Yamababa
The Witch of the Mountain
Yamababa is the Asura of spite, envy, and all things unfortunate.
Known as the Old Witch of the Mountain, Yamababa is a miserable crone that is given the terrible title of Mother of Hags, and is the first witch to walk the mortal world.
Symbolism & Depiction
Yamababa is an old, weathered crone whose hunched back protrudes far, far above her wrinkly face. White hair spills out from a hood and she wears thick robes made from tattered animal skins. A pair of antlers sprouts from her temples, and the wrinkled hands that leave her sleeves are always gnarled by warts and blisters.Wittershin Gate
The unholy symbol of Yamababa is the infamous Wittershin Gate; it is a wooden Torii gate with a hempen noose hanging from the center. When written on paper or painted on walls, three points representing a mountain are painted beneath the noose. The symbol is often made from defiled shrines and holds malicious meaning; Good fortune will always die from the mountains.Worship
Yamababa's worshipers are far and few between; though various humans and man-eating species within the Hillfolk clans worship Yamababa as a motherly patron. Much of her worship is from mortals that are reviled or hated. They're fostered into believing that they're able to take everything that the world has taken from them, and filled with a hatred that Yamababa incites within them. Naiise and Yamababa hold a bitter rivalry; both provide a sacred haven for the reviled, but Yamababa encourages her followers to sow despair in her name, creating a constant cycle of suffering that will inevitably draw more victims into her fold. While Yamababa adores the brute strength of a troll; she is particularly fond of orphaned children, offering them a joyous childhood in exchange for their adult life.Bestowed Blessings
Yamababa is most often sought out for power in the form of old magic. She bestows dark knowledge and magical powers to her followers in exchange for spreading suffering in her name. The nature of her magic is never shown forthrightly; it is often gleefully shown in a presentable way that will make anyone crave the kind of powers she has. Deep followers of Yamababa gleefully call her grandmother and view her with great reverence; all within the coven is a family, and all outside is made to suffer.Divine Domains
Yamababa is a complex entity, but is most closely associated with misfortune. Misfortune ranges in many things; all driven by malicious, rotten spite. It can range in many ways; from a stubbed toe at a door to a sudden disease that rots its victim from the inside out.
She is often also associated with spite and envy; paradoxically, many of her followers are envious of all the good fortune reaped by others and seek to take it for themselves.
Mother of Witches
Yamababa is the patron of all Witchcraft; particularly hags. Worship of Yamababa is unlike most Wild Gods, who typically require reverence. While she is fond of finding worship from bestial creatures, it is typically always to sow spite within them and ensure they bring about as much suffering as they can to their surroundings. Smarter mortal creatures, such as humans or Elves, are often seen as much more transactional; she offers dark dealings and services. In these dealings, Yamababa is always strangely honest; but her words are often twisted to ensure that those dealing with her are left with a price they'd never expect.
Divine Classification
Asura
Alignment
Neutral Evil
Children
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