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Description
A strange cult of glorified armored mailmen, the Poor Monks of the Magnanimous Beetle Titan (often shortened to The Beetle Cult) existis in the regions of Xorem and Mecusor, though a small sect has also started in Elenthriel.

They worship at their designated "temples" twice a week (temple can range from actual temples to homes of rich members blessed by the local chapter's head monk). Their teachings provide an entire host of insectoid gods and lesser deities, headed by the Magnanimous Beetle Titan, Jejara-Nar'a. The Nar'a mythos runs from the World's creation from a cosmic beetle who rolled matter into a ball which became the sun, to the end of the World by a giant beetle. They believe that the planet of Ashtar is alive and is a cocoon for another cosmic beetle, the daughter of Jejara-Nar'a, who would break out when the Sun burns out and end all life, and then create her own world, reliving the cycle again. In between, they preach gospels of generosity and faith in the Beetle Gods, along with the same down-to-earth pragmatism that actual beetles live out in their lives. They also preach that no matter how rich one gets, it is always important to understand how to live off the earth as a lowly beetle does, as the world can take a way in a day what wealth one had spent years amassing.

They are unremarkably similar to most other grassroots religion in the regions of Xorem, except for one detail. They are incredibly meticulous about management of files and paperwork, and their elites serve as faithful deliverymen and women of letters. These elite monks wear light but recognizable armor and have been given the nickname of "Script Swarm", as they travel in packs across the seas and countrysides before dispersing in towns and cities to deliver letters to recipients. The Script Swarm are trained in many martial arts in order to protect themselves and their written cargo during their travels. They fancy themselves knights in all but name, as only royal servants of the King of Xorem or Emperor of Mecusor can be officially called Knights.

Active members of the Cult have their letters delivered for free, but for non-members, they require a small fee to fund the religion's infrastructure. The price increases with every body of water larger than a river that the Script Swarm has to cross to deliver the letter. Their contribution to society in the Southern Kingdoms have greatly increased their congregations, as welcoming and aiding outsiders has proven immensely more favorable than remaining a secluded secretive elitist cult. They are so reliable, and have caused so little negative impact in daily lives in the Southern Kingdoms that the royals often make use of their services as well, giving larger donations to ensure that their messages are handle with special care. One king of Xorem had actually offered to make them a state religion, but many of their head monks and indeed a majority of their long-time congregation were against this, because they understood that a religion is better accepted when it is an open choice rather than enforced by government.

A little bit more worldbuilding in Ashtar, since I haven't been delving into religion enough. This one was quite fun to think up, imagining how a religion can actually use the strategy of being actually beneficial to society as PR instead of being some kind of masonic underground club.

______________________
Commissions available over here: [LINK]

Description
A strange cult of glorified armored mailmen, the Poor Monks of the Magnanimous Beetle Titan (often shortened to The Beetle Cult) existis in the regions of Xorem and Mecusor, though a small sect has also started in Elenthriel.

They worship at their designated "temples" twice a week (temple can range from actual temples to homes of rich members blessed by the local chapter's head monk). Their teachings provide an entire host of insectoid gods and lesser deities, headed by the Magnanimous Beetle Titan, Jejara-Nar'a. The Nar'a mythos runs from the World's creation from a cosmic beetle who rolled matter into a ball which became the sun, to the end of the World by a giant beetle. They believe that the planet of Ashtar is alive and is a cocoon for another cosmic beetle, the daughter of Jejara-Nar'a, who would break out when the Sun burns out and end all life, and then create her own world, reliving the cycle again. In between, they preach gospels of generosity and faith in the Beetle Gods, along with the same down-to-earth pragmatism that actual beetles live out in their lives. They also preach that no matter how rich one gets, it is always important to understand how to live off the earth as a lowly beetle does, as the world can take a way in a day what wealth one had spent years amassing.

They are unremarkably similar to most other grassroots religion in the regions of Xorem, except for one detail. They are incredibly meticulous about management of files and paperwork, and their elites serve as faithful deliverymen and women of letters. These elite monks wear light but recognizable armor and have been given the nickname of "Script Swarm", as they travel in packs across the seas and countrysides before dispersing in towns and cities to deliver letters to recipients. The Script Swarm are trained in many martial arts in order to protect themselves and their written cargo during their travels. They fancy themselves knights in all but name, as only royal servants of the King of Xorem or Emperor of Mecusor can be officially called Knights.

Active members of the Cult have their letters delivered for free, but for non-members, they require a small fee to fund the religion's infrastructure. The price increases with every body of water larger than a river that the Script Swarm has to cross to deliver the letter. Their contribution to society in the Southern Kingdoms have greatly increased their congregations, as welcoming and aiding outsiders has proven immensely more favorable than remaining a secluded secretive elitist cult. They are so reliable, and have caused so little negative impact in daily lives in the Southern Kingdoms that the royals often make use of their services as well, giving larger donations to ensure that their messages are handle with special care. One king of Xorem had actually offered to make them a state religion, but many of their head monks and indeed a majority of their long-time congregation were against this, because they understood that a religion is better accepted when it is an open choice rather than enforced by government.

A little bit more worldbuilding in Ashtar, since I haven't been delving into religion enough. This one was quite fun to think up, imagining how a religion can actually use the strategy of being actually beneficial to society as PR instead of being some kind of masonic underground club.

______________________
Commissions available over here: [LINK]