Freya

The predominant faith in the Skellige Isles, Freya represents the differing aspects of the forces of the natural world, similar to Melitele on the mainland. While she is depicted as maiden, mother, and crone at different time, she is most commonly depicted as a beautiful, mature woman, heavily pregnant, wearing the diamond Brisingamen around her neck. Freya embodies the qualities of maternal wisdom and strongly supports love, marriage, and families.

Freya is normally benevolent, and the Islanders are her beloved children. She is, however, a mother with some definite ideas on how her children should behave, and those who break her strictures or desecrate her temples face her wrath. There are many strong and adventurous types who would sooner face a screaming horde than disappointment and punishment from their mothers for cruelty and misdeeds. In Freya’s case, she severs them from the source of motherly love and kindness until they show proper and sincere contrition. Those who refuse to repent or do penance for their crimes face an even stronger punishment. The goddess curses them to never again know the love and support she provides, eternally. Worse, because Freya embodies the concept of family, this curse falls upon any descendants of the miscreant in perpetuity. A lesson in not making your mother angry and why abandoning or slaying one’s own kin is one of the worst crimes a Skelliger can commit. Those who have done so can seek an honorable death in battle to expunge their offense and protect their children’s futures.

Throughout the Skellige Isles, the general population reveres Freya, especially women regardless of social status. Those who work closely with nature and depend upon its moods and shifts also strongly favor this goddess. A hunter might offer a prayer to her for a successful pursuit, a farmer would likewise in hopes of clement weather and a good harvest. The raiders for whom the Isles are famed plead for calm seas and those they leave on land for their safe and swift return.

Women form the whole of the priesthood of Freya, though men may serve in a lay capacity. Priestesses wear practical dresses and caps of simple, purple fabrics. This suits their position as de facto “mothers’’ to the community, taking care of injuries and illnesses and adjudicating squabbles before they develop sufficiently to escalate to the jarls’ courts. In particular, they serve women as midwives and counselors, providing solace, explanation, and remedies for girls as they mature. Worshipers may seek their blessings for healthy children, crops, and the safe return of loved ones. Freya’s priests regard those with sorcerous abilities with mistrust, as not quite being part of the natural world. Druids, however, while not forming part of her clergy, recognize Freya as a face of Mother Nature, in a bond of mutual respect with the priesthood. Freya’s primary temple is on the isle of Hindarsfjall; here, her worshipers make offerings of honey, strawberries, yogurt, and mead, and sing her love songs and poems.

According to legend, Freya can take the form of a white cat, so cats, along with falcons, are sacred to her. Feeding a stray or adopting a cat to your hearth is seen as a way of cultivating her favor

Unlike many nations, the Clans of Skellige hold a very personal connection to their goddess. It is believed by the Skelliger people that the founders of the 6 great clans of Skellige were all sons of the great hero of legend, Hemdall and his wife Heulyn. Hemdall, a mighty champion who lays in rest until summoned for the last great battle of Ragh nar Roog, is believed by most to be the son of Freya and a demi-god in his own respect.

Type

Religious, Divine Host