Heartbreak and Sorrow

Followers of Naderi

Loss can pull a person in all directions. Whether its loss of life or loss of love, these things can be devastating and people often seek answers in the divine. This week we look at the minor goddess of drowning, romantic tragedies, and suicide. I present to you three possible sects of this temperamental goddess.

As always, let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game that we will play; in this game, we are to make a follower of Naderi. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of The Lost Maiden. What character do you make?

For more information on Naderi

Naderi’s Pathfinder Wiki Page

Naderi’s Archives of Nethys Page

Loss

The sect of Naderi follower simply known as Loss is a small group of the goddesses worshipers in Absalom. The so-called City at the Center of the World can be quite overwhelming to those who come to live there. Of all places in the world, Absalom may have one of the highest suicide rates due to the stresses it can cause.

Loss is led by a priestess of Naderi and its membership is made up of those who have lost a loved one to suicide. The sect is as much a support group as it is dedicated to Naderi. They not only remember those they lost, but they seek to make lives of those who are feeling overwhelmed easier. Many members of the sect give of themselves to their communities in memory of what who have passed.

Saffron Saris

Named after their defining choice of clothing, the Saffron Saris are followers of Naderi in the Impossible Kingdoms of Vudra. The Kingdom’s strict caste system separates many young lovers because of the wishes of their families. The Saffron Saris give these lovers an out, as they smuggle them away from their families to places castes don’t matter.

The Saffron Saris are mostly themselves survivors of being unable to be with the one they loved because of social status. Although the sect welcomes any who will help young lovers, many of them are inquisitors of The Lost Maiden. The sect distinguishes itself to those it seeks to help by its signature saffron colored saris.

The Last Gasp

In the shackles many people worship Besmara for fear of the monsters of the deep and other pirates. But one of the truly worst ways to die is losing breath after breath as you drown below the waves. The pirates call this Naderi's Caress and the sect known as The Last Gasp works to help those who ply the waves appease their goddess, lest they or their loved ones find their doom under the waves.

Each of the members of the Last Gasp have converted to Naderi worship after surviving almost drowning. The services they provide are three fold: they provide protection from the sea, they keep drowned loved ones from returning from their watery grave, and they allow those who have lost someone to drowning one last good bye. The price you pay is some of your own breath. The sect holds you under water until you nearly drown and then revive you, offering some of your life to their goddess in return for their services.

Facing loss can steel these followers against fear. Who is your disciple of Naderi? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to The Lost Maiden? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB has has helped you take a closer look at those inspired by the divine, please consider showing support and become one of my patrons by donating to my Patreon or making a donation to my Paypal. Looking for more out of the CRB? Then you’re in luck! Facebook, Google +, Tumblr, and Twitter all have a CRB presence. And if you’re as impatient as I am, have the CRB pushed directly to your Kindle with every new post by signing up for Kindle Subscriptions.

Time and Time Again

Followers of Shyka

The fey Eldest, incredibly powerful fairie beings from the first world that can grant divine power. This week we’re going to take a look at another one of their number Shyka. It – as Shyka can actually be considered a title or a role held by many entities – is the Eldest of entropy, reincarnation, and time. We’ll take a look at three possible sects of this divine being that you can add to your game.

As always, let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game that we will play. In this game, we are to make a follower of Shyka. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of The Many. What character do you make?

For more information on Shyka

Shyka’s Pathfinder Wiki Page (http://www.pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Shyka)

Shyka’s Archives of Nethys Page (http://www.archivesofnethys.com/DeityDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Shyka)

The Infinite Hourglass

This small group of time obsessed men and women actually worship two deities; Brigh and Shyka. The group guards a sacred hour glass that seems to have an infinite amount of sand. It is said that Brigh herself crafted the hourglass and that the sand was provided by Shyka from the first world. The legend of the hourglass says that when the sand actually starts to run out the end of the world is near.

Members of this sect are almost all divine spellcasters. Oracles and clerics are the majority of the group but there are a handful of sorcerers. The few non-spellcasters are mathematicians and astrologers who enjoy tracking the flow of time. Joining the sect is a calling and anyone who is drawn to them and find them are accepted.

The Continuation

Among Shyka’s followers those who can make claim to having past lives are some of the most well respected. The leaders of The Continuation all claim to have served more than one lifetime on Golarion and have the ability to reach back into their past. Only a few of the members are reincarnated souls – less than a dozen – the rest are supplicants looking to earn a place on the wheel of reincarnation.

The general membership of the sect comes from all walks of life. From the best trained fighters and wizards, to the lowly farmer. The reincarnated souls almost all have some kind of extraordinary power attached to them. Psychic ability is actually the most common with mediums, psychics, and spiritualists dominating those who are living a second or even third life.

The Turning Wheel

Everything that begins must end, or so is the philosophy of The Turning Wheel. For some destruction is seen as a force of evil, for those who understand that death does not have a morality it is less so. The Turning Wheel makes sure things that are supposed to cease to be do so in a timely manner. They are especially fervent about undead and often work with followers of Pharasma to return these abominations to the cycle of life.

The leader of the sect is an oracle by the name of JerusHibblespot. This aging and blind gnome has a connection directly to the fey lord. Shyka informs him of things that must be removed from the timeline to keep the flow of the world moving. The rest of the members are basically assassins, although they can come from any profession. Wizards, clerics and other casters can be used to deal with magical problems. While more literal assassins are occasionally used to remove a mundane person or thing from existence.

Like this member of The Eldest, its followers live die and are reborn again. Who is your disciple of Shyka? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to The Many? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB has has helped you take a closer look at those inspired by the divine please consider showing support and become one of my patrons by donating to my Patreon or making a donation to my Paypal. Looking for more out of the CRB? Then you’re in luck! Facebook , Google +, Tumblr, and Twitter all have a CRB presence. And if you’re as impatient as I am, have the CRB pushed directly to your Kindle with every new post by signing up for KindleSubscriptions.