Priest of the Needle

Overview

To decorate oneself as an individual of Lerona Mere is certainly not uncommon - sparkling jewels, plush velvets, and feathered hats are often worn in defiance of the decadence once reserved for their oppressors. But even amongst these ornate peoples, a more permanent decoration of the spirit of hope and victory that lives within Lerona Mere can be seen - tattoos from Priests of the Needle.

A practical people who grew through the Revolution, the Priests of the Needle know the impermanence of material things, and so claim The Divine Spheres from their despots, marking it onto their skin so that their steadfast belief can never be taken from them. In doing so, they are a reminder to all of the people of Lerona Mere that the light from The Spheres shall not go out in The City of Legend - not now, not ever.

Need:

Divine Lore (Any)

A Priest of the Needle finds their purpose and their pride in guiding the people of Lerona Mere on their journey to The Spheres - to do so without dedicating themself to one would be deplorable.

Shouldn’t:

Naval Investment

The place of the Priest of the Needle is not out on boundless seas, preaching to those who do not already have The Spheres in their hearts - it is to the people of Lerona Mere, to cement their Journeys, and counsel them with compassion in their moments of fleeting failings.

Costume Marker:

Tattoos

Although Priests of the Needle tattoo those that seek their counsel with symbols of The Spheres, there are some markings that are reserved only for those that are Priests of the Needle. These markings, formed through the Revolution, are designed and applied by the Priest to themselves upon taking on the mantle of Priest of the Needle, and represent the Sphere or Spheres to which they are most aligned.

Cervitas

Cervitasi Priests of the Needle, as the pillars of their communities, are often sought after for matters of interpersonal conflict. When navigating such concerns, it can be easy to lose one’s way, and lose sight of the whole for which one is counselling. As such, Cervitas Priests of the Needle have a distinct banded marking on their temple and forehead, forming the shape that they trace with their fingers whenever in deep thought. This marking, typically in the form of a swipe of ink, is to remind them to think of the whole of their community, even when supporting just one individual.

Lumos

Lumos Priests of the Needle, as the source of hope in their communities, were often the first to be snuffed out during The Revolution, their messages of justice becoming fading echoes lost to the winds. As such, Lumos Priests of the Needle wear their markings for all to see, across their cheeks and lips. Reminiscent of the swirling patterns of the Alatar, their markings curl around their laugh lines and crow's feet, to remind them that even in times of strife, hope can still be felt.

Stallia

Stallian Priests of the Needle, as the fonts of knowledge in Lerona Mere, were quick to be curtailed, lest their truth outweigh the propaganda at the time. As such, Stallian Priests of the Needle have dotted bands around their neck, normally no more than five, but no less than two. This marking, reminiscent of the motes of truth in the vastness of the world, is to remind them that knowledge cannot truly be cut off if there is someone who still holds it in their mind.

Anarch

Anarch Priests of the Needle, as the instigators of change during The Revolution, had to be careful of being burned by the tyrants above them. As such, Anarch Priests of the Needle have the largest markings of any Sphere, but also one that can be most easily hidden. These markings of broken chains or frayed ropes around the forearms are to remind them that anyone can cast off the chains of oppression, but that some may not wish to be as brazen in doing so as others - personal change and growth is still change and growth.

Panoply

Panoply Priests of the Needle, as the bringers of glory, take pains to differentiate themselves from those they overthrew - to reach your own ambition by pushing down your community is not glory, but theft. As such, Panoply Priests of the Needle wear dual markings on their palms, one for giving and one for taking. Often symbolised by a pen facing the Priest and one facing away, or quills doing the same, with the symbol facing away from the Priest sitting on their dominant hand. This marking, representing giving or openness, is to remind them that it is their duty to use their power to uplift others first, then seek their own glory second.

Arcadian

Arcadian Priests of the Needle, as the courageous champions of Lerona Mere, see the best in all that they meet, and seek to better themselves in turn. As such, Arcadian Priests of the Needle wear dual markings on their knuckles, for the fingers are the instruments of art and combat. These markings, typically words such as ‘dawn’ and ‘dusk,’ ‘rise’ and ‘fall,’ or symbols that equate to such things, are to remind them that, although courage may falter at times, or strength wane, it is through practice or with pushing, either from oneself or another, that one grows.

Becoming a Priest of the Needle:

To become a Priest of the Needle is to acknowledge and accept the needs of one’s community within Lerona Mere; to dedicate oneself to assisting others on their Journey to The Divine Spheres. To do this is often to give up on desires that dwell away from home - to elect to stay in Lerona Mere until one’s community is safe and stable. Due to the instability that seems innate in many such communities, this means to stay for life.

As such, there is no apprentice process for becoming a Priest of the Needle - one either is, or is not. Instead, many individuals who have taken up the mantle of Priest of the Needle have done so following some kind of great upset - either personal or Realmic, that has resolidified the strength that they draw from The Spheres.

For some, this occurred during The Revolution: Priests of Anarch seeing the destruction and death that lack of challenge wrought, and vowing that those who feel the calling of change should reflect upon its true impetus; Priests of Stallia realising the damage that false information did to an entire generation of Lerona Mere, and deciding that those who wish to spread knowledge should ensure understanding before doing so.

For some, this occurs in their interactions with others: Priests of Arcadian watching a politician they once trusted fail to be brave, and pledging to guide those around them through moments of cowardice; Priests of Panoply hearing of fellow Priests hoarding their money, and committing to counselling those whose hearts are filled with fears of empty coffers.

For some, this occurs in private moments: Priests of Cervitas feeling so alone and unsure and apart, and swearing that no one else should feel such a thing; Priests of Lumos unable to get out of bed to face the darkness of the world, and promising that they will, and they will help others do the same.

At these moments, Priests of the Needle feel their connection to their Sphere and their community so intensely, that there is no apprenticeship that could achieve the same - all that is left to do is to show to the world by marking on their skin what they already know in their hearts.

History:

Lerona Mere has always been a place where the following of The Divine Spheres was assumed - even when Posta Lerona was formed with only a few trade families, all individuals knew that the day started with a prayer to one of The Spheres. Each day, a different Sphere; each day, an exacting description of what they were, and how they should be worshipped.

As the whispers that prompted the sparks of The Revolution against the ruling class started, so too did private prayer of The Divine Spheres in Lerona Mere. Despite their devotion, these individuals praying to Panoply for food so that their child could reach greatness, or Cervitas to help a friend in need, were told in no uncertain words that their worship was wrong, for it was not the same as everyone else's. Their hand-written prayers were burned, and their tokens of glory were broken, along with their spirits.

But there were some who watched their peers be belittled by their tyrants - who watched their writings be torn apart, and their embroidery be picked out - who knew that there were few things that their oppressors could not take. They could steal their clothes, burn their words, quieten their voices, but they could not strip the flesh from their bodies - not without losing workers.

And so those quiet observers began poking themselves and their loves ones with needles and ink, staining their skin with personal prayers and symbols of The Spheres that could not be stolen from them. These observers declared themselves as different priests of The Divine Spheres in markings unfathomable to the ruling class, but clear to those who sought counsel.

And when the fires of The Revolution began to burn, these Priests of the Needle were some of those holding the matches, frayed roped on their forearms and swirling lines on their cheeks.

Three Things Priests of the Needle Are:

Beacons in The Bay

Priests of the Needle are, first and foremost, devout followers of The Divine Spheres - their commitment to assisting others on their Journeys should ring loud and clear from all that they do, even when not in private counsel. Whether it is a Panoply Priest of the Needle giving food to those who cannot walk to get it themselves, or a Stallian Priest of the Needle gently guiding a group of children through the alphabet, there should be no doubt of their presence in The Bay of Promised Gold.

Gentle Guides

The process of receiving counsel and art from a Priest of the Needle is an entirely personal and private one. While tattooing, Priests of the Needle do not need to prosthelytise to their people. Instead, they are the kind voice and understanding ears to their people’s concerns - a Priest of the Needle’s role is not to bully individuals into following The Spheres in a particular way, but instead to encourage people to reflect upon what The Spheres mean to them, and what they believe their best course of action is, to allow for a safe Journey.

Ardent Artists

Although all Priests of the Needle tattoo upon themselves and others as a form of contemplation, many would run out of space if they were to tattoo themselves each time they reflected upon The Spheres. For many Priests of the Needle, fine art is a method through which they may consider their own Journey, or expel their own concerns in some cases. As with their work as a guide when tattooing, these artworks tend to be private things, kept for quiet contemplation rather than exhibition.

Two Things Priests of the Needle Aren't:

Martyrs

Too many people fell, burned, and were cut down during The First Revolution. And far, far too many of those people were advocates for The Spheres who believed that their death would change the course of the future. Yet, it was the Priests of the Needle who comforted their crying fathers, and brought them back to the Sphere of Hope. It was the Priests of the Needle who told their children about what actually happened during the fires, and brought them back to the Sphere of Knowledge. And it is the Priests of the Needle who know, regardless of Sphere, that a ‘glorious’ death means nothing if you do not provide for those who are left behind.

Missionaries or Meddlers

A Priest of the Needle’s role is not one to travel to far off places, destroying people’s personal beliefs like fine plates upon a rough-hewn floor, nor is it to use The Divine Spheres as a puppeteer would, to make marionettes dance to a tune they enjoy. A Priest of the Needle is there to allow individuals to reflect upon their own understanding of The Divine Spheres; a Priest of the Needle who instructs others on the ‘correct way’ to follow The Divine Spheres is not only failing at their role, but forcibly damning their own and their people’s Journeys.