Aetea

Aetea is a goddess associated with the protection of children, and punishing those who cause children harm.
Aetea is best known for terrifying those that mistreat children. Stories describe her manifesting in a form that only the transgressors and the children can see - typically as a ragged girl with no face. Her targets are tormented by this apparition to the point of madness and eventual suicide.
A retinue of angels serves Aetea, comprised of the spirits of children murdered by their tormentors. They act as messengers, delivering praise, rewards, warnings and threats. Aetea's angels can be male or female, and of any race. Unlike Aetea herself, they have visible faces, recognizable to those that knew them in life.
Despite her fearsome approach, Aetea's motives are benevolent. Her followers are fiercely dedicated to improving the lot of neglected and mistreated children, providing shelter, healing, support and - crucially - justice.
She is sometimes referred to as 'The Maiden' or 'The Lost Girl'.

Divine Domains

Aetea's primary domains are Good, Liberation, Healing and Protection. Her sub-domains are Azata, Freedom, Purity and Resurrection.

Holy Books & Codes

The cult of Aetea has no holy book. Instead, Aetea's tenets and mission are contained within a poem dating from the early days of the Hylachian Empire, called The Elornea. Priestesses of Aetea are expected to recite all 110 verses from memory.
Aetea's clergy are all women.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Aetea is typically depicted as a hooded or faceless young girl. Her sacred animal, the wolf, occasionally appears in her iconography, carrying children to safety in its jaws - or as a steed to Aetea herself.
While Aetea is rarely associated with weapons, the shortspear holds significance to her followers. This originates from ancient druidic laws, in which the punishment for the the abuse of children was death by impalement.
Aetea's mystic card is The High Priestess, and her holy number is two.

Tenets of Faith

Followers of Aetea attest that every adult has a responsibility to protect the young from abuse in all its forms, with an even greater, sacred duty resting upon the shoulders of parents. Omitting to help a child in danger is a grave sin worthy of retribution, second only in seriousness to inflicting the harm itself.
In Aetea's eyes, there is no greater wrong than the mother or father that abuses their own children. Such individuals deserve torment and death.
The Elornea lists a number of things that Aetea considers to be 'abuse' - the majority of which are readily agreed upon by civilised people. However, a prohibition on 'imparting hatred' to children runs counter to the dogma of Tane and Raskinot and has caused friction between worshippers.

Holidays

The eighth month, Aetaster - the Month of Children - is named in Aetea's honour. A hot, summer month, it is considered a time for celebrating youth and enjoying life.

Divine Goals & Aspirations

Aetea believes that all hope for a better world lies in the young. Her guardianship of children looks to ultimately reduce suffering for all.
While Aetea's origins are shrouded in mystery, it is understood that her vicious punishment of abusers is a form of vicarious revenge. No one knows where or when Aetea lived, what horrors she endured, whom they were inflicted by, or if any true vengeance will ever be possible.

Divine Classification

God

Alignment

Chaotic Good