A purported symbol of the Cathari
The Cathars, also known as Cathari or Speakers, were a dualist medieval religious sect of nomadic scholars and traditions in Southern France which flourished in the 12th century CE and challenged the authority of the Catholic Church.
Overview[]
Cathar priests lived simply, had no possessions, imposed no taxes or penalties, and regarded men and women as equals; aspects of the faith which appealed to many at the time disillusioned with the Church. Cathar beliefs ultimately derived from the Persian religion of Manichaeism but directly from another earlier religious sect from Bulgaria known as the Bogomils who blended Manichaeism with Christianity.
Cathars rejected the teachings of the Catholic Church as immoral and most of the books of the Bible as inspired by Satan. They criticized the Church heavily for the hypocrisy, greed, and lechery of its clergy, and the Church's acquisition of land and wealth. Not surprisingly, the Cathars were condemned as heretical by the Catholic Church and massacred in the Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229 CE) which also devastated the towns, cities, and culture of southern France. Cathars believed that Satan had tricked a number of angels into falling from Heaven and then encased them in bodies. The purpose of life was to renounce the pleasures and enticements of the world and, through repeated incarnations, make one's way back to heaven.
Description[]
Cathars respect the spiritual nature of the world and even have practitioners as members, Sypha Belnades being a famous example. Befittingly, they study the kinetic and elemental power that courses through the veiled veins of the world and would never use magic in the service of demons or evil, or for acquiring power. They are also aware that some of the histories and legends they have learned are, in fact, genuine prophecies of the future. Due to their wisdom and capabilities, they are often regarded as mages which is a comparison they are not exactly fond of although they are on good terms with the Brotherhood of Sorcerers and even exchange information between one another but agreed to never expose it to foreigners on an oath.
Cathars are also altruistic idealists. It seems to be universally accepted by all of them that Cathars must always help those in need, no matter the danger it poses to them. If those in need are suffering a full-blown community crisis, Cathars will temporarily settle in the region and stay until the need has passed. Their aid will often take the form of medical assistance, sharing resources, and being of use however they can. Beyond merely offering aid, they are dedicated to upholding decency in the kingdoms they inhabit. The Cathars in Gresit do not merely offer aid but seek a long-term resolution to Dracula's genocide by searching for those who could defeat him. They are also willing to die if it would show one person that the very soul of the people of Wallachia was at risk of being tainted.
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