"The Restorer, Bringer of the Life Renewed, Maker of Balms, Lady of Truth, The Ever-living Daughter of White Virtue, Guardian of the Meek, Lady of Industrious Labours and the Ripe Harvest, Confidant of Lovers."
Pleasant day to you friend. There is no need to break the door, but I am sure I can repair it. It is a nice day to see the sun shine in so I see no harm. Perhaps later I will repair it with Jeremy's help.
I see you grab at the few coins in our offering box, surely your need is great and I am sorry that I do not have more, but I have been trying to feed the many who come to me for aid of late. You strike at me, and I bleed. Yes, I am made just like you and my eyes tear for I have not known this sort of pain before and it shocks me, but I forgive you.
I must forgive you, for others would not and would try to hurt you as well, not realizing that you strike out in pain as much as in anger. For your souls sake I must forgive you your place in our existence. Peoni understands your pain.
The bread you eat quickly was set aside for a poor blind woman who has nobody to feed her and though you look fit, surely you are as hungry as she, perhaps more. You can hear me cry out as the blade enters me, the blood you saw but a brief shadow of before now pours from my body.
How fragile we are, and filled with the possibilities for pain as much as pleasure. The world is dimming now and you are already leaving, perhaps without a second thought to me, but as I fade, I bleed for you. As I leave, Peoni forgives you.
Peoni is the kindest and most gentle of the gods. Any who have an honest heart are welcome into her fold, and she loves the poor, the meek, the innocent and powerless, scholars who use their knowledge in the service of others, the hard working and those who love with true love. She is the patron goddess of healing and agriculture, and is closely associated with the turning of the seasons. Although she demands that her followers be gentle and kind, she is forgiving of those who transgress. She may be the most widely worshipped deity on Harn, but since her followers are nearly all rural poor her influence is not great. Her wandering pilgrims cross the land, living in poverty and bringing messages of peace, healing and forgiveness. Peoni is usually represented as a young girl with hands worn red from her labors, and is symbolized by spring flowers or by the fruits of agriculture.
The worshippers of Peoni focus on peace, healing, and agriculture. While lay worshippers come with many personalities, the clergy of Peoni are nearly all pacifists.
Clerical orders of Peoni
- Order of the Balm of Joy.
- The Irreproachable Order.