Of the Gods: Gaia, Goddess of the Earth

Gaia is the earth goddess, from whom all growing things spring. She is revered by farmers, vintners, and all who make their living from the cultivation of plants.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Thomas Moran

The fifth day of the week is Gaiasdag. It recalls the fifth day of creation, when the Earth sprang from the crashing Waters.

Samuel Hieronymous Grimm

Aesther, Archon of Earth, taught the first smiths to forge the plowshare and the sword. She taught the masons the secrets of making brick and mortar. Her handiwork is seen in earth formations throughout Calabria.

Circa 1870 Artist Unknown

Smiths have a special adoration of Gaia, as the metals they work with are of the earth itself. Dwarves are bound to her, and have vast temples beneath the earth in honor of her.

Gaia's fury is demonstrated in the wrath of the Stone Giants. 

Peter Paul Reubens

Of the Gods: Hydros of the Waters

Hyrdos, whom some call Aquos, is the dual faced deity of the waters. Hyrdos is sometimes depicted as a couple twisted in a loving embrace.

Johan Sevenbom

In his male form, he is Triton, Lord of the Briny Sea, God of the Tempest. All seafarers put their trust in him. Sea Caves are his temples, and tales tell of cities that lie at the bottom of the oceans, where  all who dwell are his followers.

Johan Sevenbom

In her female form, she is Danu, Lady of the Lakes, Mistress of the Streams. Her sacred sites are springs, wells, and sacred rivers. The Danuté which flows through the Merchant's Republic is her namesake.











The fourth day of the week is Hiedrosdag. It recalls the fourth day of creation, when the Waters poured forth and filled the Skycup.

Thomas Moran

Samuel Hieronymous Grimm

Selena, Archon of the Waters, is responsible for the sacred wells and springs throughout Calabria. She called forth the water from the springs, and with her staff marked the sites of wells to be dug. Many of these sites have retained their natural state, but others have been built into bath houses and temples. Many such places have miraculous healing powers.

Johann Hermann Carmienke

Sea caves where the fresh water of rivers mix with the salty ocean are particularly honored. In such brackish waters the god and goddess are re-united. In such caves many marriages are ceremonies are performed and consummated.

Unknown

The Danuté River, which flows through the Merchant's Republic, is the site of an annual pilgrimage during the Feast of the Waters, which occurs on the Spring equinox. Pilgrims travel from throughout Calabria and beyond to bathe in the cleansing and healing waters of the Danuté.

Nils Bergslien

There are many sad tales of denizens of the waters, and their ill-fated attraction to mortals.

Frederick Leighton