Our Lady of Pestilence

The Tobar Highlands have for generations acknowledged a single diety in the form of Our Lady of Pestilence who's name must not be spoken and refered to only by her title.

She is the patron of both life and death, sickness and health. A cruel yet merciful diety to which the Bubonic Order pays its allegiance to.

While she is referred to as thus, her gender is not known. Scholars presume that her personification is only such for believers to truly feel a connection to her. Ancient texts refer to her by her forbidden name and believed that she only appeared in the form of a toxic cloud rather than a humanoid.

History
Once upon a time, in the grand and prosperous Tobar Empire, there lived a beautiful princess named Amara. Her emerald eyes sparkled like the depths of a crystalline lake, and her golden tresses cascaded down her back like a waterfall of sunlight. Amara was revered by her people for her wisdom, kindness, and grace.

While the Tobar Empire flourished, the humble village of Solara thrived on the outskirts. It was here that a young fisherman named Caleb cast his nets into the shimmering sea. Caleb's heart was as pure as the waves that kissed the shore, and his rugged charm captivated those who knew him. He possessed a gentle spirit that resonated deeply with the natural world.

One fateful day, fate wove its threads, and Amara happened upon the village of Solara. Her heart skipped a beat as she witnessed Caleb's strong form taming the mighty ocean. Their eyes met, and in that moment, the world seemed to stand still. Love blossomed between them, defying the boundaries of their different stations in life.

However, such forbidden love did not go unnoticed by the Emperor of Trebor, a man blinded by power and the illusion of control. Enraged by the audacity of their affection, he ordered the execution of the humble fisherman, believing it to be the only way to restore order to his empire.

When the news of Caleb's death reached Amara, grief consumed her like a raging inferno. She refused to accept a world without her beloved. Consumed by sorrow and driven to despair, Amara resolved to follow Caleb into the realms beyond. In her anguish, she devised a plan.

In the darkest hours of the night, Amara poisoned herself, embracing the ethereal whispers of death. As her life force slipped away, a strange and powerful magic coursed through her veins. Instead of finding peace in the afterlife, Amara's soul transformed into a monstrous toxic cloud, filled with a lethal venom that devoured all in its path.

Amara's transformation heralded a reckoning unlike any the Trebor Empire had ever known. Her toxic presence oozed through the streets, permeating the very essence of the empire. Panic and disease spread like wildfire, leaving death and suffering in its wake. The once-glorious empire was reduced to ruins, a testament to its own arrogance and cruelty.

In the aftermath of the devastation, the people turned to Amara, now known as "Our Lady of Pestilence," with awe and reverence. They saw in her the embodiment of divine retribution, the instrument of a higher power's wrath. Holy scriptures were written, proclaiming the rise of the toxic cloud as a punishment for the sins of the empire.

Yet, even in her monstrous form, Amara carried the weight of her love for Caleb. Every wisp of toxic vapor that emanated from her held the sorrow of her loss. She drifted through the ruins of the Trebor Empire, forever haunted by the memories of their forbidden love.

Devotion to Our Lady of Pestilence
The central tenet of this faith is the unwavering devotion to Our Lady of Pestilence. She is believed to embody the duality of life and death, sickness and health. Followers revere her as a mysterious and capricious deity who governs over these forces, often manifesting herself through acts of plague and disease.

Consumption of poison as a blessing
One of the most distinctive practices of this faith is the consumption of poison by its followers. This act is seen as a way to seek the direct blessing of Our Lady of Pestilence. Followers believe that surviving the poison signifies her favor and protection, granting them enhanced strength, vitality, and resilience against future afflictions.

Rituals of poison ingestion
The faith holds regular rituals where devotees voluntarily consume poisonous substances. These rituals are performed with great reverence and solemnity, often involving elaborate ceremonies, prayers, and invocations to Our Lady of Pestilence. The ingestion of poison is regarded as an act of profound faith and a demonstration of loyalty to the goddess.

Embracing mortality
The faith teaches that mortality is an essential aspect of human existence. Followers believe that by willingly facing the possibility of death through poison consumption, they become intimately acquainted with the fleeting nature of life. This understanding is seen as a pathway to spiritual enlightenment and an acceptance of the ephemeral nature of all things.

Symbolic transformation
Surviving the ingestion of poison is regarded as a symbolic transformation, representing a rebirth into a state of heightened awareness and connection with Our Lady of Pestilence. It is believed that the poison purifies the body and soul, enabling the faithful to better understand the mysteries of life, death, and the intricate balance between health and sickness.

Asceticism and self-discipline
Followers of this faith often adopt ascetic practices and self-discipline as a means to demonstrate their devotion and readiness to face challenges. These practices may include fasting, rigorous physical training, and other forms of self-imposed hardships. The faithful believe that such acts strengthen their resolve and make them more receptive to the blessings bestowed by Our Lady of Pestilence.

Respect for sickness and death
The faith views sickness and death not as afflictions to be feared, but as natural and integral parts of existence. Followers embrace the transformative power of disease and decay, recognizing them as opportunities for growth and spiritual transcendence. They reject societal taboos surrounding sickness and death, instead embracing them as sacred aspects of life.

Secrecy and selectiveness
The  Faith of Our Lady of Pestilence is often shrouded in secrecy, with its teachings and practices shared only among trusted adherents. Membership is typically selective, with initiates undergoing rigorous tests of loyalty and commitment. This exclusivity fosters a sense of camaraderie and deepens the devotion of the faithful to their shared beliefs.

Ethical considerations
While the Faith of Our Lady of Pestilence celebrates darkness and embraces practices that challenge conventional norms, it still upholds certain ethical considerations. Followers are discouraged from forcing poison upon others or engaging in malicious acts. Instead, they are encouraged to cultivate empathy, compassion, and respect for life, even as they navigate the realms of sickness, death, and the macabre.

Milk as a reversal of poison
Within the doctrines of the Faith of Our Lady of Pestilence, milk is seen as a potent substance capable of reversing the effects of poison. This reversal is perceived as a disruption of the natural order and the balance maintained by the goddess. The faithful believe that poison is an integral aspect of existence, and attempting to neutralize its effects is contrary to the teachings of Our Lady of Pestilence.