Vanya

(Goddess of Valor, War, and Wrath)

Great Queen of Holy Justice

The Lady of Heavenly Wrath

The Divine Blade of Retribution

Symbol: A longsword shrouded with the fire of vengeance known as The Divine Blade of Retribution.

Description:

The goddess of valor, war, and the patron deity of elven paladins, Vanya is known as the Great Queen of Divine Justice, the Lady of Heavenly Wrath, and the Divine Blade of Retribution. Her clerics, known as Avengers, are often called upon to see to it that the guilty are punished for their transgressions, and to protect the weak and powerless from evil. Because of her great hatred of evil Vanya is favored by good people, although she is considered neutral in alignment. The punishments she meets out to the guilty are too harsh for most good people to even consider. Although Vanya is technically an elven goddess, she has found a small, but loyal following among human warriors.

Worship:

Vanya is a popular deity for many warriors throughout Landor, particularly among the elves of Deriahn. She also receives prayers from people seeking retribution when they’ve been wronged. Vanya has more of a following with the elves of Deriahn and as such is commonly thought to be an elven deity, though there are many Aldarian paladins that worship Vanya as well.

Temples:

Temples to the Lady of Heavenly Wrath are usually small, white, and artistic. A feature inherited from the elves who originally worshipped her. Their sanctuary is not found inside, as is the case with most other religions, but in and open courtyard of the temple. Exposure to the light of the sun is said to bring the Avengers closer to their god. The chief temple for the religion is located in the elven city of Felwithe in the Valley of Deriahn.

Clerical Raiment’s:

Avengers of Vanya usually adorn themselves in cloaks of light blue with tabards displaying the Divine Blade of Retribution overtop the finest armor they can afford. Avengers always wear a longsword on their side more as a symbol of their faith than as a weapon, though it clearly serves as both.

Holy Days and Times:

For the faithful of Vanya, the holiest of Days is Yenearsira (Evening Star 22^nd). On Yenearsira, the clergy hold ceremonies honoring Vanya and the justice she has brought though the acts of her faithful. Scrolls recording the deeds of her followers are read aloud and her priests are granted increased fighting ability. Vanya’s clerics pray at Highsun for their spells.

Relationships:

The Holy Order of Vanya is friendly with the religions of Heironeous and Pelor, Like many other religions, they disdain both Bertoxxulous and Nerull, considering them “enemies of the faith.” However, their deepest hatred is reserved for the god Hextor and his followers, whom they see as the antithesis of justice.

Essence of the Faith:

Factions and Orders:

In addition to the standard priesthood, the Holy Order of Vanya has one other special order, the Tir’shain. The Tir’shain is a militaristic holy order, dedicated to hunting and eliminating the Undead. They are headquartered in the city-state of Aurakis.

The Tir'shain

The Tir'shain are a holy order charged with hunting and eliminating the undead. They are headquartered in the city-state of Aurakis on Avongar.

Doamins: Renewal, Retribution

Favored Weapon: Heavy Mace

Typical Alignment: Lawful-Neutral

Game Information:

Allowed Alignments:

Lawful Neutral and Lawful-Good

Domains:

Law, Protection, Renewal, and Retribution

Favored Weapon:

“The Divine Blade of Vengeance” (longsword)

Favored Class:

Paladin

Holy Day Powers:

On Yenearsira (Evening Star 22nd), Avengers of Vanya gain two boons. First, they gain the effects of the spell Divine Favor for the entire day. The other benefit is that on this day the cleric’s Base Attack Bonus is that of a fighter of equivalent level (if multi-classed, the fighter BAB applies only to the cleric class).

Examples:
• A 6th Level Cleric, normally +4, is treated as being +6/+1
• A 5th Level Cleric/2nd Level Fighter, normally +5, is treated as +7/+2
(No extra abilities or bonuses are granted by this power (i.e.; it does not overcome damage reduction). These powers are granted at noon on Evening Star 22nd and last until noon of the following day).

Notes: Clerics of this religion commonly multiclass as paladin/clerics.
 

Divine Gifts for Laity:

Once per month, characters with this god as their patron may add a +4 sacred bonus to a single attack roll. The attack bonus is divine and will overcome damage reduction. On their holy day, lay worshippers of the god may cast Bless Weapon.
 

Common Prayers

The prayer recited most fervently is called the Entreaty, and it is the cry to Vanya for justice for the murdered. While it is meant for the murdered, its meaning is said to be beyond any one crime. The Entreaty is never said lightly, as it is a solemn plea to Vanya for justice.

Great Vanya, Divine Blade of Retribution,
Lady of Heavenly Wrath,
Hear me in my need.
My blood runs in rivers,
And with it mingle my bitter tears.
I lay dying yet no crime have I done,
No man have I wronged.
My innocent blood I offer to you, Great Vanya,
My angry tears are my libations;
I pray to you that those who wrong me will find justice,
By your hand or another’s.
Let not my blood be washed away,
Let not my life be forgotten.”

Another prayer common to paladins of Vanya who undertake a long and dangerous quest.

“Beside my soul you ride, Lady Justice
May my foot-falls be as well-placed and unfaltering as the hooves the steed on which you ride.
May each swing of my sword that flows from me be like your wrath, as sure in aim and as certain in destruction.
Bring me through this battle successfully, Vanya, may my task be fully accomplished.
Then, when you have brought me back to home unharmed,
I will offer to you in thanks.
This is my vow to you, Lady of Heavenly Wrath.”

Please note that I have respectfully borrowed some details and descriptions for my campaign from Bruce A. Gulke and his Realm of Mythosa Campaign. You should click the banner below and go check out his awsome campaign.

All maps on this site were created using Profantasy's Campaign Cartographer 2

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Web Site Created and Maintained by Thrylax            Site Last Updated on: Sunday, September 11, 2005