The Green Priesthood

[NomadGaia 930]

THE GREEN PRIESTHOOD
The Rite of the Elnarnsae’ame

 

 

“O’ Haelun’Lle,
Kae’leh tal’hiylun nae illere,
Iyal il’nae’leh aheral iheiuhii kae illereh,
Kaeleh’ehya hiylun fiyem bilokera
tilrunen’onn myumin y’kae’leh.”
The Prayer of New Beginning
 

Purpose
“The way of thousands of Mali’ame now lives on in you. You show the world who we are.”
 

The Green Priests serve as representatives of the ancient Mali’ame culture that stems from Irrin Sirame, the mother of all Wood elves. They are spiritual and cultural teachers, torchbearers of the traditions and wisdom of the tribes that came before. These semi nomadic priests perform ceremonies, and blessings on their pilgrimages out into the world, and for their people.
 

Origin

For as long as the memories of the Wood elven race span, the priests of the balance have been there at the center of their people, a guiding hand in the preservation of the Mali’ame way, traditions, and culture.

In ancient times, the Irrinite Tribes lived as nomads in the deep woods, traveling with their tribes as they worshiped the Aspects, and the pantheon of mani. In order to thrive within the Woodland realm, these tribes often traversed miles and miles to seek the wisdom and guidance of the first druids in their groves. They would come to hold the druids as great teachers, and they viewed them with a great deal of veneration and respect. From them, the Mali’ame people learned how to live in complete harmony with the forests, truly living as one with the balance.

 

Soon, a great war devastated the woodland tribes, who were forced to agglomerate back into cities. Living amongst the folk of cities, their sacred traditions and practices soon fell from memory, eroding like the bank of a stream. The Mali’ame had forgotten how to live within the balance. 

 

After many long years of conflict within the realm of Anthos, the Wood Elves of Laurelin retreated to the woodland, finally beginning the path to regaining their ancient roots. Old Seeds emerged from their centuries-long isolation in the forest as they saw their city-kin finally rekindle their true path.

 

For nearly three of the last 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, Caras Eldar, and Irrinor. However, in the waning days of Irrinor, the order nearly found its end. Now, a new generation of Mali’ame takes on the mantle as priests of the balance. Just like the ancient druii who once were the central guides of the ancient Seeds, and their fathers who served as priests within the Naelurir, this new order will serve as a beacon for their people. The rebirth of our connection to the forest. 
 

Culture

The Order of the Green Priests considers itself naturally duty bound to aid the mother circle of druii in anything pertaining to their duty to the balance and the Aspects. They do not consider themselves a circle of druids, but rather as representatives of the Wood elven way of life. While they host druids among their ranks, there is no official structure for the druii of the rite. No path written into the scrolls of the new priesthood. If one wishes to become a druid, that is for them to decide, and may approach a druidic priest if they wish, or take to the mother grove in search of a teacher.

 

The training of a priest of the green is an arduous path, marked by many hours of study, and grueling training to match. Acolytes of the priesthood 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. In addition, they must learn the basics of the healing arts, using herbalism and mundane medicine to tend to the wounds of their kin, and stave off death. Through tasks similar to the dedicancies of druids of the mother circle, they learn these skills, and gather the knowledge they need to guide their kin in the ancient ways. 

 

A Green Priest is expected to embody all the traits of an ideal Wood elf- and one who lives in harmony with the balance:

 

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 make 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 Irrin, and Malin and keep to their 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 path of the forest. 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.

 

Tasks & Trials

Trial of Growth
At the beginning of their dedicancy, an acolyte must begin a garden, or small grotto. Within this garden, they must plant a medical herb, a vegetable, a fruit, an edible herb, and a tree. They may plant more if they wish, and it is encouraged that they do more than the minimum. This garden must be kept alive through their trials. At the end of their trials, they must craft a staff from parts of their tree.

 

Trial of Healing
Just as a priest must carry the strength of the father, they must also possess the healing grace of the mother. After studying the herbs of this world, and their healing properties, an acolyte must tend to the wounds of another using the properties of plants found within the wilds.

 

Trial of the Hunt
An acolyte of the priesthood must be able to defend their faith, and the wilds if it should come to it. Thus, they must show proficiency with a weapon of some sort, be it a bow, axe, sword, spear, or other weapon. To pass this trial, an acolyte must show their prowess in a hunt, or in single combat against another priest.

 

Trial of the Aspects
A trial that may be completed at any time during an acolyte’s path. An acolyte must bring two offerings- one to the tree of Cernunnos, and another to the tree of Cerridwen, and explain all they know of the Aspects to their overseeing priest. When they are finished, they must properly offer what they’ve brought, reciting the proper prayer.

 

Trial of the Mani
A trial that may be completed at any time during an acolyte’s path. An acolyte must bring an offering to any shrine of the mani, and explain all they know of the mani to their overseeing priest. When they are finished, they must properly offer what they’ve brought, reciting the proper prayer to the mani in question. It is important that an Acolyte demonstrates understanding of the mani as a whole, in addition to the mani they’ve made an offering to.

 

Trial of the River
One of the final tasks in the lineup- a test of strength, endurance, and control. An acolyte must carry a heavy stone to a small, but rushing river. In order to succeed in this task, the acolyte must carry the stone through the river- directly to the other side. They may take as many tries as they need, and may practice as much as they need beforehand. If a teacher has any other manner in which they can test their acolyte’s endurance, they may do so instead. IE. Climbing a mountain carrying rocks, and other such tasks.

 

The Trial of Reflection
The final trial in the way of becoming the priest. Also called “facing the mirror”, an acolyte is blindfolded, and brought deep into the woods. They are given herbs that induce visions, and are told to make their way home, unblindfolded. While in the woods, they will face visions and beasts alike, and use their skills to make it home. (OOC NOTE: For this one, make them write a short story about their character’s experience, like a forum post or a google doc, as making them emote at nothing while they’re on their own in a forest is boring.)
 

Oathed Priests and Acolytes

The current members of the priesthood, these green priests actively perform their duties mainly in and around the village of Siramenor, but also travel throughout the world, spreading the word of the Aspects through their deeds. Priests who count themselves as druids are additionally marked with their totem. 

 

Archpriests
Sister Orison - Awaiti, of Sirame
Brother Rainbow – Skylar, of Taliame’onn

Brother Moonlight – Eryn, of Sirame
 

Green Priests
Artanis, of Caerme’onn
Abelas, of Caerme’onn
Sister Reindeer - Nu’Mesia, of Ikargen

Sister Autumn – Nivndil, of Asimulum

 

Acolytes
Laetranis, of Tahorran

Syllia, of Arvellon

Becclain, of Arvellon
Mordün, of Sirame

Renae, of Arvellon
Brother Blackthorn – Anaris, of Caerme’onn
Ael, of Caerme’onn

Nylla, of Tahorran