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--- gods:tor [2024/05/12 15:32] – quiddlesticks
+++ gods:tor [2026/08/11 23:07] (current) – darthmilk
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 ====== T'or/Marutuk ======
+//"Justice must always be fair, for if justice is unfair, it is unjust."//
+This god is known as the **Champion of Justice,** as well as the **Master Lawkeeper.** As followers of the god of law, justice, and righteousness, worshipers - which call themselves T'orites or Maru - often serve as law enforcement for settlements. They also sometimes form independent organizations dedicated to upholding what is just and right across the world.
+The splitting of T'or into two very discrete and distinct entities was the first well-documented instance of divine aspects' formation. It is almost certain that various aspects of the god existed in the world before this, but the schism of T'or is the first time that [[settings:jaern|Jaernian]] priesthoods and historians were able to document a new aspect.
+T'or upholds a level of law above the laws of nations and planes, known as the //Will of T'or// or, to the Cahyalian Maru, the //Edict of Marutuk//. This law governs the actions of his priests, defining a certain baseline of justice for the world to be measured against. This Will is a nebulous and incredibly complex thing, and is simply understood intuitively by the Master Lawkeeper's followers. T'or has discussed long with [[gods:orus|Orus]] to develop his Will and ensure it is not only lawful and just, but kind and compassionate.
+===== Aspects =====
+Though each aspect is thought to have a true name, the name of Righteousness is not known, and True Justice is only referred to as Marutuk on Cahyali. Note that even though Marutuk is the Cahyalian deity, Cahyalian T'orites are **not** required to be associated with the True Justice faction or vice versa. Scholars and T'orites consider the two aspects to be wholly different gods which bear the same title and work in tandem to uphold their shared domain.
+Marutuk and Righteousness look almost exactly the same, like twins. They appear as fully-grown, well-muscled men of indeterminate humanoid race. Their hair is styled differently each time they appear, but is always short enough to keep out of the face or long enought to be tied back. They are usually seen in the iconic War Harness of T'or, a form of leather armor often worn by their priests. The colors of their vestments differ, with Marutuk dressing in dark monotones and Righteousness in bright gold. Marutuk has a scar across his right eye, and Righteousness has one across his left.
+==== True Justice, Marutuk ====
+On the [[history:jaern:gods_and_dragons:reckoning|Day of Reckoning,]] T'or vanished like many of the other gods. However, his followers banded together in absolute faith instead of dispersing in chaos and fear like several other priesthoods. They believed that T'or had brought the other gods to the sword, a punishment for abandoning their duties and domains. Each dark day, they held out that their god would soon return.
+Their faith would be answered on the **Day of Awakening,** a day filled with both joy and tears as the Champion of Justice would indeed return, wreathed in a fireball that would destroy part of [[settings:jaern:lojem:rougtero|Rougtero]] and kill many. This was the first of the two modern aspects, True Justice. His existence had carried on not only through the faith of the Jaernian faction, but through the persisting Cayhalian belief.
+==== Righteousness ====
+Some time after the triumphant return of Marutuk to the world, T'orites were again overstepping their bounds, engaging in brutal power-trips and hurting the people they were supposed to protect. Instead of being guardians of the just and fair law, they had become crooks defiling the name of T'or to their advantage. With fury, the aspect of Righteousness emerged to bind them under his Will. This day was known as the **Day of Enlightenment.**
+===== Priesthood =====
+The T'orite priesthood is insistent, faithful, and stubborn at the best of times. Due to an innate connection to the divine law of their god, they are more zealous than most. The priesthood is split into two factions, one following True Justice/Marutuk and one following Righteousness. On Cahyali, those who follow Marutuk call themselves Maru instead of T'orites. Each chapter of the priesthood has a very defined structure.
+Many militaries and law enforcement agencies contain T'orites, even if they themselves are not T'orite temples. The temples may or may not be officially associated with the local government. Some also form independent organizations, which are explicitly not affiliated with a state. Although it has grown to contain more than just T'orites, the [[settings:cahyali:factions#the_kinland_order|Kinland Order]] and its Paladins are one such example.
+Maru temples are called Enclaves, and Righteousness temples are called Stockades. Though they disagree on some dogmatic details, it is mostly accepted that they must cooperate to carry out the Will of T'or, and infighting is nothing but harmful. Within both Enclaves and Stockades, there are a few general groups of people carrying out various responsibilities.
+==== The Will of T’or ====
+The Will of T’or is a set of laws and ethical guidelines that T’orites must follow which supersedes local law. These laws must be followed by all T’orites regardless of circumstance.
+  * Death and taxes must be justified
+  * Sentient beings are entitled to a dignified and just life
+  * No one is above judgement, even gods
+  * The goal of justice is to heal, not harm
+==== Initiation ====
+Before becoming initiates, aspiring priests must first complete an apprenticeship. T’orite apprenticeships are generally very long and cruel. During this time period the apprentices are taught how to conduct and defend themselves properly, selecting a weapon of choice to specialize in. This weapon is to become their first holy weapon.
+Once the temple dictates that the apprentice is ready, they are to swear their oaths and cast the **Know the Law** ritual to attune themselves to the Will of T’or. Finally the Marsal tears the initiate’s sleeve off of their weapon arm, and they are branded with their rank. This sleeve is to remain off to display their rank and to symbolize their devotion to T’or.
+=== T’orite Vows ===
+In order to claim to be a part of the T’orite priesthood, the initiate must take the following vows, as well as vows specific to their chosen path. Failure to follow these will result in punishment, as dictated by their path listed below. All initiates must take the following:
+> Justice is what I seek, I will protect those who can not protect themselves.
+> Regardless of motive, all actions should act to restore balance of the law
+> With the power of T'or, Righteousness and True Justice seek the same goal in the end, hold each other accountable for justice, and do not withhold accountability, for both may face divine reckoning.
+For those that wish to follow the Righteous, they must take the following vows:
+> My body is that of T'or's as are my brethren.
+> I will act as judge, jury, and executioner, but only if need be.
+> I will hunt the guilty, no realm, no plane, and no barrier will stop me. Justice will find a way.
+Those that wish to follow Marutuk, they must take the following instead:
+> Criminals are innocent until proven guilty, judgement is not mine to pass.
+> Redemption is almost never impossible, but isn't always what is just.
+> Life is precious, but defense of one's self and their responsibilities comes first.
+==== Organizations ====
+=== Adjudicators & Arbitrators ===
+These priests go out and investigate criminal and civil cases. They will follow the laws of the land, measuring their justness against the Will of T'or, when handing down punishment. They serve as local police or judges.
+=== Eyes of the Lawkeeper ===
+These priests are the internal police of the priesthood. They investigate any priest that a complaint is issued against and deal out proper punishment. The main job of this group is to ensure priests are following the Will of T’or at all times and eliminate corruption.
+=== The Ready Militia ===
+Generally, this group is located in an Enclave and not a Stockade. This is a fighting force that is ready to defend both the Enclave and a region against injustice and evil. The faction of True Justice typical defers this responsibility to the regional government.
+=== Hands of the Champion ===
+The collective name for the two high priests of each chapter, called the Chief Reviewer and the Marsal. These two manage the rest of the priesthood in tandem, and also check each others' power. Either one can be investigated by the Eyes of T’or at the request of the other if any type of corruption is suspected. While being investigated, they are relieved of duty.
+=== Green Wardens ===
+T’orites who choose to follow [[gods:osiris|Osiris]] as well may become Green Wardens. These priests act as rangers who protect the balance between the wild and governed worlds. Green Wardens typically focus on preventing the unsanctioned extraction of resources and may choose to station in a specific area, or wander in search of lands in need.