Saints (Stormstone)

Sainthood is an integral element of religious life in the Kingdom of Stormstone. Throughout the realm, the reverence and acclamation of saints is regarded as a medium through which the Divines can be worshipped. Saints - more specifically their saintly deeds - are promoted as exemplars to be emulated by the faithful.

These holy men and women are venerated as intercessors; more than mere mortals but lesser than the Divines. Their lives, deeds and teachings therefore provide comprehensible and practical guidance in the otherwise unfathomable enigma of divinity.

Traditionally, the reverence of saints has been a regional, if not local, affair. Cults of sainthood are promoted by priests and priestesses who reside in temples dedicated to a saint (indeed, there are few temples in the kingdom that are directly dedicated to a Divine). These temples are generally found close to a place of significance to its respective saint, and often house relics associated with them. Such cults often exist symbiotically with a local community: the priesthood offer the community a plethora of religious and spiritual services (such as blessings, marriage ceremonies and burial rites) in exchange for protection, sustenance and payment from the community.

The significance of saints in the kingdom's religious life has, unsurprisingly, provoked attempts from different parties to monopolise the tradition. Many saintly cults and temples (particularly in rural areas) are sponsored by noblemen who extend their patronage and protection. The motivations for doing so are profuse, from genuine piety to something more sinister. In most cases, however, cults and temples are sponsored as a dynastic tradition, whereby the respective saint becomes, in effect, the "patron" of a family and their estates.

There has, furthermore, been a concerted effort by consecutive Lord Bishops to monopolise the tradition of sainthood, in accordance with their policy of extending their spiritual jurisdiction throughout the kingdom. The most significant scheme by the Temple of Stormstone has been its canonisation initiative. Priests, sent by the Lord Bishop, have investigated cults of sainthood throughout the realm to discover *"proofs"* of a saint's hallowed reputation. The qualification for sainthood is unequivocal, but its most basic criteria is that the subject must have experienced direct contact with a Divine (most commonly by hearing a voice) which inspired them to perform a remarkable (even miraculous) deed. If the Lord Bishop's investigation is satisfied with the veracity of a saint's holiness, then an ostentatious ceremony of canonisation is performed at the Temple of Stormstone, whereby the subject is formally declared a saint (and therefore admitted into the profusion of saints revered in the capital). Many of those canonised by the Lord Bishop had, in fact, already enjoyed saintly status for centuries. This initiative is an unmistakable attempt to stamp the hallmark of the Lord Bishop upon the cult of sainthood.

## **List of Saints**

### Saint Berengar

Saint Berengar is a saint, associated with Arkay, mainly venerated in the earldom of Fellgate.

According to custom, Berengar was a soldier: a *"swaggering killer, without remorse"*. In a battle, army in which he fought was annihilated; Berengar himself was knocked unconscious. In his stupor, *"upon the edge of the Void"*, it is said that a presence or a voice - generally identified as Arkay - reached out to Berengar. From this experience Berengar awoke, *"choked by shame, pity and contrite".* As penance for his wicked ways, Berengar buried the entire fallen army - looted of its valuables by the victors - in individual graves, sanctifying the bodies in accordance with Arkay's Law. Tradition stipulates that Berengar dug a thousand and one graves in silence. Exhausted, and yet redeemed, Berengar would himself fall into the final grave once his work was complete.

The story of Berengar became popular in the earldom of Fellgate, its theme of redemption through hard labour resonating with the peasantry. The holy gravedigger soon acquired saintly status, following which Berengar acquired his own cult following. This priesthood established a temple on the purported site of Berengar's one thousand and one graves. The priests and priestesses of Saint Berengar, dedicated to Arkay, offer consecration and burials of the dead, and comfort to those on the threshold of death. Saint Berengar's temple and shrine is a place of quiet contemplation and reflection.

The cult of Saint Berengar has been associated with the Combray earls of Fellgate by long tradition. Even the ruling Earl Roger - a man not esteemed for piety - travels to the shrine of Saint Berengar every autumn to quietly pray and reflect.