Sun's Tan

  I'm writing this short bit about Sun worship because Lorgan asked. Since I was born and raised in a Sun temple, I suppose I do know a thing or two about the Sun Tan.   Sun acolytes cherish a good tan. They see sunbathing as a religious experience that brings them closer to Sun. The deeper the suntan, the more spiritual the person, for they have spent more time than others outside in his presence.   Most Sun temples provide accommodation to tan, as it is one of the more holy acts any follower can perform. It is not without its downsides, however. These downsides are why many in the upper priesthood use bottled tan, heavy makeup, or even magic enhancement to produce the perfect tan.   Acolytes are supposed to do it the natural way, since it's a form of prayer--spend a lot of time in the sun.  

  The upper priesthood of Sun temples typically have darker tans, as befitting their station. Those from warmer climates with naturally dark skin are considered Sun-touched, and often hold positions of power within the temple and conducting the most important ceremonies.   Hair bleached by sunbathing is a sign of blessing as well. From ancient times to the present, acolytes who could not lighten their hair while sunbathing would artificially bleach their tresses, ranging from a deep gold to a soft amber. Too light, however, and that was considered more in the Realm of the Syimlin of Light, so completely white tresses are discouraged. There needed to be some gold remaining.   Why? Ga Son, the Syimlin of Sun (whose name means The Sun), has tanned skin and golden hair. The idea was to look as much like him as possible.   Of note: My mother thinks it's funny, that Sun priests harp on a deep tan and bleached hair, but not on other physical attributes, like his lean muscles. She says most would fail that achievement.  

  Only fanatics joined the Sun cult—until a hundred years previous, when the Flayn Monarchy tried to invade Sensour. The syimlin fought alongside mortals, and when Death took the field, the invaders perished. The realization that syimlin existed energized languishing cults, and ancient religious ideals found their way into modern worship practices. The return to tanning as a holy act infused Sun temples—until my mother, Kasoris, became high priestess of Spiral Sun.   Kasoris hated the tanning rituals. She saw them as causing more harm than good, and while emulating a deity was commendable, she did not think Ga Son ever wanted to harm his followers by forcing them to take on his appearance. Older clergy, especially the elfines and nymphs, disliked a human stomping all over their cherished traditions and attempted to change the religious by-laws to force all practicing adherents to conduct ritual tanning. It had been that way forever, after all, and they saw no reason to alter the easiest way to commune with Sun.   Younger adherents did not believe forcing followers to develop skin cancer and other ailments to prove Sun loyalty was a good thing. Kasoris led the revolt, and she won against the elder priesthood. Adherents voted her into the high priestess position, and she took control of Sun worship on Talis. Furious, the elder priesthood attempted to reverse the outcome, which ended their temples as the younger generations joined those that followed Kasoris’s lead.   Kasoris did not eliminate the tanning and bleaching of hair, but it was no longer a requirement of worship. Tanned individuals still held high priesthood positions, and the Sun-touched still led ceremonies, so the change, while it offended some, did not have the negative impact traditional adherents claimed.