Clewgist Faith

The Clewgist Faith is a religious and philosophical sect based upon the Continent of Osnines, primarily centered around the Temple of Clewg near Estreham. The faith is predicated on the belief that every individual has a specific, predestined place within the infinite universe, and that the attainment of this position is the only path to true completion. Whether this place is one of luxury or the industry of the mineral mines, it is viewed as spiritually satisfying. The faith is characterised by a rigorous commitment to “improvement through criticism” and the denial of the validity of exterior reality.

A core tenet of Clewgism is that the material world is a “garment of illusion” and that reality is the creation of an insane prime mover. Consequently, understanding the true nature of anything through conventional means is regarded as impossible. To counteract this, Clewgites engage in a constant striving for spiritual perfection, which they believe is the only method to reunite with their “secret masters”. This perfection is sought through a cycle of fortnightly meetings where members subject their personal progress to intense communal scrutiny and often painful criticism. This process is intended to grant the practitioner mastery over themselves and, by extension, the illusory world.

The faith places significant emphasis on professional ethics and tactical positioning, both literally and metaphorically. The teachings of the philosopher Mukul advise that a practitioner should always take the high ground and never relinquish it, regardless of provocation. Furthermore, the maxim “planning and preparation prevents poor performance” governs the administrative and strategic industry of the sect.

The Estreham chapter is the primary branch of the faith, often attracting individuals from military backgrounds. They view the path to perfection through the lens of discipline, martial arts, and the exhaustive study of military strategy. The Estrehamites are known for their high standards in craftsmanship, which are regarded as some of the finest in the known world, driven by their perpetual quest for self-improvement.

The Yendorian sect, which claims the faith originated in the fabled lost city of Yendor, is more peaceful and focused on working in harmony with nature. They meet in large wooden structures known as “Lodges,” named after holy trees or shrubs, such as the mythical “Chestnut Lodge”. The mainstream Estreham Adepts frequently disparage the Yendorians as “hippie beatniks” due to their idiosyncratic and less disciplined interpretations of Clewgist doctrine.

The Temple of Clewg is a white domed building situated within a bowl-shaped valley, surrounded by a circle of twelve sacred trees. The architecture is unique, featuring pillars and walls that can be raised like sails to expose the interior, with an altar made of a single piece of black rock.

The site is notorious for a potent curse that protects the sanctuary. No man who is not an initiate of the faith can safely approach the temple; over the years, the bodies of numerous prospectors have been discovered nearby, having succumbed to the curse. This protection also functions as a baffle against scrying, making the temple invisible to the magical senses of those who serve the renegade Rojden, unless they are themselves adepts of Clewg.

• Clewg: The deity and “holy one” whose wisdom guides the faithful to their place in the universe.
• Mukul: A legendary philosopher and cartographer from Estreham whose maps and maxims are central to northern trade and strategy.
• Wall: A teacher at Estreham known for an inscrutable manner and strict adherence to the objective-based philosophy of the faith.

• Estreham: The primary base of operations for the mainstream chapter and the site of the sacred grove.
• Yendor: The fabled “City of Higher Powers,” claimed as the birthplace of the faith by splinter groups.

• The Adepts: The high-grade initiates who preserve the secret arts of healing and the history of the “Secret Masters”.