Rerena
Goddess of Agriculture Rerena
Rerena is a goddess revered far and wide as the guardian of crops, flocks, and the harvest. She is associated with civilization, and while not one of the 'grand' deities consulted in times of war, there is none more consulted in the life of a farmer or a townmaker; civilization rests upon the favor of the plow. Rerena is in a single pantheon as a primary deity in the Pantheon of Life, consulted for healing and life-sustaining food from the earth, with a distinction from the Pantheon of Nature, as agriculture is the ordered care of plants and animals. Rerena's name is invoked by Clerics who deal with plighted land, cursed waters, and famine-stricken towns as she empowers her followers with both divine power and practical knowledge to deal with these situations. She is depicted as a towering woman of no specific species that is never without an implement of the field, most commonly she is shown holding a watering can or a shovel. Murals and paintings will show her as a bronze-skinned giant that waters acres of fields with her watering can or blocks out the blistering sun with her own shadow to prevent droughts. Artwork depicting Rerena is often present during celebrations of the harvest or in the warehouses and stores where food is laid away for the cold seasons.
Here, tenets and standards involve loyalty, patience, work ethic, and community service in the care of one's neighbor. The attitude of Rerena is nurturing and caring; her values are familiar and practical, as her followers are made up of the common folk and those who spend long hours in the fields. Those who worship Rerena often see their harvests blessed, receive additional discernment concerning weather patterns, and see their communities prosper with abundance. To become a priest or a Cleric of Rerena almost necessitates that the Acolyte embed themselves in small communities or frontier areas where civilization is being established. The most dedicated followers of Rerena are those who have held farms, fields, and livestock as a family occupation for several generations.
Divine Domains
Rerena is widely worshipped, while she may not be the topic of arcane Scholars, she has huge followings across every landmass in Isekai. She is a specialized, primary deity in the Pantheon of Life. Those who follow her as a patron deity and spread her faith seldom are primarily a Cleric but often have other occupations, the most common of which would be a farmer. Rerena's worship and presence are never considered out of place, as she is one of the most widely recognized deities, even if only in ceremony. In particular, Paladins who dedicate themselves to following her have been known to challenge natural disasters and stave off wildfires through the use of heavy rains and snow.
Life
Rerena is a primary deity in the Pantheon of Life. She nurtured the first gardens of the world and stood guard over small farms the various species began to establish their civilizations. More than any other deity, she is associated with the home and community during the start of proper civilization. She has been depicted as one at odds with Lycana in the past due to her subjugation of natural events, though she is well respected by Caspian; due to this, she has no place in the Pantheon of Nature. Her specialization is agriculture, weather, and the taming of wild areas so that people may thrive and raise families. Rerena is credited as having the most widespread followers and Clerics in the world because the barrier to entry is low and does not require exclusive dedication in order to earn her favor. She is the least popular among the Elves and the Ancient Fey due to their affinity with nature untouched, but closest to the Clay Giants and the Halflings because of their rustic lifestyles.Holy Books & Codes
The religious text of Rerena is called the Almanac; it is a text that contains as much moral wisdom as it does calendars, weather patterns, and knowledge of tending the soil. Most of these passages are written by early Clay Giants, Humans and Halflings, as they were the most common to seek Rerena out before the Silence of the Gods. The wisdom imparted in these texts has a lot to do with how people should function as a community, the importance of standing together and forming strong bonds between friends that last for generations. One of the most important passages to her followers is a story called the "Threshing Floor" that highlights the importance of patience and honesty. It functions as a historical account of how relations between the Dwarves and the Clay Giants came to be. Much of Rerena's text is verifiable knowledge that is used to teach farming and ranching; it sees use as a practical text beyond its moral teaching in many rural areas of the world. The text is always written in the Common language to ensure the widest range of accessibility for various species and lands throughout the world.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The primary symbol of Rerena is the watering can, a simple garden implement that is depicted as an iron tool with small blue gems set in the spout where water pours out. This symbol is used as a centerpiece in a fountain or as an icon found on a tapestry; the colors and presentation of the symbol are simple, even when the symbol is shown in conjunction with a likeness of the goddess. It is said that Rerena's watering can is filled with cool showers from ice melted in the Neither Tundra; she uses it to stave off droughts and temperatures that would scorch farmlands. It is said that her tool was forged by Crommel using a variety of metals that allow her to imbue the land with nutrients and revitalize it beyond what normal rain can accomplish.
Holidays
Rerena has a celebratory period dedicated to her that is not a single day but the span of time between the Harvest and the first hard frost of winter; this time is called Rerena's Grace. This time is used by farmers as a period where fields that were hindered or delayed during the year can still be harvested and used. While it isn't ideal, it is a period of work and thankfulness that allows many to preserve their livelihoods and prepare for winter. It is said that those who are devoted or in need will be granted the time they need as long as they are diligent, that Rerena will intercede for them on behalf of the oncoming winter, so that destruction is minimized.
If by some luck these days of grace are not needed for continued harvest and preparation of the fields, then these days are a time of work, storing, and celebration where small community or family gatherings occur to complete the last preparations for winter.
Divine Classification
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Ruled Locations
Rerena's Grace
Great article and really captures the essence of the diety's worship as well as introducing us well to their likeness. You really added some amazing bits of visualizing elements too, I especially enjoyed the description of her Paladins, the idea of straight on just waging battle with nature and natural disasters as if a foe one can vanquish is wonderous imagery, a narrative delight. Well written! :)