Zuvana

Zuvana is often depicted as a tall, serene figure with long, flowing hair, dressed in green and brown robes that represent her connection to nature.

Background

Sister to Gecyndas, Zuvana was once known as the Blight of the Shattered Kingdoms and she was forever at odds with the other gods, although now that has all changed. The region she inhabited was dark, mysterious and dangerous. In many ways she was seen as the antithesis of the Goddess Gecyndas. That is until she birthed a child, the god Nilios. With the birth of her child it lessoned her broody nature. She took to raising him and teaching him about the darker creatures that live in nature. Nilios took to his mother's teachings well, but he determined that she had weakened in her resolve and determination to control all things dark. When he saw her hold on her domains weaken, he took his chance to wrestle away her domains.

There was an epic struggle between the two that lasted decades. They fought each other while the other gods watched on. They agreed to let the two squabble among themselves, as long as their struggle didn't spill beyond their metaphysical and physical borders. At the height of the conflict Nilios struck down his mother. He ripped out her powers over the dark things of the world and discarded her, throwing her out of the realms which he now controlled.

While Gecyndas had always been at odds with her sister, she still loved her and kept watch over her. She still abided by the decision of the other gods to not interfere, that is, until Zuvana's powers were ripped away from her, and she was tossed out of her domains by her son. It was at this point that Gecyndas went to her sister and took her to the Forest of Frandir to nurse her back to health.

After much time had passed Zuvana eventually recovered but she had lost most of her influence and power to her son. She was grateful to her sister for all she did for her and a new relationship between them developed.

Zuvana was ashamed of what she had birthed and vowed to right her mistake. While she no longer had the influence or power she once had over the dark things, she was still a goddess, had the spark of the divine and countless years of knowledge and lore. She took a more cunning approach and slowly hatched a plan to trap Nilios in the Gem of Priosian. She and her sister created the demi-plane, Aotrom, to lock the gem away for all time. All she needed to do was wait till Nilios' ambition caused him to leave his seat of power and to make war on the rest of the Shattered Kingdoms.

Eventually the time came and Nilios left the safety of his fortress to wage war and expand his domain. Zuvana convinced her sister to further help her and they hatched a plan. Gecyndas would attempt to kept Nilios busy, by attacking his forces. Meanwhile Zuvana would bypass his defenses and confronted him. It had worked and Zuvana stood in front of Nilios. He laughed as she stood there, unaware that his demise was near. In his arrogance he thought that she could do nothing to stop him, but he was wrong.

Zuvana had regained much of her power and as she herself had changed from the dark brooding goddess she was, to what her sister nurtured within her and the new powers she gained came flowing out, catching Nilios by surprise. He became entangled in her magic and she used it to force him into the Gem. Afterwards the gem was locked away in Aotrom.

Over time she regained much of her influence over the dark things of Shattered Kingdoms, but she had changed. She no longer embraced the evil that was so often associated with the dark things. She now understood the balance of nature and sought to keep an eye on its darker side. In the eyes of the gods she had redeemed herself and she was welcomed back into the fold.

Dogma

Zuvana's dogma emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of balance, especially between light and darkness, in achieving harmony. Followers believe that darkness is not inherently evil, but a necessary part of the natural world, and strive to understand and integrate the darker aspects of themselves. Redemption is possible for all beings, and followers are encouraged to seek forgiveness for past transgressions and extend compassion to others. Patience is a key virtue, reminding adherents that lasting change takes time and that true growth is often slow and steady. Through acts of service to nature, meditation, and mindful living, followers seek to embody Zuvana's principles and restore balance to the world.

Followers

Zuvana's followers are typically adventurers who seek to restore balance to the world, protect nature, and seek redemption for past wrongs. They often perform acts of kindness and service to nature, seeking to restore balance wherever they can. They also strive to find harmony in their own lives, often meditating in nature to connect with Zuvana's serene energy.

Enemies

Zuvana's enemies are those who seek to disrupt the natural balance of the world, whether through destruction of nature, manipulation of dark forces, or causing chaos and strife. Evil deities who seek to dominate nature and corrupt it for their own purposes are also among her enemies. Most notably among them being her own son Nilios.

Tenets

• Balance in all things: Zuvana's followers believe that balance is key to a harmonious life, and they seek to maintain balance in all areas of their lives, from their relationships to their approach to the natural world.
• Seek redemption: Zuvana is a goddess of redemption, and her followers believe that everyone has the capacity to change and seek forgiveness for their past wrongs. They strive to extend this same grace to others, and to work towards redemption and forgiveness in all their interactions.
• Embrace darkness: Zuvana is associated with darkness in nature, and her followers believe that darkness is a necessary and important part of life. They seek to understand and embrace the dark parts of themselves and of the natural world, recognizing that without darkness, there can be no light.
• Practice patience: Zuvana is also a goddess of patience, and her followers believe that patience is a vital virtue in a world that often moves too quickly. They seek to cultivate patience in themselves, and to extend patience and understanding to others, recognizing that slow and steady progress is often more sustainable and meaningful than quick fixes or instant gratification.