The Pelang GodsThe Northern Adantri worshipped a group of gods of the same sort as the Drahnore Pantheon in the centuries before Mantor's prominence, but they have disappeared more completely from the cities of the north than the Drahnorans have in the south. They are still to be found with strong followings in the countryside, however. The worship of these antique deities is now stigmatized by city-dwellers as "bucolic" or "fit for peasants." The ones still remembered are mostly deities of earth and water, harvest and the flocks, healing and the home. A few of the more notable of the Gods of Pelang (so called because their worship is still very apparent in that province and in adjacent Linshar and Shiansin) are Lady Ghera, an earth-goddess or at least a goddess of the hills of Pelang, Lady Neskira of the River (Drahnoran, of course, but probably simply a new name for an older local goddess of the River) and Lilolu the goddess of springs and streams, Mikzora the spirit of the grain, the harvest goddess Cho-Lana who may be an aspect of Ghera (or maybe not), Hrako the Bull, Djelmio the Shepherd, and doubtless many others. Shrines to these deities may be seen along the backroads and in the out-of-the-way hamlets, or tucked into some fold of the hills or grove of trees, and the peasants seem to be forever taking offerings of grain and wine to them, but what actually is involved in their worship is not commonly known. There are rumors of ancient rites that would not be approved of by Mantor, but so long as only the farmers themselves are involved, most people are disposed to let them worship their odd deities in peace. Some of the Pelang gods, or those who may be Pelang gods, are listed below. Ardela: a goddess of uncertain origin, possibly one of the Pelang Gods. She is the patroness of mothers and is worshipped in small shrines in many cities and towns. She has a shrine in the Bazaar District of Dal Shang which is typical. Most of her worshippers call her Ardela-Cha, or "respected mama Ardela." Black Bull: or Black Bull of Hrako, the representative of the Bull God of Pelang, also worshipped in the Northern District of Imperial Heart Province, and other adjacent rural areas. Although officially a god of cattle and herdsmen, the Black Bull is also said to guard warriors who honor him and is considered a patron of the followers of the Dancing Bull style of fighting. Worship of the Black Bull is usually extremely vigorous, but not particularly destructive. Cholaina (or Cholaina-Cha): a harvest goddess worshipped in Dal Shang. Her name is probably a variant of Cho-Lana; it is assumed that the two names represent a single goddess. Cho-Lana: harvest goddess (possibly an aspect of Ghera) worshipped in Pelang and Imperial Heart provinces. Shrines to Cho-Lana are found in most farmsteads in the area, and she normally receives a "first fruits" offering from every village and hamlet. Under the name of Cholaina or Cholaina-Cha, she is worshipped in Dal Shang. Dalinsa: a minor goddess worshipped, or at least recognized, in the Dalin Sang Hills of Angsin Province. She is said to be linked with wilderness and the moon, and the deer-like dalinar are apparently sacred to her. She may be associated with the Pelang gods. Djelmio: also called Djelmio the Shepherd, a god of flocks worshipped in Pelang. Gara, Lady: a probable alternate name of the earth goddess Ghera, who is worshipped in Pelang and other northern provinces of the Empire. There is a small temple to Lady Gara in Lo Tina, Dal Shang Province. Garahi: a minor fertility goddess to whom there is a shrine in Gara Hona, Dal Shang Province. She seems to be equally concerned with the fertility of the land and the sea in this area; she may be another name-variant of the Pelang earth goddess Lady Ghera. Ghera, Lady: an earth goddess worshipped in Pelang, and in adjacent areas including Imperial Heart Province; to some extent she is recognized and honored all across the northern part of Lirith Kai. She is thought to be simply a renamed aspect of the Drahnoran Jolgera and of Gheal. There is a small temple to Ghera (under the slightly altered name, Lady Gara) in Lo Tina, and a shrine in Gara Hona to Garahi who may be the same person. Hrako: a cattle god worshipped in Pelang. He is often called Hrako the Bull, or just the Black Bull. There is a shrine to Hrako the Bull in Nol Skona. Lilolu: a goddess of springs and streams worshipped in Pelang and Imperial Heart provinces and probably in other parts of the upper An-Kiu Valley. She is pictured as gentle (compared to Neskira) and friendly, with a liking for mortal lovers and a tendency to be inconstant (although she is said to remain friendly toward discarded lovers). She may also be the Shana-Lila associated with the Shango Spring. Shana-Lila: a goddess or demigoddess associated with the Shango Spring in the Blue Hills. She may be an aspect of the Pelang water-goddess Lilolu.
|