Rule of St. Chlodomer the Righteous

The Rule of St. Chlodomer the Righteous is a sacred text written by St. Chlodomer himself some time during the First Age of Man and updated throughout the centuries by devoted prophets who received divine inspiration from St. Chlodomer. The Rule is a blend of religious doctrine, moral guidelines and practical instructions for dealing with dark magic and the demons that seek to corrupt the mortal world. Though its practices are specifically for the Children of St. Chlodomer as an intercessor for Betshaba, some Betshaban worshippers adopt aspects of the Rule for their own day-to-day lives as a means of honoring St. Chlodomer without devoting themselves specifically to his intercession. The Rule is divided into seven chapters, each describing one aspect of the lives and duties of the Children and their active Order of witch-hunters, the Tidebound Inquisitors.

I. The Call of the Ocean

"As Her tides art drawn to Luna's gaze, so too are we called to the s'rvice of the Seamother. Our biographies art Hers to sift, to beest shaped by the currents of Her will."

1. Devotion to Betshaba through St. Chlodomer as intercessor: The Inquisitors shall dedicate their lives to the worship and service of Betshaba through St. Chlodomer as intercessor, recognizing Her as a source of Life and regained purity.
2. Daily Rituals: Each high and low tide are met with prayers to St. Chlodomer for intercession with Betshaba at the nearest body of fresh water, natural or otherwise, invoking Her blessings and guidance. Water, in all its forms, is to be revered as a manifestation of Her divine presence.

II. The Purity of Water

"Wat'r is the essence of existence and the instrument of purification. Through it, we cleanse the w'rld of corruption and gloom."

1. Baptismal Rites: Water shall be used in all rites of purification, from the initiation of new Inquisitors to the trials of the accused. Let darkness be washed away, and the innocent rise anew.
2. Cleansing Rituals: Holy water, blessed by a priest, shall be used to sanctify weapons, armor, and the places where dark magic lingers. The Inquisitors must carry vials of this water at all times.
3. Salt and Sea: The ocean's salt is a gift from Betshaba, a tool to ward off evil and consecrate the land. It shall be sprinkled in places of darkness to burn the impure and to bless those who fight in her name.

III. The Balance of Justice

"As the ocean ebbs and flows, so must justice beest balanc'd. We art the brined and barnacled hand of Betshaba, striking down the wicked, shielding the innocent and raising the righteous."

1. Judgment: Inquisitors must be fair and just in their judgments, acting without bias or malice. Every soul is to be weighed against the scales of Betshaba's purity and Her Father's Truth.
2. Trial by Water: The accused shall undergo trial by water, where the truth of their soul shall be revealed. Those who are innocent will emerge cleansed, while the guilty will face the wrath of the ocean.
3. Mercy and Severity: While justice is paramount, mercy must also be shown to those who repent and seek redemption. The Inquisitors shall offer a path of penance to those willing to atone for their sins.

IV. The Discipline of the Tide

"As the tide is bound to the shore, so are we bound by the discipline of the Call. Through our Calling, we findeth strength; through strength, we carry out our divine mission."

1. Obedience: Novices shall obey the commands of their ecclesiastical superiors without question, trusting in the wisdom of those who are Bound. Those who are Bound by the Call must give respect to those of superior experience and role.
2. Training: Inquisitors must undergo rigorous training in both body and spirit. They shall master the arts of combat, investigation, and the sacred rituals of the ocean. As the waters flow everlasting, so much training always continue to erode weakness in the mind, body and spirit of an Inquisitor.
3. Vigilance: The Inquisitors must remain ever-vigilant against the encroachment of darkness. They are to root out heresy, dark magic, and all forms of demonic corruption, wherever they may be found.

V. The Sisterhood of the Tide

"We did bind togeth'r as the waves upon the shore, united in purpose and strength. As brethren, we find the might to carry out what Betshaba shall."

1. Unity: The Children shall stand as one, supporting each other and the Church in their holy mission. Betrayal and discord within the order shall not be tolerated.
2. Succor: In times of need, the Children must provide aid to their brethren, whether through healing, counsel, or arms. The strength of the tide lies in its unity.
3. Autonomy: As we must be strong together, we must also needs be strong as individuals. Self-reliance and personal responsibility are key to maintaining a strength of will and clarity of mind.

VI. The Voice of the Ocean

"Through the whisper of the waves, Betshaba speaketh. In Her voice, we find direction, wisdom, and the strength to carry out our Calling."

1. Meditation and Prayer: The Children must regularly seek communion with Betshaba through meditation and prayer by natural water. In the roaring silence of the ocean, Her voice shall be heard.
2. Prophecy and Vision: The Children shall heed the prophecies and visions granted to the faithful by Betshaba, for they are the guiding currents that shape the future of the order.
3. Sacred Texts: The teachings of St. Chlodomer and the holy scriptures of Betshaba shall be studied diligently. They contain the wisdom, emotional fortitude and guidance needed to navigate the challenges of the world.

VII. The Final Tide

"As the tide returns to the ocean, so too shall we return to Betshaba. Our lives art journey for Her and to Her. And in the end, we shalt find our rest in Her omnipresent embrace"

1. Death and Ascension: The Children shall face death without fear, knowing that their souls will be carried to Betshaba's watery realm. They shall be buried at sea or by river, their bodies returned to the ocean that gave them life.
2. Legacy of the Vigilant: The deeds of the Children shall be recorded and honored, serving as a beacon for future generations of Children of Chlodomer. Many of these sacred tales cannot be spoken of outside the sect to protect active Inquisitors or processes by which evil is defeated, but some "Low Tide" stories are permitted to be shared with outsiders. A pious Child lives a life that inspire others to walk the path of righteousness and stand opposed to Evil.
3. The Vigil of the Living: Where the living must remain constantly vigilant, only in death may the Children truly rest. Once their duties are done, they given to the waters so that their souls may rest.