Alignment: Chaotic Good
Domains: Magic, Protection, Travel, and Water.
Location of Central Temple: Kohgan
Favored Weapon: Scimitar.
Holy Symbol: A circle with some shape of a boat within it. Often this takes the form of a downward pointing triangle with a large square above it, to symbolize the hull of the ship and its sail.
Members of the Temple of the Drowned Maiden worship the goddess Siroko. Siroko is the murdered sister of Surfie and Cyn. The legend goes that when the gods walked the earth, Siroko was the first to die. Her sisters saw her power and influence growing over their own, conspired against her, murdered her, and dumped her body somewhere in the sea. They say the odd magical blight that swims the seas is the blood of Siroko. It’s been known to drive sailors crazy and destroy ships. No amount of prayer or devotion has been known to save a ship, as the oceanic blight seems to drift along the seas surface and strike whatever ship is not vigilant enough to notice it, or not agile enough to avoid it. It is important to note that Siroko has no control over this, it is a thing unleashed on the world by the evil done to her and acts appropriately.
Most followers of Siroko pay little heed to these stories, but mostly out of a necessary willingness to work with the Empire of Roake. Seeing as how most Siroko Worshippers originate from the Island of Metavin, they require the military, financial, and political support that the worshippers of Surfie offer them. Thus an uneasy alliance between the two has arisen over the years. While neither forgives the other for the perceived wrongs they have done to each other, they unite for common political and religious goals, especially against worshippers of Cyn who each see as the real troublemakers.
Siroko is seen as a protector, especially of the numerous fishers and merchants that use waterways as their primary source of living. The port city of Kohgan is particularly fervent in its belief in Siroko, while some of the more landlocked Hamlets don’t hold the faith so close to their hearts. Siroko is sometimes adopted by foreign nationals who make their trade from the sea, particularly long term merchants who pray that their faith will protect them from brigands, monsters, and the maddening curse of Siroko’s Blood.
The Temple of the Drowned Maiden is generally acceptant of most other beliefs and customs even thougse held by Crenf, their long time enemies. It is only those that actively persecute and attack their temple that are fought off with a fierceness and resourcefulness that can take decades to wipe out, such as the invading nation of Crenf is finding out.
Followers hope to end up with their goddess, working the seas in calm seas and bountiful stocks of fish. In an ideal world, many worshippers see little more than a calm sea, a steady wind, and enough fish to live comfortably.
The clergy of the Temple of the Drowned Maiden are generally sedentary and don’t roam about preaching the word. Most take up location outside of a port, preach the protection and safety Siroko offers, and wait for sailors, merchants, and pilgrims to come to them. Each temple also sets up numerous shrines of which they are responsible for. Shrines are small wooden structures with small door flaps that conceal a large, usually wooden, holy symbol for travelers to pray at. The doors are kept closed until a worshipper opens them to pray. Seldom is the holy symbol anything more than wood, as there is always the possibility that a thief would remove a symbol made of copper or silver.
Worshippers themselves are primarily travelers and fishermen. They pray for protection and success in their dealings. Worship of Siroko is generally a personal experience, and preachers of the faith are used to help people understand and better vocalize what it is they hope to accomplish through their faith. The clergy have also taken to assisting refugees in the modern day. They expand their buildings to include housing and food services for the poor masses that are rushing from West Metavin. In this way the Temple of the Drowned Maiden has endeared itself to the populace and increased their number of followers within the last 30 years. The fervent belief many hold today are direct benefits of past goods done by a clergyman.
Services to Siroko
Services to Siroko are primarily educational and informative. They attempt to teach followers what to expect and how to cope with hardship. They also serve to form a community and support structure, an element of the church that has done much to increase its popularity since so many families have been broken up by recent wars.
Services are held in large wooden buildings with rows of benches. They generally only last 30 minute to an hour, and often include much audience interaction. Often a congregation will pray for a merchant about to leave or a pilgrim that has arrived. This is an extension of the feeling of community offered by the church. Thus many people who aren’t even totally faithful stop by a Siroko temple for a blessing by the clergy and the congregation. Overall the Clergy is friendly and more than willing to do what they can for a person they believe is doing Siroko’s will. This can range from simple commerce to more active rolls, particularly resistance against the Crenf occupation.
· Hesk 14th – Day of the Drowned Maiden. Members of the Temple of the Drowned Maiden spend the day fasting and in quiet reverence of what was done to their beloved goddess. Many attend services, and fishermen proceed to the sea. Once there they proceed to catch fish, but then throw them back as a gift for the drowned goddess Siroko. Merchants on the sea often toss over some of their wares, particularly food, jewelry, or women’s clothing.
