A devotee of Khasis and Gibil, the fire and the forge, arrives to give libations to the Divines. Only, the devotee becomes confused, as one God is singular non-binary and the other is a hypostasis of multiple divine aspects…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypostasis_(philosophy_and_religion)
-- Deathshead419
Offerings to gods can vary in substance, but agree on theme. Various deities all over Alfarell are offered various liquids to drink. Few take blood any more, and many prefer wine. Two like volatile oil.
Technically three, if you count Aurorus. But His temples' eternal flame is carefully fed by donations from the devout.
For Khasis of the Forge and Gibil of the Flame, the preferred libation is lamp oil or, if the devotee is in need of lamp oil, sufficiently strong alcohol.
They often share the same temple space, since their work is related. Which definitely confuses devotees making their offerings. Some clerics follow both, some only follow one, and some only follow one aspect of one. Which only confuses the devotees more.
Daermin held tight to an amphora of oil almost half hir weight. "It's an offering to Gibil," ze said. "For protection."
"Oh, you want Gibil of the Unstoppable Flame," said the Cleric. "I'm only devoted to Gibil of the Lighting Way. The next devotee of Gibil of the Unstoppable Flame will be present in three hours."
"Three hours?" whimpered Daermin, already trembling with the weight of hir offering, not daring to rest it anywhere in a temple full of sparks, flame, and smoke. "Can't I just... give it to you to... pass on?"
"That's not how it works," said the Cleric. "Perhaps if you explained the nature of your plea to Gibil, I might find you a more convenient Attending representative."
"I'm asking for tame fires in my hearth or in my lamps, so that no fire escapes to take away my house," said Daermin. "It's all daub and thatch, see. It's all we can afford. And given the recent droughts..."
"Aaaah," said the Cleric, nodding in understanding wisdom. "Gibil of the Restrained Flame. You want fires, yes, but you want fires that go out if they pose a risk to you and yours. Yes. You want Gibil of the Restrained Flame or Gibil the Protector From Flame. That's half an hour at minimum. Ah. A devotee of Khasis has made something to help you."
They had an amphora stand. "To ease your burdens," they said. "Do sit by the hearths. The acolytes of Gibil of the Nourishing Hearth are baking, right now. They love feeding people."
Daermin was grateful to take a seat, and even more grateful that some devotees of Gibil were against burned offerings. Who knew that praying to a Multiple god would be so much trouble?
[Photo by Cullan Smith on Unsplash]
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