Lakea

A portrait of Lakea

Lakea is a deity belonging to the Imperial Pantheon of Gods. She is the Goddess of Water, in all its aspects. For this reason, she is associated with the sea, the tide, rivers, lakes, and basically any other thing that has to do with water. Most commonly, though, she is associated with the sea. Lakea is one of the Six Elementals, the first children of Kovus and Astrios, and is thus one of the oldest gods in the pantheon.

Lakea is commonly seen as a cold and indifferent god, impossible to please and yet impossible to disappoint. In many ways, she is just as much of a force of nature as the very water she represents. Lakea is a god associated with both granting and preserving life but also great destruction. That is not to say she is completely emotionless or that she completely ignores the wishes and affairs of mortals, but more that Lakea acknowledges just how small these mortals are in the grand scheme of reality.

## **Symbology**

Despite being the Goddess of Water, not the sea specifically, many of Lakea's symbols have a definite oceanic theme to them. The trident, a common fishing tool, is perhaps the most recognisable of Lakea's symbols but this is only one of many. Many water and oceanic-based images are symbolic of Lakea including fish, waves, and whales.

### **Personality**

Lakea is often portrayed as being quite an indifferent god, not unlike her father. However, unlike Kovus, her indifference does not come from an enlightened lack of understand, for she comprehends the emotions of others, but rather she sees the mortal races as small and ultimately insignificant in the bigger picture. Nevertheless, she is still a goddess that can be pleased and appealed to, for Lakea does not completely ignore the affairs of mortals. She just does not place particular importance on them.

Lakea is not completely cold or emotionless either. Quite the opposite, in fact, as she is incredibly protective of her siblings and fellow gods. She despises the various rivalries and conflicts between members of the Imperial Pantheon and actively works with the other Six Elementals in order to maintain balance between the many conflicting personalities that make up the pantheon's gods and goddesses.

### **Lakea's Realm, Aquan**

Lakea's divine domain is known as Aquan. It is described as a realm of never-ending water. A place with no surface and no bottom, simply an endless expanse of water. There is no sun here, at least in the conventional sense. However, the realm is lit with a dazzling display of bioluminescence. This is best shown in Aquan's massive floating coral reefs, which are home to a myriad of different life forms.

For a large majority of races, visiting Aquan uninvited is not necessarily a dangerous affair, but certainly one that requires certain preparations and considerations. Most obviously is the lack of oxygen. For most races this is an immediate and severe problem so many are required to use water-breathing magic or potions to prevent suffocation. Pressure is also a problem, though one that some seem to forget about. Many parts of Aquan experience crippling pressure and so aspiring visitors require powerful physical wards to prevent being crushed.

## **Cult and Worship**

Despite her distance from the affairs of the mortal races, Lakea is actually a very popular goddess in the Imperial Pantheon. This mainly derives from her position as a sea deity. She is most commonly worshipped by sailors and travellers that are about to head out to sea, usually requesting safe passage and/or calm weather. However, worship of Lakea is not limited solely to oceanic matters. She is also worshipped by farmers hoping for rain, beggars hoping for clean water, and more than a few druids - to name but a few.

The Cult of Lakea is quite a numerous cult in the Empire of Man, reflecting the popularity of their goddess. They are perhaps most recognisable as a result of their blue robes. However, members will also usually have other water-based trinkets such as bracelets made from sea shells, pendants with large wave carvings, and staves with nautilus-like spirals on it. They will perform rituals, manage religious festivals, and supervise sacred sites like wells and springs.

## **Trivia**

* Lakea is inspired less by a specific water deity (though her symbols are inspired by the Greek god Poseidon) and more by the relationship humanity has with water and the sea. Particular emphasis was put on how water both gives life to all things and yet causes massive destruction, as well as how uncontrollable and neutral water actually is.