¶ Description
The Joybringers are the official Marcandrian clergy dedicated to Callera, known by many affectionate titles such as The Lady of Love, The Princess of Passion, or simply Lady Firehair. This vibrant and expressive clergy venerates the goddess of art, beauty, love, joy, passion, and revelry, embodying these tenets in every aspect of their communal and individual lives.
Operating from ornate temples located primarily in affluent urban areas, the Joybringers engage deeply in the artistic and celebratory practices that honor Lady Firehair. These temples serve as hubs of artistic expression and luxurious indulgence, with facilities ranging from elaborate bathhouses to theaters and halls adorned with exquisite art. Each temple functions as an independent entity, though they share common goals and values.
The Joybringers commune with Lady Firehair through the reflections in shallow pools and mirrors. Their sacred rites involve dancing barefoot and singing prayers in these pools, hoping that Lady Firehair will answer them by animating their reflections to dance independently, crafting visions in the water. Experiencing one's reflection dancing in tandem under Lady Firehair’s influence is considered one of the most divine and wondrous experiences by the Joybringers.
Members of the Joybringers are as eclectic and expressive as the deity they worship. They are typically drawn from the middle and upper echelons of society, including artists, musicians, and performers who find a spiritual and creative haven within the clergy. Joybringers are known for their dramatic and whimsical mannerisms, often dressing in colorful, personalized attire that features the symbol of Lady Firehair. While they are inclusive and open to individuals from all walks of life, their activities often cater to those who can afford to partake in the luxuries of artistic and hedonistic pursuits.
The Joybringers play a central role in Marcandrian society, not only as celebrants of major life events like weddings and naming ceremonies but also as cultural leaders who regularly organize public festivals and artistic workshops. Their influence extends into the social fabric of the city, where they often act as mediators and advisors, leveraging their popularity and moral authority to foster peace and joy.
Despite their somewhat detached stance from political affairs, the Joybringers are adept at navigating the complexities of Marcandrian society, often using their charismatic influence to sway public opinion and guide communal values towards greater appreciation of beauty and art.
Faction symbol/insignia: Callera's visage with her fiery hair, often worn as a pendant.
¶ Members
The Joybringers are typically eccentric and outgoing individuals, known for their highly expressive and dramatic mannerisms. Their whimsical nature and occasional over-the-top behavior can sometimes come across as pompous. This exuberance is a reflection of their commitment to living and sharing Lady Firehair's teachings with every fiber of their being. While all Joybringers engage in religious rites, only a subset possesses actual divine gifts.
Members come from various facets of Marcandrian society, though most common are bards, artists, musicians, and performers who continue their creative pursuits within the organization. Most Joybringers hail from the middle to upper classes, as their activities often revolve around leisure and luxury—elements less accessible to the lower classes due to financial and time constraints. Located predominantly in affluent areas, Joybringer temples are less accessible to lower-class citizens, though these individuals are nonetheless welcome to join. The organization values alignment with Lady Firehair's tenets and the strength of character over socioeconomic status.
All Joybringers are artists, engaging in disciplines such as painting, singing, sculpturing, poetry, and theater. They serve as organizers, mentors, and guides in all things related to artistry and revelry. Nobility frequently employs Joybringers to educate their children in etiquette and the arts, helping them refine their skills. Many individuals burdened by guilt or tragedy also seek solace with the Joybringers, hoping to rediscover their zest for life. It is not uncommon for those who have found renewal through the Joybringers' support to join their ranks permanently. Others join for more hedonistic reasons, seeking to live the most euphoric and joyous life possible.
Membership in the Joybringers can be quite fluid, with members often stepping down from their duties to pursue personal passion projects. Some may embark on journeys in pursuit of passion and never return to the temple. As members age, some transition into more administrative roles, while others may gradually withdraw from active participation due to physical limitations, eventually retaining membership in name only.
¶ Visual Identifiers
Joybringers typically don colorful and expressive versions of Marcandrian attire, with each member adding personal nuances and details to reflect their personality and enhance their innate beauty. As a result, each member’s attire is distinct, including their ritual garbs. Most Joybringers incorporate the symbol of Lady Firehair into their clothing as a sign of devotion and belonging. While the symbol is most commonly worn as a pendant, some members opt to weave it into other elements of their attire as ornamental features.
Given their focus on aesthetics, Joybringers are exceptionally well-groomed and styled, projecting an image that underscores the importance they place on appearance and hygiene.
However, aside from the presence of Lady Firehair’s symbol, there are no uniform characteristics to definitively identify a Joybringer. Their eccentric and outgoing personalities, combined with their uniquely expressive clothing, often serve as good indicators of their affiliation.
¶ Members List
- Duran Marti - Artistic Director of the Nightstar in Alatri. Joybringer.
¶ Beliefs
Quote: "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. It is the journey of a free soul. Use it to find meaning in your life, to move past hardship. Let it heal you. Let it show you the greatness and wonders of life."
The Joybringers are fervent devotees of Lady Firehair, embodying her tenets of art, beauty, love, and passion. They are outspoken in their belief that all lives should be filled with these elements and that life should be experienced fully with happiness and joy. They wish to exult in life and have an urge to spread and share the joyous wonders of life with the rest of society.
They firmly believe that the pinnacle of happiness is only achieved when shared—that one's own joy is magnified when those around them are also happy. This belief underpins their commitment to enriching all lives with beauty and joy. Driven by this philosophy, the Joybringers actively engage in and promote public festivities and cultural events, aiming to envelop society in joyous wonders. Their efforts are both altruistic and self-serving, as they understand that to be surrounded by happiness, they must first cultivate it in others.
The Joybringers hold deep respect for those who pursue their heart's desires. They encourage individuals to act on their passions, whether it’s a youth mustering the courage to declare love or an artist creating works true to their soul. They preach the importance of letting go of fears and reservations, boldly chasing one’s dreams, as a life unchased is a life unfulfilled.
Central to their belief is the concept of self-love and self-expression. You should always seek to become who you want to be—to become your true self. This is why the Joybringers teach the arts of personal presentation and self-styling, helping individuals to discover and express their inner beauty. This focus on appearance and presentation can sometimes be misinterpreted as vanity, and they often struggle to understand those who do not place similar value on outward expression. This is also partly due to their belief that understanding and showcasing one's true self is crucial to personal fulfillment. They may, however, end up showing displeasure towards those they perceive as neglecting self-care or harboring negative views on art.
All Joybringers are artists in their own right, viewing art as a powerful medium for overcoming life's challenges. No matter how lost you may feel or how much hardship you're experiencing, you can find your true path forward through the wonders of artistry. They believe that engaging with art—whether creating it or experiencing it—can free the soul and provide profound insights into life’s complexities. Art, in any form, is seen as a sanctuary for those burdened by life’s hardships, a path for experiencing the greatness and wonders of life, and as a medium from which to find your true self.
However, the exalted pursuit of these tenets can sometimes veer into the realm of luxury, with followers indulging in extravagance under the guise of fulfilling Lady Firehair's commandments. This misinterpretation can blur the lines between genuine spiritual fulfillment and mere material indulgence, challenging the Joybringers to continually clarify and exemplify the true essence of their faith.
The Joybringers commune with Lady Firehair in specially designed rooms adorned with mirrors and filled with shallow pools. They perform ritual dances barefoot in these pools while singing prayers. They believe that Lady Firehair responds to their prayers by altering their reflections in the water and mirrors, causing them to move independently of the dancers. These altered reflections form visions that envelop the dancers, initiating a divine dialogue. The Joybringers respond through their dance, adjusting their movements to pose questions or express thoughts, to which their reflections and the surrounding visions may react, creating a dynamic and interactive exchange that they interpret as divine guidance.
Callera's Tenants:
- (Joy/Revelry) Exult in life, let all dance in all its joyous wonders. Find joy in all things, and let your laughter chime like silver bells on a summer breeze. Spread love, joy and happiness, my darlings, like fireflies on a moonlit night. Let all dance with the wind, skip with the stars, and twirl in the moon's tender embrace. Embrace each of life's moments with an open heart, and let every surprise become a sparkling gem in the treasure trove of your memories. Fill all lives with boundless revelry and celebration. May all revel in life's pleasures and waltz through its wonders, for Lady Firehair's magic is found in every joyous pirouette. Embrace the carnival of life and let it sweep you away in a whirlwind of laughter and merriment!
- (Love) Follow your heart, for love knows your true destination. Seek out love's enchanted pathways, and let the stars be your guide. Love none more than yourself except Lady Firehair herself, and loose yourself in love of her. Love is the greatest pleasure, the most euphoric of experiences—a waltz that sets your soul ablaze. Awaken love in all, so they too may revel in its euphoria.
- (Passion) Let your passions be the wings that let your heart roam free. Chase your dreams, your desires, and your passions—chase them like fireflies in the night, and see them illuminate your path with dreams fulfilled. Shine your true self without fear of judgment, and let the world delight in the breathtaking sight of your authentic soul. Share your passions with the world, for the heart that overflows with dreams is a heart forever young. Let all pursue their desires tirelessly, for happiness is achieved through passion..
- (Beauty) In beauty there is happiness. Fill your life with beauty and wonder, as Lady Firehair's laughter dances upon the breeze of every soul. Seek beauty in the simplest of joys and embrace the enchantment of every moment. Treat your body as a temple of artistry. Relish and worship it, making it as beautiful and attractive as it deserves, for within every curve lies a mesmerizing tale. Share your beauty with others, so that it may move them with love and desire. Love those who respond to your beauty, and let warm friendship and admiration flower where love cannot or dares not. Encourage beauty in all things, and scatter the seeds of wonder wherever you go.
- (Art) Art is the journey of a free soul; it enables us to find and lose ourselves at the same time. It manifests our deepest emotions. Use it to find purpose, love, joy, and to heal past hardships. Art spreads beauty and passion. Collect, share, and protect these treasures. Let art inspire and reveal the greatness and wonders of life to you and to all. Relish in song, dance, and plays. Celebrate the masterpiece of creativity, and let it dance upon the tapestry of existence.
¶ Goals
The primary goal of the Joybringers is to spread the worship of Lady Firehair and her tenets. They aim to transform Marcandria into a society where all inhabitants can live lives filled with happiness, love, and fulfillment. The Joybringers' endeavors and the events they organize are designed to share and elevate the wonders and joys of life. These activities also serve to increase people's familiarity with and devotion to Lady Firehair, fostering more devout worshipers. While their motives are largely altruistic, many members also participate in these endeavors to enhance their own personal fulfillment and happiness.
¶ Organization
The Joybringers operate with a loose organizational structure, with each temple functioning as an independent entity. While different temples collaborate when beneficial, there is no overarching authority dictating their collective actions. The hierarchy within each temple is fluid; members have ranks based on seniority and artistic accomplishments, but these do not necessarily confer authority. Leadership for specific endeavors is often determined by charisma and initiative, allowing even novices to lead projects involving more seasoned members.
The temple leader, known as the Revelmaster or Revelmistress, is a title that shifts according to current leadership. Positions within temple administration are somewhat more stable, as these roles require some level of training and hand-over to operate smoothly, though they still exhibit flexibility. Individuals may temporarily step down from their roles to pursue personal passion projects, then return, contributing to a dynamic rotation of responsibilities. The position of Revelmaster or Revelmistress often rotates among a few members, occasionally welcoming newcomers or seeing long-standing leaders retire.
Joybringer temples recognize three main ranks below the Revelmaster or Revelmistress: Novice, Aesthete, and Joybringer. Advancement is informal, based on engagement and recognition by fellow members rather than formal assessments. Over time, as members gain seniority and produce artistic works, their peers begin to acknowledge them as Aesthetes or Joybringers, reflecting a consensus-based approach to ranking.
Members of all ranks can lead or participate in planning and executing temple activities, ranging from festivities to various services offered by the temple. Leadership in these activities often goes to those most popular among the participants. Not all members possess divine gifts; however, those who embody the tenets of Lady Firehair, demonstrating charisma and a profound connection to art, are more likely to receive such blessings and ascend quickly within the temple ranks.
Financially, the Joybringers sustain their activities through payments for services and donations from nobility and occasionally the Meranzeum, aimed at fostering public happiness. These funds support the organization of events and expansion of services. Additionally, organizations and influential individuals sometimes hire the Joybringers to manage private events and celebrations, further supporting their mission.
Ranks:
- Revelmaster/Revelmistress – Leads the temple. While any member can theoretically become Revelmaster or Revelmistress, it typically requires a level of accomplishment and seniority equivalent to that of a Joybringer.
- Joybringer – Senior members recognized for their artistic achievements and deep expertise in their chosen disciplines.
- Aesthete – Recognized once members have demonstrated involvement and achievement within the temple's activities. The criteria for becoming an Aesthete vary widely.
- Novice – Newcomers to the temple, learning and beginning to contribute to its activities.
¶ Operations and Endeavors
The Joybringers worship Lady Firehair, the goddess of art, beauty, love, joy, passion, and revelry. Consequently, their endeavors align closely with these tenets. As active practitioners of their beliefs, the Joybringers immerse themselves in experiences filled with beauty, passion, and love, striving to perpetually surround themselves with revelry and aesthetic delight. A Joybringer's life is devoted to the pursuit of artistic mastery, indulging personal desires—often in the company of fellow temple members—and reveling in life’s wonders and pleasures. Their temples often house private chambers for enjoying fine wine, exquisite meals, games, and other hedonistic pursuits, embodying a life dedicated to chasing one's desires and spreading the euphoria they cherish.
In Marcandrian settlements that host their temples, the Joybringers are a prominent presence, often taking center stage in any celebration or festival. Whether planning, organizing, or entertaining, they are integral to the success of these events. It is common for event-goers to become well-acquainted with the Joybringers, as their members actively engage attendees, encouraging everyone to participate in the festivities.
Beyond large festivals, the Joybringers continuously initiate smaller events to maintain a vibrant community spirit. These range from street performances by musicians to interactive art sessions in local parks, and open days offering free access to their services. Members frequently practice artistic skills near their temples, inviting passersby to join and try their hand at various arts. The Joybringers also manage and sponsor numerous theaters in Marcandria, often operating venues constructed by the nobility specifically for their use, showcasing performances by both their own members and independent troupes.
Larger Joybringer temples typically operate bathhouses, providing a range of bathing experiences from communal to private, along with specialized mineral and herbal baths. Independently of these bathhouses, all temples offer a comprehensive suite of styling and beauty services, which include hair styling, barber services, clothes styling and tailoring, makeup application, and skincare treatments. They also develop and sell perfumes and provide mentoring in proper etiquette and manners. These beauty services are available for a fee, although the temples occasionally host open days where services are offered for free. Each of these offerings is designed to help individuals discover and enhance their personal aesthetics, rooted in the belief that true happiness stems from self-appreciation and acceptance.
Artistry is a cornerstone of every Joybringer's life, with each member deeply engaged in at least one artistic discipline, including painting, sculpting, poetry, dancing, singing, theatre, and music. The temples offer mentoring and workshops to encourage public engagement with the arts. Nobility and other affluent individuals often enlist Joybringers to instruct their children in etiquette, arts, and personal grooming, ensuring they present themselves attractively and confidently as they mature. Additionally, the Joybringers actively support the arts by frequently sponsoring and purchasing art, ornaments, and other beautiful wares. They often willingly overpay to drive up market prices, thereby increasing demand and encouraging a greater supply of beautiful objects. Consequently, their temples are adorned with an extensive collection of exquisite items amassed since their founding.
The Joybringers also perform a range of ceremonial services, most notably weddings, coming of age ceremonies, and naming ceremonies. Although they often collaborate with the Meranzeum and the Greenwardens—the clergies for Marcandria's other goddesses—the Joybringers typically orchestrate the festivities that accompany these ceremonies, ensuring each event is a memorable celebration of life's significant milestones. In addition to these public ceremonies, they conduct regular rites within their temples to commune with and make offerings to Lady Firehair. Offerings usually include the performance itself, though they also use flower petals, perfume, and fine wine, which are sometimes added to the pools as additional offerings. Art pieces given as offerings are displayed throughout the temple. During these rites, the Joybringers engage in a ceremonial dance, watching as Lady Firehair alters their reflections to dance independently, forming visions. This transformation initiates a conversation through dance, where the Joybringers adapt their movements in dialogue with the changing visions and reflections, interpreting these interactions as responses from their deity.
¶ Locations
Joybringer temples are expansive and ornate, standing out prominently within the cityscape. They are usually situated in the bustling, affluent areas of settlements to facilitate easy engagement with the local populace. The considerable size of these temples accommodates a variety of functions: residential quarters, administrative offices, spaces for artistic practices and services, potentially expansive bathhouse complexes, and areas designated for religious rites and ceremonies. The scope and variety of these services can differ significantly from one temple to another.
The architecture of Joybringer temples is designed to inspire awe and beauty. Every surface is meticulously crafted to be visually stunning, with walls that are intricately adorned and often painted to complement the art displayed throughout the premises. The furniture is both lavish and luxurious, ensuring utmost comfort. Rooms and corridors are thematically designed, each aiming to evoke specific feelings of awe and joy in those who enter. Reflective surfaces, such as mirrors, are frequently incorporated into the design, aligning with the belief that Lady Firehair communicates through altered reflections.
All temples feature dedicated ritual and ceremonial areas equipped with large mirrors and shallow indoor pools, illuminated by natural light from above or by candlelight. During ceremonies, Joybringers dance barefoot in these pools, singing prayers and observing their reflections in both the mirrors and water. According to their beliefs, Lady Firehair may alter these reflections to provide guidance, creating independent movements and visions in the water that the Joybringers interpret. For larger gatherings, the temple’s bathhouses are also used to accommodate these sacred rites.
¶ Relations with other Factions
The Joybringers generally remain aloof from the bickering and politics that ensnare nobles and other factions. As long as their goals and activities are not jeopardized, they prefer to remain neutral, often acting as mediators to foster reconciliation between conflicting parties. The loosely organized nature of the Joybringers and the independence of their temples mean they often have limited direct resources to contribute to conflicts. However, they represent one of Marcandria's deities and wield significant influence through their charisma and the populace's deep fondness for them. While they may not directly intervene in conflicts, their sway with the public can be substantial. Visions provided by Lady Firehair could be instrumental, though her willingness to offer insight into conflicts is not guaranteed.
The Joybringers are well-connected with Marcandria's middle and upper classes, frequently organizing events for the wealthy and instructing their children. Their interactions with the rural and lower economic classes are more sporadic due to the luxurious nature of their activities, which are less accessible to those with fewer resources. However, the lower classes do take advantage of the Joybringers' services during open days when some offerings are free, although capacity issues mean not all who attend can be accommodated.
The Joybringers maintain a close relationship with Marcandria's other major religious organizations, the Meranzeum and the Greenwardens. Larger events and festivities often see collaboration among all three groups, with the Meranzeum sometimes funding parts of the Joybringers' initiatives.
¶ Stance of Succession Conflict
As with most conflicts, the Joybringers opted to stay out of the succession crisis that ensued after the royal family's assassination in the winter of 1349. However, as the years have passed and the wellbeing of Marcandrians has continued to deteriorate, many Joybringers find their stance of neutrality increasingly challenging to maintain. The escalating insecurity, marked by a rise in banditry and tension among the noble houses, has made it difficult for them to justify their non-involvement as the social fabric of Marcandria frays.