Harinna

Harinna
Titles	Indomitable Sun The Two Horizons
Type	Greater deity
Areas of concern	The sun, rulership, law, duty, hunting
Typical worshipers	Just leaders, paladins
Domains	Confidence, Duty, Earth, Fire, Sun
Divine font	Heal
Divine skill	Diplomacy or Intimidation
Divine ability	Strength or Charisma
Favored weapon	Longsword
Symbol	Falcon head in profile
Sacred animal	Falcon
Sacred color	Red and gold

Harinna (pronounced harr-IN-ah) is the god of the sun, rulership, law, duty, and hunting.

Edicts and anathema

Edicts

Impose order on chaotic places and situations, behave in an honorable manner, lead by example, root out and destroy evil, be vigilant and assertive

Anathema

Let a person or creature suffer, abandon those that rely on you, allow an infraction to go unaddressed

Description

Before the beginning of creation, Harinna was the goddess of duty and purpose. She marshaled the other gods to follow the plans her brother Socharin had drafted for the universe, fervently organizing them to create the world in his vision. When Lotan struck at Socharin, angered at the order that had been formed out of the primordial chaos, Harinna led the other gods in pushing the World-Encircler back to the void. Socharin died in the attack yet returned, reborn and changed. He had observed Harinna's zeal and knew that while he could no longer occupy his former role, his sister could. He transferred his domains of rulership and law to Harinna and stepped back to let her lead. No longer merely the enforcer and overseer, Harinna now leads the ceaseless fight against the indefatigable Lotan, protecting the other gods and their creation from the divine beast that would consume them all.

Harinna embodies justice, honor, and even-handed rulership. She represents the stabilizing influence of the law, but only when applied equally and fairly - to Harinna, tyranny is as inimical as chaos. Just as the sun’s rays enlighten and nourish the world, clearing away the darkness of chaos, she teaches that rulers should teach and foster the growth of those under their authority. Her clergy instruct that one must follow and enforce the law for the good of all of society, as long as one’s leaders hold to the same principles. All good rulers should lead by example, setting a path for their people through their own deeds.

Followers

Those that seek justice, behave honorably, and bring law and order to wild and chaotic places are the most drawn to Harinna. Leaders of many kinds, whether of a community, nation, or household, frequently pray to Harinna for guidance and strength. Perhaps more so than with any other deity, she has many paladins who act in her name. Harinna's faith is especially strong in Viridia, where the monarchy and senate draw legitimacy from the long-standing support of her clergy.

Religious ritual is extremely important to the faithful of Harinna. Participation in their many intricate ceremonies is seen as paramount in ensuring their goddess continues to favor their community and society - if a temple were to falter or cease in their rituals, it would be tantamount to inviting chaos back into the fold.

Temples to Harinna are always either open-air or otherwise designed in a manner that allows large amounts of sunlight to enter. Her faithful believe that performing a prayer in the light of the sun will ensure it is seen by their deity, and therefore make every effort to ensure their actions are visible to her, sometimes even bringing bottled sunlight with them when traveling to sunless places.

Church structure

The church of Harinna is highly centralized, and the faithful of the goddess place great importance on respecting and maintaining their religious hierarchy. Since the end of the Amberikon Crusade in Y7596^*, the church has been based out of the Stronghold of the Light on Mesollonia, an independent island nation entirely controlled by the church. The Keeper of the Light serves as the head of the church and the religion, chosen by a conclave of high priests to provide guidance and leadership to all followers of Harinna.

Though the vast majority of Harinnite churches follow the Keeper of the Light, some are instead part of the schismatic movement led by the Grandmaster of the Sun Refuge. Established in Y8925^* by a group called the Sun Blades, this movement believes Harinna's faith has become too complacent and that true adherents to the goddess should go forth and actively destroy the evil in the world. Towards this goal, the sect established a base on islands just offshore from the undead empire of Tarkuus, from which they attempt to fight against what they see as the greatest of the world's many evils. Some temples have joined the schism, particularly those around the Kilche Sea and along the eastern coast of the Chaska Sea, but the movement remains relatively small compared to the rest of the religion.

Holy text

Harinna's primary holy text is the Book of Justice. Written as a narrative that places Harinna as the overseer of the other gods and all of creation, in the tale she listens to a series of disputes between both the divines and mortals under her rule. After hearing each character's side in their quarrel, she determines an equitable solution that will satisfy both parties.

Relations

Followers of Harinna have broadly good relations with other lawful and good deities, though they find many faults with chaotic faiths like those of Marya and Taliash. The faithful of Hasamel, Nisaba, and Socharin are frequently close friends and allies. Opinion towards Malavisch's followers are extremely negative in modern times, though this was not always the case.

Though Harinna and her worshipers are the most opposed to Lotan, they see most evil gods as irredeemable enemies. Ubellur is as disliked as Lotan, and his followers similarly strongly opposed. Nyxras is considered an enemy as well, though her worshipers are more likely to be seen as potentially able to be reformed.

Depiction

Harinna is most often depicted as a woman clad in bronze armor with a hunting falcon resting on her outstretched arm. In some pictures she holds the sun in her other hand, and in others the sun is drawn behind her head, almost haloing it. Hellean and dwarven depictions usually show Harinna with golden skin, but this is unusual outside of those cultures.

Variations by pantheon

Pantheon	Name	Notes
Chaskan	Harinna	In the Chaskan pantheon, Harinna is the goddess not only of justice and fair rulers but also of those that enforce the laws set out by those rulers. She is commonly prayed to by guards, soldiers, and others who believe their profession and cause is righteous.
Hellean	Hemera	In the Hellean pantheon, Hemera was historically closely associated with the dawn. She was the bringer of each new day that cleared away the darkness and allowed the world to continue its activities once more. In this role, she was also thought of as a goddess of seasons and other natural cycles. Though this aspect of Hemera still exists amongst those that follow the Hellean pantheon, Hemera's faith has been greatly influenced by thousands of years of close contact with followers of the Chaskan pantheon, and today she is seen more akin to her form as Harinna.
Khapeshan	Harakhte	In the Khapeshan pantheon, Harakhte's aspect as a sun goddess is heavily emphasized. As the personification of the sun, she is seen as the giver of life and the overseer of the world. Rulers in areas following the Khapeshan pantheon often style themselves as the devoted servants of Harakhte, mortal agents of her will, even if they worship another god as well.
Laurentian	Haihaz	In the Laurentian pantheon, Haihaz is associated with rulers who have proved their ability to lead. Those that have successfully led their people through dangers and tough times are thought to be favored by Haihaz, and many leaders who have just attained their position often seek out ways to demonstrate their abilities, in the belief it will show they have been chosen by Haihaz for their role.
Draconic	Marduk	In the Draconic pantheon, Marduk is a male deity. He is locked in eternal struggle with Tiamat, and is seen as stabilizing influence and source of good (to good dragons) or as a betrayer of his own kind and kinslayer (to evil dragons).
Dwarven	Hurra	In the Dwarven pantheon, Hurra is seen as a stoic and strict leader, one who makes tough decisions for the benefit of their people. She is also known as the Forge-Fire, and is believed to have granted dwarves the knowledge of how to create flames hot enough to forge their great works. Her sun aspect is de-emphasized in the dwarven pantheon - the light and heat she represents is instead believed to come from within.