the mother goddess, amaria

Known as Amaria , the Mother Goddess is the major deity worshipped by the people of Navarre. She is revered by those who worship her as the mother of Navarre, a scion of peace and a protector of all living things. Her worshippers believe she protects them and allows them to thrive in Navarre in isolation. The Goddess never engages in combat of any kind, nor does she allow it to occur in her presence. She rarely physically manifests in the world of mortals. When she involves herself in a violent situation she often arrives invisibly and undetected using her song of peace to calm the combatants.

As her name suggests, she is often associated with the moon and thus the temples dedicated to her and named "Temple of the Moon". When she does reveal herself to mortals, her pale skin and eyes literally glow as if she were made of moonlight. Her symbol is also a crescent moon.

Her worshippers have various beliefs regarding her powers, including but by no means limited to:

• The ability calming those engaged in battle by singing a song of peace at night, until sunrise.
• The ability to heal or grant a follower the gift of healing.
• A powerful personal shield to defend her Chosen.
• The ability to resurrect a dead creature.

the goddess circle religion

The Goddess Circle, although centered around Amaria, is a polytheistic, nature-worshipping relgion. It is based on harmony and balance and the opposition of fanaticism. Celibacy and homosexuality are not frowned upon.

PANTHEON

• Amaria, Queen of the earth, peace, fertility and childbirth
• Adarrad, King of sun and the sky, weather
• Kalad, King of the seas, rivers
• Vereya, Queen of women, love, beauty, marriage and pleasure
• Quatan, King of prophecy, fate, destiny
• Danath, Queen of knowledge, the arts, crafts, festivities, travel
• Enryn, Queen of healing and disease
• Nalkele, King of order, law, war, heroism, athletics, punishment, hunting
• Rakkal, King of thievary and secrecy
• Delaste, Queen of death

temples of the moon

Any temple dedicated to the Goddess is known as a Temple of the Moon, the main temple being located in Tirisaa. A temple is a place of worship and study as well as a home to the Dedicates, those who dedicate their life to the Goddess. The community is led by a Dedicate Superior and numerous other high ranking Dedicates.

Many Blessed choose to study at a Temple than an academy. The novitiate is a period of training and preparation that a novice undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether they are called to serving the Goddess. During this time a pupil is referred to as a "Novice". A novice is free to quit at any time, and the Dedicate Superior is free to dismiss them with or without cause. Novices do not wear the full habit worn by professed members of the community.

A novice's day encompasses meditation (it strengthens ones connection to the Goddess), participation in temple activities, manual labour as well as continuing with their studies. Novices are not admitted to vows until they have successfully completed novitiate, which usually lasts 3 years. After their period as a novice, they become an initiate and are able to wear the full robes of a Dedicate.

Novices and Dedicates wear simple robes. Novices wear gray robes while Dedicates wear white robes. High ranking Dedicates are distinguished by the gold circles embroidered over their hearts.

Members of the Temple community are discouraged from pursuing marriage and children. This is because legal relationships and children tend to distract the mind and spirit from complete devotion to the Goddess.