Soltana
(Sol TAN ah)
Lady of Mercy, Matchmaker, Good Sister
The Church | Dogma | Daily Activities | Holy Days | Major Temples | Vestments
| Domain: | Love, Loyalty, and Sacrifice |
| Symbol: | The Rose |
| Deity Alignment: | Lawful Good |
| Worshipers: | Any except chaotic evil |
Commonly accepted as the loveliest of the immortals, Soltana is depicted as a
voluptuous, rosy-cheeked young woman with long chestnut hair and deep blue eyes.
She often wears garlands of flowers in her hair, and her elaborate gowns are
sometimes adorned with her beloved roses.
Soltana is a kind, gentle, and loving goddess. She consistently displays
affection for the other gods, especially her beloved husband Estereal. Soltana
seems to care more for others than herself, and tends to worry over the welfare
of all, mortal and immortal alike. Though neither the strongest nor the most
intelligent of the gods, Soltana displays a remarkable loyalty and strength of
will. Time and time again, the evil gods see her kindness and compassion as
weakness, and attempt to take advantage of her. But despite many hardships,
Soltana remains remarkably resilient, and of all the immortals she is the only
one never tempted by power or personal gain to stray from her beliefs. Though
Soltana counsels mercy and forgiveness whenever possible, the evil gods have
learned that there is a limit to even her good will, and The Lady of Mercy has
proven herself a force to be reckoned with when she steps up to defend her loved
ones and allies. Soltana also displays a deep concern for the feelings and
welfare of mortals, and of all the gods displays the deepest commitment to the
care of her worshipers.
Soltana is one of the most popularly worshiped gods in the pantheon, for even
the sternest of warriors fall before the power of love. Young lovers, spouses,
and families are perhaps her most devoted worshipers. Soltana also enjoys a
vast following of mortals who seek to emulate her example of loyalty and
sacrifice by doing good deeds. It is said that every act of kindness is done in
Soltana´s name, and remembered by her in the afterlife. Soltana is also revered
by knights, paladins, and any who live by oaths of fealty to a lord or master
(her name is commonly invoked in title-granting ceremonies).
Soltana´s eternal love for Estereal is truly the stuff of legend. Soltana is
always affectionate, respectful and loyal to Estereal, who loses his customary
stern nature in her presence. She values his honesty, and wisdom, and seeks
always to win his approval. The two are often described sharing quiet times
together, and enjoying the antics of their beloved offspring.
Soltana shares a very close relationship with her elder sister, Wajen. She
often seeks her sister out, sometimes for her wise counsel, and sometimes just
to share feminine company. The two share problems and secrets that their
brothers would not understand. Soltana loves Wajen dearly, though she sometimes
disapproves of her sister´s occassional show of temper.
Some of the myths hint at Azkal´s secret love for Soltana, and many wonder if
the goddess herself suspects this. She is often tender and affectionate, and
especially solicitous of Azkal. Whether this be from her natural tendency to
want to soften those with violent natures, her eternal joy at Azkal´s return to
the fold, or sympathy for Azkal´s unrequited love is difficult to say. Whatever
the case, Soltana is the only god who ever gets away with public displays of
affection for Azkal; he never scolds or rebukes her when she hugs him and kisses
his cheek.
Soltana adores her little brother, Torodin, who besides Estereal seems to be her
special favorite. She consistently defends him when his mischievous nature gets
him in trouble with the others. Soltana adores Torodin´s impish ways, and
admires his intelligence and his gentle nature. She has said that Torodin
possesses a loving nature that he does not always feel comfortable showing to the
others, and besides Jvelto she is usually the one to bring out this side of him.
Soltana knows that her affection is returned by Torodin, and both have made
important sacrifices on the other´s behalf.
Though Soltana despises Othniel´s evil works as he spreads disease and poison
among the mortals, she bears no hatred towards him. Soltana has argued with
Estereal that he will one day reform and be redeemed. She believes that there
is still much good in Othniel, and when Wajen´s affair with their dark brother
was revealed, Soltana seemed quite pleased with the match, saying that love was
the greatest of powers and had the best chance of bringing Othniel back to the
side of good.
Soltana claims that her brother Athelstan is insane. She says that he needs to
be cured of his sickness so that he too can realize that he does have a proper
place in the Pantheon with his siblings and that he will see what is wrong with
the evil of his ways. Though she bears emotional scars from when Athelstan raped
her, she blames his actions on his illness, not on him. Soltana holds no grudge
against him and, in fact, treasures the children that were the result of that
traumatic experience. She does continue to work against Athelstan, however, in
his constant attempts to bring harm to others, and Soltana has personally
destroyed many of the evil creatures spawned by The Torturer.
Soltana is a loving and forgiving mother, and has been seen to work hard to both
help and discipline her many children in the pantheon. But she does not limit
her affection to her own offspring. Soltana tries to be a helper and healer of
any who need her.
The Church
The church of Soltana is well structured and organized, with a very strong
hierarchy. They do not place great value on record keeping, or establish
offices on the level of the Esterealeans, but considering the vast scope of their
duties and charitable activities, those churches with a large enough staff
generally appoint several deacons to assist the High Priestess. Typically,
there is a Deacon of Healing in charge of the infirmary, a Deacon of Teaching in
charge of novitiates and continuing education of all priests, and a Deacon of
Alms in charge of managing donations and charitable activities. Larger churches
have a Deacon of Matches, who arranges wedding ceremonies for the faithful and
guides priests in their efforts to bring suitable couples together. A Deacon
of the Roses tends to the beauty and care of the church´s interior. The High
Priestess herself oversees these duties, and takes personal responsibility for
the ceremonies of the Church and relations with outsiders.
Priests of Soltana come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Most are women, who
outnumber male priests ten to one, and the High Priestess is always female.
Joining priests are required to sacrifice their personal wealth when joining the
priesthood, but are allowed to retain gifts of love, such as jewelry or fine
clothing. The clerics seek duty, love and sacrifice, not material things.
Quite a the few priestesses marry into wealthy families or the nobility, and
these matches are not frowned upon. All priests are expected to marry, and the
only strict requirement is that the match be for love alone. Suitors must meet
the approval of The Church, and undergo a lengthy interview process with the
High Priestess before marriage is permitted. In the past, some have taken
advantage of the priestesses by professing false love, and seeking a union based
on the spouse´s power and the benefits of an alliance with the Church. Out of
loyalty to their members, The Church has taken steps to prevent such marriages,
which they consider a hypocrisy. A marriage of convenience is an anathema to
everything that Soltana holds dear.
Given their active role in charitable pursuits, and The Church´s maintenance of
the finest infirmaries in Hurva, the common folk value the priests of Soltana
for their good deeds. Most admire the priestesses for their charming and giving
nature, and their beauty has left many a young man hopelessly infatuated.
Although many a bards´ off-color ballad pokes fun at the "eager" young
priestesses, who are often teased for being vapid and flighty, few succeed in
actively disliking such pleasant and lovely clerics. The worst generally said
about them is that they tend to meddle a bit too much in others´ personal
affairs, and a few noble families are known to harbor a grudge to a marriage
that was conducted without their approval. There are many, however, who see the
fragility of the priestesses as a great weakness, and fail to appreciate their
awesome spell power. As a result, while the Church and its priests are admired,
sought after and appreciated, they are not always respected as they should be.
A notable exception is made by adventurers, who often seek out these exceptional
healers to join them on expeditions. Ever alert for opportunities to help the
unfortunate, redeem the misguided, and join lovers in marriage, the Soltanites
often accept these invitations, and are quite willing to risk the dangers
involved.
The architecture of Soltanite temples vary greatly, but all stress beauty and
comfort. They tend to be visually stunning, and graced with magnificent
gardens, works of art, and stained and leaded glass windows. In honor of
Soltana´s love for both crystal and roses, these are worked into the design of
the temple whenever possible. Rose potpourri simmering in a crystal bowl scents
every sanctuary, and both pews and altars are made of rosewood whenever
possible. The comfort of both priest and worshiper is tended to as much as
possible. Seats are covered by embroidered cushions, and special pews are
designed to accommodate the infirm and the elderly. Due to the large percentage
of women in the church, feminine adornments abound. Lace curtains, doilies,
flower arrangements, and scented candles decorate the public areas. To comfort
the faithful, plush carpets of pink or rose hues cover the floors. The living
areas of the priests are similarly comfortable and fashionable, with the rooms
of the men standing out in spartan contrast to their those of their feminine
counterparts.
To encourage loyalty, fellowship, and intimate discussions, the temples are
constructed with numerous nooks and crannies, in which visitors and priests can
meet for private talk amidst cushioned benches, flowers, and bubbling fountains.
Many seek out the priests to discuss affairs of the heart, personal traumas, or
simply for the companionship of someone who is always willing to put aside their
own duties for the sake of a worshiper in need, and the architecture of the
church itself is designed to encourage this as much as possible.
Church ceremonies tend to be intimate and joyous. Priests greet the faithful
with a hug and a kiss on both cheeks, as well as the blessings of Soltana.
Services include much singing, dancing and the playing of instruments, and
sermons tend to be brief and full of hope. Prayers are spoken while all the
faithful hold hands, and worshipers are encouraged to linger after the service
to share fellowship, sometimes in the midst of more music and refreshments.
Dogma
The Church of Soltana believes that the path to the salvation of the soul for
both priest and lay person alike lies through service to others. As such, the
greatest part of their mission is to spread love and kindness. Each priest must
perform at least one loving act each day, respond to love whenever it is
offered, and strive to soften the hearts of all people towards love and
kindness. The Church also seeks to follow the example of the Lady of Mercy by
never giving up on those scorned by the rest of the world. Even the most
hardened of criminals can be redeemed by love, the greatest gift given to man by
the gods, and despite what many believe, the most powerful. Compassion is not
merely a virtue to the Soltanites, but a requirement of the faith. They seek
always to heal the sick and injured, and to comfort the dying, those who mourn,
and the heartsick. The greatest sin for a Soltanite priest is to allow personal
beliefs or even duty to inadvertently cause them to bring pain to one in need.
Hand in hand with love goes loyalty, for the Church of Soltana teaches that a
good and kind heart must also be a true one. Oaths and promises are never made
lightly, and are always considered sacred vows. Allies, friends, and lovers
are always defended at any cost. Though redemption for the evil is a great goal
of the faith, when good and evil collide, the priest must always act on the side
of the righteous and the innocent. Killing is a last resort, but must be
allowed for those who refuse to abandon their evil ways. No quarter should be
given to the creations of evil that are incapable of redemption -- the fiends,
demons, goblin-kin, and other spawn of Athelstan and Othniel.
It is only natural for a Church based upon love and loyalty to stress sacrifice
as well; who would not give their all to those whose lives they value more than
their own? In honor of Soltana´s example, priests are willing to give their all
for the cause of good. Priests also sacrifice worldly possessions, and their
time to the service of the Church. Quite often they are asked to travel on
missions or errands that take them away from family and loved ones for weeks and
months at a time. A priest of Soltana never complains, but cheerfully and
dutifully devotes themselves to their call, trusting that they will see their
loved ones again, even if it is in Soltana´s own garden.
Daily Activities
Given the vast scope of the Church´s activities and their commitment to always
take time for those who seek their aid, priests of Soltana tend to be very busy.
The leadership allows their priests as much time as they can for fellowship
with friends and family and leisure activities, but at times simple pleasures
must be sacrificed so that the priests can tend to their duties.
Though not as regimented as the church of Estereal, churches of Soltana tend to
be very well organized. Necessity requires them to be efficient to get things
done, and the Church also keeps close tabs on its charges out of concern for
their welfare and the desire to protect them from harm. All unmarried priests
of Soltana are required to live in the temple. Married priests are expected to
report for morning vespers, after which the priests generally break their fast
together and review their individual duties for the day. Spouses and families
are welcome to attend almost all services.
The duties of each priest can vary from day to day, depending on the needs of
the moment. Adventuring priests are, of course, excused from their other duties
(and are prayed for by their sisters every morning). Priests are required to
attend worship services and participate in holy days. Each priest is required
to perform one loving act each day. Most of the time, they naturally go far
beyond this requirement. Depending on their unique abilities, every priest
spends an average of sixty hours a week providing healing services or working
for charitable causes such as feeding the poor, visiting the elderly, teaching
children, counseling families in difficulty, and helping those who wish to
change their lives for the better get a fresh start.
There are also the needs of the temple to attend to, and most of the priests
spend some time assisting with daily chores. Rather than each priest fending
for herself, loyalty and unity are stressed by a division of duties. Cooking,
washing, gardening, and so forth are all divided among the clergy, with
novitiates rotating tasks and learning from their elders rather than being given
all the menial work, as is done in some temples. Novitiates also spend a
considerable amount of time in classes learning such things as healing, reading
& writing, , literature and the musical arts as well as skills to help serve
other such as sewing, cooking, grooming, flower arranging, gardening, massage,
pottery and weaving.
Fellowship is also very important to the priesthood, and the leaders usually
schedule regular meetings above and beyond prayers and holy days. These are
informal affairs attended only by the clergy, in which members discuss any
problems they are having, ways to serve the community, and so forth. Priests
absent on missions are encouraged to write as often as possible, not for the
purpose of giving reports, but to ease the worries of their sisters who love
them. The leadership also meets privately with their priests quite often, to
make sure that their needs are being met and that the young priests are learning
all they should. As much time as possible is allowed for education, and priests
gather often to learn new skills and crafts, to read the stories of the faith,
and to practice hymns and dances.
Regular interviews with the High Priestess are scheduled for the novitiates to
determine whether or not they should remain with the temple. The Church accepts
far more novitiates than can possibly succeed in entering the priesthood -- many
a young girl coming to the temple with visions of love and roses finds that the
hard work and sacrifice are more than she can handle. Also, many young women
come or are sent to the temple by their families not to become priests, but to
catch husbands among the wealthy and noble men who attend services. The Church
is quite aware of this practice, but sees no harm in it.
Ceremonies And Holy Days
- The Festival of Estereal: Day Four - Soltana
- The Lady of Mercy is honored by all giving of their breakfast and a monetary
donation to the poor. This is a day for forgiving debts, renewing bonds and allegiances and prayer. It is a popular day for weddings and for lovers to exchange gifts. The Church of Soltana hosts dancing in the evening; the women ask the
men to dance, men aren´t allowed to ask the women. The night is reserved for lovers.
- Amayeta´s Day: 1 Railos
- With assistance from the Church of the goddess of crafts, The Church of
Soltana hosts a holiday that serves the community by teaching them skills that
bring pleasure and beauty. Priests engage instructors and set up a comfortable
work area in the temple, and invite all the townsfolk to come learn crafts such
as painting, sculpting, weaving, pottery, ceramics, drawing, and embroidery.
The blessings of Soltana are prayed for, and the day typically ends with an
informal picnic, dancing, and singing.
- Day of Redemption: 14 Railos
- Remembers Azkal´s repentance, Soltana´s forgiveness and
Estereal´s wisdom. It is customary to go and confess your sins at the
temple of your choice. Also this is a good day to confess things to friends and
family, as all are supposed to remember the forgiveness of the gods. Priests of
Estereal lead the churches of Soltana and Azkal in organizing these solemn
services, and in making sure that every temple in the area assigns priests to
take confession.
- Love´s Day: 2 Wajenio
- This holy day honors Soltana´s devotion to spreading kindness throughout
the mortal world, and her commitment to bringing together those who share true
love. Rather than holding a ceremony in the temple, the priests gather together
to pray for Soltana´s guidance, and then go out into the community to convey
Soltana´s blessings upon the people. The priests carry gifts of flowers and
sweets, bestowing these along with The Good Sister´s blessings as they visit
people in their homes. The priests also pay special attention to opportunities
for matchmaking --under the direction of the Deacon of Matches, they visit
individuals in whom they have noticed the spark of true love that has not yet
been expressed. Told only that the Church wishes to honor them with Soltana´s
blessings, these people are invited to a dance at the end of the day, where the
priests continue their efforts to help young love flourish.
- The Festival of Roses: 17 Jvelton
- This holiday is sponsored by the Church of Soltana, but participants of
many faiths and backgrounds are drawn to the joyful celebration. The priests
adorn a public place in the community, such as a market square, with roses and
decorations. The High Priestess gives an address to the people, then leads her
priests, all wearing summer gowns adorned with roses, in a mirthful procession
to the market square, with many of the priests singing and playing instruments
along the way. Bards accompany them, and the folk of the town are invited to
follow along as the procession makes its way to market square. Here joyful
dancing and feasting lasts until dusk.
- Joining Day: 2 Soltar
- The most important holy day for the Church of Soltana, held to
commemorate the marriage of Estereal and Soltana. Gifts are exchanged between
lovers and couples. This is also a popular day for weddings. The Church of
Soltana hosts a worship service which all are welcome to attend, and many do.
The Service begins with a High Priestess reading the vows of Estereal and
Soltana, and blessing the worshipers with holy rose water. Afterwards, there is
a feast followed by singing and dancing. Traditionally, those married by the
church during the year bring donations for the temple in thanks for their good
fortune.
- Day of Cleansing: 19 Soltar
- In an effort to improve the morale and health of the community, priests
of Soltana spend this day cleaning and beautifying the streets, homes, and
people of the city, town or village in which they live. The day begins at dawn,
with brief prayers for the strength of the goddess. The priestesses then travel
about the area in pairs. They pick up garbage from the streets, wash and paint
buildings, give fresh clothing to those in need, and clean the gutters,
out-houses, and alleys. They beautify the city by planting flowers, and burn
incense while they work. At the end of the day, the priests meet at the temple
for much needed bathing, followed by food and rest.
- Harmony Day: 3 Glüst
- The important holy day is hosted by the temple of Soltana. All priests
of any faith are invited to attend via perfumed invitations. (Even the priests
of the evil gods are invited when they can be found, in honor of Soltana´s hope
that they may be redeemed.) The Church holds a brief ceremony in which all
entering priests are given a rose and a kiss by a greeting priestess or
novitiate, prayers are offered for the health of the Archbishop and the harmony
of all the gods and their churches. The High Priestess gives a brief sermon
extolling the unique virtues and gifts of each of the different faiths.
Afterwards, the Soltanites serve a marvelous feast to their brethren and
entertain them with songs, stories, dancing and poetry. When possible, the
Soltanites attempt to organize joint entertainments with the participation of
the other clerics, but these attempts are rarely successful.
- Tonn´s Day: 15 Glüst
- Celebration of the return of magic to mortals. A day for mages to
challenge each other for bragging rights; to put on shows to amaze and much
feasting on magically enhanced food. Spellcasters traditionally leave a lock of
hair along with a
donation at the temples of Torodin and Soltana. This is a minor holiday for the
church of Soltana, who hold a brief service to reenact the return of magic to
mortals. All the female priests of the temple must cut their hair on this day,
and whenever possible they bestow these locks upon a priest of Torodin.
- The Day of the Solemn Oath: 27 Torodio
- This holy day honors Soltana´s loyalty. Traditionally, all renew their
oaths of allegiance on this day: subject to liege, knight to lord, priests to
the Archbishop, and so forth. To the Church of Soltana this is an important
holy day, during which they host one of their more elaborate worship services.
All are invited to attend, and publicly renew their oaths of fealty. Couples
often renew their vows on this day. The High Priestess of the temple addresses
the congregation, renewing her church´s own vows to serve the people of the
community.
Major Centers Of Worship
Geston hosts Soltana´s largest church, a beautiful rose-colored marble cathedral
located near The Cathedral of The One. The second largest temple to Soltana is
Our Lady of Mercy in Tonn, a lovely structure boasting impressive gardens and a
magnificent infirmary connected to Ghant University´s College of Medicine.
Soltana´s church is quite popular, and every major city hosts at least a large
shrine. Many towns, and even some villages have small shrines. Soltana´s
church is bent on service, and does not locate its temples in out of the way
places.
Vestments
All clerics of Soltana wear the Church colors: either pure white, or white and
red. Those wearing reddish hues may supplement their clothing with other
colors, and any type of jewelry is permissible. The women are not permitted to
wear pants or leggings, but always wear gowns, skirts and dresses in honor of
the feminine nature of their goddess. These are often decorated with floral
patterns. The quality of the dresses varies depending upon practical
considerations -- priests are not expected to wear fine gowns on the Day of
Cleansing, for example. Male priests work the same color scheme into poet´s
shirts, embroidered vests, and tailored leggings. Both sexes wear either boots
or sandals, depending on the weather and circumstances. The women often wear
flowers in their hair, and perfume themselves with the scent of roses. The holy
symbol of the order is the rose, and it is worn on a chain around their neck. The
rose may be cast from a precious metal, or carved from rosewood. High-ranking
and specially honored members of the Order are given a holy symbol made of a
live rose gilded with gold or platinum. In cooler climes, priests favor hooded
robes of crushed velvet dyed deep burgundy and sometimes lined with white fur.
