Goddess, Ilmatar (Goddess of the Air and Mother of the Seas)

Ilmatar is a goddess of creation and the sky in Finnish mythology. According to legend, she was born from the primal elements of air and water, and is often depicted as a maiden hovering over the waters of the world, the winds rushing through her hair.

• Pantheon: Finnish Mythology
• Deity Title: Goddess of the Air and Mother of the Seas
• Deity Symbol: Swans, Water, Air
• Home Plane: Elemental Plane of Air – Realm of air ‘Ylima’
• Deity Level: Intermediate
• Alignment: Neutral Good
• Aliases: Luonnotar
• Superior: None
• Traditional Allies: Ahti, Vellamo
• Traditional Foes: Loviatar, Surma
• Divine Artifact: Wand of the Wind
• Servants: Air Elementals, Naiads
• Servitor Creatures: Swans, Dolphins
• Sacred Animal: Swans
• Manifestations: Gentle breeze, soft rustling of leaves, glistening water
• Signs of Favor: Calm seas, gentle breeze, bountiful harvest
• Worshipers: Sailors, fishermen, farmers
• Cleric Alignments: NG, CG, N
• Specialty Priests: Air magic, weather magic, sea magic
• Holy Days: Midsummer, Harvest festival
• Portfolio: Creation, Air, Water, Nature, Fertility
• Domains: Air, Water, Earth, Plant, Animal
• Favored Weapon: Spear
• Favored Class: Druid
• Favored Race: Merfolk, Elves
• Duties of the Priesthood: Maintaining harmony between the elements, protecting the natural world
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: Temples on coastal cliffs and on the sea floor
• Benefits: Water breathing, control over wind and water, communion with nature

Ilmatar is a gentle and benevolent deity, concerned with the well-being of all living things. She is particularly revered by those who make their living from the land, as she is believed to be responsible for the fertility of the earth and the growth of crops.

As a goddess of creation, Ilmatar is also associated with childbirth and the nurturing of life. She is often called upon by those seeking fertility, both in terms of bearing children and in the growth of their fields.

However, Ilmatar is not just a passive observer of the world. She is a force of change and transformation, and is known to be fiercely protective of her domain. It is said that she once defeated a massive dragon, ripping its scales off and using them to create the sky.

Ilmatar’s priests are known for their connection to the land and the cycles of the seasons. They often perform rituals to honor the goddess and to ask for her blessings on the harvest. Ilmatar is also a patron of music and art, and her followers often incorporate these elements into their religious practices.

Ilmatar is often depicted as a beautiful and ethereal figure, with long flowing hair and a serene expression on her face. She is said to have a tall and slender frame, with long limbs that seem to stretch on forever. Her skin is as smooth and as white as fresh snow, and her eyes are a piercing blue color that seems to glow with an inner light.

She is often depicted wearing flowing robes that seem to shimmer and move as if they were alive, and her hair is often adorned with a crown of flowers or leaves. Her overall appearance is one of grace and purity, and she radiates a sense of calm and tranquility.

Despite her ethereal appearance, Ilmatar is also known to possess a great strength and resilience, and her eyes hold a fierce determination and intelligence. She is often depicted with a sense of purpose and power that belies her serene beauty, and those who look upon her are often left with a sense of awe and reverence.

Her association with creation and fertility makes her a natural fit for clerics or druids with those domains. As a goddess of the sky, she is also associated with the air and weather domains, and her emphasis on beauty and art could make her a patron for bards or other creative types.