Isphine

Born a mortal woman in the time of the two divines, Isphine and her friend Nikta were the first mortals to be given the ability to wield magic. They risked severe punishment by outright asking Yselemar and Ronyak for a chance to try, challenging their belief that magic would burn up a mortal's body. Both Isphine and Nikta were able to complete the challenge they were given, to hold a magic spark for one hour, albeit with slightly different results. Isphine had less control of the spark and it nearly went dim in her hand, but she was able to resist the burn of the magic entirely. After the test Yselemar trained her in divine magic where she helped to develop the basic principles of healing and protective magic. Over the course of her studies she and Yselemar grew to love each other and decided to marry and Isphine ascended to godhood. She and Yselemar had many children together and ruled next to Ronyak and Nikta until the Sealing War locked the two original divines away.

After the sealing Isphine and Nikta worked to rally the gods into The Divine Accords, the pact that protected the mortal plane from too much dvine influence. Now she is the goddess of light, the hearth, fertility, and family; one of the most powerful members of The Celestial Council.

## Worship

Isphine doesn't generally employ minor gods to interact with the material plane, instead she does most of her work via the dreams of mortals or subtle favors and signs. Common offerings found on her altars are breast milk, loaves of bread, and small pieces of fabric. Her temples are safe havens for any woman who needs them as well as houses of healing for the sick. She has rewarded many acolytes with clerical abilities so that her temples can provide as much relief as possible.

## The Origin of the First Sorceresses

### *How Isphine and Nikta won the ability to wield magic*

Long ago, in the age of the Two Divines, two mortal women named Isphine and Nikta marched to the temple of the gods to demand the ability to wield magic. Both were disgusted by the opulence of the golden walls and the stream of servants carrying offerings; both were also intimidated knowing that their request could end with a swift death. While they hoped to leave with knowledge and power the gods could kill them for the insolence of asking or the pure force of the magic coursing through a mortal body could destroy them.

Not much is known about the first meeting they had with Yselemar and Ronyak; what is known is that the two gods were amused enough to propose a wager. The two women were to hold a spark of magic for a full day without the spark dying or injuring them. If they failed they would be forced to work as servants in the temple for the remainder of their lives. From dawn to dusk they stood in the courtyard concentrating on the magic in their hands. It is said that Nikta’s spark held strong in the beginning and only began to flicker in the last hour or so of the challenge, while Isphine had a harder time in the beginning.

   They leaned on each other for support, Nikta had more raw skill and was able to coach Isphine through the initial battle for control. Isphine had a massive store of endurance and was able to motivate Nikta to keep holding on while the sun set. Despite all odds they won the bet and were congratulated by Yslemar and Ronyak. They were to learn the art of magic and would be allowed to teach other mortals in time. From that point forward magic flowed more freely in the world, Isphine and Nikta became known as the first sorceresses and eventually ascended to godhood themselves.