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Ceris
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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.
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Worship of Ceris
Worship of Ceris tends to be rather loose, as she is not much for strict ceremony 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 abhorrent 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. Worshipers 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 worshipers of Ceris for heresy against the Church of Enoch. In many cases, Inquisitors razed entire villages and crops, running Ceris worshipers 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 worshipers 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 eligible to be put to the question by the Inquisitors. 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 hierarchy, 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 treatment 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 worshipings 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 worshipers 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 tendencies whenever possible. In general, with a spin of paganism, clerics of Ceris are a lot 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.
