The Cult of Advanced Viromancy
The Cult of Advanced Viromancy is the single most accredited medical college in Altairus. Based in Misery Mire, it has laid the foundation for most modern theory used by healers all over the planet.
Structure
In the Cult of Advanced Viromancy, Porescoro is at the top. Her first acolytes, those she personally tutored and instructed, are in charge of teaching younger acolytes.
In order to ascend to the upper echelons of the cult's hierarchy, members have to take the Gift of Porescoro. They do this by undergoing the Trial of Porescoro.
The Trial of Porescoro
The trial of Porescoro begins with the acolyte receiving a sting from Porescoro's syringe-like tail. She injects a poison into them, causing them to fall unconscious.
The acolyte awakens in a fever dream of their own making. Thus begins a vision quest where the acolyte must face their inner demons and reach some sort of understanding of themselves and the world around them. Once they do, they awaken, miserably ill but guaranteed to get better over the course of the next few days. Once they do, they are blessed with the Gift of Porescoro. This boon not only makes them immune to all diseases, but enhances their healing abilities and grants them power over microorganisms and plagues.
If they die in this dream, however, they also die in the real world. For this reason, Porescoro does not administer this trial until an acolyte is ready to receive it.
History
Porescoro's birth created a real need for a new system of healing in Altairus. While many new healing herbs had been created in her footsteps, knowledge of how and when to use them needed to be passed on. It wasn't long before a school of healing formed around the mother of plagues, focusing on her role as a healer as well as a disease-bringer.
The cult began as Porescoro mentoring a few Altairians who wanted to learn more about the nuances of viromancy. Since then, it has grown into a full-fledged medical establishment.
When visiting humans heard about the Cult of Advanced Viromancy, they falsely believed it to be an evil religion that worshipped disease and decay. You can imagine their surprise (and mild disappointment) when they made their way to Misery Mire only to discover that this so-called "cult" was really just a medical school.
Ethics
Acolytes of the Cult of Advanced Viromancy are made to take the Oath of the Viromancer. It is similar to the Hippocratic Oath; basically, that the viromancer will use their gifts to help those in need, rather than for power or personal gain.
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