Lai'lou (LIE uh loo)

Goddess of Plants

CobaltDM - June 12, 2022

Lai'lou, also known as The Gardener, is the Goddess of Plants. She is a peaceful and compassionate deity, preferring to spend her time in one of her many secret gardens rather than engage directly with mortals. She is often prayed to during growing seasons and given offerings around harvest time in gratitude for her blessings. Along with Kebis, Lai'lou is the most responsible for creation, directly filling the world with all of its greenery, flowers, crops, trees, and millions of other plants.

"For one with such power, Lai'lou teaches us all a lesson in humility and quiet dedication. Strive to be as content in your passions as she." - Aldernon the Wise

Unlike others who needed the foundations of Mytkora to find their domains, Lai'lou discovered hers quickly. She found herself rather unsuccessful during the Great Formation, however, as she was missing key components needed for plants to thrive. When the world came to be and Idros filled it with the necessary air, Lai'lou began to flourish. She covered the globe in her creations, delighting in every new idea she had. The others loved to watch her and felt inspired by her success. Even Yparxis and Pesata, normally the darker and more serious of the group, would take some time to observe her work. The Calamity was an unexpected and deeply saddening interruption to Lai'lou. She helped Mestonia, although a bit reluctantly, and was relieved when Yparxis was finally sealed away. She mourned the loss of Enamos and Tassah's eventual descent. The circumstances of it all caused her to retreat into the deepest forests of Mytkora, where she began constructing private, hidden gardens where she could work in solitude. She stayed in these gardens for centuries. In fact, it wasn't until mortalkind's creation that she once again emerged. These new creatures brought some of the joy back to her, and she loved to interact with them all. Most of all, she adored children. Mothers would often find flower tiaras or oaken toys in their child's crib, and would know that her baby was blessed by Lai'lou. Most importantly, the goddess provided them with many kinds of food. Fruit, nuts, grains, vegetables, and more were provided for mortalkind, for which they were grateful. No organized religion ever formed in Lai'lou's name, but admiration and worship of her was common in all sects of life. Most of all, her influence was felt among the farming villages and rural ranches that so greatly relied on her creations. It is common for a household to keep a shrine of her. Although her blessings have stopped since The Silence, the crops continue growing, and offerings are still given in her name.