Aya

Aya (pronounced EYE-ah) is a pantheonic goddess commonly associated with curiosity, art, music, invention, and philosophy.

Aserdian pantheon

Anka'a (pronounced on-kah AH) is a goddess of curiosity, art, invention, and philosophy. She provides sparks of inspiration to those that put their minds to creative tasks, aiding them in seeing the world in novel ways. She is also associated with the sun and light, and either directly or through her followers she is said to have brought color to the world. Anka'a is additionally considered to be a goddess of language - many followers of the Aserdian pantheon believe language was a gift from the goddess, not originally for the purpose of communication but rather as a form of music.

Anka'a is most often depicted as a humanoid figure dressed in the garb of an artist, hard at work on her artistic pursuits. Statues of the goddess sculpting herself out of clay, usually with the upper half of her form complete and the bottom half far more rough, are found especially widely in her temples. These temples usually resemble workshops more than areas for prayer; to Anka's faithful, creation of artistic works is a form of prayer in itself.

Edicts and anathema

Edicts: Creatively express yourself, share art with others, seek unusual perspectives, ask questions
Anathema: Cut short a conversation, create repetitive or derivative works, offer criticism without suggestions for improvement, belittle the sincere efforts of another

Chaskan pantheon

Aya (pronounced EYE-ah) is the goddess of curiosity, art, music, invention, philosophy, and diplomacy. She grants sparks of inspiration to her followers, aiding them in creating their masterpieces, whether those be artistic, mechanical, or philosophical in nature. Aya is additionally seen as a peacemaker. Those that attempt to mediate disputes and bring an end to conflicts often pray Aya for advice. As art can bring people together, so to do followers of Aya believe dialogue can end strife and discord.

Aya is the patron of all artists, no matter their canvas. Her faith teaches that expressing one's creativity is the greatest calling in life, whether one chooses to do so with painting, sculpting, writing, music, or some other means. Her devoted followers find myriad ways to pray to their goddess, all according to their own personal callings.

Not all followers of Aya choose to express their faith through art. She is a goddess of creativity above all else, and all types of creativity that bring wonder and provoke the imagination are believed to be appreciated by the goddess. Inventors commonly worship Aya as they design ingenious new contraptions and devices. Likewise, philosophers frequently find themselves drawn to Aya's faith - creative lines of thought are as valuable to her followers as any physical art.

However, not all art, invention, or thought is considered holy to Aya's faith. Those that churn out repetitive or derivative works without personal touch or care for detail are frowned upon, as are those that create art designed to intimidate, propagandize, or otherwise discourage independent thought. To create art for insincere or evil means is far worse to her faith than to create no art at all.

Artists of all kinds often pray to Aya in hopes of receiving a creative spark from the divine, as do inventors, philosophers, and others who place great value on the power of imagination. Many who appreciate artistic works often worship the goddess as well, even if they do not create art of their own. Expression of one's self through artistic means, new inventions, or unique lines of thought are the highest form of prayer to Aya's devotees, though a respect for the achievements of others is not far behind in importance. To Aya's faith, effort and sincerity matters far more than final quality, and even those that have much to learn in matters of technique and form are wholeheartedly embraced by the religion.

In the mythos told by her clergy, Aya could not rest after her role in creating the world had concluded. She had loved her tasks, the small flourishes she added to the scenery and the color she added to the sunset. Unwilling to see all the wonder in the world go unappreciated, Aya guided the first mortals in how to use what was around them to express themselves. She showed them how to use pigments to make lines on cliff faces and cave walls, as well as how to shape clay and other materials of the earth into new forms. By doing so she provided the first spark of creativity that exploded into a multitude of forms, as the first artist taught their technique to the next, expanding around the world as the wonder of art was uncovered by all.

Aya's holy text is the Divine Form, a work of art that has been rendered and interpreted in myriad ways. There is no standard or original copy of the Divine Form. Rather, its details are up to the creator of each particular version. There are some similarities between them, however - for example, they almost all include a depiction of the goddess Aya. Whether painted in a realistic form on canvas, sculpted in an abstract manner out of stone or clay, etched on a cliff face, or rendered in some other way, completion of one's personal Divine Form is seen as an important rite to Aya's most devoted followers. Not only must one undertake and complete the work, but they must first determine what particular style calls to them the strongest.

Aya has organized churches around the world, though they are usually rather small in scope, each encompassing only a small region within a nation. Her followers are rarely concerned with religious politics or maintaining tradition in the faith, and therefore organize together more to share the joys of their works.

Aya is typically depicted as a humanoid figure, sometimes dressed in fine clothes or in the garb of an artist, depending on the pantheon. She is often depicted as artistically creating her own form, usually by sculpting or painting herself.

Edicts and anathema

Edicts: Creatively express yourself, share art with others, ask questions
Anathema: Create repetitive or derivative works, offer criticism without suggestions for improvement, belittle the sincere efforts of another, accept an answer without question

Khapeshan pantheon

Meshkenet (pronounced MESH-keh-net) is a goddess of art, music, invention, leisure, and beauty. The goddess and her clergy teach the importance of rest, recuperation, and the enjoyment of the small things in life - sometimes to do right in the world one must take care to remember the efforts that make it worthwhile.

Meshkenet is the patron of artists of all kinds, as well as that of musicians. But not all followers of Meshkenet choose to display their faith through art. She is a goddess of creativity above all else, and all types of expression that bring wonder and provoke the imagination are believed to be appreciated by the goddess. Inventors, for example, commonly worship her as they design ingenious new contraptions and devices. Gardeners as well frequently pray to Meshkenet as they construct beauty out of the natural world. Butterflies are closely associated with the goddess, and it is believed that she shows her favor by sending swarms of the beautiful insects to the gardens of her most devoted.

The grand temple of Meshkenet, in the city of Peremoun, is actually rather atypical of her temples. It is located underground with the rest of the city, and therefore cannot easily host the sprawling gardens that others typically have. Her grand temple is still richly decorated however, interior and exterior surfaces alike covered in many brightly colored reliefs and frescoes. The production and maintenance of gardens and artistic works is often closely involved in the prayer of Meshkenet's faithful.

Meshkenet is depicted as a figure with the head of an antelope. She is sometimes shown holding a musical instrument, paintbrush, or other item used for artistic pursuits.

Edicts and anathema

Edicts: Creatively express yourself, ask questions, tend to a garden, meditate regularly, create labor-saving innovations
Anathema: Create repetitive or derivative works, accept an answer without question, damage a garden

Dwarven pantheon

Ayen (pronounced EYE-in) is a goddess of fine craftsmanship, art, and innovation. She is often considered the apprentice of Tharrus, a student with sometimes unconventional ideas from whom even the most accomplished craftsperson can learn.

Most of Ayen's followers are artists, musicians, writers, and craftspeople of varying stripes. In many ways her worshipers are very similar to those of Tharrus, save for the considerable less regard they hold for the importance of traditionalism. Her faithful pray to her as they seek new ideas and approaches to old problems, entreating the goddess for advice in seeing the world from new perspectives.

Ayen's temples are frequently located in close proximity to those of Tharrus, sometimes even within the same building. The clergy of the two deities frequently work together as well, even if they may occasionally come to disagreements over religious theology and the value of unorthodox proposals. As with the followers of Tharrus, those that worship Ayen perform their highest worship through the creation of new works.

Ayen is usually depicted as a young dwarven woman wearing a diadem and glasses with many lenses.

Edicts and anathema

Edicts: Creatively express yourself, find new approaches to old problems, teach others
Anathema: Stick with tradition when a better approach is available, offer criticism without suggestions for improvement, belittle the sincere efforts of another

Elven pantheon

Ais (pronounced ICE) is the foremost goddess in the Elven pantheon, not only the patron of artists and inventors but also the deity that ensures the continued existence of the universe. As the main protector against the great beast Voltumna, Ais is responsible for the defense of the world and the cosmos. Her followers believe they have a divine commandment to outpace Voltumna's endless destruction by continually creating new art and seeking new inspirations. Ais is seen as a goddess of protection, and many of her faithful in the Elven pantheon imbue their works with warding magic to shield those around them.

Ais' clergy are often rather militant, skilled in matters of both art and combat. They dexterously weave these two distinct focuses into one, turning their method of fighting into a form of elegant yet dangerous dance. These clergy are well-organized and well-trained, and becoming a priest of Ais requires a great many years of study at one of the many temples to the goddess.

Depictions of Ais vary, but most commonly she takes the appearance of an elven woman armed with a paintbrush or chisel in one hand and a shield in the other.

Edicts and anathema

Edicts: Creatively express yourself, constantly work to create new art, protect those who cannot defend themselves
Anathema: Permit artistic works to be damaged or destroyed, create repetitive or derivative works, belittle the sincere efforts of another

Orcish pantheon

Agtazu (pronounced ahg-TAH-zoo) is a goddess of art, music, storytelling, memory, and hope. She represents the joy that can be found in both good times and in the bleakest moments. The goddess ensures knowledge of past struggles is never forgotten, while also reminding her devotees that there will always be better days ahead.

Agtazu is the patron of those that ensure their history is preserved and remembered for future generations. Many bards and skalds are followers of the goddess - though writers are seen as amongst her favored as well, she is thought to look especially fondly on those who keep oral stories, as they are more difficult to eradicate than physical written works.

Shrines to Agtazu are commonplace, mostly small idols placed near campsites, but full temples are not. Her clergy tend to be itinerant, traveling between communities and settlements instead of settling down in one location.

Agtazu is most commonly depicted wearing lamellar armor where each plate is a written manuscript or tablet, often with a traditional skald's shawl over the top.

Edicts and anathema

Edicts: Preserve writings and oral stories, share art with others, spread hope
Anathema: Allow your history to be forgotten, belittle the sincere efforts of another, allow others to despair