====== Religion in Porter's Bar ======

===== Overview =====

Porter's Bar combines religious elements brought by refugees from an Asian culture, with the religious beliefs of the Wen and a unique version of Ancestor Worship practiced by the Royal Family.  Arth, the Wen demi-god, is the city's patron. 

===== Ancestor Worship =====

Unlike most noble families the Royal Family of Porter's Bar train all of their members as Clerics in the religion of the Royal Ancestors, ++unless they are unable to complete the training|//(Characters MUST have a wisdom of 12 to train as an Adept or 15 to train as a Cleric or Inquisitor).//++ They may then go on to become a functionary of the Royal Court and get special privileges, such as better better jobs and living conditions.  They automatically gain the Scaly Kind domain as part of their training, ++those characters| //(clerics)//++ who gain a second domain may take a second domain from the Repose(ancestors), Healing, Knowledge or Community domains.   Many multi-class as either Experts or Warriors after a level or two, and go on to form the core of the administration and royal guard.  The best multi-class as a Sorcerer with the Aquatic Bloodline, showing that they have inherited powers from both their paternal and maternal family founders.  These are the characters who could go on to become the next ruling prince/princess.  As a faith that does not have a deity as its patron, the Cult of the Royal Family's Ancestors can only grant spells up to third level.  Membership of this cult is only available to members of the royal family.

Many other families have small shrines in their homes to help them remember their own ancestors, although this is generally linked to the Temple of Yamara, and does not grant any special abilities.

It needs tweaking, but there is a better analysis of the cult [[http://baileymail.net/j-bailey/RolePlay/Portersbar/PB1-PortersBar/Royals/RoyalFamily.htm|here]].

===== The Wen =====

Many of the residents have Wen ancestry and some are almost full blooded Wen, [[consolidated:religion:homebrewpantheons:the_wen#core_philosophy|so the core philosophies of the Wen]] have some following throughout the city state.

However, for most of the city's residents [[..:..:finaroka:finaroka-rules:mythology:deities:myths_and_legends|Yarma and Arth]] have become the most significant gods in the pantheon  There are temples to both demi-gods in the city, where clerics will pray for [[consolidated:religion:homebrewpantheons:the_wen#intercessions|intersession]] on your behalf.  Yarma looks after the funeral rights for the dead, and Arth provides help and healing for those in need.  Arth has become the patron deity of the whole of Porter's Bar.

===== The Oriental Connection =====

Many of the original settlers were seamen who were followers of an Oriental deity called Shan, who is said to be a master of the seas and winds.  Less forgiving than the Annite deity Zalina, Shan is the patron of fishermen and sailors.

===== The Pantheon =====

^True Deities  |||
|Shan| TN | Originally an Oriental deity, who has been accepted as a part of Porter's Bar pantheon.  He is master of the Winds and the Sea and patron of fishermen.  He often takes the shape of a bird-man.  |
^Great Powers  |||
|**Wen Core beliefs**| TN | Worship of the Great Powers In their aspect as nature at its most basic.  including Veneration of the Sun, Earth and Moon, nature (etc)  in their basic state.  There is a place for people - but look after the countryside, live in harmony with it and don't abuse it.  Most Druids and Rangers are followers of The Green.  There are no temples or shrines dedicated to The Green -  however there are reputed to be some very holy places, known only to the druids and a few rangers, buried deep within the natural wilds.  The least power Varen is the Voice of the Gods. |
^Demi-Gods  |||
| Arth | (NG)| Patron of Hermits, Healers, and Helpers. Demigod ++More| Arth was a hermit who rescued people from Yarma's fire rain and the Sky Rock, using a flying chariot and cauldron made from rock. More detail can be found [[..:..:finaroka:finaroka-rules:mythology:deities:myths_and_legends| here]].++: (Human, touched by the Phoenix).   | 
|Yarma | (TN)| Judge and Guardian of the Dead.  Demigod ++  More| Yarma was a Shamanic warlord who, possessed by an ancient artefact, was responsible for a great slaughter. Released (from possession) by death, he swore to protect the dead for the rest of eternity as restitution.  More of his story can be found [[..:..:finaroka:finaroka-rules:mythology:deities:myths_and_legends| here]]. ++: (Human, absorbed the power of the Stone Spirit).  | 
^Minor Powers  |||
|Way|(CG)|Patron of  travellers and second chances. |
|R.A.W|TN|Royal Ancestor Worship - A private faith practiced by the Royal Family of Porter's Bar.|
^Least Powers  |||
|Varen| TN | Messenger of the Wen Gods and Enforcer of their Faith.|