Kanaste

The God of Creation
Also called: Mother of Mothers, The Shaper

Deific Rank: Greater Deity

Symbol: Interlocked hands above a heart

Home Plane: Idyl, Plane of Safe Abode

Alignment: Neutral Good

Portfolio: Mothers, birth, creation, families, community, art

Worshipers: Mothers, healers, midwives, doulas, artists

Cleric Alignments: LG, NG, CG

Domains: Community, Good, Protection

Favored Weapon: The Guiding Hand (light mace)

Kanaste (Kay-nay-st-ah) is the patron goddess of motherhood and families, including extended families and communities. She is also the patroness of the arts, as they are acts of creation that serve no violent purpose. Kanaste was grieved by the sorrowful cries of the mortal races when the world was new and cold, so she plucked out her own heart to serve as the sun, bringing warmth and life to the world. She would later entrust the protection of her heart to her son, Bornaon.

She is the first of the Anur to exist, and assisted in the creation of other deities. She was created by Inur, the Maker of Things, to serve as the first guardian and creator of Arc Arjet.

History and Relationships
Kanaste is amongst the oldest known gods, and evidence of her worship dates back thousands of years. She is kind but somewhat removed, rarely speaking when the gods gather and preferring to tend to her domains instead.

Kanaste's power over creation and indeed life itself means that she has had a hand in the birth of not only mortal races, but other gods. She does not see herself as the ruler of her pantheon, but the other Anur look to her as a maternal figure and supreme adviser. Naturally, they do not always agree with her gentle, unobtrusive ways, but she never seems to lose patience with them.

Kanaste is the mother of Bornaon, Veymaa, Darja and Rekmaa.

Dogma
For everything which you destroy, create another thing.

Shepherd mothers, instruct the young, and tend the sick.

Remember that a community of any size is simply a very large family.

Clergy and Temples
Kanaste's temples are often large, but are simply appointed. Her clergy wear white robes trimmed with scarlet, with her holy symbol prominently displayed on the chest. Her clerics and paladins pray for their spells at dawn, to reflect new beginnings and to celebrate the gift she gave the world in the form of the sun.