Dharif-Alhaya

The Life Shedder

Dharif-Alhaya (lit. 'shedding life'), or Espioht Ebol Pineyma (lit. 'she who sheds life') as she is known in Shoenonh is the chief goddess worshiped by the peoples of Nohnenmanatajaie (lit. "depths of solitude"). She is the goddess of royalty, reincarnation, and snakes. She is often depicted as a large snake or serpent biting into her own tail with iron teeth.
Temples dedicated to Dharif-Alhaya can be found along banks of rivers in Shoenohn and other arid countries. These temples are open-air circular structures, consisting of a domed roof held up by at least four pillars. Although the temple may be entered from any space between the pillars, there is a symbolic entry which is marked on the floor of the temple. At this point, engraved into the stone foundation, is an engraving of Dharif-Alhaya's head biting into its tail. The body of the goddess extends out from the ground engraving to the pillars, which are carved to look like the curling body of a snake. The domed roof consists of multi-colored stained glass that shines down prismatic light onto a mosaic tiled floor in the center of the temple's floor. The mosaic forms a part of Dharif-Alhaya's holy symbol, a crown.

Divine Domains

Royalty

One of Dharif-Alhaya's epithets is the Crown Giver. She is the patron goddess of the ruling pharaohs of the lands of Rimal-Alhaya, and these pharaohs are expected to follow the tenets of the Crown Giver during their rule. The pharaohs are believed to be incarnations of the sons and daughters of Dharif-Alhaya, and as such, pharaohs are expected to be treated with reverence as though they were mortal gods. The pharaohs are also expected to be just but stern in their rulership over their territories, and a weak-willed pharaoh is believed to be one who has lost the favor of their goddess-mother. Those who lose the favor of the Crown Giver are cursed by Her with the Mark of Crowns, which will transform the marked being into a more snake-like form, and in humanoids this typically results in the creation of a Medusa.

Reincarnation

Dharif-Alhaya is also called the Mother of Rebirth and the Life Shedder. She ensures the cycle of life and death continues. She is responsible for ushering souls into their next life to be reincarnated. It is for this reason that the Mother of Rebirth is so often depicted as biting into her own tail, thus creating a circular and cyclical image. All living things are believed to be reincarnated, with Dharif-Alhaya being the chief keeper of the wheel of reincarnation. It is a great affront to the goddess to find ways to destroy souls, which prevents them from reincarnating. Soul-destroyers are sought out and killed by followers of the Mother of Rebirth, after which the goddess will take the soul of the transgressor and have it reincarnate as a Yuan-ti as punishment.

Snakes

As a goddess associated with snakes, the followers of Dharif-Alhaya hold snakes to be sacred animals. The patterned scales of snakes are viewed as a thing of beauty and regality, showing a great wealth of spirit. However, snakes are often territorial, just a ruler should be, not tolerating trespasses into one's lands without reprisal. The iron teeth that Dharif-Alhaya is depicted with show that she is not afraid to bite those who earn her ire, and the oftentimes venomous nature of these bites ensures that those who irk her are punished greatly, and suffer the consequences of that transgression in the future.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

A crown surrounded by an ouroboros snake.

Tenets of Faith

Divine Right. Leaders are destined to be so by the gods. Act as the divine would lest you lose divinity.
Royal Responsibility. As a leader, you must act decisively and deal with the consequences of your actions. Indecision and inaction are not tolerated in a leader.
Iron Teeth. A ruler must be stern and never fall prey to others. Retaliate against those who try to make you their prey.
Soul keeper. Those who destroy souls forfeit their lives to the execution of your judgment.

Divine Classification

Deity

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Crown Giver, Life Shedder, Mother of Rebirth, Royal Snake