Vierni, Goddess of Winter

> *In the heart of the void, the silent space, Where cosmos dance and time leaves no trace, There, we sing the hymn of our isolated place, We, the followers of Vierni, embrace.*
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> *In the boundless dark, we find our peace, In solitude's shroud, our minds release, Under Vierni's gaze, our thoughts cease, In silence, we find our solemn lease.*
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> *Yet within our hearts, a tempest brews, An icy rage, as cold as the cosmic hues, A silent storm, that silence renews, Under Vierni's gaze, our wrath accrues.*
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> *We stand alone, in the silent rift, With stars as our scripture, spirits lift, In the hush of the void, our souls drift, To Vierni, our silent hearts, we gift.*
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> *Fear not the silence, for it rings true, In the echoless void, we find our cue, Our isolation is not our rue, Under Vierni's gaze, we are born anew.*
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> *Isolation is our faithful friend, Peace and rage, in unity blend, To Vierni, our silent psalms we send,*
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> *In the void, we find our end, and our ascend.*
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> **Under Vierni's Gaze - Unknown**
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### **Worship of Vierni**

#### **Tradition**

Vierni, the God of Isolation, Peace, and Rage, is worshipped by a unique and isolated group of adherents. Many perceive the faith to be paradoxical due to its embrace of the concepts of isolation and peace, as well as rage, within its doctrine. Despite this, the devotees of Vierni seek a profound spiritual understanding through these apparently contrasting tenets.

* Solitude is of the highest importance in the faith of Vierni. Worshippers often live in seclusion, residing in remote areas such as mountain caves, dense forests, or even isolated islands. The faithful often communicate with Vierni through long periods of solitude and meditation, embracing the divinity's element of isolation to purify their mind and soul.
* The concept of peace in Vierni's worship is tied intrinsically with solitude. The followers of Vierni believe that true serenity can only be found when one is alone, untethered from the material world and societal bindings. They find peace in silence and stillness, often practicing meditative disciplines to attune their mind with the divine calm of Vierni.
* Yet, Vierni is also the God of Rage, a seeming contradiction to the divinity's elements of isolation and peace. However, the followers perceive this rage not as a raw, destructive force but as a purifying frost. It is the chill that freezes ignorance and weakness, a transformative force that allows a devotee to emerge stronger and wiser. The faithful channel this divine rage in their pursuit of truth, using it as a catalyst for spiritual growth and enlightenment.
* Rituals of Vierni involve solitary meditation, periods of silence, and occasionally, controlled expressions of rage, such as intense physical activity or the use of a special ritualistic dance known as the "Dance of the Furious Solitude." Vierni's sacred symbols often involve imagery of solitary animals, peaceful landscapes, and elemental forces of nature, symbolizing isolation, tranquillity, and rage, respectively.
* This unique blend of beliefs makes the worship of Vierni a fascinating spiritual path, a journey that embraces solitude, seeks peace, and harnesses the power of rage in the pursuit of divine enlightenment.

#### **Holidays**

1. The Festival of Solitary Reflection: Occurring on the longest night of the year, this festival involves individual followers retreating into their personal sanctuaries, such as a secluded room in their home or a special place in nature. There, they meditate in silence, reflecting on their spiritual journey over the past year and setting their intentions for the coming one. It's a time to embrace isolation and the peace it can bring, to focus inward, and to recharge for the year to come.
2. Day of the Raging Storm: This holiday coincides with the beginning of the storm season. Followers of Vierni celebrate the raw power and transformative potential of rage symbolized by the raging storms. This day is marked by dynamic activities such as the Dance of the Furious Solitude and communal gatherings where stories of personal transformation and overcoming obstacles are shared.
3. Day of Silent Peace: Falling on the day of the first snowfall each year, this holiday encourages followers to embrace peace amid the silent serenity of the freshly fallen snow. On this day, followers avoid speaking and instead communicate through written words or non-verbal means. The purpose is to create an environment of tranquility that allows individuals to focus on their inner peace and spiritual alignment.

#### **Core Values**

##### Passage of Spirits

As the Deity of Isolation, Peace, and Rage, Vierni holds a distinct role in the passage of spirits within the religious framework of the tower. Vierni is perceived as a guardian of thresholds, the entity that oversees the journey of souls from the physical realm into the afterlife, a solitary voyage that every soul must undertake. Upon death, it is Vierni who shepherds the spirit into a realm of tranquility, a void of silence and solitude, before their transition into the afterlife. This realm is known as the "Sea of Solitude". It's a place of introspection where the spirit comes to terms with their life experiences, achievements, failures, joys, and regrets. Here, they find a moment of absolute peace, away from the chaos and noise of existence. However, Vierni also acknowledges that peace can only truly be achieved when one confronts their inner turmoil. Hence, spirits are encouraged to rage against their regrets and their fears, to confront the storms within their souls. This confrontation and the eventual acceptance form an integral part of the purification process, readying the spirit for its onward journey into the afterlife. By offering this juxtaposition of isolation and introspection, peace and rage, Vierni serves as the beacon that guides souls through their transitional voyage, ensuring they reach their final destination prepared and at peace.

##### Necromancy

As the deity of Isolation, Peace, and Rage, Vierni is intrinsically tied to the school of Necromancy, a field of magic dealing with the manipulation of life force and the barrier between life and death. However, the role of Vierni in Necromancy is one of guidance, respect, and balance, rather than explicit control or direct manipulation. Vierni is seen as the guardian of the spirit's journey, the entity overseeing the thin veil between life and death. As such, necromancers who pay homage to Vierni see their craft not as an exploitation of the dead, but rather a tool to help spirits find peace, confront their inner turmoil, or sometimes complete their unfinished business. Isolation ties into necromancy as it is often a solitary practice, where the necromancer must navigate the complexities of life and death alone. They often seclude themselves in their studies to better understand the nuances of life force manipulation without external distractions. The aspect of Peace relates to the necromancer's responsibility to ensure spirits find their rest. Necromancy is not merely about raising the dead or controlling spirits; those who follow Vierni are tasked with facilitating the peace for the departed, whether it be through helping a spirit pass on or assisting a grieving family find closure. Rage is manifested in the acceptance of death's inevitability and the struggle against unnatural life prolongation. Necromancers under Vierni believe in respecting the natural cycle of life and death, acknowledging that rage against the dying of the light is natural but ultimately futile. They oppose those who use necromancy to unnaturally extend life or disturb the peace of the dead for selfish purposes. While necromancy can be a controversial field of magic, followers of Vierni are often seen as the ethical practitioners within the sphere, using their understanding of life and death to guide souls, comfort the living, and maintain the balance between both realms.

### **Church Organizations**

#### **Lunar Knights**

The Lunar Knights are a prestigious and formidable Templar organization dedicated to the worship of Vierni. They are known throughout the Tower as guardians of the veil between life and death, peacekeepers between the realms of the living and the departed, and fierce warriors wielding the power of necromancy.

Each Lunar Knight is tasked with several responsibilities, anchored in their faith in Vierni and their understanding of necromancy.

1. Protectors of the Veil: The Lunar Knights act as the custodians of the boundary between the realms of life and death. They ensure that the spirits of the departed remain undisturbed and that the living do not misuse necromancy to infringe upon the sanctity of death.
2. Guide for Spirits: The Lunar Knights use their necromantic abilities to provide guidance to lost or restless spirits, helping them find their way to peace. They're often seen mediating in areas known for strong spiritual activity or places where a death has occurred under tumultuous circumstances.
3. Defenders of Vierni's Tenets: As followers of Vierni, they adhere to the values of isolation, peace, and the acceptance of rage. They tirelessly work to ensure that these tenets are respected and upheld, even in the midst of the chaos of battle or during diplomatic tensions within the Tower.
4. Martial Champions: Being knights, they are also frontline combatants in any conflicts that the Red King's standing army faces. However, they are unique due to their usage of necromancy in battle. They use their abilities to bolster their own physical capabilities, terrify enemies, and occasionally, raise fallen comrades or enemies to tip the balance of a fight.
5. Practitioners of Necromancy: Lastly, they are scholars of necromancy. They delve into the mysteries and the depth of this field of magic, striving to understand its nuances better. They carry out their practices with utmost respect for the departed, ensuring that their usage of necromancy never strays into the realm of exploitation.

#### **Way of the Mad Moon**

The Way of the Mad Moon is a monastic order that is devoted to the worship of Vierni, the goddess of silence, peace, isolation, and wrath. The "Mad Moon" in their name refers to the rare celestial phenomenon that occurs when the moon, during its full phase, aligns with a particular constellation in the night sky of the Tower, causing it to appear distorted or 'mad'. This event is seen as a divine sign from Vierni herself, embodying her dual nature of peace and wrath, and it serves as the cornerstone of the monks' spiritual beliefs and practices.

The monks of this order believe that, much like the moon, they too can encompass the dual aspects of tranquility and fury. Through rigorous meditation and spiritual practice, they strive to achieve a balance between peace and wrath within themselves, thus embodying the true nature of Vierni.

The Way of the Mad Moon monks are often found in the remote parts of the Tower, usually in monasteries built in areas of intense silence and isolation. This solitude allows them to focus on their spiritual growth and to commune more effectively with Vierni.

The monks' practices empower them in several ways:

1. The Gift of Silence: Through prolonged periods of silence and solitude, the monks are believed to gain the ability to 'listen' to the unspoken words of spirits and the universe itself. This skill allows them to gain profound insights and wisdom.
2. The Power of Wrath: On the night of the Mad Moon, the monks perform a sacred ritual that involves channeling their inner fury in a controlled manner. This allows them to tap into a hidden reservoir of strength, greatly enhancing their physical capabilities for a short time.
3. Mastery Over Death: The monks also study the sacred texts of Vierni, which include teachings on necromancy. While they do not practice necromancy as frequently or visibly as the Lunar Knights, they possess a deep understanding of its principles. They use this knowledge to communicate with the dead and guide restless spirits to peace.
4. The Balance of Dualities: Most importantly, the Way of the Mad Moon emphasizes the balance between tranquility and fury, life and death, solitude and companionship. The monks believe that by understanding and harmonizing these dualities, they can attain enlightenment and a deeper connection with Vierni.