Delana (Deh-LAH-Nuh)

Delana is a goddess of Life and Nature. She is one of the twelve Meladrin and is considered to be their leader within the faith, though more as a respected elder than a ruler. Meladrinism mythos details that she was the first Ethereal spirit to develop true consciousness and led the wars against chaos and the Primals. After the settling of the Age of Storms it is believed that Delana gifted life to the mortal races created by her fellow Meladrin, herself creating many of the beasts and plants of the earth as well as the Ancient race of Eladrin and later the Elves. Since the retreat of the gods to their own planar domains she has made her home in the forested realm of Arcadia.
Worship of Delana is prevalent throughout Faneshorn and in lands beyond, with particular focus in Elvish societies. The largest temple to Delana is the House of Life, located in Shurantil along the river Tillimi. Like many of her holy places it functions both as a place of worship and healing. People from all over make the journey to pray before the silver statue of the Lifegiver, give offerings, and seek the healing arts of the keepers of the temple. It is customary to bring a seed of some kind as payment for healing, though the priests will do it for free regardless.

Divine Domains

Life, Earth, Nature, Healing, Agriculture, Fertility

Artifacts

The Seed of Prosperity is an artifact passed down to the elves of Dalenieth from the Ancient eladrin. It appears as a solid gold pumpkin five feet to a side, and has the power to bring fertility and good harvest to the surrounding area.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

The primary symbol used in worship of Delana are the spiraling horns of the Velux Deer, or representations of the deer as a whole. The Velux is considered a holy animal and is forbidden to be hunted or eaten in most lands that adhere to the faith, though the animal is rare enough that this is rarely a problem. Other iconography include hawthorn trees, a green circle, and the bow and arrow as their favored weapon.

Tenets of Faith

The primary tenets of Delana's faith include nurturing and growing living things, caring for animals and nature, providing healing to those in need, and caring for the earth and environment.

Holidays

Fairseed is a traditional springtime festival to celebrate the passing of winter and the first planting of new crops, celebrated by most every culture with agricultural practices. Delana is venerated on this holiday to bless the worshipers with fertility and growth. 
Evernight in midwinter is a celebration of resilience in the face of adversity, and involves praise to Delana as a symbol of continual growth, life, and persistence. Evergreen trees and garlands are set to decorate towns and homes as symbols of Delana's presence and blessing.

Physical Description

Identifying Characteristics

Delana is most often imagined as a middle aged woman, often elvish, with wavy brown hair littered with leaves matching the season or bare branches in winter. She is robed in green, flowers grow in her footsteps, and she is often accompanied by animals.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Lesser Ethereal's and demigods associated with Delana include Vaarus the Healer, Itia the Matron, Koreth the Keeper, and Nimae the Warden.

Image credit Linda Bergkvist https://www.deviantart.com/enayla

Divine Classification

God

Religions

• Meladrinism

Realm

Arcadia

Honorary & Occupational Titles

The Mother, Lifegiver, Sahniteth, Womb of the Earth