Post by DM-Chris on Nov 10, 2006 18:14:33 GMT -5
Meraga & the Sea
[/center][/size]Origin: It is unclear exactly when the worship of Meraga began, but it was written about by Visnaru scholars a number of decades after the Demon Culling War. Meraga and all of her bronze dragons are considered teachers of the religion, which is as much a way of life.
Core Philosophy: The appreciation and care of the sea is the main source of inspiration for this Aedar religion. It is taught that the sea is the womb of Emilin, and that the bronze dragons and all of the Aedar were born from it. The sea provides for her children with food, and showers them with her love in the form of rain, a major source of fresh water for the Aedar. In return, the Aedar care for the sea and tend to and respect all of her creatures.
Practicing the religion: The Aedar are ever-concerned with maintaining harmony with the sea, and always say a prayer of forgiveness when fishing. There are also prayers of thanks given for rain, calm waters, and favorable winds. Aside from these however, the worship of Meraga is rather informal and there is no written doctrine for the religion. Meraga herself is considered the figure-head for the religion, and is the embodiment of the sea's spirit, according to the Aedar. Lavish temples are built to honor her, and she has been an inspiration for artwork for generations. Meraga herself bows to the spirit of the sea, sharing the same childlike love for her as the Aedar.
Priesthood: There is no formal priesthood, and both clerics and druids draw divine magic from the Sea Mother. Age is not an issue, because Aedar who come forward are always in the same age range, and only do so when they're ready; never earlier, never later. Once they do, they are taken into the tutelage of one of a few various bronze dragons who spend much of their time underwater taking care of pearl shrubs. The dragon will teach their pupil much about the growing of the shrubs in addition to frequent lectures about aquatic life and its interworkings. Lessons given on land are used to teach survival and instruct in the ways of divine magic.
Druids are more common among the Aedar than clerics, but the few are valued for their not only their healing, but their treatment of disease as well, a problem that plagues the Aedar frequently. When the dragon has taught everything that they deem necessary, the pupil is given a rare and beautiful pearl called the Tears of Meraga, infused with her divine blood. This gift is a sign of contragulations and passage. Many druids choose to continue to aid and serve the dragons, and are often to sent to other islands to tend to problems further from home.
Relations: Most of the Aedar clergy keep to themselves and missionaries are unheard of. There is however, the artwork of the society which travels to far corners of the world and is renowned for its beauty. Because the religion is so permeated throughout the society, there are sculptures, paintings and pottery that all tell a little bit about the Aedar and their beloved Sea Mother.
Domains: Animal, Good, Healing, Plant, Water