Carmenthia
Lady of Knowledge, Mistress of Duality
A doctor clutches a black and white symbol in one hand, whispering a soft incantation. If the patient had been brought in even an hour later, it would have been far too late. Still, removing this infection will take skill and arcane prowess coupled with speed and precision. There will be no room for error. Later, a family cries tears of joy as their child is returned to them. A hooded figure steps discretely up behind a distracted patron at a bar, slipping a couple drops of clear liquid into their drink. Once a few steps away, they murmer a few words, an incantation, under their breath. Later, the bar will be alight with alarm as the patron's head slams into the bartop... lifeless. One saves a life while another takes, but both call upon the same Goddess. Carmenthia, a goddess of duality, occupies a unique position between the matron goddesses of Life and Death. While she cannot be completely removed from them, her domains are uniquely her own and she often approaches matters of both life and death from a clinical, scientific perspective. Often depicted in humanoid form, the most common depiction is of a water spirit with a beaded necklace carrying a staff with a poisonous viper writhing over beautiful island flowers. For some, Carmenthia is viewed as a "good" goddess, responsible for healing the sick, wounded, and downtrodden. But others choose to focus on her role as goddess of poison, using knowledge to satisfy their own, often cruel, goals and desires.
Antagonist: Ismera, Coveter of Knowledge
The Duality of Carmenthia
Carmenthia straddles a gray area between light and dark, healing and poison, life and death, "good" and "evil". As such, she is often regarded as the Mistress of Duality. This facet of her divine domains is reflected in her region. Carmen'Két is divided into what outsiders would regard as the "good side" – the Medical Ward – and the "darker side" – the underground 4th Ward. However, the true image of Carmenthia is not a question of "either or", but of a unique stance between. She is both and she is neither simultaneously.
Notable Chosen: Dr. Stefano Corvinus (Director of the Medical Ward), Maritza Alvarro (Champion of the 4th Ward), Azrail
Reopening the Library
Carmenthia does not have a traditional Temple. The Medical Ward of Carmen'Két is commonly considered her current Temple, but legends held that Carmenthia's original Temple vanished, thousands of years ago. A century ago, her Temple – her Library – was rediscovered and partially reopened for mortals to visit. One of the first mortals to be granted access was Dr. Rolan Conway, a professor at Carmen'Két. Entry is strictly regulated and one must impress the draconic Librarian to gain entry.
Divine Domains
Life, Knowledge, Arcana, Grave, healing, magic, research, poison, disease, rehabilitation
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The Tanzanite gemstone, spiral sun, snake around a rod of flower, Yin-Yang, floating lantern
Tenets of Faith
Knowledge is Power – The physical form is a temporary vessel housing the superior force: the mind. Throughout one's life, knowledge should be sought for the betterment of oneself and society as a whole. Those who possess greater knowledge should be respected as teacher, guide, and leader, but they too should be expected to yield to another with higher understanding. Learning is a never-ending journey that every individual is required to participate in, though not all will be equal in the knowledge they obtain.
Sanctity of the Mind – The mind is sacred, as it holds a treasure trove of knowledge. Those not sound and strong of mind cannot contribute to the knowledge of society. Thus, the health and sanctity of the mind, and of its vessel, should be maintained. Renewal and rehabilitation of the psyche are necessary components of the knowledge-seeking process. By extension, the physical body should be understood and maintained to better assist in the quest for knowledge.
The Bridge Between Life & Death – While there is much to be gained from life, there is also much to learn from death... and even more to be understood during those fleeting moments when one stands on the bridge between them. Death should not be feared, but Life should not be abandoned. Servants of Carmenthia must walk the path between – the gray between the black and white; the duality of the Cycle.
Holidays
The Festival of Lights
Divine Classification
Spirit of the Land
Alignment
True Neutral
Children
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Aligned Organization
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