Nylea, God of the Hunt

Goddess Nylea (a.k.a. God of the Hunt)

In the dance of the wild, find both joy and solemnity. The hunt is a celebration of life's cycles, and in the forest's embrace, discover the beauty of solitude.

— Follower of Nylea

Nylea, the wild and carefree god of the hunt, embodies the untamed essence of nature. Her presence is marked by both joyous frolicking with her Nyxborn companions and the fierce determination displayed in the hunt. With green skin and woody extremities, she often takes the form of a dryad with ever-changing hair made of vines and leaves. In her more serious moments, she transforms into majestic animals, frequently a lynx or a wolf.


Nylea’s Influence Nylea is worshiped by hunters, but her concerns go far beyond humanity’s ability to subsist on the bounty of the natural world. She controls the turning of the seasons. Usually, she ushers each one in and out on schedule, but when angered, she might refuse to change to the next season, or even call upon one out of its proper time. Mortals pray to her to ward off unseasonable weather, both natural and supernatural in origin.

Nylea is the best archer in the world, and contests of archery are often held in her name. Those who hunt their own food pray to Nylea for success, and Nylea blesses their natural predation. Poachers and those who kill for sport, however, know that she loathes such activity, and they try to stay hidden from her at all costs. Nylea has personally slain many of those who killed wantonly in her sacred Nessian Wood.

Followers of Nylea

Nylea's influence extends beyond the hunt to the control of seasons and metamorphosis. Hunters, archers, and those who revere nature as a force of transformation are drawn to her worship. She blesses those who hunt for sustenance but condemns poachers and those who harm the natural world wantonly.
As the goddess of metamorphosis, Nylea is invoked by those seeking personal transformation and societal reform through peaceful means. Her priests often double as midwives, blessing births and symbolizing the cyclical nature of life.

Champions of Nylea

Champions Alignment: Usually neutral, often good
Suggested Classes: Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Ranger
Suggested Cleric Domains: Nature
Suggested Backgrounds: Folk Hero, Hermit, Outlander

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Bow and Arrow: Symbolizing the hunt and precision in action.
Seasonal Wreath: Representing the changing cycles of nature.
Animal Totems: Tokens of respect for the creatures of the wild.

Tenets of Faith

Celebrate the Hunt: The hunt is a sacred dance of life and death. Followers of Nylea are encouraged to revel in the natural cycles, recognizing the interconnectedness of all living things.

Balance and Seasons: Honor the turning of the seasons and respect the delicate balance of nature. Nylea teaches her champions to live in harmony with the changing world, adapting to its rhythms.

Swift and Agile: Embrace agility and swiftness, mirroring the prowess of a skilled hunter. Nylea's followers learn to navigate life's challenges with grace and precision.

Cherish Solitude: Seek moments of solitude to connect with the serene beauty of the forest. Nylea values introspection and the appreciation of nature's quietude.

Holidays

Harvestmoon Festival: Celebrating the bountiful harvest and the transition into autumn.

Renewal's Embrace: A spring festival honoring the renewal of life and growth.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Nylea maintains harmonious relationships with gods aligned with nature and growth, such as Karametra, God of Harvests. She shares a distaste for wanton violence with gods like Keranos, God of Storms and despises the destructive nature of Mogis, God of Slaughter. While her carefree demeanor contrasts with the seriousness of Heliod, God of the Sun and Erebos, God of the Dead, Nylea values the preservation of life and the natural order, aligning her interests with the greater balance of Theros.

Divine Classification

God

Religions

• Church of Nylea
• Theocratic Round Table

Pronouns

She/Her

Presentation

Feminine