The Helpful Handout of How to Become a Priest/Priestess

Criteria established by Mercedes Lackey

Based on The Valdemar Companion

Distributed by:

Queen's Own
The Official Mercedes Lackey Fan Club

Basic Requirements

I. Develop a Character

Develop a character (your persona--Who would you be if you could daydream yourself into Valdemar or one of its neighboring countries? Be the "real" you or as different as you please.) and write about him/her. Prepare a minimum of 3 pages.

This is a biography. Describe your persona's physical and emotional characteristics, likes and dislikes, whatever makes you uniquely you. You may use first or third person.

Remember, to write about your persona before s/he joined his/her religious order. Priests and Priestesses choose the religion in which they will train (or their deity chooses them, depending on how you want to look at it <g>); they are not born in their office. (10 points)

II. Develop One or More Friend or Relative Characters

You needn't be quite so detailed in your descriptions of these other characters. But remember, you are writing about people you know well. Describe what your family and/or friends look like, their own character traits, etc. Again, a minimum of 3 pages. (5 points)

III. Extra Point Requirements (5 points each)

Choose and complete the requirements for two (minimum) of the following:

  1. Learn and certify in CPR.
  2. Learn First Aid.
  3. Become a volunteer.
  4. Write a poem with a religious theme.
  5. Write an essay about the religion of your choice.
  6. Draw a map showing the region where your persona's religion is active.
  7. Become a regular blood donor (Make a commitment to give at least 3x a year).
  8. Draw a picture of your persona.
  9. Write a story of more than three pages.
  10. Illustrate your story.
  11. Design a costume.
  12. Create a costume.
  13. Create/Describe a religious ritual.
  14. Start a local chapter of Queen's Own.
  15. Edit a fanzine/newsletter.
  16. Send a story, poem, or art to one of our zines.
  17. Draw a symbol that represents your deity.

After you have acquired 25 points, you may become a Hedge Priest of the religion of your choice.

Special Notes for Priests/Priestesses

If you have additional questions, check out the Religion FAQ.

Advanced Rank

Hedge Priests have no formal training. There are, however, several ways you can advance in rank as a priest/priestess.

If you want your character to receive formal training in religion, there are several organized religions that we know about on Velgarth. Choose which religion you want to join. Complete the requirements in that column for each rank. Do not switch columns. If you start in the Sun Priest column, you need to stay there.

Rank Equivalent Astera
(See below for other names.)
Vkandis
(See below for other names.)
Other*
Apprentice Write a story (minimum of 10 pages) about how your persona decided to train as a priest/priests of the Lady in your particular culture, and send it to one of the QO zines. Write a story (minimum of 10 pages) about how your persona decided to train as a priest/priests of the Lord in your particular culture, and send it to one of the QO zines. Write a story (minimum of 10 pages) about how your persona decided to train as a priest/priests of your particular diety in your particular culture, and send it to one of the QO zines.
Journeyman Write a 20-page paper the relationship between your religion and the environment. Write a 20-page paper comparing and contrasting priestly and secular magic. Write a 20-page paper comparing and contrasting any two "real world" religions of your choice.
Master Write a 20-page paper on the role of the religious leader as a counselor. Write a 20-page paper on the role of religious leaders in the education of school-aged children. Write a 20-page paper on the role of religious leaders in the culture of your choice.
Adept Write a 20-page paper comparing and contrasting shamanistic with organized religions. Write a 20-page paper on the Crusades from either the Christian or the Muslim point of view. Write a 20-page paper tolerance and intolerance in the religion of your choice.

These papers will be published in The Compass Rose.

*Misty is in the process of describing a bunch of religions on Velgarth. The ones we know about so far are:

  1. Anathei of the Purifying Flame
  2. Astera (also called "The Star Eyed", Lady, Goddess of the Four Winds, Lady Trine)
    • Lady Trine (includes Agnetha)
    • The Star Eyed (includes Maiden, Mother, Warrior, Crone--Agnoma)
  3. Bastet (ancient Battle Goddess)
  4. Cold God (assassins)
  5. Duross (God of Rains)
  6. LurChan (Luck God)
  7. Earth Father (Hardorn only)
  8. Earth Mother (Hardorn only)
  9. Tembor Earthshaker
  10. Thenoth (also called Lord of the Beasts) (Temple and Priory in Haven)
  11. Twins (Kerenal and Dinas, Karanel and Dara)
  12. Vkandis (also called Vykaendys, Kindas Sun-Kindler, Kernos, Lord)
  13. Wheel Bound

For more information, see the Religion FAQ.

Zhai'helleva,
Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn and Healer Adept Moonstar

Return to the Queen's Own Home Page