Lakionma

Goddess of Scholars and History

Divine Domains

As the goddess of scholars, Lakionma is often prayed to for strength during late-night study or research sessions. She offers her blessings in the form of epiphanies and bursts of inspiration. She is not likely to interfere directly with scholars, understanding the thrill of achieving a breakthrough, that said she will sometimes offer a nudge in the right direction if requested. The halls of the Lakaenum are sacred to scholars for the undisturbed peace they offer, not to mention the near boundless wealth of information.

As the goddess of history, Lakionma or an aspect of her are present for all major and minor historical events. Everything is recorded in her Tome, though the process by which she includes things is unclear. Historians and antiquarians are often devout followers of hers, seeking her aid in their work. Whether it is poring over ancient texts or hard at work in a dig site. For the former her blessings are akin to those for scholars, with the added benefit that on occasion something will happen to nudge them in the correct direction. Perhaps an odd breeze flipping a page, or a book falling off the shelf. Unlike her scholars however, Lakionma is less hesitant to provide a firm hand in a historian's research. Misinformation is a great sin after all. For antiquarians, she asks the earth to shift just right for a bit of something to be revealed, she nudges them towards historic sites, and inspires in them a desire to find and document new antiquities.

Artifacts

A menhir appeared at the site of Lakionma's death in memoriam of her brave sacrifice and subsequent ascension.

Quill of the Archivist

Although the name would suggest otherwise, no Archivist past or present has been in possession of this quill. Rather, the Quill of the Archivist is said to be the quill used by Lakionma herself when writing in her Tome. What it looks like is a hotly debated topic, some say it is a pure white quill, some say it has no physical form, instead being a manifestation of starlight. Others still say that is one of Lakionma's own tail feathers. The truth is likely somewhere in between. Lakionma's tail feathers are pitch black with snowy white bands, and residing in the Celestial Realm, it is not unreasonable to presume her tail feathers may gather stardust giving it a unique glow.

According to legend, the Quill of the Archivist is enchanted so that while Lakionma may, and often does, write by talon, she may also simply dictate her thoughts aloud and the Quill will write for her. This ability has even been used to document important conversations verbatim.

Holy Books & Codes

The Halls of the Lakaenum are lined with the works of the Goddess, from the very first books written about her mother to her most recent documentations. An entire wing is sectioned off for her new tomes to appear. The most prominent of which is called 'Lakionma's Tome.' This massive book is said to be where prophecies, messages, and cosmic events are recorded. Only the Archivist and Yldres Worziros have access to it and it is a location is a closely guarded secret. Any who make a formal request may be shown the page in question, but there is no room for uncertainty in these requests so as to prevent those who would hold malice from getting even close to the book. Rumor has it that anything written in the Tome will become reality, but amongst Lakionma's followers this is widely regarded as hearsay.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

The sacred creature of Lakionma is known as a lesser sooty owl. A gray owl with a white face and intense dark eyes that seem to know all. Lakionma's personal companion is a summoned version of one such owl named Vlémma. He is a rather severe fellow and has no patience for foolish antics. When he's not aiding Lakionma in her personal research, he is scouring the realms for interesting things for his goddess to document. He once lamented not having thumbs but when offered the ability to shift forms became extremely offended and gave Lakionma the cold shoulder for a month much to her dismay. When not summoned, which is rare, he is found as an inked pattern on the inside of her right wing.

When emblazoning her symbol upon things, there are two commonly used. One is a simplified stamp of her face while the other is a quill with roots sprouting from the nib to represent both of her domains. The quill for scholars and the roots for history. The Rooted Quill, as it is known, is used far more commonly as it also the symbol for Strigitree which holds a close association with Lakionma.

Tenets of Faith

1. The pursuit of knowledge is to be held above all else.
   
   The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor that offers a chance at a better world for future generations. Although thankless at times, the promise of a better tomorrow through the understanding of the present is not to be taken lightly. In the past, a scholar once destroyed decades of work in a fit of rage due to feeling that they had no received enough recognition for their work. Thus this tenet was created as a reminder that knowledge is not pursued for fame or wealth but for the sake of a future.
2. The cost of knowledge shall not be valued higher than life.
   
   While some may find it in conflict with the previous tenet, knowledge without the vibrancy of life has no purpose. This tenet has been part of the faith since the beginning, for it was life that inspired Lakionma to pick up her quill in the first place. Knowledge is invaluable to be sure, but so are the relationships formed and the things that make life wonderful. Enjoy good food, take time for loved ones, the texts studied are going nowhere.
3. The destruction of knowledge shall not be tolerated.
   
   A terrible thing that shouldn't need to be in writing. Amending incorrect information is one thing, but the destruction of knowledge is another. It is important to keep record of how knowledge has changed, and new discoveries can always be made from old ones. Tragically, this tenet was created as a result of pain. After the events of the Undoing, much information was lost between the demonic attacks, secrets that people wanted buried, shame in actions taken to survive, and simple malice. Alongside Yldres of Flamering, Lakionma and the Lakaenum preserve all knowledge and allow public access at their discretion.
4. Thou shalt not knowingly spread misinformation.
   
   A simple enough tenet. Knowledge is valuable and misinformation can be deadly. There is flexibility in this however as there is a stark difference in saying a deadly thing is not and that a harmless forest is more dangerous to keep children from wandering.

Holidays

Silentium Libri

Silentium Libri is an annual holiday held in winter where followers of Lakionma are strongly encouraged to spend the day in quiet pursuit of unfamiliar knowledge. While there is nothing forbidding continued pursuit of one's field, taking this day to learn something outside current knowledge is seen quite favorably. Many times this day of learning has resulted in scholars switching fields as they discover a new and enticing curiosity. This too is encouraged, for it's rare for there to be too many scholars in a single area. Even the adventurous antiquarians will pause their exploration for the day to take time to read and learn. If one is unable to get their hands on books, learning from a willing fellow is highly encouraged. Many find it surprising how willing tradespeople are to explain their craft to the curious. What they fail to understand is that it is not often they have a captive audience as they detail the intricacies of their work. Such as the precise temperature necessary for the sharpest iron or the way grain affects what may be made from wood.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Lakionma is the first of the fledgling gods. She hatched near the beginning of the Undoing, and watched through wide, piercing black eyes as things rapidly fell apart around her. One of her first memories, being bundled into her father's arms and feeling wind rush around her as his wings beat the air and flew them to safety. Her mother calling, "Protect Laki, Errek!" Then the clash of steel. She was raised on the story of her mother, a fierce warrior and the matriarch of their family, staying behind to fend off the initial attacks. Stories were all she had of her mother, and she treasured them deeply. She and her father were constantly on the move, struggling to stay ahead of the encroaching hoard. When she was 7 they began settling down in a small village. She was given her first paper and quill and with her father's help, began writing down stories of her mother. How she cared deeply for her kin, and was a fierce warrior. When Laki finished chronicling her mother's stories, she began asking others for their stories and writing them down. When she 9 she was gifted a soft, leather-bound book to keep these stories in. When she filled it, she took odd jobs from her neighbors to afford a new one. Then another, and another. By the time she was 10 and had begun learning to fly, the local carpenter had built her a shelf for her books as thanks for helping commemorate his father's knowledge before his passing.

The peace in her village could not last however. While years had passed and she had learned to fly, the demonic invasion had not ceased. To the northwest hellbeasts were attacking the dwarves. To the west elves were being afflicted with disease and the loss of magic. In Lakionma's little village, she had helped build a basic school where younglings could practice different skills before apprenticeship and she taught them to read and write. It would all come crashing down in an instant when a battalion of the demon army would come to pillage her hometown. Their little town wasn't even in the sights of the army, the battalion simply felt like having some fun and happened to stumble across them. When soldiers burst through the door to her small bedroom turned library-that-happens-to-contain-a-bed they were greeted with an indignant squawk and a particularly sturdy book colliding with the poor fool who opened the door. This stun was long enough for her to flee out the window, feathers fluttering to the ground where they pulled out by her panicked scramble. Lakionma looked around in a panic, dread gripping her heart when she realized that they had already began setting fire to homes and slaughtering innocents. Realizing that they hadn't made it to the school yet, she raced there, tripping over her own talons. If she took off they may take more notice of her then a clumsy black shape darting across the village. She slipped inside with the quiet clack of the door and was met with a pitchfork initially as one of her older students prepared to fight. When they recognized her, the gathered younglings, though she supposed some of them were nearly grown now, heaved a sigh of relief. They spoke in panicked whispers asking what they should, barely holding back sobs as they recounted their parents sending them to hide here before going to face the army with what scavenged weapons they could find. Lakionma didn't have the heart to say that their parents were probably dead so she instead soothed their worries and ushered them to a corner away from the windows and hoped that there was enough time. She had taught herself some basic spells from travelling merchants and quickly moved a large potted plant that they had in the room. A quick spell of protection from flame and thanking Terra she had learned a spell for plant growth from a passing merchant, she enticed the plant to grow large and strong, shielding the younglings from view and appearing as an overgrown plant. She could only hope it was enough as she asked them to stay silent while she led the battalion away.

Up onto the roof she climbed, before launching herself into the air with a screech. Her wings already ached and she regretted not heeding her father when he had told her to exercise her wings regularly as an owlet. She let out another screech, crying that she was going to find the kids. The few still standing caught on immediately, trusting that she was too smart to let their kids fall into harm's way and began mimicking her efforts by making a grand show of trying to stop demons from giving chase. It worked all too well unfortunately, those that stood against the demon soldiers fell and Lakionma was struck from the sky when an arrow found its mark in her chest. As she lay on the hard ground, tense with pain and breathing heavily, she heard a guttural cry followed by the sound of approaching, and then leaving footsteps. It seemed the battalion was leaving. They were safe, her students were safe. She let out a slow, shaky breath feeling the pain begin to ebb. Lakionma died from her wound and the village center was moved to encircle the menhir that marked her ascension to divinity. A great stone monument with her visage carved on the front of it, looking refined and elegant with a quill with roots coming from the nib at the top. Her home would eventually become the great city of Strigitree.

Personality Characteristics

Personality Quirks

While typically a very refined and regal goddess, Lakionma can often be found buried in books with a cup of tea and a rather bewildered look at being disturbed. Many of her notes have tea stains as a result of her startle.

Divine Classification

Goddess

Current Status

Perusing the libraries of Flamering

Current Location

Flamering

Species

Owlkin

Church/Cult

The Lakaenum

Honorary & Occupational Titles

The High Archivist, Historian of the World, Keeper of Knowledge

Parents

Errek Castton

Current Residence

Celestial Realm

Pronouns

she/her

Presentation

Feminine

Eyes

Black

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Feathers are primarily black with traces of sooty-brown and paler-whitish bars.

Height

9' or 274 cm

Weight

114 lbs or 52 kg

Aligned Organization

The Lakaenum

Known Languages

All languages