Cult of Guinevere

The Cult of Guinevere is an offshoot of Justainism unique to Fleur and some of southern Skjol. It is considered a heretical sect by the Holy Justainian Empire and is actively persecuted in the Northern Territories. Followers of the Cult of Guinevere believe that the former Queen of Flowers, Guinevere Wilem, was actually a personification of the Spirit of Fleur and was martyred during her execution in 116 ME.

Description
The Cult of Guinevere is similar to other cults dedicated to specific saints found throughout the North. It consists of the veneration and worship of Queen Guinevere Wilem of Flowers, who followers call the Martyr of Flowers. While the followers practice Justainian customs fairly typically, they differ in several ways deemed significant enough to be labelled heretical by the mainstream Church. Because of their heretical nature, the Cult has been forced underground, quite literally, as followers worship in hidden chambers called Guineveraeums.

Guineveraeums consist typically of a single hall with benches and an alter, typically accompanied by murals of the martyred queen. Many such places exist throughout Fleur, created hastily following her death. These chambers are actively hunted for by Arimanian authorities, especially inquisitors, whose activity in the North has doubled since the ending of the Two Years War.

Both men and women are allowed entry into the Cult, with both being allowed to become priests or to preach on the virtues of their holy martyr.

History
In 116 ME on the 16th of Nordren in Isgerdia, Korevna, Queen Guinevere Wilem of Flowers was executed by High King Justin Herminov on the steps of St. Isador's Cathedral. Her death came as a shock to all the North, as negotiations for her return to Fleur were ongoing at the time and seemed to be proceeding favorably. Fleur was outraged by this death, with riots occurring throughout the nation. Immediately, word began to spread of the sainthood of the dead queen, claiming she had been martyred and should be venerated as a saint. In 117 Persepina Wilem II would become the next Queen of Flowers, chosen by the Holy Emperor himself to rule Fleur. This decision was highly controversial, especially due to the incredible piety of Persepina. She bent to the will of Holy Emperor whenever she could, making Fleur essentially a vassal state to Korevna and Arimania. The people of Fleur were terrified.

Queen Persepina Wilem II quickly outlawed the worship of Guinevere, making any kind of reference to her in a positive light punishable under the law. This forced the followers of Guinevere underground where they built secret meeting rooms where they could discuss the dead queen. These so called Guineveraeums quickly became places of worship, solidifying the queen's status as a martyr and saint in the eyes of her admirers. Letters were exchanged in code between leaders of various Guineveraeums and soon the doctrine of the Cult of Guinevere was formed.

It is estimated that between a thousand and two thousand followers of the cult exist in the North, with up to seventy thousand actively harboring allegiance to the dead queen.

Doctrine
Cult of Guinevere doctrine is relatively similar to that of regular Justainism in aspects not related to the dead queen. However, when it comes to their Martyr of Flowers, the Cult's beliefs begin to differ. The major differences are as such:


 * There is a prophetic holy spirit which guides Fleur and not the other nations of the North. This spirit is called the Spirit of Fleur and no other nation has such an entity other than Fleur. Previously, Arimania had such a spirit in their string of prophets, though this spirit left sometime in the Ancient Era, moving to Fleur to become the Spirit of Fleur. This is due to the divine and holy nature of Fleur.
 * The god known as Justain has changed when the Arimanians lost His favor. Now Justain has taken on a feminine nature, which has been suppressed by the Church. They call this new form of Justain Imogain after Imogen, the founder of Fleur. It is because Fleur is a matriarchy that it was chosen by Imogain to be the new host of the Spirit.
 * The Spirit of Fleur has been personified by several of its leaders. For example both Queens of Flowers, Imogen Wilem II and Guinevere Wilem, were personifications of this Spirit. These women thus are saints of the highest order, practically gods on Fayos and should be revered as such.
 * Women are the divine representation of Imogain, God of Gods, and thus should hold power in the mortal spheres.

All of these beliefs are considered heretical, thus the Church can punish followers of the Cult of Guinevere by death.

Rituals and Behavior
When within the Guineveraeums, it is mandatory to hide one's identity. Thus, followers cover themselves in great cloaks or robes, typically in orange or turquoise cilice fabrics. On the head are worn bands about the forehead or the top of the head from which is suspended fabric or ropes so as to cover the face. These ropes are usually braided with thorns or stones to cause discomfort as a form of penance. Gloves are worn by all members, some even adding thorns or nails to them to encourage suffering. Only the feet are unclothed, as it is considered respectful to come before the altar barefoot.

The Cult of Guinevere practices the Sanguinarium and other rituals of a typical Justainian service. However, after the set reading of scripture according to the calendar, a sermon is given by a member of the congregation. This sermon either disputes or approves of the read scripture, relating it to the above beliefs of the Cult. It is also typical of the followers of Guinevere to perform a simple ritual enactment of the queen's execution when initiating a new member. This is done by blindfolding the initiate outside the Guineveraeum, leading them into it, forcing them upon the altar, then removing the blindfold so that the congregation may see their face and they the shrouded congregation. Then, the initiate is choked by the force of the priest's arm across their neck until they are near exhaustion. When the initiate can take no more, the weight is removed, the veil placed around their face, and the congregation accepts them into the Cult. At some Guineveraeums in Skjol, the initiates feet are washed by the acting priest after the initiation is complete.