Auril's Followers
Auril (pronounced: /ˈɔːrɪl/ AW-rill about this audio file listen), also known as The Cold Goddess, The Frostmaiden, Icedawn, the Goddess of Winter,, and the Frost Sprite Queen, was a fickle, vain, and evil deity, who was primarily venerated out of fear. The few among the Iulutiuns of the Great Glacier who worshiped her called her Saukuruk. She was additionally seen as being synonymous with the Queen of Air and Darkness by some communities of fey, such as those of the Shiverpine Forest in the Deep Wilds. However, after the Sundering the Queen of Air and Darkness was seen to be only impersonating Auril in order to retain followers on Toril
Worshipers
In the North, Auril was a commonly worshiped, and feared, goddess and an integral part of northern cultures. Worship of the Frostmaiden was common in lands such as the Great Glacier, the Icerim Mountains, Sossal and Vaasa. Northlanders considered Auril one of their primary deities and was a key part of their culture. She was feared and seen as the harbinger of winter upon the whole world. In the late autumn and over the winter, regular sacrifices were made to her. Sacrifices of food were place upon rafts which were then set adrift in the ocean. Human sacrifices, usually prisoners of war or slaves, were placed on these rafts. Human sacrifice was a rare occurrence and was only seen during dire times. In the Moonsea region, followers of the Frostmaiden were shunned by society and was most commonly encountered in Mulmaster and Zhentil Keep. During the winter in Zhentil Keep, followers of Auril openly recruited from the destitute, homeless and refugees. They were offered salvation, instead of the risk of freezing to death in an alley, if they joined the faith. Worship and sacrifices to Auril were sparse in the Sea of Fallen Stars region, isolated to the northern shores. Illuskan invaders brought the worship of Auril to Tethyr. Auril is a key part of the religion of taers and most taer clerics venerated the Frostmaiden. Auril was one of the deities worshiped by air and water genasi, especially those who lived in cold regions. Air gensasi tended to be zealous in their worship, with a fanatical devotion to Auril. They enjoyed inflicting pain on other creatures using cold air. Auril was one of the deities worshiped by members of the Arcane Brotherhood. Auril used frost giants and winter wolves to deliver commands to her cults, while frostwind viragos and winter hags were the handmaidens of the Frostmaiden.Divine Origins
In 1485 DR, Chosen of Auril, Hedrun Arnsfirth, began her war in Icewind Dale.
In the late 15th century DR, Auril encroached onto Umberlee's domain by freezing her chaotic tides. Though Umberlee was once allied with Auril, she cut off this alliance, and turned to the other Gods of Fury, Talos and Malar. The three allied deities sought to take down the Frostmaiden, and she was forced to retreat to the most frigid region of Toril: the Sea of Moving Ice. Specifically on an island known as Solstice, the Goddess of Winter caused a seemingly eternal winter over the area, including Icewind Dale. As such, Auril became very weak and vulnerable, and self-isolated. In fact, she became so powerless that she could be slain by mortal creatures, which could force her to be banished until the next winter solstice.
This later traveled over when the Faerunians traveled through the abyss when harnessed and entered the continent of Ecabis.
Founding Date
17
Type
Religious, Cult
Deities
Location
Related Ethnicities
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