Tetris
Tetris
Title(s): Patron God of Fynwell
Pantheon: New Gods
Power: Minor God
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Symbol: Peacock, One Eyed Lion
Portfolio: Justice, Democracy, Law
Domain(s): Light
Worshipers: citizens of Fynwell
Contents
Description
Tetris the Just, is the patron deity of Fynwell and god of justice democracy. He is portrayed as ornately dressed figure with mane of gray hair, and ashen gray complexion. He carries a staff with topped with a figurine of a peacock. He is often accompanied either by a peacock or a one eyed lion. The lion is usually depicted with a scar running down the forehead and missing the right eye.
Spread
The heart of the cult is in Fynwell and temples of Tetris are rare outside the city. That said, you can sometimes find his shrines wherever there are Fynwell immigrants.
Dogma
Tetris is said to have guided the people of the great city when they dethroned their kings and established the rule of the people. He watches over the city and ensures that it's laws are obeyed not only by the common folk but also by the rich and powerful. In his eyes, all citizens are equal.
The cardinal sins of the cult are tyranny, corruption and conspiring to subvert and overthrow the democratic rule of the people. Minor sins include breaking established laws and failing to vote in elections.
Shrines and Temples
Because Tetris is the patron of the city, and because it's cult encourages citizens to abide the law and participate in democracy, it's cult is in part sponsored by the state. There is at least one temple in every district though richer districts may have a temple complex.
A temple of Tetris is usually used as the local courthouse, town hall and a polling place is fitted as such. Most temples have a large auditorium where politicians can address the public, or where criminal trials can be conducted. Most also have an enclosed courtyards or gardens which can be used for public punishments and executions. Peacocks are a common sight in the temples as they are considered to be sacred. The priest feed and care for them as best as the can.
The architecture of the temple uses petcock and lion motifs. One eyed lion statues are common, but they are always portray the animal in a lying position with a peaceful and serene expression. Depicting the lion as roaring, prowling or in any position other than at rest is considered disrespectful.
Larger temples or temple complexes have barracks and training grounds for the Order Militant and the Order of the Morning Star.
It is common for each Ward to have at least one Tetris shrine, typically in a common city square or park. The shrine usually consists of statue of the god and a small altar or a lectern in front of it which can be used for making public speeches or used during local elections.
The temples and shrines of Tetris are at the heart of political life of the city.
Priesthood
The servants of Tetris wear ornate, multi colored robes, and carry peacock staffs. During ceremonies they also tend to wear a large brass or bronze halo, that is strapped to their back frames their head.
The clerics of Tetris organize themselves into four distinct orders:
- The Tribunes help to organize and oversee the elections, ensuring they are just and fair. On election day, they also walk the streets, calling out, knocking on doors to encourage people to vote. They are sworn to be impartial, and are prohibited from running for an office, or endorsing any candidate or a faction.
- The Justics organize and oversee court hearings. They are responsible for storing and maintaining the ceremonial masks used in criminal trials, and they anoint judges before trial.
- The Executors are responsible for administering the physical punishment to those found guilty during a trial. This usually involves lashing, branding, beheading and etc. They ensure that the proscribed punishment involves the minimum required amount of cruelty, and tend to the wounds and injuries they cause ensuring that the wounds heal properly and do not fester.
- The Order Militant trains battle clerics and palladins, most of whom go on to serve along side the City Guard or Fynwell military. They eschew the traditional robes, staffs and halos, and tend to wear practical tunics and a plate cuirass. They tend to adorn their caps or headbands with peacock feathers. In lieu of a staff they carry a heavy flanged mace.
There also exists a sub-division of the Order Militant known as the Order of the Morning Star. It was established after the demonic incursions, to act along side the Fulcrum as a second line of defense against supernatural threats. The order accepts only the best and bravest paladins from Order Militant who distinguished themselves in battle. They are put through grueling training, regimen and are given access to the finest weapons and armor available in the city.
The Morning Stars, as they are often called, typically fight in full plate, using a tower shield and a morgenstern. Their equipment is usually blessed with divine magic, and the unit leaders often arm themselves with holy relics or magical artifacts to augment their fighting powers. They are one of the most elite fighting forces in the city. That said, their oaths prohibit them from leaving the city which they are supposed to guard, or turning their weapons on the citizens, unless they pose a clear and imminent supernatural threat to the city. Thus they are usually only deployed to fight undead, fiends, monsters or rogue wizards.
Religious Observances
The cult's religious observances are usually related to Fynwell civics and public life.
On election days, Tribunes walk the streets sternly reminding citizens about their civic duty. They knock on doors and windows, and are not beyond dragging stragglers out on the street, or swatting them with their staffs. They have been known to forcibly clear out taverns and brothels. If a merchant or owner of a local business can't leave their store unattended, the Tribunes offer to guard it while they vote. Once the election is over and the votes are counted the Tribunes walk the streets announcing the results.
When elected officials are sworn into the office the Tribunes preside over the ceremonies. They administer the oaths of office and perform rituals to cleanse and anoint the official.
Before a criminal trial, Justics perform a sacred ritual during which they bathe, dress and anoint the seven judges with fragrant oils, before they take their oaths and adorn the ceremonial masks.
The best way to worship Tetris is by doing your civic duty: casting votes in elections, serving as a Judge, etc. Unlike many other deities, Tetris does not covet sacrifices or offerings, other than burning of incense at it's shrines or altars.
Sacred fragrant oils have special significance in the religion. They are used for cleansing rituals which help faithful to achieve clarity of mind and serenity needed to make important decisions.
