Gods of Acrose:Eio
From NexusCrossing
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Eio: Goddess of the Moon
Eio is the moon goddess. She Is the goddess of the harvest, of fertility, and of marriages she is the sister of Mai. Eio is the primary goddess worshipped in many small towns, and farming communities.
The order of Eio is one of the oldest known. In addition to being worshiped amongst many of the continents farming communities, she is also the primary deity in many larger cities, both human and elven.
The Order of Eio accepts both priests and priestesses, however the leader of a given temple is almost always the high priestess. She over sees major ceremonies, and the ordination of clergy. If there are mystics with in their temple's hierarchy, it is also her duty to see to their training, and see that they are protected from outsiders who might seek to harm them because of their magical nature.
Serving the High priestess, are a group of senior priests and priestesses. It is their duty to see that her edicts are carried out, and that the lesser priests attend to their duties, and their spiritual training. In deed, it is the job of these priests and priestesses to train the lesser priests that they may know the manner in which they can best help the people.
Bellow the senior priests and priestesses are the priest, priestesses and missionary clerics. It is their duty to study, and to tend to the congregation, and handle most worship services. In most cases, if a person is in need of guidance, it is these clergy that they will speak too.
Bellow them, are the ranks of Acolytes. These young men and women are charged with assisting the priests in the services, and if need be, protecting the sanctuary of the temple. During services two acolytes stand always by the doors, to bar entry to those who might do harm.
The acolytes of Eio wear solid white garb, similar to a desert dwellers wraps. They wrap loosely around the legs, in a manner similar to breeches, and around the rest of the body similar to a robe. ((I will come up with a better description later. Assistance would be appreciated. :P For those who are into Anime, the Acolyte's outfit look similar to that worn by the Guardians of Jurai, except solid white. Or perhaps like the White Seed from FF8))
The priests wear white robes with gold trim. The robes come down to their ankles, showing during the winter, white boots, during the warmer months bare feet. They do wear boots when they leave the temple grounds however. Embroidered in the gold trim, in silver thread are images of the moon.
The Senior Priestesses wear similar garb, except that their robes include cowls, embroidered in the same manner as the rest of the robe.
The uniform of the high priestess is solid white, the same as the acolytes. This is to symbolize her duty as a protector as well as a teacher. She also wears a tiara of solid gold, with a silver moon mounted in the front, with a blue sapphire on either side.
The order of Eio is allied to most of the other orders, with the exception of the Order of Zarand. They will have no dealings with the followers of the snake god.
The largest festival that the order celebrates is the harvest festival every year. It is held in late autumn every year, just before the winter. It is the Festival of Eio, and there is much feasting as the harvest is in, and the stores are laid for the winter.
Eio's traveling clerics are expected to wear the same garb as acolytes. They are however told apart from the acolytes by the medallion and scythe that they carry. The medallion that they wear is a silver circle with a crescent moon suspended in the center by silver threads. The crescent itself is made of moon stone.
The favored weapon of the missionary clerics of Eio is the Scythe. As a weapon, it is bloody and brutal. As a tool, it can feed the masses. Such is the nature of life and death. And where there is birth, there is death. In this way perhaps, the gentle natured Eio, is also the most violent.
D20 Info
This information is useful if you are using this deity in a standard D20 game. Domains: Magic, Plant, Healing, Animal Clerics Alignment: Any Good, Any Neutral Favored Weapon: Scythe
