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The Talon CircleLike every culture that is permeated by the belief in a god or goddess, there are those who are more devout then others. The priesthood among the Valgarins is in truth a priestess hood and only the Völvas and the Shield Sisters are recognized as true clergy. Yet dedication to the goddess is not restricted to only these rare woman. Among the Valgarins is a sect of people known as the Talon Circle. The symbol of this sect is represented by a circle around three slashes, to represent the circle of life and the three aspects of Yrsa. The Völvas and the Shield Sisters are members of the Talon Circle by default, and they typically represent the circle aspect of the sect (or order). Yet others, both men and women, who have chosen to dedicate their lives to Yrsa may join the Talon Circle. Membership in the Talon Circle is accomplished by a ritual overseen by one of the Völvas. The Talon Circle is far reaching and many sub-groups (guilds) are a recognize part of this sect. The ceremony is simple. The Valgarins revere birds, especially hunting birds, who are seen to be an aspect of the goddess, and many keep this wonderfully powerful creatures. Any Valgarin may approach a Völva and request "The ritual of dedication." one of the great hunting birds will be brought. The handler will let loose the bird, and the priestess will make a ritual sacrifice of a small animal, usually a white rabbit. The initiate will pick up the sacrifice in their left hand and stretch out their bare arm. The handler will call the bird, and the initiate will lift his arm for the bird to land. In all except the rarest cases the bird will severely claw the arm of the initiate. The wound is painful but rarely crippling. The initiate waits for the bird to take the offering and again releases the bird. The priestess will collect a small portion the blood into a goblet which is filled with ceremonial mead. The priestess will drink from the goblet, as will any others who have joined. once the cup has been completely passed, the initiate will drink and toss the remains on the ground. The priestess will then smear a black ointment on the initiates arm to help in the healing and to assure that a dark scar will be left. In those rare cases when the bird does not harm the initiate, he is shown to be strongly in the goddesses favor and will be offered the chance to return to the Mother House for training. He will never be a true priest, but will be widely respected. The ceremony is complete and the initiate is now a member of the Talon Circle. From there he may join with others, with their own crusades or missions. It is from the most devout of these that the male religious warrior arises; earning the respect of the Shield Sisters. The left side of the body is said to be the female side, and the mark is always on the left arm. It is via this tradition that those who are left handed are considered to have the goddesses favor. Many of the warriors, especially those devote, eschewing the use of a shield, preferring two handed weapons and the belief that the goddess will protect them. This is predominantly a male belief and women in contrast see the shield as a sign of protection of hearth and home, the balance of their male counterparts. It is from this order that the guilds and group who follow Yrsa spring, ever bonded by their calling to the noble lady who is their mother, wife and daughter ... Yrsa the White. |
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