Mala, Goddess of Peace

Mala is the Goddess of Peace. She is the youngest child of Neket.

## Origins and Creations

Towards the end of the First Era, Neket sealed away the Elder Gods of Somara into the Sealed Planes, in order to minimize their influence over the world.

In anticipation of his own absence, he created six children to bring order to Somara in his stead; they are Coroc, God of Time; Fune, God of Vengeance; Targus, God of Knowledge; Ultha, God of Language; Chaina, Goddess of Luck; and Mala, Goddess of Peace.

Mala's domain was peace. She was responsible for doing whatever necessary to maintain balance in Somara, protecting the world from extreme violence.

## Appearance

As with all gods, Mala can take on any appearance she chooses, and generally will change her form to reflect the racial or social identity of those she speaks to. Her most common form, however, is that of a tall, humanoid woman of indeterminate race with long brown hair, wearing a flowing white gown.

If Mala appears as a mediator to a group of people of mixed races, she sometimes chooses to appear as a person of indeterminate race, often as a blend of the present races (for example, a half-elf to humans and elves, a half-orc to humans and orcs, etc).

Mala never carries weapons with her.

## Personality

Mala is very calm and peaceful. She never raises her voice, and treats all around her with utmost respect, regardless of their alignment. Mala is more concerned with making peace than with determining who is right or wrong. For example, during the Fifth Era, when many rebellions broke out in the Ivertian Empire, she was known to have worked with both sides at different points in order to find common ground and bring them to peace.

The one thing that can rouse Mala to taking sides is anything that majorly disrupts the balance of the world (such as the Dark World Crisis). When taking sides in any conflict, Mala does not fight directly, but rather works behind the scenes, helping in indirect ways. Scholars believe that this may be because it is rumored that no person can commit an act of violence in Mala's presence.

Mala has been known to express minor distaste for Caius and Mogus, but is said to always remain civil in her dealings with them.

Mala has a close relationship with her brothers Fune and Coroc, and often enlists them to bring vengeance upon those who attempt to violate peace that she has imposed or negotiated.

## Worship

Mala's worshipers tend to be pacifists, diplomats, and healers. The most common clerical domain for followers of Mala is Peace, followed closely by Order, Protection, and Life. Due to her disdain for violence, it is extremely rare to find paladins in service of Mala. Instead, many monks who follow the Way of Tranquility worship her and follow her teachings.

Worship of Mala is not often found among common folks (usually due to her staunch distaste for violence), but is instead usually relegated to dedicated organizations. The Sisters of Mercy are a group of nuns in the Derdurian Kingdom that revere Mala, and offer shelter and healing to any who request it. The Guardians of Harmony are a group of warriors in Maltou that are dedicated to Mala. Their purpose is to hunt down and stop any magic-users who attempt to defy the natural order (no matter how good their intentions) by any means necessary.