Feather
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Zeus, god of air:
Domains: Air, Strength
Zeus rules supreme over lightning, thunder and air, his ever watchful eye spotting all beneath the raging dark clouds and open skies. He is known both for his divine strength and furious power, as for his many escapades with many a female. Females both divine and mortal in nature have been with him.
Often portrait as a broad, muscular man in a white robe, Zeus always holds his lightning bolt in one hand. This lightning is rumoured to have smitten the Titans off into the Underworld. Though originally created by them, Zeus did not hesitate to use it against them when they became a treat to the mortal realm.
Zeus his escapades are widely known, yet not a focus of his followers. They see it as their god’s right to take whichever female he pleases, after all, he is the great one. Zeus’ wife, Hera, however doesn’t always look upon these little adventures with the same form of content. Often she has been vengeful against these females, definitely when it has come to their half-divine offspring. However, she has always forgiven her husband to keep the peace.
Zeus his followers generally hold affection to the skies and thunder and lightning in particular. They are often trained as battle priests and focus mainly and the offensive part of heir spells. Many temples have open roofs through which the air can be seen. Ceremonial sacrifices of lambs and other animals are made her to please Zeus. Also gold and valuables are offered to him.
Zeus does not care a great deal about the actions of his followers, as long as they make their offerings to him and treat him and his fellow deities with ample respect. If Zeus sends down his bolts of lightning his followers will not complain, even if one of their own is struck. Their god holds the right to do this. And Zeus in fact nearly always has a reason for doing it, whether the reason is justified, that is a different story.
Zeus has few true enemies within the Pantheon. He strives with Talos from time to time over dominion of the skies and the storms, but it seems more of a playful struggle then a true battle. Also Zeus has his conflicts with Hera, but they remain married throughout.
On occasion Zeus will have his disparities with other gods, but generally he has a fair amount of respect, and often they are not worth his time to worry about.
Zeus his general intent is good, and he is very protective of the mortal races, keeping them from harm. He will protect them at many a cost, but does have his favourites and does act on them. He would sooner protect one of the females that he spend time with and their offspring then he’d protect the beggar who didn’t make his sacrifices because he didn’t have anything to sacrifice.
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Saint Marcus
Saint Marcus was, in life, a simple baker. He was not a cheerful Halfling and tended toward outbursts of anger (especially when people smeared grubby fingerprints on his nice, clean windows). However, he was always pleased to see villagers and visitors that appreciated his baked goods. If the local children were polite and well-behaved, he would frequently treat them to his collection of handmade cakes and candies. He loved to experiment with new combinations of ingredients and always had a remedial bun for all occasions. Colds, Rashes, insect bites and the likes were easily overcome by his wondrous herbal concoctions which he would bake in the form of pies, cakes, candies and buns.
Marcus was, however, an elderly Halfling.... and had the temperament of an aged Halfling to match. Easily confused, the children loved to watch him as he picked arguments with uneven pavements, unruly pets and the occasional bird that startled him. He was prone to moments of confusion and had a great love of excessive drinking.
He became a Saint when he saved the village from an invasion of GiAnts one night, as the villagers slept. It has become legendary how he selflessly ran through the streets, armed only with a rolling pin, and fought his way to the bell tower. Once at the bell tower, he rang the bell and alerted the village to the impending doom. Not satisfied with this, he then proceeded to throw himself from the cliff and cleverly used his impressive girth to block the hole from which the GiAnts came.
The Clerics now hold feasts for everyone and embrace the idea that the selfless giving of food is a wonderful way to bring a community together. Clerics believe that community, fun, food, singing, dancing and general indulgence are paramount toward a successful society. Other than these traits, the priesthood can vary in many ways. Some are lazy, others are highly enthusiastic. Many dabble with healing, whilst others are more concerned with song and dance.
Saint Marcus appears in visions as a portly Halfling holding a magical rolling pin. He can appear confused, clumsy and arrogant at times, and is famous for messing up his magic spells. Quite often, he appears and his mouth moves, but his words are not heard until several days later.... or vice versa. He has also been known to appear in a cloud of smoke briefly before dropping into the sea... (the splash was heard three days later)
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Eilistraee; the Dark Maiden, Lady of the Dance, Lady Silverhair
Eilistraee is the goddess of the drow, the dark skinned elven kindred, and the Matriarchal Goddess of those that have forsaken the Dark Depths and the City of Erelhei-Cinlu. Though her clergy still maintain a temple in her honour there.
Symbol: A long haired female drow dancing before a full moon with silver bastard sword in hand
Clerical Domains: Good, Protection, Travel, Water.
Portfolio: Chaos, Charm, Song, Beauty, Dance, Swordwork, Hunting, Moonlight and Portals.
Little is known of Eilistraee though it is known that she is quick to anger over deeds of evil, though it is rare that Eilistraee would intercede, far less that she would appear, in person. Eilistraee will, more often, lend aid to a creature she favours in the form of small ‘gifts’ or ‘favours’ which bring the most practical of answers.
Conceived and born in a ‘Crystal Cavern’ buried and lost, so the most ancient of tales say, deep in the bowels of the Galandar World. The Lady Silverhair has a skin as dark as her followers; having a deep love for the wilds and the dark places of the Dark Depths. Eilistraee followed the Dark Kindred in their retreat beneath the surface following the devastation wrought by the Drowbane Wars and the transformation of her mother, Arushnee, into the demon goddess Lloth. She has sought the redemption of those darkest of times ever since.
Beliefs:
The clergy of Eilistraee are, most often, females, though they may be of any race, and further her interests of beauty and song, ever carrying one of the goddess’ favoured instruments, the horn, a reed flute or the harp and striving to renew the fortunes of their race.
Clerics of the Dark Maiden pray to their mistress at night, after moonrise, singing their rituals followed, often, by hunting, feasting and dancing and yet more singing of the Circular Song.
Eilistraee, the beloved daughter of Corellon Larethian the First of the Seldarine, would never forsake those whom she regards her people and stands, ever watchful as her father, in opposition to foulest depredations of Lolth.
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Deep Sashelas; Lord of the Undersea, the Dolphin Prince, the Knowledgeable One, Sailor's Friend
Deep Sashaelas is the Lord of the Undersea and the patron of the sea elves, created when the Dolphin Prince enabled the elven inhabitants of a sinking city to survive in their submerged realm.
Symbol: A leaping dolphin upon an azure sea.
Domains: Animal (Aquatic), Knowledge (especially that which is hidden), Trickery, Water.
Portfolio: Change, Diplomacy and Illusion.
One of the Seldarine Sashelas is a powerfully creative deity forever changing the seascape creating islands and reefs by altering the continental rifts, tinkering with undersea volcanoes and sculpting the shore.
A power for good in the depths the Lord of the Undersea mediates in many disagreements and potential conflicts and opposes the machinations of all the evil powers of the sea.
Named the Sailor’s Friend many a mortal owe their lives to the diplomacy of Deep Sashelas in calming the storms of Poseidon and other powers and many a child has been saved carried to safety from the seas upon the back of a dolphin.
The Lord of the Undersea is a charismatic leader, and an inspired artist whose work is ever changing; he is rarely satisfied with his own works and is ever seeking improvement. Fickle and flighty there are many myths telling of his amorous exploits with mermaids and selkies, sea elven maids, human females and even one demigoddess, it is rumoured.
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Corellon Larethian; Creator of the Elves, the Protector, First of the Seldarine, Protector and Preserver of Life, Ruler of All Elves
Corellon is the acknowledged leader of the Seldarine and revered by all the peoples of the Elven Kindred; a powerful warrior Corellon stands as an ever-vigilant watcher over the Fair Folk; both the light and the dark alike.
Symbol: The (waxing) Crescent Moon; often depicted behind a long sword held vertically aloft.
Domains: Good, Healing, Magic, Protection, Strength, War.
Portfolio: Arts, Crafts, Magic, Music, Hunting, Philosophy, Poetry and Song.
The leader of the elven pantheon, Corellon Larethian, it is from drops of his own blood shed in epic battles with Gruumsh, some say mingled with the tears of Angharradh that the Fair Folk sprang.
Corellon oversees elven magic, particularly High Magic, and is especially popular with elf and half-elven mages, musicians and poets yet it is his clergy of ‘warrior-priests’ that are most associated with his name.
Corellon has a strong relationship with most all the elven powers yet, perhaps, it is Eilistraee, his once estranged daughter by the fallen Arushnee (his former lover) that knows most of his heart or else Angharradh, the One and the Three, now said to be Corellons consort.
A powerful warrior god whose hands protect his creations with the gentleness of a sculptor and the unspeakable power of a master of both sword and bow Corellon has earned the enmity of countless powers whose worshippers seek to seize the forests, fastnesses, cities, magic or wealth of the Fair Folk; the Protector’s rift with his own errant son Vhaeraun is deep and Corellon has despaired of the Masked Lord ever repenting his evil ways.
Beliefs:
The clergy of Corellon Larethian are powerful warrior-priests, ‘Soul-Bonded’ each to the other and to their Lord, who conduct their rights in great open air temples beneath his ever watchful gaze.
It is believed that the life spirit of Corellon flows from him and into the eves and their lands, and while mortal elves daydream and enter the reverie, Corellon never abandons his watchfulness
Only when it is time for the Fair Folk to pass from Galandar to Arvandor will it be that Corellon may cease his watchfulness over each elf and allow others of the Sehanine to take a greater role in their care.
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Aphrodite/Diana, Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Passion
The beautiful Aphrodite was created from the foam of the sea and emerged like a pearl from the shell of a giant sea clam; she is the goddess of beauty and love. As befits the goddess her position, she was an enthusiastic companion of the male gods consorting with Poseidon, Dionysus, and others.
Symbol: An open sea clam.
Domains: Knowledge, Travel, Trickery, Water.
Portfolio: Beauty, love, jealousy, prophecy, vanity, glamour and illusion
Although she can assume any form (all of them beautiful), in her true form she is a woman of astonishing beauty and has a gift of prophecy, omens from Aphrodite are often associated with the sea.
Aphrodite can charm any male, either god or mortal, and can generate any strong emotion (such as love, hate, anger, sorrow, etc.) in any intelligent being. All mortal men, it is said, will fall instantly in love with Aphrodite upon first sight of the goddess and will be unable to forget the vision - ever. Aphrodite also carries a dagger that causes anyone struck by it to be instantly charmed.
Aphrodite is extremely vain; should she overhear any unfavourable comparison of her beauty she will avenge herself by making the transgressor fall in love with a statue, turning him into a shell, or having bees sting his eyes.
There are some that also revere the Goddess of Beauty a huntress; in this aspect as 'Diana' she shares some of the traits of Artemis of the Amazons. It is said that Diana also hunts among the 'mortal' races and that those struck by her magical arrows will fall in love with the next 'mortal' (of any race) with which they meet.
Beliefs:
The cult of Aphrodite believe that the pursuit of love, beauty and passion surmounts all else in life and disdain any individual, authority or law which seeks to restrict their freedoms.
Every ten days, her priests must release white doves, and every new moon they must throw objects of art and beautiful jewellery into the sea. They must also do what they can to aid anyone who is in trouble because of a forbidden love.
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Angharradh - Elven goddess of spring, fertility, birth, planting, defence and wisdom.
Angharradh is also known by the names The Triune Goddess, The One and The Three, The Union of the Three.
Angharradh is the unified aspect of the three Elven goddesses Aerdrie Faenya, Hanali Celani and Sehanine Moonbow.
Symbol: Three interconnecting rings, bound within a downward pointing triangle.
Domains: Animal, Good, Knowledge, Plant, Protection, Strength.
Angharradh's nature reflects the personality traits of the three. The impulsive and whimsical nature of Aerdrie, the romantic and affectionate nature of Hanali and the serene and ephemeral nature of Sehanine.
She appears as a lithe elven woman with pale skin, long russet coloured hair, clad in leather armour and carrying a spear.
Worshippers of Angharradh may also be worshippers of the goddesses who make up the Triune.
Followers of Angharradh pray to her at the time they would pray to one of her aspects.
Beliefs:
The followers of Angharradh are taught that:-
Unity and diversity brings strength,
Be ever vigilant, especially against the dark gods and the worshippers of Lolth, and work together to defend the lands of the Fair Folk from those who would work evil.
Celebrate the One and the Three for their collective purpose and individual expressions of life.
Through the melding of widely different skills and interests, creativity, life and artistry are nurtured and new ideas are discovered.
Aerdrie Faenya - Elven goddess of air, weather, fertility and winged races.
Aerdrie Faenya is also known by the names The Winged Mother, The Bringer of Rains and Storms and Queen of the Avariel.
Aerdrie is one of the Triune goddesses and an aspect of the goddess Angharradh.
Symbol: A cloud with a bird silhouette.
Domains: Air, Animal, Good, Travel.
Aerdrie appears as a timeless winged being of ethereal nature. Pale skinned and with long silvery white hair, clad in flowing pale blue robes. She appears to be restless, unwilling to stay in one place for too long. Aerdrie is the elven expression of freedom and impulse
The clergy of Aerdrie Faenya are responsible for maintaing relations with all good winged creatures and working closely with those involved in agriculture and horticulture.
Followers of Aerdrie pray to her at the first light of dawn and festivals known as "The Dance of the Swirling Winds" are held on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.
Beliefs:
The followers of Aerdrie are taught that:-
The ever changing skies are a gift from the Winged Mother.
Honour those that take to the skies and cherish the birds who dance on the tresses of Aerdrie.
Relish the freedom that Aerdrie bequeathes and act upon your impulses.
Hanali Celani - Elven goddess of love, romance, beauty, enchantments and artistry.
Hanali Celani is also known by the names Lady Goldheart, The Winsome Rose and The Heart of Gold.
Hanali is one of the Triune goddesses and an aspect of the goddess Angharradh.
Symbol: A golden heart.
Domains: Good, Healing, Knowledge, Protection.
Hanali appears as a timeless being of incredible beauty and benign nature, with long flowing golden hair and clad in robes of shimmering gold cloth. Hanali is always forgiving of minor transgressions and delights in rewarding her followers with the gifts of unexpected love and affection. Her only flaws are her own mild vanity and flighty nature.
The clergy of Hanali preside over marriages and rites of passage for young elves.
Followers of Hanali pray to her when the moon is highest in the sky and festivals known as "The Secrets of the Heart" are held every full moon.
Beliefs:
Followers of Hanali are taught the following:-
Life is worth living because of the beauty to be found in the world and the love that brings twin hearts together.
Nurture what is beautiful in life and let beauty's rapturous glow enliven and brighten the lives of those around you.
The greatest joy is the rapture of new found love and the tide of romance that sweeps over those wrapped in its embrace.
Find love wherever it takes root and bring it to its fullest bloom so that all may share in the joy and beauty it creates.
Always give shelter and provide help to young lovers, for their hearts are the truest guide to life's proper course.
Sehanine Moonbow - Elven goddess of mysteries, mysticism, illusions, dreams, death, transcendence of the soul, the moon, the stars and the heavens.
Sehanine is also known by the names Daughter of the Night Skies, The Luminous Cloud and The Lady of Dreams.
Sehanine is one of the Triune goddesses and an aspect of the goddess Angharradh.
Symbol: a misty crescent over a full moon.
Domains: Good, Knowledge, Magic, Water.
Sehanine appears as a timeless being of incredible beauty and ethereal nature. Pale skinned and with long silvery white hair, clad in glowing silvery robes. She gifts her followers with dreams, prophecies and premonitions of things to come.
The clergy of Sehanine Moonbow are responsible for funerary rites and protection of the remains of the dead.
Followers of Sehanine pray to her when the moon is highest in the sky and festivals known as "Lunar Hallowings" are held every full moon where her followers meditate upon the dreams they have received.
Followers of Sehanine believe that she weaves illusions around Elven settlements to protect them.
Beliefs:
The followers of Sehanine are taught that:-
Life is a series of mysteries whose secrets are veiled by the Luminous Cloud.
As the spirit transcends its mortal bounds and new mysteries are uncovered, a higher form is achieved and the circle of life continues.
Through contemplation and meditation, communication with the Lady of Dreams is achieved.
Through dreams, visions and omens, The Daughter of the Night Sky reveals the next step along the path and the next destination on the endless journey of mystic wonder that is life and death.
Oppose the undead wherever you find them; save those that have voluntarily prolonged their existence to serve their kin; for they break the cycle of life and death.
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Anubis - Lord of Death
Anubis is typically depicted as a man with a black jackals-head, holding a crook shaped staff or wand and a set of scales.
He was once seen as a powerful Ruler of the Underworld, Guardian of the Book of the Dead, Embalmer and feared God of Death. However, Osiris took the title of Ruler of the Underworld from him; Isis stole the Book of the Dead and power of embalming, and left Anubis with the role of collecting the dead and bringing them to the underworld to be judged by Osiris.
Anubis is now nothing more than an Alishan version of the Grim Reaper. When he collects a soul, he weighs its heart upon a scale with the feather of guilt upon the other side. If the heart is heavier than the feather, he destroys the soul. If the heart is lighter than the feather, he takes the soul to Osiris for judgement.
It is said that Anubis still seeks the Book of the Dead, so he may regain his lost powers.
Anubis followers must take the Death sphere of clerical spells.
Whereas Anubis, as a loner, has no real enemies or allies... It is fair to say that his followers bear some resentment to Osiris and Isis for their parts in the fall of the Jackal-headed Gods power.
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Silvanus, Oak Father, The Green Man, John Barleycorn
Silvanus, the ‘Oak Father’ is also known as the ‘Green Man’ is a god of forests, groves, wild fields and is regarded as the protector of herds and cattle; he is associated with the natural cycle of the year and has strong agricultural connections.
Symbol: A pruning knife and a bough from a pine tree or otherwise a ‘wreath’ of barleycorn.
Domains: Animal, Death, Earth, Knowledge, Plant.
Portfolio: Agriculture, husbandry, fertility, growth, renewal.
Silvanus is a gentle God with his faithful and those who respect the natural environment, but for those who don't he can turn an uncaring and even righteously wrathful face towards any who threaten the wild places and woodlands.
In his aspect as Oak Father the ‘Green Man’ is seen as a stalwart defender of the forests of Galandar; those who disturb the balance can often be found at the edge of the forest, torn to pieces by wild animals that cannot be tracked.
At the end of the growing year the god, in his aspect of John Barleycorn, is cut down, bound, thrashed and ritually sacrificed in the burning of a wicker effigy in to which sheaves of wheat, harvested fruits, seeds, nuts and a number of animal sacrifices are placed; the ashes of his pyre are ritually plough in to the ground. John Barleycorn is magically ‘reborn’ at the beginning of the new growing year.
Beliefs:
The clergy of Silvanus are always male and many of their rituals are shrouded in secrecy, such as the ritual wherein the first fruits of the fields are offered to him, as well as meat and wine in a ritual which women are not allowed to witness.
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Oghma - Lord of Knowledge
Oghma is also known as The Binder of What is Known, the Lord of Knowledge, Patron of Bards and the Wise God.
He is the most powerful god of knowledge in the Realms (Second if you consider magical ability as knowledge, Mystra’s domain)
His home realm is known as the House of Knowledge which consists of a huge library filled with every type of book and document. Each volume is chained to the shelves, only removable by the master librarian's key.
Oghma is known for his ability to answer many questions after a short period of study (the more difficult the question, the longer it takes) and the fact that he knows the secret name of all non-godlike creatures.
His alternate name, "The Binder", refers to his ability to trap demons and devils into a special prison of his making, and hold them there until such time as he chooses to release them.
Oghma is considered a patron of things creative and beautiful in both men and women alike.
Typically, his clerics have a focus in the Knowledge sphere of clerical spells (which they MUST take) and sometimes a degree of bardic abilities. Other spheres that tend to be touched upon are Trickery and Travel, as well as anything to do with enchantments (and to a lesser degree, Magic). His worshippers are artists, bards, cartographers, inventors, lore masters, sages, scholars, scribes and wizards.
Oghma's followers believe that knowledge is most supreme, particularly in its raw form, the idea. An idea has no weight but can move mountains. It has no height but it can dominate a nation. It has no mass but it can push aside empires. Knowledge is the greatest tool of humankind, outweighing anything made by mortal hands. Before anything can exist, the idea must exist. Music is often a tool with which great knowledge can be imparted to even the most unruly of minds, considering how children may be repulsed by the idea of learning but charmed by the approach of a lyrical tale or lesson.
Oghma has been thought of as having an alliance with Mystra in the past, and has made an enemy of Mask and Talos.
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Mmoomu - meaning 'Freedom'
Mmoomu, the uddered one, was woken from the heavens when the local fishing spot was emptied of thousands of cows femurs. She has watched the humans (and other bipeds) and is appalled to see that they raise the farmyard animals and use them for milk, eggs etc... only to reward them by turning them into pies. She does not resent the use of produce such as eggs and wool. It is the produce which means death which she resents.
Mmoomu does not only represent Bovines, but actually governs all farmyard animals. (Pigs, Chickens, Sheep etc)
In an ideal world, Mmoomu would like to see all her farmyard friends given freedom, and the abolition of things such as steak, leather jackets, pork chops, spicy chicken wings or anything which means the end of life for a loyal farm animal.
As yet, she has no humanoid followers, no temples, no holy artefacts.... However, if a humanoid wished to worship her, they would be expected to forsake the consumption of meat, respect all working animals (such as Pack oxen), and study the animal sphere of clerical spells OR embark on the path of a druid.
Mmoomu is trying to raise awareness amongst farm animals about what their eventual purpose really is. Through an unusual and unknown phenomona, a large number of farmyard animals have already turned to worship Mmoomu.
She would like to lead her followers to 'the promised pasture'.
It is rumoured that Mmoomu may have originally been, in life, one of the cows whose bones were thrown in the fishing hole. As yet, little is known of her origin.
Mmoomu appears in the form of a statue of a water buffalo with two birds upon its back.
Mmoomus Domains: Animal, Plant, Earth, Protection, War, Water
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Leander (wemic)
Domains: Strength, Animal
The god of the hunt, the roaring tiger. Leander is a fierce hunter of the stretching plains, always on the prowl. He is the god of the wemics, worshiped before they go on a hunt and thanked after a successful hunt.
Leander is a simple god, he does not ask his followers for special ceremonial performances or anything like that. An offering is an offering, no matter how it is done. This may make him seem somewhat simplistic but it also makes him very pure. The intent is what matters, the way it is done comes second.
The same goes for hunts, a hunt is successful when you live and your prey dies. How you manage to take out your prey, whether by use of a javelin, your claws or magic doesn't matter. If the prey dies, the hunt has been good.
Leander appears as a huge cat, towering well over even the tallest of wemics. His roar is said to be capable of putting fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned hunters. And his huge claws can make the very earth tremble.
Leander is revered as well as feared by the wemics. He is mostly seen as a god protector and wise hunter, but they also realise that they should not invoke his wrath upon them. Thus they bring their offerings, and thank him after each hunt. In turn Leander watches over them, makes sure they are provided for and the hunts go well.
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Ki, The Earth Mother
Domains: Earth, Protection
Ki's worshippers are mainly focussed upon the soil and stone of the earth, however in some cases they focus upon a wider range of things, the other elements for one. Mostly however their focus will lie in stones, soil and minerals.
Followers of Ki often use earth and stone tints in their temple outfits. The worship varies from temple to temple but ceremonies will often include stone altars, pillars or circles. Ki is a benevolent goddess who is seldom in any warlike strive or such. Her clerics and priests are mainly focussed on protection, not assault.
The temples of Ki are generally open to all visitors. The main halls that is, what happens behind the halls of worship is unknown to outsiders, generally however it is merely a place for the acolytes to sleep and rest, a place for private prayers and more of such things. The temples are often carved into stone walls or from stone slabs.
Those who worship Ki often do so out of a need for comfort and protection. Her clergy will often protect others with spells of the earth, seldom however do they indulge themselves in the art of healing. They know the spells, but to truly focus on them is rare, as it does not fit will in the sense of protection. Neither do they focus upon attack and fighting often. This does not mean they aren't capable, they just seldom need to as The Earth Mother is fairly neutral, thus not having any major enemies.
If manifested Ki will at times appear as a woman with long brown hair wearing a long brown gold dress with some gemstone jewellery. At times she may choose to appear as a huge mountain however, or a small peddle. Whichever is best suited to communicate with the follower in question. It could even be a grain of sand... after all a goddess her grandeur is not in her appearance.
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ISHTAR - Goddess of Love and War
Domains: Destruction, Healing, Protection, War
Ishtar is True Neutral, being perfectly balanced between her two aspects as the Goddess of Love and the Goddess of War. Linked by her followers with one particular heavenly body, her two aspects are seen as the Morning Star and the Evening Star. Her worshippers will pray at sunup and sundown, by the light of the first star of evening or the last star before dawn, depending on where the star is in the sky.
Ishtar’s symbol is an eight-pointed white star, or star disk, on a black or deep blue field. The eight points represent the various locations in the heavens her star can most easily be seen. She is also represented, in her aspect as the Goddess of War, by a rampaging lion. In her aspect of the Goddess of Love she is depicted as a maiden of exceeding beauty.
Worshippers of Ishtar can be any alignment, and most of her clerics tend to emphasize a single aspect of the goddess in their ministry to her followers. The High Priest(ess) of Ishtar, however, is typically True Neutral, either through natural disposition or long study and intense personal discipline to become worthy of the high calling. Her clerics must endure much hard discipline in their service to her and to the temple. Her clerics will not take the front line in any battle, preferring to support from the rear ranks, allowing her Champions and Paladins to lead in the fray.
The New Moon is one of the holiest of times for Ishtar’s followers, that being when her star is most easily seen. In lands where Ishtar is worshipped, the members of her clergy form an integral part of the governing body. Secular taxes and sectarian tithes are often not distinguished from each other in these lands, and it is not unusual to find the head of state is also her High Priest.
Her husband is said to be Silvanus, the god of the harvest who dies each year and has his soul dragged into the Underworld. During the ensuing winter season, Ishtar descends into the Underworld and contends with the Lord of the Abyss to get her husband back. She ultimately succeeds, and brings him back in time for spring to bring new life to the land.
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Hera
Domains: Trickery, Knowledge, Protection
Wife to Zeus, often referred to as the Great Mother. Hera is compassionate and caring, yet at the same time she can be mysterious and dangerous. She is the protector of women, and mainly mothers, everywhere.
Oft she is called upon when a woman goes into labour, and many of her priestesses assist in the labour, blessing the mother with her divine comfort and care. The child is not their main priority, but will be helped if necessary, if only to save the mother any grievance.
Hera is pictured as a woman with dark yellow-green eyes and long black hair. She often wears purple and black, wielding a sceptre in her hand. Her sign is that of a peacock’s feather. Often when revealing herself to her followers only her eyes will be visible, adding to the intrigue and mystery.
One of her greatest mysteries perhaps is how she can continually forgive her husband for his transgression and escapades. She is very forgiving towards him, but less so towards the women he has been with. This has gotten her enemies among the more flirty goddesses but also allies among the male gods who wished to sire them for themselves.
Her clergy generally respect other religions but have significant problems with Zeus’ followers due to the pain their god inflicts upon their goddess. They also tend to not get along well with the followers of the more flirty goddesses.
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Ethellon: God of change (fey)
A god that is truly worshiped few, he is often seen as the bringer of death itself. To be able to believe in him one must believe that change is inevitable and must always come no matter what.
He is most actively worshipped around the changing of the seasons and widely cursed at rites of passing of the dead. He, after all, is the god of change and death is a change. At the changing of the seasons a few food offerings are often brought to him, and then for the rest of the season he is mostly forgotten except when one dies, then he is the first to be called out to though not in a pleasant way.
Ethellon is a far less active god then Finnavar and Daoine Sidhe, and often his existence is under discussion. Also the brownies often see him as cruel, yet in truth he is not. He just IS, as his worshipers describe him.
One more change has been assigned to the domains of Ethellon, one that makes him a bit more favoured. He is also the one who spreads Luck. This mostly being the reason that his worship wasn’t given up on a long time ago, because every brownie needs a bit of luck once every now and then.
Appearance: Ethellon is often pictured as a leprechaun, though his clothes are blue and silver instead of the usual green and gold. His symbol is that of the four-leaved clover with a rainbow behind it.
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Bes, Dwarf God of Luck
Bes is a dwarf god that believed that he needed to guard the misfortunate from the evil spirits.
Symbol: A grotesque dwarven head or mask.
Domains: Magic, Protection, Trickery.
Portfolio: Childbirth, dwarven magic, fortitude, music and luck.
Said to be very ugly and grotesque Bes is depicted as having a large head, bushy beard and bowed legs; dwarves maintain that his appearance is so in order to scare off the evil spirits that had stayed around them.
Bes is the dwarven patron god of music and dancing, and is associated with other feminine aspects such as childbirth; Bes is also the dwarven deity most commonly associated with the uncommon dwarven mage.
Bes has an important role as a god who will prevent snakes and scorpions harming the family.
Clerics of Bes, as befits dwarven nature, are generally more practical than spiritual in their undertaking and are commonly perceived of as bards, conjurors or midwives.
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Artemis; Goddess of the wilderness, the hunt, wild animals, fertility, death and magic
Symbol: A silver bow stretched so that it appears to be a crescent moon with an arrow notched at the ready
Domains: Animal, Healing, Magic, Death.
Portfolio: Hunting, Chastity, Healing, Disease
The daughter of Zeus. Artemis is depicted with the crescent of the moon above her forehead. Her main vocation was to roam mountain forests and uncultivated land with her nymphs in attendance hunting for lions, panthers, hinds and stags. She also protects and seeing to their well-being, also their safety and reproduction. She is armed with a bow and arrows. Artemis was a divinity of healing, but also brought and spread diseases such as leprosy, rabies and even gout.
As the moon has a dark side the hidden side to Artemis is her link to magic and death through disease or in childbirth.
Artemis is very possessive. She will show her wrath on anyone who disobeyed her wishes, especially against her sacred animals.
Among the epithets given to Artemis are: mistress of wild animals, nurse of youth's, helper in childbirth, huntress. She is represented as a maiden huntress clothed in a girl's short skirt, with hunting boots, a magical quiver, a silver bow and arrows and is accompanied by a hunting dog or a stag.
Beliefs:
Those who worship Artemis take on her role of protecting the wilderness as well as hunting and living off the land. Those who become her priestess are Virgins and will remain so or lose their ability to gain any more cleric levels.
Young girls between the ages of five and ten are sent to the sanctuary of Artemis to serve the Goddess for one year. During this time the girls are known as little she-bears.
When young girls reached puberty they are initiated into her cult, but when they decided to marry, which Artemis is not against, they are asked to lay in front of the altar all the paraphernalia of their virginity, toys, dolls and locks of their hair, they then left the domain of the virgin goddess.
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Triton, sea-god son of Poseidon
Triton is the fish-tailed sea god, the son and herald of Poseidon, king of the seas.
Symbol: A conch-shell.
Domains: Knowledge, Travel, Water.
As Poseidon's herald he bears a conch-shell trumpet with which he is able to summon the creatures of the deep or still the waves with its clarion call.
Triton dwells with his father in a golden palace at the bottom of the sea and is also considered the lord of all inland seas.
Beliefs:
Triton most often accompanies Poseidon, or acts in his stead; as such Triton has few clergy in his own right and is served and venerated, alongside his father, by the clerics of Poseidon.
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Poseidon
Domains: Water, Destruction
The god of the seas, earthquakes and streams. Poseidon rules over all water, and so his clergy generally have an affection with water, whether from oceans, rivers or even small streams. A powerful cleric of Poseidon will use it to the extend of its destructive force.
The seas however are whimsical things, at times as quiet and soothing as a small puddle, yet at other times destructive and cruel as a storm. The same goes for Poseidon, he can be a quiet comforting deity towards his followers, giving them save travels across oceans and rivers. Yet he can be a terrible god towards those who he deems enemies. Trapping them in the most terrible storms, or if on land he uses earthquakes and tsunamis against them.
His enemies can be any who he deems unworthy to sail on his seas, who serve the wrong god (not him) or who did not respect him enough last time. He especially strives with the followers of Aphrodite as she has had her flings with Zeus while he wanted her for himself. Also the followers of Talos don’t fall kindly with him, as often the storms of Talos interfere with the waves of Poseidon.
His most important ally is his son Triton who rules over the inland seas, also he has good relationships with Hera as they both hold some grudges against Zeus due to his escapades. He doesn’t act against Zeus directly though, fearing his wrath.
Often the clerics of Poseidon offer tributes in the form of rings to the sea while they travel or before they leave, to ensure they travel safely and to display their eternal bond with their deity.
The priests perform rituals where small land creatures are tossed into the sea to display the power of the sea over the land and please their god. They dress in blue tints, any from bright blue of the clear waters to the dark blue-black of a raging storm.
Neutral Good Dieties of the Land
in Religions and Cults
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Athena; Warrior-Goddess of wisdom and the arts
Symbol: An Owl sitting on a branch
Domains: Knowledge, War, Protection, Animal.
Portfolio: Wisdom, Warfare, Artistry, Horsemanship
Favoured (some times called First) daughter of Zeus grey-eyed Athena , herself a warrior, protects the brave and valorous. She is the patron of architects and sculptors as well as of spinners and weavers. She also protects horses and oxen. The olive tree is another of her gifts.
Athena created the bridle and taught the art of taming horses. Athena extends her protection not only to individuals but also to entire cities. She is symbolized by the Palladia or statues of herself which have fallen from the heavens. The possession of a palladium is a pledge of security. The Amazons are said to guard one reverently.
Athena's companion is the goddess of victory, Nike, and her usual attribute is the owl. She is represented as a woman in billowing robe with the aegis as a breastplate, a golden helm upon her head and a spear in her right hand.
Beliefs:
Those who worship Athena are often artisans and craftsmen. As well as those who vow to protect others and the land or community. Those whose lively hood depends on horses also show her reverence.
Once a year during a festival in her honour a statue of Athena is dressed in new robes with beautiful embroidery and paraded through town.
Nike
Nike is the personification of victory. She can run and fly at great speed. She is a constant companion of Athena. She is represented as a female elf with feathery wings, dressed in a billowing robe with a wreath or staff.