A sanctified temple to a deity is any area that has been sanctified with the sanctify spell. A sanctify spell will properly prepare an area for worship. Making (at least temporarily) that place a holy spot for that deity.
   The sanctify spell covers a sphere surrounding the caster of radius = to the amount of manna added to the spell casting (in meters). The spell will last as long as the amount of manna added to the spell casting (in hours). The manna used for this spell must come from the spellcaster. Power spirits and stored manna will not work.
  If a worship service, involving a successful ceremony roll and a worship deity spell, is conducted in the sanctified area, the duration of the spell is reset back to it's original length.

  A priest casts a Sanctify with 15 manna points expended in the effort. He gets a sanctified sphere 30 meters in diameter, that will last 15 hours. If before the fifteen hours are up, like after resting to get his manna back, he holds a worship ceremony, at the end of the ceremony the area will remain sanctified for fifteen more hours.
  If the priest stays in the area and establishes a small shrine. Holding worship ceremonies twice a day. The area will remain sanctified for as long as he stays.

  For each year, starting with the casting time as one, that an area remains sanctified the more imprinted the area becomes. If a non-cult members wanders into the area and attempts to do physical violance against a cult member there, the invader will suffer magical damage for every round that they are fighting.

Any non-cult spells that are cast within a Sancified area cost double the manna to cast.

   A priest can always detect a sanctified area. Unless familiar with the cult he may not know who the area is sanctified to. Spending a couple hours in an area that is sanctified to a known deity other than his own is usually sufficient to allow him to identify an area sanctified to that deity again. Make a ceremony roll to determine success

   A sanctified area requires a a visable rune. If this rune is broken the sanctify will be immediately dispelled. For areas meant to be prominate temple sites the sanctify rune is usually carved into the altar or some other prominately displayed area. A temporary worship area may simply have the rune drawn in the dirt.

THE WORSHIP DEITY SPELL

   A Worship Deity spell is needed to successfully lead a worship in a sanctified place. (You can sanctify a place without worshipping, but the spell starts to fade as soon as the casting is complete). A person may worship without the spell but it would only be a praise and thanksgiving worship. No benefits could be gained.

  Casting of the Worship Deity Spell requires a successful ceremony roll.
   For priests/runelords both the sanctify spell and the worship spell are automatically renewed at the end of successful worship. (this will allow Runelords to be away from their temples for long periods without risking excommunication).

  The Benefits to using the Worship Deity spell are:

• The worship ceremony will extend an active Sanctify spell.
• Serves to maintain cult membership for all worshipers, on holy days.
• Allows priests to recharge enchanted divine spells.
• Allows the presiding priest to gain a point of power (seasonal holy days).
• Allows all worshipers to gain a point of power (high holy days only).
• Any divine intervention attempted during such a ceremony will have an increased chance of success die roll reduced by (10% + the manna expended during the ceremony by the person seaking intervention)
• Allows for initiation of laymen as initiates.
• Allows for Ordination of Priests and Runelords.
• Used to confer Authority to Lead upon a High Priest.
• Used to offer last rites or absolution to the dying.
• Used as basis for any other ceremonies, or honors the cult wishes to confer.

   The cults of Runequest are Religious Orders. Once a person decides to become and initiate of a cult they are making a serious commitment to the beliefs and lifestyle of that cult. The worship ceremony (and spell) is a corner stone of all aspects of life for the religious cult.

   To properly and fully join in a worship ceremony, some sacrifice of manna to the deity is usually required. This allows the worshiper to fully join in almost all aspects of ceremony. Proper sacrifice and acceptance of the manna requires a successful ceremony roll. You can worship simply by praising and praying, but this is usually the lay member way of doing things (but it is good roleplaying).
   However even laymen will usually attempt the manna sacrifice. The occasions when it is successful, are for them a truely religious experience.
  All manna or power that is sacrificed during worship ceremonies must come from the worshiper. Manna stored by magical means or from power spirits doesn't work. This symbolizes the giving of oneself into the ceremony. It is not uncommon to see someone, who gets so caught up in the ceremony that they sacrifice all their available manna. And promptly pass out. This is usually considered as being overwelmed by the presense and power of their deity.

Casting the Worship spell without ceremony or a sanctified site
   A Worship Deity spell can be cast without any ceremony or without being on a sanctified site. However the results an effects of this are limited.
   The only benefits to casting this spell in this manner would be to increase the caster success chance at a divine intervention by reducing the die roll by the number of spell points expended casting the spell.
   Additionally the spell may be used as a self administered last rites, or ceremony of absolution. The character finds themselves hard pressed in battle, and runs out of options. They may decideto blow off the worship spell and attempt a divine intervention. Failing that they use what short time is available and use the spell as a substitute last rites ceremony for themselves. There is not benefits in game terms to the last rites ceremony. It is just good role playing, and the proper thing that any character who as a true religious vocation would wish to do.

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