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Meter - Goddess of nature and agriculture
Lawful Good
Most popular religion in the Lands Of Law.
Cathedral in Acandria
High Priests: ?
Priests: Nardier, Gallem
Clerics: Bradlan Castle Cradax), Kelt (Applewater)
Paladin of Alla-Kal: ?
"Meter is there for us, as long as we deserve her!" ...Alla-Kal saying.
The most common religion throughout the Lands Of Law; nature and agriculture are the two most fundamental aspects which the peoples, especially the Serevmen race, depend upon to survive. Most people worship her even if they believe in other deities, and Meter shows no qualms against this.
Meter is a peaceful, tranquil goddess, who although loving and gentle understands death and hunting so that creatures may live. To her, all things are cyclic and what once was, can be again. This is often demonstrated by the evil destruction by the devil-worshiping races who destroy the forests or plunder the animals unto extinction in their quest for evil; and yet somehow, with Meter's guiding hands and blessings, the trees return and creatures, not necessarily the same, but creatures return to repopulate the land. rarely does Meter abandon a land forever.
To Meter she has only just began to tend her Plane of Existence. To her mortal and immortal worshippers, time has gone a long, winding deep pathway since life first twitched in it's awakening on this world. It is said that Meter is the maker of all living things and she will aid those that help her in her duty. Meter will take care of the crops if the worshippers work hard, heal the burdens of effort caused by the labour of tending the land. Although Meter is the creator of all living things, she is primarily a plant and land goddess, helping mostly in those areas. All Good druids worship her, as do most peasants.
"Meter bent and touched the new-born, 'Arise! Arise and go from here to a place you feel at heart, to a place where with just a thought I can hear you. Arise and be free!'" ...from the Birth of the First.
Average in beauty, graceful in form, she is a Serevmen of gentleness and compassion, but also strength. Meter wears a flowing green (the plants) dress, with slender feet, protected by soft brown (the soil) shoes. Her hair is long and pale blue (the sky) and free, but not wild or tangled. she is depicted as walking freely, sitting on a tree stump holding a basket, in which sits corn (the sun), poppies (the blood), fruits and or vegetables (life's variety), or a sleeping piglet (signifying food, growth or contentment, depending on an individual's viewpoint). She has had the basket replaced with a sceptre (in the form of a tree) or a burning torch (for re-growth and new beginnings), and sometimes (although only amongst Serevmen symbolism) holding either a dead or unconscious male Serevmen.
"Command and be commanded to enjoy the Law of freedom. Follow sloth to reap the lawlessness that comes with it. Toil to reap the Good that comes from it. Feed Evil to lose all you have sought after. " ...from The Fields.
No regular time set, although ceremonies of gratitude are often held after good plentiful times, or good weather, harvests, and even after a safe Red Moon or Black Moon (Meter herself does not actively retrain undead, she more tends the aftermath of its icy death touch).
In the smaller settlements, there may well be services held to celebrate a birth, marriage, or some other happy time. Of course, there is always a service held at a burial. Alla-Kal followers always bury their departed, although other forms of ceremonies are not looked upon as unholy or blasphemous. Town halls or schools, or the church itself often hold harvest festivals and some of the other special occasions throughout the Dodecate. There is an Alla-Kal service the last day of every Pentawaek to thanks Meter for the goodness throughout that period.
"...so the seeds of life shall give unto you growth, strength, honour, love. From all these you can grow." ...from the Alla-Kal Holy Book.
Churches are simple stone or wood structures. Usually double doors stand at the foot end whilst the alter resides at the head. Windows adorn the sides and the roof is pointed and high. towers may be added, such as bell towers or for preaching to the masses. Spires occasionally support the standing of town churches and cathedrals give protection in cities. the insides are simply decorated, but flora and faun may be exhibited inside. A statue of Meter usually stand behind the alter, or placed upon the wall, or in some cases a small sitting statue is just inside the doors where premnars may touch and feel comfort or place offerings in the basket she carries.
Herb gardens abound by Alla-Kal churches, and a blessing tree, mostly a fruit or nut tree (apple or oak usually) stands nearby. The church is usually within viewing distance of the cemetery, if one, but is rarely part of one.
"Hunt not to remove, gather not to scourge, these tenets will let you prosper and love." ...from the Alla-Kal Holy Book.
These are large, as the Lands Of Law are. The most important is Acandria, which stretches from Fangron across to the River Long, up this until the East Lake (Galadon Lake), and then down the River Charge back to Fangron. this is controlled by the cathedral.
Next in importance is the Arch-Diocese of Fangron Meet. From Fangrons Meet up Cross Lake, then along the rim of the Galaniŕ Forest and also the River Calm (these are in the domain of the Galaniŕ), south along the River Blade and its tributaries to edge Riversend, then from Riversend to Fangrons Meet. Fangrons Meet is the diocese of Priest Nardier.
The Diocese at Riversend is that of Priest Gallem at Manor Tals, midway down the River Tals.
Feldmore is the third important Arch-diocese but covers a very alrge area, but with fewer churches. The whole of the Finger River from Dwarf Port, across to the River Claw and then down the River Low.
Quintruth (Cadagun) has a small Arch-diocese, only five days in radius, but this is increasing as settlements grow.
Willows Way is the centre for Landswood, and the Bairn Mountains has its Cairngromic Arch-diocese.
Crossport was the centre of the Great River, but since its downfall this remains to be decided.
Across the Great River there is only one Arch-diocese, at Flagmore Port.
"Meter said 'I am ally to all other deities, worship who you will, I am always here for you.'" ...from the Alla-Kal Holy Book.