Aeia
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Aeia is a local goddess in the River's Rest area. She is quite popular with the locals, but her worship does not expand far past the surrounding area.
Local tradition dictates that Aeia is the earth mother; the world that the mortal races dwell on. She also seems to enjoy gardens, and such plots that contain statues of Aeia seem to do unnaturally well.
Aeia's preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a beautiful human female with kind eyes. In manner, she is quiet and gentle. Her symbol is a white lily on a field of green.
Shrines, Statuary, and Holy Places
Citadel, Garden Shrine
Her major shrine is just outside the ruined infirmary near the fallen Citadel. It is a beautiful garden shrine that is tended by a ghostly gardener. The garden is actually quite large and contains, as one would expect, a wide variety of flowering plants. The centerpiece of the shrine is a small pool covered in water lilies. In the depths of the pool is a statue of the goddess:
This shrine is partially featured in the story: The Falcon Pin and the Discovery of the Infirmary
River's Rest Cleric Guild
Garden Shrine
Outside the Cleric Guild in River’s Rest there is a particularly lovely statue of the goddess:
The garden around the statue bloom with flowers of every hue, which punctuate the deep green of the lush plants growing in every corner.
Alchemic Workshop
There is a niche in one of the Alchemy workshops inside the River's Rest Cleric Guild dedicated to Aeia. This area is not considered a holy shrine.
A small niche in the corner is both the setting for a small altar and also the only decoration other than a dark wood workbench and assorted alchemic instruments. The liquid sounds of a slow moving river carry in from outside through the windows, accompanied by a slight breeze rich with the aroma of wet earth and sweet smelling blossoms.
Constructed of nothing more than three wood planks, one sitting atop two others, the altar is simple in construction. Set on the horizontal plank is a single smooth stone carved with a lily in its center. Two small votives encased in green glass burn beside the altar, casting an emerald glow onto the stone.
In the lobby of the alchemy area in the guild hangs a torn banner with Aeia's symbol on it.
The banner has the faded appearance of something created many centuries ago. In its center, surrounded by a field of green, is a single white lily. Narrow and long, the banner hangs downward several feet before abruptly ending in a ragged tear running the width of the banner.
Graveyard, Statue
Just inside the graveyard arch is another statue of Aeia:
Infirmary, Tapestry
Inside the infirmary, there is a spectacular tapestry in the staff bedroom there:
The vivid colors of the tapestry have been untouched by time. The woven image retains all its artistic power. The tapestry depicts a tall, sharp-featured man standing in a garden. His head and left arm are swathed in bandages. In his hand he carries a pair of pruning shears.
As you gaze at the tapestry you feel almost as if you are drawn into the scene. You feel a gentle breeze blowing across your face. You smell the sweet scent of flowers and the rich odor of newly turned soil. Somewhere a tropical bird warbles an intricate melody, the last note of which seems to linger in the air.
The man moves about the garden with the easy grace of a warrior. He stoops to examine a leaf and remove a slug. He lays his hands on the plants as if he can draw strength from them. At the sound of a footstep he looks up. In the distance, silhouetted against the setting sun, is a woman wearing a white robe and carrying a lily. The tranquility of the man's face is replaced by a look of joy. As he stands to greet the woman you feel yourself slowly and inexorably pulled back into the present.
There is some speculation as to the identity of the man in the tapestry. He may be the ghostly gardener who tends Aeia's gardens. The image may not even be anyone in particular, but rather a general symbol of the followers of the goddess.
Wehnimer's Landing Cleric Guild
Located in the Antechamber of Others is a statue of Aeia. This area is not considered a holy shrine.
A beautiful human woman with kind eyes and flower-plaited hair is depicted in this statue. Upon its base is her symbol, a white lily on a field of green.
Ceremonies
Aeia was worshipped widely during the Kannalan Empire and was a goddess of considerable importance. After the decline and eventual fall of the Citadel, however, her followers have diminished. She does, however, have a small pocket of worshippers around River’s Rest, which was the site of the last remnants of the old Empire. She can often be confused with Imaera.
Green sapphires are her favored gem. You are unlikely to ever meet a follower of Aeia that does not have such a stone on hand.
As much of Aeia’s worship was lost after the fall of the Citadel, there is very little lore that has survived since then. There is one major ceremony, The Blessing Tree, in which her followers ask her for a bountiful and fertile harvest. It is often performed throughout the summer, sometimes beginning as early as Ivastaen.
Related articles
- The Gods of Elanthia - Aeia, the Mother (official documentation)
- Aeia and the Tiger Lilies
- Aeia question and answer
- Embroidered green silk scarf
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