Alharas' Blessing

Blessing of The Soil

  As the fertile soil of the Eastern Lands continued to fail and die due to the ever-encroaching desert, mass migrations towards the coast became commonplace, in the hopes of finding safety and food there. However, those who knew better decided to bring with them as much soil and seed as possible to ensure their survival. When they did arrive, they would replant them in areas where the desert could not claim them and began to pray to whatever god was listening to allow their crops to grow. It said that Alharas, the goddess of fertility, was the one who answered their prayers and blessed them with abundance to feed themselves and others, allowing them to rebuild what was lost. As the cities along the coast were built, the worship of Alharas began to grow, as well as their divine savior. With every harvest since then, farmers have asked for the goddess's blessing to allow their crops to prosper.   Even now, many farmers still worship the fertility goddess across the east, despite new methods such as Alchemy improved agricultural practices being used to revitalize the soil, doing what they can to ensure that their harvest shall not wilt and die from the scorching desert. While not as grand as in the days of old, when entire festivals honored her, her followers offer whatever they can give, and receive a blessing that she will provide for them. This has led to varying traditions and practices in different parts of the East, ranging from simple to complex. It is often imperative that the crops survive, as some places cannot afford to lose them or face starvation for themselves and the people who buy them. Making it vital for the blessing to be given, or the possibility of repercussions for its failure, makes the situation all the more devastating.

Offerings: Foods and drinks are offered to the goddess, with drinks being poured into the soil and food burned with their ashes scattered across the soil. Some cases have also involved lovemaking upon the soil to offer one's fertility to aid in the harvest.   Sacrifices: Animals are offered up to trade their lives to give life to the seedlings with their blood and flesh to nourish them. There have even been dark tales of Human sacrifices of virgins to appease the goddess, with new servants to serve her in the afterlife.   Music: The ceremonial chants and instruments play out all across the field so the goddess may hear them, so that they may see if they are worthy to be given the blessing.

Fertility Priest: A priest devoted to Alharas is always present to see to the ceremony and all that is involved with it, so no mistakes are made and all present follow the ritual correctly.   Farmer: The farmers who work the field must all be present so that the blessing can be given and deliver their offering to the goddess.

The harvest season in the Eastern Lands typically occurs from early spring to early winter, when the heat is less intense, allowing seeds and plants to grow. This varies in the Green Isles, as the weather differs in the region where they are found.