Church of Wee Jas

T

here are several different arms of the church of Wee Jas, but all ultimately answer to the Archon, the ultimate oerthly ruler of the Jasidin. Today the Archon is chosen from either the Karuth or a priest-like order of sorcerers and wizards called the Order of Book and Bone. There are other important orders, such an order of knights, but the head of the church has always been one possessed of significant magic, whether divine or arcane. All of the official, church-sanctioned orders answer directly to the Archon. Unofficial covens and cults may or may not heed the will of the Archon; some even hold beliefs considered heretical by the Church. Sanctioned orders

The official Church of Wee Jas is composed of several orders, each with its own head and all answering to the Archon of Wee Jas. The Archon is the official oerthly authority of the Jasidin. She will usually assemble a hand-picked Council from among the various orders, to act as advisors and delegates. There is some politicking within the church, and there is some rivalry between the Karuth and the Order of Book and Bone regarding the coveted position of Archon, but this is all done within the confines of the church's laws, at least ostensibly.

As befits a faith deeply concerned with arcane magic, wizards and sorcerers figure prominently within the church hierarchy; as the force of magic within a mortal is said to originate with Wee Jas, such ability is considered as much a divine gift from the Goddess as clerical magic is.

The Priesthood

Priests of Wee Jas, known as Karuth, wear layered full-length hooded robes of alternating gray and black. Customarily, their hoods are left hanging in the back to reveal their jewelry-adorned heads. They wear jewelry with skull and gem motifs on their arms and necks as well, and carry staves. Their favored weapon is the dagger, but they will use many weapons of the sort favored by mages.

  • Both genders
  • Primarily cleric levels, many with some arcane levels as well
  • Title: Karuth
  • Temple head: High Priest(ess)
  • Head of the priesthood: Archpriest(ess)

Order of Book and Bone

The Order of Book and Bone is an official order of wizards & sorcerers devoted to Wee Jas. Its members are known as the Magi. The Archon is occasionally chosen from its ranks.

  • Both genders
  • Wizards & sorcerers
  • Title: Magus (magi)
  • Temple head: High Mage (not all temples have a High Mage)
  • Head of the order: Archmage

The Ruby Blades

The Ruby Blades are a fanatical order of knights devoted to Wee Jas. They are the elite guardians of the Taker's temples, heading their defenses. They also often accompany the Karuth and the Magi as protectors when they are abroad. They may take up missions on their own, under the direction of the High Blade or the Archon, and they may be sent against the enemies of the Church.

  • Both genders
  • Warriors
  • Title: Sir or Lady
  • Temple head: High Blade (not all temples have a High Blade)
  • Head of the order: Archblade

The Reapers

Ask a member of the Church about the Reapers, and they are likely to disavow this Order's existence. Serving as spies, treasure seekers, and even assassins, these subtle servants of Death's Guardian are the ones who may, at times, operate outside the law. As concerned as the faith is with order, the imperative Jasidin obey above all others is the will of the Goddess herself. To further that will, her servants must do what it takes to monitor, and occasionally destroy, enemies of the faith. The Reapers are also charged with recovering items of great magical value, sometimes at any cost.

  • Both genders
  • Spies, explorers, assassins
  • Title: None
  • Head of the order: High Reaper

Daughters of Nox Sanguinus

In the days of the Suel Imperium, the structure of the church was much the same, but there were other orders in existence that have been lost to time. One such was the Daughters of Nox Sanguinus. Predating the Suel Imperium, the ancient Nox Sanguinus was a fanatical order of sorceresses devoted to the Goddess. The order was small and selective; new initiates had to be invited, and they were then put through rigorous trials to prove their worth and determine whether Wee Jas desired their service. The order was highly secretive, its precise purpose beyond the general service of Wee Jas lost to history, as indeed knowledge of its very existence has been all but lost. The order was wiped out after the fall of the Imperium brought about by the Rain of Colorless Fire, a magical apocolypse during which some 90% of the Suel race perished.

  • Small, secretive holy order of sorceresses devoted to Wee Jas
  • All sorcerers
  • All female
  • Title: Lady
  • Head of the order: High Lady

Cults & covens

The Jasidin faith is a complex one, and its unusual combination of interests causes it to attract all sorts. The groups who come together in worship of the Ruby Sorceress are not always in keeping with the public face of the Church, and it is for this reason above all others that there are numerous underground cults who exist without the church's official sanction. Some of these groups support views deemed heretical by Church doctrine, while others do not contradict Jasidin ideals but would have unwelcome public or political consequences if they were officially sanctioned.

The Cult of Black Satin

Combining Wee Jas’ portfolios of death, magic and vanity, Black Satin is an assemblage of courtiers, courtesans, panderers and harlots. The Church publicly condemns the activities of this cult, but some of the Church's members secretly support (or even participate in) their nights of revelry and sacrifice, and the Church has benefited from the information gained through the cult's unsavory tactics.

Assassinations, necromancies, poisonings, debaucheries, indulgences and assignations of every kind are the stock in trade of this illicit guild. First founded at the sybaritic royal court in Niole Dra less than 100 years ago, Wee Jas is the revered patroness of Black Satin, sacrificed to in wild revels and drunken festivals. In less than a century, this group has crept up from the hot southlands to infest Suel courts in Leukish and Radigast City. Beyond these, agents are prominent in Greyhawk and Dyvers, as well.

Black Satin doctrine holds that death is the ultimate ecstasy and that to die in ecstasy is the ultimate sacrifice to the goddess. The most intimate practices of the cult are suitably sensational, lurid and fevered toward this end. The cult continues to grow at a remarkable pace, among both the elites and outcasts of society. Local thieves guilds, unsophisticated by comparison, are displaced by Black Satin in certain trades, as are guilds of assassins and those brokers of information found in every metropolis and court. In most cases, such local groups are infiltrated, co-opted and absorbed. Those not understanding the wisdom of a general and full-throated conversion make outstanding sacrifices and examples to others. At least their mingled screams of agony and pleasure are full voiced in praise of the goddess.

Wee Jas accepts Black Satin’s devotions as her vanity portfolio begins to grow into something much more vibrant, and sinister. Their sacrificial practices also aid her in her rivalry with Nerull for dominion over death.

A pretty goddess who wears skulls beckons. Dally with her but a moment or two. It and she are trifling things, you know.

Please don’t be upset when the screaming starts. You are in fine voice.