Naelurir - The Wood Elven Priesthood

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

    THE NAELURIR PRIESTS  

 

kae y'heial'Maliame myumier halere, ehya oem siimah'maehr ay kae'leh lye.

kae taelualne naelue, ehya kaean'leh Talonnii'ito myumiere karin'ento.

taliiynan parn Elehaelun'ehya Elemaln, kae ochulne ormyumierene

haleralan parn kae'leh naerin'sae, kae ochulne ormyumiere

kae ay'eleheial'druian, Mali'onn Elefin'Malin ehya Elenaelurir halere

kae halere, Eletaliynan kae annilerih

 

Purpose

The Naelurir is the priesthood of the Wood Elven peoples, and is an order comprised largely of Elven Druids and their students. Their mandate is to keep the Wild Faith and tribal culture of the Woodland Peoples alive through conversion, prayer, festival, dance and song. 

 

Origin

Spoiler

We will never know when druidism truly began. But we know that for as long as the memories of the wood elven race span, the druids have been there at the center, a guiding hand in the preservation of their ways, their traditions, their culture.

 

In ancient times, the Alder Elves and the Forest Tribes lived as nomads in the deep woods, worshipping the various spirit Mani of the wilds, and the Aspects. It is believed that all known Drui at this time were wood elven in origin. These elven druids were seen as the wisest and most venerated of all mali, and elves of all the nomadic Tribes would traverse miles of the thick Aegisian forest to find their groves and seek their guidance.

     

Soon, a great war devastated the Aspectist Tribes, who were forced to agglomerate back into cities, with much of their Tribal customs eroding away. After more long years of conflict, the Wood Elves of Laurelin finally began regaining their ancient roots, and old Seeds emerged from their centuries long isolation in the forest as they saw their city-kin finally rekindle their true path.

     

For the last two centuries of recorded history, the Priesthood of Naelurir had guided the Wood Elven people in matters spiritual. It has served through the days of Laureh’lin, Linandria, and Caras Eldar. However, with the fall of Caras Eldar, the order was left homeless, and thus dissolved.

 

Now, a new generation of druids is called upon to revive the Naelurir Mantle. Just like the ancient elven druids who once were the central guides of the ancient Seeds, and their fathers who served in the old Naelurir, this new order will serve as a beacon for their people. The rebirth of the Naelurir. 

 

 

Culture

Spoiler

The Naelurir Order considers itself naturally duty bound to aid the main branch of druids in anything pertaining to their duty to the Aspects. However, they are their own sect, racially and culturally distinct from the main mother circle, with their own hierarchy, leadership and trials. Naelurir training is markedly more harsh than that of the Mother Circle of druids. Dedicants who seek to become part of the exclusive elven priests must become adept warriors, they must learn to hunt, war and heal the most gruesome of wounds. They are made to endure pain and suffering to gauge their dedication to the path and to the Aspects. As such, progression in the Naelurir is not done through completing tasks- they are called trials of aptitude.

 

A Naelurir is expected to embody all the traits of an ideal wood elf and ideal druid:

 

Strength

To be able to fight like one of Cernunnos’ beasts. To be a fierce warrior able to draw blood from any opponent made of flesh.

 

Knowledge

To know all traditions, rituals and teachings that makes the wood elves what they are. To have extensive knowledge of the Aspects and what they stand for, and to follow their way above all else. To revere Malin and keep to his teachings.

 

Self Control

To always have a leash on your own emotions. To be cool, sensible and calm. To refrain from wanton giving of offense and to make decisions on faith, pragmatism and experience, not blind emotion.

 

Leadership

To find joy in teaching and guiding others onto the Aspects path. To aspire to be a role model, someone to look up to and follow. To be outgoing, firm when needed, understanding when required, clear and easy to comprehend.

 

Loyalty

To be undyingly devout to your own people and to the druidic way. To never bend or sway from your convictions to keep both alive and thriving, to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the well being of either if necessary.

 

 

Trials

Spoiler

An acolyte of the Naelurir Priesthood must undergo years of rigorous training in order to reach attunement and become a Druidic Priest proper. These trials are designed to bring an acolyte to their limits, both mentally and physically. While there is a standard set of trials derived from the Emerald Way of the Wild Faith, Naelurir Priests have leeway to adapt and create new trials as they deem necessary to fit to their Ichorian or Sage adherences. The trials are as follows:

 

Trial of Knowledge: The acolyte must write a thesis on the lessons of the wild faith, and of the Emerald Way to show their understanding and provide a new perspective on either of the three to show critical thinking. If they can find another way to show what they have learned, they may show it that way. It will be left to the judgement of the priest overseeing.    

Trial of Ironwood: An acolyte must show great courage and bravery, be it through fighting a great enemy, or facing down against a great evil. Defeating a dark creature, or fighting in a war. Any great feat of bravery must be shown.    

Trial of Endurance: An acolyte must endure great hardship, struggle, pain, or loss. Be it through battle, or the rending of flesh. Battle scars may suffice. If an acolyte cannot endure loss, or pain, how can they be expected to uphold their own character, and that of the order?    

Trial of Reflection: Give dedicant peyote or other herb that makes them disoriented. Then, take him to a nearby mountain with a dagger and nothing else to learn about Cernunnos. To feel that longing for food and to experience the grit of the hunt. They must come back with a kill. (OOC NOTE: For this one, make them write a short story about their character’s experience, like a forum post, as making them emote at nothing while they’re on their own in a forest is boring.)    

Trial of Faith: Perform a public ritual (Wedding/Last Rites/Warpainting/Leading a group offering), with an elder priest to oversee. OR an acolyte may bring two other mali into the fold of aspectism. Or in some way, the dedicant must demonstrate a considerable knowledge of the wild faith. Either will do.    

GRAND TRIAL: Dedicant comes up with what they want their grand task to be. Guide has to approve it. It must be Grand.   

 

 

Mani Cults

Spoiler

Be it through their specific Clan’s traditions, or personal devotion- many Naelurir Priests choose to focus their worship upon a specific patron Mani, an animal spirit that embodies status and values emulated in the Priest and her followers. 

 

As a Priest chooses a Mani to be her patron, she too creates a cult of elven followers dedicated to the worship of that Mani. To be part of a Mani cult is to adopt the lifestyle, values, customs and songs of the Animal Prince you have chosen, and make the tenets of your spiritual patron central to your life.

 

These are the current Mani Cults that operate as distinct spiritual entities within the greater faith of elnarnsae’ame. Each cult is headed by a Naelurir Priest, whose spiritual leadership is still beholden to the wider Naelurir order.

 

Cult of the Raven

Raven Priest: Layla Arvellon

 

Kwakwani, the Raven Prince, is a vexatious spirit. The Raven is a cunning trickster, mischievous, but generally benevolent. His bold and cheeky nature make him the patron of artists, singers and poets across wood elven society.

 

The Cult of the Raven is a haven for worshippers of the Wild Faith who wish to devote themselves to the arts. Through worship of the Raven, young elves learn to be free of spirit, and unlock their true potential as creators of both the tangible and intangible. 

 

Cult of the Wolf

Wolven Priest: Kairn Ithelanen

 

Morea, the Prince of Wolves is a deadly hunter, but the nature of his ferocity is precise, and calculated. A wolf understands more than blind violence, it understands strategy, teamwork, and a cold, ruthless cunning. This makes him a favoured patron of Wood Elven warriors.

 

The Cult of the Wolf is a society for warriors of the wild faith. Through the worship and study of the forest’s apex predator, the diligent Wolven Priest of the Ichorian rite teaches young hunters how to think, how to live, and how to fight, for the hunt comes with rituals of its own that must be honoured before shedding blood.

 

Cult of the Hummingbird

Hummingbird Priest: Amaryllis and Skylar Taliame’onn

 

Kholibrii, the Hummingbird Prince, is a fleeting, delicate little creature. Its feathers are vibrant and add a coloured richness to the tapestry that is the wild. Though small, the hummingbird has a large impact upon the pollination of flower-fields throughout the land. 

 

The Cult of the Hummingbird is a society for elves who wish to celebrate colour and vibrancy. It is a sanctuary for enthusiasts of fashion, of floralists and gardeners, and children- who are often made to identify with the innocence of the Hummingbird. Many Hummingbird rites revolve around Tiva- a language of flower wreaths. 

 

 

Oathed Naelurir

The current members of the Naelurir order, these druids actively perform their duties mainly in and around the town of Irrinor, but also in lands beyond, wherever Wood Elves and Alderfolk dwell.

 

High Priest

Brother Hawk - Artimec Caerme’onn (iLeoyz)

 

Archdruids

Sister Raven - Layla Arvellon (Numiyra)

Sister Horse - Lavinia Aureon (ImmaHorseRidda)

 

Priests

Brother Leatherback - Kairn Ithelanen (Excitedly)

Brother Red Panda - Lyemar Aureon (Kaelan__)

Brother Moonlight – Eryn Aureon (MrWhiteKnight19)

Brother Rainbow - Skylar Taliame’onn (LaffenOutLoud)

Sister Orison - Awaiti Aureon (NomadGaia)

Brother Leopard - Miklaeil Arvellon (ThumperJack_)

Sister Robin - Tevi Yelvairine (Trinn_)

Sister Lotus - Alydril (EagleEyeKK)

Sister Bean - Vaishnavi (Koshkaa)

Sister Sun - Amaryllis Taliame’onn (SorairoDays_)