Gosaena

Gosaena Domain Death Symbol a silver or grey sickle on a field of green Pantheon Neutral Smite/Bane Bane Critical Cold

Despite resurrections, deeds, and other ways to return to existence, death is an ultimately final thing. When the bridge between life and death is crossed for the final time, and a soul is allowed through the Ebon Gates, Gosaena is there waiting on the other side. She is the goddess of death.

Unlike Lorminstra, when a spirit comes to Gosaena, it will not be returning to the mortal realm. Gosaena is a pariah among the other Arkati. She is gifted with foresight, most specifically, knowledge of when everyone and everything will die. The Arkati, now gods to the mortal races, had no desire to recall their own mortality and so outcast her. Neither pantheon will claim her, and no one will speak to her save Jastev, whose own talent for foresight makes him sympathetic to her plight.

Gosaena never speaks, except on very rare occasions to Jastev. She is as silent as the grave, and takes the souls due her without regret, compassion or malice, only impartiality.

Gosaena's preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a beautiful woman with pale skin, long silver hair, and ice blue eyes. She wears grey robes and a large grey cloak that covers brilliant white feathered wings. In manner, she is silent and impartial. Her symbol is a silver or grey sickle on a field of green.

Shrines, Statuary, and Holy Places

Cleric Guilds

Displayed in the Prayer Rooms of each Cleric Guild is a state of Gosaena. These prayer rooms are considered a holy shrine to multiple deities.

Beautiful and ethereal, Gosaena looks at you with serene impartiality. Peeking out beneath her full cloak are a pair of sturdy wings. Held carelessly in her hand is a lethal-looking sickle. The curve of her sickle mirrors the curve of her lip.

>touch Gosaena
You reach out and touch the statue of Gosaena.

Silence fills your mind, as quiet as Gosaena's embrace.

Wehnimer's Landing Cleric Guild

Located in the Antechamber of Others is a statue of Gosaena. This area is not considered a holy shrine.

This sculpture portrays a beautiful woman with pale skin, long silver hair, and ice blue eyes. She is clad in grey robes and a grey cloak that fails to completely cover her brilliant white-feathered wings. Upon the sculpture's base is her symbol, a silver sickle on a field of green.

Kharam Dzu Cleric Guild

In the room with Guild Master Kordrum is a statue dedicated to Gosaena. It is considered a holy shrine.

[Cleric Guild, Lava Room]
The room is filled with bubbling magma. A small island sits in the center of the pool, connected to the outside by a thin stone bridge. On the island stands a tall statue of a woman, her wings stretching high into the cavern. Pieces of skeletons ring both shores of the lava lake, some trying to crawl away, others towards the beautiful statue. A pedestal of stone rests at her feet. You also see a small tunnel and Guild Master Kordrum.

>read pedestal
In the Common language, it reads:
"Death is the ultimate journey."

Behind The Scenes

Gosaena was originally described as possibly an evil local goddess whose power was less than it had been in antiquity. The only reference to her was as "Empress Gosaena" on The Graveyard gate, a holdover from the Empress Kadaena who was not what we would now call an Arkati. Kadaena and Gosaena have no resemblance to each other, except for their apocalyptic dispositions. While the I.C.E. Age form of Lorminstra had a serving spirit who would cross the Gates of Oblivion, there was no one corresponding to Gosaena, making her a purely original aspect of Elanthian history.

Related articles

• The Gods of Elanthia - Gosaena, Mistress of Eternity (official documentation)