Erochla, the Goddess of Cooking and Justice

Erochla, The Hearth’s Arbiter, Keeper of the Golden Scales, Judge of the Broken Feast

Portfolio

Cooking, justice, fairness, disease, community.

Symbols

A set of golden scales balanced with a loaf of bread and a gavel. A cauldron encircled by a laurel wreath.

Erochla’s physical appearance is unassuming and somewhat homely, with fair skin marked by the wisdom of age, short, curly dark grey hair, and kind eyes the color of a summer sky. Her average build and diminutive stature belie the strength of her presence. Often clad in opulent dark gold robes embroidered with intricate depictions of scales and cooking tools, Erochla radiates both humility and authority. Though she often looks sad, this is more a reflection of her empathy for the world’s injustices than any personal sorrow.

Erochla is pragmatic, compassionate, and deeply committed to fairness. She believes in balancing the scales of life, whether through the art of cooking, which brings people together, or the pursuit of justice, which ensures harmony. Her empathy drives her to aid mortals, though she expects effort and accountability in return. Her connection to disease is not born of malice but rather a reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of maintaining balance in both health and morality.

Desires and Motivations

Erochla oversees the fair treatment of all beings, foster community bonds through shared meals, and promote the pursuit of justice. Erochla continually seeks the just resolution of conflicts, inspire culinary excellence, and teach mortals the value of kindness and fairness.

Born of the Hearth Flame and the Celestial Judge, Erochla’s creation was a divine compromise to unify two realms: the home and the court. She was tasked with ensuring both the nourishment of bodies through food and the nourishment of communities through justice. Her unexpected association with disease stems from her acceptance of life’s imperfections and her role in teaching mortals to endure and overcome hardship.

Erochla’s realm, The Golden Hearth, is a vast meadow dotted with grand communal kitchens and towering golden scales. Endless tables stretch under open skies where the souls of the righteous gather to share meals and stories. The air is filled with the aromas of freshly baked bread and simmering stews, and the rivers run with healing broths said to cure both physical and spiritual ailments.

Erochla is beloved by commoners, especially cooks, healers, and those seeking justice. Her clergy, known as The Hearthwardens, are recognizable by their dark gold robes and their use of cooking tools as ceremonial objects. They often mediate disputes while preparing meals, believing that food shared in fairness can mend even the deepest divisions. Her followers also tend to the sick, seeing the balance of health as part of their goddess’s domain.

Allies and Rivals

Elaeskinae- As a fellow nurturer, Elaeskinae’s care for animals aligns with Erochla’s commitment to sustaining life and community.

Sheavael- Their shared dedication to justice makes them natural allies, though their methods sometimes differ.

Inavi- Their misadventures often stem from Inavi’s chaotic and impulsive nature, which clashes with Erochla’s methodical and balanced approach.

Kalriss, the Flame of Destruction- Kalriss’s love of chaos and destruction is the antithesis of Erochla’s nurturing and restorative nature.

Sacred Relics

The Golden Cauldron

A magical cauldron that produces meals capable of healing both physical wounds and emotional scars.

The Balanced Spoon

A cooking tool that ensures every dish prepared with it is perfectly proportioned and imbued with restorative energy.

Erochla’s influence is felt in kitchens and courts alike. Her blessings bring communities together through food and ensure that justice prevails in disputes. She is invoked during times of hardship, particularly in areas afflicted by famine or disease, where her followers work tirelessly to provide both sustenance and fairness.

Legends and Tales

The Feast of the Righteous

A tale of how Erochla prepared a meal so perfect it united two warring factions, inspiring peace that lasted generations.

The Breadmaker’s Trial

: A myth in which Erochla helped a humble baker win a trial against a corrupt merchant by presenting bread baked with honesty and care as evidence.

The Golden Cure

A story of how Erochla’s divine intervention saved a village from a devastating plague through a single pot of magical stew.

Blessings and Curses

Hearth’s Warmth

Provides comfort and unity to those who gather around a shared meal.

Golden Balance

Ensures fairness in disputes, subtly influencing events to reveal the truth.

Taste of Deceit

Causes food prepared with ill intentions to taste bitter or spoil instantly.

Scales of Suffering

Imbalances the health of those who exploit or harm others, making them suffer until amends are made.

Divine Hierarchy

Erochla is a Greater Deity, her domains of justice and cooking placing her at the heart of mortal life. Her role in maintaining the balance of nourishment and fairness makes her both revered and approachable.

Erochla can prepare a Meal of Judgement that reveals the truth of those who partake in it, exposing lies or hidden motives. She can banish disease and restore health by purging impurities with the divine Cleansing Flames. With a gesture of The Weighing Hand, Erochla can influence events to align with fairness and justice.

Erochla remains a vital figure in mortal life, her worship especially prominent in rural and underserved areas where justice and nourishment are scarce. Her influence persists in traditions such as communal feasts, where disputes are resolved, and in the courts, where fair treatment is emphasized. Her presence is strongest in communities that value honesty and hospitality.