The High Priestesses of Mazarath

There are many ranks among the clergy devoted to individual gods. One in particular that is held in the highest regard are the High Priestesses of Mazarath. They wander Ënokh on self-appointed missions given to them from Mazarath. They purge the influence of the Void from Ënokh wherever it may be. However, make no mistake, these nomadic priestesses are like none you may find on Earth. The High Priestesses of Mazarath are fierce warrior and revered warriors. The High Priestesses are not an Inquisition against fellow Andeamer, but Voids exclusively. They follow a strict code of interaction and live harsh lives, but their sacrifice is respected by many. The death of a High Priestess of Mazarath is mourned by all of Ënokh. The High Priestesses are few in numbers due to the intense training and initiation process some cannot withstand. They are exclusively female Andeamer, as it is believed female Andeamer are closest to Mazarath. The High Priestesses of Mazarath travel Ënokhïa to aid regular citizens in any way they can. They often act as mediators in feuds are a go-to neutral party. They say they are guided by Mazarath, as every one of them hears her words and through this exclusive and divine connection they are all connected to one another.

The High Priestesses are known have “gifts” acquired through their initiation rituals. These mystical powers are said to be the will of Mazarath, pieces of her own vothihyaal. The High Priestesses do not use their gifts so liberally, however, eyewitnesses have claimed their powers rival that of the sun. They wield white fire like a weapon that can take any shape or form. These nomadic women of legend are known to dress humbly and stealthily. Many stories tell of wandering "do-gooders" who look an act no different from any other Andeamer but in the end are revealed to be High Priestesses of Mazarath. Some stories reward those who return kindness while others shame those who do harm against another Andeamer. As with any Andeamer, to took take a life is not something done easily. Rarely High Priestesses resort to killing their foes and only do so when absolutely necessary. They are more than happy to allow the justice systems of whatever kingdom they roam to handle the undesirable individual.

When one imagines a High Priestesses, they usually envision them in their armor and beautiful robes, but as stated above they seldom don this armor when wandering Ënokh. Their armor is said to be made of crystal and reflects light brilliantly and blindingly beneath draping white robes, whiter than any clothes of royalty or wealth. They wield their iconic sun-wheel scepter and shield as their weapons when banded together against a Void incursion or Inquisition. This armor is believed to be enchanted by Mazarath to further shield these warriors from the Void. This armor is typically used in ceremony and when a priestess is interred into the catacombs.

Short written accounts of those who interacted with these priestesses all have the common theme of stoicism, divine elegance, and fierce battle prowess. Rarely will one come across an account of a family member of these women, but they show a more personal perspective of who these women really were. The High Priestess is one of the most detailed an in-depth account of the priestesses during the time of the first inquisition that took place about 1,500 years ago. This book was written by one who would later become the leader of the Inquisition she was a part of. She tells many horrifying accounts of Voids and several priestess-led excursions into Void. The Mother Priestess is a modern account of the revered priestesses written by the daughter of a High Priestess of Mazarath during the Void Scare.

Sehrefaan is another popular tale of the High Priestess that lead the second inquisition of the Void some 765 years ago, which is still fresh in the minds of many Andeamer. Sehrefaan originated from humble roots of a farming family of Mäsvell Dinmaar. The trading village her family frequented was attacked by a creature of the Void that sprung from the harbor. She met her first High Priestesses that day. The same High Priestesses died valiantly protecting the people from the sudden attack. This drove Sehrefaan to pursue becoming a High Priestesses herself. She succeeded and is the youngest known priestess of her order. She rose quickly through the ranks and ultimately would become the high inquisitor, who sat only beneath the Oracle.

Structure

The ranking and organization of the high priestesses is unknown outside their order. It would appear they do not stand on rank unless addressing the Oracle of Mazarath. The high priestesses are definitely at the top of the hierarchy of the temple. Beneath them are the regular priestesses, then clerical positions. It is tradition that the high priestesses and priestesses are only female andeamer, but clerical positions may be fulfilled by either men or women.

Public Agenda

The high priestesses sole purpose is to protect the people of Ënokh from themselves or beings of the Void. They will come when requested, but often may show up of their own accord. They do not ask for payment in return and instead seek either shelter for their stay or donations to the temple. Numerous high priestesses roam Ënokh at any given time.

History

The tradition of these warrior priestesses is believed to have begun in ancient Ënokhïa. Many legends describe that young Andeamer girl of the clergy would be brought before Mazarath and she would choose a select few to become High Priestesses of her sect. These girls would be very young, barely women but still young enough to shape. What they learned and how they were trained was shrouded in mystery and most of these girls wouldn't see their families for long periods of time. To be chosen and to be not chosen was a double-edged sword for all the girls brought before Mazarath. For the priestesses in training they would be taken from their family, only to rarely be seen. They were changed dramatically into holy women with grace and power that all respected and revered. In some instances, these young girls would perish, and their death was compensated for by the temple. Some families may have had an audience with the Oracle herself. Those who weren't chosen were ashamed of being unworthy, however they stayed with their families and lived normal lives.
During the First Invasion, the high priestesses interred in the grand catacombs beneath Gaaveth Räd awoke. It is told in the Dirrag that deceased high priestesses may return to the world of the living at any given time. However any time they have awoken it is been during some great calamity. The most recent being during the invasion of the fikheri. The high priestesses closely guard their secret of embalming, but will say it is the will of Mazarath their bodies do not decay after death. They are the only andeamer free of the cremation mandate as they cannot be corrupted by Voids in life or death.
During this event the returned high priestesses defended the entire city of Gaaveth Räd against invaders. Within three days of stabilizing and neutralizing the invaders, the priestesses moved into the rest of Ënokh. Accounts of this event highlight observers did not know the priestesses were awakened until they were seen returning to their places in the catacombs. The population hidden in the catacombs witnessed their awakening directly and described the priestesses appeared to have "just woken up".

"They moved from their pockets within the catacombs walls and orderly descended by the ladders built into the walls, each wielding the shields and scepters they had been interred with with and commanded in life. They spoke the same as any andeamer and lent the same compassion any high priestess had. They fought relentlessly, protected us even at their own peril. I had witnessed one whose arm was severed. I rushed her back to the medical tent for treatment, but she did not appear not acted distressed. She merely instructed me to suture her arm back to her body and she would take care of the rest. I kept a close eye on her as she recovered. Within two hours and sixteen minutes, she had returned to the defense lines commanding full control of her once severed arm as if had never parted her body. Later examinations showed all internal structures had healed, the only proof it ever happened was some scare tissue and my own eyes."

Type

Religious, Holy Order

Training Level

Elite

Leader

The Oracle of Mazarath

Parent Organization

The Temple of Mazarath

Deities

• Mazarath

Location

Vinde Yal Mäsvyel

Notable Members

• The Oracle of Mazarath