Anwyn,Goddess of Home, Hearth, and Servant
The Homely, the Blessed, Goodlady, the Fire Keeper, Lady of the Feast,
the Plentiful, Giver of Gifts, Smiling Lady, Bright Lady, Heavenly Maiden
Anwyn (AHN-win) is the lawful good goddess of the
hearth, the home, housewives, servants, peasants, and
small folk of all variety. Mortals associate her with comfort, contentedness, and the warm happiness of a good
life, whether wealthy or low.
Domesticated dogs, which are the servants of men
that best love the hearth, are thought to be blessed by
the goddess. In some cultures, such as those that do not
keep dogs, she might be associated with the domestic cat,
which also serves mortals by keeping their homes and
farms free of mice. (Many find this association absurd,
as cats are too aloof to be linked with the Giver of Gifts.)
Finally, she is associated with blink dogs, and many
believe they were taught much by Anwyn long ago, and
serve her to this day.
Goodlady Anwyn is loved by halflings and in many of
their communities, she is the only god with a full temple
in her honor, but all people revere the Lady of the Feast,
for she taught them to keep fire and make offerings to
the gods, saving them from darkness. She is loved among
women who keep homes, for it is Anwyn who keeps
families safe and happy, and makes even the simplest
meal a feast.
Anwyn is depicted as a lovely lady in a well kempt,
simple dress. She has flowing black hair like her mother’s,
and eyes often made of some bright and sparkling stone, so
that the light of the hearth can be seen in them. Anwyn the
Plentiful is often drawn or carved as a stout maiden with a
glorious smile, but some cultures show her instead as a thin,
smiling lady with the downcast eyes of a servant.
Anwyn’s symbol is a warm fire in a circular stone
hearth, sometimes with a dog or child curled up next to it.
The dog or child can be found on the signs of taverns, or
other businesses involving food and comfort, more often
than in her churches. For instance, an inn called “The
Goodlady’s Rest” might have sign featuring a dog curled
by a fire. For haste or simplicity, her symbol can be drawn
as a flame rising out of a flattened circle. Her manciple
clergy wear depictions of elaborate golden flames fires
contained by silver hearths.
Bringing Pleasure and Happiness to the World
Anwyn seeks the pleasure and happiness of her family, and all the peoples of the world. She craves neither gain or glory, but she accepts harvest offerings and sacrifices with humility. She delights in the small kindnesses of mortals, putting less stock in the great acts of heroes than in the simple goodness of the baseborn. Alone among the gods, she spends her time watching the poor and forgettable, and has long believed that when mortals finally reckon with the evils of Hell and the Abyss, their salvation will come from common stock, not a line of aristocratic heroes.The Hearths of Anwyn
While they are not frequented by high people seeking greatness, or lords seeking guidance, the common folk of the world go the hearths of Anwyn, as the temples of the Anwynites (AHN-win-ites) are known, for rest and counsel, Even in realms where nobles are kind and merchants stick to fair deals, a servant’s or commoner’s life isn’t easy. Toil wears them down. Servants from all lands go to hearths for strength and succor, and the heads of common households, who keep fires burning and cupboards full, also go to the hearths to rekindle their resolve. Hearths in most communities are not only holy places, but communal kitchens. In great ovens, people bake bread and prepare dinners for their families. This creates buzzing communities around the hearths, where commoners and servants gather around, discussing politics, gossip, and other matters great and small. The hearths are usually built with a great, high-ceilinged hall, its large, eponymous hearth at its center. This is where offerings are burned. Before the hearth stands a great stone altar arrayed with food, candles, and wine. Large stone ovens for baking, and great cauldrons for communal stews, stand around the hall’s edges. They are warm, comfortable places, with little fringe or ornamentation, that revere the common acts of human life. Connected to the common hall, a wing of the hearth contains the living quarters of the manciples, Anwyn’s clergy. They see to the faithful’s wellbeing, and care for anyone else who seeks the hearth for comfort. They maintain many secrets of cooking and comfort, and teach the ways of the home: how to cook well, clean efficiently, manage meager resources, and thrive under everyday pressure.
The Role of Women
Real medieval societies set gender-specific social roles which typically gave woman dominion over the household. A medieval manor was a quasi-military organization, and not to be trifled with, but fantasy stories often focus more on wandering, individual heroics, where (usually male) knights slay dragons, but nobody gets into how the knight got fed and armored, or what it means for his prospects as a member of a dynasty, seeking marriage. Ancient peoples who gave women household authority had gods to represent it, but of course, their religions reproduced those societies’ entrenched sexism, too. Anwyn should be thought of as having a parallel in Ancient Greece’s Hestia, but with a gentler image, and without necessarily tying the women of your campaign to household roles. Characters of any gender can command hearth and home in her name, or abandon it for a life of traveling adventure
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Notable Members
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