Saoirse
Saoirse is an Aspect who used to be a Dryad and was granted apotheosis by Meraki. She appears as a red maple dryad wearing a flower crown, corsage, and furs. She has also been known to manifest wings, gills or other animalistic attributes.
Saoirse spent her days rather carefree amongst her fellow gentry. One day, during a particularly bad storm, a bolt of lightning set the forest she lived in ablaze. Panic gripped the Fae in the area and chaos ensued. Saoirse was able to overcome her fear and saved as many lives as she could; however, she was unable to save herself. She became trapped in falling debris. She encouraged those she was with to go on without her, promised she would find a way out, but never did. Not long after the blaze had died down, Meraki took on a mortal form and walked upon the land as she so often did. The Primordial found the denizens of the woods grieving for the friends that were unable to make it out and, above all, Saoirse, who was the reason so many of them were alive. Meraki, stricken with grief, quickly departed for Limbo. She retold the story to her brother Ataraxus and although they could not change what had happened, they agreed to change the future. Saoirse was exalted in the halls of the Dead and was promised, upon her reincarnation, that she would be reborn a god. Saoirse refused at first thinking herself unworthy. Meraki explained to the dryad that her new role would be that of a guardian of the land and sea. Over time, Meraki was able to persuade the dryad into accepting and as promised, Meraki infused her soul with divine energy and Saoirse was reborn an Aspect.
Saoirse is nature unbound in all its beauty and gore. Hunters, fisherman, and nature enthusiasts alike all pray to her; however, she is worshipped by Fae more than any other race.
Spheres of Influence
Saoirse is the goddess of Nature and the Hunt. It is also a common to invoke her to protect both mother and child during labor.
Epithets
Saoirse is often called Chthonia, Forest Daughter, and Needle Eye. Symbols associated with Saoirse include a Red Maple tree and a javelin.
Sacred Sites
The following locations are sacred to Saoirse:
The Scarlet Garden
A lush forest, haven for Fae, and the domain of the goddess Saoirse, most people steer clear of the Scarlet Garden. Those who were lucky enough to escape the Scarlet Garden alive all agree that the only thing that exceeds the beauty of the garden is how dangerous it is.
The Scarlet Garden is the original forest that Saoirse lived in as a dryad before her apotheosis. The forest was heavily damaged by the fires; however, upon her return Saoirse helped cultivate the land back into a thriving ecosystem. During the Cradle, Saoirse called the garden her home and lived alongside those she protected; however, post-Schism, with Saoirse having retreated to the Astral Realm, the Fae took over stewardship of the Scarlet Garden and used it as their capital city. Powerful magic keeps it hidden from the naked eye making it impossible for trespassers to find. To enter the Scarlet Garden now requires express permission from the Gentry.
