Kateerina on Niima

 

Kateerina says, "I welcome you all to my Lady's Temple and here to her garden. My name is Kateerina D'Arcmoor. Most of you know me as Katee. I have been asked to talk to you this eve about my Lady Niima and some of her followers worship practices. I am not a holy person. I have never been graced by the arkati with the powers of healing nor of life giving. So my views of Niima perhaps may seem simple and less refined than some others you may hear."

Kateerina blushes a glowing shade of red.

Kateerina says, "Lady Niima is one of the lesser Arkati. She was not one of the original but was born of two. Lord Charl and another Arkati lost long ago in the Ur-Daemon War. Although there have been stories told by the old ones who claim Niima's mother was mortal and took the shape of a dolphin. One reason perhaps for her symbol of a grey or silver dolphin on a field of blue: a way to honor her mother. No matter which is true, there is no denying that her father is Lord Charl for at times her temper equals his."

Kateerina smiles.

Kateerina says, "Lady Niima, named the Wavedancer, is commonly known as patron of the waters, sea life and of sailors. It was quite fitting for the new cruise ship that set sail a few weeks back to have been named after her. The waters they traveled were quite dangerous and her protection was certainly welcomed."

Kateerina says, "Of course no one could protect the ship from the passengers..."

Kateerina says, "They were quiet the crew I heard."

Kateerina says, "She admires the mortal form and when she appears, she seems human or elvish perhaps but one has ever seen her in other forms that I can recall, usually with sky blue eyes and blonde hair. Her form is lovely to behold. 'Tis no wonder the sailors sing her praises in their chanties. Her human form is a common figurehead on sea going ships, specially ones that with to gather her father's favor."

Kateerina strides a few steps toward a white marble fountain.

Kateerina sits down.

Kateerina says, "A favorite plant of hers is the anemone. There is a story that shows her personality centered about the plant. The old ones say that An elven child saw Niima dancing in the waves covered in colorful Anemones. The child cried because she wanted some of the flowers. But Niima, knowing they would die out of water, refused. The child cried until she became sick. Jaston, watching all of this took one of Niima's precious flowers and created a new one: the windflower, an anemone that could survive out of water."

Kateerina nods.

Kateerina says, "She has been known to rescue sailors from the sea as she sees fit. But the way of Niima is not always of compassion. I would akin her temperment to that of a spoiled teenager. She is willful and vengeful when she is in a vexful mood. Woe to the sailor that does not do her proper homage or to the mortal that speaks her name in negative light. Her father, the Lord Charl, who is known for his temper, dotes on her and does not hesitate to come to her side and avenge any wrongdoing against her."

You say, "Yea, jist ask Ny."

Kateerina says, "We all saw this last year when one of ours called her names."

Kateerina nods to you.

Kateerina says, "Charl about drowned the city."

Kateerina says, "Niima is worships in several areas of the Turamzzyrian Empire; Torre being one and Allace another. The temple in Torre is lovely I hear but not as lovely as our own temple here in Solhaven."

Kateerina says, "In Torre, many young girls are dedicated to the temple at an early age. There are many reasons why infant girls are dedicated, but the most popular one is that she was born into a family of sailors who fathered too many girl children. The family has one less daughter to dower and gains Niima's favor while the temple has new novices to train. There are priests of Niima as well but they seem to be few."

Kateerina says, "I am happy to see one here.. I believe..."

Kateerina says, "In Allace, many a young girl can find employment on ships if they have been made in the image of Niima. For is has been noted that Lord Charl is more kind to those ships carrying the image of his beloved daughter and softens with the site of such a lass onboard. These ships will find the waters calmer and the winds more favorable. Fishing ships will fins the currents guide them to more bountiful fishing grounds."

Kateerina says, "All races that have a connection to the sea have been known to worship my lady and her lord father. Recently I had the chance to hear a retelling of a Erithian wedding ceremony. I had no idea they had strong ties to Niima as well. Niima plays an important part in the ceremonies of the Nathala Dai. ."

Kateerina says, "In this particular ceremony the bride gathered Mussels, anemones, conch, and small fingerling fishes to honor her new family. I say new family because when a woman marries she severs all ties with her birth family and becomes a part of her husband's family. She is painted with colors made from herbs that bring protection from Lady Niima and wisdom from Lady Lumnis. The bride's mother had stitched a wedding sash over the course of many years in anticipation of her daughter's wedding. Each stitch made was sewn with a prayer to Lady Lumnis and Lady Niima."

Kateerina says, "Someday I hope to see more of these ceremonies and speak with some of the Nathala Dai about more of their traditions."

Kateerina says, "I am not a priestess of my lady and I certainly do not pretend to know all of her rituals and secrets. I had a chance recently to sit here in this garden and speak to a novice of the abbey. She is called Wavedancer of the temple. I wondered how she received that title since Lady Niima is also the Wavedancer."

Kateerina says, "She told me of her life and dedication to the temple."

Kateerina says, "Each temple houses what they call a Wavedancer or dancer of rituals. This girl learned certain special ceremonies that are carried out in dance; hence the name. She is marked for such a life from her first dedication. She must be formed in our lady's image. At certain high tides and full moons she performs her dances here in this garden for the temple and for the Lady Niima herself. She eventually takes to the surf in her dance and lady Niima will sometimes send the dolphins to join. She worships Niima through her dances marked with the fluid movements of her body. As if she was part of the waves herself."

Kateerina says, "The Lady Niima is also known to send dolphins, her handmaidens, to help those in need, to guide, protect or just watch for her. It was how I was led here to this temple: by an old dolphin."

Kateerina says, "Lady Niima, the Wavedancer and Mistress of the Sea, is kind and generous watching all in her domain. She tempers her father's anger and soothes his foul moods. While the sailors worship Charl and do what they can to gain favor for their ships, they sing and toast Lady Niima for her beauty and hope she will smile on them in their time of need."

Kateerina stands up.

Kateerina says, "If anyone has any questions... I will do my best to give you my perspective of answers."

Kateerina says, "For one thing I have found..."

Kateerina says, "Is that none of us can know all the interworkings of the Arkati and it would be presumptuous of me to pretend to."

Kateerina smiles.

Vender asks, "May I add a small something?"

Kateerina says, "Please."

Kateerina smiles at Vender.

Vender says, "Well, one example of Lady Niima can be seen in the great storms of the sea."

Vender says, "For no matter how huge Charl's rage may become, in the center of each storm lies a calm center."

Vender says, "The eye of the storm."

Vender says, "This is where many have said to have encounter my Lady Niima."

Kateerina nods to Vender.

Vender says, "Many think this is because in Charls heart,Niima has her place."

Kateerina says, "Well put."

Vender says, "And so in his rage, one can find her there to calm even the wroste."

Vender says, "But while she isn't always able to save everyone, nor willing."

Vender says, "They can atleast find a monmnet to gather themselfs for what end may come."

Kateerina nods to Vender.

Vender smiles.

Kateerina says, "Thank you so much. That was a perfect analogy."

Kateerina smiles.