Post by Warork on May 22, 2014 5:22:24 GMT
Here's what I've got on Tarya so far, although I'll probably add to her domain later:
Tarya; Goddess of the Hunt
When the world was young, the first men began some of their first steps of growth by exploring forested woodlands covering Lorestir. Soon, however, men learned to fear the trees for they sheltered darkness and within that darkness, danger. Men spent their first years in fear of the creatures hiding in the darkness, awaiting for men to stumble into the traps that had been laid for them. Troubled were the woodsmen and those who lived in the wetlands, surrounded by forests with no means of escape. Some looked for some inner strength in order to combat their fear of the unknown and unseen, others cried out to the sky for a savior to descend from the blue vastness. It is said that Tarya, whose name means "Queen of forests" in her people's native tongue watched these men from afar before deciding on whether to intervene for she is a stalwart and steady spirit, slow to act rashly, and mostly silent. She saw the men who fought to better themselves in her woods, watched as they invented bows like her own to hunt the prey she was a Warden of. Instead of enraging her, it amused her and filled her with pride. The men needed no teacher to survive, but perhaps they would need one to help them thrive.
She looked upon the sky watchers and saw how they revered the birds and the clouds and the sun that flew so high above the forest canopies and she felt great satisfaction that these men understood the meaning of respecting their surroundings. With these two things in mind it was then and only then that Tarya acted. Legends began to surface amongst the men of a cloaked wanderer in the woods, ethereal and mysterious. They told stories of how she saved travelers from attacks by wild wolves and taught them woodcraft; how to make strong bows and keen arrows. Some men said she rode on a great horse, others said it was no horse but the mightiest stag of the forest. In any case, these tales of the red haired wanderer eventually tied together to create a mythos that became Tarya's. Men said to be gifted with visions claimed to witness her slay giant spiders and horrid snake monsters in the woods. They claimed that she led a host of rider spirits with bawling hounds that ran at their horse's feet; that she blew a white horn in one hand and carried a great spear in the other and bore no saddle.
Tarya quickly thereafter became the goddess of the forests, warden of the hunt, and the guider of the lost. Her closest followers now invoke her name on journeys they take, believing that currying her favor will entice her to send her falcon to guide them on the true path, therefore it is common for a hunter to leave a rabbit for the falcon at one of her shrines before going on his travels. Her shrines amongst mortals take the form of hunting lodges where woodsmen and women gather to tell tales of their hunts and unite in furthering of their goddess' will. Often the fattest kill of a hunt will be laid at the feet of a statue in her likeness as a sign of gratitude for her favor in a hunt. It is said amongst her followers that wolves are her messengers and if one is attacked by a wolf then it is a sign of Tarya's displeasure and penance ought be sought by the victim of the attack. Punishment in societies loyal to her range from being forced to submit a fee of ten fox pelts, or for more extreme crimes where the guilt is in doubt, a trial by faith is called for. The accused will be given a day's head start before a hunting party is allowed to give chase. If the accused is able to make it to the forest's edge before being ridden down then it is deemed that Tarya's blessing be on him and therefore he is allowed freedom. Other capital punishments where the crime is not in question includes being thrown into a pit of wild beasts, usually wolves.
It is said that Tarya is slow to anger but when it is aroused in her the sight is terrifying to behold. It is said that where her thrown spear lands, lightning strikes the ground. Her horn and the hoof beats of her great horse or stag are the echoes of thunder. Lastly, it is said that when she is angered, she pulls back the hood of her emerald cloak to reveal hair and eyes that burn brighter than wildfires.
Tarya; Goddess of the Hunt
When the world was young, the first men began some of their first steps of growth by exploring forested woodlands covering Lorestir. Soon, however, men learned to fear the trees for they sheltered darkness and within that darkness, danger. Men spent their first years in fear of the creatures hiding in the darkness, awaiting for men to stumble into the traps that had been laid for them. Troubled were the woodsmen and those who lived in the wetlands, surrounded by forests with no means of escape. Some looked for some inner strength in order to combat their fear of the unknown and unseen, others cried out to the sky for a savior to descend from the blue vastness. It is said that Tarya, whose name means "Queen of forests" in her people's native tongue watched these men from afar before deciding on whether to intervene for she is a stalwart and steady spirit, slow to act rashly, and mostly silent. She saw the men who fought to better themselves in her woods, watched as they invented bows like her own to hunt the prey she was a Warden of. Instead of enraging her, it amused her and filled her with pride. The men needed no teacher to survive, but perhaps they would need one to help them thrive.
She looked upon the sky watchers and saw how they revered the birds and the clouds and the sun that flew so high above the forest canopies and she felt great satisfaction that these men understood the meaning of respecting their surroundings. With these two things in mind it was then and only then that Tarya acted. Legends began to surface amongst the men of a cloaked wanderer in the woods, ethereal and mysterious. They told stories of how she saved travelers from attacks by wild wolves and taught them woodcraft; how to make strong bows and keen arrows. Some men said she rode on a great horse, others said it was no horse but the mightiest stag of the forest. In any case, these tales of the red haired wanderer eventually tied together to create a mythos that became Tarya's. Men said to be gifted with visions claimed to witness her slay giant spiders and horrid snake monsters in the woods. They claimed that she led a host of rider spirits with bawling hounds that ran at their horse's feet; that she blew a white horn in one hand and carried a great spear in the other and bore no saddle.
Tarya quickly thereafter became the goddess of the forests, warden of the hunt, and the guider of the lost. Her closest followers now invoke her name on journeys they take, believing that currying her favor will entice her to send her falcon to guide them on the true path, therefore it is common for a hunter to leave a rabbit for the falcon at one of her shrines before going on his travels. Her shrines amongst mortals take the form of hunting lodges where woodsmen and women gather to tell tales of their hunts and unite in furthering of their goddess' will. Often the fattest kill of a hunt will be laid at the feet of a statue in her likeness as a sign of gratitude for her favor in a hunt. It is said amongst her followers that wolves are her messengers and if one is attacked by a wolf then it is a sign of Tarya's displeasure and penance ought be sought by the victim of the attack. Punishment in societies loyal to her range from being forced to submit a fee of ten fox pelts, or for more extreme crimes where the guilt is in doubt, a trial by faith is called for. The accused will be given a day's head start before a hunting party is allowed to give chase. If the accused is able to make it to the forest's edge before being ridden down then it is deemed that Tarya's blessing be on him and therefore he is allowed freedom. Other capital punishments where the crime is not in question includes being thrown into a pit of wild beasts, usually wolves.
It is said that Tarya is slow to anger but when it is aroused in her the sight is terrifying to behold. It is said that where her thrown spear lands, lightning strikes the ground. Her horn and the hoof beats of her great horse or stag are the echoes of thunder. Lastly, it is said that when she is angered, she pulls back the hood of her emerald cloak to reveal hair and eyes that burn brighter than wildfires.