![[The_Maiden.png]] > [!success] The Maiden of the Veil > #### [[Prime Deities|Prime Deity]] > ![[Symbol-Maiden.png]] > > [!question] Domains > Death, Fate, Winter > > --- > > > [!question] Aliases > The Maiden, The Bone Witch, The White Watcher, The Raven Queen > It's thought by some that The Maiden was born not with [[Prime Deities|The Shapers]]. Some have assigned her both life and name before Time, when there was care not for the order and sequence of things. > > An artful woman, it is spoken that twice she bore children. Twice they were lost — either to famine or disease. We do not know. The third was lost before term. There were no words for pain in that time. There had not a need. Not until Her despair did such a word come to bearing. To The Shapers she pled, and to Her they offered a throne that she may preside over Death, such as she then understood. > > — [[Venerate Sedric|Ven. Sedric]] # Appearance and Symbols Her primary symbol is a two-headed raven, embodying the duality of her dominion. In some cultures, she is portrayed as a beautiful woman with raven-black wings, while others depict her as a skeletal figure cloaked in shadows, or a raven draped over a skull. ## Divine Role and Personality A complex deity embodying the duality of life and death, she is the guardian of the dead and overseer of fate. However, she also plays a crucial role in the continuation of life. Her winter domain represents both the death of the old year and the dormancy that precedes new growth. Despite her fearsome reputation, The Maiden is known for her fairness and understanding, although eons of dealing with death have left her somewhat detached from mortal concerns, often appearing cold or indifferent to human suffering. Despite her seemingly cold nature, The Maiden is rumored to have as fascination with mortal art, particularly music. It's said that she has been known to spare great artists or musicians from death if they agree to give her a unique and unrehearsed performance. These performances, in addition the final words of every being that passes through her realm, is rumored to be kept an endless library of whispers within her domain. # Realm and Servants The Maiden's castle is a vast structure that exists between the realms of the living and the dead, serving as goddess's seat of power. From here, she oversees the cycle of life and death and maintains the delicate balance between them. ## Dusk Wardens Her most notable servants are the Dusk Wardens, often called Sentinel Ravens, depending on locale. These former mortals act as her eyes and enforcers in the mortal realm and are dispatched to hunt down those who defy their natural order by cheating death or seeking immortality. # Worship and Followers Followers of The Maiden are diverse, ranging from those who seek her blessing for a peaceful death to those who wish to understand the mysteries of life their fate. ## Benevolent Worship Mortals pray to goddess for guidance and comfort in times of loss, believing she eases the passage of loved ones to the afterlife. It is common for midwives and healers to invoke her name in recognition of her role in both life's beginning and end. In some rare cases even farmers and naturalists honor her winter aspect, acknowledging the necessary cycle of death and rebirth in nature. ## Malevolent Worship A deity of such strong duality cannot represent only one side, of course. Assassins and executioners also worship The Maiden, believing that their acts of murder please her. Ironically, even necromancers seek her power while trying to circumvent her laws, though often with dire consequences. The role of The Maiden is often misinterpreted as the bringer of death, which can lead to the rise of cults dedicated to hastening the end of the world. # Conflicts and Relationships The goddess's strict stance against immortality and resurrection often puts her at odds with other deities, or powerful mortals who seek to overcome death. The duality of her nature often leads to theological debates and conflicting interpretations of her will. Despite her seemingly harsh demeanor, The Maiden of the Veil is ultimately a guardian of the natural order, ensuring that the cycle of life and death continues unimpeded in the Shattered Realms. #### Tags #deity #prime-creator [^1]: Deity names and titles often vary across different cultures and regions within the Shattered Realms, and the names provided here may not be exhaustive; your character may encounter or prefer alternative names for these entities in their own experiences and/or traditions.