Yourshi, Protector God, Creator of Men

Yourshi has many names. He is called the smiling god, the protector, and the missing god, but he is most famous for his role as the Creator of Men. Vaelsh legend has it that Yourshi conferred with Gimgam for several days about the Wyrld, for he saw something missing, like a picture without a frame. Deciding what he would do, Yourshi challenged Pheltul to a contest and tricked him, winning all of that god's precious supply of souls. From these souls Yourshi fashioned men and set them in the Wyrld. Realizing that Pheltul would spend all his energies trying to retrieve these souls, Yourshi set himself over them as their protector.

Seat of the Faith

Like most things Vaelsh, the worship of Yourshi is a decentralized affair, although there has been some change in recent years, and a beautiful temple was erected in the city from gigantic cedar beams. Priests of Yourshi rarely make a lifelong commitment, rather they come to the temple and offer service, leaving after some months or years.

Tenets, Beliefs, and Dogma

Priests of Yourshi are those who feel compelled at some point in their lives to give something back to the collective people around them. They become servants in every way, bringing meals to those who need them, lending their hands and backs when labor is needed, and raising livestock to be given to those who need to start a herd.

Followers of Yourshi are loathe to kill men, knowing that Pheltul will take their soul once they are dead, but will do so if necessary. The other races are not protected by this special reticence, although they are not in any particular danger in the presence of one of these men either.

The followers of Yourshi believe that the Wyrld was created in two days and that Yourshi plotted for the next three days before convincing Pheltul to enter his contest on the sixth day and creating men on the seventh. Because of this the seventh day is holy to all who worship Yourshi. Because of this a great many Vaelsh will not undertake significant tasks on the last day of the week, and priests of this faith will not even leave their temple.

Relations to Other Faiths

Relations with the priests of Pheltul are very strained, and the priesthood of Yourshi asks the clan chiefs to outlaw worship of this god each year. Each year the argument is heard and dismissed for the same reason. Priests of Pheltul do not serve their god, they placate him. Many are not convinced.

The relations with the other faiths of the Vaelsh people are reasonable to very good. In Menion, where many faiths mix, there is sometimes tension between followers of Yourshi and followers of Phessus, both of whom claim that their god made all men. Followers of the smiling god always mention how ridiculous it is to suggest that men where made by the same god who created all other life. "Can a tree think?" they are fond of jibing.

Factions and Heresies

A small but growing cult in Menion has taken Yourshi's initial role in creating men to a new extreme. This small brotherhood believes that it is their duty to attain the souls of all creatures, whether by purchase, swindle, or outright theft. Most are not alarmed by this small fringe group as the soul is a rather intangible thing and few if any worry about it's theft. Followers of this cult wear bloodstone necklaces which they believe protect their own souls from similar removal.

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