Gaeda

Gaeda The Earth Mother, Goddess of Agriculture, Love, and the Home

Pantheon: Orsein Human Pantheon

Alignment: Neutral Good (NG)

Domains: Life, Nature, Love, Community

Symbol: A blooming tree or a hearth with glowing embers

Favoured Weapon: Sickle or club

Worshippers: Farmers, midwives, homemakers, healers, and those seeking fertility and harmony in their homes

Overview

Gaeda, known as the Earth Mother, is the goddess of agriculture, love, and the home in the human pantheon of Orsein. She is venerated for her nurturing spirit, representing the cycles of nature, fertility, and the sustenance that the land provides. As a protector of families and communities, she embodies both the gentle care of a mother and the fierce protectiveness of a guardian.

Gaeda is an aspect of the elven god Elansten, worshipped by the Storm Elves, though over time, she has become a distinct deity in her own right within human belief. Her connection to the land and its harvests makes her particularly beloved in rural areas, where festivals in her honour mark the changing seasons, planting, and harvest times.

Appearance

Gaeda is often depicted as a beautiful woman with earthy tones, her skin appearing as if made of rich soil, and her hair resembling leaves, vines, or a flowing cascade of wheat. She may appear with a glowing hearth at her feet, symbolising the warmth and safety of the home. At times, she is shown carrying a sickle or a staff, the former representing the harvest and the latter symbolising her role as protector of the family.

Dogma

Gaeda teaches that the earth provides for all and that it is the duty of mortals to tend to it with care. Harmony in the home is seen as vital to both personal well-being and the prosperity of the community. Her followers are encouraged to value patience, love, and cooperation. She also teaches that love and family are the foundation of any healthy society, and by honouring these bonds, mortals honour Gaeda herself.

Worship and Clergy

Gaeda’s worship is widespread across Orsein, particularly among farming communities and those who rely on the land for survival. Her clergy often serve as both spiritual leaders and practical healers, using herbal remedies and divine magic to help the sick.

Her priests and priestesses preside over marriages, bless crops, and offer guidance to families in distress. They often perform rituals during planting and harvest seasons, seeking Gaeda’s blessing for a bountiful yield.

Holy Days:

• Planting Day: Celebrated in early spring, Planting Day is a time when farmers sow their fields. Communities gather to bless the seeds, with prayers for a bountiful harvest.
• The Harvest Festival: A late autumn celebration where communities give thanks to Gaeda for the harvest. Feasts, dances, and offerings of produce are made in her honour, with special focus on sharing food with the less fortunate.
• The Day of Mothers: A day set aside to honour mothers and caregivers, celebrated with gifts and feasts in the home.

Temples and Shrines

Temples dedicated to Gaeda are simple yet welcoming, often built around a central hearth or garden. In more rural areas, her shrines can be found in fields or groves, where offerings of food and drink are left to ensure good harvests. Temples to Gaeda are often humble structures, filled with plants, flowers, and symbols of the harvest. The hearth, central to her worship, burns continuously in her temples, symbolising her warmth and protective nature. These temples often function as communal gathering spots, where the needy can find shelter and food.

In the countryside, small shrines to Gaeda can be found at the edges of fields, near wells, or in the centre of villages. These shrines are cared for by local families, and offerings are regularly made to ask for her blessings.

Relationships with Other Deities

Gaeda is seen as a peaceful goddess, and she maintains good relations with most deities in the Orsein pantheon, especially those associated with nature or community. She is particularly aligned with Veritas (god of truth and justice), as her nurturing and protective aspects complement his quest for harmony and fairness in society. She also shares a deep connection with Mater (god of the downtrodden and sick), working together to protect the vulnerable and care for those in need.

However, Gaeda opposes gods like Volkstein (god of greed and deception), whose selfish and corrupting influence she views as a direct threat to the well-being of communities and the land.

Mythology

Gaeda is said to have been born from the first harvest when the gods shaped the land. Her nurturing essence blossomed as the first seeds were planted, and she has since ensured the balance between nature and humanity, protecting the earth from overexploitation. She is often credited with teaching early mortals the secrets of cultivation and how to live in harmony with the land.

One legend tells of a time when a terrible drought struck the land of Pacedon. In their desperation, the people prayed to Gaeda, who, seeing their suffering, wept tears that turned into the first rains. She sent her priests into the land, showing the people new ways to farm even in difficult times. Since then, she has been revered as the great protector of farmers and families.

Titles:

• The Earth Mother
• Lady of the Harvest
• Protector of the Hearth

Associated Animal: The dove, symbolising peace and love Associated Plants: Wheat, oak tree, and roses

Gaeda remains a pillar of stability in the Orsein pantheon, offering comfort and guidance to all who seek the warmth of her embrace.