Prunilla: Hierarchy

"Because all fields are grown evenly, there is only a seed and a plant that grows."

The Church of Lady of the Harvest is not structured in complicated pyramidal schemes where one person reports to a higher authority by filling in complicated forms that only lead to more headaches than any halfling should ever bother with. No. Prunilla's faithful follow the halfling spirit to the core. Since it has been ingrained for many ages, they will always say, "Life is simple, don't be tall about it." This, of course, is simply their view about themselves, for in their simple view of life, many misunderstandings are reached that have been known to end in epic-sized stories of the small-sized creatures. In reality, there are only two layers to the Church of Lady of the Harvest, the first being a Sapling and the second that of a Lucky Clover.

Saplings

Saplings of Prunilla are those followers that have discovered or taken upon the path of clergy. These young halflings are known for their very caring demeanor, a desire to perpetuate the halfling culture, and a gift for tending to fields and the harvest. Saplings normally learn all the tools of the trade from Clan Mothers or Lucky Clovers and are often made to do all the menial work for these two in order to build that enduring character that most clerics of Prunilla have. Most Saplings are given playful nicknames that are adopted into their birth names. These nicknames often portray their personalities through fruits and labor of the harvest. Names like Cookie, Nutty, Cherry, or Spicy are normally heard flying around in the fields for Saplings to carry farming tools or collect batches of harvest baskets. Yet despite these hard years, Saplings often take this work with great joy, and behind every playful complaint of how they are being driven by slavers, there is a caring smile and warm dedication to clan and culture.

Eventually, Saplings ripe into full-fledged clerics, an event that is normally triggered either by their 30th birthday or the passing (or retirement) of their mentors. Whichever may come first, all Saplings embrace this growth in the way all halflings should-- by celebrating. Thus, in a long night of clan joys and merriment, the Sapling cooks their favorite meal and gives a little of it to everyone present. Called the Night of the Bloom, it marks the beginning of a new phase in those who choose the warm path of Prunilla.

Lucky Clovers

The second and only other layer of Lady Comfort's church is that of the Lucky Clovers. The name is said to have originated from Deliar's gift to Prunilla when he was courting her. As the story goes, the day Deliar proposed to Prunilla he was so nervous and jittery that in the moment he was presenting her with the ring, he stumbled and it dropped into a large clover patch. Not wanting to disappoint, he improvised a small ring from a wreath of the clovers and presented it as his band of union with her. Prunilla never bothered replacing the ring despite Deliar's constant showering of many presents, and it is said that the first priestess of Lady of the Harvest was poked on the nose with the ringed finger, granting her a gift for her devotion and a name for her people.

Regardless of where the name came, Lucky Clovers never disappoint their namesake. If it is said that most halflings have luck on their backs. Many would argue that the Clovers are luck themselves, for in their tender touch, they seem to break all rules and bring to the world children who were never supposed to be born or save people from the strangest of ailments. When asked, they simply shrug and reply with their playful smirks saying, "I was lucky."

Lucky Clovers are respected in any halfling community they may be passing through. Many of them can easily claim that they brought the residents into this world or fed them when they were children. This motherly embrace is rarely forgotten and often grants them a place to stay wherever they roam. Of course, a meal prepared by a Lucky Clover is not easy to pass up; thus, adding to the leverage. Older Lucky Clovers often take on an apprentice to share all the wisdom they have gained through their lives. In their last years, they will make sure that a Sapling is at their side so that their last breath is captured and returned to the clans. In general, however, Lucky Clovers act as healers for their clans, midwives for those bearing child, tenders of the fields that many feed from, and soul for the race that never seems to lose its mirthful spirit.

Chosen of Prunilla

"Wait! Worm number one is in the lead!" -- Meadow

Lucky Clovers are equal to one another, none claiming to lead a particular region or clan, and simply enjoy Lady Comfort's gifts. There is one halfling though that stands as the primordial root to the many Clovers around the world. A halfling that, by defying the odds placed against her, is so close with Prunilla that her gift is made vivid with her touch. Meadow Vaeran.

Elections and Organizations

As the church is without any formal hierarchy or structure, there are no elections or organizations.