LeviathanTempest:EmunahDevotion

The School of the Sun

(Emunah's Devotion, The Celestial School)

[Picture: The Symbol of Emunah's Devotion: The image of an ornate chapel with a high tower. A line of waves marks the water's surface, from which only the very top of the tower emerges. The sun sits in the sky, directly above the tower. This serves as a watermark]

[Picture: Central. An older man with stern features and a strong, flat nose, wearing priestly vestments marked with cuneiform. He is up to his knees in water. In front of him, head bowed, is another man in a white robe. The older man is clearly speaking, and has one hand on his own chest, while the other pours a handful of water onto the supplicant's head. The preacher's hands are webbed, and there is the suggestion of a dorsal fin rising from his back beneath the robes.]

The Tribe have always been intermediaries, straddling the boundaries between two worlds - the divine realm of the Primordials, and the inferior world of dirt and flesh. The School of the Sun alone remembers this charge, and sees in the recreation of their ancient relationship with the progenitors the way towards reclaiming their birthright. The only beings capable of correcting the imbalance and disorder of the Deep, the Celestial School reasons, are the primordial entities that first created the Tribe.

The Devotees of the School of the Sun turn their attentions heavenward, in a sense. They seek out the lost truths of old modes of prayer and supplication, and attempt to reforge a fulfilling model of life that incorporates their lineage and the progenitors. The Celestial School is primarily interested in sanctified relics and lost temples; these places offer the greatest connection to what was lost. Some practice in solace, while others attempt to codify their beliefs and lead mortal cults (or groups of like-minded Leviathans) towards religious devotion.

Emunah's Devotion claims vehemently that their interest in religious life is meant not only to provide solace and direction in an uncomfortable world, but also to reconnect with the beings of the Primordial world. The degree to which each member hopes for some sort of revelatory event differs, but many hold out hope for a return to the old world in their own lifetimes. The average Devotee, however, focuses on following formal doctrine, making those beliefs and history a part of his or her daily life, and uncovering more elements and relics of the Tribe's lost faith. These, the Celestial School argues, will provide direction towards attaining Tranquility.

Membership

The stereotype of the membership of Emunah's Devotion is that it is composed of those that were devout well before they discovered the truth of their bloodline. For all that this is often framed in terms of judgment on the "subservience" and "fanaticism" of the School, the case has some merit. Many Devotees were people of deep religious conviction, or from a home that was, in their lives before. Still others led unsatisfying, unprincipled lives, only "finding religion" after they have discovered themselves as members of the Tribe.

The primary factor in membership, however, is a distrust of chaos and a desire for some sort of role. This need for sense and direction is what draws the average Devotee to the Celestial School - the ability to place oneself in a role and fulfill it. Still others are lured by the powerful drive to venerate their awesome monstrous ancestry - these members of the School tend towards more private expressions of their faith.

Transformation

The School of the Sun is a school of expression, devotion, and the display of faith. This manifests as forms with remarkable symmetry and regularity - expressions that hint at a greater, purer form. Lighter colors are common, as the Devotee's form suits itself for a life near the surface. Soaring, elegant back fins or spines are common, and the greatest of these forms might well be mistaken for a steepled church resting on the horizon. The tendency towards regularity leads to a trend towards the more recognized of the ocean's greater dwellers - there is generally more of the whale, the shark, or the sea serpent in a Devotee of the Sun's form then there are markers of more complex forms.

Character Creation

There is a notable division in the membership of Emunah's Devotion between those that present themselves as supplicants and those that attempt to spread their faith to others. The quiet, devotional type keeps to themselves, and tend towards high Composure. The proselytizing sort favors Presence. Regardless of the divide, however, high Intelligence and Resolve are common features of both - it takes strong faith and a keen intellect to comprehend the secrets of a sundered faith.

The Celestial School favors Mental and Social Skills in roughly equal proportion, but few members are lacking some amount of knowledge of Academics and Occult - the discipline of researching and interpreting the fragmented texts that they have access to straddles the boundary between those skills. Expression and Persuasion are common Social Skills.

On average, the followers of Emunah's Devotion have larger Cults than their fellows. Their direct interest in the veneration of their progenitors, and the history of structures of worship, make them naturals at initiating others. These Cults often fluctuate in size - a younger Devotee, fresh in his new faith, tends to end up with a larger Cult than they can comfortably manage, which eventually dwindles to a strong core of devout followers. Additional Languages are also common - usually those ancient tongues most condusive to illuminating the mysteries of dead civilizations, but not always. The Celestial School's members are among the likeliest Leviathans to have Resources and Status stemming from a role in a community - especially if they've already converted much of the populace.

Role

The Devotees of the Sun see themselves as the religious conscience and inspiration of their Cohorts. The sense of security that faith lends them can be offered to others as a place of shelter, or directed to scourge transgressions. When corruption is aired, the Celestial School is usually the best suited to levy appropriate punishment - or at least, the first to offer options. Members of Emunah's Devotion also concern themselves with the facts of lost and ancient religions - if a relic is to be identified, they are the ones their fellows turn to.

The Cohort in turn offers a place of expression for the Devotee of the Sun. Even among their Cults, the Leviathans that follow this School cannot truly relax and simply consider their faith. Unlike a Cultist, fellow Leviathans don't expect the Devotee to be a paragon of religious action, allowing them to make missteps or have doubts without affecting others. The Tribe is also unlikely to be frightened by a Devotee's beliefs - they may find proselytizing tedious, but they won't lynch or ostracize someone for it. Few commuities could be said to be as accepting.

Vestiges

The School of the Celestial turns itself to contemplation of the veneration of the Primordials and revelation of strictures of the Tribe's lost religious role. They develop gifts that emulate the power and glory of their former positions.

The School of the Sun grants a discount on purchasing Evolutions to Vestiges of Vitality and Sanctity.

Traditions

Members of the School of the Sun may select a free specialization for one of the following Skills: Academics, Weaponry, or Persuasion.

Concepts

Small town preacher, televangelist, fringe historian, gang leader, assistant district attorney, street prophet, reformed convict

Quote

"Maybe there are some people who can live without faith. Good for them. But we've always been the representatives of physical gods, incontrovertible proof that there is something greater out there. If you find yourself in doubt, look to your kin. Their faith will lift you up."

Stereotypes

• School of the Abyss: "You admit that we're lost, but you expect to find yourself."
• School of Clay: "The shepherd rarely finds answers among the flock."
• School of the Reef: "While we search for our God, you run yourself ragged pursuing our demons."
• School of Fog: "Who we are is less important than what we're meant to do."

• Typhons: "Without duty, only the monster remains."
• Hybrids: "Tools and acolytes, turned from their purpose. Convert them or cleanse them, each according to merit."
• Other Creatures: "Wolves among our flock."
• Mortals: "Our charge and our distraction. Teach them what they ought to know, but pursue your own understanding first and foremost."

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