History
As gods are wont to do, Asa collected a body of worshippers that seem to have been around nearly as long as she has. The cult has seen their numbers wax and wane over the ages, and a number of sects have sprung up and died off during that time.
There is a long running feud between Asa's cult, and Mandrake.
Edicts
- Guard and preserve my creations.
Generally, this is accepted as protecting the plants and animals of the natural world, and woe betide those who would despoil them. The interpretation of this edict still varies wildly from sect to sect, allowing for a vast range of reactions to the simplest of things. For example:
One sect might allow loggers to enter a forest and harvest an area, with the belief that it will make way for new growth and allow the forest to prosper. So long as the loggers don't engage in truly destructive practices, they may come and go without incident or complaint from the sect of Asa's cultists.
Another sect, however, might attack a hunter in zealous outrage for simply killing a rabbit they believe has been blessed by the goddess.
- Govern yourself as do my creations, for they live as I desire.
The interpretations of this edict leaves a lot of room for moral ambiguity. It has proven as permissive as not of a number of behaviors that would see consistent punishment in a good and lawful society; behaviors including murder, rape, and even arson (of a forest, no less). Generally, if a behavior can be justified by pointing to how it occurs or benefits nature, it's entirely possible they can get away with it assuming in the eyes of the cult. Assuming the one listening is sympathetic, of course.
Curiously, Asa has remained silent on what interpretations of her edicts are correct, and has left any disputes among her people on such matters to be settled among themselves.
Clergy
In spite of the apparent chaos rife in Asa's cult, her clergy does maintain a loose sort of hierarchy that rewards the deeds of an individual by elevating their status. Such deeds are always unbidden - Asa's sentiment is that if one is told to do a thing, and they do it, they are merely performing their duty - and spontaneous acts are always rewarded more readily than those done with forethought.
- Note: While titles are presented in their male forms, their female counterparts are just as likely; gender bias is not implied.
Brother
One becomes a brother by performing an act that receives attention from one of the priests. Such an act need not be witnessed by, or reported to, the goddess and mostly amounts to a pat on the back, though Asa's followers will tend to come to them for advice, and her clergy will generally give their words more weight in matters of import.
Priest
One becomes a priest when their deeds are enough to merit recognition and the attention of the goddess. Priests have the right to speak with authority on behalf of the goddess, and as such tend to gather a following of their own within short order. Some may splinter from the original sect, while others may gather with like-minded peers in the clergy, or under the direction of a high priest.
High Priest
A high priest is someone who has repeatedly proven themselves with their deeds, and so Asa has rewarded them with a greater title. While it begins as little more than a pat on the back, there are natural consequences to the entitlement from which the high priest derives benefit. For starters, historically the goddess herself will consider the words of a high priest over the rest of her flock, as will everyone else that follows her. Such men and women tend to gather larger followings, including brothers and other priests. High Priests don't always see eye to eye, however, and may cooperate or conflict as they are wont to do.
Knight
This title is rarely conferred, and may or may not have significance outside the cult aside from proclaiming oneself an ally of Asa's. It is generally given to those who have commited an act significant enough that it would be recognized, but the individual is not one of Asa's followers. It does confer a couple of benefits, however. Overall, the Knight is recognized as a friend of the Cult, and thus more likely to be given aid. Also, should the Knight ever devote themselves to the goddess, they'll be ordained as a priest as soon as they're inducted into the cult.
