Private Wolf of the Hearth | Rhiannon

[Kezia Vor]

A week prior, a shaal family returned to their dwelling to find a most peculiar sight: a wolf in their kitchen. It was unnaturally large and had eyes that seemed to possess something beyond animal intelligence. The creature's paws were blackened, and its tawny fur stained by what the they assumed was soot from their hearth.

It was clear the beast was injured somehow, but they made no mistake... the beast was dangerous.

When the wolf barred its teeth, the family threw it bits of meat to keep it happy. Soon, these offerings grew in hopes the Wolf would protect their children, not eat them. Many came to marvel at the wolf – and one day, it changed. The wolf became a young woman – with a thin, wiry frame, blonde hair, and wild blue eyes.

And so, the Goddess Lycaina was born.

​

Kezia – at least, that's what she thought her name was – looked out at the altar that had been constructed by the hearth, the place she'd been found...

All she knew was that these strange creatures now seemed to worship her.

There were flowers laid at her feet, bowls of fresh fruit, and other gifts. But, the meals had been some of the best that Kezia could ever remember. Well, if she could remember anything, that is. Nightly, they sacrificed a small animal and cooked it if she was a young woman, and left it raw if she was a wolf.

Lycaina.

It was one of the words they said when they wanted her attention. A name, perhaps. Kezia was not sure just what was going on here, where ever that was. But she was content, so long as they kept her fed.

Time, she just needed time to get her bearings and try to remember.

Ishani Dinn​

 

[Ishani Dinn]

In her explorations of Zaathru, it was fairly common to find deities unique to a particular region, village, or even a single clan. These household gods were easily absorbed into the new religion, usually by proving that the god in question was in fact a facet of one of the existing divinities of the Pantheon.

But sometimes, the matter wasn’t so easily resolved—as was proving to be the case in the little town of Klaatu, where reports of a wolf goddess sighting were pouring in.

Rhiannon arrived at the village in disguise. The talisman on her finger gave her the form of a female Shaal, ensuring she would not be recognized. Her bodyguards, the Apsara, were dressed as servants. The locals welcomed them, though more out of respect for the signs of wealth she bore. She played into their preconceptions, introducing herself as a noble lady from the city.

“I’ve heard rumors that Klaatu now has the patronage of a goddess,” she mentioned to the innkeeper during dinner. “Is that true?”

“Oh yes,” the innkeeper replied, making sure to keep her cup filled. “Lycaina, Goddess of the Hearth walks among us. She takes the form of a beast by night, and a woman by day—or, was it the other way around?” He flushed. “You’re probably used to the gods walking amongst people in the city.”

Rhiannon smiled. “Where can I find her?”

“She doesn’t come out too often, but there is a shrine to her at the edge of the village. We leave an animal sacrifice and other offerings for her every night, and the meat is always eaten by morning.”

Rhiannon thanked him, paid for her meal, and set out for the shrine. It was a simple setup. There was an altar made from stones, some of which had been carved in Shaalite, proclaiming the shrine to be the site of Lycaina’s incarnation. The altar was laden with bowls of fruit, flowers, homely items, little carved statuettes and drawings of houses or families seeking the goddess’ protection. The charred remains of a cooking fire smoldered nearby, filling the air with the faint lingering scent of smoke and burnt animal fat.

“We’re staying here until this supposed goddess appears,” Rhiannon told her companions, then settled down to wait.

Kezia Vor​

 

[Kezia Vor]

No matter how long she waited, her mind remained empty. There was nothing to even hint that she'd ever had memories before, only a strange feeling that she did. But, she'd wasted the whole day trying in vain.

But, now that had fallen over the village, Kezia looked down at the peaceful huts below. From her perch in the mountains, she kept herself sequestered until it was time to eat. When she remained for too long, the villagers seemed to swarm her with requests and pleas until she was forced to snarl and show her teeth to keep them at bay.

Closing her eyes, Kezia concentrated.

When she finally moved, it was as a large tawny wolf.

In this form, the world was simple -- her human worries were no more, replaced by instinct alone. Eat. Now she would eat. Already, the scent of the altar and all of its offerings was on the air. And the smell of a fresh kill was almost overwhelming to her senses. Though she was in a familiar land, her hunger was boundless. Large paws brought the wolf across the dusty ground and towards the altar that the villagers had kept in her name.

But, as the wolf dipped her head to take the carcass... she smelled something else. Someone.

Ishani Dinn

 

[Ishani Dinn]

Rhi sat for a few hours, watching the sun set and darkness spread across the valley. The night sky on Zaathru was magnificent. Untouched by unnatural pollution, the firmament was filled with stars as bright as sparkling gems, the planet’s two moons gleaming like a pair of pearls before them.

A presence was approaching the shrine. Rhi ceased her meditation, turning her head to see who it was. She watched as a wolf prowled toward the altar, where a fresh kill had been laid out.

It could’ve just been a wild animal taking advantage of the free meal. But Rhi knew better. The wolf was strong in the Force, she could feel it. Its movements were purposeful, underlying an intelligence greater than any mere beast.

Removing the talisman from her finger, Rhi’s appearance shifted back into that of a human woman. Clad in her raiment, with her long blonde hair in one thick braid down her back, she stepped out of the shadows.

“Lycaina, is it?” she asked. “Don’t be afraid. I have a few questions for you.”

Kezia Vor​