Pharasmin Penitence

The religious symbol of Pharasma.

The Pharasmin Penitence is the philosophy that one must balance their actions through pain and the trials of life to add existential weight to one's soul when judged by Pharasma, the Lady of Graves. It is also the name of an Ustalavic order dedicated to this devotion.

Beliefs

Most penitents employ ascetic practices in diet and abstention from pleasure. Adherents can also be identified by distinctive scarification on their forearms, and some practice flagellation, deprivation, the wearing of coarse hairshirts, or even self-blinding or -deafening to enhance their suffering as an offering to Pharasma.

This does not, however, make the adherents altogether dispassionate. These penitents continue to believe in healing the sick and easing excess burdens of people who have already suffered, and perform a ceremonial form of worship, even as their modest shrines typically dispense with the ornate wealth of the church. Their veneration of suffering sometimes brings them into conflict with those of other faiths who seek to alleviate it, but this most often manifests only as a cold lack of trust.

However, some of the most extremist members of the sect consider any use of arcane magic to bring pleasure or mitigate suffering as being against Pharasma's will, and pursue such spellcasters to prevent such acts of perceived defiance. Inquisitors of the Penitence often police other Pharasmins whom they deem to be overindulgent.

Ustalavic sect

Pharasmin Penitence

(Organization)

Type

Religious sect

Leader

Regent Bavhulameta Ulametria

Headquarters

Cryptgate Cathedral, Kavapesta, Ustalav

Goals

Practice the Pharasmin Penitence

Scope

National

Members

Pharasmins

Images of Pharasmin Penitence

Source: Rule of Fear, pg(s). 10–15

History

In 3833 AR, upon the shores of Lake Divirmis, Mother Kavapesta began preaching a stoic and sombre vision of devotion to Pharasma that came to be known as the Pharasmin Penitence. Called the Sister of Sorrow, she taught that death's rewards correspond to the suffering in one's life.

Locations

See also: Category:Pharasmin Penitence/Locations

The sect is led from the Cryptgate Cathedral in Kavapesta.

The monks of the Chapel of Guilts monastery in Barstoi follow a particularly severe form of the Pharasmin Penitence, and are especially interested in evangelism, flagellation, and inquisition. The monks take these devotions outside the monastery as missionaries and witch-hunters.

Notable members

See also: Category:Pharasmin Penitence/Members

As of 4711 AR, Regent Bavhulameta Ulametria led the sect within Ustalav from her everlasting kneeling position at the altar of Pharasma in the Cryptgate Cathedral of Kavapesta.

• Father Adibold of Aton's Field, Ustalav
• Mother Belchescu of Anactoria, Ustalav
• Witchfinder Judge Erdin Coim of Barstoi, Ustalav
• Sophron "Sophie" Delgavar, a former adherent from Kavapesta whose beliefs softened while attending the University of Lepidstadt and participating in the Kernaug Group
• Sir Percinov of Aton's Field, Ustalav; son of Father Adibold