Thornwood's Vigil

[Madri]

"Like a rose, beautiful and soft. Like its stem, strong and sharp. Let us remember even the darkest times..."

The dawn of a new age approaches, and with such shall come renewed faith. Nemea, Goddess of the forests, of grief, of illusions, of seasons, and of the Hunt has long since guided her children, the Faeborne and those inhabiting Delphina. As we move forward, the revival of a sect of worship, Thornwood's Vigil has been brought forth, graciously allowed by our King and Queen.

The Vigil is a sect which focuses on the Nemea's darker themes, and how the seasons affect them. Grief, Illusions, The Hunt, and Seasons. Each trait of the Goddess has a certain way to pray and offer to her. The religion is meant to only obligate a person to focus on one aspect of the Goddess. However the Soothsayer, leader of the sect, must know all four and their practices. The Vigil is meant to allow those faithful to immerse themselves in an aspect most applicable to their lives, in which every action and rite becomes prayer.

The sect has been around for some time, roughly a century or so after the first Faeborne began to appear. Though it went dormant after the passing of the last Soothsayer, the Sect has now been revived. It accepts everyone, though Faeborne are obviously looked upon more favorably. Anyone may enter, anyone may leave. So lax it is that even if one were to drop it, none should be judged for that sort of action. Remembrance is enough, to have it in one's mind for the rest of their life is more than what is required.

Within the sect, the only thing outlawed in betrayal. None are to turn against brother or sister. To turn against the very organization you were apart of, to turn one's back on Nemea, spitting in the face of the gifts offered through heritage is seen as taboo, dishonorable, and of the highest disrespect.

One must follow one of the four Aspects, indulging in it's practice entirely in order to enter. Initiation into each is simple, detailed in each specific aspect's part. Over time, those faithful will grow in their knowledge of their aspect, and they are expected to assist newer members in their worship.

"To mourn is to suffer, and to suffer is to live. Happiness is finite, but so is Grief."

The origin of 'Grief'' as being one of Nemea's aspects is often unknown, true reasons lost to the years of worship. Over the years, many have come to believe two distinct ideas, one being that Nemea serves as the mother of the forests, grieving the loss of life during environmental catastrophes, as well as the loss of her children, the Faeborne as they live and die. The other, is one focused around the general idea of heartbreak, of losing something, or realizing that things must always come to an end.

This aspect is known for followers wearing darker clothing, mourning garb which serves to symbolize the process of grieving. It is often referred to as the harshest of the three aspects due to its practices, often asking much in terms of sacrifice, dedication, and understanding of ones place in the world.

Once every morning, a shallow cut must be made across the palm. This form of self flagellation is to remind oneself that 'Happiness is not Eternal'. Just as Grief is not eternal, it is a neverending cycle. Nature itself is uncaring for our hardships, and will go on regardless. One must survive on their own terms and power. This rite not only focuses on the cycle of Grief and Happiness, but also serves to symbolize the time it takes to grieve, as the flesh mends each and every day just as we must push forward.

Once every year, normally starting at the beginning of the year, a notch is carved into the skin. This is to symbolize the pain and suffering one has gone through, the sadness which one has survived. Another year, another time to mourn, but another time to be happy. Each mark left behind marks the beginning and end of the cycle, grief left behind to make space for joy until such feelings return, and the grief of the previous year left behind, freeing the mind.

Aside from this, normal prayer is a simple reminder, a squeeze of the arm, the grazing of one's finger against a rock. These rituals are often considered strange, based on touch, on feel. These 'prayers' serve as a grounding experience, a reminder of ones presence in the cycle of joy and grief, a moment to stop, and to appreciate the state one remains within. A simple phrase is often used, "To our Mother of Grief, I love and adore you. To the Mother of the Finite, we mourn with you as well," such is often said along with the daily cut.

Initiation into this subsect is as simple as performing what is known as a 'Blood Pledge', cutting one's fingertip and performing the prayer- "To my Mother of Grief, I will mourn with you." Older members of the subsect are expected to teach those seeking to enter the prayer, guiding them on their pledge, turning the process of joining into a collaborative effort.

During times of loss, members of this subsect will often help assist with organizing funerals, giving the final rites of the dead or saying prayers for those struck with grief. While worship to the Goddess is a key tenant, those of this subsect also serve to guide others who struggle with grief, serving Nemea's will directly by offering counsel and friendship.

"To lie is to be false. To be false is to be true. Every facade has its reality."

Perhaps the most common aspect to be easily misinterpreted. To follow the Illusion aspect is not to lie and fool others, but rather to help others see truth. Most magi who are in this branch are illusion magi, but they do not use it to trick others. Rather, they use it to help others view what is truly there, to dispel any illusions of the mind.

Often times, those of the illusion aspect are the kindest out of all the branches, because they help to spread 'the light' in terms of uncovering the way in which someone truly is. Illusions are more than just visual to many in this sect. Some see them as pseudo-psychiatrists in a way, often using illusions to help others get over their fears, or confront traumatic events.

Prayer for those in this branch is simply, a self-serving and self-enlightening meditation which focuses on looking inwards, to dispel any lies one makes for themselves. Once an hour of this is finished, one would speak the phrase- "To our Mother of Illusions, I present my true self." Often, those new within this subsect are tested, tricks of the mind and illusions utilized to force them to face their 'true' self, whether it be fears of who they may become, overcoming the scars of childhood, or facing a daunting challenge. This sect is all about unlocking ones potential through removing the barriers of the mind.

Initiation into this subsect is simple, a pledge is given with a truth that one would not give to anyone else. After the confession, they would speak their first prayer- "To my Mother of Illusions, I've given a piece of Truth."

"Every Winter is Death, every Spring is Life. Every Autumn is Rest. Every Summer is Bright."

The most balanced, and yet also the most chaotic of the aspects to follow,  this being that they change with the seasons. Their personalities, their clothes, and even sometimes they way they appear altogether. Though none of them are required more than a change in temperament, it is customary to change along with the different elements as much as one can.

Winter would bring about a cold apathy, one where they are able to sleep, and no longer need to emote. Though they should not shut off their emotions, one must also not over-extend themselves. It is one meant for sleep. This is a time for rest, to recuperate the body and mind, the winter is cold, it also symbolizes the ties we have to one another to survive harsh conditions.

Spring would be the reawakening oneself, refreshed and fully emotional. This is perhaps the most 'normal' that those of this branch might be. Despite this, it's easier to look more positively in this season. Spring is a time for growth, to train, to challenge oneself, to shake off the weight held in the winter, and to embody joy or whimsy.

Summer would bring about excitement, happiness, and wonder. Many in the Summer days would try to bring people into merriment and bring forth the highest of spirits. It's the most energetic of the seasons, surely. Often those with bright passion, burning desires, or great fervor enjoy this season, burning just as hot as the sun would.

Autumn is for winding down, to begin resting and preparing for Winter. Many will be lax and calm, while others will simply be happy enough to let out the last of Summer's brightness for one last burst. Autumn is a time for reflection, to ready oneself for the harsh winter. This season marks the beginning, and the end of the cycle.

Such is the cycle, such is the way of this branch. A prayer to Nemea from them would be something like this- "To our Mother of Seasons, I change with you."

Initiation for this subsect is different from the other two. Rather than a pledge or a truth, one must gather a piece of each season, different for each person, and present it in a prayer while offering them in flames- "To my Mother of Seasons, I will change with you."

"We are but beings within the cycle, predator and prey. Sacrifices of the Hunt must be made."

The newest subsect of faith within the Vigil, sprouting from the wish to respect the older ways. Nemea serves as the Goddess of the Hunt, embodying the relationship between predator and prey, of survival and starvation. Oftentimes, thanks are offered to Nemea when hunting game, or before skinning and harvesting an animal out of respect, one must make sure that nothing goes to waste.

This sect is often viewed as more ritualistic, reflecting some of the less refined parts of Faeborne culture. Many of those involved in this sect may keep trinkets of their hunts, whether they be bones of the animals, furs which they wrap their body with, or tattoos upon their body to remind them of a specific hunt. This sect focuses on maintaining Nemea's forests, protecting them, while also offering boons of the hunt to the Goddess.

Once a month, members of this sect will hunt an animal, big or small, offering the products of such to Nemea. Before the creature is killed, a prayer must be said- "To the Mother of The Hunt, I offer this prey to you." While much of this sect may be focused on the relationship between people, and animals, prey can also mean to be any of those who go against Nemea's will.

The initiation process for this subsect is the most complicated, involving a ritual where one may meet a wisp, the spirit of an animal they most personally identify with, bonding with it in the process. One must give themselves entirely to the hunt, to Nemea's forests, only then will the wisp accept their offer. Quite often after such a ritual, one may take on personality traits of the animal bonded with, their might, their confidence, bravery, or even meekness. From the smallest rabbits, to the largest bears, all those who enter this subsect will meet what animal best reflects their own soul. At the end of the ritual a final prayer is said, "To our Mother of the Hunt, may you steady my aim, and bring forth more prey."

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This post is based heavily off of Peepers' original Thornwood's Vigil, with a few elements added in, and a new sect. Those interested please contact Raenesa Vanya in game, or DM Madri#8156. Address this post for any future meetings of the Vigil!