
Hoothoot/noctowl
Natu/xatu
Murkrow/honchkrow
Delibird
Skarmory
Taillow/swellow
Wingull/[elipper
Swablu/altaria
Starly/staravia/staraptor
Chatot
Pidove/tranquill/unfezant
Sigilyph
Archen/archeops
Ducklett/swanna
Rufflet/breviary
Vullaby/mandibuzz
Piplup/prinlup/empoleon
’Devotions’ / regular rituals
TO BE ADDED
Extreme practices [/u]
TO BE ADDED
The public eye[/u]
TO BE ADDED
Massive families- most cult members have 5+ kids and marry young.
Behind closed doors[/u]
TO BE ADDED
Corporeal punishment isn’t waved around in the public eye, though those with excessive parents may bear scars
Many of their pain-withstanding rituals, only the mildest forms are known, like the snow walking since that’s visible/done outside
holidays[/u]
To be added
Other legendaries[/u]
To be added
Ho-oh: Seen as a lesser legendary whose job is to serve/revive the real Gods, they treat Ho-oh rather neutrally but don’t worship it.
Lugia: Similar to Ho-oh. Seen as a creation made to help control the evil bird trio and keep them in line, but as a lesser legendary.
The third center[/u]
After the destruction of goldenrod, Malthus took over the city administration and began rebuilding. One project is a memorial. In order to staff the memorial, which is also partially a museum with a working model of goldenrod before the tragedy, there’s been a site built for cult members to live in / worship at, right off the edge of the memorial grounds. Right now people go there on rotation, but in the future it may be expanded to a permanent residence / a third full church.
Characters involved with the cult
[/u][/center]Malthus Whitewood, city admin of Goldenrod, active member of the Gathering. Brother of Lamarck and Kearny.
Lamarck Whitewood, Nox Guerilla, fled/no longer a member. Brother of Malthus and Kearny.
Kearny Whitewood, Lux civilian, Active member of the gathering. Brother of Lamarck and Malthus.
Devin Arquette, Lux Collector, fled/no longer a member
Venitia Whitewood, Lux Soldier, Believer in some but not all of the cult's teachings. Cousin to the other three Whitewoods.
Marlin Harper, Nox sympathizer, cult sympathizer with ties to Kearny.
Toviel WhitlockLux, cult member and breeder married to Medana.