In the same way that Mycr is a god apart, the Mycretian religion is also a religion apart
although it also has (strenuously denied) simularities with other religions. The most important
thing to realise about Mycretians is that there is no such thing as a non-devouut Mycretian.
In a very real sense every Mycretian is a cleric of Mycr. All practising Mycretians receive
'spirit gifts' from Mycr which are the equivalent of the spells of the clerics of other
religions.
The Mycretians have a holy book, 'The White Book of Mazzaroth', which sets out what Mycr expects
from his followers as well as tales showing how the prophets have acted out his teachings
in practice.
Some of the more important teachings are:-
- Remember the Golden Rule of Mycr - treat others as you would be treated
- All intelligent beings have the potential to be followers of Mycr and should be respected
- Violence is the last resort and must never be initiated by a Mycretian
- Mycretians must not bear arms apart from an ironwood staff
- Slavery is abhorrent to Mycr
- Human sacrifice is abhorrent to Mycr
- Magic is the seeking of power over others by consorting with false gods and demons -
Mycretians must therefore not use magic
- All life is bound together therefore respect Oerth, its peoples, plants and animals
Mycretians are pacifists, are usually excellent herbalists (partly because their 'spirit gifts'
may require herbal triggers), and seek work in honourable crafts and possessions. They are
generally much admired by the common people within the lands they inhabit as they have healing
gifts they are willing to share with all. Although they make fine citizens, however,
historically they have had problems with the rulers of many lands as there is no way to
get a Mycretian to do something they feel is morally wrong. Even torturing Mycretians is
pointless as they surrender their spirits to Mycr and die rather than give in.
Becoming a Mycretian is not for the faint-hearted, however, and the discipline required is
strict. Just three infringements of the Way of Mycr in a single year are enough to render
a Mycretian 'out of tune' with his god. Repentance is always accepted but the wayward soul
generally has to start again as a new initiate. Paradoxically although Mycretians preach the
equality of all beings each Mycretian has a 'rank' within the religion according to the gifts
Mycr has bestowed upon him or her. Unlike the appointments in many other religions, however,
there is no element of political manoeuvering involved in obtaining 'rank' as the gifts which
provide it
are given by Mycr
himself. It is said that the god can unfailingly read the hearts of all his followers.
Although the religion is
mainly intensely Lawful a Mycretian can be expected to be tested by Mycr by being given
commands that sometimes seem to breech normal Mycretian behaviour. Perhaps because of this
trait there is a little known sect of Mycretians who are Chaotic Good but have only become so
after becoming Mycretians and many years of Lawful Good behaviour.