Athanasia,Goddess of Despair and Sorrow
Athanasia,
Goddess of Despair and Sorrow
Name: Athanasia
Domain: Goddess of Despair and Sorrow
Pet name: Ana, Kore (named for her mothers childhood name)
Appearance: Long brown hair and blue eyes. Pale skin and she stands about 5f6. She has Wings which she can retract like her siblings, though hers are grey feathered. She does not use them, unless she is with her siblings. Her clothing ranges from grey robes to skimpy grey togas depending on her mood. Personality: Shy, Quiet and yet she has a very nasty temper and will use her powers on those who make her mad. Around her family though, she is very different.
Background: Athanasia is the first born girl and second eldest of the Quads born to Persephone and Hades. She was given the domain of Despair and Sorrow, even though she like her siblings brought joy to their parent's hearts. The family spent time in a time bubble where the young gods learned about their powers and their close knit family unit was even more evident when they emerged. They spent 100 years in that bubble, but to the outside world, only hours had passed. Once clear of the bubble, Athanasia went to the island of Karpathos and atop the highest peek she built her main temple. She made it of Grey marble. Beneath the main throne room, the floor of which is made of glass, is a large Cave where Athanasia spends her time alone. It is said that there she take slaves and uses her powers on them to make feel sorrow and despair. She brought her favorite Animal the black wolf to the island and allowed them to roam free. Killing of them is punishable by death.
Ana is the more open of Hades daughters when it comes to emotions, though when it comes to sexuality, her little sister Chrysanthe beats her hands down. Ana is a product of her family line. The granddaughter/Niece of Zeus and Granddaughter/Niece of Demeter, she enjoys the respect she gets from her relations with them as well as the fear and power she gets from being the Daughter of Hades and Persephone, though since her arrival in the normal realm and time flow, she has come into her own.
Ana has a staff made of polished obsidian with a Amethyst on the top. This staff is very powerful, A gift from her mother upon their return from the bubble. She uses it to help focus her powers and if a mortal looks into or touches the gem they are instantly swept with despair that will affect them for ever. Eventually, causing, them to die through suicide.
She gathered her followers from all over Greece, shamelessly preying on those who enjoyed spreading sorrow and despair. Her followers are both male and female and Ana is very egalitarian about their duties. Ana's followers are loyal and will take offence to any slight against their Goddess. The Goddess has her own army, they are known as Shadow Warriors, as when they move out among the populace it seems as if the shadows cling to them and follow them. The Shadow warriors and the black wolves the goddess favors so, have free reign of the island and its cities. They help police her cities and when there is need will join with the armies of her siblings and fight with them. A platoon of them resides at the hidden joint temple along with platoons from the other quads temples.
The capital city was moved to a city beneath the sacred peek of the goddess and commerce between the isle and the rest of Greece is strictly monitored by the government, which were hand selected by Athanasia herself. Athanasia's Priests and Priestesses call her "Honorable Feared Goddess" and there are a number of rituals within her 'following' which are not open to outsiders. There are 5 ranks among those who serve in her temple. Athanasia's name means 'Immortal one'.
5. Apprentices: The lowest of all. These are aged from 6-14. And are mainly servants to the upper ranks. They do not live at the temple but travel daily to it, via special means in the City. Sexes are segregated. They wear Blue robes. (Currently they number 15). Not all make it to the next level. They often find apprenticeships in the Cities of the island
4. From Ages 15 to 18, they are kept at the temple. From this age, they are placed in one dorm, both male and female and are forbidden clothing while not working. They are called Novices. They wear brown Robes. (Number 10) Virginity is lost around this time. No one can be a priest/Priestess in Athanasia's temples and be a virgin. From this number, 3 are selected to be trained in torture.
3. Priests and Priestesses. From ages 18 and up. They live at the temple, they have their own rooms. (10) They wear Beige Robes. They wander through Greece at their Goddess's bidding, selecting slaves for their Goddess.
2. High Priests/Priestesses (4). They wear a Black robe. They chose the novices. And often initiate the junior priests and priestesses into the priesthood. Initiation Rite is classified.
1. A father Superior and Mother Superior. One of each. Mother Superior: Aldara. Father Superior: Lysander. They attend to Athanasia's every need. Aldara has three children which are well hidden. Rumors abound over what they look like and why they are kept away. They wear Golden robes.
Powers: Ana's powers can cause even the happiest person to be sad. Mortal or immortal, when used, they are affected. Like her mother she has the kiss of death. Her staff is also a part of her powers.
Favorite City: She has not got a favorite City, but her island is considered her favorite place.
Favorite Gem: Amethyst:
Favorite Animal: Black wolf
Favorite Plant: Narcissus cyclamineus - Cylamineus Narcissus
Other Special notes: The Quads can all speak telepathically to each other no matter where they are: And no one can intercept those thoughts. Ana has small temples in Serdica, Scupi, and Thasos with permission from her siblings.