Jusannia

Given the focus on femininity and motherhood, male participation in rituals is strictly forbidden. Violation of this taboo can result in excommunication.

Any form of disrespect or harm towards women, especially mothers and children, is considered a grave offense. Clergy or followers found guilty are required to undergo a purification ritual.

Using the symbols or teachings of Jusannia for commercial gain is strictly prohibited. Offenders are ostracized until they make amends.

Clergy are obligated to assist in childbirth, providing both spiritual and physical support to the mother.

In times of crisis affecting women, such as wars or oppressive laws, the clergy are expected to take direct action, which can range from providing sanctuary to active resistance.

Clergy and followers are expected to promote the values of femininity, healing, and motherhood in their daily lives, aligning their actions with Jusannia's domains.

During rituals and ceremonies, clergy wear robes embroidered with Jusannia's 12-point stars and other symbols of life and femininity.

High priestesses wear a tiara shaped like a 12-point star during important ceremonies, symbolizing their direct connection to Jusannia.

During communal rituals, all participants wear sashes made from cloth dyed in vibrant colors, symbolizing the unity and diversity of womanhood.

Jusannia's followers are united in their reverence for the feminine, the sanctity of life, and the importance of motherhood. Through their taboos, obligations, and ceremonial attire, they strive to live in accordance with Jusannia's divine principles.

Dennona, a human, holds the distinction of being the earliest known devotee of Jusannia. She authored the inaugural holy text for Jusannia, a scroll titled "Deliverance," which expounded on several crucial tenets of the faith, ranging from birthing ceremonies to motherhood and the art of captivating men. This seminal text serves as the initial study material for budding acolytes.

Shalva, a dwarven princess, was deeply aggrieved by the mistreatment of female dwarves in her kingdom. In her desperation, she implored Jusannia for divine intervention, who in turn bestowed upon her a unique gift of legal acumen, while rendering her gender invisible to her tribesmen. When the king sought a chief justice, he proclaimed that the position would be awarded to the most judicious candidate. Shalva outshone all contenders, securing the role. Upon Jusannia lifting their blindness, the king, taken aback but unable to rescind his proclamation, asked her intentions. Shalva pledged to rule fairly, treat all equally, and uphold justice.

Gvanka, a red dragonborn, is a controversial figure within Jusannia's sects. Incensed by the perceived physical inferiority of women, she founded the first militant sect. Unlike Shalva, who focused on law, Gvanka championed retribution. Gvanka's writings reportedly criticized Shalva for setting back womanhood by not asserting dominance over men. Gvanka modified the traditional two-star holy symbol, recoloring the stars red to symbolize the blood inherent in a woman's life, from puberty to childbirth to abuse. Many oppressed women are drawn to the sects displaying Gvanka's revised holy symbol.

Endoan, born blind, lived in darkness for her first hundred years. Her mother, her closest companion, would vividly describe the world to her, sparking in Endoan a longing to witness these wonders herself. Her mother's unexpected death at a Jusannia temple led to her final request: to grant her daughter the gift of sight. Touched by the mother's love, Jusannia blessed Endoan with a unique form of sight, enabling her to discern the afflictions of her people. Under the tutelage of the temple priestesses, Endoan honed her healing abilities, alleviating physical, spiritual, and emotional ailments. With the assistance of a scribe, she later penned "Rejuvenation," a text integral to the clergy's education.

Elara, a revered astronomer and priestess of Jusannia from centuries past, was celebrated for her profound understanding of the stars and their movements. She posited that the stars mirrored Jusannia's divine order and life-giving power. Her writings and star charts continue to be a valuable resource for Jusannia's followers today.

The Shalvanist Order is dedicated to the meticulous scrutiny and application of laws pertaining to women's rights. They tirelessly comb through legal codes to ensure women are accorded equal rights with men in all legal matters. Occasionally, they may overreach, demanding special protections or exceptions for women to compensate for historical injustices.

Identifiable by the addition of a judicial symbol, typically a gavel, beneath the two yellow stars, Shalvanists invariably align with lawful principles.

The Gvankanian Order, followers of Gvanka's path, are markedly more militant. They are quick to respond to any instances of women's oppression, often reacting impulsively and severely when they perceive an imbalance against women.

Recognizable by their modification of the holy symbol's yellow stars to red, Gvankanians predominantly focus on martial classes, including multiclassing and paladins. A rare few also align with the Shalvanist Order, adding the judicial symbol beneath the red stars. These dual-sect followers, although ostracized by others, view themselves as the purest defenders of women, willing to employ any means—violence, law, deceit, or seduction—to rectify perceived injustices.

The Order of the Twin Stars interprets the dual star symbol of Jusannia as representing life's dual aspects—birth and death, joy and sorrow, growth and decay. They believe Jusannia guides and supports her followers through all life stages. Known for their midnight ceremonies under the open sky, this sect emphasizes the cyclical nature of existence.

Of the 32 existing holy relics, only 27 are currently held by the temples. These revered artifacts are circulated among the temples, bestowing blessings during their tenure. The Order is fervently committed to recovering the five missing teeth.

Shalva's original hammer, a significant holy relic, resides in the primary temple of the sect. The high priestess wields it on holy days, and occasionally, Shalvanists use it in court as a symbol of the church's particular interest in a case.

Endoan, once gifted with her unique vision, wore eye patches during her non-healing hours to rest her ceaseless sight. For the sighted, these eye patches function inversely—when worn, they enable the wearer to perceive the needs of those seeking healing. These are kept at the high priestess's temple and accompany her on her travels.

These two orbs manifest to Jusannia's clergy as a divine blessing—two 12-point bright yellow orbs, conjoined like the holy symbol. Once a priestess is blessed with these orbs, she is typically tasked with a significant mission for the faith, such as facilitating a difficult birth, winning a court battle, or defeating a sex trafficking ring. Upon completion of the task, the orbs vanish, only to reappear when another priestess is in need.

This celestial sphere, once utilized by Star Seer Elara in her astronomical pursuits, is a marvel of craftsmanship. Its surface is intricately engraved with constellations and stars, symbolizing Jusannia's life-giving power and the cosmic order. The sphere is frequently incorporated in ceremonies celebrating birth, growth, and renewal.

Celebrated on the first moon of the year, this festival is a jubilant occasion filled with delectable food and entertainment. Stories of heroic and influential women are shared and celebrated.

Observed on the third moon of the year, this ceremony offers hope to women yearning for the blessing of motherhood. Those seeking Jusannia's favor retreat to the temple's privacy lodge for meditation, before returning home to their partners to complete the ritual. Children born months later, each according to their race's gestation period, are predominantly female.

Celebrated on the sixth moon of the year, this day honors the birth of Jusannia. It is a festive occasion, one of the rare instances when the entire community is invited to partake in a feast within the temple grounds. The day is filled with storytelling about heroic women and their contributions to the betterment of the world.

This day heralds the onset of the new year, celebrated with night-long vigils, stargazing, and prayers for guidance and growth in the year ahead.

Observed mid-year, this day is a time for introspection, reflecting on the year's progress, and expressing gratitude to Jusannia for her guidance and support.

When a woman under Jusannia's care gives birth, she is brought to the birthing center, equipped with several hot tubs. The women labor in these tubs, assisted by midwives. Post-birth, they retreat to private rooms to bond with their newborns. These rooms feature two doors—one leading inside the center, and one outside. Once the mother and child have bonded and the child has fed, the outside door is unlocked, allowing the father and family to join them.

This celebration marks a girl's transition into womanhood, typically around the age of 15 for human girls. The temple hosts a celebration for the family and friends. Depending on the culture, this occasion may also be when families arrange marriages.

Performed on the Day of the First Star, this ceremony involves a path laid out with small lights or candles, symbolizing life's journey under Jusannia's guidance. Followers traverse the path while offering prayers or making personal commitments for the coming year.

Conducted on the Day of the Second Star, this ceremony features a communal meal under the open sky, symbolizing the unity and interconnectedness of all life under Jusannia's care. During the meal, stories about Jusannia and her teachings are shared, and prayers for continued guidance and support are offered.

This heretical group takes the teachings about femininity and motherhood to an extreme, advocating for a society entirely dominated by women. They believe that men are inherently inferior and should be subjugated for the greater good. This contradicts Jusannia's more balanced teachings about the importance of both genders.

This sect believes that the divine aspects of motherhood and femininity can be commodified and sold. They engage in the sale of "blessed" fertility potions, birthing charms, and other related items, directly contradicting the taboo against commercial exploitation of Jusannia's teachings.

Founded by a woman named Lysandra, this cult believes that Jusannia is not the ultimate Mother Goddess but a lesser deity serving a higher, unknown feminine power represented by a red star. They often engage in secretive rituals aimed at contacting this higher power, and they deny the authority of the mainstream clergy.

Led by a charismatic leader named Elowen, this cult claims to have discovered lost teachings of Dennona, the earliest known devotee of Jusannia. According to them, Dennona had secret teachings that were suppressed by the mainstream clergy, teachings that elevate the role of women as not just life-givers but also as arbiters of life and death. They believe in a more interventionist role for women, including the "righteous" killing of those who harm women, which contradicts the mainstream teachings of healing and protection.