Karametra, Goddess of Harvests

Karametra is recognized as the serene, maternal god of the harvest, her arms spread wide as she offers bounty to her worshipers or cradles communities in her embrace. Almost every human settlement contains at least a modest shrine to solicit her favor, and she is closely associated with Setessa, the center of her worship. Wise and even-tempered, Karametra values community, stability, and the balance of nature. She is the god of maternity, family, orphans, domestication, and agriculture, as well as defense of the home and territory. Karametra appears to mortals as a motherly figure with hair made of ordered rows of leaves that shroud her eyes from view. She is always shown in art (and often seen in Nyx) seated on her throne, which is formed from a tangle of grape vines growing out of a collection of jugs and amphorae that surround her. An elaborately carved wooden canopy extends above her, and a giant sable—her faithful companion—curls around the base of the throne at her feet. In one hand, she holds a harvester’s scythe.

Karametra’s Influence

Karametra governs nature as it comes into play in the lives of mortals, representing domesticated nature—a bounteous, nurturing provider. But she also reminds mortals that they are part of the natural world; they are animals that eat and digest and reproduce and sleep, and Karametra is influential in all of that, as well. Mortals seek her favor because the fertility of nature is necessary for their existence. It isn’t her wrath they fear—she is not a god of storms or plagues—but her withdrawal. Without her, plants, livestock, families, and communities simply fail to thrive. Her goodwill is a bulwark against both physical starvation and starvation of the spirit: despair, loneliness, and moral weakness. Karametra promises that spring will always come again, trees will always bear fruit, and flocks will always bear young. Children will always be born, parents will always care for them and be cared for in their turn. Great fortune or adventure might not be at hand, but the little joys of life—the smell of spring blossoms, the sweetness of ripe fruit, the flaming beauty of autumn leaves, the fellowship of community—can be savored. In many ways, Karametra represents the essence of the divine relationship with mortals: fertility and protection are the nucleus of the aid mortals have always sought from gods, and Karametra doesn’t complicate these basic needs by couching them in terms of abstract ideals of honor or law or justice. She is the distillation of an ancient and primal exchange: mortal devotion in return for divine blessing.

Karametra’s Goals

Karametra doesn’t engage in underhanded politicking or petty disputes. She seems to stand above the quarrels and tumultuous rivalries of other deities, and equally aloof from the machinations of the mortal world. Her fundamental concern is for the well-being of mortal folk, starting with their physical health but also including their need for security, love, and belonging.

Divine Relationships

Karametra might not want to wield power over other gods, but her position of detached compassion lends her significant influence to wield as she chooses. The other gods trust her to be impartial in their disputes and honest about her motivations, and they look to her for wisdom and even sometimes comfort. Karametra’s closest relationship is with Heliod. He respects her civilized demeanor, and she recognizes the vital role the sun’s brilliance plays in nurturing life. The relationship between Karametra and Nylea is respectful but strained. Nylea is disappointed by Karametra’s decision, as a nature deity, to subordinate nature to the needs of mortals. Karametra is frustrated by what she sees as Nylea’s refusal to recognize mortal folk—and all their civilizations—as part of the natural world. Despite this tension, both gods encourage their worshipers to leave offerings at each other’s shrines. The gods who provoke Karametra’s sharpest disdain are Iroas and Mogis, who seem devoted to the idea of preventing mortal life from fully flourishing. War—even if it’s couched in noble terms, as Iroas’s followers like to do—is fundamentally an instrument of death, bringing a premature and pointless end to mortal life. That said, Karametra does recognize the need to fight in defense of one’s life, family, and community when they come under attack, so she and Iroas are able to find some common ground in that matter—and in their shared hatred of Mogis.

Worshiping Karametra

The earth’s fertility is essential for mortal life to continue. Those who live in the modern poleis might not be as aware of that fact as those who farm their own food, but even they long for children, know the pinch of hunger, and feel the turn of the seasons. Prayers to Karametra focus on asserting Karametra’s constancy and bounty, praising the god’s love and generosity. Worshipers of Karametra gather for a feast once a month, on the evening of the full moon, that celebrates the god’s role in parenthood and community. New parents receive gifts and blessings, and young couples sneak away into the woods in hopes of finding sweet berries and sweeter kisses.

Karametra’s Champions

Alignment: Usually neutral, often good Suggested Classes: Cleric, fighter, paladin, ranger Suggested Cleric Domains: Life, Nature Suggested Backgrounds: Acolyte, folk hero, guild artisan, soldier, urchin Most champions of Karametra are advocates of community and family. They typically form tight-knit squads or surrogate families and take care of their people.

Karametra’s Favor

Karametra grants her favor to champions in the mortal world who advance the cause of civilization and community. She nurtures the power and influence of those who provide food and care to others and has little patience for those who display arrogance and self-centeredness, instead elevating those who seek to elevate others. Although Karametra’s demeanor is gentle, her call to service is nonnegotiable. She lavishes fortune and prosperity on those who serve her, but she will not be ignored. It is rare for her to abandon a champion, but neither will she allow a champion to abandon their service. The Karametra’s Favor table offers suggestions for what might make the god of the harvest take notice of you. Karametra’s Favor

1 You were an orphan who wandered into one of Karametra’s temples seeking a meal and a safe place to spend the night.

2 You are a village leader who sees caring for your neighbors as your most important job.

3 You pioneered an agricultural innovation.

4 Though you have no children of your own, you have assembled a tight-knit chosen family.

5 You nearly bled to death in a farm field.

6 You sought Karametra’s help on behalf of your community during a drought or natural disaster.

Devotion to Karametra

Following Karametra means dedicating yourself to caring for others, promoting civilization and community, and putting the needs of others above your own. After all, Karametra asks nothing for herself. As a follower of Karametra, consider the ideals on the Karametra’s Ideals table as alternatives to those suggested for your background. Karametra’s Ideals

1 Devotion. My devotion to my god is more important to me than what she stands for. (Any)

2 Civilization. Nature achieves its highest calling when human communities make use of it. (Lawful)

3 Humility. I put the needs of others above my own and strive to lead through service. (Any)

4 Protection. I devote myself to ensuring that the vulnerable and the innocent can live in safety. (Good)

5 Bounty. I am generous and share what I have, hoping to improve the well-being of all around me. (Good)

6 Community. I strive to deepen the bonds of my family, companions, and neighbors. (Any)

Earning and Losing Piety

You increase your piety score to Karametra when you expand the god’s influence in the world in a concrete way through acts such as these:

Turning a wild field into fertile cropland
Feeding those who are starving
Defending a farm from monsters
Building or restoring a temple to Karametra

Your piety score to Karametra decreases if you diminish her influence in the world, contradict her ideals, or undermine her civilizing influence through acts such as these:

Destroying a settlement’s food source
Releasing and scattering domestic animals
Diverting a water source needed for irrigation
Starting a fire that threatens a settlement

Karametra’s Devotee Piety 3+ Karametra trait As a devotee of Karametra, you have proven yourself a worthy potential champion of the harvest god. As a bonus action, you can invoke her protection; spectral plants cover you, providing you with a +1 bonus to AC for 1 minute. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest. Karametra’s Votary Piety 10+ Karametra trait You can cast create food and water with this trait. Once you cast the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell. In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned. Karametra’s Disciple Piety 25+ Karametra trait By performing an hour-long ritual, you can conjure enough grapes to fill three vials (4 ounces each) of wine. Each vial serves as a potion of healing for 24 hours, after which it loses this property. Once you use this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Champion of Harvests Piety 50+ Karametra trait You can increase your Constitution or Wisdom score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.