Order of the Mother

Description
The Order of the Mother is the name given to the collective followers of the Faith of the Mother. A religion in the Molgatta setting.

Those of the Faith of the Mother believe that all sentient life are the descendants of a deific figure they refer to only as 'Mother'. And that the first and greatest sin of the living was to stray from her embrace, and thusly, evolving. Rather than denying Evolution, the Order regards it as a mistake. The faithful revere 'Mother' as a goddess, but are never heard to refer to her as one. Instead, they speak of her more as their Matriarch. It is believed by the order that the Mother is in a deep slumber, somewhere at the bottom of the ocean.

The faithful in service of the order are divided into Sentinels (Paladins) and Clerics. Sentinels are tasked with defending the faithful from any that would seek to harm them, and to guide them on pilgrimages. Clerics are taught to care for the wounded, and to preserve the knowledge and lore of the Order. Either of these servant archetypes may be assigned as traveling missionaries.

Sacred Items and Taboos
It is forbidden to depict the Mother's physical form in any way. This is because it is considered heretical to assume one knows how she might choose to appear. It is also forbidden to describe her appearance in writing, or to write of her return outside of religious texts. It is considered proper to only refer to the mother as 'Mother' when speaking of her. (As opposed to 'The Mother'.) The visage of Wolves and Crows are considered sacred. However, it is not taboo to hunt or kill either animal. So long as the hunter only kills as many as they might need to craft, or stay fed. Killing animals for sport is not approved of by the order.

Sentinels, Clerics or others particularly faithful, will carry phials of Mother's Blood on yarn (or golden chains) around their necks. These phials will be poured unto hands for prayer when abroad, as opposed to drawing blood from a fountain while on sacred ground, or a church. These phials appear to refill naturally. While blood is used in many of the Order's rites and rituals, they do not approve of Elven Haruspexy.

Upon completing of their training, Sentinels and Clerics will begin hiding their faces from the unfaithful. Either underneath a helmet, hood or a shroud. While their faces are hidden, it is common that others will notice a distinct glint where the faithful's eyes would be, within their shrouded visor or hood. It is considered a taboo to allow one's face to be seen by the unfaithful, but if the faithful did not intend to be seen it is forgiven. Some groups of the order will have differing codes, due to the scourging of the order leading to the order being splintered.

Vestiments and Equipment
Nomadic groups of the order will often wear the furs of wolves, whereas Sentinels and Clerics living in one place will wear the feathers of crows. Due to the impoverished state of many flocks, Sentinels often wear mismatched suits of armor. The faithful most often dress in black, red and brown. Despite the repeated blood soaking in rituals, mother's blood never stains the clothes of the faithful.

Scourging of the Order
Despite their docile way of being, the Order are alienated by the unfaithful, due to their strange practices and bitter rumors. Many a mother's church has been razed by the unfaithful, and much of the old lore has been lost in the burnings. Because of this, clerics are taught to preserve knowledge to the best of their ability.

Prayer and Rituals
When praying, the Mother's faithful will soak their hands in Mother's blood. Churches of the Mother will always have a fountain of Mother's blood, which is considered highly sacred. Sentinels will have their entire bodies soaked in mother's blood upon completing their training. Those without a church to pray in, will often carry a phial of mother's blood to use in place of a fountain.

Rumors
Many rumors surrounding the Order have been spread across Molgadda. It is thought by some, that the Order kidnaps children, to be used in their rituals. Others believe that they slaughter stolen livestock, to fill reserves underneath their churches. Many consider Sentinels to be demons, because of their prowess in battle.