Ilyth
In modern times, she is a lesser known but powerful deity. One of the primordial first gods. Said to have been a direct creation of Eru - the First, the Shadow and The Light, They Who Came Before. There are many deities in the vast pantheon of Emaniquora. Over time, the first gods, who created the lesser deities widely worshipped in modern times, were forgotten. Their names are remembered only in the oldest cities or nations. Among these forgotten - or nearly forgotten - gods is Ilyth.
Ilyth presides over all the waters of the material plane. Her realms are not limited but include all lakes, streams, rivers, seas, oceans, rains, and every form of waterfront. Like her creation Gozreh, she is fickle. While her rains bring healing and growth, her storms bring destruction and pain. Her ungovernable nature has made her a favorite of rebellious spirits and rogues. Her symbol is two drops of water, one encircling the other.
She is often depicted in her places of worship as an enormous woman, beautiful and serene. When possible she is carved out of as clear a stone as can be found. From her giving hands pour the waters of life that sustain all living beings on this plane.
Though her practice has been mostly forgotten, she is still widely known in Ilythyra, a city named after her, and is worshipped there regularly. The founder of this city, Thydona Ezohr, is worshipped as a saint of her church. Thydona is sometimes given the status as a lesser or demi god due to her mythical status among Ilythyrians.
There are six saints, called The Six, who are worshipped alongside Ilyth in her cult. Five of them are ancient, having been beatified in the far distant past. The most recent is Thydona, who was added to the pantheon 500 years ago, after her martyrdom. Each of these saints is worshipped in different ways and have their own cults associated with them. Some clerics of Ilyth have devoted themselves to the study and worship of specific saints, granting them unique abilities.
The oldest saint is Ringwe; associated with death, decay, and the guarding of spirits. They are portrayed hooded and cloaked, with one foot resting on a skull, signifying their power over death. One hand is often extended, as if to invite the viewer to go with them, a reminder of the finite nature of mortality. They are not feared, but venerated as the one who watches over worshippers ancestors. Pronounced: Ring-way.
The saint of family, the home, parenthood, and childbirth is Tuine. She is portrayed as human woman, usually with a child. The age of the child varies depending on the artist's depiction from a newborn baby to a toddler. She is one of the more worshipped saints in the pantheon as she is the most relatable. People pray to her to protect their homes, for safe births, and for general protection, especially for children. Pronounced: Twee-nah.
Celume is the saint of erudition and learning. Depicted as a halfing man, often with instruments of learning and books surrounding him. A favorite of scholars and students, there is a notable uptick in prayers and offerings to him during finals. The main school of learning in Ilythyra is named after him, Celume University. Pronounced: Kel-oo-may.
Ëar is the saint of farming, food production, sustenance, and animal husbandry. She is depicted as an elvan woman surrounded by animals and foodstuffs. Sometimes she is holding these items. What animals and food she is shown with often vary by region. She is a favorite of farmers and laborers as her industrious and hardworking nature appeals to them. Pronounced: A-are.
Heavily associated wtih Ëar is Eccaia. Eccaia is shown as a birdfolk man, surrounded by living things, usually plants. He is associated with the preservation of all living things and nature. Pronounced: Eck-kye-ah.
The newest saint is Thydona Ezohr. A tiefling elven woman. She is usually shown with a sword in one hand and her symbol in the other, three drops of water, each encircling the next. This is also the symbol of Ilythyra, the city she helped to found. She is prayed to for both healing and power in battle. She is associated heavily with protection and courage, especially when one is faced with imminent danger or even death. She is one of the more favored saints, especially given her more recent martyrdom. Among the royal family in Ilythyra, she is most ardently followed. The heirs often study her life, magic, and teachings, intimately familiarizing themselves with her. Pronounced: Tie-doe-nah.
Ilyth presides over all the waters of the material plane. Her realms are not limited but include all lakes, streams, rivers, seas, oceans, rains, and every form of waterfront. Like her creation Gozreh, she is fickle. While her rains bring healing and growth, her storms bring destruction and pain. Her ungovernable nature has made her a favorite of rebellious spirits and rogues. Her symbol is two drops of water, one encircling the other.
She is often depicted in her places of worship as an enormous woman, beautiful and serene. When possible she is carved out of as clear a stone as can be found. From her giving hands pour the waters of life that sustain all living beings on this plane.
Though her practice has been mostly forgotten, she is still widely known in Ilythyra, a city named after her, and is worshipped there regularly. The founder of this city, Thydona Ezohr, is worshipped as a saint of her church. Thydona is sometimes given the status as a lesser or demi god due to her mythical status among Ilythyrians.
The Saints of Ilyth
There are six saints, called The Six, who are worshipped alongside Ilyth in her cult. Five of them are ancient, having been beatified in the far distant past. The most recent is Thydona, who was added to the pantheon 500 years ago, after her martyrdom. Each of these saints is worshipped in different ways and have their own cults associated with them. Some clerics of Ilyth have devoted themselves to the study and worship of specific saints, granting them unique abilities.
The oldest saint is Ringwe; associated with death, decay, and the guarding of spirits. They are portrayed hooded and cloaked, with one foot resting on a skull, signifying their power over death. One hand is often extended, as if to invite the viewer to go with them, a reminder of the finite nature of mortality. They are not feared, but venerated as the one who watches over worshippers ancestors. Pronounced: Ring-way.
The saint of family, the home, parenthood, and childbirth is Tuine. She is portrayed as human woman, usually with a child. The age of the child varies depending on the artist's depiction from a newborn baby to a toddler. She is one of the more worshipped saints in the pantheon as she is the most relatable. People pray to her to protect their homes, for safe births, and for general protection, especially for children. Pronounced: Twee-nah.
Celume is the saint of erudition and learning. Depicted as a halfing man, often with instruments of learning and books surrounding him. A favorite of scholars and students, there is a notable uptick in prayers and offerings to him during finals. The main school of learning in Ilythyra is named after him, Celume University. Pronounced: Kel-oo-may.
Ëar is the saint of farming, food production, sustenance, and animal husbandry. She is depicted as an elvan woman surrounded by animals and foodstuffs. Sometimes she is holding these items. What animals and food she is shown with often vary by region. She is a favorite of farmers and laborers as her industrious and hardworking nature appeals to them. Pronounced: A-are.
Heavily associated wtih Ëar is Eccaia. Eccaia is shown as a birdfolk man, surrounded by living things, usually plants. He is associated with the preservation of all living things and nature. Pronounced: Eck-kye-ah.
The newest saint is Thydona Ezohr. A tiefling elven woman. She is usually shown with a sword in one hand and her symbol in the other, three drops of water, each encircling the next. This is also the symbol of Ilythyra, the city she helped to found. She is prayed to for both healing and power in battle. She is associated heavily with protection and courage, especially when one is faced with imminent danger or even death. She is one of the more favored saints, especially given her more recent martyrdom. Among the royal family in Ilythyra, she is most ardently followed. The heirs often study her life, magic, and teachings, intimately familiarizing themselves with her. Pronounced: Tie-doe-nah.
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