Aljania; The Bride

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"…And they did cry and wail. For their savior had fallen by the hand of The Huntress. Aljania, they did call. Mother of Darkness, savior of the lost souls of Ilira…By the blood and tears of her reborn kin, The Bride would rise again."

— Book of the Blooded; Chapter 3, Verse 1-3

 

About

Ajania; The Bride of Kane, Mother of Darkness, the Undead Queen and savior of the Aljani.   Seen as both traitor and victim, the Bride of Kane is a symbol of strength over betrayal to her faithful but perceived as an unnatural curse amongst those that oppose her very existence. Known as the mother of the Aljani and the devoted wife of Kane, Aljania is a powerful goddess of magic, blood, and the undead.   Once mortal turned divine, the Undead Queen is adored by her followers for the intimate devotion she offers. With a keen sense of strategy and acceptance of the importance of all knowledge, Aljania adorns her people with gifts of unnatural magic. Though merciful and giving, The Bride of Kane values those that would seek to conquer the complexities of life and abhors the slothful.  

Description

A reflection of the undeath she once suffered, Aljania is an ivory skinned elven woman of porcelain like beauty. With crimson eyes and stark white hair, she is a striking image to behold. Personified as graceful and delicate, her visage is said to have a haunting gaze.   Despite being defined as the Bride of Kane, her images are usually depicted without his presence or simply have a marking somewhere on the image to indicate his influence. The Aljani especially hold reverence for their creator and savior by engraving her symbol in nearly every household or hiding her colors and meanings in family crests. The image of her crimson tears a symbol she offered to her people in return for their loyalty and sacrifice to restore her to life as their Goddess.  

Origin Story

Born of Myria and Aithar in their mortal form; Aljania was a gifted child with an aptitude for magic beyond even Aithar himself. Insatiable curiosity and intelligence brought conflict as Aljania would quickly find herself regulated to a symbol of her parents union instead of allowed a position of leadership.   Wandering the confines of the lands, Aljania would find herself face to face with Kane himself. Startled at his beauty and welcoming to his shadowy nature, the two became increasingly intimate. Hiding the union and happiness that her new beloved offered, Aljania would find the striking conversation and information turning her timid demeanor into a rebellious voice for the people.   Reluctant to bring war to her people, Aljania would try to reason with her family as a rebellion brewed between those loyal to Aljania and those loyal to the leader left in charge; Nairavaiya. Infuriated at her sisters association with Kane, Nairavaiya would call for the execution of her sisters loyalists.   As the cries of her people reached her ears, Aljania would become enraged and call upon her beloved. The gates would open and Ilira itself would be flooded with demon and demari alike. A bloody battle would ensue with the bodies of both sides beginning to pave the ground. Facing off with her sister, Aljania would be forced to cut through Ohar before falling to the arrow of Nairavaiya herself.   The lands would shake and those loyal to the light would disappear with the cities and towns still loyal to Myria. Kane, heartbroken once again would hold his dearest love to his chest as the wails and cries of her loyal would fill the air. A sacrifice of their essence of light would be put forth and by the miracle of the divine, Aljania would rise again.   Reborn, Mother of Darkness. She would lead her people to rebuild and begin anew.  

Relationships

A constant amongst the Aljani, The Bride is a very hands on deity when it comes to both the rule of her people and the blessings she offers for their loyalty. Surrounded by the undead sworn to serve their queen for eternity, Aljania's presence emulates terror to the feeble hearted. For her faithful, such an image is a display of power and a glimpse into the consequences of being less than the greatness she encourages them to be.   Amongst the divine, save for her former family, there is a respect and acceptance of The Bride and the power she wields. There is rumor that even though Kane came first, the divine fear the wrath of the Undead Queen more. The union of Kane and his bride continues on through the ages with their relationship blossoming in the face of adversity and change. Their children, many minor gods amongst them, have been said to make up the devils who rule over the realms of demons.  

Religion

Dogma

"Forbidden knowledge is a fruit to feed from, not fear."
"To conquer death, one must accept the pain of life."
"Feast or be fed upon, a crimson cup must overflow."
 

Clergy

Though many of the clergy may find themselves utilizing their faith and power in other avenues, most devote their lives to the expansion of the church and their holy calling. The priestesses tend to hold positions of power throughout the lands that accept the Bride openly and are blessed with magic for their service. The priests who devote themselves to The Bride abstain from any other official marital union and are blessed with the fertility of many daughters.   Most if not all of the clergy are taught in the ways of dark magic, the undead, and deception. Passionate about their calling as clerics or paladins, they openly accept necromantic magics as a tool to punish the unfaithful and save the worthy through more nefarious means.  

Temples

The Temples of The Bride are crimson towers patrolled by undead servants and filled with a dark power. Rituals of blood and schools of knowledge fill the halls. Respected and feared, the temples that dot the lands who allow the open worship of The Bride go undisturbed through conflicts or battle. A refuge for the daughters of the Aljani and a place of reverence for those who have fallen to the violence of the light.   Within the countries where worship of the Bride is outlawed or discouraged, her temples can still be found in hidden alcoves and disguised as false figures of her mother Myria. Symbols and markings guide the faithful the graveyards and underground where they can ask for blessings from the Mother of Darkness.  

Worship

Blood, bone, and bond are at the core of worshiping The Bride. Offerings of ritual sacrifice is common place along with the binding of souls to the service of the Undead Queen and her people. Seekers of knowledge and practitioners of darker magics are also seen as a part of worshiping Aljania.   The Mother of Darkness tasks her followers to press the bounds of knowledge, question the truth of all, and wield fear, pain, and domination in her name. Though there is an emphasis in the advancement of the individual, the intelligence and growth of her people as a whole is seen as a higher honor. This includes the care for and protection of her daughters, the women of the Aljani.