Priest and priestess handout

The Helpful Handout of How to Become a Priest/Priestess

Criteria established by Mercedes Lackey

Based on The Valdemar Companion

Distributed by:

Queen's Own The Official Mercedes Lackey Fan Club

Basic Requirements

I. Develop a Character

Develop a character (your persona--Who would you be if you could daydream yourself into Valdemar or one of its neighboring countries? Be the "real" you or as different as you please.) and write about him/her. Prepare a minimum of 3 pages.

This is a biography. Describe your persona's physical and emotional characteristics, likes and dislikes, whatever makes you uniquely you. You may use first or third person.

Remember, to write about your persona before s/he joined his/her religious order. Priests and Priestesses choose the religion in which they will train (or their deity chooses them, depending on how you want to look at it <g>); they are not born in their office. (10 points)

II. Develop One or More Friend or Relative Characters

You needn't be quite so detailed in your descriptions of these other characters. But remember, you are writing about people you know well. Describe what your family and/or friends look like, their own character traits, etc. Again, a minimum of 3 pages. (5 points)

III. Extra Point Requirements (5 points each)

Choose and complete the requirements for two (minimum) of the following:

1. Learn and certify in CPR.
2. Learn First Aid.
3. Become a volunteer.
4. Write a poem with a religious theme.
5. Write an essay about the religion of your choice.
6. Draw a map showing the region where your persona's religion is active.
7. Become a regular blood donor (Make a commitment to give at least 3x a year).
8. Draw a picture of your persona.
9. Write a story of more than three pages.
10. Illustrate your story.
11. Design a costume.
12. Create a costume.
13. Create/Describe a religious ritual.
14. Start a local chapter of Queen's Own.
15. Edit a fanzine/newsletter.
16. Send a story, poem, or art to one of our zines.
17. Draw a symbol that represents your deity.

After you have acquired 25 points, you may become a Hedge Priest of the religion of your choice.

Special Notes for Priests/Priestesses

• Stay within the rules of the Books--We are not allowed to create what Misty hasn't. You may not create new religions on Velgarth.
• Characters should stay within Solaris's time, after she becomes the Son of the Sun.
• No evil clerics will be approved.
• See the general rules for persona submissions.
• See the submission instructions for persona handouts.
• See the helpful hints for persona submissions.

If you have additional questions, check out the Religion FAQ.

Advanced Rank

Hedge Priests have no formal training. There are, however, several ways you can advance in rank as a priest/priestess.

If you want your character to receive formal training in religion, there are several organized religions that we know about on Velgarth. Choose which religion you want to join. Complete the requirements in that column for each rank. Do not switch columns. If you start in the Sun Priest column, you need to stay there.

These papers will be published in The Compass Rose.

*Misty is in the process of describing a bunch of religions on Velgarth. The ones we know about so far are:

1. Anathei of the Purifying Flame
2. Astera (also called "The Star Eyed", Lady, Goddess of the Four Winds, Lady Trine)

• Lady Trine (includes Agnetha)
• The Star Eyed (includes Maiden, Mother, Warrior, Crone--Agnoma)

3. Bastet (ancient Battle Goddess)
4. Cold God (assassins)
5. Duross (God of Rains)
6. LurChan (Luck God)
7. Earth Father (Hardorn only)
8. Earth Mother (Hardorn only)
9. Tembor Earthshaker
10. Thenoth (also called Lord of the Beasts) (Temple and Priory in Haven)
11. Twins (Kerenal and Dinas, Karanel and Dara)
12. Vkandis (also called Vykaendys, Kindas Sun-Kindler, Kernos, Lord)
13. Wheel Bound

For more information, see the Religion FAQ.