Maals , Prayers Holy days and Saints

Prayers of Maal

The justiciars and the officers of the courts of Maal pray to their Lord often, particularly when they wonder if a decision they made was correct or ethical. Most often, common folk pray to Maal in three cases: when they need the wisdom to make an important decision, when they’re wronged and crave justice, and when a loved one has died. The prayer recited most fervently is called the Entreaty, and it is a cry to Maal for justice, when wronged. While spoken from the perspective of one murdered, its meaning stands beyond any one crime, for any offense committed against the mortal races. The Entreaty is not said lightly, as it is a solemn plea to Maal. It is usually invoked by someone who knows who has wronged them, is desperately trying to control their rage, and wants to avoid taking matters into their own hands.

“Father Maal, Judge of Souls, King of the Dead, Hear me in my need. My blood runs in rivers, And with it mingle my bitter tears. I lay dying yet no crime have I done, No man have I wronged. My innocent blood I offer to you, Father Maal, My angry tears are my libations; I pray to you that those who wrong me will find Justice, By your hand or another’s. Let not my blood be washed away, Let not my life be forgotten.”

Holy Days

The courts of Maal observe many minor holy days, each generally tied to days of remembrance of the dead. The holiday all observe at the beginning of the year is called the “Day of Offering.” On this day, people are expected to come to the courts, and pray to Maal to forgive them any transgressions they might have committed in the previous year. They accompany their prayers with an offering given to the wronged party. In cases where this is not possible , an offering it is given to the court, to be distributed to those who have been wronged, but received no offering. It is a day filled with tears and apologies. Most people go to the courts of Maal on the Day of Offering, including those who rarely pray to Maal, as it is considered one of the highest and most holy holidays of the gods. It is, after all, courting favor with the king who will ultimately determine the fate of your soul.

Saints

Saints are named by Maal himself when he judges souls. Tireless crusaders for justice who come before Maal sometimes find themselves greeted as saints. When Jerik, a hand of Maal who almost single-handedly toppled a goblin kingdom that had enslaved thousands, came before Maal to be judged, he knelt. The Voice of Maal greeted him by saying “Arise, Saint Jerik, and be judged.” In that simple pronouncement, sainthood was conferred.

On occasion, servants of Maal in the mortal sphere learn in prayer that one of the fallen has been elevated to sainthood. From that point onward, the departed is referred to as a saint by all faithful. In the example above, Jerik’s sister sought to commune with Maal, to ask for guidance some years after her brother’s death. The Voice of Maal told her that her brother, Saint Jerik, would thereafter be a guardian of Maal’s kingdom.

After that, all her efforts to commune were answered by her brother, and from this incident, the courts of Maal learned Jerik had been named a saint. Due to the unique nature of the ceremony to become a hand of Maal, there have been living saints of Maal who returned from the dead with their new title. Some also learn of their sainthood, only to be later resurrected, though most refuse to be brought back. The true roll of saints is known only to Maal’s dead legions, and may include names never shared with the living. Those who are named saints by Maal reside in his kingdom in eternal bliss, and are not reborn.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion