Sharoban's greatest temple is dedicated to the Guardian Maiden, who sacrificed herself to protect others and in doing so earned a place among the gods. Merida's worship sits at the centre of almost everything that goes on in the liturgical life of the city. Her temple contains shrines to the other Luminal Deities, though these are not as large or well tended as her main altar and their priests are most decidedly lower in the clerical food chain than her priesthood. As she is seen as a protector petitioners approach for all sorts of reasons, soldiers come to be blessed before battles, mothers seek her aid for unborn children; merchants offer tithes for safe transactions especially if there is a caravan involved. It is not unknown for thieves to pray for a safe, uneventful score when they have their eyes on a big prize. Despite the fact that originally Merida was strictly a war goddess, albeit with a protective slant, today she has become an all round defender of the weak regardless of their situation.
In the city's ordinary day to day life this means a number of things. The temple frequently blesses trade caravans to ensure safe journeys with neither men nor beasts harmed. This has become such a frequent request that younger priests are routinely sent to linger by the gates in case a traveller or merchant asks for a blessing as they are leaving the city. It also means that the priests have been present when raiders have attacked close to the gates and done their best to help out, and as there are days when the priests do nothing but stand around watching the flow of people in and out, they have also been able to point out things the guards miss when strange events occur. As a result a strange sort of camaraderie has grown up between the priests and the guards. A lot of this has focused on Brother August, a young cleric who has developed a close working relationship with the east gate's captain after he helped to defuse a situation with a peddler and a possessed marionette.
Elsewhere Merida's priests provide counsel, both to the normal people who ask for guidance in their lives and at a more political level. They are consulted on all sorts of matters, from the right time to grow crops to the healing properties of plants.
Merida's holy days are set about the seasons, each celebrating a particular aspect of her godhood or life. The summer solstice brings the celebration of her birth, Maiden Birth. A small crib with a straw infant is placed in the temple portico and candles are lit. As devotions are said and celebrations enacted the candles are left to burn throughout the day. The climax of the holy day is the ritualistic burning of the straw doll, marking Merida's presence in the world.
In autumn the church celebrates Merida's early life with a tourney of daring feats. This is not necessarily dedicated to combat and it is not uncommon for the contest to take place in the House of Fools to make use of their traps, puzzles and tricks. Over the years teams have emerged, often from the various walks of life across the city and competition is fierce. The team from the Blacksmith's guild won last year, but only because their leader Esfir the Bear, a huge woman, disabled the traps with her hammer wherever possible. Her master, Gerasom Gold Hand was somewhat taken aback by the bill the House presented him with a few days after the competition.
Winter marks the goddess's heroism in the years before she died. Across the continent this holy day takes many forms. In warmer climes there are re-enactments and plays to dramatise the events, whilst in the Jorvin Empire skalds recite long eddas regarding Merida's exploits. Sharoban has used this tradition for a long time, if only because the weather does not permit anything more energetic. The people who can gather in the temple or the keep and listen to the stories. Recently the event began to take on a competitive edge, as bards and minstrels competed to tell the best tales. Last year's champion was a woman, Dominika, whose rendition of Merida and the Golden Apples left the audience weeping with laughter.
The last of the church's great occasions is in late spring, just before the start of the war season. Maiden Fall feels jarring to many people because it occurs as the apple trees blossom and the fields are full of lambs. Life is spreading all around but Maiden Fall marks the date of of Merida's death. A quiet spreads across the city and a military procession winds through the streets as soldiers, mercenaries, and adventurers pay their respects to the goddess. This is the most martial of the church's holy days in one sense and it is the only time that weapons are permitted in the temple. At the same time the focus is very much on the fallen goddess and other people who have died in battle (and recently as a consequence of it) and the day is stark and full of mourning. No music plays during this ritual, every person who comes to the temple is left to their own thoughts and conscience. Maiden Fall has led to many soldiers, especially new recruits, leaving the army for other more peaceful occupations.
Next time we'll discuss the ways that the other gods are honoured in the city.
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