Katia

[hellspawn]

•Aliases: Mother Nature, The Cruel Mother, She Who Watches
•Race: Human
•Worshippers: Mostly humans.
•Governs: Nature, Forests, Plants, Rebirth
•Mantras: Natural, Idealistic, Rural, Humble

"We are one with Layonara for Layonara is Nature. Without Nature there is no Layonara. All races, all living creatures lend their time to Nature. Nurture, protect and defend Nature. Oppose those who seek to unbalance it. While we preserve and protect life, give credence that in the Great Cycle of Life, death also has its place."
Katians believe there is a place for most things within the great cycle and celebrate how each may find his or her path. Fires rejuvenate the lands. Water purifies the soil. Wind carries away excess and delivers new seeds from new places. Earth bears witness and supports all we do. People come in many varieties as well, including a mixture of these traits and more. The balanced path brings a better Layonara and an enriched life. While the great cycle's needs change and revolve, there are a few static concepts shared by most Katian followers. Katia's principles are to preserve and protect the wild places and nurture the care for Layonara within others. Katia's worshipers tend to interpret the needs of each of these principles a little differently in each place. A large factor in the definition of her dogma is in its flexibility. Doing what needs be done to protect, balance, and nurture. The paths that are taken vary in places as her followers tend to operate alone or in small isolated groups or families. Many see themselves as defenders of the wild places; others find their life's work in the grander scale of balancing the great cycle.

Katian dogma tends toward neutrality rather then good or evil, laws or chaos. The focus is centered more on a personal connection to Katia and how the self affects the world around them. Remaining true to the self and the great cycle is most paramount. Restoring balance in nature, people, and one’s self are the goals of most Katians. How that is done is based on personal philosophy, the teachings of their home, and which path they follow in life. If anything would upset the balance, those actions would be considered a sin. Generally speaking, Katians find nothing more upsetting then the uncaring clearing of the forest to make way for agricultural fields. The aggressive expansion of cities into the wild lands also finds its place within the discussions of elders, attempting to find a way to slow or stop these atrocities to nature. Those who heartlessly cut down trees for use of their lumber quickly find themselves on the punishing end of a Katian's tree-given staff.

[hellspawn]

Clerics and druids of Katia often wear leather armor and cloth dyed in the natural colors of the region they inhabit. Metal makes them feel out of touch with nature. The staff is the weapon of choice for clerics of Katia. They often receive a suitable branch from a tree. Longbows are also used by some with these branches also given by the trees. Followers from other regions, use the more commonly available materials in their homelands. Desert Katians will use the skins of animals to make whips and construct short bows made with layers of bone and glue. Seaside Katians are known for their ropework and bowmanship. Plains folk are well familiar with the wooden sickle, short bows, and slings. Generally, crossbows and other more improved weapons are frowned upon as they are removed from the principles Katia stands for. Among the more extreme followers, the use of poisons, acids, and fire are evenhanded ways of dealing with the defilers of nature.

[hellspawn]

"Take only what you can use, use only what you can replace. Leave everything you can for the next." – A teaching from the High Forest Clan

Katia's dogma is subject to many interpretations. Her order has no single church or central hierarchy. Followers are loosely organized and tend to live in small groups with each group being headed by its most senior member. Many times that senior member is the eldest of the clan. Sometimes a clan is led by a family. It is not uncommon for followers to be solitary people. This, not surprisingly, includes the druids and rangers who follow Katia. The Church of Katia, while not grandly organized, shares respect of place from clan or group to another. If a visiting cleric or elder passes through, they are given the same respect as the clan's own leaders.

"I' t'kes all kinds, lad. Ev'ry'ne 'as a place in 'er eyes, a place te 'old th' balance of the gr't cycle. In th' future ye'll see yer place, don' trouble yerself. She sees int' yer 'eart, an wull help ye fin' yer own path te her. Lessin te yer 'eart, lad, jes lessin te yer 'eart." – The maiden elder's advice to a youth of his clan
Clerics of Katia tend to take on the roles of defender and nurturer. Her clerics foster the knowledge of her ways within the people as well as protecting those who follow her ideals. They work more with the people of Layonara than the counterpart of her ideals, the druids who follow under her banner. Clerics of Katia are often trained at the temple near where they grew up. Also, each temple tends to have their own variations on prayers, celebrations, rites, and legend lore. Sometimes these differences may be slight, and in other cases, the differences are grand. There is little cross training of clerics. They believe that the cleric trained fully in one area serves that community far better then causing them to transplant themselves into several different locations. However, some clerics choose the traveling life over a stationary one, committing themselves to the whole of Layonara as opposed to the community they grew up in.

"Every bird my eyes, every paw my fingers, every tree my citadel, and all the earth my skin. All about you a million small miracles mark my passing. Live within it, cherish it, protect it, and respect nature's order. For everything has its place in the great cycle, and yours is to guard and commune with this body from where all life flows and ebbs." – Part of a sermon from a halfling elder
The last portion of Katian hierarchy is dependent upon which legend you hear. The rumored creature lords and ladies were thought mostly a myth or a bedtime tale to be shared with the very young. However, shortly after the year 1385, the Bird Lord arose to a visible place within the world as the needs of nature and of Katia grew to a scope that could no longer afford his presence to be hidden. The battle with Sinthar Bloodstone took war to whole new levels of destruction and taint, leaving swathes of destroyed nature in its path.
Katia's most faithful are these few. In some tellings, they are a small clan of part animal part humanoid people who do her bidding. In other tellings, they are people selected and reborn by Katia to represent her in the world and carry out her wishes. Despite nature’s need for champions, only the Bird Lord is currently known to be more than a myth, and he is legendary in his own right. With the appearance and presence of the Bird Lord in the last few decades, many of her faithful and indeed some outside of the faith wonder about the other rumored creature lords and ladies. In the years now of rebuilding and replanting, new tales of hope are surfacing including the tendrils of the past legends to build hope for the future in these dark times.

[hellspawn]

The interpretations of Katian faith are varied. Generally, clans and individuals find a way to balance within themselves the needs of the people and the land so sects can be said to exist. There are those that believe that the path of civilization is corrupting the land. The spread of cities, the corruption of the land to build roads, pastures, additional housing, and especially the destruction of wild places to make these achievable all upset and even enrage the more fanatical Katian. For example, the forests of Mistone, the once great forest that swathed all of the continent, is now reduced to the small forests of Silkwood, Whitehorn Forest, and Gloom Woods. These fanatics use far more drastic measures to ensure the balance is kept. Oftentimes using tactics that are seen by both the general populace as well as the law as evil and vile acts. The encouraging of certain wild and dangerous animals to live in areas near a town to prevent its expansion is not uncommon. It is also not uncommon for Katians to guard the wildland borders to keep out trespassers and would-be developers. Others take a more gentle approach and try to minimize the effects that civilization has on nature.
Regardless of the plan of fanatic, faithful, or marginal worshiper, patience is always used. The Katian understands that at the base of all plans is time and hard work. Just as a seed takes many months or even years to bear apples, some plans take as much time to finish.


"Within these woods, all the creatures from the ogres to the mice, the oaks to the blue grasses, are under my care. Harm them and see the true wrath of Katia upon you." – A promise from one Katian druid to the passers through

[hellspawn]

Temples to Katia are not found in cities. The majority are groves secreted away deep in the forests. Temples to Katia often do not appear as anything more then a copse of trees or a naturally occurring ring of trees. However, the occasional shrine can be found anywhere since the spirit of Katia is not only confined to the forest. Atop mountains, in moors, deserts, even a glacier have been home to small shrines and tribal temples. However, most Katian followers will tell you the true temple to Katia is within the heart and soul of her followers. Simply speak your words to her and she will hear you. Holding to her dogma and keeping the cycle balanced as well as the self, carries far more weight than the building of such temples or shrines or other
material expressions of faith.
Many small collectives that follow Katia even shun the crafting of such places, choosing instead to simply find beautiful places of the world, naturally occurring, to recite their prayers or perform their ceremonies such as weddings or funerals.

[hellspawn]

Prayers
"Dear Mother Nature, we open our prayer to you for your life blood. Let the skies join in unison to cleanse the evil and put out the fires of the pit dwellers who seek to destroy. Let the bounty of the farmers flourish in the rivers of your magnificence and feed all of your hungry children. Take away the thirst of all of your creatures with your blessed divine water—your tears of replenishment." – Plenarius Ashaley, Bird Lord of Katia
Clerics of She Who Watches pray for their spells at sunrise. Prayers to Katia usually involve terminology referencing nature like plants, animals, or weather.

Holy Days
There are four holy days on the Katian calender. They are the first days of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In keeping with the balance of the cycle, none of the holy days is more important than the other. Each is celebrated for the unique contribution that is played in what it represents.

The first day of spring, called Tending, is as much a day of work as celebration for Katians. It is the job of the elder of the clan or group to watch for the evening of the winter nights into spring days watching for the new beginning to make sure all is ready upon the arrival of the day. It is largely spent tallying and assessing the damage done by the winter to the groves, which serve as Katia's temples. From dawn till dusk, time is spent mending and planting trees and other landscaping activities. The day is also spent in rekindling of bonds of the clan to one another as they work and shake off the effects of the winter's isolation. The day ends with a communal meal within the temple or grove where the last of the food stored before the winter is eaten. At midnight, prayers are given to Katia's constellation.

"As the cold recedes, Mother Nature, we toil.
As the sun reveals, Mother Nature, we watch.
As the ice melts, Mother Nature, we heal.
As the warmth spreads, Mother Nature, we smile."
– Sing-song chant taught to children as the clan works on Tending

The first day of summer, called Longest Day, is a celebration of youth and life. The morning hours are spent in meditation; alone in nature, reflecting on one’s personal connection to the cycle. As the day shifts to afternoon, followers gather at the temple. An inaugural prayer is offered and the games begin. Mental and physical games are played, varying by clan or interpretation. Each game is a teaching tool for the very young and a reminder for the olders of their part in the great cycle and how each unique contribution plays a part in the glory that is nature. As night draws in on this longest day of the year, each engage in song and dance and share what they have grown and gathered so far in the season. Well into the night, as Katia's constellation glows its brightest, the clan prays together, celebrating one more step in the cycle.

"Light dances at our children's laughter. Sky watch as the future plays. Time draws forward. Lessons learned of the way. We learn our parts, the great cycle continues. Celebrated youth, celebrated age, celebrated parting ways. Mother Nature guide the path before us, continue the cycle's path." – An opening prayer before the games begin

The first day of autumn, called Augra's Day, is a harvest festival. It is also in celebration of family and clan specifically. The only gathering of food is meant for the festival the week prior, and other preparations are within the clan home and temples or groves. The day itself is spent in cooking, cleaning, and family activities. The evening sees each family arriving at the clan center or temple, each providing a portion of the meal. During this meal, it is customary to share the legend of Katia's ascension. Her blessings are asked for the coming season's work to see the clan through safely through the winter. At this time, the days get shorter and the nights grow colder and longer steadily over the season. It is seen as the last true celebration of the year. It is not uncommon to have weddings on this day or the same week of Augra's Day. Many children receive corn dolls made in the forms of animals or children on this day. They are crafted from the corn shuck and corn silk remains.

"Blessed Mother, we offer up this bountiful feast and give thanks to you. In your ways, we have found balance and a path within the great cycle. In our lives, you have shown us the way to live in harmony with nature, leaving it better in our deaths than when we arrived within this world. Each small tree we have nurtured, each forest we have kept safe, we have saved thousands of lives in your name. In return, we have found our family strong and healthy, living in your way." – Family elder offering prayer over the Augra's Day feast

The first day of winter, called Longest Night, is a celebration of the return of the sun. For three days prior to the celebration day, Katians fast. They consume only water during this time, with the exception of the ill and the recently delivered babies and their mothers. Fasting symbolizes the connection to the land, as the sun is seen for shorter and shorter times during these days. On the night of celebration, a grand feast is prepared of light foods and is meatless. Bonfires are lit to keep spirits raised until dawn.

When day breaks, it signals the new year and the return of the sun. Many activities are common on this holiday, including the remembrance of loved ones passed on from this life and storytelling. Tales usually are clan or group legends of Katia and her lessons. The Bonfire Vigil is sometimes held in clan cemeteries or held within the temple or grove depending on location. This holiday is the only time during the winter when the clan joins as a group officially until the celebration of spring. The prayers to She Who Watches are often given at dawn, following the long night's end.

"And raised up from the form of a lowly human to the grand form of a goddess, Katia stood before all that she loved and held dear in glowing radiance. Her form slowly taking the likeness of every blessed part of nature. Her voice a crescendo of song in the joy for the gift bestowed upon her being. The land itself absorbed what remained of her so that Katia would know and feel what needed healing, what celebrated in health, and what was just newly being born." – An excerpt from a telling of Katia's ascension, shared over the Bonfire Vigil for the sun to grace nature's children once more.

It is important to note that each of these holidays are celebrated with the changing seasons and not celebrated on a particular calendar day. The latitude and longitude of a particular location will also cause the actual dates of celebration to vary from place to place.

[hellspawn]

•Allied:

◦Aeridin
◦Folian S'pae
◦Grannoch
◦Kithairien
◦Lucinda

•Friendly:

◦Ilsare
◦Prunilla
◦Shindaleria
◦Xeen

•Neutral:

◦Aragen
◦Baraeon Ca'Duz
◦Beryl
◦Deliar
◦Rofirein
◦Toran

•Unfriendly:

◦Az'atta
◦Branderback
◦Goran
◦Mist
◦Sulterio

•Enemy:

◦Corath
◦Dorand
◦Grand
◦Pyrtechon
◦Shadon
◦Vierdri'ira
◦Vorax

[hellspawn]

•Alignment:
◦True Neutral



•Cleric Alignments:
◦True Neutral
◦Lawful Neutral
◦Chaotic Neutral
◦Neutral Evil
◦Neutral Good



•Domains:
◦Air
◦Animal
◦Earth
◦Plant
◦Water



•Notes:
◦Clerics of Katia combine the Animal or Plant domains with one of the other domains.