Zera-Ka, the Shadowed Huntress
- Domains: Forests, Hunting, Caverns
- Classification: Lesser Amar
Zera-Ka is a lesser Amar associated with the deep forests, silent hunts, and shadowed caverns. She is a mysterious and elusive figure, often depicted as a guardian of the wilds and those who navigate them. Little is known of her true nature, for she does not seek worship or dominion—only respect for the untamed world she watches over.
Her first recorded appearance was before the elves of Exotia, whom she aided during their resettlement after Laira’s death at the end of the First Age. Some claim she guided them through the labyrinthine forests, whispering through the wind and leaving signs in the undergrowth. Others believe she granted hunters the skill to track without being seen.
Some myths suggest that she once walked freely among mortals, teaching them the ways of the deep wilds, only to fade into legend as civilization spread.
Symbol of Zera-Ka
Zera-Ka’s symbol is a twisting antler entwined with ivy, representing the harmony of predator and forest. It is often carved into wooden pendants, painted onto hunting bows, or etched into the stone entrances of caves.
Some depictions show her mark as a pair of piercing eyes within a crescent moon, hinting at her unseen but ever-present nature.
Shrine of Zera-Ka
Shrines to Zera-Ka are rare, as she is not a deity of temples or grand altars. Her followers, particularly rangers, hunters, and wanderers, honor her in hidden ways.
- A shrine dedicated to her is typically found deep within a forest glade or within the mouth of a cavern. It consists of:
- A stone altar covered in moss, where offerings of meat, bones, or feathers are left.
- Animal skulls or antlers, often hanging from trees or stacked in a careful arrangement.
- A fire pit or carved torch stands, though the flames are only lit on special nights, such as the winter solstice.
Those who seek Zera-Ka’s blessing must leave behind something from their own hunt—a token of respect for the wilds. It is said that those who steal from her shrines will become lost in the woods, never to be found again.
