Daire

Daire is one of the Firstborn and with his sister Maris, he makes up the circle of life and death that binds all living things. Daire is a fickle god who can be extremely giving, but just as often deprives the mortals of his gifts. Out of the Bones, he is the one who is most constant in mortal lives, but seems to be less invested in their well-being than his sister.

## Sphere

The god of life, Daire watches over each new beginning, and is with mortals throughout their natural lifespans. Life can be fickle and fleeting, something that Daire represents, for it is he who chooses the length of each lifespan as the god of natural order. Together with his sister, he is responsible for all living things.

Through his place as the god of life, Daire is also the god of the earth, plants and animals. He is the designer of life, the artist behind each leaf, bloom and beast. But as the god of the earth, he also represents the element itself, both at its most generous and fruitful, and at its most destructive.

### Secondary Sphere

As the god of life, Daire is also the god of fertility for all living things. He washes the soil with his life-giving rains to make plants grow, and subsequently, gives beasts and mortals alike something to nourish them. His season is autumn.

Daire is also the god of harvests, tied to his sphere of bounty and fertility. Harvest being the duty of the life god shows how intertwined and inseparable he is from his sister’s realm.

## Mythology

Daire is one of the Firstborn, the twin of Maris, and the older sibling of all other gods. He is often depicted as an opinionated, hard-headed god who doesn’t have all that much patience for his younger siblings, especially not the second litter. Maris’ calming influence is often needed to keep the peace, and the two are extremely close. Daire is not complete without his sister, just as she is not whole without him.

To mortals, Daire is a demanding yet giving god. When given his due respect, Daire is a provider who appreciates and rewards hard work. He is not terribly interested in individual mortals as a rule, and instead grants or takes his blessings from entire communities. As the guardian of natural order, Daire often acts as a keeper of balance, which may not always be to the benefit of mortals - or at least the benefits are beyond the frame of reference of non-cosmic beings.

Due to his sphere, Daire’s influence is often difficult for mortals to notice - it is often only when things go wrong that his influence becomes obvious. Daire is said to invite his sister to dance with him in the fields of those who have not given him his due, bringing her frost with him. Although often seen as stern, he also has a playful side, and can appreciate games and things like carved lanterns, which remind him of his sister.

Daire is almost exclusively portrayed as male, but will very occasionally appear female.

### Appearance in Art

Daire is usually depicted as a warm autumnal color, often reddish or orange. He is usually pictured as muscular, tall and strong, with flower-braided hair. He is always accompanied by a bull, who symbolizes the work of sowing and ploughing the fields. Daire himself always carries a scythe, the symbol of harvest.

Daire is commonly shown with a halo of blooming flowers, but these may be substituted for autumn leaves. He is often surrounded by the fruits of a bountiful harvest, and is strongly associated with autumn. He is often depicted in fields or other agricultural settings, usually looking like he is just taking a break from working.

Daire usually appears together with his sister Maris.

## Worship

Daire is likely the most popular of the Bones. He is the patron god of farmers of all kinds, and depictions of him are scattered around the countryside. For those working in agriculture, his favor is key, and so his churches, altars and statues are often placed at prominent, highly visible places. Daire is a rather rural god, for while he is almost omnipresent at farming villages and orchards, his presence in urban settlements is diminished to the role of a fertility god.

Opportunistic worship of Daire is common, especially for those wishing for a child, or for expecting parents. Many choose to ply him with gifts in hopes that he might guarantee a safe delivery and a healthy child.

Daire’s favored offerings are autumn flowers, seeds and various agricultural produce, especially eggs. Farming villages often have a bull dedicated to Daire that is crowned with flowers and other offerings during ceremonies. Daire’s worship is often shared and communal, and involves very specific rites.