Inkarra
- Domains: Guidance, Knowledge, Innovation
- Patronage: keepers of knowledge (librarians, skalds, wise women...), intellectuals, teachers
- Symbols: four-point star
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Favoured
- colours: rose gold
- minerals: gold, rose quartz
Summary
Inkarra is a lesser deity, usually described as a subordinate of some bigger power, that serves as a guiding spirit for mortal beings. Unlike many greater forces, she is keen on interacting — even directly — with mortals, regardless of if they worship her or not. Her only interest is providing answers and solutions and making sure that no knowledge is lost.
Though she presents in a very gender-neutral way, she is always described in feminine terms.
© Aque, March 2023
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Attributes
Morals and values
Aside from valuing curiosity, innovation and knowledge, Inkarra is also a vehemently peaceful deity. Not only is she a pacifist, but she quite literally seems to be incapable of violence. As such, if she ever feels threatened, she will withdraw and refuse to engage any further until safety is guaranteed, though it is rather difficult for a mortal to frighten a deity .
As such a notoriously gentle and meek spirit, Inkarra is hesitant to provide information on harmful things. She doesn’t censor anything once she does provide information and generally doesn’t refuse to answer questions, but one will have a hard time convincing her to outright suggest how to best murder someone.
Appearance
Inkarra appears in the form of a short, young humanoid of a lean build; she’s usually naked, though sometimes wrapped haphazardly in a long, loose, white shawl. There are no racial- or sex-defining characteristics on her body. She has long, wavy, blond hair that seems to glow as if it was made of rays of light. Her skin is the same colour as her eyes — pinkish gold known as rose gold — although the skin is far, far lighter and less saturated, and glows similarly to her hair.
She is always levitating as if swimming in the air. While she does occasionally touch the ground, it doesn’t seem like gravity ever affects her, including her hair and any of her garments.
She likes to circle around people she’s talking to like a curious monkey examining a novelty and is known to get close and up into other people’s personal bubbles.
Personality
The Guiding Star is an approachable and easy-going spirit. She is very calm and kind, and never acts “high and mighty” when interacting with mortals. If not for her bountiful knowledge and peculiar appearance, it would sometimes be difficult to tell her apart from a regular person.
Despite her friendliness, she never forms strong attachments with any particular individual. At most, she expresses care about groups and communities, but in personal contact, she acts rather emotionally distant. It is hard to tell if it’s intentional, or simply an expression of her otherworldly nature.
Relations
Inkarra is on good terms with nearly every other power within known pantheons but keeps to herself most of the time.
There’s one deity — incidentally, one whose domains are Power and Challenge — with whom she seems to have a sort of friendship established. This deity is also the one Inkarra would seek safety with should anyone threaten her.
Religion
Followers
There are no organized cults dedicated to Inkarra. She’s more of a patron-ancestor spirit, venerated privately by people within her domains, such as librarians, teachers, craftspeople, engineers and artisans. Other than that, there seems to be no common denominator among her followers, though she is more active within communities at peace than within those currently at war.
Temples and priests
One is likely to find a shrine dedicated to the Guiding Star in almost all places where knowledge and innovation are valued, but to date, there doesn’t seem to be a single temple specifically for Inkarra.
Despite not having her own place of worship, she regularly visits the mortal plane in person to engage in philosophical debates and inspire scientific breakthroughs. Some say it is even possible to simply find her in some bigger schools or libraries, quietly browsing the books or dusting the shelves idly.
Portrayal
She is usually portrayed with her eyes closed and head tilted upwards. With her open arms outstretched to the sides and legs joined and straight, her body forms the four-point star of her symbol.
Sometimes, candles are added at the feet of her statues or affixed to her hair, mimicking her signature stars, and illustrating her glow or the light of knowledge she brings.
Rituals
TBD