Naruli

in: Gods & Religions

## Introduction

She is known throughout the world as the Goddess of Nature and Life with many names being given to her by the various worshipers throughout the world. Relics and symbols for Naruli can be found all throughout the world, some seeming to have been created with the beginning of intelligence in the world, where others are newer created by her worshipers. Some of the most spectacular murals and ritualistic sights are found in the southeastern forest and jungles near Caledonni, Oyari, and the Wood Elves. However, those are not the only places of worship found dedicated to her. Multiple sights can be found throughout the land, a rock formation found in the Frozen Spine that looks like a woman, in the caves near Jazarian. Even the anti-religious White Thorns Kingdom has a temple that was built for her in the Oakfields Dutchy, some of the citizens praying to her for good harvests or to consume the dead and return them to the earth. The study of her has become one of great debate at the Lexican Archives. Some believe she is a newer goddess that has taken over the powers of an old god ( like the Twin Souls) while others believe she is one of the original gods created alongside The Slumberer. It is a debate that has no end over the centuries, though most believe she is one of the Original Gods. Unfortunately no one can even be sure of where the religion and worship of her began as it has spread throughout the world like massive tree roots.

Naruli is often depicted with a womanly figure made from the earth and nature itself. With plants and natural materials covering her form and in art of her fully body nature appears behind her, as if her simply walking can make plants appear. She is most often depicted made from lush and green nature with a peaceful or motherly look to herself. Though, there have also been other depictions of her found throughout the world as well. In a temple to her in the volcanic mountains of Obsidian Spire, a statue depicts her as made of obsidian rock with lava flowing through her body and forming her hair as it drapes over her. Near the Arcelian Islands is a small underground temple ruins behind a thin crystal wall that depicts her as being the ocean and the wife of Nostrum. She has even been depicted as the Moon in some relics found in the north. The figure she takes on seems to depend on the artists that draw and carve her likeness around them. The symbol for her is that of a tree , the roots rising up to meet the leaves that reach down for them representing the circle of life.

As a goddess of life and birth, her own sexuality is often brought up in discussions. She is often considered a wife and lover of many other gods. Most prominently is the Beast King who seems to be a favorite mate of hers. With his animals and chosen children living upon the world she births, she also accepts their corpses to help feed and renew herself. However, he is not the only god who is depicted. In Arcelian City-States it’s believed she is the lover of Nostrum and her form of that is the ocean that surrounds the world. In Nocturnum, and any place that worships Solarium, she is depicted as his wife. A woman who gives birth to plants that reach up to the warmth his sun casts upon the world. She is also considered a mother, with her children being the Elementals and Witches.

### The Mother of Witches

The Coven of the Mother follows Naruli strictly. Witches born into this coven often have some birthmark of a natural symbol, usually a tree. They are often considered the “good” witches and are allowed to openly practice in places like White Thorns. Naruli is considered their true mother who grants them the power to control the life of animals and elementals to help them throughout their lives. It is said she allows her witches to bind to them one of the elementals birthed from her, or one of the animals or chosen children of her lover, The Beast King. Most of the witches who are born to her coven carry on as healers, clerics, alchemists, gardners, cooks, etc. Always doing work that keeps them close to their Mother’s teachings. They would never perform dark magic nor abide by those who attempt to go against Naruli’s teachings, like the Forsaken Hearts. To them to become an undead would mean an end to their connection to the Mother, making them lose all that they are to that undeath. They are seen as her chosen children along with Elementals.

### Elemental Paths

As the goddess of nature she is in control of the five elements of the world. While every follower follows it, some tend to stick with following only one path while others choose multiple or all of them. The Earthen Path is one of stability and perseverance. Those who follow along the earthen path tend to be healers and farmers. Praying to the goddess to keep them as strong as the ground they tread upon, but as ever changing as the plants. The Burning path is of passion and change. Never staying the same from one moment to the next. Always following their passions they tend to be more of the artists and entertainers of Naruli’s followers. Praying to the goddess that are always filled with the passions as bright and hot as flames, and that they never stay the same.

#### *Wind*

The path that follows wind are travelers. Always following wherever the wind takes them and rarely staying in the same spot for long. They pray to the goddess for good winds to lead them to where they need to go.

#### *Water*

Path of the tides is one of calm and collected individuals. They are cool and tend to be great advisors keeping calm in the most stressful of situations, though they can be as harsh as a storm in the ocean water. They pray to the goddess to be like water, both calming but able to move the earth in their wake.

#### *Night*

The Moonlit path are for the followers of Naruli who walk in the darkness of her nature. Assassins who follow Naruli, the Goddess of death or those who use her darkness to move throughout the world. They pray to the goddess for shadows to cover them, and the moon to guide them.