The Church of the 4

The Revelations of the Four Mothers

About three centuries ago, in a time of great strife, a prophet named Te Rata, a humble scholar, claimed to have received a series of divine visions. According to the legend, the four goddesses appeared to him in a forest during a fierce storm. Each goddess imparted their teachings to Te Rata, revealing that they were the true forces behind the creation and maintenance of the universe. They told him that the old gods of the Tapus were fading, and that the people of Whenua needed to align themselves with the natural order by worshiping the 4.

 

Te Rata transcribed the sacred words of the goddesses into what would become the holy book of the Church of the 4, known as the "The Mothers Love" This codex outlined the teachings, rituals, and divine commandments that would form the basis of the religion.

 

Development of Rituals and Sacrosanct Practices

  After Te Rata’s death, his followers spread his teachings across the continent of Whenua. At first, the religion existed as a minor sect among other regional beliefs, blending with the Word of the Ancients. However, as time passed, the influence of the Church of the 4 grew, especially due to the following events:  

The Ascension of the Children of the 4

  In the early days of the Church, a handful of mortals began to be born with mysterious birthmarks, which were believed to be signs of divine favor. These individuals displayed unusual powers linked to one of the goddesses, and they became known as the Children of the 4. Their presence solidified the belief that the goddesses actively intervened in mortal affairs.  

The Founding of the Orders

  With the growth of the religion, structured orders emerged within the church to uphold the different aspects of the goddesses. The Tribuni formed to codify laws according to Lexoria’s teachings. The Templars arose as a martial order to enforce justice under Iustitia’s guidance. The Evangelistae became the traveling missionaries of Gaeia, while the Augures became the spiritual guides under Consilia’s wisdom.  

The First Temple of Kūpapa

  The first sacred temple dedicated to the goddesses was built in the city of Torukau, a major commune in Kūpapa. This temple became a center for religious learning, ritual, and pilgrimage. Over time, it spread its influence across the United Communes, with smaller temples and shrines popping up in various regions, culminating in the creation of the 4 cathedrals.  

The Rise to Power

 

For centuries, the Church of the 4 coexisted with other faiths, such as the Word of the Ancients. However, about a few decades ago, the political and cultural landscape of Whenua began to change. After a period of internal strife and civil unrest in Kūpapa, many of the old communal leaders sought a more unifying religion to help maintain order and control. The Church of the 4, with its structured doctrines and emphasis on law and justice, became an attractive option.

 

Under the leadership of Mana Kaitiaki, a Child of Lexoria and the current Praetor, the Church gained substantial political power. With its strong hierarchy and deep influence in both government and military (through the Templars), it spread rapidly across Kūpapa, converting many of the United Communes and even influencing laws in the kingdom.

 

The combination of divine prophecy, charismatic leadership, and political maneuvering led to the Church of the 4 becoming one of the most dominant religions in Kūpapa. Though not all communes fully converted, the influence of the Church now shapes much of the cultural and legal landscape of Whenua.

According to sacred texts, before time began, there was only Chaos, a primordial void where nothing existed in harmony. From this Chaos, four powerful goddesses emerged, each embodying a core aspect of the universe necessary for its survival:  

• Lexoria, the First Mother, shaped the laws that gave structure to reality.
• Iustitia, the Second Mother, ensured balance and justice in all things.
• Gaeia, the Third Mother, molded the world itself, creating life and the land.
• Consilia, the Fourth Mother, offered wisdom and guidance to both gods and mortals.

  The world of Whenua and the cosmos beyond were born from the cooperation and sometimes rivalry of these four divine beings. Together, they forged not just the physical world but the moral and spiritual laws that govern it. Each of the goddesses took a sacred oath to protect the world and guide its inhabitants.

Sacred Texts and Teachings

 

The Mothers Love

The foundational holy book that contains the teachings of Te Rata, outlining the laws of Lexoria, the judgements of Iustitia, the blessings of Gaeia, and the wisdom of Consilia. The 8 Sacred Laws are written in this codex.  

The Scrolls of the Orders

Each order maintains its own scrolls and teachings, which are kept secret and only shared with initiated members. For example, the Scroll of Lexoria contains divine laws known only to the Tribuni.  

The Prophecies of Te Rata

A collection of prophetic writings that claim to foresee the future of Whenua and the fate of the Church.  

The 8 Sacred Laws

 

1. Obey the Laws of Lexoria (The Law)

 

"Order must be upheld above all."

— The Mothers Love

  Followers must respect the laws set by the church and society. Lexoria’s laws are unyielding, dictating the structure of life. Breaking these laws results in punishment, both legal and spiritual.  

2. Seek Justice in All Actions (Iustitia’s Judgement)

 

"Justice sees all."

— The Mothers Love

  Every action must align with the principles of fairness and equity. When wronged, believers are encouraged to seek retribution through legal and righteous means, rather than personal vendettas.  

3. Honor the World and Its Creations (Gaeia’s Oath)

 

"Respect the world, for it is sacred."

— The Mothers Love

  Followers must show respect to nature and all living beings. Destroying life or the natural world without cause is seen as a sin. The faithful are expected to protect the environment and maintain balance.  

4. Follow the Path of Guidance (Consilia’s Path)

 

"Seek counsel and wisdom before action."

— The Mothers Love

  Blind impulsiveness is discouraged. Followers should seek advice, reflect, and ensure their actions are in line with the church’s teachings and their personal path to salvation.  

5. The Law of Mercy and Retribution

 

"Justice does not forsake mercy."

— The Mothers Love

  While justice is essential, the faithful must also recognize the importance of mercy. Forgiveness is encouraged when possible, but retribution should be carried out when necessary for balance.  

6. Preserve the Knowledge of the Mothers

 

"The word of the goddesses is eternal."

— The Mothers Love

  Followers must learn and pass down the sacred teachings of the 4. Ignorance of the divine laws is not an excuse. Each person should strive for a deeper understanding of the teachings.  

7. Respect the Birthrights

 

"The children of the mothers bear their mark."

— The Mothers Love

  Those born with the birthmarks of the goddesses, the Children of the 4, are considered blessed. They are to be respected and their guidance trusted, as they are seen as divine messengers or protectors.  

8. Guard the Faith and its Followers

 

"The faithful shall defend one another."

— The Mothers Love

  The Church encourages its followers to defend each other from harm, both physical and spiritual. Heresy, sacrilege, and threats to the faith are not tolerated and must be confronted, either through action or by notifying the authorities of the Church.

The 4 Orders

  For each of the 4 mothers an order have been created to ensure their dogmas and predicaments are respected and spread on Whenua.  

Order of Tribuni - Lexoria

A Tribunus role is to evaluate the world and its rules, and write laws to allow control and safety in the church.  

Order of Templars - Iustitia

The army of the church of the 4. A Templar is trained from a young age to be able to fight and use the power of the goddess in their favour.  

Order of Evangelistae - Gaeia

Those who travels all over Whenua to bring the sacred word and convert infidels and non-believers.  

Order of Augures - Consilia

The labourers' order of the church. Every church or sacred place has an Augur assigned to it, whose role is to guide and preach to the people.  

The Praetor

 

The Praetor is the highest charge of the church of the 4. He has total power over all the orders and for one to be chosen to be The Praetor, they have to be born from one of the goddesses.