Great concept and great execution ! You really managed to create a faction that pushes other players to do correct threat assessment, because ignoring or abusing the contract could both be punishable.
About the Shrines, is it correct that you can place more than one in a clearing ? And once it's on its awakened side, it never returns on its dormant side ?
My only concern would be that the faction might be a bit passive. Wether your opponent has the contract or not, you can score VP no matter your board state. You may want to just defend one clearing with your shrines and nothing else. There are 6 possible ways to score VP, maybe there are a bit too much fail-safes ?
Oh and of course the artworks is incredible, you didn't stop at only one cardinal, instead you've drawn a whole flock !x)