Hjartardýrlafðir
The Hjartardýrlafðir, which means "Deer Ladies" in the Froyalanish and Wintergleamish languages, is a matriarchal council composed of the highest ranking clergy of the Froyalanish Ancient Ways, the High Priestesses of the Thirteen Temples of Eluin.
About
The Deer Ladies are since ancient times the spiritual leadership of the Froyalanish and Wintergleamish Vanafolk and the governing body of the Church of the Froyalanish Ancient Ways. are presided over by the Yfirfroyalansgythia.
The Hjartardýrlafðir exercise their spiritual and temporal powers through the issuance of Flóðbúllar and Turnbúllar.
Royal Status
Any and all Hjartardýrlafði is by the decree of the Jólaslafðir issued during the Ducal Reign of Harald of Froyalan (1533-1542) a Princess of the Ancient Ways.
Selection and Investiture
Each Deer Lady is nowadays handpicked by the Goddess Elwynn Herself.
The Investiture of a Hjartardýrlafði involves the performance of an ecstatic dance before the White Stag Throne - a very complex, very symbolic and very advanced form of Heiðrdans in which she is dressed in ritual garments in the colour which is associated with her Templedom - and a walk of joy from the White Orchid Temple to the Tower of Araxion. It also is surrounded by extravagant festivities.
In accordance with the provisions of an ordinance issued by the White Orchid Goddess a newly-invested Deer Lady has the honour to, irrespective of her seniority among the Hjartardýrlafðir, preside over the next meeting of the Deer Ladies and exercise the powers of the Yfirfroyalansgythia therein. Should there be multiple Hjartardýrlafðir be invested at the same time, the sequence of presiding over the following meetings is determined by lot.
Hierarchy among the Hjartardýrlafðir
For the purpose of protocol and standing in for the Yfirfroyalansgythia, the Lady Elwynn has, by ordinance, permanently fixed the order of seniority among the Deer Ladies. This happened at the petition of the Jólaslafðir upon the signing of the Concordat of Avaldsnes.
- High Priestess of the White Orchid Temple
- High Priestess of the Shrine of the Sea
- High Priestess of the Shrine of the Wicked Garden
- High Priestess of the Mackerel Temple
- High Priestess of the Temple of Phantoms
- High Priestess of the Volcano Temple
- High Priestess of the Sanctum of Dedication
- High Priestess of the Temple of Whispers
- High Priestess of the Mirage Temple
- High Priestess of the Sanctum of Reflection
- High Priestess of the Temple of the Wolf and the Raven
- High Priestess of the Temple of Shouts
- High Priestess of the Temple of Smiles