Tyloma
The One
The patron deity of the Soulmeliti, Tyloma (Tie-Low-Mah) appears as a beautiful, pale skinned Soulmeliti maiden, with pale blue eyes with no irises. She is usually dressed in loose fitting clothing of silk and samite, and armed with a fine-crafted silvery jian.
History/Relationships
Tyloma has always held herself apart from the other gods of Tarien and with the exception of a brief dalliance with a cat lord, had few relationships. Instead, she has focused her will on her children, the Soulmeliti. Some may argue that her attentions have not always been beneficial - she did after all destroy Solarin in a fit of rage. Others believe that these failings make her more accessible to mortals than other gods might be. Uninterested in relationships with her peers, she has done nothing to dissuade her children's belief that she is the one true god.
Dogma
Like her children, Tyloma values that which is natural and beautiful. Flowers, trees, streams, and creatures of the wild are all in her purview. Under her careful nurturing, her priests shape the forest around her into a something more pleasing than its natural order, using her patience to bend trees into fantastic shapes the power of the wind and rain to creating stunning landscapes.
She patronizes the arts and the delicate craftsmanship of the Soulmeliti, encouraging works of contemplation and reflection. Like her works of nature, this art is often broad in scope and complex in structure. Some of the greatest works art on Tarien have been made in her honor and many of those require days of study to comprehend.
At the same time she can be petty and spiteful. Like her children, she harbors memories of wrongs for long millennia and her vengeance can be terrible when exacted. Such deep seeded hatred can lead to cruelty in horrifically creative ways and those that offend her have been know to suffer long, torturous deaths.
Unlike most other religions, her faithful believe her to be the sole god on Tarien. He nemesis - Nosferian is seen as an anti-god - a true demon of the underworld. Other gods are seen merely as aspects of Tyloma or perhaps minor beings of power. Some believe these gods to be no more than mortals who have accrued vast power, enough to fool the more simple minded races.
Church/Priesthood
Priests of Tyloma are the spiritual leaders of the Soulmeliti. The Soulmeliti, being monotheistic, have intense religious values, and see Tyloma as their protector and the holder of beauty. They tend to the forests, judge beauty contests, and garden. They heal the sick, and help the poor. In the Great War, they used their powers to protect the forests.
"Through grace and the passing of seasons our hurts will diminish. Through contemplation and conversation our understanding will grow. And though we may never forgive our cousins for the wrongs they inflicted upon us, we shall rise above the need for hate."
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Children
Ruled Locations
Oak Leaf
Main Temple
Temple of Tyloma, New Solarin
Portfolio
Art, Beauty, Forests, Longevity, the Soulmeliti
Domains
Peace
Head of Priesthood
Selina A'Dorno
A Shrine to Tyloma in Hopki