Zopha

Followers of Zopha are cautioned against intellectual arrogance or the belief that their knowledge makes them inherently superior to others. Such an attitude is considered a grave offense against the goddess's teachings.

Withholding valuable information that could benefit society or improve lives is considered a serious violation of Zopha's principles. Knowledge is meant to be shared, not hoarded.

Deliberately spreading false information or using knowledge to deceive or harm others is strictly forbidden and could result in expulsion from the faith.

Taking advantage of someone's lack of knowledge for personal gain is seen as a betrayal of Zopha's teachings and could lead to severe consequences.

Followers are expected to continually seek new knowledge and understanding, regardless of their age or status.

Senior members of the faith are obligated to mentor younger or less experienced individuals, guiding them in their quest for knowledge.

Clergy and devoted followers are expected to engage in public education efforts, such as giving lectures, writing articles, or teaching classes, to disseminate knowledge to the wider community.

Those involved in research or experimentation are obligated to adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring that their work does not harm others and contributes positively to the collective understanding.

These are worn by clergy and are usually adorned with Zopha's holy symbol and other motifs representing various fields of knowledge.

A headpiece worn during ceremonies, often embedded with a gemstone that represents the individual's specific field of study.

Used by high-ranking clergy during ceremonies, this scepter is a symbol of authority and is often inscribed with ancient runes or equations.

Finy and Brilda of Damor are the couple believed to have raised Zopha during her time as a human. Although the order of Zopha did not emerge until a century after their death, the couple is revered within the faith as her mortal parents. Finy was a craftsman, and Brilda was a teacher. Their lives are celebrated as embodiments of Zopha's values of learning and creation.

Eneled, an elven lord, was captivated by the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. His curiosity led him to extensive research on the subject, but despite his efforts, he could not unravel the mystery of this transformation. One night, upon seeing a shooting star—a sign of a deity's creation—he sent a plea to the gods for knowledge. Coincidentally, the star was linked to Zopha, who heard his plea and granted him the knowledge he sought. Later, in a dream, she asked him to spread the love of knowledge-seeking to the world, a task Eneled gladly accepted.

Kater was a young girl when she was taken in as a servant by a lower noble. She befriended the noble's son, who taught her to read and write. However, when the noble discovered their studies, he expelled her. Undeterred, Kater sought out a temple of Zopha, where she was initially rejected due to her commoner status. In response, Zopha struck the nobles blind, and Kater became their guide and teacher. As they learned compassion and grace from her, Zopha gradually restored their sight. Kater went on to become the first educator for commoners, spreading literacy and a common language among all races. Her work on the common tongue continues to unite various races and provides commoners with the ability to earn a living anywhere in the world.

The Solum Academia is an umbrella sect that encompasses individual areas of study. Members of this sect are those who aspire to become experts in their fields. They are encouraged to join the sub-sect related to their area of study, granting them access to relevant tomes, books, and a network of fellow scholars.

Established by Kater before her death, the Comitatus Academia is a sect dedicated to providing education for commoners. Zopha personally blessed this sect when Kater created its symbol—an eye. Upon presenting the symbol to the council, the eye blinked, and Zopha expressed her approval. Of all the sects within the faith, an offense against the Comitatus Academia is considered an offense against Zopha herself, prompting a unified response from all followers.

Zopha planted a tree during her time with Finy and Brilda. Upon claiming her divine birthright, she imbued the tree with a special blessing: those who consumed its fruit would gain knowledge. However, greedy individuals stripped the tree of its fruit and cut it down. Brilda managed to save a single fruit, which she cultivated in secret. This tree continues to bear fruit that imparts knowledge to those who eat it. The location of this tree, and any of its descendants, remains a mystery, and the order continues to search for them.

After his encounter with Zopha, Eneled embarked on a worldwide journey, documenting various creatures, plants, and phenomena in his journal. He enjoyed showcasing wild animals during public presentations, often uttering his catchphrase, "Crikey," when things didn't go as planned. Upon his death, his apprentices discovered his journal and presented it to the council. Copies of his journal can now be found in every temple dedicated to nature and the study of natural creatures or plants.

The eighth month of the year marks the beginning of the training period for various sects. Prospective members can either pay or work to cover their fees, and numerous grants are available for those who demonstrate talent in their field. All initiates are required to commit to at least one full year of education.

The first week of the sixth month of the year concludes the educational cycle set by the temples. During this week, those ready to advance to the next level in their sect are tested, and those who pass are honored with entry into the next level of learning.

The eighth full moon of the year commemorates the day Zopha reclaimed her birthright. On this day, temples invite all who wish to learn something new to attend quick talks led by the leaders of various sects. These introductory-level talks often serve as recruitment opportunities. If attendees show interest, apprentices will later seek them out to ignite their spark of learning and recruit them into the faith.

This ceremony marks the initiation of an individual into a Solum sect. The initiate pledges to learn, gain, and share all they can within their chosen field of study.

This ceremony is called when a groundbreaking discovery is made that alters the understanding of a field and has significant implications for the world. Members of the council convene to grant and oversee the ceremony. The discovery is then explained or demonstrated to the attendees, who often include nobles eager to acquire knowledge that could benefit their kingdoms. For instance, the invention of steel was revealed through an Inventa ceremony, providing a strategic advantage to the kingdoms represented by the attending nobles.

This ritual is performed when a follower of Zopha completes their first major work of writing or research. They offer their work to Zopha in a sacred fire, seeking her blessing and guidance for their future endeavors.

Followers of Zopha are encouraged to seek knowledge and understanding in all aspects of life. They uphold wisdom as the highest virtue and the pathway to enlightenment.

Followers of Zopha are taught to question the world around them and to relentlessly seek answers. They regard curiosity as the catalyst for discovery and understanding.

Followers of Zopha are committed to sharing their knowledge with others. They view teaching as a sacred duty and a means of honoring Zopha.

Despite their pursuit of knowledge, followers of Zopha are reminded to remain humble. They acknowledge that there is always more to learn and that no one can ever claim to know everything.

Followers of Zopha value foresight and strategic planning. They believe in anticipating the future and making wise decisions based on careful consideration and understanding.

Description: This heresy argues that Zopha values arcane and magical knowledge above all other forms of understanding. Followers of this heresy often look down on non-magical disciplines, considering them inferior and unworthy of Zopha's blessings. This contradicts Zopha's inclusive approach to all beneficial knowledge.

Description: This heresy posits that Zopha's exclusion of harmful knowledge is a test of her followers' resolve and curiosity. Adherents believe that true devotion to Zopha involves delving into taboo subjects like necromancy or the creation of poisons, directly contradicting Zopha's teachings on ethical knowledge.

Founder: Elion Whisperleaf
Description: Elion claims to have discovered a "lost" teaching of Zopha, which suggests that the goddess hid the ultimate truths of the universe in arcane riddles and puzzles. Followers of this cult focus solely on solving these esoteric mysteries, often at the expense of practical knowledge and public education, which are core tenets of Zopha's faith.

Founder: Seraphine Quill
Description: Seraphine Quill argues that Zopha has revealed to her the existence of a "Sole Truth," a singular, ultimate piece of knowledge that grants immense power and wisdom. The cult is dedicated to finding this Sole Truth, often disregarding other forms of knowledge as distractions. This contradicts Zopha's teaching that all beneficial knowledge is valuable and should be disseminated.

Founder: Thaddeus Greymane
Description: Thaddeus claims that Zopha spoke to him in a dream, revealing that some knowledge is too dangerous for the mortal realm and must be kept secret. Followers of this cult actively seek out and suppress what they consider "dangerous knowledge," even if it could be beneficial, going against Zopha's teachings of open dissemination of beneficial knowledge.