Ilmater

Ilmater (pronounced ill-MAY-ter ), also known also as the Crying God, is an intermediate deity whose portfolio includes endurance, martyrdom, perseverance and suffering. He seeks to offer words of comfort and calming to those in pain, oppressed, or in great need; he does so by seeking to endure any pain if it will lessen the pain of another. Ilmater is pictured as a man with a mutilated, tortured body and wearing only a breechcloth. When manifesting himself via an avatar, Ilmater's limbs are broken and moving causes him a great deal of pain.

Worshipers
Those who are opressed, sick or poor are likely to be worshipers of Ilmater and those who have a dislike of weakness (tyrants, for example) do not understand why anybody would turn to him.

The clergy of Ilmater are known collectively as the Ilmatari. During a war, the Ilmatari will gather supplies in order to treat the dying and wounded. Ilmatari also shelter the homeless and offer moral support to those who need it. They will tour the wealthy areas of towns and cities seeking donations to help cover the costs of the church. The Ilmatari wear grey tunics, trousers, a tabard, or robes, and, unless a novice, wear a skullcap, which is red for senior clergy and otherwise grey. The symbol of Ilmater is worn around the neck or as a pin badge, and some older clergy have a teardrop tattooed beside one eye.

Monks and clerics in the Ilmatari faith are known as the Adorned. Clerics of Ilmater pray for their divine magic once per day, in the morning, but must ritualistically pray a further six times per day or more. The cleric receives no holidays and celebrates no regular festivities, but may request a Plea of Rest – a tenday during which time he or she is free from the rules laid out by Ilmater's faith. Clerics of Ilmater are duty-bound to convince the dying to pray to Ilmater, and it is likely that they are able to brew their own potions.

Followers of the Ilmater are often perceived as martyrs and intentional sufferers, to the point of ridicule by some. However, they are known as some of the best healers in the realms often being found in some of the worst possible conditions, helping the oppressed, the diseased and the poor. In adventuring groups, they are often the ones who will take all risks to save a person in danger, putting the needs of others above their own, to the exclusion of their personal risk.

Knightly
The Companions of the Noble Heart.

The Holy Warriors of Suffering are an order of paladins sponsored by the church of Ilmater.

The Order of the Golden Cup.

The Order of the Lambent Rose.

Monastic
Most monastic orders are named after a flower which has particular importance to them.

The Broken Ones is a monastic order whose monks are responsible for the defence of Ilmater's temples and shrines and seek to punish those who inflict cruelty.

The Disciples of St. Morgan the Taciturn.

The Disciples of St. Solars the Twice-Martyred is monastic order noted for the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, located in the Earthspur Mountains near to the Glacier of the White Worm.

The Followers of the Unhindered Path.

The Sisters of St. Jasper of the Rocks.

Temples
Temples and shrines to Ilmater are often manor houses on travelled routes, named after Ilmatari saints. It is common for these houses to contain an area for treating the sick and injured. There is no single leader of a particular temple; instead, a collection of senior clergy meets on occasion to make decisions. A temple to Ilmater often has an abbey or monestary affiliated with it or contained within it.

Relationships
Considering their contrasting portfolios, the Crying God and his followers are a bane to Loviatar and her worshipers. At any opportunity, the followers of Loviatar will seek to torment Ilmater's people, finding the greatest pleasure in forcing a restrained Ilmatian to watch someone else be tortured to a slow and painful death. Among his other foes are Bane, Garagos, Malar, Shar and Talos.

The ranks of Ilmater's allies include Tyr (who is his superior), Torm and Lathander. In fact, Ilmater can often be found traveling with Tyr, teaching him to live without his sight and to rely upon feelings instead.