Lorelei
Lorelei is a multifaceted nature goddess. In the most ancient records, she is described as the Goddess of the River Rhine. In a pre-Teutonian dialect her name means “murmuring rock”, which is an island on that mighty river where her principal temple stands. The oldest written references to her are found in the tale “Das Steinerne der Mutter” (The Stone Image of the Mother), which dates from before the rule of the drow. She is protector of the kender, who seem to have their origins in the Rhine Valley.
All nature goddesses are aspects of Lorelei and she of them. Some aspects are entirely ill-disposed to each other: Blight, goddess of decay, and Demeter of the Growing Seed are opposites, but they are both aspects of nature.
Lorelei herself is mostly benign, though it is ill-advised to cross her. Her neutrality means that she is a suitable choice for intervention between the other aspects (well, most of them). Seeking to invoke any of her other aspects is usually done through her, though Emallia of the Fruitless Hunt is often placated directly and petitioned to stay away. It is seen as hazardous to contact Darken directly or indirectly.
As countless as the aspects of nature, Lorelei's appearance changes frequently and she is known by many names. Vespula, the lady in black and yellow; Darken, the destructive force of nature; Laurellia, Goddess of Dryads; Aurora of the dawn; Epona of horses; Demeter of the ripening grain; Engariel of causing disease – but seven of Lorelei’s many faces. She often appears as a beautiful woman clad in greens with a flower headdress, but has many forms depending on which aspect is revealed.
There are rumours that Lorelei opposes Syth/Sythis, as part of their aspect is control of nature.
All nature goddesses are aspects of Lorelei and she of them. Some aspects are entirely ill-disposed to each other: Blight, goddess of decay, and Demeter of the Growing Seed are opposites, but they are both aspects of nature.
Lorelei herself is mostly benign, though it is ill-advised to cross her. Her neutrality means that she is a suitable choice for intervention between the other aspects (well, most of them). Seeking to invoke any of her other aspects is usually done through her, though Emallia of the Fruitless Hunt is often placated directly and petitioned to stay away. It is seen as hazardous to contact Darken directly or indirectly.
As countless as the aspects of nature, Lorelei's appearance changes frequently and she is known by many names. Vespula, the lady in black and yellow; Darken, the destructive force of nature; Laurellia, Goddess of Dryads; Aurora of the dawn; Epona of horses; Demeter of the ripening grain; Engariel of causing disease – but seven of Lorelei’s many faces. She often appears as a beautiful woman clad in greens with a flower headdress, but has many forms depending on which aspect is revealed.
There are rumours that Lorelei opposes Syth/Sythis, as part of their aspect is control of nature.
Holy Books & Codes
Rites for Lorelei vary with the aspect invoked. Lorelei herself is pleased by garlands of flowers, especially when they are cast into the Rhine or hung from sacred trees.
There is no known book of Lorelei but there is the Song. Verses vary but no- one has ever collected them all. What they all have in common is the final verse:
Countless are my names,
Endless runs the song
From first seed of life
Till the last flame cools.
Versions of this song exist for Laurellia and Siris at least, and it is certain that there are more.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Flowers, trees and rivers (differing for other aspects and attributes).
Holidays
Every day is sacred in some way, but her primary feasts are the beginning of spring, the end of autumn and midsummer.
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