The Conduit and her Flock
A Minor Sect of worshippers of the All-Mother
Lead by the Conduit, an enchantingly beautiful woman said to be borne from pure moonlight, the Flock is a new branch of All-Mother worshippers who believe in the Conduit as a direct line of connection to the All-Mother. As revered as the Goddess herself, the Conduit directs and leads religious services daily for members of the church and passerbys to attend as they pleased, when the moon was highest each night. The ceremonies are typically similar, discussing the All-Mother’s dreams and expectations for her peoples.
While much more accessible for new-comers than the mountain dwelling Children sect, becoming a true member of this church is a coveted position. Attending services regularly and proving their piety allows for anyone to become an acolyte here. Acolytes live and study within the walls of the church and its surrounding buildings, leaving only on missions accompanied by members already initiated into the Flock. While the lifestyle is spartan, most acolytes accept it quite easily as a means to enlightenment or a ticket to utopia. That being said, devoting yourself to a life of study as an acolyte makes it hard to leave. Requiring permission from the Conduit’s three most trusted and longtime devotees, the church elders, to leave the Flock’s compound and only on missions.
After some time, an acolyte can pray to be given an initiation date. They will know when they see themselves reflected in the moon that they are pious enough to make the leap and dedicate their flesh and souls to the service of the All-Mother. The sacred ascension rite is known only to those who preform it, but it leaves obvious markings as the Flock seek to proudly show the world their faith. Missing the two outermost fingers on the left hand and the pinky from the right, members of the Flock are obvious to spot in a crowd combined with the symbol always visible on their foreheads. They wear these physical alterations with great pride, viewing it as an act of ultimate devotion. It is said that no one has ever refused the call of the moon when it has beckoned them.
Being a member of the Flock means joining to the resonance, a holy power channelled through the Conduit that empowers her people. Members of the Flock cannot use this ability constantly to power themselves up, however it has started to gain them a reputation for being surprising adversaries when backed into a corner.
Acolytes and members of the Flock are expected to speak weekly to a church elder they are assigned to, where they are required to confess of anything they might have said or thought that goes against the All-Mother’s expectations of the Flock. If they saw or heard anything from other members of the Flock/other acolytes, they are also required to tell the elders about it. This is viewed within the church as simply the elders looking out for their people by keeping them on track for Utopia.
The Conduit has set the following code of conduct for all peoples living within the compound:
1) you shall not partake in magic of a dark origin. Accepting power from forces that seek only destruction goes directly against the philosophies of the All-Mother.
(No necromantic or acidic based magic is allowed, and studying magics that alter the mind is highly frowned upon. )
2) members of the Flock must never speak of their ascension rite. It is the sacred honour of only those who have partaken in it to know about what takes place.
3) The Conduit will seek you out should the All-Mother call you.
(members of the church are not allowed to seek out the conduit after services and try to talk to her. Instead, should they need her counsel, they must request it during their weekly meeting with the church elder. Those within the church who have had such meetings say it is soul-alteringly beautiful, and are the most devout among the Flock.)
4) Do no harm unprovoked. Should you need to draw your blade against an enemy, do it only after invoking the All-Mother and her Conduit.
5) Your thoughts must be as pure as your actions. Should dark forces try to infiltrate your mind, do not hesitate to seek the elders for assistance.
(this ties into the weekly confessional – dark forces are said to try and shake your faith to the All-Mother in order to steal your rightful place in Utopia.)