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Ceris is the goddess of healing, agriculture, fertility, and life, and to a
lesser extent, also of nature and natural things. Once very powerful amongst the
deities of Derlith, she is now in a lesser role, overshadowed by constant
bickering and strife between Enoch and Aramon. Both of those gods' ambitions
forced her down from her  former position of power in the heavens through
outright persecution and purging of many of her worshippers in the world.
Needless to say, she despises both of them. She waits patiently, however, slowly
gaining in power as worship  of her in Derlith is growing again, although not
hastily.  It is her goal to stop all the war and killing in Derlith by any means
possible, short of adding more death and killing into the mix.

Worship of Ceris

Worship of Ceris tends to be rather loose, as she is not much for strict cermony
or order. Peasants often will make love in fields as a fertility right and
offering to her. At each equinox, this is a very common thing, and at the
churches and temples to Ceris on those days and nights, one would be hard
pressed to tell them apart from the local brothels in town. The ceremonies of
Tera Auta (in autumn) and Tera Bela (in Spring) are the two most important
religious holidays for worship of Ceris. Each takes place on the autumnal and
spring equinoxes respectively. Regular feasts are prepared during these times,
and frolicking and carousing throughout the night, with pleasures of the flesh
high in priority, are not uncommon. Love and caring for one's fellow man is the
pinnacle of the worship of Ceris. Peace is important above all, as everyone
should love one another, and forgive. Violence should never be used unless it is
as a last resort, and then  only in the defense of ones own life. Many priests
and priestesses of Ceris have been known to die before they will shed another's
blood. This does not apply to all that is unnatural, such as evil magical
creatures or the undead. These are seen as a blight to nature, and abhorent
blasphemous  abominations which should be destroyed at all costs. Many  rangers
worship Ceris.

History

Worship of Ceris was once prevalent throughout the world of Derlith. With the
rise of the Cult of Aramon in the north and the Order of Enoch to the south,
however, her worship was utterly crippled. In the north lands, the Empire of
Caladonia arose under the evils of the Cult of Aramon. Worshippers of Ceris were
killed for sport outright. Entire generations ceased to exist. In the south,
where belief in Ceris was strongest, the Inquisitors Order, with the lesser help
of the Order of Crusaders, routed out and imprisoned many worshippers of Ceris
for heresy against the Church of Enoch. In many cases, Inquisitors razed entire
villages and crops, running Ceris worshippers off, and putting others to the
question, often torturing and killing them in the process. Entire families were
split up. Before long, every ancient church of Ceris in Sendral had nothing
remaining of it but smoking ash. Worship of Ceris was forced into the
underground, where it remains today. The Inquisitors' Order, ever vigilant,
still hunts worshippers of Ceris all over Sendral, and has set up an elaborate
network of informants - men and women who are "one with the truth of Enoch".
Recent news that a Church of Ceris is being built in Highport, after so many
years, has brought Sigil and Highport almost to the brink of war, as Sigil has
threatened to do something about it if Highport ever allows services to start
there. They have claimed that they will declare the entire free city and
everyone in it heretics should this happen. That would place anyone who is a
Highport citizen eligable to be put to the question by the Inquistors. Highport
has largely ignored the threats, taking them as so much sabre-rattling and
fanatic blither. Highport is a FREE city, and it doesn't mean to take crap from
anybody.

The Priesthood

The majority of the clergy of Ceris are women. Men are not as common, but they
are still present. There is no structured heirarchy, per say, but seniority is
what is used for rank. Whomever the elder priest or priestess is in a given
location, they have the final say in everything. Primary emphasis is placed
highly on healing in the priesthood. This includes treatement of wounds and
disease by normal means as well as by magic granted by Ceris. Clergy of Ceris
rival even some druids when it comes to knowing things about herbs and
ointments. Secondary emphasis is on the family and agriculture. Priests and
priestesses will often act as matchmakers for potential bondings among their
perishoners, or anybody for that matter. Dress for the clergy is not ever
ornate, and depending on the season, it can sometimes be seen as outright
scandalous in some circles. As little clothing as is allowed will be what is
worn by any priest of priestess of Ceris. It is said that the seductive powers
of a priestess of Ceris are a gift from Ceris herself. The women will often wear
see-through thin white robes, with plenty of bosom showing, and on festival
days, they wear no tops at all, and cover none of their leg! Ceris priestesses,
therefore, tend to be somewhat persuasive.

There is no specific book of Ceris worshippings and teachings. Each separate
church maintains its own collection of writings and prophecies given in visions
from the goddess, as well as original works of its priests and priestesses, from
the beginning of the time the church was founded. All are available for
perishoners to view at any time, and at festival times, or during general
discussions which are held at the temples on a regular basis, they usually are
brought out and perused through and talked about.  Among all of the worshippers
of deities in Derlith, those of Ceris have the highest rate of general literacy.

Roleplaying Notes

Players playing a cleric of Ceris should always be ready to help others at any
time with healing. Clerics of Ceris cannot stand the sight of injury in front of
them, and they will always try to do something about it. Pacifism is their way.
They do not believe in random killing, or revenge, although undead must be
searched out and destroyed, with the help of others with more warlike tendancies
whenever possible. In general, with a spin of paganism, clerics of Ceris are
alot like Christians when it comes to dealing with other people. They turn the
other cheek, they believe in treating those as they wish to be treated, and they
always tell people Ceris will forgive them for their sins, and she loves them.

Toward other religions who hate or outright want to destroy them, or disagree
with them, clerics of Ceris will only show pity. They will always try to
convince them of their errors, but they will not feel obligated to force their
opinions. In their way of thinking, everyone meets Ceris in the afterlife, and
she will be the one who decides if you get a rich fertile field to cultivate,
along with many lovers and children to love, or a briar-ridden patch of
worthless dirt, living forever all alone for eternity.

