HIATEA

Greater Deity

Forgotten Realms

Hiatea (pronounced: hee-AH-tee-uh) was the giant goddess of nature, agriculture, hunting, females, and children. Her symbol was a flaming spear.
Description: She took the form of a tanned, lithe giantess with long legs, wearing leather armor and carrying a spear that flamed on her command, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. Her hair was red-golden, and her large eyes were hazel brown.
Personality: She was strong, confident, and an exceptional hunter. Hiatea had two aspects. From her FIRBOLG upbringing, she had an affinity for community, agriculture, and family. Once she discovered her true patrimony (another myth said it was due to STRONMAUS' teasing), she reinvented herself as a mighty hunter and protector.
Following: Hiatea was worshiped by GIANTS of all species, especially females. FIRBOLG's and VOADKYN (wood giants) of both genders were particularly fond of Hiatea, and considered her to be their special patron. Hiatea taught that nature was both creator and destroyer, and that admitting defeat was the worst shame a giant could bear. Still, some prices were too high to pay even for victory, for Hiatea was a goddess with tendencies toward good. Hiatea's priests typically had one of two roles, although the boundary between the two could occasionally be fuzzy. There were the community priests ("priests of the steadings") who tended to agriculture and the raising, protection, and education of children, and there were the protector (or sentinel) priests who patrolled woodlands and forests and kept an eye on other races. Her VOADKYN protector priests went out of their way to maintain relations with the WOOD ELVES.