| Desna | |
|---|---|
| |
| (Deity) | |
| Titles | The Song of the Spheres The Great Dreamer Starsong The Tender of Dreams |
| Alignment | Chaotic good |
| Portfolio | Dreams Stars Travelers Luck |
| Worshipers | Travelers, Astronomers, Gamblers, Varisians, Musicians |
| Cleric Alignments | |
| Domains | Chaos, Good, Liberation, Luck, Travel |
| Favored Weapon | starknife |
Desna (pronounced DEZ-nuh) is an impulsive and aloof goddes who delights in freedom, discovery and mystery. Her aloofness stems not from arrogance, but from confidence in her own abilities and her desire to be unburdened by troubles.[1]
History
Desna is an ancient goddess of freedom and luck, in her earliest days, the god Curchanus was her mentor, but Lamashtu lay a trap for him and stripped him of his beast domain, ripping it from his godly essence, in his dying he gifted Desna with the domain of Travel. She has travelled the planes and worlds since, always opposing both oppresion and Lamashtu, spreading her word and seeing new sights.
Relationships
Desna is strongly opposed to Lamashtu, because she murdered Desna's onetime mentor, Desna wishes to take the domain of beasts away from Lamashtu once more. Cayden Cailean his known to be suitor of hers, but she keeps aloof of most godly affaris, past trauma's and her desire for freedom leading her to less interactions with other God's and their faiths. She is known to have good relations with Sarenrae and Shelyn, and to oppose both Rovagug and Zon-Kuthon for the night, wish she wishes to be a time of wonder and beauty.
Appearance and Emissaries
Desna is often described as a beautiful elven or human woman, with butterfly wings containing all the beauty of a clear night sky, she is oft depicted as having dark hair, silvery eyes and a coy but distant smile. Additional details vary among the races that worship her, for example the Bonuwat people of the Mwangi Expanse worship a variant form of Desna, a janiform amalgam with Gozreh, whom they call Shimye-Magalla.[2] The nomadic Kellids of northern Avistan depict Desna not as the elegant elven woman she is generally seen as in the south, but a stately human woman riding an elk.[3]
Servants
Desna and her faithful hold creatures that symbolize freedom and the night sky as beautiful and holy. Of particular favor are butterflies, the lyrakien, her personal servants, and certain fey creatures of the night.[4]
- Nightspear
- This black and silver spoted avoral is a fierce ally of the Desnan clergy, prone to singing in battle.[4]
- Sorrowbrand
- A dramatic lillend composer with balck, star-dappled scales and feathers, she wears many black ribbons and enjoys helping mortals for songs and inspiration.[4]
- The Night Monarch
- Appearing as a massive butterfly-like creature the size of a dragon, the night monarch is the herald of Desna, a considered a sign of good luck by both her followers and travellers alike.[4]
Church of Desna
The ancient church of Desna has few temples to it's name, aswell as few settled priests, the faithful of Desna can be found on the roads of Golarion, among the caravans of Varisians and other who call the roads and beauty of the wilderness home.[5]
Worshipers and Clergy
Desna is the Goddess of Travel and journeys, and there are few who traverse the roads who wouldn't spare her a prayer, or a simple-worded plea for benediction. Varisians, bards and those who travel for travels sake make up a large amount of her following.
The informal clergy of Desna is primarily composed of clerics, though on occasion bards are called by some song or whisper in the night to follow her path. In addition, spherewalkers are paragons of the Desnan ideal, seeing a new sight each day, and finding locales unheard of but oft dreampt.[5]
Temples and Shrines
Temples of Desna are few and far between, mostly roadside shrines are erected in her honor, and her faithful often leave markings and dedications in newly discovered areas and far-flung locales.
Holy Texts
Desna writings tend to be easily portable, written in simple easy to write language, and often containing references to exotic and beautiful places and roads conataining a shrine.
- The Seven Scrolls
- These detail her early days and the basic edicts of her faith, it is the core of Desnan writings. [4]
- Shrine Wall Writings
- Almost all Desnan shrines are covered with the observations and prayers of travellers and priests of her faith, containing the wisdom of the road and hints for the start of a new journey. [4]
Holidays
The following are but two of the festivals and holidays embraced by the faithful of Desna
- Ritual of Stardust
- Takign place on bothe the winter and summer solstices, when the fires burn low, the faithful throw stardust into the embers and make wishes and pledges for the months to come. [6]
- Swallowtail Festival
- Every year on the first day of the first Autumn month of Rova the followers of Desna release cages full of swallowtail butterflies, in honor of an old myth. [6]
References
- ↑ Sean K Reynolds. (2007). Desna. The Skinsaw Murders, p. 67. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-037-7
- ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 29. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
- ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 27. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Sean K Reynolds. (2007). Desna. The Skinsaw Murders, p. 75. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-037-7
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sean K Reynolds. (2007). Desna. The Skinsaw Murders, p. 73. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-037-7
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sean K Reynolds. (2007). Desna. The Skinsaw Murders, p. 71. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-037-7
| Deities of the Pathfinder Chronicles campaign setting |
|---|
| Core deities |
|
Abadar • Asmodeus • Calistria • Cayden Cailean • Desna • Erastil • Gorum • Gozreh • Iomedae • Irori • Lamashtu • Nethys • Norgorber • Pharasma • Rovagug • Sarenrae • Shelyn • Torag • Urgathoa • Zon-Kuthon |
| Other deities |
|
Achaekek • Alseta • Angradd • Apsu • Aroden • Azathoth • Besmara • Bolka • Brigh • Camazotz • Chaldira Zuzaristan • Chamidu • Dahak • Dranngvit • Droskar • Fandarra • Findeladlara • Folgrit • Ghlaunder • Groetus • Grundinnar • Gyronna • Hadregash • Haggakal • Hanspur • Ketephys • Kols • Kurgess • Lissala • Magrim • Milani • Minderhal • Naderi • Nivi Rhombodazzle • Peacock Spirit • Sivanah • Suyuddha • Thamir • Thremyr • Trudd • Urazra • Venkelvore • Ydersius • Yuelral • Zarongel • Zogmugot • Zursvaater • Zyphus |
| Other powers |
|
Ancestral Spirits • Archdevils • Demon lords • Empyreal lords • Four Horsemen • Great Old Ones • Infernal dukes • Malebranche • Whore queens |