Shaned

"Our lady is the source of all civilization. For it is from her that we receive the law. It was by her hand that we were shown the ways of community and peaceful trade between enlightened people. Her code it is that encourages all that is good in the world to flourish."

- The Codex of Criteria -

Sacred text of Saint Elmin the Stern -

In and around the Innersea region Shaned is usually depicted as a Human female dressed in furs and carrying a hunting spear and is known as 'Shaned the Hunter'. Although within the church of Saint Elmin she is often depicted as a merchant. She is generally considered to have three different aspects. In one form she is considered to be the god of Hunting, Farming, Animals, and plants. In another, she is the god of Community, Family, and Good Deeds. Her third aspect casts her as the god of Trade, Abiding by the Law, and the creation of Good Laws. She is often depicted as being close friends with Yonn, perhaps because of their overlapping interests in plants, animals, and nature in general. Indeed it is said that their Realms of Shanelrin and Virid, while separate, are in fact touching, and passing from one to the other is relatively easy.

Early History

When the Jhutovans were first discovered by Yonn living like animals in caves, Shaned was one of the gods that taught them the ways of civilization. She taught them how to make tools, for farming, how to build settlements and how to work as a community, and how to hunt. She was appalled when they took that knowledge of tools and hunting and used them to wage war against one another. To a god that was immortal and indestructible, the idea that these sentient beings would purposefully seek to shorten the life of another was horrifying. She tried many times to persuade them that peaceful trade and negotiation was preferable to bloodshed but ultimately failed. The Jhut as a species were just too destructive. After the Dragon War and the metallic dragons had appeared, when some of the other gods started to create new mortal races of there own, she was reluctant to teach them. But when the other gods implored her, she finally relented. She found these races generally to be much more to her liking, especially the industrious Geshwarin. Both the Orcs and Humans she refused to teach at first, seeing them both as too chaotic and destructive, but Shessua pointed out the beautiful things humans would be able to create with her knowledge and so finally agreed to teach them. Mornha explained that the Orcs needed the knowledge to defend themselves from the aggressive Jhutovans and that they would also use their greater strength to protect the other young races, as so she deceived Shaned.

Current Status

Shaned is a popular god throughout the region. Her different aspects and saints appeal to wide-ranging groups. She is popular in smaller farming communities for her connection to hunting and farming, indeed she is often the patron god of these communities. Her aspects of family, community, trade and law, make her popular with merchants, lawmakers, and government figures in larger towns and cities. Since the end of the Second Gods' War when the gods resolved to leave Pelagus, Shaned has been resident in her own Realm of Shanelrin. Whether she created the realm or simply occupies it with her saints, is unknown.

Holy Symbol

Her holy symbol is the Wheatsheaf. It signifies parts of all of her aspects. Farming, Trade, and Community. The symbols used by her saints usually combine this into their own version. For example, Saint Elmins symbol is a Wheatsheaf wrapped in a ribbon, signifying the trading of produce. It is common for people to keep a symbol of Shaned or one of her saints about their person in some form. For a simple farmer or peasant, this could be a simple carved wooden pendant, that can be found in any marketplace across the region, or even self-made with a little skill. For the wealthy, and especially those wanting to flaunt their wealth, a gold brooch made by the finest artisans is not uncommon.