# Introduction The Verdant Church is the only organized religion in the land. It has roots dating all the way back to the founding of [[The Aldbine Empire]], when [[Volundr Aldbine]] accepted the blessing of the **Goddess Danu**. The Church is founded on the [[Arsaid Laws]], and most of its participants can wield magic as a result. # Structure The Verdant Church has a hierarchy of clergy: directly underneath the Goddess, the **Aes** serves as the head of the Church. Under the Aes, the six **Daoine** serve, and all Daoine overlook a handful of **Cille**, clergy that oversee a city, and any nearby towns. At the bottom rung are the **Sidhe**, the daily clergy who look after the faithful masses directly. In addition to the goddess, the Church venerates the Saints, individuals recognized by the Church who have displayed exemplary grace and blessedness of the goddess. They serve as examples, and, in death, may petition the Goddess on behalf of those who honor them. The saints are divided into the three virtues of the Church: Earth, Water, and Light. Although the Church officially declares all virtues equal, the culture and representation make it clear that the aforementioned order is considered to be the virtues from least important to most important. ## The Verdant Spring The main liturgy of the Verdant Church is known as the Verdant Spring, and is held once every two weeks, although some faithful celebrate the ceremony weekly, or even daily. As the congregation enters, there are torches available at the entrance for members to burn their hands on. Children, the elderly, or the ill may opt to instead place their hands on a provided wooden replacement. This replacement is sometimes simply painted, or, at more extravagant places of worship, magically illuminated. Once all participants are in attendance, the Sidhe leads the congregation in prayer. "We are the earth; mud, ash, and soil. We are the water; lake, river, and spring. We are the light; moon, fire, and sun. Seed upon seed, we work in your garden, to prune and to pray." The congregation then listens in silence as the Sidhe speaks: "We are seeds of the goddess, who has entrusted to us this paradise in which we blossom. We, the faithful, remain her humble stewards and continue to tend to the health and beauty of our land, generation upon generation." The congregation response "Grass, flowers, bushes, trees. All life unites to serve your purpose!" Sidhe only: "Memento Vitae" Congregation: "Remember you still live" This is a group spell, and Magik manifests throughout the room, healing the burns of the congregation, as well as most minor injuries and illnesses. In extremely large congregations, broken bones may even be healed. The Sidhe usually follows up this prayer with a greeting sermon. There are then three readings of Church doctrine, usually histories or writings of the saints. The readings always represents the three virtues of the Church in this order: Earth, Water, and Light. After all three readings, the Sidhe gives a sermon to the congregation. This is followed by a hymn that references the type of holy day being celebrated (Every day in the calendar has been dedicated to one holy day or another, usually the feast of some saint). The congregation then kneels in silent prayer, while the Sidhe approaches each member, one by one, and smears either ash, dust, or mud on their forehead. The substance will depend on the holy day and the parish in question. As the Sidhe smears, the Sidhe says "As you blossom from the lives of others, may your life give rise to new life." The parishioner replies: "May the earth enrich my soul." Once the whole congregation is grimed, the Sidhe may give a final sermon. The final prayer of the service is spoken by the Sidhe and the entire congregation: "Blessed earth, we eat of you Holy water, we drink of you Consecrated light, we breathe of you Goddess of Life, we live for you" ## The Saints ### Earth Saints of Earth tend to be outstanding layfolk of the Church, especially those who have greatly stabilized local peace in the region. They are usually local heroes that have become recognized by the Church as a whole. - [[Saint Artemis]] - [[Saint Alifar]] - [[Donnchadh Eider|Saint Eider]] - [[Saint Heligthe]] - [[Saint Joslynn]] ### Water Saints of Water tend to be outstanding clergy of the Church, and are identified through powerful spellcasting and blessing. - [[Arsaid|Saint Arsaid]] - [[Saint Avery]] - [[Saint Bryn]] - [[Saint Gelsey]] - [[Cioran Duinn|Saint Duinn]] - [[Saint Mauvel]] - [[Saint Quinn]] - [[Saint Vin]] ### Light Saints of Light are always saints of action. They are usually accomplished through military might, or else had large effects on the world beyond the elves and their empire. - [[Volundr Aldbine|Saint Aldbine]] - [[Saint Seoirse]] - [[Saint Cathasy]] - [[Neil|Saint Neil]] - [[Kavanaugh|Saint Kavanaugh]] - [[Saint Myre]]