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.
-//How they believe Callera communes with them.
+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 the Joybringers then interpret, seeking divine guidance.
Callera's Tenants:
//Describe their rites and rituals.
Sunites also offer personal prayers to Sune by standing in a pool or bath and looking into a mirror lit only by natural light or candles. Sune sends guidance to them by visions visible in the mirror, often by altering the reflection of the worshiper in some way.
Joybringer temples tend to be extensive and ornate, their size alone making them stand out in the cityscape. They are typically positioned in the more affluent areas of a settlement, typically where there's a lot of activity so that they can more easily engage with the inhabitants. The size is justified in the numerous functions the temple has to cover, from dwellings, administrative areas, areas for the different artistic practices, areas for the different services the temple provide, a potentially large bathhouse complex, not to mention all the areas used for the religious rites and ceremonies that they perform. Which and how many of these services the temple offers, as well as to what extent each is covered, varies between each individual temple.
-Joybringer temples tend to be exquisite, with not a single speck on the entire temple not having been made to be beautiful and awe-inspiring. Every wall is intricately ornate and lavish, often painted as to work in unison with the numerous pieces of art they have hanging on the walls. Furniture is often lavish and luxurious, meant to facilitate as comfortable a stay as possible. Rooms and hallways are often themed, with their interior and art intended to instill a certain flavor of awe and joy for those in them. Joybringer temples make frequent use of mirrors and other reflective surfaces in their design, which are included due to their belief that Lady Firehair communes through altering one's reflections.
-All temples will include ritual and ceremonial areas. These will include numerous large mirrors, and shallow indoor pools, lit only by natural light coming from roof windows, or through the use of candles. Joybringers will dance barefoot in these pools while singing prayers, carefully observing their reflections in the mirror and pools. Lady Firehair will provide guidance through altering their reflections, letting them dance seemingly independent of the those they're supposed to reflect, creating visions that the Joybringers then try to interpret. The Joybringers will also make use of the larger baths at their bathhouse for these rites when there's a particularly large gathering.
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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.