Betshaba

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Daughter of Lord Ptharos and sister to Baelthor, Betshaba is one of the creator deities that compose the Triad. Betshaba is the heart and passion of the Triad, beneficent to those who pay her homage and cruel, even heartless, to those who cross her. As goddness of water, she is universally accepted as the Wavequeen, Queen of the Oceans, opposed in her regency only by Taltos, Dagon's offspring created to oppose her. On Aurea, Betshaba is typically worshiped as part of the Triad, but elsewhere she usually has her own dedicated temples, particularly in port cities. Her church hierarchy tends to be well-organized, though individual Wavemothers tend to have a great deal of autonomy within their domains.

Though Betshaba opposes all of the Dagonian deities, she stands most ardently opposed to her uncle, Dagon himself, who attempted to rape her soon after Creation. She was rescued by Vortumnus and thus her clergy has something of a soft spot for followers of Vortumnus, even those who follow the Koramian Heresy. Though Taltos was created to oppose her, its generally believed that Betshaba long ago won the war for her domain and most of her faithful consider followers of Taltos to be an annoyance, at best.


Betshaba
Goddess of Water
Descriptive Info
Gender: Female
Avatar: Batshar the Aged, El-Ahar, the Wavequeen
Consort(s): None
Allies: Betshaba is accorded respect by all of the Triadic, Ptharosian, Baelthoric, and, of course, Betshaban deities, and the Iuvenes, due to her loyalty to his father, Lord Ptharos. Adrasteia, goddess of rivers and offspring of Betshaba, is her constant companion, as it is her responsibility to feed Betshaba what foods she needs. Podalirius, god of vegetation and another offspring of Betshaba, is also often found at her court, attempting to court her favor for his sphere.
Foes: Taltos, Dagon's offspring created to defeat Betshaba, is a great enemy to Betshaba, though Betshaba opposes all of the Dagonian deities. The Wavequeen has declared that Clementia, Betshaba's offspring and goddess of mercy, is no longer welcome in her court, due to her constant complaining on Betshaba's treatment of those who travel the waves. It is said that, during the winter months, Clementia can be found outside the doors of the Palace of the Mere, dressed as a penitent and begging for her mother's favor. Dagon, god of flame and evil, as well as her uncle, is Betshaba's most dire enemy, as she seeks vengeance for her rape at his hand.
Spiritual Info
Rank: Greater
Nature: Chaotic
Ethos: Benevolent
Major Influence: Water
Minor Influence(s): Oceans, Witch-hunting.
Spheres: Chaos, Water, Healing, Travel, Exorcism

Depictions

Betshaba is typically depicted as a beautiful, mature woman with soft, extremely pale skin and long, flowing, blue-green hair. She wears a ridged helm and long robes with the various blues, greens and greys of the seas. Rarely, she is also depicted with the round Diluent Shield. As Batshar the Aged, she is depicted as an obese woman with long, white hair and deep wrinkles on her face. As El-Ahar, she depicted as young and incredibly beautiful, with sharp teeth and small horns on her forehead. As the Wavequeen, she is depicted as a great sea vessel with ropes of seaweed and sails the color of water, easily capable of carrying hundreds of men.

Betshaba is never without the Brinesword, a blue blade said to have been cold-forged from the essence of elemental water. She also often carries the Net of Vengeance, which will hold fast any who has done evil until she commands it to release. Betshaba is rarely depicted in armor, though stories tell us of the Diluent Shield, which destroys any weapon which touches it.

Symbols

The symbol of Betshaba is a blue triangle, usually depicted at the lower left side of the Triadic triangle. When depicted alone, her symbol is that of a single spear over a stylized ocean wave. Aquamarine is important to Betshaban ritual, and the stone is often used inlaid into the hilts of weapons dedicated to the Wavequeen. Pearl is also important, and priests are bedecked in jewelry made of this precious minerals. The Children of St. Chlodomer even create special magic items out of pearl which will discolor when in the presence of a witch or sorceror. Water is extremely significant to the priesthood, and a priest who does not have sufficient water (basically pure…saliva and urine are not enough), all spells cast receive a +1 to any saving throw . When they are actually standing in a large, natural or consecrated body of water, at least as deep as their waist, they receive a +1 caster level for the purpose of level checks .

Dwelling Place

The Palace of the Mere

Servants

Betshaba is fed by Adrasteia, goddess of rivers, as mentioned above. She is also served by St. Posidos, Celestial Captain of the Waverunner; St. Steven, Celestial Captain of the Torrent's Revenge; St. Magdaline, Celestial Captain of the Whalebone; and St. Chlodomer the Righteous.

Doctrine

No information available on the doctrine of Betshaba


Mission

No information available on the mission of Betshaba


Geography

No geographic information available on Betshaba

History of the Church

No historic information available on Betshaba

Organization

No information available on the Organization of the Church of Betshaba


Priesthood

The priesthood of Betshaba follows the same hierarchy and structure as the priesthood of her father, Lord Ptharos. Furthermore, those who seek admittance to the higher levels of priesthood must have extensive knowledge of the sea, including how to command a sailing vessel through open waters. Betshaba's priesthood tends to be dominated by females, though there are no official proscriptions against males holding any rank.

The Children of St. Chlodomer are a fairly radical sect bent on the destruction of all who are held in a Pact to the forces of evil, including witches and sorcerers. Their tactics are somewhat extreme, in the views of the priesthood. In their point of view, an innocent who is destroyed or harmed in the war against evil is automatically forgiven of his minor sins and granted a place in heaven. Their upper hierarchy is composed of priests, called Inquisitors.

Garments

Priests of Betshaba wear garments of blue, grey and green, sewed as such to appear to be made of water. The hair is kept wet, particularly during ceremonies, and left free to hang over the shoulders (the cutting of hair is proscribed in the priesthood).

Religious Practices

There are numerous laymen who perform various services for Betshaba, at least among seamen and coastal inhabitants who rely on the sea for their sustenance. Some serve the clergy directly as ship captains or fishermen who provide transportation and food to their superiors.

Calendar

Arrival of the Seaqueen

Original article: Arrival of the Seaqueen

Arrival of the Seaqueen is the second of three holidays collectively called the Arrival of the Triad, representing the return of the Triad from the chaos and the creation of the world. One of the high holy days of Betshaba, the festival day usually includes a number of competitions in honor of Betshaba, including swimming, rowing, fishing and, for children, even knot tying. The festivities cease for a solemn noontime mass, which traditionally includes a sermon on how Betshaba gave water to Baltheron and the genesis of her children, the Ilum Bet-sha.

The Dedication of the Triad

Original article: Dedication of the Triad

A holy day to Lord Ptharos, Betshaba the Seaqueen and Baelthor the Stonehands, the Dedication to the Triad is an important holy day even in regions where the Triad's importance has waned. On this day, an immense bonfire is built as evening approaches. Children put on masks and run through the streets of their village or town, screaming and playing as loud as possible, to chase off any evil spirits who may seek to disrupt the ceremony. Then, as midnight approaches, the worshipers gather at the bonfire carrying a bucket of earth or water. They begin to sing a hymn to the Triad which empowers a casting performed by the ranking priest. If Lord Ptharos is pleased with those present and the ceremony itself, a wind will suddenly build at midnight, signaling the worshipers to throw the contents of their buckets onto the fire, dousing it. They then return to their homes, forgiven of the sins of the past year for as long as they keep their ceremonial bucket prominently displayed in their house. The event symbolizes the defeat of Dagon by the Triad, and its successful operation is extremely significant to the worshipers who participate. An unsuccessful Dedication of the Triad ceremony has resulted in more than a few villages being deserted by its inhabitants, who fear the displeasure of Lord Ptharos. Recently, a tradition has begun where those who do not wish to be disturbed by the rampaging children give them confections or toys to keep them appeased. Many church fathers are disgruntled at this behavior, but the Pontifex has not yet issued an official decree on the matter.

Prelude to the Waters

Original article: Prelude to the Waters

Prelude to the Waters are feast days holy to Betshaba celebrating the bounty of the sea, leading up to the Rise of the Waters ceremony on the summer solstice. The solemnity of the event varies widely depending on differences in local culture: some Preludes are loud, drunken affairs where sailors tell tall tales and eat vast amounts of crab and oysters while others are more subdued celebrations with calm music and various fish dishes prepared. Sailing on the open ocean during Prelude is considered bad form at best and, unless the Rise is observed faithfully, tempting Betshaba's legendary rage.

Rise of the Waters

Original article: Rise of the Waters

The high holy day of Betshaba, the Rise of the Waters is a ceremony that takes place at a high tide in daylight on the summer equinox. The local priests and any congregants present wade into the largest body of water (preferably the ocean) and give thanks to Betshaba, imploring her for calm seas and a safe summer season. Though the Prelude to the Waters, the feast days preceding the Rise, can often be a raucous occasion, even the most debauched sailors will maintain their solemnity during this event, lest they risk attracting Betshaba's ire. Women who are believed to be particularly beautiful (or believe themselves to be) are expected to wear plain or hideous masks, so as to avoid Betshaba's jealous rage.

Customs

The priesthood of and adherents to Betshaba obeys the Codex of St. Posidos, which details the customs of the sea and sea-travel. The Codex, recorded by one of Betshaba's first priests, gives direction in such things as the proper times to enter and leave port, as well as details on semaphore communication between ships. It also requires that priests travel overseas at least once a decade on a pilgrimage, while worshipers of Betshaba are merely required to travel in such a manner at least once in their life. Such individuals are permitted to use the appellation "Seaborne" with their names. Worshipers of Betshaba are required to give worship to her father, Lord Ptharos, as well. See the entry for that deity for more information.

Worship ceremonies either take place at the nearest waterway or in the Hall of Water in a Temple of the Triad. They always entail the sprinkling of holy water, as well as the immersion in water of those members who wish to be cleansed of sin.

Taboos

There are numerous restrictions and taboos that the worshipers of Betshaba must follow, most of which deal with interaction with the sea. Some examples include the proscription against having women aboard vessels of war (unless they are priestesses of Betshaba) as well as using a triple knot when tying nets to be used in fishing. Specific details of all the restrictions and taboos are far too numerous to list here.

The only colors restricted from usage by the priests of Betshaba are orange and yellow, which are the colors of Dagon in religious practice.

 
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