Sacred Priestesses
At the heart of each continent’s ritual stands a Godwound Priestess - women chosen from birth and trained to become living repositories of ancient knowledge. These priestesses are both guides and catalysts, their very beings attuned to The Godwound.
The Priestesses
The Memberian Priestess
The Frost Speaker
- Wears ceremonial armor made from blue titanium called eternal ice
- Has the longest lifespan of all priestesses due to the preserving cold
The Luminian Priestess
The Wind Whisperer
- Their voice carries power over the air itself
- Traditionally remains unmarried, wedded to the sky
- Often develops the ability to levitate (not fly)
The Onyxian Priestess
The Flame Guardian
- Bears special resistance to extreme heat
- Shortest average lifespan due to the intensity of their powers
- Can communicate through flames with other fire temples
The Arcanian Priestess
The Tide Singer
- Their tears have powerful purifying properties
- Communicates with sea creatures
Selection and Training
- Potential priestesses show signs at birth (birthmarks, unusual red eyes, and high magical sensitivity)
- Only one can serve at a time for each continent
- Training begins as early as at age seven and continues until ascension
- Multiple candidates are trained, but only one can be chosen
- The training process involves both scholarly study and magical attunement In the event that a candidate cannot be
The Priestess’s Role
- Acts as a living conduit between The Godwound and the ritual
- Carries the complete knowledge of ritual procedures in their memory
- Can sense disturbances in The Godwound’s energy
- Their blood contains properties necessary for certain ritual components
- Maintains mental connections with other continental priestesses
The Burden of Knowledge
- Each priestess carries the ritual knowledge of their region
- They are forbidden from sharing certain secrets except with their successor
- Their dreams are often prophetic, showing potential futures
- The role takes a physical toll, often shortening their lifespan
Succession
- Current priestesses help identify their potential successors
- The transfer of knowledge occurs through a mystical ceremony
- If a priestess dies before passing on their knowledge, emergency measures exist Each member of The Echo Chamber holds portions of the full ritual
- Failed transfers have led to lost knowledge and ritual adaptations
The Priestesses’ Council
- Meets once a year before the rituals
- Shares vital information about The Godwound’s state
- Coordinates ritual timing and preparations
- Makes decisions about sharing or withholding knowledge
Political Implications
- All branches & Priestesses must remain politically neutral
- Some nations try to influence priestess selection
- Protection of priestesses can be used as political leverage
- Assassination (& kidnapping) attempts have occurred in the past
- Marriage proposals to priestesses often cause diplomatic incidents