Kima, the Shadow

Kima in Karel

Worship of Kima in the Karelagne Empire is often found among those who oppose imperial rule and feel that its yoke is similar to the destructive power of Qoz. As such, it is not often practiced openly in Karel, but can be found as an open secret in some outer Karelagne regions.

Kima in Ayris

In Ayris, Kima is seen as the goddess of secrets, and has a following among some of the thieves that walk the streets of Windcrown, as well as more than a few unscrupulous merchants, but is generally most known for her association with the Kimaries, a set of maps in Kima’s hand that are said to lead to an impossible treasure. They have been the center of at least three major con artist operations in Ayris to date.

Kima Among the Drakes

Pirates disagree strongly about the worship of Kima—some believe that her form can be seen most clearly in the smoke that comes from the aftermath of a fire and that carrying her acolytes will lead to their ship ultimately being lost to disaster. Others call upon her to protect them from the many forms of death that can often be found on the seas, as it is believed that one of the secrets she carries has allowed her and her most devout followers to cheat death itself.

Kima was once a goddess of knowledge and learning worshiped by millions, until the destructive power of Qoz and its kin relentlessly attacked the civilizations that knew and worshiped her, killing her followers for no reason other than their all-consuming hunger. She attempted to defend herself and her followers against Qoz, but fell in the battle, barely escaping with her life. Determined to keep the memory and wisdom of her worshippers alive, Kima traveled from one civilization under threat to the next, staying one step ahead of Qoz while collecting the stories and secrets of those who might soon be lost to the god’s destructive power. Some believe that this information included the ritual used by Cyrill to repel Qoz, but Kima has never claimed or sought credit for this action, preferring to keep her role obscured.

Due to her secretive nature, Kima is considered more of a legend than a god by many, but those who do follow her usually depict her as she appears to her acolytes, a shadow that takes the vague shape of a three-legged wolf or fox. Clerics of Kima typically wield the domains of Grave, Knowledge, Peace, and Twilight.