Naiise

Naiise is the reviled Goddess of all things that skitter, scuttle, slither, and loathsomely flap in Veska. She is the Goddess of all things hated, victimized, and left with no home.   She is ancient, even among Wild Gods, for there will always be something hated in the world.

Symbolism & Depiction

Naiise is more commonly depicted as a gigantic black widow with the pale face of a woman in place of a spider's.   Older appearances record a woman with eight limbs that were forcefully broken to force her to drag all eight of her limbs in an unsightly crawl.

Holy Symbols

Naiise's holy animal is the spider -- a spider of all shapes and sizes, for all are equally reviled. A nest of spiderlings is often seen as a sign of Naiise's favour; crushing an innocent spider, however, will not just bring stormy weather, but her untempered wrath.   Naiise' symbol is a spider dangling from two crossed spider limbs that intersect together to resemble a tent. This is often depicted by a pair of bent branches that are posed to leave hanging foliage at the center; often a skull with cordage.

Worship

Worship of Naiise isn't often done willingly. Most of those that find themselves caught within her spindly, hairy embrace are those that have suffered far too greatly to lead a normal life. They seek Naiise out of desperation; a haven and home that takes anyone and anything regardless of their past.   She is worshiped by the hated, the reviled, the sick, and the things that are otherwise forgotten and despised in the world.   To seek worship of Naiise without suffering yourself is seen as a cardinal sin by her followers; those that seek her out to actively worship her for power will find that they must pay a price that places them at a level of suffering that satisfies Naiise, often at the ends of her dripping, venomous fangs.   Generally speaking, worshipers are desperate, lost people with no homes. They're the orphans that have lost their parents, or the lepers that were left to timidly rot.   Uniquely, Naiise ostracizes those that have victimized others; criminals are not welcome within her web, even those that have suffered immensely.   There is a familial bond among Naiise's worshipers; they refer to each other as family names; brothers, and sisters, while they call Naiise their beloved mother.

Bestowed Blessings

  Naiise takes away the pain and suffering of diseases and illnesses -- but doesn't take away the illness and affliction. This numbs her worshipers to pain. Lepers rot away, and yet their agony is gone while they lay themselves beneath Naiise's webs.   Naiise also offers very unique boons to her more devout worshipers; malmutations that twist and warp flesh in ways that protect them. Spidery limbs may erupt from the back so that they may scuttle high into the trees. Bones may grow flexible and bendable with multiple joints, allowing for uncanny agility. Teeth may fall from the mouth, scattering across the floor to make room for the new, dripping fangs that drool venom in place of saliva.

Daemonic Associations

  Naiise is often considered a Yokai rather than a traditional Fae -- if only because her methods do not remedy those that suffer, but instead relieves them of the pain. She is also incredibly territorial -- notoriously so. Anyone that may step upon Naiise' territory risks being torn to shreds by her sharp fangs.   If one who has not suffered dares walk beneath her web, Naiise will ensure that they are left as wretched as her host.