Nuada the Silver-Handed

Nuada is a valiant warrior-goddess. She is depicted as a golden haired figure with large, feathered wings wearing shimmering silver armor. She brandishes a flashing blue blade, and carries a feather-emblazoned shield. She rides a pegasus and leads a host of valkyries into battle against giants, demons, and trolls. Her followers identify angels as members of her warhost. Scholars have pointed out the striking similarities between Nuada and Saint Tarna. Indeed, there are heretical claims which suggest Saint Tarna is an entirely mythological figure inspired by tales of Nuada, or even propose the blasphemous idea that the entire Faith of the Sacred Flame is a greatly distorted cult of Nuada.

Worship

Many paladins and warriors devoted to the Old Gods worship Nuada and strive to be courageous and ruthless like her. Knights devoted to Nuada often incorporate a pegasus into their heraldry. Often these warriors have a horse or war hound they keep as a pet; the companion is treated as a sacred blessing. Sometimes worshipers have been known to feed their hounds better than they themselves eat, as each of these creatures represents a part of Nuada, and to treat these animals with respect ensures your survival in your battles.

Ritual

When one of Nuada’s faithful dies in battle, they are placed in a boat with pegasus wings painted on the sides. Their horse or hound, if they survived their companion, is humanely slain in a somber ceremony and placed in the boat alongside them, and their blood used to cover the body of the deceased. They are then sent out towards the setting sun, which is a gate to the Shadowlands. It is believed that there Nuada appears and carries her warrior and their trusted animal into the next life.