Nika

Description

Nika, the Triton goddess of love and war is well loved and widely worshipped in the Parthenian states. She champions affection, loyalty, and strength of arms and is singleminded in all her endeavors. She led the Parthenians on the field of battle during the Theikotic war to rescue Kymanestra, and was locked in battle with The Kracken for an entire year before pinning it to the seafloor with the aid of Calypso's illusions.

Appearance

Nika appears as a nearly 18 feet tall, muscular triton woman with short cut orange hair kept out of her eyes by a silver circlet. She has a strong jaw and sun-dappled shoulders and face. She appears in the nude, wearing only her magical mithril bracers and sandals and wrapped in vines of red flowers that cover her modestly. She carries her pike Karcharias with her always, and when going into battle dons her silver helmet and shield. She wears her emotions clearly on her face, and speaks in a bright, clear voice.

Personality

Nika is expressive and earnest. She wears her heart on her sleeve and seems capable of no small emotions. She enjoys spending time with her loved ones and sparring with her rivals, and grows restless and despondent when she is alone. The death of her sister Kymanestra affected her greatly, and she regularly visits her tomb in the emerald sea. She values dedication and martial prowess, and despises betrayal in all its forms. She often roams the mortal realm in hiding, piercing the hearts of men and women with Karcharias, inspiring them to many types of love. Nika is beloved by her family of gods, and a friend to those gods that share her disposition. Other dieties however, may regard her as unreliable, though they likely respect her unwavering hatred of Davy Jones.

Worship

Nika is known most through the Seven Loves: a Parthenian concept that there are seven types of love, taught to them by Nika herself. It is through these loves that worship of Nika is most common. Quick prayers to Nika are commonly included in declarations of love or loyalty, and while many civilizations call upon Calypso as the Vixen during marriage ceremonies, Triton marriages are always dedicated to Nika. Beyond this, Nika is worshipped regularly by soldiers as a paragon of martial strength. Parthenian soldiers cry her name as a battlecry and pray to her before battle for victory. Shrines to Nika are found in barracks, bathhouses, and memorials. Triton declaring a vow or oath almost always do so before a shrine to Nika. Clerics of Nika frequently act as matchmakers for those seeking love or counselors for those in troubled relationships. It is rare for these clerics to be unarmed, and they preach dedication in all matters.

Symbol A silver pike, wreathed in bunches of the meakdew flower.
Titles Lady Most Fair, Captain Most Fearless, Herald of The Seven Loves
Portfolio Love, War, Passion, Fraternity
Domains War, Peace
Favored Weapon Pike