Majko
Majko, also known as the Everflame by the alchemists of Taur Cuil and the Resolute Flame by the clerics of House Niki, is the goddess of tradition, community, healing, sun, fire, and law. She is seen as a font of warmth, unity, and guidance, and is the patron goddess of all who uphold communal bonds, follow ancestral traditions, and safeguard justice.
Worshippers
Majko's followers are drawn from diverse walks of life, but they are united in their belief in the importance of community and the continuity of tradition, to bring people together and create a sense of belonging. From humble healers to lawful warriors, from conscientious citizens to benevolent leaders, Majko's devotees uphold a balance where everyone plays a part, where laws are respected, and where traditions are upheld for the collective good. They are drawn to Majko's message of nurturing, of caring for one another, and of building a society where every individual matters.
The Taur Cuil clan reveres Majko primarily for her domains of healing, fire and the sun, particularly fascinated by their life-affirming aspects. They see in her a symbol of alchemy's duality: the ability to heal and to harm. Their rituals often involve brewing potions and elixirs designed to grow and prolong life or enhance one's abilities, appealing for insight into the delicate balance between life and death, aiming to use this knowledge for the greater good, abiding by Majko's value of community and lawfulness.
House Niki values Majko for her domains of community, law, and tradition. They see in her a symbol of peace, stability, and protection, values they aim to uphold in their society. Their rituals often involve ceremonies that strengthen the bonds of their community and resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner. They emphasize the importance of protecting the innocent, using diplomatic means whenever possible, but resorting to force when necessary. Their dual faith in Majko and Balvan, both lawful deities, guide their decisions, and Niki equally calls upon both in times of uncertainty.
Domains
Tradition and Continuity: Majko, as the goddess of tradition, holds the strings of time and ancestral wisdom. Her subtle influence can strengthen customs that promote harmony and unity, or gently unravel those fostering discord. Her power can breathe new life into age-old traditions, inspiring leaders and individuals to value their cultural heritage. This influence manifests in the form of dreams or visions, hinting at the right course derived from the past to navigate the present, or can guide historians to unearth hidden truths about a society's past.
Community and Unity: Majko has the power to weave the thread of unity among individuals, binding them into a harmonious community. Her influence radiates empathy, understanding, and cooperation, fostering stronger communal ties. This divine guidance can soothe raging conflicts, bring estranged kin together, or inspire a community to stand united in the face of crisis. Majko's influence is often symbolized by the communal hearth, a place of gathering, warmth, and unity in many cultures of Pauza.
Healing and Restoration: Majko's healing powers are the lifeblood that revitalizes Pauza. She can soothe wounds, cure diseases, and even restore life in in crucial moments. The touch of her influence might bless a simple herbalist with the ability to perform miraculous cures or inspire a renowned healer to devise a cure for a seemingly incurable affliction. Her sanctuary on Lake Slano houses healing springs whose waters bring relief and recovery to all who partake.
Sun and Light: Majko commands the nurturing radiance of the sun, a symbol of life, hope, and warmth. She can summon a new dawn, chase away darkness, or bless an area with unending sunlight. These divine interventions can take form in small miracles of light during moments of need, or monumental displays of sunlight during pivotal moments. In Pauza, the Dawn Ceremony, held on the morning of the summer solstice each year, commemorates Majko's power as the sun emerges with breathtaking splendor, instilling hope and fortitude for the year ahead.
Fire and Purification: Fire under Majko's control is not a mere destructive force but a catalyst for change and purification. She can conjure divine flames that cleanse without burning, providing warmth and protection. Her power can be witnessed in sacred fires that never extinguish, believed to be the physical embodiment of her presence. The people of Pauza revere these fires, finding solace and courage in their unyielding light.
Law and Justice: Majko upholds the scales of justice with unswerving dedication. She guides the laws that govern societies, ensuring they promote fairness and equity. Her influence can guide lawmakers towards wise decisions or intervene in cases of grave injustice. Majko's interventions have overturned corrupt regimes, corrected unjust laws, and brought justice to those who had been denied it. In the grand courts of Pauza, her symbol is a common sight depicted on a scale opposite her brother Balvan's, reminding all of the balance between justice and power.
Majko's miracles and interventions frequently materialize as gentle nudges that shift the course of events towards justice, unity, and healing. Even the seemingly inconsequential can be a sign of her influence: an overlooked document illuminated at the right time, a dream that inspires an act of kindness, a miraculous recovery from an illness that restores faith. Those who oppose the Everflame learn to dread the discreet yet undeniable progress of justice, the resilience of communities bound by her influence, and the uplifting, protective flame of her presence.
Myths
The Eternal Flame: In the days when the world was a dark and cold void, Majko, filled with compassion for the shivering creatures, descended to the earth. She struck her divine hammer upon the frigid ground, and from the sparks erupted the first flame. Majko then lifted this flame and placed it in the heavens, birthing the sun and bathing the world in its radiant warmth and light. This flame, according to legend, continues to burn in the form of the sun, a testament to Majko's endless kindness and the source of all life and energy. Temples dedicated to Majko often have a sacred fire, known as the Eternal Flame, burning at their heart, symbolizing her benevolent divine gift and the life-giving warmth of the sun.
The Dawn of Law: In the times of early civilization, when brute force ruled and might made right, Majko appeared before the primitive races of Pauza as an old crone. She carried with her sets of hammers and chisels which she presented to one chosen youth in each settlement. The moment their skin grazed the cool metal, a torrent of divine insight flooded their minds, igniting the spark of the Everflame's teachings. The bearers of these gifts, Majko's first disciples, then spread across the primeval wilds. They cured afflictions that once spelled certain doom, assuaged the hunger that gnawed at the edges of survival, and in their wake, imparted the ways of Majko the Preserver. Their edicts, derived from wisdom and fairness, brought order and justice wherever there was chaos and cruelty. It is said that the very oldest oaks of Pauza, the sacred sentinels of the old faiths, hidden in the deepest forests, blessed by ageless vitality, still bear these first laws carved onto their bark, encoding wisdom and miracles of ages past for those discerning enough to find them.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Majko's symbol is a golden sun disk enveloped by a flame, representing the communal concepts of fire, healing, law and tradition carried down from sunlight. Her favored weapon, the Lucerne hammer, often features in depictions of her symbol as a beacon of justice. The horse, emblematic of strength, endurance, and communal service, is Majko's sacred animal. It is common for places honoring the goddess to display representations of these creatures, whether as statues or carvings. Conversely, many stables traditionally bear Majko's holy symbol as a token of good luck.
Majko's holy places, known as Hearth Temples, are often located in the heart of cities and communities. They are open to all and welcoming, their atmosphere drawing upon her domains of tradition and community. At the heart of these warm spaces, a central, ever-burning hearth symbolizes Majko's eternal warmth and unity. These temples are designed to let in an abundance of natural light, while also hosting areas for communal activities, healing chambers, and a library of local laws and traditions. The rituals performed within these temples often involve light hearted communal feasts, healing ceremonies, and the recitation of laws and traditions, reflecting the essence of the goddess herself.
Tenets of Faith
"Respect the wisdom of the past and the bonds that unite us. Uphold justice and fairness, for they are the pillars that sustain our communities. Nurture the flame of tradition and let it warm you and guide you. Cherish the light of the sun, a beacon of life and the symbol of a new dawn. Use its energy to heal, to illuminate, and to banish darkness. Remember, every flame casts a shadow, but it is the light that defines us. Revere the power of fire, both a provider of warmth and a tool of transformation. Like the flame, be a source of comfort, yet be ready to burn those who would abuse you.
In the path of law, seek equity, promote harmony, and dispense justice with a gentle hand. The strength of a law lies not in its enforcement, but in its acceptance by the hearts it governs. Remember, each community is a woven tapestry of individuals. It is the threads of tradition, mutual respect, and shared values that bind us together. Let the flame of Majko guide you as you walk the path of life, for it is in unity and love that we find our true strength."
Resolute Flame, Majko the Preserver, heed my humble invocation. As I seek wisdom in your sacred glow, light my way with your eternal beacon.
Envelop me in your warmth, that I may feel the unity of all things and stand tall against discord. Kindle in me your holy fire, so I may see through deception and uncertainty.
Bestow upon me your steadfast resolve, that I may meet adversity with calm assurance. Infuse my heart with your nurturing spirit, that I may heal wounds and mend rifts.
In tradition and law, may I find my compass. Through trials and tribulations, may I cultivate my courage.
With each moment in your radiance, may I comprehend the depth of my heritage. In every challenge I face, may I embody your enduring strength.
Majko of the kindled hearth, guide me through my struggles and fears. Lead me toward my fated purpose with your prophetic flame.
- Majko's Embrace, Prayer of Prophecy and Guidance
Alignment
Lawful Good
Divine Domains
Tradition, Community, Healing, Sun, Fire, and Law
Favored Weapon
Lucerne Hammer
Sacred Animal
Horse
Divine Classification
Major Deity
Children
