Everlaen:Story:Religious Ponderings

Date Uncertain - best estimate, late Ches or early Tarsakh, Year of the Staff

Kerkstra
The lean elf kneeled in the serene glade. He had been awake all through the night, meditating. He had been praying for divine inspiration on the new temple which would soon occupy the site. The Archer, had granted him no vision this night, but with the dawn he felt peaceful and at rest. As his dark eyes surveyed the glade his eyes fell upon five small white flowers, petals open and in full bloom despite the fact the sun had yet to touch them this morn. They were all growing in a single line, direct from the greying dawn towards him - an arrow!

A sign, he thought in exultation. My god has rewarded me with an omen, and a good one at that. The plans for the temple shall go ahead and this place shall be hallowed in his name, for has it not already felt his blessings.

Kirkstra stood fluidly, scooping up his longbow from beside him. Both the symbol of his office and a deadly weapon in his hands, it never left his side. He quickly strung the bow, notched an arrow and let it fly into the West, safely away from the village in silent salute. This would be the first temple to be built in Everlaen and the first temple of the Seldarine. There was much to be done.

His plans were simple, yet elegant at the same time - as so much that is elven attempts to be. The forest itself would form the greater part of the temple and lacking powerful enough magic of his own, he would have to talk to the Tree Folk and ask them to manouver the trees into the needed positions. He had met one of their kind a mere couple of months ago. Currently living close by, he felt sure that he could pursuade the being, almost a sentient tree itself, to shepherd the right trees to the right places. Once that was done, the rest would be easy. Then the Seldarine would have their own temple in this place, at last - and the Archer would have the first - such honour.

As he left the prospective temple site, now only housing a small dedicated shrine, his mind wandered over the flock that were his fellow villagers. A small doubt entered his mind. Tanith Sweetvine had strayed from the arms of the Seldarine and had become infatuated with a non-elven diety, albeit an allied one. The korred goddess Shiallia had promised fertility and had delivered. Tanith had born not one child, but twins - doubly blessing the first birth of the village and showing without a doubt her power. A very real and necessary power in a small and new community.

He dismissed these thoughts from his head for the time being. They could be discussed later with Per Nighteyes, recently returned from the North and his investigations of ancient ruins and the only other representative of the Seldarine in the village.

Kirkstra Sartori, priest of Solonor Thelandiran, councillor of Everlaen and guardian of their faith strode home. He had much to plan...

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