LARANI INFANT VASSAL BLESSING
By Aaron Kavli
 

      Once a child is born to devout Laranians, one of their first responsibilities to the newborn is to have it baptized.  Historians are not sure when the practice first started, but the first recorded baptism was that of Pytrin Dulrinner.  He was the son of a 5th century baron near Tengala Abbey in Trierzon.  Though often described as a ritual born with the church it's self, many researchers believe the practice was started short years before Pytrin's baptism.  The church archives hold tales of Thinter Abbey in Trierzon, long in ruins.
        Here a council of high nobles was being held, and most brought their families for the festivities to take place after.  During one meeting, the nursery was infiltrated and several infants and children were murdered.  The Sereleka, Andeer of Krith, prayed mightily for the souls of the children.  But he was concerned for the souls of children who had not started proper devotion to the Goddess of Chivalry, and died too early. Sereleka Andeer petitioned the Sebrath for a ceremony to ensure the souls of such unfortunates would be accepted into Dolithor.
        The Tirhatha counseled long on the merits, and it pleased them.  But they had no such ritual and summoned the churches most revered lore masters to find the answer if there was such a thing that could be done.  The lore masters prayed long and dove into long unread texts.  Finally they were blessed with the knowledge of a ritual that would grant such a baptism to children of devout parents.
        So sometime around 464TR, the church dictated that all newborns would under go the Infant Vassal Blessing.  The ceremony pledges the infants soul to Larani, giving it's fealty to her should it die before coming of age.  While there seems to be conflicting texts as to the start of the practice, the ceremony quickly became one of the most important to the laity and is now universally practiced.

        The Vassal Blessings are always held at the end of sermon at the Soritir.  Usually the parents will have it done at the next Soritir after the child's birth.  It is not uncommon however for parents to wait for a high mass or the Feast of St. Ambrathas, depending on when the child was born.  Some feel that a babe baptized on these gain more favor in Larani's eyes.  The church has no official opinion on that belief.  It is also not unknown for traveling, lower circle priests to perform this ritual in remote areas, sometimes not during a Soritir.

        There is a parable often told at sermons after a birth or when a baby is soon to be born.  The Tale of Proud Dame Enwyd of Aggermoor.  She was a well renown maiden of the sword, veteran of wars, and champion of the lists.  Enwyd became with child from her husband, a simple man named Tyrance.  She named her child Eendir and loved him mightily.  He was born on the 15th of Kelen.  Enwyd was convinced that her son would be a great warrior as she, and his day of birth being more proof in her eyes.
        Tyrance urged that their son be baptized straight away, but the proud Dame would not hear it.  Her son worthy of no less than to be baptized at the Feast of St. Ambrathas.  And in Tengala no less!  Through Kelen and Nolus Tyrance pleaded for his son's soul.  But his wife was strong of will and proud, and would hear naught of it.
        Finally the month of Larane came and the three left for Tengala.  Sadly they were set upon by bandits a day from their destination.  Enwyd fought mightily and slew the last of her attackers.  But as she looked around triumphantly, her heart was sundered by the sight of her husband and son laying in their blood.  Enwyd screamed until the trees shook and the winds blew, but to no avail.  She wandered for a time in horrified shock and finally fell upon her own sword.
        But her pain was only the more on her entrance to Dolithor.  Tyrance was standing next to Larani, wearing the colors of the Knights of Tirith.  Enwyd looked about for her son, but could not see him.
        "Oh Larani," she pleaded.  "Where is my fine son Eendir?"
        "Why Dame Enwyd, of who do you speak?  I know of no one of who you speak who has sworn fealty to me.  Surely this person is forsaken for all times."  Enwyd wept at the response, falling to her knees.  Tyrance looked away from her and the Lady of Dolithor looked on the woman with shame.
        "I of course know of your son, as your husband has told me all.  And as he died defending the soul of his son with his bare hands, he has been given a place of honor.  And you have earned your place in Torithor for your prior actions, despite your folly.  But your pride has damned sweet Eendir from Torithor eternal and your craven entrance to my halls greatly displeases me.  Your sin is great and your penance heavy.  You shall be cast from the castle proper, to the outer lands of Torithor until your penance is finished."  Proud Dame Enwyd of Aggermoor was then set without the castle wall and is doing her penance to this day.
        The historical existence of Dame Enwyd has never been proven and is generally looked upon by researchers as no more than a parable set forth by the church from time to time.
 

The Ceremony-
        The Vassal Blessing begins at the conclusion of the sermon of the Soritir.  The babies are presented in the feudal order of the position of their parents, from nobility to peasantry.
        The infant is swaddled in a white blanket trimmed in white called the Angcara Shroud.  This represents Larani's armor protecting the child and is usually gifted by the church or by the ranking lord.
        Many keep their Angcara as a semi holy relic and many handed down as heirlooms.  A popular tradition in Kanday and to an extent in Kaldor and Melderyn is to sew these into a tapestry, using the Angcara's of all family members over the generations.  Some of these Angcara tapestries are creatively stylized and decorated with names, devices, and notable deeds of the family.  These are highly valued family treasures, often considered a families most valuable possession.  The Dariune family of Kaldor has a very large and expensively decorated Angcara tapestry at Cear Kiban.
        The infant is then placed on the altar, and the Serolan of the temple, or highest visiting church dignitary performs the following
prayer.....
       "Oh Protector of the Brave, grant thy defenses of Angcaradina to your infant vassal, <Infant's proper and family name>, to whom's soul seeks it's place in Dolithor."
        Then the ranking noble will present his finest sword, or his most used sword, to the priest.  If no noble is present, the church will use their own sword or sword pendant of some sort.  The priest will then touch the flat of the blade to the infants hands and continue.....
        "Oh Lady of Paladins, grant thy might of Avarkiel to your infant vassal, <Infant's proper and family name>, whose soul pledges it's self to the defense of Dolithor."
        Then a red checkered shield, patterned like Hyvrick with the skin being the white of the pattern is painted over the infant's heart.  The priest then intones.....
        "Oh Guardian of Dolithor, grant thy bravery of Hyvrick to the heart of your infant vassal, <Infant's proper and family name>, whose soul seeks to mirror your courage."
        Then a temple holy relic or the priest's holy symbol is touched to infant's forehead.
        "Oh Larani, Lady of Chivalry, accept <Infant's proper and family name>'s soul pledge of fealty, who swears to live the code of Chivalry, and fulfill their feudal duties and obligations to you and his/hers lord.  All stand as <Infant's proper and family name>'s soul has been accepted into the walls of Dolithor."
        The ritual invocation is then performed in the temple tongue while the assembly stands.

The Interdict and the Vassal Blessing-
        One of the most important effects of an Interdict by the church is that all rituals, including baptisms.  This is arguably the main secular pressure upon a lord who is under or is under threat of Interdict.  Noble vassals, and even peasantry are considered by some to be well within rights to protest their lord as he is not living up to his duty to protect his people.  And the church certainly will not discourage this thinking.  Leaving work undone, refusing to pay taxes, and even rioting have been brought about due to an Interdict and many lords will soon capitulate or seek compromise with the church under these conditions.  People put great stock in the safety of their children's souls, and the church knows this.
 

        The  Infant Vassal Blessing (I) is one of the first rituals taught to the clergy and costs 5 PP.  It grants 1d6 PP to the infant, taking about 5 minutes to complete.  Though taught early on, only the Serolan of the temple is allowed to perform this ritual, unless the circumstances are dire and the Serolan is not available, such as a traveling priest or area with no access to a proper temple.
 

Converting to Larani-
        The ceremony is similar for those who convert to Laranism at later ages after being faithless or worshipping a different god.  The convert must fast for 24 hours prior to the next upcoming Soritir.  At the conclusion of the sermon, and after any Vassal Blessings, the convert stands before the assembly and recites the following chant.
        "Larani, I <proper name and family name>, gift thee my hand that I may hold a reflection of mighty Avarkiel.  Larani, I <proper name and family name>, gift thee my arm that I may carry a reflection of Hyvrick. Larani, I <proper name and family name>, gift thee my shoulders that I may wear a reflection of Angcaradina.  I, <proper name and family name>, gift thee my heart that I may have the courage of Dolithor in me.  I, <proper name and family name>, gift thee my soul that I may live in your glory a life of chivalry and be thy servant.  I ask thee but gift me your acceptance of mine pledge."
        Then the convert kneels before the altar and meditates in silence until the following sunrise.  At the conclusion, the convert gains 1d PP.
        Fallen followers of Larani who have realized their error, may be allowed to come back to the church depending on the will of the church and other circumstance.  If allowed, the convert must perform the ceremony again, but gain no PP.  A person cannot gain PP from this more than once, and not if they gained PP during a Vassal Blessing as a newborn.  This will satisfy the clergy as to one's faith (probably), but only the goddess knows if she accepts it.