General Description:
 
Ratri is the healing darkness, the shade that shelters the earth from the piercing light of the Suns and brings fertility to the soil; the night time is Ratri’s Cloak, which She spreads over the world.  She is associated with happiness amongst family and friends, marriage, children, food, wealth, beauty, the fertilizing powers of moist soil and the mysterious powers of growth. She holds a perfection of refinement which transcends the material world. She is associated not only with the royal authority but with also spiritual authority, and she combines royal and priestly powers in her presence. 

Her token is the lotus, which is widely used in representations and iconography; Ratri is often depicted sitting or reclining on a giant lotus flower.  Her messenger is the owl; in a humorous vein it is said that owing to its lethargic and dull nature the goddess takes it for a ride!  She dwells in Devadura, in a realm of twilight, illumined by the glow of the lotus.  Her parents were Tamisra, Elder Lord of Darkness, and Varkasa, Elder Lady of Starlight, and through Varkasa she is sister to Vasha and Mitra.  It is said she was born during Godstime on the shore between water and land, and in a wave of twilight spread by her father to shelter her mother during her birth, setting foot on land first near present-day Warwik City.  The childbirth was said to be so difficult and prolonged that the young Ratri devoted herself towards easing birth for all who came after her.

Lay Members:

Membership and initiation:  Any who seek relief from the searing light, those who seek refuge from confinement, those who desire fruitfulness of the land or the body, and those who desire safety in the Dark may enter the shelter of the Mantle of Night.  Ratri’s worship is strong in agricultural and rural areas, and even in villages that lack a shrine to Ratri she will still be invoked in her areas of power.  Lay initiation involves little more than the baptismal rites given in the Dedication section below; adult converts traditionally work a day in labor for the temple, after which they are given bread and salt to symbolize Ratri’s gifts, and a kiss from the priestess to symbolize Ratri’s blessing.

Benefits: The protection of the Goddess extends to all darkened or enshadowed areas.  Those who are blessed of the Goddess need not fear when in darkness and can petition for fertility and strength for toil.  They may take their pleasures freely without sin or guilt.

Strictures:   The Four Noble Strictures are these:

1) Harm not the creatures of the Night nor a female bearing young;
To do either, save in provable self-defense or defense of one’s flocks, is a grave sin.  Certain predators are exempted and are so listed in the Vigils of Cowardice (see below).

2) Labor at an honest trade or craft;
Enlightenment through hard, careful and correct work is a hallmark of the faith.  It is incumbent on the faithful to choose a path in life and follow it with dedication and industry, taking from no one in need.  This doctrine seems at odds with the thiefly aspects of Ratri’s faith, but that is explained (if often unsatisfyingly) that thieves have a trade which they themselves ply and that they are strictly enjoined in the Vigils from taking from those who have little of their own.

3) Support your friends and neighbors in their work; and

Communal labor is seen as the best path to enlightenment, and a worthier support for one’s neighbor than the mere giving of coin.  Further, rural communities are not rich, and failure to help is a sin.

4) Enjoy the pleasures of the world without fear or grasping.

With the toil of the world, honestly wrought, comes the pleasures of the world, honestly gained.  Ratri’s is not an ascetic faith, and savoring the pleasures of wine, music, good food, passion, art and sport frees the mind from channels of privation and pain.

Priests:

Requirements:  The great majority of priests are female, and while men can petition for ordination, tacitly they must prove their piety and accomplishments that much more than a woman might.  Beyond that prejudice, since priestesses are thought to represent the physical manifestation of Ratri, there is a strong prejudice for buxom, mature women of childbearing years; while they may be taken as acolytes, it is almost unheard of for a priestess to be ordained before her late twenties.

Sisters of the Night are also called upon to be arbiters and midwives, and must learn the rudiments of the law and of healing as well as demonstrating calm and mature judgment before taking the Staff.  Sisters need to lead their flock in labor, and so they must (at the time of ordination, anyway) be hale and fit in body.  Since the fertility aspect of the faith is prominent, virginity is a serious impediment to ordination, and postulants who have borne or sired children are given marked preference.

By the time a Sister of the Night is called to "carry the Staff" (as ordination is colloquially called), she must have mastered the six sacred texts that together comprise the liturgical doctrine, collectively called the "Codices of Old Night":

The Songs of Alamire: This tome is the first and most commonly referenced section of the Codices. It contains the history to be taught to the laity, discussion of Godtime and the creation, basics of the Ratrian beliefs, daily prayers, and contains the hymns included in the original draft. It also contains the church’s views on the other gods and their adherents. Poorer laity and shrines may only have The Songs available to them. This tome contains 23 passages.

The Tome of Shields:   This tome was initially known as the Tome of Swords, but was changed late in the 6th century to fit the Ratrian description as a defender instead of an attacker. It contains many parables of Ratrian champions, rife with tales of the strong defending the weak or innocent against all odds. The passages of Korbra, the oldest recorded priestess of Ratri, are well known, along with teachings involving Aditra the Liberator and Saint Drakyne the Virtuous Shield.

The Tome of the Earth:   This section of the Codices deals with many stories of bravery and faith. Many of the heroes of these teachings are of common or low birth and relate tales of unlikely heroes. This tome contains 28 passages.

The Tome of Nightfall: This tome has stories which explain the concept of chivalry, loyalty, and proper social order. The later half also contains doctrine concerning canon law, the establishment of the clerical orders, and the rights and responsibilities of lay worshipers, priests, and temple officers. It also holds the Ratrian calendar and the list of church recognized sins and heresies, known as the Vigils of Cowardice.  It contains 18 passages.

The Tome of Foretellings:   This tome contains a long list of ambiguous prophecies containing predictions of everything from minor flooding to celestial disasters, as well as a convoluted discussion of what is known of the Compromise by mortals, and why at times Ratri does not appear to intervene on the behalf of justice. Those familiar with the teachings within often join mundane events to the divine warnings presented. The teachings of this tome are usually reserved for sermons warning of the path the laity is taking when the clergy disapproves.

The Tome of Vigils:   This tome is strictly for use by the clergy, but it is included in all full sets of the Codices. It contains the prayers, sermons, and procedures for all masses, other vigils and ceremonies, and holy days. This tome contains 14 passages.
 
Strictures:  Sisters of the Night must faithfully minister to all the beings of the Dark.  The Lightless Path living one’s entire life between sunsdown and sunsrise, as much as is practical - is encouraged but not mandatory.  They must judge without condemnation, labor without expectation of praise, and guide their charges to the Lightless Path.  As Ratri is a noted archer, the bow is a cult weapon and many Sisters and Brothers learn to wield one. 

Priestesses almost uniformly wear black (and ceremonially, nothing but) robes which emphasize their figures, decorated with lotus flowers, far more often as a brocade pattern woven into their clothing than as jewelry.  Their ceremonial staves are of unadorned ebony (or, where ebony is not available, lacquered hardwood), carved or not as the priestess prefers.

Avatars:

Shaya, Lady of Shadows, the chief handmaiden of Ratri.  She indulges in sex with either gender, leaving her partner worn to the point of exhaustion. She is said to walk the earth more frequently than the other avatars, spreading passion to all.

Rudra, Patron of Thieves, is the most dextrous and experienced thief in the Universe, never exposed while pilfering.  He governs storms over the land, and it is in storm that he does his best work.

Rodasi wife of Rudra, fertility/healing aspects.  It is she who, in Ratri’s name, turns away disease and infertility from land and people alike.

Shasta the Shade is the retributory spirit of the cult.  He is Darkness personified, and drinks the strength and spirit from the souls of evildoers.  He is often portrayed as a weeping shadowy youth. He is said to shed tears for every unkindness done by mortals.

St. Aditra the Liberator: great hero-warrior of the days of the Kelnorian Empire, invoked for strength, endurance and the will to resist evil.

St. Aldin the Golden is a mysterious, revered figure. He arrived in the southern city of Drakanium as a wandering toddler, dressed in only a ragged shirt. He grew to be a young man of great beauty and piety. He worked tirelessly, some say without sleeping, and performed numerous miracles. Still no more than two decades of age, he was found lying before the high altar, dead from no apparent blow or illness, and was buried with great grief and reflection. Some believe he was a son of Ratri. He has become a symbol of innocence, hope, loss, and renewal, for many believe he will return again.

St. Elana the Seer was a wise enchantress and devoted servant of the goddess.  She dwelt alone but for the occasional visitor seeking to learn.  She had a magic silver cup, drinking from which provided both calm and insight for better thinking.  Elana recorded many of the faith’s earliest teachings, though few of these writings have survived, and was the first Keeper of the Twilight Crystal.

Temples:

Ratri temples have a notable uniform architecture.  Almost without exception, they are low domes without windows; the only interior light comes from candles or (if the parish is well-off enough and the structure can withstand it) nautical-style glass focuslights set into the ceiling of the dome to give the impression of a star-lit night sky, arranged in the pattern the stars form on midnight during the first week of winter.  It is common for the ground level of the sanctuary to be raised a prescribed thirteen steps.  At the rear of the sanctuary is a large statue of the goddess, as high as thirty feet tall or more.  She is generally depicted as standing upright on a lotus blossom, but not stiffly:  arms upraised, spreading a cloak above the worshipers.

The altar itself is of unfinished wood, rough hewn stone or (the best choice) meteoric iron, set with no other metal but silver - and not often with that - and describes a ring.  Behind the altar, a black stone pedestal holds the temples Lightstone, a large colorless crystal enchanted to give off a clear, pure, white light.  The Lightstone is normally covered with a heavy black cloth, and is uncovered as part of services or other rituals.  Seating is generally black cloth cushions and kneelers on the floor, although this is not uniform, and a number of temples have formal pews.
 
Orders of Service:

Dedication:  Especially important are the baptisms which mark the boundaries of the stages in every person’s life. There are four such stages: infant, youth, adult, and elder.  The saint of the birth is St. Melise; in her name the baby is anointed with pure water; one drop is placed above the infant’s genitals (to denote love and passion to come), one upon its belly (to bless and provide for its physical needs), one above its ear (to enliven the strength of its character), and one upon its brow (to grant it peace and enlightenment). This first baptism is called Melisaech.  The second baptism is called Rodasin, in honor of Rodasi. This ritual takes place on the fifth day of the baby’s life, and includes the naming ceremony.  The third baptism is known as Frinaech, after the saint Frin, the patron saint of childhood. It occurs when the child is roughly six or seven years old - when she can properly help adults with their work. The fourth baptism marks the change from youth to full adult, when she has reached full physical maturity. The ceremony is called Aditrin, after Aditra the Liberator, who gives the new adult strength.  The change to the final life-stage, elder, falls under the auspices of Lady Shaya, who is said to shelter the old through their last years, until at last their spirits depart.

Last Rites: In the evening the village gathers in the church for the funeral. The church is decorated (as usual) with flowers, straw and barley or needle leaf branches depending on the season. The dead one is placed on a bench near the altar, head pointed north, on a large piece of cloth, also decorated with flowers. The priestess talks about the dead person and her family, about the journey which is about to take place, how Upuaut will help the dead to go in the right direction, how Arawn will secure the journey over the Sea of Death, and how Mother Ratri will let the spirit in to the glorious Kalidasa if it is judged to be righteous. The congregation will sing hymns, and the village elders or local lord will say a few words about the one who has died.

When the service in the church is finished, the dead is wrapped in black cloth and carried to the graveyard.  On the way the mourners sing a hymn.  When they reach the graveyard, they carefully place the dead on a pyre, with the head towards north.  During the ceremony, all participants remain quiet, since the dead will need all the rest available before the long journey.  Mourners cut a lock of their hair, leaving it on the bier.   Then the body is burned and the ashes scattered on the earth, and the priestess speaks of how the body is returned to the Mother while the soul begins its journey.  The spot where the ashes are scattered is only marked with flowers or other decorations from made out of straw; it is not considered very important since the soul will depart from there anyway.  The following nights up to the next full blue moon, a member of the family will pray for the dead one.

Marriage:  Ratrian weddings are, unusually, celebrated in groups of two or more couples at once; single weddings are postponed until another couple can join them, save in the smallest of parishes.  The ceremony takes place at a weekly service, but the wedding portion supercedes the communal labor.  The couples are brought before the priestess, who form a ring around her.  The hands are bound in a circle with long, loose strands of black ribbon, completing the ring.  The couples pledge love and passion to one another, but also to their fellows around the circle, for those couples marrying together are considered kin in a religious sense, that the earth may be more fruitful through their combined labor and efforts.  With the words to one another, "I am grateful to my Lady for you," the couples exchange kisses and wooden rings, and are wed.  Lastly, the priestess holds up a small bird for each newlywed to kiss in turn, before releasing the bird into the air.  The couples then go out to consummate their marriage in the fields, that they and the land alike may be blessed with fertility.

Weekly Ritual:  Formally begins with the parishioners lining up before the temple to be ceremonially washed by the priestess. Where a river is convenient, this is used in preference to a well or basin; in such circumstances it is common for everyone to stand or swim about together, while the priestess moves from person to person, reciting the phrase "Mother Ratri bless you and keep you in holiness, pure in the sight of the Mantle of Night." They then go into the parish hall for a brief communal meal.  When, afterwards, all are ready to enter the temple, each takes a handful of earth from a silver bowl with them into the sanctuary, chanting in unison "Ratri - Save - Ratri - the - Ratri - night - Ratri."  The sanctuary within is dark, and a parable is spoken behind the darkened altar, until with a hymn the priestess unveils the Lightstone.   Behind it, with the light shining full in her face, she delivers a short sermon. 

After delivering the sermon, the priestess raises the Lightstone and moves it in an intricate pattern through the air, which alternately sprinkles the crowd with the reflected radiance from the gem and plunges them into blessed darkness, as they repeat the entrance chant.  Afterwards, the congregation sings a recessional as they file out of the temple, led and followed by dancers performing the sacred Tandava dance, and the priestess gives each a flower petal or a twist of straw before leading the parishioners to their holy labor of the day. This might be anything from fixing the church roof to digging a garden. The task is decided upon by the priestess, and is performed by all capable parishioners; this labor is seen as a pious act, and tends to take no more than an hour or two.

Minor Devotions:  

Prayer before retiring at night: "Save us from the she-tiger and the tiger, and save us from the thief, O Night."

Ritual pouring of earth on hot coals, set before an icon or statue of Ratri.  A brazier with coals in it for the purpose is kept in front of many temples, as well as in devout homes.  The lights by a home shrine are extinguished or hooded before any private devotion.
Common prayers include:

Oh Ratri, Bringer of Life Renewed.
Give our family the power of fertility,
so that we can bring new life to the world,
so that Your peace may come.

Oh Ratri, Maker of Balms.
Aid us in times of trouble,
as we aid our troubled neighbors,
so that Your peace may come.

Oh Ratri, Lady of Truth.
Guide us so that we can find Your truth,
as we guide the wanderer who is lost,
so that Your peace may come.

Oh Ratri, Invincible Queen.
Forgive us and help us when we falter,
and strengthen us to help others who fail,
so that Your peace may come.

Oh Ratri, Guardian of the Meek.
Shade us in times of weakness,
as we help the weak in our path,
so that Your peace may come.

Oh Ratri, Lady of Passion and Love.
Accept our true and passionate love,
as we accept those who truly love us,
so that Your peace may come.

Another rite is the custom of the Eight Coins, for use by the poor or those who wish to increase their bounty.  One sets aside eight coins.  The first one is Ratri’s Coin, to pass to the temple; the second is the Luck Coin, which must go into a safe place and not be spent; the third is the Debtor’s Coin, to pass to ones creditors; the fourth is the Crown’s Coin, to pass as tax to ones lords; the fifth, sixth and seventh are for necessary expenses, and the last is Shaya’s Coin, which should pass for pleasure to gladden ones life.  Following this custom is endemic, to the degree that the day after payday in many areas is jocularly called "Shaya’s Day."

Dancing is endemic to the faith, and is thought to not only praise the Goddess but to clear the mind for greater enlightenment.  The awesome Shadowdance is the best example, but the Tandava and the Dakshayani dances are common ritualized acts.  Temple processionals are always led and followed by Tandava dancers, either attached to the temple as junior clerics or acolytes or skilled members of the congregation.

Hierarchy:

Local:   Within any diocese or archdiocese, the regional bishop (the "Daughter of the Dark" or just "Daughter") or archbishop (Nightwardens) has as underlings several defined positions.  The Khadar is generally left in charge of the Church’s secular politics. Often working as a liaison with various secular lords, the Khadar seeks to further the Church’s aims amongst the land’s nobility.  The Chronicler keeps archival records and ensures the Codices are undefiled.  The "Golden Priestess" is in charge of diocesan finances, while a Mistress of Acolytes ensures that postulants to the Staff are taught sound doctrine and practice.  Finally, the local Bringer of Wisdom is charged with the observance of canon law and is believed to be the Curia’s voice.  As an aside, while men may become priests or even one of the chief assistants of a bishop, no man has ever achieved episcopal rank, though there is no explicit scriptural bar against them.

Orders

Order of the Dark Light:  The goals of the Order are fourfold:  to perfect the Lightless Path in perpetual night; to improve the quality of life of the meek and oppressed; to spread the knowledge and the glory of the salvation of hard labors and just efforts; and to spread the worship of Mother Ratri.  Any of the faithful who has displayed zealous temperament, follows the Lightless Path, and who has performed an act of pure Ratrian virtue (witnessed by a member of the Order) may join.  Postulants are thoroughly investigated by the Order’s Vicars and approved by the Chatelaine.  They are the eyes and ears of the Curia.

Order of the Twilight Crystal:   A rare ecclesiastical order of seers and prophets, there are no more than a couple dozen members, most of them resident at the High Basilica in Warwik City.

Knights of the Black Dagger:  The order consists of an unknown number, though it is thought to be only a few hundred worldwide and slowly growing.  Only the most pious, chivalrous, and brave warriors are elevated to this order.  Ratri uses her Knights rarely, and usually only in small numbers. They act as the Nightwardens’ guard and as special emissaries of their goddess. The Knights are often sent to deliver important messages to Ratri’s followers and clergy, and to occasionally aid a worthy with courage or skill. The Great Compromise limits their involvement in interfaith strife, but there are many instances in church lore describing a Knight answering a call to fight off demons or other dark foes. It is believed that often Ratri will answer calls for aid by dispatching one of her brave knights.

Matriarchate

Primate: "The Maid In Black" - always female

Curia: "Wardens of the Mantle of Night;" colloquially, the Circle of Six or the Six.  Always female.

1) Second To The Maid: Chief ecclesiastical administrator

2) Wielder of the Black Dagger: Commander of the military arm of the sect

3) Chatelaine of the Dark Light: Runs secret order of the Lightless Path

4) Keeper of the Twilight Crystal: Chief diviner and oracle

5) Protector of the Holy: Archivist

6) Chosen of the Wise: Chief of the "Bringers of Wisdom" - Bringers of Wisdom: advisors to the Maid, and also one delegated to each Nightwarden and Daughter of the Dark.

Areas of Influence:

The High Basilica is in Warwik City in the Kingdom of Warwik, and the faith is strong in any large agricultural area, especially so in small villages and farming communities.

Ecclesiastical Calendar:

Services are held during Orvilya, skyday, the fifth day of the week.

Hisivan 7:  Kegbreak, a drinking festival held in honor of the coming spring.  The Celduin equivalent of Oktoberfest.

Calentin 18 to Celebros 9:  Akitu, a ten day High festival to Ratri.  In years in which Durithil falls, the start of the festival is delayed until the 1st of Celebros.  The first day of the festival is given to various opening rituals, including a parade of all the worshippers in their best festival clothing, and the temples statues carried out through the streets and set in the fields; the second through the fifth of plays illustrating various religious and folk themes, beginning with the Epic of Esagila.  The sixth and seventh are given to sacrifice of flowers, vegetables and/or sheep.   On the eighth day, the Order of the Twilight Crystal casts for destiny in the Wood of Visions, and the results sent to Ratri temples worldwide; this is replicated by any Twilight Crystal priestess not in Warwik City.  The ninth day holds the Weeping Ceremony, where losses, famine, barrenness and the beloved dead are mourned.  The tenth and final day is devoted to sacred hymns, after which the statues are returned to the temples and life resumes its usual course.

Aiwenal 11: Barley Harvest.  Spring barley is gathered; a day sacred to Ratri.  Where nobility or royalty are devout, the Submission is celebrated.  The ruler enters the temple where the priestess approaches the ruler and begins to strip him of his jewelry and crown.  He kneels before her while she slaps him hard and begins to pray asking for Ratri’s forgiveness, saying: "I have not sinned, O Lady of Darkness, and I have not neglected your heavenly might at all." The priestess replies: "Do not be afraid of what Ratri has to say, for She will hear your prayers and increase the greatness of your reign."  The ruler then regains his jewelry and tokens of rule from the priestess’ hands.

Laurenan 5: Feast Of Wine.  The first wine of the previous year is tested.  While still a festive drinking celebration, it is more high-toned and restrained than Kegsbreak.

Hantale 1-18: Harvest.  While there is no particular holiday harvest festival of note, as the harvest is gathered throughout this month, localities have innumerable customary such festivals, marked with feasting, thanksgiving to Ratri, and various traditional practices and observances.  Prominent is the Parade of the Bronze Ox, where the old spirits of the fields are ritually cleared to make way for the new.

Hantale 14: Losuial.  Festival of the Fall Flowers; vows between lovers are exchanged and many marriages are contracted and performed.  Garland weaving is a common practice, and wearing the garland throughout the eve’s maypole dances is considered an infallible charm for the lucky maiden to be wed in the coming year.

Helcalos 5: Daeor:  the high holy day of Ratri.  The most prominent ritual is that of the Shadowdance, a mass round dance around a monolith or menhir.  The Shadowdance takes place from sundown to sunrise without cease, and to complete the entire intricate dance without a moment’s rest will confer the dancer with stamina, luck, and wisdom for the next year.  The Visionquest is another common rite; a drug trance in which initiates and the faithful see beyond Ratri’s Veil to gain knowledge or wisdom.

What do they think of … ?

Arawn:  Sweet Lady, they are so close.  So very close.  If only they cared for their folk more, cared for conflict less, they would earn less of our sorrow for all they could become and more of our welcome in glad embrace.

Manannan:  Gaze upon the Sea, ye people of the land, kiss your fingertips, and wish them well.  They are our dear kin, though they be not of our blood, and they live in harmony with the waves as we seek to do on the earth.

Mitra:  The gulf between us is wide; pray excuse us the comparison between Night and Day.  They are harsh when they need not be, stern when they need not be, judgmental when they have no right to be, and turn their back on goodness in search of Good.  Is their battle with the Snake Lord really about good and evil, or is it more about which side gains dominion over others?

Upuaut:  The Wolf People jest that blood makes the grass grow, and it pierces our heart.  Nothing destroys a community faster than the flames of war.  We have no enemies, but, truly, whose works oppose ours more than theirs?

Varuna:  We share the night with the flock of our Lady’s cousin, but little else.  Pray that they don’t completely abandon this world for the next, and that they let a little joy into their frozen souls.

Vasha:  Our Lady’s sister is beloved of us, and her people likewise dear; the Dawn follows the nighttime, and all is well.  How can we despise them for refusing to fight when we avoid conflict ourselves?  Remind them when you can that there are passions not found in books or song, and lead our cherished sisters into the dance.

Set:  They claim that they have no designs upon us, and possibly they’re not lying.  It’s just that they’re not interested in destroying field and rick and village; they cannot control what does not exist.  We can’t take a lot of comfort in that.  If only we could settle our differences without conflict.

Footnotes:

1)The planet Celduin has two suns.

2)Vasha is goddess of the sky and the dawn; Mitra is the god of the suns.

3)Godstime is the great period of prehistory which ended with the war between Chaos and the forces of Evil against the Gods; yes, this is pretty much stolen from RuneQuest, for those of you scoring at home.

4)Upuaut is the war and flame god, and is also the psychopomp for the newly dead; Arawn is Lord of the Dead.

User Submitted Ideas (0)