So I have a really religious party. They go to temples not the taverns and spend a chunk of their money on donations not mugs of ale. So due to this I am wanting more ideas for stuff that I can due with these temples. The deities that matter the most to them are Pharasma, Iomedae, Torag Cayden Cailean, Sarenrae, Abadar, Gozreh, Shelyn, and Desna. Urgathoa is a big from the baddie side of things.
One of my players is retraining during down time to become a Paladin of Iomedae and that got me thinking on what the initiation ceremony would look like and what it would look like for the other deities.
I have a very devoted Druid of Gozreh and an npc cleric of Gozreh who are shooting for a romantic relationship. So what would a marriage ceremony look like? Gozreh matters here but any of the gods hold my curiosity.
Also another very important one is burial ceremonies for these deities. The previously mentioned Druid has an artifact of Pharasma and made a binding oath to her so he is learning about that faith, specifically burial rites. My game is very undead heavy.
A new Paladin of Iomedea is gonna matter. Also the Cleric of Gozreh and I have a cleric of Sarenrae. Those three with Pharasma are the four most likely Deity specific ceremonies I need to know about.
Thank you in advance.
For the Wedding it would most likely happen outside in a forest Grove or garden. Try to tie things into nature/natural order of binding 2 together...much like a gardener grafting 2 trees to become one to become stronger.
The Iomedea ceremony I would take it to be like a knight thing. Tested on combat prowess and religious basics. Made to state the code of conduct they intend to follow. Then must show stamina by staying in prayer for 24 hours (or longer) on their knees while giving themselves fully to her teachings and asking for her blessings. Probably ending in them gaining their Aura upon completion of the tasks. Then another priest will confirm the aura and announce the new member of the ranks.
Just spit balling
Gorzeh Wedding- all natural clothing, must take place during a storm or near the ocean, animals fey and druids in the area are invited, prominent displays of flowers
Iomedea- taking the paladin oath(think dragonheart for oath style), everyone in polished full armor, a military style arms display, presentation of a new sword, some celebratory jousting/swordplay afterwards
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Some ideas of religious ceremonies:
Pharasma
1. Baptism: having both aspects of birth AND death, this rite is very important to the Pharasmin. It involves clothing the infant in the colors of the faith, anointing it with holy water and the parents and family swearing oaths to give the child every opportunity to grow and prosper.
2. Holy Day of Remembrance or All Souls Day: this holy day owes not only to the dead but also to the lore of the departed. Sacred ledgers which account the deeds and life of ancestors are carried through the streets; sometimes these are accompanied by images, icons or favored items of the dead. The processors also carry prayer wheels as they march to the graves of their ancestors where final songs of celebration are sung in their honor. If it rains during this holy day (usually held in mid-spring) it is considered a blessing from the Mother of Souls
Iomedae
1. Oath of the Devoted Blade: the final oath sworn by initiates into the faith, petitioners are brought before the altar at midnight where they are instructed to kneel and hold their swords out before them with both arms; candidates are not permitted to leave this position until the first rays of sunlight are seen on the horizon. While enduring this final trial the hopefuls are to continuously chant the Valors of the Inheritor.
2. Swearing in ceremony: new barristers, judges, and other legal or political notables must swear an oath on the Acts of Iomedae. While no spells are invoked to GUARANTEE the fidelity of the new office holder, there is a symbolic swearing of loyalty to the tenets of the faith - honor, integrity, and the good of all above personal glory.
Torag
1. Anointing of Shields: clerics of Torag are often called upon to travel out to new fortifications, mines, or forge ovens to deliver a blessing to these constructions at their inaugurations. Shield makers or those who employ such devices however often prostrate themselves before the Toragdan. For a small donation to the church a Forge Priest(ess) will perform a ritualized blessing, painting the shield in holy oils and calling forth prayers in the Toragdan Throat Singing technique. The rite culminates with a solid blow from a solid stone mallet; if the shield rings true the blessing is complete but if the sound is dull or worse if the device cracks or dents it is considered a very bad omen
2. Braids of Adulthood: a tradition begun under the orthodox dwarves of the Toragdan, this has continued into all of the cultures who worship the Forge Father. The hair of the adolescent is purposely allowed to grow continuously for one year; in the case of males this includes any facial hair they are capable of producing. When the time comes, depending on the birthday of the adolescent and their race, they are brought before the holy anvil where they must recite the Riddle of Steel from memory. While they do so they are blindfolded and their hair is ritualistically braided, each knot and pattern symbolic of their chosen profession and path before them. Once they complete the recitation of the Riddle the adolescent is immediately pronounced an adult in the eyes of Torag; this is generally followed by a modest celebration of feasting, drinking and other church-permitted carousing
Cayden Cailean
1. The First Drink: while the Toragdan have a very ritualized adulthood ceremony, the Caydenites have a far less structured rite. It is however just as important to those of true faith in the Lucky Drunk. The adolescent is led to the bar where an initiate in the faith submits The Most Legendary Toast - an entirely subjective descriptor for a short speech of equal parts roast and admiration of the adolescent. After the Toast the young faithful is expected to drain their First Drink to the last drop whereupon they are pronounced an adult. More often than not the drink selected is the most alcoholic the initiate can find
2. Share the Luck: whenever a true faithful of the Caydenites is particularly blessed, whether by a good night at the tables, a packed house at the inn or escaping death with great wealth and an even better story, the faithful are encouraged to share a tithe of their luck with the less fortunate. This is usually performed in the buying of an entire tavern a round or two; other forms of charity however would be to dole bread and thin wine out to the needy, a donation of gold and goods to the local orphanage, or perhaps use spells or skills free of charge in wineries, breweries or other such businesses. Upon the completion of their charity the faithful are expected to make a final prayer of thanks to the Accidental God, offering a toast in his honor at a local shrine
Sarenrae
1. Dance of the New Dawn: the first morning of the new year is met with jubilant celebration by Sarenites. As the grey of Falsedawn paints the sky the faithful gather outside to greet the first dawn. At the moment of the first sunlight their swords are drawn forth in a salute to the Dawnflower, then ritualistically sheathed and knotted for peace. What follows is an hours-long ceremony of dance, ululating and praising songs thanking the Everlight for the renewal of the land.
2. Confession of Sins: those who seek redemption may attend a private audience with a priestess/priest of Sarenrae. The penitent meet one on one with their confessor between noon and evening meal. They are seated outdoors where they are given a ritualized greeting that also serves to encourage truth from the petitioner. An oath of confidentiality is then delivered and finally the confession is made. Once finished the priestess/priest pronounces a suitable penance to be carried out by the sinner at which point all wrongdoing will be absolved.
Abadar
1. Rounding Day: in every ledger there are fractions of coppers and silvers which must be negotiated into the accounting of the church. One day of the year fortunes are ritualistically reversed; a gong is sounded after midday meal and all Holy Accountants are expected to round in the favor of the clients and the needy. These fractions are totaled and, if need be rounded again to nearest gold piece whereupon the remainder is sealed in a ceremonial flatbox. This tithe is then distributed out as a dole just before the evening meal
2. Holy Day of Undertakings: while many journeys or ventures receive blessings by the Abadaran, many businesses or guilds hold their Commencement ceremonies on this auspicious holiday. The pontiffs of the faith hold service at the church in the form of a prayer breakfast; following this there is one hour of Sacred Networking over pots of blessed tea or coffee; leading into the midday meal is the Producing of the Contracts and Diplomas wherein lay members are encouraged to seal deals or receive their signed accreditation of graduation from guilds, colleges and other apprenticeships; finally there is the Luncheon of Power, a celebratory meal over which church pontiffs preside. Once all of these rites have been completed lay members are allowed to take the day off from the rest of their labors
Gozreh
1. Rite of the Tempest: a fertility rite for the Gozren, this ceremony only occurs during the most brutal of summer storms. Because it is weather dependent it is generally only called forth hours before it is to commence. Faithful are encouraged to gather somewhere that is at once protected from the elements but also delivers full view of the gathering storm, such as a cave or grotto. Once assembled a ritualized bacchanal is performed, the priest(ess) leading certain dances, songs and other activities meant to invoke the union of water and sky until the climax of the passing storm. Children conceived by this ritual are considered blessed by the Wind and the Waves
2. Return to the Earth: while the Pharasmin are the purveyors of burial and the dead, there are some sects of Gozren who adhere to the old ways of delivering their dead to the natural forces of entropy and decay. The corpse is anointed with holy oils and final rites of thanks, well wishes and invocations of security in their journey to the next life are delivered. At this point the corpse is wrapped in a white shroud and entombed in a natural grave of earth and loam. Some, such as peoples of the jungles or gripili of the swamps chose to lower the dead into bogs or mires instead
Shelyn
1. Celebration of Love's Union: weddings in the Shelynite faith are a lavish affair. They begin early in the day with ritualized processions, guests seated in the utmost comfort amid flowers and fanfare. One partner is delivered to the altar first, their face obscured by multicolored scarves. The other partner then processes in, usually accompanied by either a coir or other musical accompaniment, at which point the first partner is ceremonially revealed. Both of the betrothed have previously been made over with the most elaborate costumes, makeup and other beautifying techniques of the culture. Finally a ceremony lasting at least an hour is held with prayers, vows by the betrothed to one another, and the exchanging of tokens - rings, ribbons, or even matching glaives. The celebration following the wedding is just as lush, involving costume changes, ritualized dances and as grand a feast as the community can deliver.
2. The Holy Rose of Battle: this blessing generally occurs before tournaments, jousts or pugilistic matches though it has also been performed more solemnly before the outset of a military battle or campaign. The priestess/priest of Shelyn takes up a purely ceremonial glaive, one with a rosebud etched on either side of the blade. Songs invoking beauty and life are sung, followed by a leaping, twirling dance. During this dance the glaive and its wielder soar through the air; both are adorned with a rainbow of flowing clothes, ribbons, and other fetishes. Finally a blessing is issued to all participants, even the enemies of the faithful, that they may find the beauty that waits for them at battles' end
Desna
1. Ceremony of Foot Washing: the Desnan do not have many rituals as they are a people who revere the chaos and uncertainty of the next horizon. However they have performed this rite since the dawn of their faith and it is used not only to celebrate the end of a day's journey but the commencement of new ventures. The celebrant kneels before the one to receive the blessing, issuing prayers over a sacred vessels of scented oils, thin wine, and finally pure water. They issue the same prayers over a blue and white towel. The footwear of the traveler is ceremonially removed, the feet are bathed in first the wine, then the water, and then they are wiped clean and dried with the towel. Finally the celebrant massages the scented oil into the feet of the traveler to complete the rite
2. Hymns of the Final Journey: as with the Gozren, some adherents of the old faith of Desna have their own way of saying goodbye to their departed. The corpse of the fallen is placed on a pyre or perhaps a raft that will be set ablaze. This rite is always performed at night, preferably under the light of the moon and stars. Prayers of last rites are issued and a pair of gold coins (silver or copper, or even rare wood depending on the culture) are placed on the eyes of the deceased. The corpse is then dressed in a midnight blue shawl with white, star-like designs. Finally the stack upon which the corpse has been laid is lit and as the soul of the departed rises with the smoke, a hymn is delivered - preferred songs are The Road Goes Ever On or The Greatest Adventure, though others such as Stairway to Heaven may also be used depending on the celebrants involved
So that's just 2 rites per deity but hopefully that inspires you to consider others. Basically just look over the write-ups of the deities in the CRB, on the Pathfinder Wiki or in other sources. Check out not only their Domains and Areas of Concern, but also their Worshipers, Sacred Animals or even their Dogma.
For example, did you know that Torag has a badger as his Sacred Animal? I could imagine a Groundhog Day kind of ritual - a ceremonial badger has been released into an area and is allowed to burrow into the earth. Depending on how the little fella digs his hole, where he throws his dirt or if he turns and pokes his head back out, the omen can either be favorable or ill for the return of spring.
Wow! Thank you all, these are awesome!
Hehe Groundhog day. I forgot the badger. Torag is a good Hufflepuff.