Religion in Tamarillo

“Neither the beating heat of noon nor the gloom and cold of night stays these preachers from the swift completion of their appointed duties. To bring the word of the Divine to those out on the trail, through service and action.” - Richard Rodgers

The Church of The Winding Road

The Church of the Winding Road is the name given to the Preachers who carry the Divine’s word through action as much as through speech in Tamarillo. However, this is not the name of the religion itself; rather, it reflects the way the Preachers live their lives. In Tamarillo, people are always on the move—not quite like the wanderers, but they often spend weeks or months away from home in their work.

The largest industry in Tamarillo is cattle, particularly in supplying leather, beef, and milk across Saxum. Workers frequently find themselves away from civilization for long stretches during cattle drives or other jobs. To meet this need, after the fall of the Golden Empire, companies in Tamarillo began employing Preachers to accompany the workforce. These Preachers took part in the work alongside their religious duties, preaching the word of the Divine on Sundays and during mealtime.

Beliefs and Practices of The Winding Road

Unlike in Goldrock, where work is seen as something that grinds people down, Tamarillo fosters a culture where a strong work ethic is central. People do not want to feel idle, and from a young age, they are taught that work is its own reward, a value that the Divine cherishes. Preachers in Tamarillo embody this ethic and dedicate their lives to delivering the good word of the Divine to the people.

Belief:

The Winding Road draws from the creation story, suggesting that the destruction wrought by the Profane occurred because there was no work to do, and that The Divine's mistake was looking away from their task at hand. The main tenets are:

• Work and burdens are best shared.
• An unfinished job is a job left for the Profane to complete.
• Always pull your own weight; letting others do your work invites the Profane.
• There is always work to be done. Don’t be complacent and let the Profane creep in through idleness.

Practice:

The Preachers of The Winding Road have no written religious texts, at least not formally. Instead, they ensure that their apprentices are thoroughly trained, passing down their knowledge and teachings as they themselves learned it. Preachers draw from these stories and their own life experiences to uplift and reassure the people. A key part of their practice is showing respect, especially at mealtime, where people must remove their hats and give thanks to The Divine before eating.

= Hierarchy of The Winding Road

On The Winding Road, it’s less about one's rank and more about where they are in their journey. With the exception of apprentice Preachers, there is no strict hierarchy for followers of The Winding Road.

Preachers go through three stages in their careers:

1. Apprentice Preacher:

The first stage involves working under a well-established Preacher. These apprentices often travel with a group, either cattle drivers or those visiting remote farmsteads. Here, they learn how to preach to people who cannot attend a conventional place of worship.

1. Full Preacher:

After proving their ability to preach and guide, an apprentice becomes a full Preacher. They seek employment, typically with the same company they worked for during their apprenticeship, although it’s rare for them to look elsewhere. These Preachers can also take on apprentices to teach the art of preaching on the move.

1. Settled Preacher:

The final stage occurs when a Preacher settles in a town or city. They no longer need to travel, as their congregation comes to them. This position is often filled by stepping into the position of a Preacher who has passed away, as once a Preacher finds a town, they tend to stay. Settling down also means they can no longer take on an apprentice, as being stationary doesn’t provide the immersive learning experience required for the role.

The Church of The Winding Road and The Divine Church of Saxum

In contrast to Goldrock, where only the elite of the church are involved in decisions, or Wheatstan, where all church members take part, in Tamarillo, every citizen has a say in who represents them in The Divine Church of Saxum’s Grand Choir.

Each major city in Tamarillo elects representatives to the Grand Choir. In theory, eight seats are available for voting by the citizens of each city, encompassing nearby towns. The list of Preachers (excluding apprentices) who wish to represent Tamarillo in the Grand Choir is put to a vote, and the eight most popular candidates are appointed. Tamarillo generally has 80 seats, although this number may vary slightly.

Once elected, a Preacher can serve up to five years in the Grand Choir before a re-vote is held in their city. While they can serve multiple terms, they must return to their city to re-run. Preachers elected to the Grand Choir move to Fortune City, where they are needed most. Despite being away, they remain in contact with their constituents through mail and telegram, and they make an effort to respond to religious concerns as much as possible.

The Homecoming Festival

The Homecoming Festival is celebrated in all Tamarillo towns and cities on the last Sunday of the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months. It marks the end of the busy cattle-driving season, when ranchers finish their long drives, selling cattle at large markets or moving them to different pastures.

In the days leading up to the festival, towns and cities grow bustling with ranch hands and farmers. The Preachers come together with their congregations to celebrate their hard work. They tell stories of the cattle drives, recounting the experiences and devotion of those who’ve worked tirelessly in the service of the Divine.

The festival is a joyous occasion, where everyone dresses in their finest clothes—mostly jeans and shirts—takes a break from work, and enjoys feasts, dancing, and each other’s company.

Clothing of Preachers of The Winding Road

The clothing of a Preacher depends on their role. A preacher who is also a cattle driver wears practical attire like a wide-brimmed hat, jeans, a shirt, and a duster. A ranch hand might wear dungarees and a shirt. Similarly, those who work in fixed churches wear practical clothing as well, but their attire is more in line with the daily demands of their role.

The one constant, regardless of the Preacher’s role, is the religious symbol they wear around their neck, which is visible at all times. On Sundays, Preachers will clean up and dress more presentably, though still in their work clothes, with the same religious symbol displayed.

At mealtime, there is a strict tradition of removing hats before giving thanks to the Divine. The hats can be worn again immediately after the prayer, but never during the meal.