Viena, Goddess of Twilight and Magic (Vee-YEN-na)

Cleric Domains: Arcana, Twilight

Description

Although rarely appearing in a physical form, in religious artwork, Viena is depicted as a tall, slender woman of midnight complexion, freckled with sparkling stars. Her long ivory hair cascades down her back, moving softly as if a gentle breeze plays with it, and her gleaming silver eyes reflect aeons of wisdom and knowledge. She is often depicted dressed in robes of gradient twilight dusted with twinkling stars, shades of dusky pink, purple, and blue fading into the deep dark blue of midnight at their hem.

Personality

Viena is said to be amanifestation of the Cosmic Balance—maintaining order in the world of magic by correcting great inequalities if things went askew. She embodies the spirit of watchfulness, and is especially fond of children.

Activity

Viena keeps watch over magical research and regulated the advancement and dissemination of magical knowledge throughout the mortal world from her ivory sphere, Vela.

Tenets & Ideals

• "The Light Shines Brightest Through the Darkness of Night"
• Bring comfort to those who seek rest and protect them by venturing into the encroaching darkness to ensure that the dark is a comfort, not a terror.
• Guard against the horrors of the night.
• Home is wherever you lay your head. People who share your home are family. Family must be comfortable at home, and comfort is best provided by feeling safe and protected.
• Night is to be respected, not feared. The same applies for magic.
• Seek out and preserve ancient magic and magical lore.
• Help and heal those afflicted by failed magic or curses.

Worshipers

Viena appealed to good or neutral worshipers, including all manner of spellcasters, who never liked to settle down—not even in a single plane of existence or crystal sphere. Many of these were scholars, navigators, astronomers, astrologers, and the like.   Followers typically exhibit some of the following behaviors:

• Exudes a warm paternal/maternal strength, confidence, and reassurance.
• Will frequently lend an ear, offer counsel, and give advice, but disguises it as just an "evening chat" with the friends.
• Is hypervigilant and protective at night, using either spells or physical means to ensure safety, security, and early warning.
• Donates 10% of however much gold he has in his possession, be it ten gold or a thousand, to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter whenever he visits a town that has either.

Relationships

• Hykidite, Goddess of Invention
• Zivaria, the Creator Goddess
• Ghyta, Goddess of Oracles and Divination
• Dyagi, God of Rivers and Time

 

History

Vela

Legends say that Viena resides in her ivory sphere called Vela. Scholars disagree whether Vela is Viena's home or her chariot, but many often correlate Vela as the moon.

The Aesnii

The Aesnii, or the Handmaidens of Viena, are mythological figures that appear often in stories of Viena. Often depicted as four indescribably beautiful women, with skin and hair as pale as the moon, carrying crystal amphoras, from which they pour Viena's magic into the world. They are said to attend to Viena in her ivory sphere.   No one knows the names of these figures, just as no one is entirely sure if they exist, or if they are just a storytelling device.