Blessing of Benevolent Life

Death and disease have always been rampant in Strix until recently. Due to the lack of sunlight and arable land, farming or otherwise cultivating essential resources such as food is impossible. As such, consuming those weaker than oneself was the norm for a few years. Such practices, however, are obviously unsustainable, even to the most desperate in Strix. People soon began looking for another way, and organized prayers to the gods began.

One day, a woman dressed in green appeared. The woman's glowing form was striking against the suffocating dark of Strix, and her actions were even more stark against the nature of the discarded world. She granted the people food and created a sacred area that could grow crops before suddenly disappearing without warning. Even though this specific scene has been long forgotten, the people's prayers ring through the dark on the anniversary of the crop-bringing woman's arrival, hoping that praying for her blessings will preserve the woman's gifts. As far as anyone can tell, this works.

Of course, there's no real proof the prayers are what sustain the sacred garden, but hope can sometimes be enough to make things seem like fact.

There is no formulaic execution of prayers to extend the life of the blessing, but most prayers take place in or near the sacred garden. Everyone has their own ways of praying, from rituals to praying to nothing at all. Some people set up tents with carefully arranged fruits, vegetables, herbs, and farming equipment, even if they've never been used. There are no dates for the prayers, for they depend on occupation, religion, family traditions, et cetera.

While most people utilise only their words, some people use farming equipment and produce grown in the sacred garden. In addition, some people set up tents for full-day prayers, and some of the most dedicated prayers include round-bottle flasks, life potions, and various fertilizers.

Farmers are seen as the most important people to partake in the rituals. Their prayers are worth double that of the ordinary person, and the prayers are seen to bless the people of Strix as well. Every day, one farmer performs their piece of the prayer, creating a full, elaborate prayer by the year's end.