Ulaa
Title(s)
The Stonewife, The Earth Mother, The Ruby Lady, Guardian of the Hills
Alignment
Lawful Good
Symbol
A mountain with a ruby embedded in its peak, symbolizing Ulaa's connection to the earth and her gifts to those who delve into its depths. Her followers often wear this symbol as an amulet or use it to decorate tools and mining equipment.
Domains
Earth, Good, Law, Protection
Followers and Clergy
Ulaa's followers are often miners, dwarves, gnomes, and those who live and work in the hills and mountains. Her clergy, known as Earthkeepers, serve as protectors of the land and guides for miners, ensuring that the earth's resources are used wisely and not exploited. They wear simple robes of gray or brown, often adorned with small gemstones or symbols of the earth. Ulaa’s followers include those who work closely with stone and metal, such as stonemasons and blacksmiths, as well as rangers who patrol mountainous regions. Her priesthood teaches respect for the natural world and the importance of sustainable practices when harvesting the earth’s bounty. Ulaa's clergy often double as geomancers and mineral experts, advising communities on the safe mining of precious stones and metals.
Worship Practices
Worship of Ulaa involves rituals that honor the earth and its many gifts. Her followers perform ceremonies before mining or quarrying, offering prayers for safety and the earth’s continued generosity. Rituals often involve burying small gemstones or coins as offerings to the earth, symbolizing gratitude for its resources. Celebrations of Ulaa are typically held at mountain shrines, in caves, or near natural stone formations, where her followers gather to sing hymns, share stories, and perform rites of thanksgiving. These rites may also include the blessing of tools used in mining or crafting. Ulaa’s holy days are often linked to the changing seasons, particularly the spring and autumn equinoxes, which are associated with the earth’s renewal and harvest.
Character and Doctrine
Ulaa embodies strength, stability, and the nurturing aspects of the earth. Her teachings emphasize the importance of respecting the natural world and understanding that the earth’s resources are not limitless. Ulaa encourages her followers to live in harmony with the land, mining responsibly and always giving back to the earth. Her doctrine promotes lawfulness and goodness, with a focus on protection and the defense of one’s home and community. Ulaa values hard work, perseverance, and the skill of those who work with stone and metal. She also places a strong emphasis on family and community, encouraging her followers to use their gifts to improve the lives of those around them.
Manifestations and Interventions
Ulaa is often depicted as a being made entirely of rock, with gemstones embedded in her body and eyes that shine like rubies. When she manifests, it is usually in places of stone and earth, such as caves, quarries, or mountain passes. Her interventions may include the sudden appearance of precious gems, the stabilization of a collapsing mine, or the discovery of rich veins of ore. She may also leave signs of her presence in the form of natural rock formations resembling her symbol, or the appearance of glowing gemstones in the earth. Ulaa’s touch is gentle and protective, often aiding those in need during times of danger or when traversing treacherous terrain.
Divine Relationships and Stories
Ulaa is respected among the good-aligned deities, often working alongside Moradin, the dwarven god, and Berronar Truesilver, who share her love for the earth and craftsmanship. She is also on friendly terms with deities associated with nature and the wilderness, such as Obad-Hai and Ehlonna, recognizing their shared interest in the protection of natural places. Ulaa opposes evil beings that dwell underground or seek to despoil the earth, such as evil earth elementals, Drow, and certain demons. Her followers tell stories of how she places rubies in the earth as gifts to miners who show respect to the land, and of times when she has risen to protect mountain communities from monstrous threats.
Sacred Items and Symbols
Ulaa’s sacred items include gemstones, especially rubies, which symbolize her gifts to the earth and her connection to the underground. Tools used for mining or stoneworking, such as hammers and chisels, are also considered sacred when blessed by her clergy. Her followers may carry stones or pebbles engraved with her symbol for protection or luck during mining expeditions. Artifacts associated with Ulaa include enchanted gemstones that glow in the dark or reveal hidden ore veins, and magical hammers said to shape stone with a touch. Her sacred objects often incorporate natural materials like uncut gems or raw metals, reflecting her close ties to the earth.
Temples and Shrines
Temples to Ulaa are often built into the sides of mountains or deep within caves, blending seamlessly with the natural rock. They are simple and sturdy, constructed with stone and adorned with gemstones and carvings depicting the earth’s bounty. Shrines to Ulaa are commonly found at mining sites, quarries, and mountain passes, where travelers and workers can offer prayers for safety and success. Many of these shrines are marked with small stone altars or cairns, often with rubies or other precious stones left as offerings. Her realm, known as the Iron Hills, reflects her love of stone and metal, while she also spends time in the Seven Heavens, where she enjoys the harmony and beauty of that celestial realm.
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