Priest Lore

Healers are blessed beings who manifest miraculous powers through their connections with the divine. In time, a Healer's link with the supernatural grows even stronger, and they are finally called to be a servant of some supernatural Patron. These blessed individuals are no longer Healers: they are Priests.

While some Priests (Confessors, Prelates, and Druids are the most obvious examples) are drawn into an existing faith, others walk their own path, choosing to worship different Gods or to worship in their own way. The Dwarvish Priests of Thurin, the Sons of Kenaryn among the Centaurs, and the Elvish Moon Priests who worship Saedron are all prominent examples. While some areas persecute any who do not worship the All-Father or Braialla, the dark Age born of the Turning denies most folk the luxury of turning down divine aid, whatever the source.

A Priest's direct connection to their Patron grants them truly wondrous powers: in addition to healing and curing all manner of maladies, Priests can call down the wrath of their Patrons to smite foes with holy or unholy power. Many Priests spend their lives catering to the needs of one community, protecting and nurturing their flocks in an uncertain age. Others, driven to spread the faith of their Patron, roam the World, advancing their Patron's agenda and converting as many new worshippers as they can.

While most Priests work for the well-being of the Children of the World, there are some exceptions. Saedron the Moon Goddess is the Mother of Night as well as the Queen of Magic, and her followers unleash nightmares as often as they work wonders. The masked priests of Morloch the Destroyer strive to topple everything the Children of the All-Father have built, and it is rumored that there are Priests of Chaos, servants of the Dark Lords who are working to destroy the World.

Narrative

Your hands are the hands of a healer: I can feel the power within you. There are many born touched by the Gods, and through their aid all the folk of Aerynth endure the strife and toil of this Dark Age. It is a heavy burden, the High Touch, and more often than not, knowing the will of the Gods brings pain, not comfort. Most who bear the Divine Gift seek out a priesthood when they come of age: they pledge themselves to Braialla, the Mother of the Old Faith, or else they serve the Father of the High Faith, Pandarrion the All-Father. But some follow their hearts away from the Grove, Temple, or Church, for they hear the voice of not one God, but many. One God's patronage is a mighty aid, how much better then for a Priest to serve them all?

Seven deities oversaw the beginning of the world, four Lords and three Ladies. Most of the world's children have turned from one or more, but a Priest must known the names and liturgies of all. Listen now as I name them, and then call them to you -- you will hear the answers in your soul.

Pandarrion, the All-Father, who fathered the races of Elves and Men, master of the Archons and lord of all the Universe. His power protects against Chaos and Shadow, and His blessings render aid to every child of the sundered World.

Braialla, Green Mother, mother of the Elves and all that grows. She is the healer and provider, and all that lives quickens at her will. Her aid cures the sick, and aids the weak.

Thurin, the Shaper, who wrought the Dwarves by his own hand, is the god of skill, and craft, and faith. Strength and craft are born of his blessings, along with tireless will.

Kenaryn, the Hunter, father of the Centaurs, whose spear did wound the Dragon long ago, is the God of the chase. His are the ways of war, skill with weapons, speed at the hunt, and power over beasts.

Saedron, the Fate Weaver, Centaurs' mother, is the goddess of Magic, and wisdom, and nightmares. Driven mad by her sister's death, she whispers secrets to those with courage enough to hear them, and grant power over enchantments of all kinds.

The final two have fallen, but there is still much power that a Priest may draw from their memory:

Malog, the Warrior, was the God of battle and arms of old. The Dragon's flame burned his face, and now he wears a mask and calls himself Morloch the Destroyer. A servant of Chaos, Morloch has betrayed the Gods and all the peoples of Aerynth.

Last is the most tragic of all: Volliandra, the Golden Goddess of music and dreams. She was the fairest of the Gods, wife to Malog. She died when the Dragon's fire consumed the Golden Moon, turning it into the Sun. The echoes of her voice can calm or confound any who hear them.

These are the Seven, whom all Priests serve. Many claim one God above the others: the Dwarvish Priests of Thurin, the Sons of Kenaryn among the Centaurs, and the Elvish Moon Priests who sing to Saedron are but the most common. Most Priests work for the well-being of their flocks, but some do not. The masked priests of Morloch the Destroyer strive to topple everything the Children of the All-Father have built, and it is rumored that there are Priests of Chaos, servants of the Dark Lords who are working to destroy the World. I will not speak of them!

See Also

• Priest

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