Chamastle

For Chamastle, the home is a sacred space, and neglecting its upkeep is considered a grave offense. Followers are expected to maintain their homes in a manner that ensures safety and comfort for all who reside there.

Taking advantage of someone's vulnerable state, especially within the sanctity of their home, is a severe taboo. This includes theft, deceit, or any form of harm inflicted upon residents.

Leaving one's community or family unprotected in times of danger or calamity is frowned upon. Followers are expected to stand their ground and protect their homes and communities.

The hearth is considered the heart of the home, and its intentional destruction is a sacrilegious act. Whether it's your own or someone else's, damaging a hearth is a taboo.

Followers are obligated to maintain a hearth within their homes, symbolizing the presence and protection of Chamastle. Regular offerings, usually in the form of food or incense, are to be made at the hearth.

Devotees are expected to participate in or organize community watches, ensuring the safety and security of their neighborhoods. This is seen as an extension of Chamastle's protective domain.

In times of natural disasters or other calamities, followers with sturdy homes are obligated to offer shelter to those in need. This act of kindness is considered a high form of worship.

Regular attendance and service at Chamastle's temples are expected. This includes participating in communal prayers, contributing to the maintenance of the temple, and aiding the clergy in their outreach programs.

A long, flowing robe made of durable, fire-resistant material, dyed in earthy tones to symbolize the hearth and home. The robe would be embroidered with symbols of houses, hearths, and protective runes.

A sturdy leather belt worn around the waist, featuring pouches for carrying small tools or sacred items. The belt would be adorned with small, carved stones to symbolize the strong foundation that Chamastle represents.

Sturdy leather gloves reinforced with metal plates, designed to offer protection while allowing for dexterity. The gauntlets would be engraved with symbols of shields, walls, or other protective elements.

A thick, warm cloak made from wool or another insulating material, dyed in colors that represent the home and hearth. The cloak would be fastened with a brooch shaped like a small house or hearth.

A simple amulet worn around the neck, often made of a stone that holds significance in local building practices. The amulet would feature an engraving of Chamastle's holy symbol and be considered a source of protection for the wearer.

For high-ranking clergy, a ceremonial staff topped with a lantern that holds a flame from the temple's central hearth. This staff symbolizes the light and warmth that Chamastle brings to homes and is used in various rituals and ceremonies.

A small, ceremonial shield worn on the arm or carried during processions. The shield would be decorated with symbols of homes, hearths, and protective runes, serving as a tangible representation of Chamastle's protective power.

A sash worn across the chest, embroidered with the names or symbols of the local community or neighborhood. This sash serves to remind the clergy and followers of their duty to protect and serve their community.

Through this ceremonial attire, the followers of Chamastle aim to embody the various aspects of their deity's influence over homes, hearths, and community protection. The attire would be worn during special ceremonies, blessings of new homes, or significant community events, serving both as a tribute to Chamastle and as a testament to the commitment of his followers.

Cam Astle, a humble baker by trade, was a man who held his community in high regard. His home was his pride, and he was known for his efforts in aiding others to transform their houses into homes. His benevolence extended beyond his immediate surroundings, often reaching out to those in distress, particularly when oppression was involved.

During a foray into the wilderness in search of a unique herb for his bread, Cam stumbled upon a peculiar gem containing a liquid core. His curiosity piqued, he presented the stone to the local lord, who, unable to identify it, directed him to a cleric in the nearest city. The cleric, recognizing the stone as a god stone, attempted to seize it from Cam. In the ensuing struggle, Cam swallowed the stone in desperation.

The ingestion of a god stone typically results in a horrific transformation into a tarrasque, a monstrous creature of destruction. As Cam writhed in agony, he pleaded for divine intervention, specifically from Ix. To the astonishment of the clerics, Cam did not transform into a tarrasque but ascended to godhood. The transformation was a spectacle of pain and terror, but when the dust settled, Cam emerged as a deity, choosing the name Chamastle to signify his new divine status.

Chamastle's divine purpose was rooted in his mortal life - the protection of home and hearth. He immediately set out to gather followers, starting with his own town. Once he had amassed a small following, he felt the pull of the divine planes and left the mortal realm, as per the laws of the gods.

Shalle Astle, Cam's devoted wife, was the first to pledge her allegiance to Chamastle. Her love for Cam transcended his transformation, and she became his first convert. Legend has it that Chamastle visited Shalle several times, resulting in the birth of demi-gods. Shalle assumed the role of the head priestess of Chamastle, establishing the first temple in his honor and spreading his teachings far and wide.

Thalia, a humble baker from centuries past, was renowned for her generosity. Her bakery was a sanctuary for those in need, and it was said that Chamastle blessed her oven, ensuring she always had enough dough to bake bread, regardless of how much she gave away. Thalia's bakery became a place of worship, and her acts of kindness served as a model for Chamastle's followers.

Eamon, a high priest of Chamastle, was known for his deep connection with nature and his uncanny ability to predict the success of the harvest. He introduced the Harvest Festival, a celebration of life and abundance, which became a significant event in Chamastle's faith.

Believed to be the original oven of the benevolent Breadmaker Thalia, this relic holds a special place in the hearts of Chamastle's followers. Legend has it that any bread baked within this oven carries the blessings of Chamastle, bestowing prosperity and health upon those who consume it.

This scythe, once wielded by the Harvest Priest Eamon during the inaugural Harvest Festival, is revered as a symbol of abundance. It features prominently in ceremonies related to agriculture and harvest, serving as a tangible reminder of Chamastle's blessings.

Celebrated at the culmination of the harvest season, this festival is a vibrant expression of life and abundance. It is a time for feasting, expressing gratitude to Chamastle, and sharing the season's bounty with those less fortunate.

This day commemorates the acts of kindness performed by Breadmaker Thalia. Devotees of Chamastle honor this day by baking bread and distributing it within their community, particularly to those in need.

This ritual is performed at the onset of the planting season. Seeds are sanctified in Chamastle's name, invoking his blessings for a bountiful harvest.

This communal meal is a central part of the Harvest Festival. Participants bring a dish to share, symbolizing the abundance of life and the interconnectedness of the community. A loaf of bread, representing Chamastle's blessing, is placed at the heart of the feast, serving as a reminder of the deity's benevolence.

This heretical group believes that Chamastle is not just the god of stationary homes and hearths but also the protector of those who lead a nomadic lifestyle. They argue that a home is not just a physical structure but a state of mind and community. This directly contradicts the mainstream belief that Chamastle's domain is strictly tied to physical homes and hearths.

This sect argues that the hearth is not the only sacred part of the home and that focusing solely on it diminishes the importance of other aspects like the door, the roof, or even the family that resides within. They often refuse to keep a hearth in their homes, which is considered a grave taboo in mainstream Chamastle worship.

This heretical group believes that Chamastle favors those who build impenetrable fortresses over welcoming homes. They argue that the best way to honor Chamastle is to build homes that are more like fortresses, equipped with traps, high walls, and other defensive measures. This contradicts the mainstream belief that homes should be welcoming sanctuaries.

This secretive cult believes that Chamastle himself is the ultimate foundation of all homes and that by embedding a piece of him (usually a sacred stone) into the foundation of their homes, they can gain his direct protection. This is considered heretical because it implies that Chamastle can be divided and used as a mere material.

Members of this cult believe that the hearth fire in each home is a direct link to Chamastle's divine essence. They practice rituals that involve staring into the fire to receive visions or prophecies, which is considered unorthodox and potentially dangerous by mainstream followers.

This cult focuses on the doors and entryways of homes, believing them to be the true sacred sites that connect the mortal realm to Chamastle's divine protection. They have elaborate rituals for crossing thresholds and consider doors to be almost as sacred as hearths. While not directly opposing mainstream beliefs, their focus on thresholds is considered a distraction from the true essence of home and hearth by orthodox followers.

Through these heresies and cults, we can see the complexities and challenges that come with worshipping a deity like Chamastle, who has a very specific and yet universally relatable domain. While the mainstream church focuses on the home as a physical structure and the hearth as its sacred heart, these heretical sects and cults offer alternative interpretations that sometimes clash with orthodox views.