Tamamo-no-Mae

Goddess of Knowledge, Beauty, and Mischief

Tamamo-no-Mae is the principal goddess of The Gem Islands, and the foundational force behind her own metaplane, The Gardens of Knowledge. Under her guidance the Gem Islands grew from warring tribes into a strong kingdom rules by Philosopher Kings, each ruling with her blessing. Since the conquest of the islands by the Empire, she has been drawn from her realm, imprisoned in magicite crystal like so many other deities since.

The Mortal

Tamamo-no-Mae was once a mortal woman celebrated for her breathtaking beauty, vast knowledge, and sharp intellect. As a concubine to the then-ruler of one of the tumultuous Gem Islands, she deftly influenced the affairs of state and amassed an extensive library with her lover's assistance. Over time, her reputation grew, and her mythical status took root in the minds of the people, eventually leading to her ascension to godhood. She is said to have had a fondness for foxes in mortal life, keeping several as pets within her lavish gardens.

The Goddess

As a goddess, Tamamo-no-Mae's realm is one of boundless knowledge, interwoven with serene beauty. Her domain, known as The Gardens of Knowledge or Chisiki-no-Teien, reflects her dual passions for learning and aesthetics. Cherry blossoms are perpetually in bloom, their trunks shaping themselves into bookshelves, creating a harmonious marriage of library and garden. Tamamo-no-Mae's divine nature is characterized by both her love for knowledge, and her propensity for tricks and manipulation.
Her chosen messangers are the Kitsu Okami, great fox spirits who roams the planes in search of knowledge to bring back home to their mistress.
The Kitsune are said to be descended from her line, though there is dispute whether this is the case, or whether they are simply a result of Planar Corruption from her influence within the Gem Islands. Regardless of the truth, the people of the Islands respect them greatly, and the noble families of that realm are drawn entirely from their ranks.