Aya

Aya
Titles	Spark of Imagination Goddess Who Listens to Prayers
Type	Greater deity
Areas of concern	Curiosity, art, music, invention, philosophy
Typical worshipers	Artists, musicians, inventors, philosophers
Domains	Change, Creation, Freedom, Luck, Passion
Divine font	Heal
Divine skill	Crafting or Performance
Divine ability	Dexterity or Wisdom
Favored weapon	Rapier
Symbol	A hand drawing its own arm
Sacred animal	Seahorse or horse
Sacred color	Any

Aya (pronounced EYE-ah) is the goddess of curiosity, art, music, invention, and philosophy.

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

Description

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 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.

Followers

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.

Church structure

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.

Holy text

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 devote followers. Not only must one undertake and complete the work, but they must first determine what particular style calls to them the strongest.

Relations

The faithful of Aya can find common ground with many; any who similarly value artistic expression are well-liked by her religion. The faiths of Aduntarri and Taliash are particular allies to followers of Aya. Evil or self-serving deities are almost always seen as enemies, especially Tarhunz and Malavisch. Malavisch in particular is reviled for how his clergy enthusiastically adopt art as propaganda for their own causes. Lawful neutral deities like Nisaba and Hasamel are seen in a more complex manner. Though the followers of Hasamel and Aya are both very interested in fine craftsmanship and the creation of new works, they split over the value of creativity - Hasamel's devotees would rather find a technique that works well and refine it to perfection, while those of Aya prefer to experiment.

Depiction

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.

Variations by pantheon

Pantheon	Name	Notes
Aserdian	Ankaa	In the Aserdian pantheon,
Chaskan	Aya	In the Chaskan pantheon,
Hellean	Eutychia	In the Hellean pantheon,
Khapeshan	Meshkenet	In the Khapeshan pantheon,
Laurentian	Gudjon	In the Laurentian pantheon,
Dwarven	Brulnan	In the Dwarven pantheon,
Elven	Ais	In the Elven pantheon, Ais is a goddess of central importance. As the main protector against the great beast Voltumna, Ais is responsible for maintaining the world and the cosmos. Her followers believe they have a divine commandment to outpace Voltumna's endless appetite for destruction by continually create new art and seek new inspirations. Ais is seen as a god of protection, and many of her faithful in the Elven pantheon imbue their works with warding magic to shield those around them.
Orcish	Agtazu	In the Orcish pantheon,