An Elf may serve the temple in two capacities: through priesthood or through paladinship. Both give their life to the Valar, being the spiritual guides, the champions and the heralds to the Elves. Yet, they are oriented toward different areas of the spiritual.
Priesthood
Spiritual leaders and heralds of the Valar, Priests are considered to be the teachers of the wisdom that the Valar bestow upon us through their creations. The Priest pursues the mysteries of creation with avid passion, and is oft' found meditating or communing with nature. The Priest is considered to be the blessed Elf, thus they are called upon for matters of healing and bringing life back into the faint. Highly intuitive and in touch with the spiritual energy of Sosaria, the Priest is a master at knowing when the balance of good and evil is disturbed. The Priest understands that for every wicked and vile creature, a hero shall appear, but also that for each being of light, a being of darkness is created. The acceptance of this balance allows the Priest to free their mind of worry and thus receive the messages from the Valar with greater clarity.
The Priest is commonly known to be of humble and gentle personality. There is no concern for the material possessions, as the faith and love of the Valar provides them with far greater gifts. Pacifist by nature, the Priest does not rush into battle. However, this does not suggest that the Priest is weak or inept. Indeed, if threatened or provoked by a creature of darkness, the Priest will take up their arms and fight to the end. Certain holidays also ask of priests to guide a hunt for creatures who have dishonored the Valar. The training for the Priest is not merely of the spirit and the mind, but of the body as well. Agile and resillient, the Priest may not be very strong, but their faith guides them to safety and well-being. Generosity of spirit is another of the Priest's great qualities, and for this they may oft' be found sharing in their richness, or providing Elves with items that the Valar guides them too. The Priest is also the one that performs wedding ceremonies as well as other spiritual rites (blessings, communions, festivals and holidays).
An excerpt from the Chronicles of the Path :
Sellyn clasped his hands together and fell to his knees. The bitter scent of blood still flowed through the high windows of the temple. It had been but a day, and already the avarice and blood thirst had crept into the hearts of the impure. Murmuring a prayer to Nàmo, Sellyn questioned his reasons to stay in these lands. Closing his eyes, he allowed his faith to guide him to a state of peace. He released his fears and worries into the vast universe and watched them dance with the stars before dissipating into the unifying grayness. When his spirit was at peace, he opened his eyes and welcomed the morning sun into the cold rooms of the temple. For a moment, everything was a golden pink, then the walls returned to their icy marble. Sellyn rose slowly and reached for his book. Gathering his robes, he made way outside.
The battle had been fierce, but the victory was theirs. There were no shouts of celebration, nor was fine wine passed from hand to hand. Instead, each Elf mourned the loss of a friend, a neighbor, a loved one. Sellyn smiled gently at the worried and tired faces, then began his speech. He spoke of the love the Valar have for us and their plans for our race. With fondness and great respect he spoke of the fallen, and their presence in Valinor. He stopped when he saw the hope shine once more in the Elven eyes, and their hands clasped together to honor their loved ones. Reciting a prayer, Sellyn felt the love of the Valar flow through him and touch his heart, and he wept. The Elves wept with him.
The ranks of the Malle' en' Tel'Yaana :
Ooma en' Yavanna [or your chosen Valar] (Voice of Valar): Rank VI:The Ooma en' Yavanna [or your chosen Valar], a voice for all that is holy, has come to the completion of their journey through the Path of the Temple. The Elf who is awarded this most holy position has achieved a deep religious serenity of all that is holy and dear to the Elves. The Ooma en' Yavanna [or your chosen Valar] are often called upon to perform many of the holy ceremonies for subjects such as Marriage, Death, and often give sermon before many of the special Elven holidays. They are also called upon in times of war to give powerful blessings upon the armies of Eldador to ensure their safety. Only those elves with a complete understanding of all ceremonies, the Valar, and all that is religious, walk with the blessing of Iluvatar into such a position.
Promotional Guidelines: Must host one regular monthly event with emphasis on Elven Religion, Elven Holidays, The Valar, and/or Elven Ceremonies. Also, must have acquired the Silver Harp, Gold Harp, Varda's Silver Tear and Varda's Golden Tear medals. Time in guild requirement is 1.5 years and active participation is required to maintain this rank. Demotion to Rank V will occur if active in-game participation is decreased to 6 hours or less a month.
Varda'Atara (Exalted Priest/Exalted Priestess): Rank V:Through a great deal of time and meditation, the Varda'Atara has achieved a balance between mind, body, and spirit. The Varda'Atara has a higher understanding of the ways of the Valar and is looked to for spiritual guidance, blessings, and ceremonies. Their healing abilities and understanding of the spirit have allowed them to advance beyond the level of a master. Their knowledge of religion is vast and they are well known for their abilities as teachers in the community. Varda'Atara oversee the care of the temple and ensure younger members of the path have learned the traditions of the priesthood.
Promotional Guidelines: Must have hosted three events which place emphasis on religion, religious Elven traditions, Elven holidays, ceremonies, and/or teaching others of the blessings of Eru and the Valar. Time in guild requirement is 1 year.
Val'Amandil (High Priest/High Priestess): Rank IV:Long periods of time spent worshipping and honoring the Valar have given the Val'Amandil the inner strength and wisdom that makes of them the spiritual teachers for the Elves. Indeed, the Val'Amandil spends much time teaching and guiding younger Priests and Paladins. The Elf with this title is considered to be an honored member of the circle that oversees the worship and functions of the various sections of the temple. Val'Amandil also presides over temple ceremonies, ensuring their success by focusing and learning from their previous experiences. A master healer, the Elf with this title is called forth to heal not only ailments of the body and the spirit, but that of the mind as well. Relied upon for all matters related to the religious and spiritual development of the Elves, the Val'Amandil strives to be a continuous presence in the lives of the Elven community.
Promotional Guidelines: Host small guild events on a regular basis, host a large guild event with smoothness, understanding and teaching the Elven religion, planning and performing Temple ceremonies and spiritual rites, inspiring younger members to act as well as aid them with their events, being active and involved in the guild-related activates.
Amandil (Priest/Priestess): Ranks I-IIIA guardian of the Elven Fea (spirit), the Amandil guides the Elves through their spiritual development. By keeping each Elf wise of the ways of the Valar, Amandil fulfills the role of the herald for the Divine. The Elf holding this title strives to keep harmony of all things in nature by continuing to remind the Elves of the Great Balance that resides in Sosaria. Amandil often performs blessings during family hunts, thus ensuring that the grace of the Valar follows into battle and beyond. During temple ceremonies, the Elf with this title may perform blessings and rites, or pray (depending on their rank). Amandil seeks wisdom and knowledge about the Valar, and sees the body as the vessel for the Divine Spark (or Fea). Thus, pilgrimages to temples and shrines are often conducted, honoring the Divine Spark and strengthening the vessel that carries it. Amandil is found in deep meditation frequently, communing with the Valar and understanding the mysteries behind the Creation.
Promotional requirements: Activity on the path, striving to teach of the Elven religion, attending, assisting and forming events, participating in the Temple ceremonies and rites.
Path Medals
Hard working Priests are eligible for certain class medals
during the course of their studies.
Celestial Book of the Valar
(Given when Rank II is achieved)
Varda's Sigil (Given when Rank IV is achieved)
