Sgrios Mass: Van's Used Book Club II - Schisms of Temuairan Religion by Dryst

     Lets start with a few definitions. Sectarianism, refers to strong divisive, loyalty to a particular group. It prioritizes the sects beliefs and practices to the detriment of others. 

 

     Now "syncretism" is the amalgamation of different religions and schools of thought. When religions meet and mingle they combine ideas and beliefs into new ones. But not always without controversy. 

 

     Now lets jump right into it. In Danaan 1980, during the Great War, there was a schism in the temple of Ceannlaidir. There were other temple schisms in the lands at this time, but this one had Ceannlaidir aligning with a neutral god. When these schisms were occurring, the defectors always turned to an aligning deity. 

 

     Not here. 

 

     A sect arose of Gramail aligned Ceannlaidir worshipers who insisted that the relationship between Gramail and Ceannlaidir was a reciprocating one - the seeking of one produces another, whereas Sgrios was merely a by product of their relationship. 

 

     So basically they wanted to demote Sgrios and promote Gramail. Im not sure what happens to the Octagram. I would imagine the pantheon stays the same or even expands. Would the Luathans have embraced such a sect as an ally? Is the only ally of Sgrios now Deoch?

 

     So Dryst in his paper gives us 3 main reasons these sects pop up.

1- Cause and effect relationships 
2- Reciprocal relationships 
3- Dominion - or subservience of the deities purposes. 

 

     Why is all of this important? Well for one, sects can be disruptive. They are also VERY VERY culty as they manifest here in Temuair. But from a philosophical (( RP )) way of thinking they can be very fun. Everyone sees the Gods at face value. There are all these syncretic gray areas where the Gods bump up against each other on the Octagram. 

 

     Talking about some examples, we've discussed Dark Cailites before, they were fun. What about a Danaan focused Sgrian? We had one. He was a Minister eventually. His beliefs modified over time, but he believed that way when he joined and had sound reasoning for its. Hjirion was his name. Brilliant Priest. Thubub also knew him well. 

 

     Perhaps a Luathan sect obsessed with the laws of magic and they perform Gramalian rituals? Or the Gliocan cult that ministers to us here in Dubhaim so that they fulfill some connection to Deoch. Maybe a Fiosachd sect that is combat oriented and spend more time at the Ceannlaidir Temple.

 

     Ooooo and lets not forget about my favorite here in Sgrios: Decay. It gets to everything eventually, you would think we would have had more focus on that, rather than just a general shrug towards the Balance. 

 

     That leads us to something else. Its when the Cult of Decay or whoever tells you that you cannot scar, for instance. That is really where the Sectarian violence starts to brew and then I have to oppress you. Ask anyone here, I'm very good at it. 

 

     But if you can explore this syncretic thinking without being a raging prick about it. And you "get it" you really see how much wiggle room you have even within a very dogmatic fellowship. 

 

     Now I am not preaching or encouraging heresy. I'm saying apply Dryst's reasoning to your Trinity if you feel your current religious experiences are lacking. Just don't end up in a pillory or burned at the stake.

 

Mass by High Priest VanMorgan 

Link to "Schisms of Temuairan Religion" - the referenced text