Lunar Gods of Tondo Talestro
Tondo Talestro has a very unique and specific set of deities that its founders “brought” with them, though no trace of it remains elsewhere in the Shattered Isles. It is a combination pantheon and zodiac system, where each minor god rules over a specific moon in the year and all kinvari born under that moon. (Kinvari born under the same moon are not expected to be alike; it’s more like they have easier access to the portfolio of their minor god.)
Each of these gods is considered to be “under” the Lady of Heaven, like administrators of specific domains, and are interactive - individual prayers and petitions can be directed at them and actually have a chance of being answered/fulfilled. These are much like gods of the nome in function, but they also serve a social bonding role for those within the city, no matter the generation/age of the kinvari.
There are fourteen moons per year, and the lunar calendar’s new year is Summer Solstice, so we’ll start there. Each “moon” is from new moon to new moon, with the night of the actual new moon considered “empty” of a minor god. Those born under a new moon get access to a special deity, rather than one associated with a moon.
Summer Moons
01 - Little Moon - The Sentinel
Magic: Light Portfolio: Strength, Courage, Duty, Perseverance, Endurance, Honor, Protection Depiction: Androgynous elvish figure in plain clothes, holding a shepherd’s crook with a sabre sheathed at their hip. Personality: The Sentinel is all about duty to others first, protection of the herd, and endurance in the face of adversity. Their followers describe them as pragmatic, matter-of-fact, down-to-earth, blunt, supportive, and often with a very dry wit.02 - Will o’Wisp Moon - The Sophisticate
Magic: Mana Portfolio: Wit, Cleverness, Charisma, Guile, Social Skills Depiction: Nominally, an extremely attractive and suave moon elf of fluctuating gender, well-dressed and dazzling - but actual depictions tend to show them as a wide smile set in a lower face and a pair of hands (one usually holding a wine glass), the rest of their body blurred like a spirit’s. Personality: The Sophisticate is the debonair charmer, the socialite who leaves everyone they meet starry-eyed and deeply impressed. To their followers, however, they give a glimpse of the mind behind that well-crafted mask, savvy and clever, fantastic at reading people and manipulating the situation (socially speaking). The Sophisticate is easily bored and enjoys a challenge, unafraid of failure or embarrassment (mostly because they… can’t really be shamed).03 - Celebration Moon - The Dreamer
Magic: Aether Portfolio: Art, Song, Music, Dance, Poetry, Stories, Beauty, Creativity, Entertainment Depiction: A moon elf woman with long, loose hair and a long, loose dress, her eyes closed, smiling blissfully. Often shown dancing or twirling, sometimes painting on the darkness of nighttime with sparkling silver arcana. Personality: The Dreamer is the epitome of the artist channeling the muse: ungrounded, imaginative, somewhat cryptic, and beatific. Her followers describe her as pure, otherworldly, mystical, and selfless.04 - Berry Moon - The Duelist
Magic: Earth Portfolio: Battle, Combat, Martial Arts, Weaponry, Discipline, Victory Depiction: An androgynous figure, athletic, clad in fitted armor, a longbow on their back, a katana-like or rapier-like sword in one hand and a dirk in the other. (We don’t believe in shields here.) Personality: The Duelist is somewhat similar to the Sentinel in their pragmatism, but they have a proactive ambition instead of a readiness to react. Their followers describe them as motivating, no-nonsense, occasionally fierce, and always with high standards.05 - Lightning Moon - The Artificer
Magic: Refined Arcana Portfolio: Architecture, Engineering, Crafting, Smithing Depiction: The Artificer is rarely shown--usually it’s their creations, or a symbolic representation of their creations, usually something geometric and mechanical. The most common depiction of the Artificer themself is as a smith in the forge, bare back to the viewer. Personality: The Artificer is ultimately a maker, hands-on, but also a teacher to any who wish to learn a higher craft. Their followers describe them as organized, efficient, productive, and patient.Autumn Moons (Rainy)
06 - Reaping Moon - The Arbiter
Magic: Cold Portfolio: Authority, Leadership, Civilization, Law, Order, Justice, Truth Depiction: A tall, faceless figure in an austere crown and long, undecorated robes. In one hand, they hold the symbol for Truth; in the other, they hold the symbol for Story. (Sometimes, the symbols are imprinted on the hands instead.) (The symbol for Story can either represent the importance of stories to civilization, or the subjective story that an individual tells compared to the objective truth of the situation.) Personality: The Arbiter is intimidating and impassive, even to those on the side of the law. They judge everyone with equal intensity and offer clear, decisive conclusions that do not factor in excuses. No one is exempt from the Arbiter’s gaze, and they cannot be corrupted to look away. Their followers often take inspiration from the Arbiter to help correct social injustices and make situations more equitable and fair for everyone.07 - Feast Moon - The Scion
Magic: Nature Portfolio: Abundance, Wealth, Prosperity, Security, Resources, Power Depiction: The Scion has a few different depictions, but the ‘traditional’ one (that matches with the rest of the minor gods’ depictions) is that of a young, plump adult seated at a table full of food and riches. Other depictions include a nursing infant or an entire family enjoying a feast, with the focus on the grandparent figure. Sometimes mana tea or mana wine is depicted instead of food. Personality: No matter what life stage the Scion is depicted in, their demeanor is the same - satisfied, grateful, content, and deeply generous. The Scion enjoys their stability and seeks to extend it to others without imbalancing themself. Followers describe them as fundamentally caring, loving, happy, and resourceful.08 - Flood Moon - The Scholar
Magic: Wind Portfolio: Intelligence, Knowledge, Invention, Learning, Logic, Math, Strategy, Philosophy, Technology Depiction: A genderless figure in sorceror robes, an enormous book open in the crook of their arm, their other hand either gesturing or writing down formulas or schematics. Personality: The Scholar, often nicknamed the Professor, comes with a warning label against being too single-minded and forgetting the greater picture. The Scholar is depth of knowledge, as well as breadth, but usually that knowledge is learned in a sterile environment, taken out of context, and must be put back into context to be truly useful. Followers describe them as intent, determined, focused, uncannily intelligent, and always willing to help others learn.Winter Moons (Rainy)
09 - Hearth Moon - The Altruist
Magic: Fire Portfolio: Generosity, Charity, Compassion, Graciousness, Kindness, Forgiveness, Peace, Harmony Depiction: A moon elf woman with generous proportions and a motherly smile, wearing comfortable robes, looking slightly down and holding her arms out as though in offering or welcome. Personality: The Altruist is all about social and personal wellness, harmony, and strength through interconnectedness. She does not forgive-and-forget, but she helps those who have erred make amends for their mistakes and heal from their own transgressions. She is the heart of the quasi-socialism that makes Tondo Talestro function, and as such, she is also insightful and strong-hearted. Her followers describe her as a maternal figure who cares deeply and inspires them to care just as deeply about their fellow elves. Hers is the peace that comes through constant effort, not placid acceptance of happenstance.10 - Long Moon - The Ancestor
Magic: Celestial Portfolio: Marriage, Romantic Love, Familial Love, Childbirth, Family, Ancestors, Fertility Depiction: Like the Scion, the Ancestor has a few different depictions, the traditional one being a translucent or half-faded silhouette (a ghost, basically). More common depictions are a face in fire smoke or firelight shadows smiling at a family gathering, a spirit hovering over the shoulder of a squatting midwife, or a spirit joining the hands of two lovers. Personality: The Ancestor is the minor god of one’s actual ancestors, so many elves will actually engage with them /as/ one of their more prominent or memorable ancestors, including that ancestor’s personality. Despite this, a few traits are consistent across the Ancestor’s followers: a steady love and support for family, a value on blood family /and/ chosen family, and a sense of protecting and caring for everyone regardless of status or living family relations. The Ancestor emphasizes family, of course, but also watches over those without family, as no one alive is without ancestors who brought them here.11 - Ice Moon - The Scribe
Magic: Shadow Portfolio: Words, Languages, Memories, History, Books, Time Depiction: Not terribly dissimilar to the Scholar, the Scribe is a plain-robed figure dwarfed by aisles of books as in a library, or occasionally seen bent dutifully over a writing desk with ink-stained fingertips. Personality: Where the Scholar learns and the Artificer invents, the Scribe remembers and records. Even the longest-lived elves have imperfect memories, so written records of their personal past and the wider history of the world are crucial to maintaining and continuing civilization. Followers of the Scribe describe them as extremely detailed, valuing the reality of a situation over the interpretation later assigned to it, tireless, and with perfect integrity.Spring Moons
12 - Candle Moon - The Speaker
Magic: Water Portfolio: Diplomacy, Tact, Honesty, Clarity, Communication, Wisdom Depiction: An androgynous figure in robes, arms outstretched to each side as though inviting someone in, with their face turned both left and right, giving their static image the appearance of having two faces (but interpreted as one face able to see multiple angles at once). Personality: The Speaker is all about calm, clear, honest communication. Followers describe them as straight-forward (in both personality and action), devoted to finding a common ground or bridging a gap, firm in believing that peaceful (or at least constructive) communication is possible, and intolerant of obfuscation. The wisdom the Speaker holds is that which is gained when one knows oneself and speaks one’s truth, and allows others to do the same without trying to manipulate the situation or predict anyone else’s truths.13 - Hope Moon - The Physician
Magic: Anima Portfolio: Healing, Health, Recovery, Medicine, Hope, Life, Death, Mercy, Sacrifice, Survival Depiction: The only consistent part of the Physician’s depictions are their expression: lined with age and worry, mouth set in a determined line, eyes focused. Their gender and clothes can vary to indicate any type of healer, and the symbols for Life and Death are often hovering above and behind their shoulders, like symbolic wings. Personality: The Physician is equal parts soft and harsh, insisting on the ugly truth of what must be done in order to survive and recover, then gently supporting the gradual path back to health and wholeness. The Physician understands that sometimes extreme actions must be taken in order to ensure survival and does not waver from their commitment to Life. To their followers, they can be the scalpel or the balm at any time, but they never cause more pain than is strictly necessary, and they do not let weakness stand in for kindness when it comes to healing.14 - Blooming Moon - The Pioneer
Magic: Unrefined Arcana Portfolio: Adventure, Ambition, Luck, Fortune, Desire/Passion, Exploration, Travel, Progress, Trade Depiction: A moon elf woman in rugged leathers, a pack over one shoulder and a bevy of items on her belt, a walking stick in hand and a young arcanther at her side. She is always in an active pose, often striding forward or hiking up rocks. Personality: The Pioneer is bold, daring, ingenious, skilled--able and willing to take risks in order to succeed in a bigger way. She incites her followers to similar feats and reminds them that even failure is another chance to learn. (She is also credited with/blamed for wanderlust, which is a less desirable trait in the city.)Special
Dark Moon (New Moon) - The Navigator
Magic: Abyssal Portfolio: Chaos, Mystery, Secrets, Riddles, Fate, Destiny, Illusion, Dreams, Stealth, Trickery Depiction: A cloaked silhouette with only a smile visible on their face. Personality: Mysterious and inscrutable, the Navigator does not /cause/ chaos or confusion, but they move through it with innate ease and an unshakable sense of direction. They enjoy being able to survive and thrive in situations that would bring another to ruin, and they are always glad to show their followers how to do the same. Their followers describe them as unpredictable but never malicious, wrapped in too many layers to ever know their true intentions or motivations, and uncannily helpful, albeit somewhat cryptic at times.Earth Dates Version
June 10 to July 6 - Celebration Moon (Summer Solstice) - The Dreamer July 7 to August 1 - Berry Moon - The Duelist August 2 to August 27 - Lightning Moon - The Artificer August 28 to September 22 - Reaping Moon - The Arbiter -- Fall Equinox, Sept 22 September 23 to October 18 - Feast Moon - The Scion October 19 to November 12 - Flood Moon - The Scholar November 13 to December 8 - Hearth Moon - The Altruist December 9 to January 4 - Long Moon (Winter Solstice) - The Ancestor January 5 to January 30 - Ice Moon - The Scribe January 31 to February 25 - Candle Moon - The Speaker February 26 to March 23 - Hope Moon - The Physician -- Spring Equinox, Mar 20 (would fall properly between moons if Feb wasn’t extra short) March 24 to April 18 - Blooming Moon - The Pioneer April 19 to May 14 - Little Moon - The Sentinel May 15 to June 9 - Willowisp Moon - The Sophisticate
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