Wystana, The Wolf of the Wood ((wih-stann-ah))
Goddess of Life and Agriculture Wystana
The wilds claim much of the land on Omeath. With sprawling forest, expansive deserts, colossal mountain ranges, and stormy seas. The Wilderness is a wondrous and dangerous entity that is often harmful to those who enter it. However, in the deepest of forests and around the most ancient trees, a goddess claims it as her doing. Wystana is a goddess of nature, forests, life, agriculture, hunting, trickery, fertility, and rebirth. Also known as the Wolf of the Wood, Wystana lives in the forest and commands the wildlife that resides there. An ancient goddess with a history of controversy and isolation was adopted into the larger fold of The Campiotic Guide where she is worshipped by millions.
Wystana is a goddess who most would not expect to be in a popular pantheon due to her history of isolation, somewhat abrasive stance on civilization. However, due to her valiant efforts during the Ruination, and the spread of her worship by influential Wystanite Saints, she has become a beacon of hope for those within and outside the realms of civilization.
The Wolf of the Wood
Bounding through the wilderness between the sturdy trees of the forest, and through the tall grasses of the plains. Wystana prowls the realms with her loyal pack. Among the prancing beasts, you can easily pick out the goddess from among them. Between the furs of black, grey, and brown you see a wolf of sleek reddish fur with glowing golden eyes. However, what truly splits her apart from her kin is the crown of branching ivory antlers growing from her brow. Intertwined through the antlers are a series of vines with stunningly beautiful flowers budding from the stems. A wreath of grain hangs around her neck and she can transform into a true wolf, or into a humanoid figure clad in furs and hides.
A Religion of the Wilds
Before Wystana was part of The Campiotic Guide, her worship belonged to smaller circles of remote communities, solitary hermits, and druidic circles. She was observed and worshipped by those who relied heavily on the will of the wilderness around them for their livelihood. However, some among he worshippers were able to control the wilderness she commanded with her blessing or assistance. However, those are have gained her blessing or her guidance are among those who spend much of their lives isolated in the wilds of the realms they inhabit or from rural villages of farmers or ranchers. Taking in nature, and often times rejecting the idea of larger societies and civilizations in favor of those with a closer connection to their surroundings. Most of the time, the Wystanites are a calm group of worshippers who wish for a peaceful life or balance in their ecosystem. However, bands of radicals or zealots do exist, as they exist in every society with a belief in some greater being or ideal.
In the year 1275 AS, the Teluvian city of Grancaede suffered an attack by an order of Wystanite extremists known as the Order of the Weeping Lotus. The Order of the Weeping Lotus was an order of Wystanites who had retreated into the deepest reaches of the wilderness to find their goddess. They were isolated far from any semblance of civilization and living in nomadic bands known as packs. The city of Grancaede was a brilliant city with many technological advances and impressive industry for the time. The Wystanites saw this city as an affront to their goddess and the natural order, so they called a holy war and burned the city to the ground, destroying countless texts and leaving rubble in their wake. They continued working their way through Teluvian land and eventually crossed into the realms of other kingdoms. However, after the disatrous battle of Eventide Fields, the order was disbanded and worship of Wystana was outlawed for 240 years.
The Campion of Natural Order
Around the time of The Ruination, Wystana began to rise in prevalence in favor of the mortal races. After the disastrous events of the Raze of Avalon, Wystana and her followers began dedicating themselves to fighting back the influence of The Crowns. While plague spread and famine was growing, the Wystanites attempted to bring balance back to the world through their nature aligned powers. Producing food and medicine, as well as protecting the world on the fringes of civilization. The Order of the Weeping Lotus made a resurgence during this time, and dedicated themselves to the cause of beating back the abominations and treachery of The Crowns. She also hunted with her pack throughout the universe, slaying Crowns and beating back aberrations who dared infringe upon the mortal realm.
With her integration into The Campiotic Guide, her worship has spread to the masses. Most of those who worship Wystana as the primary god of their household are farmers or craftsmen. Her main role in the pantheon is to represent growth, life, and agriculture. Favored by the hardworking folk who work the land, Wystana has become a symbol of hard work and family in recent history, as well as growth and harvest. However, there are some groups who still worship her in her previous incarnations, staying in the wilds in isolation with the pack.
Origin
The Origin of Wystana is still shrouded in mystery. Many believe her to be an ancient deity who lived humbly in the wilderness and prowled her own plane. Whether she was hatched or she ascended is still unknown to most mortal creatures and a good number of divine creatures as well. However, her first time being worshipped by a mortal race can be traced to humanity on Amracet. Around 10,000 years ago in the far gone age of Forgotten Writings, a legend persists of the Tale of the Dirian Ibex. Through the guidance of a strange she-wolf, the huntress Dira manages to find a herd of ibexes. Dira readied her bow, but the she-wolf stopped her telling her to bring them home and raise them instead.
Divine Domains
The Domains of Wystana include those of nature, fertility, agriculture, trickery, and life.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The symbols of Wystana have changed over the time of her worship. While several stay the same, some have evolved or are entirely new and added in recent history.
The primary symbol for Wystana is that of a wolf's head with antlers protruding from it's scalp. These symbols vary in detail, ranging from highly decorated motifs and expertly carved etchings to depict every strand of fur or vine on the antlers, to simple silhouettes of the image with light linework. Most of these symbols are carved from wood or bone. However, some greater examples are forged or carved from bronze or ivory. In the great temple of Wystana, located in the expansive forests of Northern Oracesis, north of Sunavae, there is an entire giant bust carved from the reddish tinted wood of a great cedar tree. Carved and polished, it looks almost as if the goddess herself was petrified in wood. It is an ancient piece, being nearly 2,600 years old and showing no signs of rot or decay.
One of her oldest symbols is the wolf. The wolf or hound is a sacred animal to all Wystanites. They are viewed as great and majestic creatures who must be respected. Fierce creatures that can tear into their prey and live in large packs like roving hordes, they are dangerous and you should steer clear of such creatures. If the need arises where you must kill a wolf in order to save yourself, ensure that is is buried. A dusting of leaves or soil over it is enough however a simple burial to respect the pack is simple. Under no circumstances should you hunt a wolf for sport, only slay a wolf if your livlihood or survival is at stake.
Othe symbols of hers include various things. The Dirian Ibex is a prominent and ancient example, often used by Paladins looking to prove themselves on quests or in battle. A crown of wheat or an antler wrapped in fibers are also prominent symbols with newer connotations. The crown of wheat more relates to her recent history as a goddess of agriculture.
Tenets of Faith
1. Find beauty in the scenery around you.
2. Find serenity in your surroundings, both simple and extreme.
3. Live well and give back to the soil when you take from it.
4. Decay of the soul lies in greed and hoarding.
5. To waste a gift of the forest is to insult Wystana herself.
Mental characteristics
Gender Identity
While they are a deity, they can choose any form they wish. However, most of them prefer one form over another and thus the denomination between gods and goddesses is important.
Wystana feels more comfortable in the form of a female. She identifies with the title Goddess of the Wood and with the pronouns that accompany the title and identity. She goes by she/her and whenever switching between her usual form and her separate forms, she prefers to take that of a female.
Divine Classification
Wilderness Goddess
Church/Cult
Children
Pronouns
She/Her
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