Obsidia, Catfolk Goddess of War
Obsidia is associated with a range of concepts, including the night sky, obsidian, rulership, divination, beauty, war, conflict, and honor. Primarily, however, the legends around her and her heroes fall heavily under the purview of War and Justice.
She is an old Goddess of the Catfolk, one held up by fewer and fewer people as the centuries pass. While Obsidia is far from forgotten, her followers are not as numerous as they might have been many years ago.
Origins
The legend of Obsidia's birth is one of great power, beauty, and justice. It is said that in ancient times, there was a kingdom ruled by a corrupt and unjust king who oppressed the poor and enriched himself at their expense. The people of the kingdom rose up in revolt, demanding food, shelter, and work, but their cries fell on deaf ears. The king sent out his army to quell the rebellion, and the streets ran red with blood as the soldiers brutally attacked the innocent.
It is said that the sky itself wept at the sight of so much suffering and injustice. A tear, darker than the night sky and filled with the rage of the stars, fell upon the largest pile of the fallen. From the blood of the innocent, a woman emerged, her dusky skin flecked with stars and coated in scarlet. She was Obsidia, a goddess of war and justice, and her purpose was to bring an end to the tyranny of the unjust king.
With a dagger of obsidian in hand, Obsidia fought her way to the king's palace, killing every soldier who stood in her way with honorable yet merciless combat. She approached the king and, in the form of a giant jaguar, she spoke of his fate. He would wither and grow old, unloved and abandoned, and face the very wrongs he had wrought upon his people. And so it came to pass. The king's family fled, leaving him alone, and his army was decimated by Obsidia. He was defenseless and despised, and his wealth was taken by his people.
Obsidia did not raise her fang or blade against the fallen king, but instead she blessed him with a cursed long life. He lived without food, water, or love, and with the resentment of his people for seven hundred cycles of winter, until all who still knew of the legend had forgotten his name
.
And so the legend of Obsidia lives on, a symbol of power, beauty, and justice in a world that is often plagued by darkness and oppression.
The honor Obsidia had shown in combat, and the Justice she befell upon the King became key aspects of her legend. To this day her followers give prayer to her before battle. Her followers also often engage in rituals and rites to honor her, such as offering up sacrifices of blood or precious stones, or performing elaborate dances and ceremonies in her honor. Many also recite prayers and incantations to invoke her power and seek her guidance.
Obsidian worshippers also follow a strict code of honor and conduct, adhering to principles of fairness, justice, and righteousness in all their dealings. They believe that by living in this way, they honor the goddess and align themselves with her principles of justice and righteousness.
Prayer And Ritual
"Great and glorious Obsidia, goddess of justice and righteousness, I offer up this prayer to you. Guide me in my actions and decisions, that I may always act with honor and integrity. Grant me the wisdom and strength to stand up for what is right, even in the face of great adversity. May I always be guided by your principles of fairness and justice. Amen."
"Great Obsidia, goddess of war and conflict, I call upon your power and strength in this time of need. Grant me the courage and determination to face my challenges head on, and the skills and ability to emerge victorious. May your honor and justice guide me in my battles, both physical and spiritual. I offer up this prayer to you, asking for your guidance and protection. Amen."
"O, Obsidia, goddess of the night sky and the stars, I look to you for guidance and protection as I go into battle. May your power and strength be with me, that I may fight with honor and emerge victorious. Grant me the wisdom to make the right decisions on the battlefield, and the courage to face my enemies with confidence. I offer up this prayer to you, asking for your guidance and protection as I seek to dominate my enemies and emerge victorious. Amen."
The Rite of the Black Knife: This ritual is typically performed by those seeking guidance in matters of war and justice, and involves the worshiper wielding a blade made of obsidian and offering up a sacrifice of blood to Obsidia. The worshiper then meditates on their desires and intentions, seeking guidance and clarity from the goddess. “Through pain, sacrifice, and blood I find clarity.”
The Obsidian Temple: Many worshippers of Obsidia build temples or shrines dedicated to the goddess, where they can perform rituals and offer up sacrifices. These temples often feature obsidian altars and statues of the goddess.
The Obsidian Blade: Worshippers of Obsidia believe that they can invoke the goddess's power by wielding a weapon made of obsidian. These worshippers often carry an obsidian blade with them at all times and use it in battle as a symbol of their devotion to the goddess. This practice has fallen out of style since the advent of metal weapons, but it is not unknown for some Apostles and Justicars of the Obsidian Order to at least carry an obsidian weapon. Fewer still get powerful enchantments to strengthen these blades to be used in combat.
The Obsidian Covenant
The Obsidian Code is a set of principles and practices that guide the actions and behavior of those who follow the goddess. She is revered as a goddess of justice, and the Obsidian Code reflects this focus on fairness, righteousness, and honor. The oath to swear to her code is as simple as it is powerful.
"By the mercy of Obsidia, Goddess of War, I pledge to act with honor and integrity.
With sword in hand, I will defend the innocent and bring justice to the unjust.
Let my strength be unwavering, and my discipline unbreakable.
May my courage be as unyielding as steel, and my compassion as deep as the stars.
My sword shall strike down evil, and my heart shall be filled with empathy and kindness.
By the grace of the Divine, I swear myself to thee, Goddess of the Night.”