The Cult of Charity

Those who believe in the teachings of Lady Aera and follow her words. Most of them live with her on The Eye of Gaia, but there are missionaries all over who preach and share the word. There are no official written documents only the words spoken by the faithful. Members of the cult are easily identified by filthy pale blue and green robes and unkempt appearance as they live through the charity of others, and while it is seen as bad luck in most cultures to not give a portion of food or drink to a member of the cult, rarely is little more offered or given. People treat the cult with distrust, knowing that few undeserving ever join the cult, and that in fact most are killers and thieves and worse, and while Lady Aera has forgiven them, many others will not.

Structure

All are equal in Cult

Culture

Living in the Eye of Gaia the cultist are free to simply live, and have little or no wants, but once they leave they become fully reliant on the charity of others. never asking for more than they need to survive, and spending all of their time preaching and traveling.

Public Agenda

The goal of the cult is to create a more loving and accepting society though charity and forgiveness

Assets

The Eye of Gaia has just enough for mortals to survive and live in relative comfort, but outside of this the cult has no wealth.

Mythology & Lore

Born over a thousand years ago, Lady Aera was an immortal, and she used her time and gift to seek out a secluded place to live from the tragedy she saw all around her. She came upon a mountain of marble alone in the sea, and spent countless years carving it into a home, and in time, refugees would come to this island, seeking freedom from the oppressions of their homes, much like Lady Aera herself. She took in these refugees and bathed and clothed them, and spoke to them of love, of charity, of forgiveness. She carved ever more of the mountain away to create homes for these refugees. These refugees began to see Lady Aera as a goddess, worshiping her, listening to her words as sermons. In time more and more showed up, and more and more of the mountain was carved away, and Lady Aera grew in power. She turned the marble carved from the mountain into bushes of berries and trees bearing fruit, into robes for her followers. Most importantly she used her new power to alter the gate that is at the heart of what was once a mountain. Allowing her followers, to return from whence they came, and offer her love to others. The Eye of Gaia was sealed from outsiders, and Lady Aera would carry refugees to her home herself, for fear of the evils of the world reaching her.

Divine Origins

Lady Aera created a home for all those that sought forgiveness or charity, a home for those who had deep regret for their actions or those that had nothing and only wanted to live. Beggars and murders, thieves and whores, child solders and slaves. All were welcomed the same and given the opportunity to live without judgement. Lady Aera would bring those who called out to her at their weakest, begging for forgiveness or asking for help to the Eye of Gaia. In time a few would return, spreading the word, forsaking the unconditional love and life they had been granted to give others the opportunity to experience the same.

Cosmological Views

The Eye of Gaia is not a true Plane, but a demi plane, a once physical location on Gaia that has been altered by a deity. The true location of the Eye of Gaia is in the heart of a mountain on an island under the ocean.

Tenets of Faith

Love and forgive unconditionally. Never take more than is offered, and only ask what is needed. Never judge another as you are capable of the same evil, just as they are capable of the same good as you.

Ethics

If you return to Gaia, you must live only with what you have. Only ask for what you need to survive in the moment, and never take more. Rest when the body requires but otherwise spread the word as far and as wide as you can.

Worship

Worship happens at every moment of charity and every expression of forgiveness. The most explicit forms of worship is done by preaching to any and all who will listen and holding prayer and offering forgiveness to any who ask.