ANTEA – The Moon Goddess, Queen of the Night Sky

Status:  Younger God

Level:  8000

Avatar:  Barint

Antea is a deity of a very ancient origin who is known to her followers as the Moon God.

Antea’s story of ascension into Goddom is a strange one. It begins when the world was still shrouded in darkness, at a time when there was no moon or sun; a beginning which was dark and cold. The lands at that time were ruled by the elves of the freezing desert wastelands. Men lived in misery as slaves, eating raw meat and huddling to each other for warmth. Then, two children, brother and sister of the first born (Alalu and Antea) were playing a game, rubbing two sticks together. Suddenly the sticks burst into flame and warmth fell upon the pair. Both of them realised that this warmth could never be lost so Alalu, who held the larger brand, ran into the sky pursued some time later by his slower running sister who held the smaller brand.

Upon her entry to Bifrost all the Gods and Avatars flocked to the great light that Alalu had brought with him, ignoring Antea and her lesser brand. She tidied her attire while she stood patiently for them to turn their attentions to her and her marvellous gift; but it was never to be. The last being to talk to Alalu was an Avatar of Tanarsa; a beautiful tanned young man called Nabat. After a quick word in Nabat’s ear, Nabat left Tanarsa’s side and took Alalu by the hand and led him into Bifrost and the rest of the gods followed the pair leaving Antea on her own. As they left the Star Queen Tanarsa, who had her arms around the last of the stragglers, turned unto Antea and gave her a wicked smile and wink of rival intent.

Left alone Antea felt jilted and cursed the pitifully weak and easily manipulated mind of the male. Knowing that her brother was just a male and therefore easily duped she followed 12 hours later to protect him should anything happen. This is how it was for evermore, while Alalu and Nabat plundered their way across Bifrost Antea always followed to sort out the mess they made.

Thus as the long-suffering, but also jealous sister of Alalu, she is forever doomed to follow her brother across the heavens carrying her smaller firebrand. It is said that when her brother really messes up Antea will come into the day’s light and covering Alalu’s brand give him a lesson that will put him back on the straight and narrow. During this time mortal onlookers will see the mighty brand of Alalu eclipsed by the form of Antea as she stands between Eä and Alalu giving him a piece of her mind.

Antea is an independent and wilful goddess worshipped purely by women. She is depicted as a strong, dark haired woman of grand stature and pride. She is strong and will tolerate NO bungling males to interfere in her business.

She enjoys luring mortal men into terrible marriages, where husbands are forbidden to drink, party and must work continuously to keep their wife.

The cult of Antea came under threat when Feng Po charged Hachimoto to convert the lands of Ered to the teachings of Feng Po and reduce the religions of Alalu and Antea. When Hachimoto arrived in the Hot Lands he saw that apart from the Aiell it was a land inhabited by changeling ogres and strange humped beasts.  Hachimoto spoke unto his most faithful servant Tako and sent him to meditate in the great temple of Alalu.

Whilst he was praying, an ogress transformed herself into a beautiful woman calling herself Bargees and warned that if Tako did not take her as his consort, she would command all the brethren to devour all of the Aiell. Tako sent the offspring of this union to live in the Jungle of Kallad.

When Tako returned to Kallad Jungle a year later, he found that his offspring had multiplied a hundred-fold, and they were starving.  He gave them some food, and was now able to convert these peoples to the faith of Hachimoto and establish the Sakya Munj (Common – The inner circle of Desert Healers.) Which became the established healing cult in the Hot Lands. Though it never managed to eclipse the cults of Antea and Alalu.

SYMBOL

A stylised peacock feather, although in mockery males call it the “ball and chain”.

WORSHIP

Antea is worshipped solely by women, men being forbidden to enter her temples. Rituals take place at every phase of the moons cycle, though the main ceremonies are held at full moon, when joyous praise is given for the light that Antea brings, and at the waning of the moon, when offerings are brought/sacrificed begging Antea to bring back her light. All ceremonies are held at night. All Priestess’s show their devotion to their Goddess in their degradation of the male of the species, who is lesser to them.

TEMPLES

Antea’s temples all have a disc of highly polished silver which can be tilted to reflect the moons glow so that it shines as bright as possible within the temple.  There is always either a statue of Antea, if the temple is a permanent structure, or a female priestess, if it is one of the travelling desert folks tents, at the doorway to the temple to make sure no Male enters the hallowed interior.

HOLY DAYS

A priestess who is married will have a holy day on her wedding anniversary, where it is customary for her partner to buy her bountiful gifts. All priestess’ will have their main Holy day on the longest night of the year, if this also coincides with a full moon then a full gathering of all the priestess’ in the area is called.

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

The cult of Antea is on good terms with its brother cult, the cult of Alalu (although neither may enter the others temples).

They hate followers of Tanarsa whom they consider to be underhand and conniving, and always treat Hachimoto followers with disdain.

The Antea cult views all other cults with indifference.

CULT REQUIREMENTS

Only women above the age of thirteen may join the cult. All men are forbidden to cross onto Antea’s holy ground.

STRICTURES

• Never forget a meeting or date.
• Never take an order from a male.
• Never tolerate drunken loutish behaviour
• Where possible males are to be reminded of the fact that they are worthless worms that can not survive without the power of women to support them.
• Never heal or help a wounded male without giving him an ‘I told you so…’ story.
• Never give a blessing to a male.