The Weaver

Goddess of Destiny & Prophecy

This deity has long been considered one of the oldest known deities in E'ahna. Unlike many other gods, the weaver doesn't come in a large variation across cultures. Most who worship her gained knowledge of her existence from the elves. They may choose to call her something different, but they know she is Ceralae of the Elves. She is a more obscure deity, worshiped by small but dedicated and long lasting groups throughout history. All versions are associated with the stars, creation, dreams, and divination and they are all considered the writer of history and the knower of all things. She is considered by all to be immeasurably powerful but exceedingly aloof to mortals and even other gods. Some consider this being an "overgod", the highest power that can exist in the universe while others see them more as the "hand" or overseer of that overgod's will.

Ceralae of the Common Pantheon

Domains: Twilight, Knowledge, Grave
Portfolio: Prophecy, Stars, Destiny, Dreams
Alignment: LN
Alias/s: The Star Weaver
Symbols: Night Phlox, Orb & Star
Ceralae, though incredibly important to the elves and dragonkind, is a more obscure deity among humans except among certain cultural groups like the folks of the wild south in Arna or the Tulen Darah people of Kharza. Her purpose and portfolio remain largely the same as they do for the elves, as this goddess was adapted from Elvish lore. She is the primary goddess of the stars and divination. She has many associations with Helora, Danha), and Ilazran and they are (or were) considered by some to be under her command. In the past she was widely worshiped as a goddess of fate. When the idea of inescapable fate grew out of favor among many humans and the preference for the idea of free will took hold in it’s place, people began to deny this goddess and even scorn her. In some myths she was overthrown by the other gods so she could no longer hold power over them. As such she can be somewhat controversial in places like Marasen and Va'Sehir who have cast her out of their official pantheon. According to many who worship her, her power is not measured like other gods- by how strongly she is worshiped- and her power never wanes. She existed long before worship. All the realms and all beings (including other gods) in them could be obliterated, and still Ceralae would remain and simply write a new story and a new world into being.

Ceralae of the Elvish Pantheon

Domains: Knowledge, Twilight, Life, Forge
Portfolio: Creation, Prophecy, Stars, Divination, Destiny, Dreams
Alignment: N
Alias/s: Destiny's Weaver
Symbols: Five Stars in a Diamond (Elves)
Ceralae is the highest power in the elven pantheon and is understood by the elves to be the same deity dragonkin worship called The Infinite Stars (though they are not the same power). In Elvish myth, Ceralae is like that of a weaver and the night sky is her loom onto which she weaves history. Talented seers are able to read this star tapestry (astrology) and even get a glimpse of what is to come by doing so. She even is said to hide messages there only for her most devout followers- dire warnings or important information. She is also a deity of dreams and will send prophecy directly to the person who must know it. She herself is never present in these dreams and no one knows what her form looks like, if she even has such a form. Artistic representations depict her as a simply dressed elven woman sitting before a loom. Ceralae is fairly passive and aloof compared to many elvish deities who get caught up in mortal affairs and squabbles among themselves. She is the higher power and the creator of all things (including the other gods) so she does not often lower herself and become involved. She is fate herself, so all bow to her in respect, for if she wished, she could write anyone’s downfall into the stars.
Ceralae’s high prestige and her focus on ‘the big picture’ is why she is very deeply revered, but not often actively worshiped. People are like tiny ants to her, and to ask something of her would be to the same effect as an ant asking something of a person. Most of her worshipers belong to monasteries dedicated to reading her signs in the night sky and spreading her prophecies for the greater good. Elves, Fey, and some Humans and Halflings are all that worship her in significant numbers but most do not have any idea what she would even ask of them in return or what her true will actually is. She is not known for giving commandments and does not often give anything in return for her worship. Clerics & Champions of Ceralae are exceedingly EXCEEDINGLY rare, and generally a known proper cleric of Ceralae is given great respect as someone incredibly important or with a grand destiny. Most often, however, clerics of Ceralae do not even know the name of the power that leads them and lends them their gifts. They usually work towards their destiny completely oblivious and blind to the source of their powers or unusual good luck.

TEMPLES OF THE WEAVER

The largest temples to The Weaver are located in the following places:

• Mount Ceralae (Astrithyr)
• Monastery of The Star Weaver (Lake Elyra)
• Eriliath (Shorawood)
• Tanilarin (Namiza)
• Beldam Pointe (Bremska province of Belstrad)
• Highview (Namiza)

Worshipers

It is a rare thing to come across worshipers of the Weaver in most places. Most dedicated temples or monasteries have to be traveled to and with purpose or direction. They are rare in cities, most often positioned out in the wilderness where one can get a good view of the night sky- particularly atop high mountains. They are easiest to come across in elvish realms, but even within their societies these diviners tend to be reclusive. Most worshipers work within a temple as an acolyte, priest, or (very rarely) a cleric or they are monks from the Order of the Infinite Stars. A number of them who are wood elf worshipers belong to some extremely ancient druid circles dedicated to them. There are bards in the world dedicated to collecting people's dreams and spreading prophecies of this obscure deity. Dragonborn bard worshipers tend to really lean into the creation side of this deity's lore. Wizards who become invested in divination are sometimes initially sparked by real portents sent to them from this deity, whether they realize it and accept it or not. Most servants with any shred of real power from the weaver tend to be aasimar- mortals born and guided through their life to fulfil certain prophecies, sometimes without even knowing who guides them. Most worshipers with power, it seems, do not know who they are actually working for. This also can be sorcerers with celestial abilities and even warlocks who do not have any clue that the being they made a pact with is an actual deity- possibly the most powerful one of all. This is a somewhat cruel thing as many a monk or priest has spent their life in reverence and devotion without even a hint of recognition. Most people with a grand destiny must fulfill it without knowing, it would seem.
On-Brand Worshipers

• Cleric: Twilight, Life, or Knowledge
• Druid: Circle of Stars
• Monk: Way of the Astral Self
• Warlock: Celestial Patron
• Wizard: Divination
• Acolyte Background
• Hermit Background