--- RulingNations@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 4/10/04 12:47:47 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
> andrewdj54701@yahoo.com writes:
>
> >Coron, God of the Dead
> >----------------------
> I really like this, and certainly this god is much needed. However,
> there's something missing. As it stands, the description is pure
> archetype. There needs to be something personal or cultural there.
> Something _messy_ to say this is real. I've had a few thoughts, but
> nothing has gelled so far.
>
> Jefferson (Exquaestio)
Jeff's quite right, so, having described the God/Being, here's some
discussion about the related Believers.
Order of Coron
--------------
The Order of Coron is at least as ubiquitous in Cedonia as the Order of
Lucia. As one Coronite cleric put it, "It matters not if you are a rich
man, a poor man, a city man, a rural man, a wise man, or a fool; all
men , everywhere, die." The Order divides itself into three sub-Orders:
White, Grey, and Black.
Thw White Robes of Coron run hospices, leprosariums, and sanatoriums
throughout Cedonia and the surrounding region, focusing on chronic and
incurable diseases as well as caring for the indigent mentally
handicapped and the terminally ill. They are a source of palliative
care for those in pain, and when pain becomes unbearable, the White
Robes provide euthanasia for those who wish it.
The Grey Robes of Coron deal with transitions: Birth, coming-of-age,
and death. The Order believes that not only does Coron collect the
souls of the dead, he prepares raw, unformed souls for the
yet-to-be-born. Thus, when a Cedonian is born, a Grey Robe midwife
delivers the baby while a Grey Robe Priest names the child. Entry into
puberty, the death of childhood, is marked by another ceremony
conducted by a Grey Robe. During the Cedonian Empire, a Grey Robe
priest would officiate at coronations. Finally, Grey Robes conduct
funeral and memorial services. The association of Grey Robes with
change and transition is strong enough that in traditional Cedonian
architecture, all doorframes, lintels, archways, and gateposts are
painted grey.
The Black Robes of Coron build and maintain cemetaries, ossuaries,
tombs, cenotaphs, and mausoleums. They are charged with the protection
of the dead. Black Robes often serve as both coroner and embalmer,
determining cause, manner, and time of death when those are in
question, and then preparing the body for burial. In the capacity of
coroner, they often work closely with the Order of Lucia. The Black
Robes are charged with the responsibility of hunting down would-be
necromancers and laying undead and ghosts to rest.
There is a rumor, which has never been substantiated, that a secret
group of mystical assassins exists within the Order of Coron. These
assassins are said to be charged with ensuring that no one cheats
Death. Their targets are said not to include the Mages of Mir, who gain
extended life, but not immortality, from their relationship with
Miracrasada; rather, these rumored assassins are said to kill those who
try to extend their lives by such techniques as stealing life-energy
from another; or by removing the heart, placing it in an enchanted jar,
and hiding the jar in a safe place; or by trying to brew the alchemical
Elixir of Life. In ancient times, it was said that only Alatta of Rian
a'Avaerand escaped their efforts for any length of time, and everyone
knows what happened to that unfortunate kingdom. Of course, none of the
above has ever been proven, but the rumors persist. The Order of
Coron's official public position on the matter has always been "No
comment."
Andrew
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs
http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/careermakeover
----------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
