Serenyi
Goddess of Justice and Mercy
Intermediate Goddess

Epithets: The Justicer, Lady of the Dove, the Merciful  
Alignment: Lawful good
Symbol: Dove
Colors: White, emerald green, and pale yellow
Gems: Emerald
Primary followers: Judges, magistrates, legislators, and all those wishing to give or receive justice tempered with mercy

     The true form of Serenyi the Justicer is a joy to behold. Tall, lithe, and statuesque, she appears as a lovely human woman of some thirty years. Serenyi’s facial features are strong yet fine, and are bordered by a wave of long, black hair that tapers at her slim waist. Her almond eyes are the shade of the finest emerald, and sparkle just as brightly.

     The attire of the Merciful is always of the finest cloth, though the fabric has a peculiar habit of transforming with her moods. For example, silk may frame her form when the goddess is joyful, or satin when she is thoughtful or distracted. Velvet, however, is reserved for her rare displays of anger or disgust. In each case, the cut of her dress is the same: a form-fitting, ankle-length gown of brilliant white, with a hooded shawl of pale yellow draped about her shoulders. A shimmering belt of emerald green, clasped with a golden pendant given her by Emberyl, goddess of the arts, completes the ensemble.

     Serenyi’s belt is more than for mere show. It is a device that can absorb the evil intent of any mortal being, and convert it into magical energy that Serenyi can use at will. An example from the pages of the Astarith: sensing a great injustice about to be done, the goddess appeared before a corrupt court of law as it condemned an innocent man to the block. Calling upon the belt at her waist, the Justicer smothered judge and jury with the stench of their own injustice, and hurled their souls into the Five Pits with the violence of their own spite.

Avatars: When visiting the mortal world, the Justicer may appear in any form she wishes. Her most common forms, however, are her own or that of a dove of iridescent white and eyes of emerald gems.

     Serenyi is very selective to whom she reveals herself, and is very private about it when she does. In the rare instances that her chosen communicant is in a public place, the goddess allows none but her intended audience to perceive her.

     In most instances, the Merciful addresses mortal kind in an intimate and reassuring manner, carefully avoiding the oppressive weight that goes along with so many divine pronouncements. Serenyi’s intent is to befriend and inspire her audiences, not to awe or unduly intimidate them.

     Should mortals drive the Justicer to genuine anger (a very rare thing indeed), Serenyi will refrain from using any sort of physical weapon. Spellcraft is her preferred form of punishment, while her open-hand attacks are reserved only for those who dare to mock or rail against the True Gods in her presence.

Mortal Servants: The Order of the Dove has long been a respected institution in many of Minarra’s cities and towns. Temples to the Justicer are often laid out in tandem with those dedicated to Arzamark, the goddess’s beloved husband.

     All clerics of the Order wear the same basic vestments: a simple white robe tied at the waist by a green sash, covered by a hooded cloak of pale yellow. Graces of the Order are distinguished by a thin stripe of emerald green on each cuff and on the hem of the robe, while Serenities sport two such stripes, with a band of gold cloth between them. The holy symbols of all ordained servants are of gold; those of Graces and Serenities are also inlaid with topaz and emerald respectively.

     The Knights of the Justicer are perhaps unique in that they often outnumber their clerical brethren. In many cultures, Serenyi's Knights act as guardians for unpopular minorities, social pariahs, or any others whose beliefs, customs, or lifestyles run counter to prevailing social norms. They will not hesitate to disperse lynch mobs, provide escort for those who believe their lives are in danger, or defend social movements dedicated to overturning unjust laws. The Knighthood has no compunctions about using force, but their training usually keeps the use of force to a civilized minimum. On the other hand, the Knights will withdraw their support the moment they feel themselves used or manipulated.

     The Order serves the community in a multitude of ways. It has long been a champion of racial, ethnic, and cultural minorities, and will safeguard whatever social and legal rights to which they are entitled. In times of natural disaster, the Order takes the lead in organizing relief efforts, drawing upon the resources of churches in neighboring countries if need be. The Order is also an aggressive advocate for those who find themselves falsely accused of crimes or facing punishments far beyond the offense.

     The Order also serves in more modest ways. For example, people with minor complaints might bring their issues to a priest of the Order rather than before a possibly biased, corrupt, or arbitrary lay court. In these instances, both parties swear to abide by the decision of the priest/magistrate, lest they risk offending the goddess.

     Formal worship occurs from dawn to dusk on the last day of each month and from dawn to midnight on New Year’s Eve. Aside from the typical ceremonies and hymns, the most distinctive offering to the Justicer is the wohr’sial, or "premise". In this exercise, each priest and Knight presents the single most difficult test of his faith over the past month as a proposition, an abstract for consideration and debate. When properly moderated, the wohr’sial is a both a powerful tool for spiritual instruction and a cleansing rite of confession.

Philosophy/Tenets of Faith: Perhaps the hardest lesson a follower of the Justicer must learn is that justice and mercy cannot always exist in harmony; they can and do confront each other in uncomfortable ways. It is true, for example, that the gift of mercy is sometimes the last thing a malefactor needs in his struggle to attain redemption…but it is also true that a rigid demand for justice may only worsen the scars on a soul already bleeding from guilt and remorse. Finding that delicate balance between these equally noble ideals is the greatest spiritual test a follower of Serenyi can undertake.