DarkSirenSally/AsamiGoddess
- Back to Asami
Vesperna, Handmaiden of the Unconquered Sun, Goddess of Purity and Healing
The pure and chaste Vesperna first came to her position in divinity by the behest of the Unconquered Sun himself. She was, at first, little more than a minor spirit in service of the god, one of many who saw to his needs and comforts while he resided in Yu Shan. Eventually she found herself singled out, praised for her selflessness and patience in servitude, her devotion to purity in body, mind and spirit, diligintly cultivated so as to free herself of distractions from her duty. Her sphere of influence began to widen as the Unconquered Sun allowed her the opportunity of taking on petitions meant for him, particularly those that catered to her preferences. She served as what could be termed his gentle face to Creation -- the soothing, cleansing, life-nurturing aspect of the Sun's radiant light.
Vesperna, with her soft, pleasing features and motherly demeanor, was considered by some as a more merciful and attentive alternative to worshipping the Unconquered Sun himself. However, she herself never presumed to be a replacement to the god, simply a mediator between mortal and Incarna. It was not until the First Age fell to ruin and the Celestial Incarna turned their attention to the Games of Divinity that the Handmaiden gradually came to be worshipped in her own right, not for personal gain as much as necessity. To her fold flocked many hard-working, simple- minded individuals of strong moral fiber who beseeched her for the health of their families and loved ones, for the vitality of their crops and livestock, for protection against disease and the undead. Worship of the Virgin Handmaiden spread primarily in the East, in hamlets and villages where climates were temperate and agriculture remained a primary source of income.
With time, Vesperna's association with the Unconquered Sun began to fade, in part due to her desire to shield her worshippers from the wrath of the Realm and its Immaculate Order, who may otherwise treat her congregation as an Anathema cult. Despite her care in distancing herself from the Incarna, however, suspicion still arose now and then, and those who counted themselves among the Handmaiden's faithful learned to hide the telltale signs of their worship and give praise to her in seclusion among likeminded peers, particularly in regions where the influence of the Realm is strong. Shrines and temples to Vesperna are more often than not small and well hidden, their existence a well-guarded secret by the villages their priestesses and sword-maidens serve. The largest of these temples is the Floating Lily Garden, a breathtaking, water-soaked floral manse hidden among the rice paddies of the village of Asijin, whose surprisingly abundant yearly harvests help provide provisions for Lookshy's extensive military. The Garden has been granted limited immunity to the Wyld Hunt due to the friendly relations of its High Priestess with Radiant Star's Caress, a Chosen of Venus and sympathizer to the cause of Vesperna.
The reemergence of the Solar Exalted in the Age of Sorrows has caused quite a stir in the hierarchy of Vesperna's faithful. Though the Handmaiden's relation to the Unconquered Sun is no longer explicit, she still harbors a vestigial sense of loyalty to him, and particularly to the ideals which she has "borrowed" from his portfolio. Therefore, her clergy are both trained to recognize Solars and to treat them with a certain amount of respect -- including shielding them from the prying eyes of the Hunt, though protecting Handmaiden worship and those who practice it always comes first. On the other hand, Solars are the Unconquered Sun's chosen, not Vesperna's, so the consideration shown them by her servants is not without some resentment for being duty-bound to bother, and quite a bit of wariness for the exceptional power they possess, which could just as well be turned against their less-able helpers if they are somehow displeased. Solar Exalted given refuge in a shrine of Vesperna are quickly encouraged to be on their way as soon as possible, though such encouragment is rarely overt and even more rarely hostile.
Vesperna's holy servants are, without exception, always women and always virginal. As she once served as the Handmaiden of the Sun, taking no lover so as to remain devoted in heart and mind to her duty, she expects the women who devote their life in her service to make a similar sacrifice. Just the same, addictions of any sort are strongly discouraged among her clergy, for these would distract them from the responsibility bestowed upon them to keep worship of the Handmaiden alive in Creation, and to nurture and safeguard the well-being of all those who would give her praise. True to her merciful nature, Vesperna is greatly pleased when one of her servants provide aid in the form of healing, curing, shelter or protection to those in need -- the helpless and the downtrodden, the sick and the destitute. On the other hand, once nursed to health and brought to safety, they are more often than not sent quickly on their way if they show any form of dislike or disdain of the goddess. As benevolent as their intentions may be, Vesperna's earthly servants know well to be protective of their faith and those who share it, so rarely suffer an unreceptive stranger in their midst for long.
The Virgin Handmaiden employs two types of trained individuals to spread her word and propogate the good deeds she favors. Vesperna's priestesses, the Lily's Calyces, are the caregivers and healers, learned women of impeccable grace and manners who lead, advise and nurture those who beseech the goddess for aid. Vesperna's sword-maidens, the Lily's Stamens, are the protectors of her faithful and the guardians of her sacred shrines upon Creation. Both groups are primarily composed of heroic mortals, occasional godbloods and even outcaste Terrestrials who were either given at birth to one of her temples to be raised as the Handmaid's own, or who offered themselves for such service by adhering to her traditional ideals as best they are able, then presenting themselves to one of her ordained priestesses for evaluation. Those deemed worthy -- who follow the path of virginal purity, exhibit the discipline to moderate their indulgences in all other things, are possessed of a kind, merciful heart and the willingness to sacrifice their own needs for the sake of others -- are accepted as acolytes of the Order of the White Lily. From then on they must eschew all personal ties in favor of their new calling, choosing the path of priestess or swordmaiden, Calyx or Stamen, depending on their natural proclivities. If ever a servant of the Handmaiden falls beneath the expectations of their station, she may be expelled by the High Priestess that accepted her petition into the Order. Losing one's virginity is grounds for instant expulsion and the loss of Vesperna's favor -- she may never again serve as one of Vesperna's clergy, though she may still give the goddess worship, if she so chooses.
The Handmaiden is far from an unforgiving goddess; she will not refuse to aid even those who have spurned her ideals, so long as they supplicate her in a manner she finds pleasing, or if their situation is truly dire. Offerings that are pleasing to Vesperna include white lilies, her favored flower, along with lotus, white roses and other pure white blooms; songs and hymns composed in her honor, particularly in soprano voice but also including instruments capable of high octave range and pure, dulcet tones, such as flute, violin and harp; and figurines or other works of art hand-crafted by the offerer in her likeness, or in the likeness of doves, unicorns and mute swans, animals which often carry her blessings. She delights in any offering that celebrates life and purity, but absolutely detests sacrifices slain in her name -- never, ever spill blood on an altar of Vesperna, or offer her a dead creature of any sort. She may, however, accept live specimens of her favored animals, if properly tamed and cared for beforehand; these are quickly spirited away to her private sanctum in Yu Shan. The most pleasing offer by far one may give to Vesperna is to offer one's own girl child, pre-pubescent and virginal, in service to the Handmaiden. The younger the child, the greater the blessing bestowed in return.
Vesperna herself rarely emerges from her sanctum in this day and age, choosing to allow her mortal priestesses and sword-maidens act in her name. Whenever the need or desire arises for her to walk Creation, she typically appears in the form of a slender blonde woman with benevolent green eyes and creamy pale skin. Her body is enveloped in a floor length, trailing gown of pure white cloth, its empire waist, long belled sleeves and high, chaste neck complimenting her picture perfect image of virgin purity. She may be carrying or wearing a garland of lily blossoms, and is often accompanied by a pure white unicorn steed with horns and hooves of pure gold, or pristine doves perched on her hands and shoulders, the latter with which she sends and receives messages from distant locales. She prefers not to fight if at all avoidable, calling a champion to defend her if one such is within reach, or fleeing swiftly upon the back of Halcyon, her steed. She harbors a strong dislike of undead, however, and will stand and confront such beings with surprising courage for one so gentle, subduing them with the scintillating light of her sacred sword, Tear of Morning Dew.
