Takanda
Takanda, one of the five Living Gods of the Tahosian Dynasty, is the embodiment of the wild and untamed forces of nature. As the Goddess of beasts, fertility, rain, and new life, she represents both the nurturing and savage aspects of the natural world. She brings forth life, from the fertile soil that sustains crops to the rain that nourishes the Earth, and her spirit flows through every living creature in the Tansin subcontinent. Whether in the whisper of the wind, the rhythm of rainfall, or the roar of a tyrannosaur in the jungle, Takanda’s presence is ever felt. She governs the cyclical forces of life, growth, death, and renewal.
Though she is often revered as a maternal figure—fostering the prosperity of crops, animals, and humans alike—Takanda’s essence encompasses both creation and destruction. Just as nature nurtures, it also demands sacrifice. She is the embodiment of the savage beauty that pervades the wilderness. In the jungles where survival is a constant struggle, Takanda manifests in the fierce might of predators like raptors and tyrannosaurs, teaching that life is sustained through the trials of survival. Her followers understand that creation and destruction are not opposites but interconnected forces—life feeds on life, and even the mightiest of creatures are bound to the cycle of existence.
Takanda’s influence extends beyond the realm of fertility alone. She governs the intricate relationships between all living things, whether predator and prey or the symbiotic bonds between humans and beasts. For her, the taming of animals is not an act of domination but a sacred partnership—one in which both humans and creatures benefit from a mutual bond. This belief has allowed the Tahosian people to thrive in their wild homeland, where the domestication of dinosaurs and other formidable creatures is seen as a divine gift. Her followers believe that Takanda imparts the wisdom needed to live in harmony with nature—not as conquerors but as participants in its vast, interconnected design.
In the Kingdom of Zicotl, where Takanda is most deeply worshipped, her followers recognize the delicate balance between abundance and restraint. While she is a source of life’s bounty, her gifts must be honored with reverence. Overexploitation of the land or hunting without respect for the natural order is met with swift and often devastating consequences—droughts, destructive beasts, or torrential storms. Takanda’s wrath is a reminder that nature’s blessings are not to be taken lightly, and her teachings instill a deep respect for the rhythms of life and death. Her worship reinforces the understanding that life, in all its beauty and fragility, is subject to the unpredictable and untamable will of nature.
Depictions of Takanda
Takanda is often portrayed in two contrasting forms, embodying her dual nature as both the nurturing life-giver and the primal force of survival. In her more benevolent aspect, she appears as a towering, nude woman, her skin earthy and adorned with glowing, swirling tattoos that reflect the natural world. Her long, wild hair, interwoven with vines and flowers that bloom and wither with the seasons, cascades over her body like a living mantle. This form radiates fertility and abundance, her glowing eyes symbolizing the life force that she nurtures within all creatures. In her more fearsome guise, Takanda transforms into the embodiment of raw, untamed nature. She is often depicted as a sleek, predatory raptor or a towering tyrannosaur, her form reflecting the harsh reality of survival where strength prevails and the weak are culled. Her followers invoke this savage form in times of conflict or when calling upon her to lend strength and cunning in battle. When depicted in this way, Takanda is surrounded by fearsome beasts, her body adorned with trophies of the hunt, her eyes burning with the fierce wisdom of the wild. Takanda is also closely tied to the rain and storms that nourish the land, with depictions of her often showing clouds swirling around her, lightning crackling through her hair, and rain falling from her outstretched hands. This imagery captures her dual role as both the giver of life and the bringer of destruction. Her sacred symbols—such as the tree of life, representing the eternal cycle of nature, and the predatory claw, symbolizing the primal fight for survival—are carried by her followers to invoke her protection and blessings. Rare sightings of a mist-shrouded female figure in the deep jungles of Zicotl are believed to be glimpses of Takanda herself, with those lucky enough to witness her considered blessed by the Goddess.Tenets of Faith
Embrace the wild's duality. Takanda’s faithful must understand that nature is both a giver and a taker. Life is born in abundance, yet it survives through struggle. Followers are taught to honor this duality, recognizing the beauty in both creation and destruction. Nurturing life through cultivation is sacred, but so is hunting and defending one’s place in the world. Both are essential for maintaining the wild's harmony. Foster the sacred bond between man and beast. Takanda teaches that the relationship between humans and animals is one of partnership, not domination. To domesticate or tame a creature is to build mutual trust. Her followers are expected to treat animals with reverence, recognizing them as co-equals in nature. Abuse, cruelty, or exploitation of creatures without honoring this bond is a betrayal of Takanda’s teachings. Protect and sustain the balance of nature. The land provides, but only when treated with respect. Takanda’s followers are charged with safeguarding the natural balance—taking only what is needed, ensuring the wilds remain bountiful, and protecting against those who would destroy or exploit nature’s gifts. Reckless actions that upset this balance, whether over-harvesting or senseless killing, are seen as violations of her trust.Followers of Takanda
Takanda’s followers are as diverse as the natural world itself. Farmers, midwives, hunters, beastmasters, and healers all count themselves among her faithful. In the Kingdom of Zicotl, where she is revered above all other gods, nearly every household offers daily prayers to Takanda, asking for her blessings on their crops, animals, and families. The people of Zicotl understand that they live at the mercy of the land, and they honor Takanda as the one who grants them the bounty they need to survive. Among her most devoted followers are druids, beastmasters, and hunters, who seek her guidance in their interactions with the creatures of the jungle. They believe that through Takanda’s blessings, they can communicate with and understand the beasts, forming partnerships with them that benefit both man and animal. These followers see hunting as a sacred act, and they always offer part of their kill to Takanda as thanks for the life taken. Takanda’s followers are known for their celebrations of fertility and life. Festivals held in her honor often include the planting of trees, the release of animals into the wild, and grand feasts where the community comes together to share in the abundance of the land. These festivals are times of joy, where the people celebrate the gifts Takanda has given them, but they are also times of reverence, reminding all that the cycle of life continues, and that the bounty they enjoy today comes with the responsibility to protect it for tomorrow.Druids and Priestesses
The Druids of Takanda are her most powerful servants, entrusted with wielding the primal forces of nature. Guardians of her sacred groves, they ensure the delicate balance of life, growth, and the inevitable cycle of death remains undisturbed. Often found deep in the jungles of Tansia, these druids communicate with the beasts, restore damaged lands, and heal areas scarred by conflict or exploitation. Fierce defenders of the wild, they do not hesitate to call upon nature’s wrath to protect Takanda’s realm, unleashing storms or commanding the creatures of the jungle against those who threaten the natural order. The Priestesses of Takanda play a more nurturing role within their communities, serving as midwives, healers, and spiritual guides. They oversee vital rituals of fertility and growth, ensuring the prosperity of crops, the health of livestock, and the blessings of Takanda over births—whether Human or animal. These priestesses are also the keepers of ancient knowledge, passing down wisdom on healing herbs, animal husbandry, and the sacred rites that bind the people of Zicotl to the land.Temples
Takanda’s temples are monumental, ziggurat-like structures, seamlessly blending human craftsmanship with the natural world. Rising from the dense jungles, these temples are adorned with carvings of jungle beasts—ankylosaurs, raptors, and tyrannosaurs—symbolizing the balance of nature’s nurturing and savage forces. Vines, trees, and flowers grow through and around the stone, embodying Takanda’s essence as a life-giving force. These temples serve as sacred spaces where rituals are performed, offerings of fruits, grains, and herbs are made, and bonds between humans and the creatures of the wild are strengthened. At the center of Takanda’s worship stands the Temple of Takanda, the largest and most revered temple, forming the heart of the Kingdom of Zicotl. This grand structure towers above the jungle canopy, with its tiers connected by vine-woven bridges and stone pathways. The temple’s lower levels are open to the people of Zicotl for daily worship and healing, while the upper tiers, accessible only to the most devout, house the Grand Altar. Here, the high priestess performs sacred rituals, invoking Takanda’s blessings for the kingdom’s prosperity. The capital city of Zicotl is designed around this temple, reflecting Takanda’s principles of harmony with nature. Its streets and buildings incorporate natural elements like trees and waterfalls, with shrines scattered throughout the city where people offer prayers for fertility, protection, and rain. The Temple of Takanda serves as both a religious hub and a spiritual heart for the kingdom, where the faithful gather to celebrate the changing seasons and uphold the sacred bond between humans, animals, and the wild.Skinwalkers
The lore of skinwalkers is deeply tied to Takanda, the Queen of Beasts. These beings were originally powerful druids, already capable of temporarily transforming into animals using their wild shapes. However, Takanda, recognizing their devotion and need for greater power, blessed them with the ability to shift between human and animal forms at will, without the time limitations or restrictions of their former abilities. These skinwalkers are now able to freely assume the forms of jungle predators—jaguars, raptors, and tyrannosaurs—becoming true protectors of the wilds, upholding the sacred balance between humans and nature. This distinction from traditional druids is significant. While druids rely on a balance of shapeshifting and spellcasting, skinwalkers are defined by their constant, innate shapeshifting abilities. Their transformations are not temporary tools but permanent gifts from Takanda, allowing them to remain in their animal forms for as long as they desire. Skinwalkers also possess permanent animalistic traits even in their human forms, such as heightened senses, agility, or predatory instincts, which further separate them from their druidic origins. However, not all skinwalkers remain loyal to Takanda’s teachings. Some become consumed by the primal instincts of their animal forms, losing their humanity and becoming dangerous predators of both man and beast. These cursed skinwalkers are doomed to forever roam the jungle in their animal forms, cut off from the human world and the favor of the Goddess. Legends like Ix’kenna, the Jaguar of the Night, who became trapped in her jaguar form after saving her village, and Zolak, the Betrayer, a raptor skinwalker cursed for his greed and cruelty, serve as reminders of the power and responsibility that comes with Takanda’s gift. The Rite of the Changing Moon is the sacred initiation ritual for those chosen to become skinwalkers. The aspirants must survive alone in the wild, communing with nature, before undergoing a dangerous transformation where they drink the blood of a sacred beast. If successful, they gain the power to shift between human and animal forms at will. However, those who fail are consumed by the primal forces they attempt to harness. Skinwalkers are bound to Takanda’s law—use their gift for protection and balance, or face the fate of the Fallen Ones.
Portfolio
Crops, Beasts, Fertility, New life, Rain, Queens
Crops, Beasts, Fertility, New life, Rain, Queens
Divine Classification
Spirit
Religions
Realm
Children
Comments