Cerunna of the Woods

Ka Lede O Ka Nahele

A short History of Cerunna of the Woods

Cerunna - patron goddess of the elves. Everyone knows the story of her fleeing the darkness and creating large swaths of forests to ensure the safety of her people - and the bargain she had to take to make that happen.

Mortal Life

During the times lost to history, Cerunna and her fellow elves were always running and fleeing, the time of nomads they called it. A darkness followed them and all that dared to remain out in the open. Little is known about her actual life, she was the daughter of simple hunters and quickly took to the craft. Like all elves at the time, they lived until they were killed. The death of an elf was a rare thing, yet she witnessed three of her grandparents dying to the darkness, events that shook her dramatically and formed her character from an early age on.

Ascension

There came the day that the band she was running with got cornered by the darkness. She alone managed to escape, into the safety of a nearby forest. There she broke down and cried out to all those that might listen. Something answered her prayers and suggested a deal. So strong was her grief that, for a brief moment, she spoke for all elves all of her kin that were hunted by the darkness. Cerunna took that deal changing all elves forever. She would become a god of her own right, her people would gain the ability to adapt to any place they could live in, but they would sacrifice a lot of their own magic to do that. Elves became normal spellcasters instead of exceptional ones, they lost their eternal life, being reduced to two or three centuries each. However, a short life lived free is better than a long one spent running. The magic went to Cerunna and she ascended. Immediately expanding the forest she was in, covering land in the size of an entire country in trees, packed so tight that the darkness would never find her people.

Worship

Worshippers

All kinds and subraces of elves love and hate Cerunna. They owe her their lives and at the same time many think, that they would still live without her influence, cursing her for taking away the life and magic they could have had. Hunters and druids show her their allegiance, praying to her, so that the forests will give up their bounty to them. Rangers see themselves as the enforcers of her will.

Priests

Druids and forest workers are seen as those that speak for her. They will learn of their fate in twisted dreams, showing them what could have happened if she did not take the deal proposed to her. Animals gifted with an intelligence way to high for what they should be able to show. Many say that these are those that angered Cerunna and were punished for their transgression but given a chance to atone.

Paladins

Cerunna does not have a need for Paladins. They are too loud and boisterous, not at all hidden and cautious. She instead prefers to give her rangers and rogues her blessings, although never too many - if they are not careful enough, they should be removed fromt the herd, culled, to kill them is to protect everyone else.

Acts of Worship

Hunting in the dark of night, stalking your prey, removing the sickly and weak. Destroying those that belong to the darkness, protecting your family and your friends. All of these will earn Cerunna's favour, but be careful that you do not overdo it, Cerunna does not like those that perform devotion instead of showing it truly.

Temples

There are no true temples to Cerunna. Instead she is worshipped in hidden glades and clearings, in cities gardens are often found dedicated to her. Any true worshipper will plant at least one tree on their property to hold their prayers beneath. Those trees tend to grow very fast to impressive sizes.

I'd rather be free than spend an eternity cowering from every shadow

— from the book "Justifications of Cerunna"

Worshippers:
Elves
Hunters
Rangers
Druids

Sayings:
The weak are culled, so that the strong may prosper

Related Myths

• Three Betrayals