Mother Aea (Ay-uh)
The Savior of the World
(a.k.a. Vitalae in Magnoram or Aenava il-Tallal by the Elves)
It is said that when the world before shattered, it was the goddess Aea who gathered the pieces that could still be salvaged and carried them across the stars to be put together into the new world. For that reason, it is hard to find those that do not hold Aea in high regard. She is felt throughout the world, and every living creature is blessed by her, be they big or small, good or evil, she has gifted each of them with the essence of life. In fact, Aea is so heavily associated with the concept of life that it is unknown whether aea was first a term for life energy, then applied as a name for an ancient life goddess from before the beginning of this world, or if her name influenced the naming of life magic.
Aea is a goddess to all of creation, and as such, many will pray to her in times of great desperation, even if they normally would pray to another god. A prayer to Aea as a final resort when facing death has often lead to the survival of the doomed person. When all hope is lost, the future looks grim, and danger presses down upon them, many turn to Aea in their final moments. If they do not find salvation, they will often find comfort in their passing.
Aea is a goddess to all of creation, and as such, many will pray to her in times of great desperation, even if they normally would pray to another god. A prayer to Aea as a final resort when facing death has often lead to the survival of the doomed person. When all hope is lost, the future looks grim, and danger presses down upon them, many turn to Aea in their final moments. If they do not find salvation, they will often find comfort in their passing.
Divine Domains
Pathfinder
Good (Agathion, Redemption)
Healing (Resurrection)
Repose (Souls)
Protection (Purity)
Magic (Divine)
5e
Life
Grave
Peace
Holy Books & Codes
There are many different texts considered to by holy books of Aea, spawning in various cultures across the world. Many of them are very old, and actually offer much insight to how languages have evolved due to how old they are, but new ones emerge still to this day as well. Some of the more well known ones are as follows:
The Word of the Holy Mother: Originating in Terrbourne, this holy text belongs to the Church of the Holy Mother, and focuses heavily on Aea's role as a mother as well as her role as one who imbues things with life. Before the Church of the Holy Mother, almost all worship in Terrbourne was of nature deities and nature spirits. The Church of the Holy Mother is now very widespread, making headway into Exer in the north, and going as far south as Magnoram.
The Book of Spirit: A simple, short text originating in Korlech, it was transcribed from oral tradition that was passed down for generation, potentially reaching as far back as the early settlers of the Mist-Aves or possibly even a secluded group of Pagians. It focuses on Aea as a protector god, guiding people through deadly snowstorms and helping them heal their wounds after facing orcs and dragons. It has become a widespread book of worship throughout The Mist-Aves, Cohnar Valley, and Calshire.
Ikal Dro-Matruk (Giant for "Mother of Life"): A rather large body of text written by Northmen priests from First-home, this text has even managed to become widespread throughout the lands of the Dwarves. It tends to focus on the aspects of life and souls, and implores its readers to live lives that are virtuous so that others may also enjoy the lives they have been given. It teaches about how sacred life is, and discourages violence.
The Word of the Holy Mother: Originating in Terrbourne, this holy text belongs to the Church of the Holy Mother, and focuses heavily on Aea's role as a mother as well as her role as one who imbues things with life. Before the Church of the Holy Mother, almost all worship in Terrbourne was of nature deities and nature spirits. The Church of the Holy Mother is now very widespread, making headway into Exer in the north, and going as far south as Magnoram.
The Book of Spirit: A simple, short text originating in Korlech, it was transcribed from oral tradition that was passed down for generation, potentially reaching as far back as the early settlers of the Mist-Aves or possibly even a secluded group of Pagians. It focuses on Aea as a protector god, guiding people through deadly snowstorms and helping them heal their wounds after facing orcs and dragons. It has become a widespread book of worship throughout The Mist-Aves, Cohnar Valley, and Calshire.
Ikal Dro-Matruk (Giant for "Mother of Life"): A rather large body of text written by Northmen priests from First-home, this text has even managed to become widespread throughout the lands of the Dwarves. It tends to focus on the aspects of life and souls, and implores its readers to live lives that are virtuous so that others may also enjoy the lives they have been given. It teaches about how sacred life is, and discourages violence.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Aea's symbols typically are represented as baskets or cradles. Most often, her holy symbols are made from wood, with a preference for lighter shades, such as birchwood. Another frequently used symbol to represent her are orbs, spheres, and globes, meant to represent the role she played in saving and building this world from the remnants of the old one.
Tenets of Faith
Followers of Aea believe first and foremost in the value of life. They view all life as a gift from Aea herself, especially for creatures that are said to have souls, for it is said that Aea herself imbues the wandering new souls into the bodies they will inhabit. Worshippers of Aea typically hate to injure another, let alone take a life, but many are willing to do so in order to protect a life, especially if they are protecting an innocent life. Children, common folk, the weak, injured, or otherwise defenseless are often protected by the devout of Aea.
Holidays
Unlike many other gods, whose worshippers will often have times of worship during Gods' Week, Aea is instead usually venerated throughout Year's End, even by those who primarily worship other deities.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Mother Aea seeks to protect this new world from the calamity that consumed the last. After building this new world, she created the Godfog, a barrier between The Divine Sphere and the Material Plane that prevents Deities and their agents from directly interfering with the Material Plane. However, she could not bear to leave the mortals, who she saw as but mere children, without some way of calling for aid from the gods. So Mother Aea left one way for Divine power to be channeled into the world, by using a willing mortal as a conduit for the power of the gods. With this, mortal clerics and other divine magic users can channel their gods, summon agents of them, and create standing gateways between the realms.
Pictured Above: A famous Bareliate painting of Mother Aea known as "Cradled in the Arms of the Mother".
Divine Classification
Old Goddess
Alignment
Neutral Good
Realm
Children
Care for the sick and injured, guidance for the youth, comfort for the dying, platonic love (especially familial), afterlife, divinity, lost souls.
Favored Weapon:
Sap/nonlethal cudgels
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