Orchid of Blue
Her Divinity Orchid Blue Zokatoya
When the crescent moon in the sky is joined by the smaller moon, Orchid is made regent of the world.
Orchid is one of the more discerning of the Lunar Pantheon- she helps only those she considers worthy. Worthiness to Orchid is usually defined by if you align with her goals, either political or social. Orchid has a grand vision for Halika- one in which mortals are legitimized by the Lunar Pantheon to rule (and rule well), and are guided by the pantheon towards a more progressive, diverse, technologically advanced society. To Orchid, her vision is the future: those who stand in her way are against the will of history and the better future that awaits all mortal-kind. Gods who oppose her oppose mortal happiness, and must be brought to heel. Gods who help her are, regardless of their other activities, pro-happiness ultimately.
As part of her grand project, Orchid generally picks "good guys" who she feels will be ultimately beneficial to the society as a whole. These are typically moderates of some kind, as she detests overt militarism and prefers groups of educated political insiders. She usually attempts to educate the leadership of whatever group she patronizes, but otherwise provides blanket assistance (even to corrupt members of the group, as long as they are necessary or beneficial) to its membership. She has cells like this in most governments or large organizations.
As for when other people contact her, she can be quite crafty, giving strategically misleading information or encouraging infighting among groups she does not agree with. To groups that are not "elites" or she does not actively know if she likes or dislikes, she typically treats as "common" and gives the most basic, low-effort answers (usually in very nice, sweet packaging). For all answers, she is rarely anything other than nice in presentation.
As for her paladins, Orchid expects refinement, sophistication, opinions. They can be low-class, as long as they have the good opinions she likes, but she will often try to gently push them towards literacy, education, power, and wealth. To many, patronage of Orchid is actually quite the blessing in that it also provides for one's family though that wealth and power- but Orchid can be fickle. If a paladin crosses a line and is no longer "useful to society", loyal to Orchid, or politically acceptable, Orchid will not only abandon that paladin but often have their followers isolate them. This sudden cut-off frequently drops that former-paladin from wealth and power quite quickly. For this reason, Paladins of Orchid understand that presentation and loyalty are everything. Orchid rules her paladins by fear, though if she even knows that is uncertain.
Divine Domains
Orchid is considered Goddess of Philosophy, writers, learning, wizards, romance, fertility, teaching, and herding. She is often associated with Octoperson technology, orchid flowers, and copper.
Holy Books & Codes
Orchid has co-written many books, at least one for each continent. These include
- The New Way (a critical holy text of the Navanan religion), in Sonev, along with a large number of other secondary tomes
- The Harmony of Harmonies, in Suneka
- The Last Covenant or The Covenant of Heart, as well as In Response to Ayshanism: God-Honoring Ethics, in Samvara
- Destiny's Garden, in Nafena
- On Moral Governance, in Maradia
- Cycles of Compassion, as well as Alchemy of Heaven: How to Get Rich by Helping the Unfortunate, in Ekraht
- After the Kivish, in Stildane
- Judgment Is Coming, as well as Empires of Righteousness in Inahng
- Of Cosmic Purpose, in Garadel
Divine Symbols & Sigils
- A crescent moon and small full moon, sometimes in blue
- A pyramid topped with a flower
- An elk with roots
- A falcon with a crescent moon
Divine Goals & Aspirations
- The "soft" manipulation of worldwide governments towards more pacifistic and non-xenophobic stances
- The promotion of ideologies with space for diversity
- Equality among the races of the world
- Protection of the poor from starvation, disease, and violent oppression
- Indirect rule of world governments by the Lunar Pantheon, led by Orchid
- The reduction in power (and, ideally, submission) of demigods not compatible with Orchid's ideology
- Global "progress" through the adoption of technology and sedentary social institutions
- The prosperity and supremacy of the Empire of Miuta; the repression and containment of the rogue immortals Aysha and Suwota
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Orchid Blue began her life as a priestess of prestigious heritage in the land of Runeva. The era she was born into was one of great division and stratification, with Dryads forming an upper echelon over humans and Prisms and each race being divided into multiple sub-castes. Naturally intelligent and perceptive (and from a prestigious family), she ascended to high priestess as a young age and began administrating her own Garden-Tower. Secluded from humans, prisms, and even dryads of lesser status, she was in an ivory tower of theology and scripts.
Ispi was a human sailor- a jovial, friendly, curious personality that rose up to become first mate, and then captain of an exploratory merchant crew. Charismatic, determined, and a little oblivious, Ispi and his crew was hired to bring in reports of foreign lands and exotic treasures back to the Garden Library led by Orchid.
When Ispi entered the temple, he would do his best to learn to read- Orchid thought this was funny and watched, then helped. The Masked One and Halcyon struck her heart with love. And then, the two grew closer and they began to carry on an illicit affair. Halcyon sent down a vision of love, urging the dryad priests to open up to the rest of society. Some took this to heart, but a cluster of the most important and politically aggressive conservative priests lied to themselves and ignored it. Orchid stepped down to travel with Ispi, and was stripped of her rank. Facing shame and possible punishment, she fled with Ispi and his crew to find a new land.
They landed at the Western straights, to a town wracked by the Octo-Wars (a brutal series of wars with locall Octoperson groups). Pearl Pangolins, dryads, Prisms, humans, and even Solars were there- some wounded by the chemical weapons given by The Masked One to the Octopeople, others simply seeking a home. The crew set out here and decided it was home.
After a few years, they became important members of the community. But Orchid, raised to be hyper-aware of shame and status, was acutely aware of the town's (hidden, polite) skepticism of their relationship. The solar there informed them of Samvara, described as a paradise. They debated leaving here to begin the treck to see this distant paradise- a journey that would surely kill at least one. But this was their home, and they loved it.
The Gods intervened, sending downs dreams to advise them to stay until one of them had passed away. In the meantime, they were blessed with the first Half-Dryad children- all (non-Kobold-born) half-dryads are descended from this original pair. After Ispi's death, Orchid handed the administration of the new city to her children and ventured North- dying not long after in Southern Samvara. After her death, she was made a member of the Lunar Pantheon.
Relationships
Divine Classification
Demigod
Religions
Species
Church/Cult
Life
590 DE
500 DE
90 years old
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Eyes
Jet Black
Hair
Braided wildflower hair surrounding a large blue orchid flower
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Grey-green, but tattooed with blue tendrils
Height
5'7"
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