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.
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