Arete

ARETE

The most common religion in the known kingdoms of Nowalde, and indeed the state religion of Aquila, centers on the worship of Arete, the goddess of law, civilization, and defense. With a single exception, she is chaste and virginal, and her clergy follow suit. Arete is a goddess of war, but mainly the aspect of defense against aggression. She is the goddess of tactics and planning, over bloodshed and killing, and all of the ‘good’ gods look to her for leadership. She is the patron of Aquila. Her Cathedrals are lofty and columned, built of marble with stained-glass windows, and her clerics are of both sexes. Her symbol is a red torch on a white field. The heads of Cathedrals are called Presbyters.

She is the Queen of Heaven, the monarch of the gods themselves. Her chief rivals are Enyon, her brother, and Jormungant, god of lies. She reigns from her palace in the Golden City, the seat of all power in the universe.

Her cathedral in the Aquilan capitol is known as the Rotunda. It has smaller shrines to all the major gods of the pantheon, as all are subservient to her. In the center of the Rotunda is the Eternal Flame, a large brazier that is always lit.