The Church of Hormus focusses heavily on their god’s sacrificial aspect. The only widely recognized religion with more warlocks than paladins or clerics, the majority of those who wish to pledge service to their deity perform a brutal ritual known as the “Tear” and become one of the Sundered Priests.
Followers of the religion generally refer to one another and themselves as “The Bereaved”. Generally not associated with any tenet of the belief in regards to grief or sorrow, but attributed to the fact that their god’s physical body is considered deceased after his penultimate sacrifice.
Tenets
The Church of Hormus (CoH) focuses its beliefs around the 7 body parts of Hormus that where ripped from him during The Great Conflict. Each body part represents a different aspect of Hormus’ benevolence which allows for a very wide variety of foci for believers. The seven parts and their related concepts are listed below:
- Eye: Healing
- Head: Knowledge
- Arm: Power
- Hand: Protection
- Foot: The Journey
- Leg: Balance
- Torso: Vitality
Aside from the individual body part focus the CoH teaches that sacrifice is key. If one is attempting to follow the tenets of the Eye but is unwilling to sacrifice to do so, then they are often considered unfaithful or struggling in their faith.
“Hormus was willing to sacrifice his entirety to take back the land of Attovia for the people he created, how much more willing should we be to sacrifice small aspects of ourselves in thanks.”
Eye
I will sacrifice my health to cure others
I will heal all
I will sacrifice my wealth to heal
I will teach of Hormus and the healing he gives
Head
I will sacrifice my time to learn
I will learn to teach
I will sacrifice my time to teach
I will teach of Hormus and the knowledge he gives
Arm
I will sacrifice my time to train
I will become a warrior
I will sacrifice my safety to become reliable
I will teach of Hormus and the strength he gives
Hand
I will sacrifice myself to save
I will protect life
I will sacrifice my life to protect the unprotected
I will teach of Hormus and the safety he gives
Foot
I will sacrifice security to travel
I will spread peace
I will sacrifice my time to travel his world
I will teach of Hormus everywhere I go
Leg
I will sacrifice my desires for balance
I will become a mediator
I will sacrifice my feelings for arbitration
I will teach of Hormus and the balance he gives
Torso
I will sacrifice my life for inner peace
I will become a beacon
I will sacrifice my society to strengthen within
I will teach of Hormus and the contentment he gives
Books
The Book of Nefiqaddis
The primary holy book of the CoH, it contains ancient mythological writing of The Great Conflict and The Sundering, as well as rites, rituals, and tenets of believers and especially those who commit to the Tear.