The Night Mother
(a.k.a. Tsukiyomi (Kozukan Name))
In the land of Nidira, the Night Mother reigns as a revered deity, embodying the intricate tapestry of life, death, fate, and the night. Her presence casts a profound influence over the lives and beliefs of its inhabitants, drawing worshipers from all walks of life.
In the hearts of the faithful, the Night Mother is a source of solace and protection during the darkness of night. Her divine essence brings comfort and assurance, offering a guiding light through the shadows. Many turn to her in prayer, seeking her blessings for safe journeys under the cloak of darkness and the fulfillment of their destinies.
Yet, as with any powerful force, there are those who twist the teachings of the Night Mother into a darker path. In the hidden corners of Nidira, some followers stray from her true essence, delving into nefarious deeds and corrupt practices. These misguided individuals perceive her as a deity of malevolence, employing her powers for their own sinister agendas. Such interpretations tarnish the pure faith in the Night Mother, blurring the line between reverence and manipulation.
The celestial dance of the two moons, Umbria and Lumina, holds a significant place in the lore surrounding the Night Mother. Umbria, the larger moon, is believed to mirror her will and intentions. Its gentle movements across the night sky are seen as a reflection of the intricate interplay of life and death, guiding the paths of mortals with subtle but resolute influence. Lumina, the smaller moon with its ominous red glow, represents the darker aspects of the Night Mother's faith. It serves as a reminder of the depths of her domain, the hidden truths, and the complex tapestry of existence.
Throughout Nidira, temples and shrines dedicated to the Night Mother can be found, each adorned with symbols of the moon, the night sky, and the delicate balance between life and death. Devotees gather to pay homage, offering prayers and rituals to gain favor, seek guidance, or embrace the mysteries that lie within the realm of the Night Mother.
In the realm of Nidira, the Night Mother's influence is felt in every breath of the night, in every twist of fate, and in every soul that walks the path of life and death. Her worshipers embody a spectrum of beliefs, from those who seek her benevolent guidance to those who succumb to the allure of darkness. The true essence of the Night Mother remains enigmatic, her true intentions known only to those who dare to delve into the depths of her mysteries.
Worship and Rituals of the Night Mother
The Night Mother's worship is as varied and enigmatic as the deity herself, encompassing a wide range of practices that reflect her diverse domains. Her followers, from the devout to the secretive, engage in rituals that honor the intricate balance between life, death, fate, and the night.
Worship Practices
Nightly Prayers:
Every night, her followers offer prayers to the Night Mother. These prayers often involve lighting a black candle, which symbolizes the light within the darkness, and whispering their hopes, fears, and desires into the flame. It is believed that the Night Mother hears these prayers and provides guidance through dreams and omens.
Dream Journals:
Many worshippers keep dream journals to record their dreams and any messages or omens they might contain. These journals are considered sacred texts, and the interpretations of dreams are often shared within the community to gain deeper insights into the Night Mother's will.
Meditation in Darkness:
Followers often meditate in complete darkness to connect with the Night Mother. This practice is meant to help them embrace the unknown, face their fears, and find clarity in the silence of the night. Some use sensory deprivation tanks to achieve a deeper state of meditation.
Offering Rites:
Offerings of fruits, grains, and dark flowers are made at her altars, usually located in secluded groves or hidden temples. These offerings symbolize the bounties of life and the mysteries of death. On special occasions, more elaborate offerings might include crafted items or personal tokens of significant value.
Shadow Walks:
Followers undertake silent walks through forests or quiet urban areas under the cover of night. These walks are a form of pilgrimage, allowing the worshippers to connect with the natural world and the Night Mother's presence within it. It is believed that during these walks, the Night Mother may reveal hidden paths or secrets.
Major Rituals
The Rite of Reflection:
Held during the Day of Reflection on the 15th of Xerxes, this ritual honors those who have passed away. Followers gather in cemeteries or sacred sites, lighting lanterns to guide the spirits and offering prayers for their peaceful journey. The lanterns are often released into the sky or floated on water, symbolizing the souls' transition to the afterlife.
The Festival of Shadows:
Celebrated on the night of the new moon, this festival is a time of introspection and renewal. Worshippers gather to perform dances and songs that tell the stories of the Night Mother. The highlight of the festival is a communal meditation session where participants seek visions and guidance from the goddess.
The Dreamer's Vigil:
A sacred rite conducted once a year, where selected followers undergo a night-long vigil, staying awake to meditate and reflect. They consume special herbal infusions known to induce vivid dreams. The visions experienced during this vigil are considered prophetic and are meticulously recorded and analyzed.
The Harvest of Souls:
During the autumn equinox, followers perform this rite to honor the cycle of life and death. They collect fallen leaves and plant seeds, symbolizing the return of life from death. It is also a time to pay respects to ancestors and seek their wisdom.
Secretive and Darker Practices
While the mainstream worship of the Night Mother focuses on the balance and reverence of life and death, some sects and individuals take a darker path:
The Feast of Blood:
Celebrated by heretical followers, this ritual involves blood sacrifices to invoke the Night Mother's darker aspects. Participants believe this grants them power and favors from the goddess. These practices are considered taboo and are condemned by mainstream followers.
The Veil of Night:
A clandestine ritual performed by those seeking to manipulate fate. It involves intricate ceremonies under the red moon Lumina, where followers attempt to alter destinies for personal gain. The Night Mother's true devotees view this as a dangerous perversion of her teachings.
Myths and Legends
The Night Mother's Creation
It is said that the Night Mother was born from the void at the beginning of time, a being of darkness and light intertwined. She created the night as a time for reflection and rest, a sacred period when the veil between the living and the dead is thin. She wove the fabric of fate, ensuring that every being's path is part of a greater design.
The Tenuous Relationship with the Law Bearer
The Night Mother and the Law Bearer have a complex relationship, often seen as opposing forces yet essential to balance. While the Law Bearer represents order, justice, and the light of day, the Night Mother embodies chaos, fate, and the mysteries of the night. There are tales of their conflicts and collaborations, as both deities understand that one cannot exist without the other. One such legend tells of a time when the Law Bearer sought to banish the night, only to realize that without it, the world would descend into madness.
Feloria: Feloria’s fall and subsequent rise as the Fate Weaver were seen as an act of divine destiny orchestrated by the Night Mother. The Night Mother bestowed upon Feloria the loom of fate, cementing her role within the cosmic order.
Morthal: Morthal’s emergence from the primordial shadows and his alignment with the Night Mother's principles of life and death forged a deep bond of respect and trust. The Night Mother granted him the title of the Reaper, making him the custodian of the cycle of life and death.
Noxara: Born from the Night Mother's first shadow, Noxara’s existence is intrinsically linked to the Night Mother. Her role as the keeper of secrets and the guardian of dreams reflects the Night Mother's influence over the unseen and the mystical.
These deities serve as the Night Mother's lieutenants, each fulfilling a crucial role within her divine hierarchy, ensuring the balance of life, death, fate, and the mysteries that bind them all.
The Bond with the Verdant Warden
The Night Mother and the Verdant Warden share a deep connection rooted in the cycle of life and death. While the Verdant Warden nurtures life and nature, the Night Mother oversees the passage of souls and the fates intertwined with the natural world. A popular myth speaks of a pact made between the two deities: the Verdant Warden would ensure the rebirth of life, while the Night Mother would guide the souls of the departed, maintaining the balance of existence.
The Prophecy of Nocturne's Fall
The prophecy of Nocturne's Fall has been foretold for as long as any text or person can recall, going back over 1000 years. Though it has almost come to pass in the distant past, it was somehow negated or fought off, but now it is happening again with the new Harbinger. The prophecy warns of an apocalyptic event that will begin with the appearance of the Harbinger, leading to the red moon Lumina becoming a portal for dark forces to enter the world of Veth'Arden.
Divine Domains
Night:
The Night Mother’s connection to the night signifies her dominion over the darkness and the mysteries it holds. Her presence is felt in the quiet moments of twilight and the depths of the night, providing solace and protection to those who seek it. The night is a time for reflection, dreams, and hidden truths, and her followers find comfort and strength in the embrace of darkness. Temples and rituals dedicated to her often take place under the moonlight, invoking her guidance and blessings.
Fate:
As the weaver of fate, the Night Mother’s domain encompasses the intricate web of destinies that bind all beings. She is believed to hold the threads of every life, guiding their paths and influencing the course of events. Her followers seek her insights through divination and prophecy, hoping to understand the grand design she has woven. The Night Mother’s influence ensures that every action has a purpose and every choice contributes to the greater tapestry of existence.
Life:
The Night Mother’s connection to life is a reminder of the cyclical nature of existence. She is revered as a giver of life, nurturing the growth and vitality of all living beings. Her domain encompasses the birth and flourishing of life, symbolizing renewal and the eternal cycle. Her followers celebrate the blessings of life through rituals and festivals that honor the natural world and its abundance. The Night Mother’s teachings emphasize the interconnectedness of all life forms and the importance of nurturing and preserving the natural balance.
Death:
As the guardian of the afterlife, the Night Mother’s domain over death represents the final transition and the continuation of the cosmic cycle. She is seen as a guide for souls, ensuring their safe passage to the afterlife and maintaining the balance between the living and the dead. Her followers honor her through ceremonies that provide solace to the grieving and celebrate the lives of those who have passed on. The Night Mother’s presence in death is not feared but respected, as she represents the release from earthly suffering and the journey to the next phase of existence.
These domains collectively reflect the Night Mother’s role as a complex and multifaceted deity, embodying the profound mysteries of existence and the delicate balance between life and death. Her influence permeates the lives of her followers, guiding them through the cycles of nature, the twists of fate, and the eternal dance of night and day.
Artifacts
Artifacts of the Night Mother
The Night Mother, revered and feared, has bestowed several powerful artifacts upon the world of Veth'Arden. These artifacts, each imbued with a fragment of her divine essence, are sought after by those who wish to wield the power of the night, fate, life, and death. Here are the most notable artifacts associated with the Night Mother:
The Harbinger's Embrace
Description: A porcelain mask adorned with intricate engravings and symbols of the Night Mother. The mask is often worn by her chosen envoys and grants the wearer a profound connection to her divine essence.
The Night Warden
Description: A void-black halberd that emanates an aura of dark power. The blade is etched with ancient runes that glow faintly in the presence of moonlight.
The Night Stalkers
Description: A pair of ebon blades etched to resemble raven feathers. These blades are light and agile, perfect for swift and silent strikes.
The Night Watcher
Description: A beautifully crafted bow made from ebon wood, with an ethereal string that glows with a faint blue light. The bow is adorned with delicate carvings of ravens and moon phases.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The Night Mother, a deity of profound mystery and duality, is revered through a rich tapestry of symbols and rituals that capture her essence. These symbols not only represent her domains but also provide her followers with a means to connect with her divine presence.
The Porcelain Mask:
Description: A white porcelain mask often depicted on effigies and icons of the Night Mother.
Symbolism: The mask represents the duality of her nature – the serene face of comfort and the hidden visage of death. It signifies the mystery of the unknown and the thin veil between life and death.
The Crescent Moon Cradling a Red Moon:
Description: The primary symbol of the Night Mother is a crescent moon embracing a smaller, ominous red moon.
Symbolism: This symbol encapsulates the duality of the Night Mother's nature – the crescent moon representing the nurturing and protective aspects of the night, while the red moon signifies the darker, more chaotic elements of her domain.
Ravens:
Description: Ravens are sacred birds associated with the Night Mother.
Symbolism: Ravens are seen as messengers and harbingers, carrying souls to the afterlife and conveying the Night Mother's will. They represent wisdom, transformation, and the bridge between the mortal world and the divine.
Black Candles:
Description: Candles made of black wax, often used in rituals and ceremonies.
Symbolism: Black candles symbolize the light within darkness, the guiding flame in the shadows. They are used to invoke the Night Mother's presence, seek her protection, and illuminate hidden truths.
Ebon Trees:
Description: Trees with dark, almost black bark, often found near sacred groves dedicated to the Night Mother.
Symbolism: These trees symbolize the intertwining of life and death. Their deep roots represent the past and the dead, while their branches reach towards the future and the living.
Veils and Cloaks:
Description: Often used in rituals and worn by her priests.
Symbolism: Veils and cloaks represent the concealment of knowledge and the protection offered by the night. They signify the mystery and the allure of the unknown.
Tenets of Faith
The Tenets of the Night Mother's Faith are the guiding principles and beliefs upheld by her followers in the realm of Nidira. These tenets encompass the intricate balance between life, death, fate, and the night, shaping the worshipers' understanding of the divine and their place in the world. While interpretations may vary among different sects and individuals, the following principles capture the essence of the Night Mother's faith:
Embrace the Cycle: Acknowledge the eternal cycle of life and death, understanding that they are interconnected and essential aspects of existence. Embrace the natural flow of the cycle, honoring both the joys and sorrows it brings.
Revere the Night: Embrace the beauty and power of the night, for it is the time of reflection, introspection, and renewal. Seek solace and wisdom in the shadows, understanding that darkness holds its own truths and mysteries.
Respect Fate's Design: Recognize the hand of fate in shaping individual destinies and the grand tapestry of the world. Embrace the twists and turns of life's journey, trusting that every path has a purpose and every choice is guided by a greater design.
Honor Life's Fragility: Cherish the precious gift of life and its fleeting nature. Treat all living beings with compassion and kindness, understanding that every soul is part of the divine tapestry.
Embrace Death's Release: Accept death as a natural transition, a release from worldly suffering. Honor the departed and provide solace to those affected by loss, knowing that death is not an end but a continuation of the cosmic dance.
Seek Guidance in Dreams: Pay heed to the messages and omens that arise in dreams. Embrace the realm of dreams as a conduit to the divine, a place where hidden truths are unveiled and destinies are whispered.
Safeguard the Balance: Preserve the delicate balance between life and death, preventing the forces of chaos and disruption from disturbing the harmony. Stand as a guardian of the cosmic equilibrium, ensuring that the cycle remains unbroken.
Illuminate the Shadows: Seek knowledge and understanding of the mysteries concealed in darkness. Uncover hidden truths and challenge misconceptions, shining a light on the veiled aspects of existence.
Protect the Night's Children: Offer sanctuary and protection to those who find solace in the night, whether they be wanderers, outcasts, or those misunderstood by society. Embrace the diversity of the night's children and create a community where all are welcome.
Uphold the Night Mother's Will: Dedicate yourself to the service of the Night Mother, pledging your loyalty and devotion to her divine presence. Carry out her will with unwavering determination, spreading her teachings and fostering her influence throughout the realm.
Divine Classification
Greater Deity
Church/Cult
Children
