Hyra

HYE(like bye)-ruh

### General Information

Hyra is the oldest and strongest of the deities. She was the one that triggered Event Zero and assisted in creating all the other deities. She is not considered one of the Six Giants, as she doesn't have her own continent, but is instead regarded as her own being, sometimes called simply "The Goddess." Because of this, everyone accepts her along with the Giant of their land or choosing. A handful of Aevolin's populous worships her solely and do not practice worshipping any of the Six Giants. These people are called Hyra's Priestesses.

## Culture

Hyra's name is often used in expressions to indicate strong emotions("Oh, Hyra"/"Hyra, I'm tired"). Her visage can often be seen in decorations throughout all of the Topworld.

Dantierm has depictions of her carved in walls or statues, and much of their fashion is inspired by her flowing beaded cloaks and hoods, made to keep out the sun.

Athol's traditional decoration, tapestries, often depict Hyra as well as Locgadyr.

One of Eira's mechanical wonders is an interpretation of her beast form.

Sombrm has a beautiful, multi-level towering garden all in blue and gold dedicated to her, and many of their residents wear ponchos inspired both by Hyra and Miakie's draped clothing.

Akatia's vibrant underwater cities have monuments of brightly colored coral grown into her shape.

Roug'ha has traditional jewelry and chimes made to match her colors, and the symbol of one dragon and one bird wing are found in many places around the continent of the Air element.

In all of Hyra's depictions, her eyes are covered or obstructed. Usually by her large hood, shadowing her glowing eyes or her entire face, and often with a cloth blindfold, especially in her Beast Form.

Those that follow her exclusively call her The Goddess. Most others simply refer to her as Hyra or the Mother of Balance, and rarely she is referred to as the Angel of Life or the Angel of Death, depending on the situation. If there is a new birth in the family, the child may "be blessed by the Angel of Life" if it is healthy or energetic.

### Hyra's Priestesses

There are many that do not follow one of the Six Giants, and instead devote themselves entirely to The Goddess. They often live in or near Hyra's temples, grand golden and white structures with large open spaces. Despite the name, Hyra's Priestesses don't have to be female, it's just the job title. (A long time ago, groups of them came together and just by chance happened to all be women, so they called themselves priestesses, and they never changed the name.) All priests wear an eye covering to mimic their Goddess, to be fair with how they treat visitors (The whole "justice is blind" thing) and to block their senses, as it's easier to recieve visions and get in touch with magic when you're focusing and can't see as the case may be. It's also a little taboo to come in without an eye covering if you're a regular, obviously if you're just traveling or stopping by it's fine. (I'd compare it to walking into a store without a shirt on. Like guy cover up please)

And of course if the place is getting robbed or something then that's an appropriate time to take off your eye coverings and deal with whatever the issue is.

The temples are almost entirely open to the air, with translucent curtains instead of doors, and mats and pillows on the floors to pray and meditate or to take a nap. A statue of Hyra is in the center, sometimes in her beast form, sometimes not, elevated on a set of stairs. The ceiling is made of glass with markings of diagrams on it that line up with important moon and sun movements, well trained priests can read these just by walking around and feeling the light shift in the specific areas. It is warmed through magic so it never gets too chilly, despite it being open air.