The Moon Sisters
The Moon Sisters are a trio of goddesses worshipped by both human and dragon citizens of the Land of Rivers, believed to be the literal moons in the sky. Their priesthood is known as the Perigee.
Symbols & Iconography
The Moon Sisters are often represented by the Realm’s three moons, but there are several other images associated with them:
- The night sky
- Stars/comets
- The tides
- The seas/oceans, other large bodies of water
- Stone/rock
Principles
The worship of the Moon Sisters is benevolent, and their followers strive towards achieving the following principles:
- Learning; a follower of the Sisters should strive to learn something new each day, be it sciences, arts, or about the other cultures of the Realm. The more knowledge one has, the clearer they perceive the world and the more educated choices they can make. It is considered a duty of the Perigee to ensure that all the citizens of the Land of Rivers receive a formal education. Everyone has something to teach you, even if they don't know it themselves. A worshiper of the Moon Sisters commonly ends their day by reciting what they have learned with a friend or family member.
- Understanding of nature; knowing about the natural world is an important tenet of the Sisters. Knowing that a thorny plant grows in certain areas and avoiding a path that would have you fight through it is, after all, better than pushing ahead without thought. As well, knowing that many animals will only attack if provoked and being aware of how to pacify them also helps one avoid trouble.
- Cleanliness; staying tidy promotes self-confidence as well as helping avoid infection and keeping the body in good shape. A follower of the Sisters should put in the effort to maintain their physical health, so that they might live a long, healthy life, as the trio of goddesses would've intended.
- Mastery of the Arts; be it dancing, painting, acting or creating music, art brings joy to the world around you and pleases the Sisters. Even if one lacks any skill at what they practice, the mere effort of doing so is enough.
- Pacifism; violence is condemned by believers in the Moon Sisters. The goddesses would want peace. They ask that their followers show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness towards those who are genuine in their desire to change their ways. Some, especially in the more southern portions of the Land of Rivers, disagree with the rest of their countrymen on the extent this applies to everyday life.
- Traditionally the Perigee proclaims that this principle forbids self-defense, but others claim that the Sisters would not want them to just lay down and die when confronted with a violent attacker. After all, they ask that their followers take care of their body, and it is hardly self care to allow oneself to be harmed.
Worship
Those who follow the Moon Sisters wear a necklace with a single, plain pebble on it. This is to recognize the Sister's creation of the Realm as a haven for all life. Each believer must find their own pebble during a special ceremony, typically done at age ten.
The Moon Sisters ask only that their worshipers follow a set of principles - you can read about them and the philosophy behind them above.
Anyone willing has the option to join the 'priesthood' of the Moon Sisters, the Perigee, at age twenty. This is a group of educated individuals who both organize the worship of the Sisters and govern the Moonvipers and the humans of the Land of Rivers.
The Moon Sisters ask only that their worshipers follow a set of principles - you can read about them and the philosophy behind them above.
Anyone willing has the option to join the 'priesthood' of the Moon Sisters, the Perigee, at age twenty. This is a group of educated individuals who both organize the worship of the Sisters and govern the Moonvipers and the humans of the Land of Rivers.
Ceremonies & Festivals
During the Ceremony of Stone, each follower of the Moon Sisters must find their own pebble. This typically happens at the age of ten, but those who were not born into the worship of the Sisters are recommended to do this after they have recognized the sisters for two years. They may search the shore of any body of water, but the Serpent Delta is considered to have the strongest connection to the Sisters, reflected by the strong tidal pull.
The significance of the pebble is that it is meant to reflect an ancient legend that tells of how the Moon Sisters shaped the Realm’s land from stone scooped off of the seafloor ages ago. By wearing a piece of the Realm close to their heart, they are keeping something touched by the Moon Sisters themselves close to their heart.
Once they have found their pebbles, their parents will help them shape the stone to allow a string to be run through it, then they are expected to wear the stone for the rest of their lives. The day is usually capped off with feasting and celebrations, coordinated by the entire town/city. It's a fun ceremony that children and adults alike look forward to.
Any time one of the three moons of the Realm is full is considered a lucky time, as the Moon Sisters are watching over the Land of Rivers closer than ever.
The significance of the pebble is that it is meant to reflect an ancient legend that tells of how the Moon Sisters shaped the Realm’s land from stone scooped off of the seafloor ages ago. By wearing a piece of the Realm close to their heart, they are keeping something touched by the Moon Sisters themselves close to their heart.
Once they have found their pebbles, their parents will help them shape the stone to allow a string to be run through it, then they are expected to wear the stone for the rest of their lives. The day is usually capped off with feasting and celebrations, coordinated by the entire town/city. It's a fun ceremony that children and adults alike look forward to.
Any time one of the three moons of the Realm is full is considered a lucky time, as the Moon Sisters are watching over the Land of Rivers closer than ever.
Moon Children
Moonviper member of the Perigee who have done a great service to the Moon Sisters may be rewarded with a blessing for one of their children. They offer an egg to the Moondial in the Great Temple in Luna, leaving it there until it hatches. The hatchling from such an egg is strange, with pale scales and red eyes, blessed by the Moon Sisters to carry a bit of them within itself.
Moon Children have the ability to breathe a healing mist and are naturally gifted at shaping stone. They are respected by worshipers of the Moon Sister, and often receive gifts of stone jewelry and rare fruits when they pass through towns where the Sisters are recognized.
Moon Children have the ability to breathe a healing mist and are naturally gifted at shaping stone. They are respected by worshipers of the Moon Sister, and often receive gifts of stone jewelry and rare fruits when they pass through towns where the Sisters are recognized.