Alya

Alya, the God of Sky, is a member of the Hireath Pantheon She is the creator of pegasi and patron of the Serora herd. A warrior goddess, most accounts of God’s War describe her as violent - either a savior or a villain. She, along with Ignacio, is one of the more controversial gods in the pantheon.
== Mythology ==
Alya is a controversial god whose depictions and mythological significance vary greatly between herds - so much so that only Ignacio can boast to have a more conflicting image. Among Serorans, War Forged and Breim, Alya is viewed favorably and believed to be a great savior goddess, the one who truly turned the tide of war with her decisive action. Talori and Aodh, on the other hand, see Alya as a villain, although for different reasons. Aodhians believe Alya started the war and is a cold-blooded murderer, while Talori believes that while Alya did not instigate the war, her extreme actions and cruelty during it have forever tainted her.
Alya is the goddess of winds, and her sphere also includes the moon and the stars, giving her dominion over the night sky. Some believe that her close connection with the skies makes her favor the pegasi, but those who worship her attest that she loves all her children. She is also worshipped as the god of music, especially among her dear Serorans, and various instruments are closely associated with her worship. All her depictions share a penchant for battle and fighting - either as a protective god, like among Breim and Serora, or as a more nefarious figure, like with Aodh and Talori. 
Alya is commonly connected with Cascade in the depictions that view her in a positive light - the correlation between wind and rain being an obvious one, as well as both being associated with sailing. Alya has no strong association with Argus or Kaia in most legends, outside the three of them standing together during God’s War. 
The relationship between Alya and Ignacio is often depicted in both story and art. In religions where Alya is seen as a force for good, Ignacio is usually seen as her opposite force, a terrible flame locked in constant combat with the goddess. Aodhians, who hate Alya, believe her to be Ignacio’s nemesis, a constant opponent and bitter adversary. Talori are unique in their belief that Ignacio and Alya are allies, and indeed lovers, tied in a destructive embrace that seeks to destroy the world.
Some controversial sources claim that Alya and Ignacio were once as close as lovers, and that they created many creatures together - including the wyverns and thunderbirds.
== Worship ==
Due to being a controversial god, the views of Alya, as well as her popularity, vary wildly between herds. Those who worship Alya often leave her small gifts, regardless of herd. Feathers and simple instruments are considered to be the best offering, although some (especially the Forged) may offer her weapons as well. 
=== Serora ===
Serora worships Alya as their patron god and protector. She is an adoring and loving but also intimidating mother figure - a goddess who loves her children, but does not spoil them with plenty. Her love is tough and hard earned, but Serorans believe that should they ever be in danger, Alya will stop at nothing to protect them.
She is believed to be fond of testing her mortals, pushing them to their limits. Those who exceed her expectations are believed to be granted with great fortunes, whether in the form of blessings or otherwise. Serorans believe Alya loves all of her children, but abhors self-pity and wants her people to be strong and independent while remaining empathetic and kind. Her virtues - which Serorans often seek to embody - reflect a world view driven by strong action and emotion, with a dedication to one’s family and integrity towards oneself. 
Alya is believed to be closely connected with Cascade, for Alya’s great winds are a vessel for Cascade’s gentle rainfall. She is also connected with Ignacio, who is believed to be her enemy. 
=== Aodh ===
Alya is universally disliked among the Aodhians, who believe that she instigated the God’s War, and that she and her pegasi murdered the kirins in cold blood, leaving no survivors. Aodhians view Alya as capricious, cruel, vindictive and destructive, and as the natural enemy and opposing but weaker force of Ignacio, their patron.
Ever since the reign of King Titus (871-873), the worship of Alya was completely outlawed within Aodh’s borders, and those who broke this law would face grave consequences, regardless of societal status. The worship of Alya was legalized by King Edna (reigned 1593-1641), but she remains a disliked god, mostly worshipped by immigrants from War Forged, as well as slaves. For someone in high society to publicly praise Alya is social suicide.
In truth, Alya is the original patron of Aodh, as the originators of modern Aodh were mostly immigrants from Serora. After Aodh’s war for independence, all traces of the Seroran past were destroyed, including the worship of the sky goddess.
=== War Forged ===
Alya’s popularity among the War Forged is only rivaled by the popularity of their patron, Kaia. She is thought to be tempestuous and prone to sudden change. She is not a reliable and steady force, like Kaia, but rather a respected and forceful god who can bless you just as much as damn you if you cross her. Revered among War Forged as a warrior god who came to their rescue during the war, Alya is often depicted clad in armor and wielding weapons made of wind and stars. Particularly great Forged warriors may be depicted in art and legend as having four wings, just like Alya, to show that their ferocity and skill in war rivaled even the goddess.
The Bloody Flanks revere Kaia and Cascade more so than Alya, but she is still viewed favorably, even if considered a lesser force than their two main deities.
=== Breim ===
The Umare see Alya as a powerful goddess of protection, capable of warding off evil and chasing off malicious powers. She is prayed to for support, and the Breimian view of her is one of a shielding warrior with a gentle heart - one who only raises her sword in protection of the weak.
In Kawaru religion, Alya is fused together with Cascade and Kaia to form The Goddess, a hybrid deity in which Alya refers to the forces of nature.
=== Talori ===
Talori views Alya as an antagonistic and chaotic goddess, linked with strife, war and bloodshed. She is believed to be the wife of Ignacio, who works together with him to bring about the destruction of Hireath. Those blessed by her are considered impure and in willful opposition to the Talori traditions. The forced end of the pegasi sacrifices, and the transformation of the Divine into a pegasus have only darkened the view of Alya among traditionalists, while a small minority now seek to better understand her.
On the Isles, Alya is worshipped, although often as much out of fear as of genuine piety. Connected to the winds, her favor is necessary for any successful sea voyage, and she is believed to be closely connected with her sister Cascade - both of whom can bring about the destruction of a sailor who displeases them.
=== Vagabonds ===
Vagabonds carry with them various beliefs, some of them direct reflections of their herds of origin, while others have their own belief systems that are not tied to any herd. 
Some Vindicators worship Alya due to her association with freedom, but due to the group having so many members of Aodhian origin, they generally share Aodhian views of her - that is to say, she is viewed disfavorably at best.
The Freedom’s Flight proclaims Alya as one of their unofficial patrons, partially out of simple defiance towards Talori. Their image of her often reflects the rogue views, although some have simply put a slightly more positive spin on her depiction among the Talori - or even wholeheartedly accept her prescribed evil traits, and hope to use them to their favor. Some Flight members hate and fear Alya, just like mainland Talori do.
Cultists and residents of Asylon do not worship Alya, and only seek her out for her blessings. Many of Alya’s blessings, such as lullaby and invisibility, are considered particularly useful for committing nefarious deeds.
== Blessings ==
Standard Blessings
* Air Manipulation
* Hyper Speed
* Sonic Voice
* Lullaby
* Teleportation
* Astral Projection
* Oxygen Manipulation
Holy Blessings
* Spatial Manipulation
* Cosmic Manipulation
== Places of Worship ==
Alya has several temples across Hireath, but many of her worshippers prefer open air shrines which allow them to be truly embraced by the goddesses domain. When possible, her places of worship tend to be located in high places.
=== Serora ===
Alya has small shrines scattered all across Sedo. Ancient wayshrines often act as guiding landmarks for travelers, and are cared for by Mullah. In addition to the shrines, there are several major locations tied to the worship of their patron.
==== The Temple of Four - Alhaj, Temple ====
A temple dedicated to Alya, Kaia, Cascade and Argus.
==== Great Temple of Alya - Alhaj, Temple ====
An ancient temple showcasing the grandeur of old Serora, as well as their devotion to the goddess.
==== Temple of Searing Sands - The Sear, Temple ====
Also known as Alya’s Temple, this ancient temple stands in the most inhospitable part of Hireath - the Sear. Reaching it is believed to be a test of devotion.
==== Lake Shrine - Osulas, Shrine ====
A shrine located on the shores of a lake created by Alya and Cascade.
==== Peak Shrine - God’s Landing, Shrine ====
A stone slab carved with a depiction of the goddess, located atop the highest mesa in God’s Landing. Next to the slab are a set of hoofprints pressed into the very rock of the mesa, believed to be the spot where Alya stood when she created Sedo, watching over the landscape as it formed. The place is only reachable by flight, and a common place of pilgrimage for pegasi - and less reverently, often a finish line for various races and challenges among pegasi youths and immature adults.
==== God’s Landing - Place ====
The entirety of God’s Landing is believed to be blessed by the goddess, and the place where the gods land when they visit Hireath.
==== Valley of Melodies - Place ====
An area in Ziuseset with rock formations, mountains, tunnels and caverns where the winds always sing. Believed to be the birthplace of music.
=== Outside Sedo ===
==== Vatros Sanctum - Aodh, New Valore ====
The only Sanctum in Aodh that has an official shrine dedicated to the sky goddess. Features a small effigy of Kaia.
==== Summit Shrine - Onea, Mount Skeldr ====
A shrine dedicated to Alya at the very top of mount Skeldr, standing right beside a similar shrine to Kaia.
==== Town Square Shrine - Onea, Skeldr Town ====
A statue and shrine of Alya, located in the central market square of Skeldr Town.
==== Alya’s Temple - Sirith, Nariah ====
One of Nariah’s largest temples, this towering structure reaches towards the sky.Category:Gods
Category:Serora