Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

As stated before, half of the kids raised in the temple do not stick with priesthood. This is due to the very strict rule set. The consequence of breaking any of these rules is being excommunicated at worst (kept from contact with the temple at all), or the less extreme version, demotion from priest to practitioner. This is typically handled by the current Temple Head, with guardians if available getting input as well.

An unspoken rule is that anyone under 12 can begin studying to be a priest, so long as they achieve what they must by their 12th birthday, and have a full priest's sponsorship.

Rules

1. No adornment besides the ones given at your 2nd name ceremony. Basically, that means no jewelry or accessories outside of the ones you wear all your life, which are presented to you on your 12th birthday. Gloves are an exception, as are other wintertime accessories when needed for warmth (although, due to the tradition of covering one's head only when married, headbands are preferred over hats in winter. Either are acceptable, however). Hair ties are allowed but hair must be tied up with cotton string until 18.
2. In the same vein, priests under 18 must dress in cotton clothing exclusively. After 18, any material can be worn, but your midriff must be exposed, if not your full top. Jackets are an exception, and can be worn at any age with any material (to the relief of the many 18-year-olds who must abide school dress code in modern settings). Sweat jackets are considered jackets, so long as they zip up (i.e., not sweatshirts). Suit coats are used often in business settings.
3. No willful sex with anyone under the age of 18. It is also custom, if it is illegal where the priest lives, that this act be reported to the authorities as well. This also applies to the under-18 priests. No sex. Period.
4. Similarly, if you are married, do not have willful sex with anyone besides your spouse. Surrogate parenthood in places that do not have artificial insemination is not considered having sex so long as you clear it with the surrogate or donor and the Temple Head. Notably, if your spouse is not involved in the temple, this rule does not apply to them, only the priest spouse.
5. At age 12, you are expected to have all of the gods memorized, along with their domains. Nothing outside of that is required, but most memorize the different name parts as well. This is traditionally taught to the young child by the guardian or parent, but not always.
6. At age 16, you are expected to be able to recite a poem abridging the Temple's history. There are several approved ones to pick from, of varying lengths and languages. You are also expected to know some key phrases in the Original Language, though you aren't required to be fluent.
7. At age 18, you are expected to perform one traditional solo dance. You can use an existing choreography or make your own. Typically a full priest will be chosen to mentor and coach the younger priest on the different dance techniques during age 16-17.
8. At age 20, you must declare a god in which to beg favor from. Usually at this point, the priest will have begun to receive aid or dreams from a specific god, in an attempt by the gods to get the priest to swear to them.
9. Each god may or may not have other rules that they must follow. These are handled individually.
10. If a priest breaks a law from their land or otherwise does something that might deserve punishment, a complaint might be filed with the Temple Head, who then will likely consult a priest in service to the Law-Keeper and the offender's fate shall be debated with any affected parties, the family, and friends. This doesn't usually happen, however, due to notoriously indifferent Temple Heads and the general lax attitude of the Temple as a whole. However, often the Temple Head will want to be made aware of illegal activities in order to monitor the situation.
11. The priest must attend all of the monthly festivals. if they are ill enough to where they cannot attend, the Temple Head is alerted, and they will plead with the gods to overlook the absence. Assuming the priest has not been an issue, this will likely work. Monthly festivals are also a large cultural and commercial event, and many choose to set up a market stall there. Festivals are all day events, with a kick-off at dawn and a closing ceremony right after sundown.