Karametra, Goddess of Harvests

Karametra is the god of the harvest, hearth, and protection. She is a serene, wise god who values community, stability, and the balance of nature. As such, she is strongly associated with Setessa, where worship of her is strongest. Karametra is also the god of maternity, family, orphans, domestication, and agriculture, but she is not a pacifist. She governs defense of home and guarding of territory. Mortals seek her favor because the fertility of nature is necessary for their existence. It isn’t her wrath they fear—she is not a god of storms or plagues—but her withdrawal. Without her, plants, livestock, families, and communities simply fail to thrive. Her goodwill is a bulwark against both physical starvation and starvation of the spirit: despair, loneliness, and moral weakness. The earth’s fertility is essential for mortal life to continue. Those who live in the modern poleis might not be as aware of that fact as those who farm their own food, but even they long for children, know the pinch of hunger, and feel the turn of the seasons. Prayers to Karametra focus on asserting Karametra’s constancy and bounty, praising the god’s love and generosity. Worshipers of Karametra gather for a feast once a month, on the evening of the full moon, that celebrates the god’s role in parenthood and community. New parents receive gifts and blessings, and young couples sneak away into the woods in hopes of finding sweet berries and sweeter kisses.

Champions of Karametra

Most champions of Karametra are advocates of community and family. They typically form tight-knit squads or surrogate families and take care of their people.

Karametra’s Favor

Karametra grants her favor to champions in the mortal world who advance the cause of civilization and community. She nurtures the power and influence of those who provide food and care to others and has little patience for those who display arrogance and self-centeredness, instead elevating those who seek to elevate others. Although Karametra’s demeanor is gentle, her call to service is nonnegotiable. She lavishes fortune and prosperity on those who serve her, but she will not be ignored. It is rare for her to abandon a champion, but neither will she allow a champion to abandon their service. The Karametra’s Favor table offers suggestions for what might make the god of the harvest take notice of you.

d6	Circumstance
1	You were an orphan who wandered into one of Karametra’s temples seeking a meal and a safe place to spend the night.
2	You are a village leader who sees caring for your neighbors as your most important job.
3	You pioneered an agricultural innovation.
4	Though you have no children of your own, you have assembled a tight-knit chosen family.
5	You nearly bled to death in a farm field.
6	You sought Karametra’s help on behalf of your community during a drought or natural disaster.

Devotion to Karametra

Following Karametra means dedicating yourself to caring for others, promoting civilization and community, and putting the needs of others above your own. After all, Karametra asks nothing for herself. As a follower of Karametra, consider the ideals on the Karametra’s Ideals table as alternatives to those suggested for your background.

d6	Ideal
1	Devotion. My devotion to my god is more important to me than what she stands for.
2	Civilization. Nature achieves its highest calling when human communities make use of it.
3	Humility. I put the needs of others above my own and strive to lead through service.
4	Protection. I devote myself to ensuring that the vulnerable and the innocent can live in safety.
5	Bounty. I am generous and share what I have, hoping to improve the well-being of all around me.
6	Community. I strive to deepen the bonds of my family, companions, and neighbors.

Approval

You earn Karametra's approval when you expand the god’s influence in the world in a concrete way through acts such as these:

Turning a wild field into fertile cropland
Feeding those who are starving
Defending a community from monsters
Removing an element of corruption from a community
Deepening a bond between friends, family or community
Building or restoring a temple to Karametra

Karametra's approval decreases if you diminish her influence in the world, contradict her ideals, or undermine her civilizing influence through acts such as these: