Pras the Blackwhip

History and Description

Pras, also known as the Blackwhip, is a god in the Doheaga pantheon. He is the deity of confession, rehabilitation, penance, prosecution, law, and judgment.

Before he became a god, Pras was a man named Ithrays Mol. He was born into a wicked clan that was devoted to serving their gods through ruthless, vile, and cunning actions. However, Ithrays Mol eventually turned his back on his family to lead a life more devoted to himself. As he gained power, he realized his deep flaws and selfishness. Through the help of two friends, he turned his life over to doing penance for his past evil deeds. He spent years visiting every town or area where he had done wrong and made amends to every person or family he had harmed over his centuries-long life. In order to accomplish this, he wore a mask covering his face so as not to immediately incur the wrath of those he approached to make reparations.

After his death, Ithrays Mol ascended to become the god Pras. He is known for being a brutal, but fair deity devoted to just penance, punishment, and rehabilitation of all those who do evil. His deepest desire is that all who are evil be given the opportunity to change their ways toward good and toward ascendance - even if that means pain and suffering. The Omologia of Pras, his clerical order, begins their service by making amends to all they have harmed.

Pras is represented by a sword wrapped in cloth encircled in a circular whip, symbolizing the putting away of violence in favor of restraint and penance. However, the Omologia of Pras led an inquisition called the Daemonium Purgare in a dark time in history, where many people were falsely accused and put to death. The inquisition is still talked about in dark tones and the Omologia of Pras are still feared by most people, with their scythes and plague masks.

Dogma

Visions of Pras often involve a figure in black robes, carrying a sword wrapped in cloth and encircled by a circular whip. The figure is often faceless, hidden behind a mask reminiscent of the ones worn by the Omologia of Pras. The vision may also include the sounds of chains rattling, whips cracking, and the screams of the guilty as they are punished for their sins.

To those who seek redemption and penance, Pras may appear as a figure of hope and guidance, offering a path to atonement for past sins. However, to those who have committed heinous acts and refuse to take responsibility for their actions, Pras may appear as a figure of terror and judgment, wielding his sword and whip to deliver punishment and justice.

To honor Pras with one's life, one must strive to live a life of penance, rehabilitation, and justice. The Omologia of Pras teaches that it is important to recognize one's past mistakes and make amends for them, even if it means enduring pain and suffering. They also believe in holding oneself and others accountable for their actions and making sure that justice is served.

One way to honor Pras is to seek out and correct past wrongs, whether that be through making amends to those who were harmed or by working to prevent similar wrongs from happening in the future. Additionally, one can honor Pras by living a life of personal responsibility and self-reflection. This may involve regularly examining one's own actions and motivations, and seeking out ways to improve oneself and make a positive impact on the world. The Omologia of Pras also places great importance on upholding the law and ensuring that justice is served. 

According to the teachings of Pras, one can dishonor or sin against him by refusing to take responsibility for their actions and refusing to make amends for their wrongdoing. Those who continue to harm others without seeking redemption or rehabilitation are also believed to be dishonoring Pras. Those who abuse the power of the law, use it for personal gain, or pervert it for their own interests are also seen as going against the teachings of Pras. Additionally, those who use violence or torture without restraint and for personal pleasure are considered to be committing sins against Pras. Overall, Pras expects his followers to be just and fair, to seek redemption and rehabilitation, and to uphold the law for the betterment of society.

Clergy

The temples of Pras are often austere and foreboding, reflecting the serious nature of the god and his worship. They are often adorned with symbols of the law, such as scales or the sword and whip symbol of Pras. The rituals of Pras are also somber affairs, with a focus on confession, penance, and judgment.

The Omologia of Pras are a clerical order dedicated to the god's teachings of confession, rehabilitation, penance, prosecution, the law, and judgement. They wear plague masks to symbolize the contagion of evil and their mission to purify the world of it. Their vestments are often black and white, symbolizing the contrast between good and evil, and they carry scythes to symbolize their role in separating the wheat from the chaff.

In their rituals, the Omologia of Pras perform acts of confession and penance, seeking to make amends for their past wrongs and the wrongs of their order. They also perform trials and judgments, both for members of their own order and for those who seek their help in seeking justice.

Symbols of Pras include the sword wrapped in cloth encircled in a circular whip, which represents the putting away of violence in favor of restraint and penance. The scales are also a symbol of Pras, representing the balance of justice and the weighing of one's deeds. The plague mask is another symbol of the god, representing the contagion of evil and the need for purification.

From A Partial and Incomplete History of Sycharia by Shrewd McShales