In unbelievably ancient times on Illiad, Tahvihsa's Holy Symbol was a black gear of clockwork with her Eye in the center hole, compared to it's now more well-known iteration of an Illiadian Ena-circuit board with her Eye in the middle. This symbol was also used in the immediate Post-Wasting Era, as the secret to make Illiadian circuitry was lost, making her gear-like symbol was more relatable. Only in recent times, as Ena-based and magical technology is slowly becoming more mainstream again, is her more recent symbol making a comeback. However, many clerics and worshipers of Tahvihsa still hold onto gear-imagery and clockwork, even as circuitry-based technology is slowly resurging, due to clockwork still being in widespread use.
Often taking on the form of a shadian Mikaru woman, Tahvihsa is the Illiadian deity of Technology, Innovation and Mechanics, as well as one of the two ascended Shadowspawn who, during the Great War of Shadows, defected from the creature that would become Sh'ther Kei-Sihr to the side of Rencal Kei-Rhai, together with her brother Prethao after discovering that they developed powers that could be used constructively. As an entity of shadows that isn't even of celestial nature, and that originally wasn't part of the pantheon or the divine family and was adopted into it, this makes him, together with her brother and her father/progenitor, one of the Three Deities of Shadow in Illiadian religious mythology.
It is generally said that Tahvihsa first discovered her innovation- and technology-based powers when, while taking a break from fighting, disguised herself as a Mikaru woman and infiltrated an Illiadian camp of warrior-scholars who were working on some new war machines. These inspired her so much that she couldn't help but study them, and then noticed that she had abilities that allowed her to see the flaws in the engineering, and to fix these flaws immediately. After she then was praised for her efforts, she knew that this was what she wanted to do from now on, went back to her brother and was able to convince him to defect.
According to legends, Tahvihsa is in a steady and strong relationship with Farrina, the Illiadian holy Grand Countess of Nature, as she fell in love with her wild, unbound nature and her protectiveness of the natural world. This relationship is often touted by Mikaru as the perfect balance between technological innovation and the natural world that the Mikaru strive towards.
Tahvihsa answers directly to Rencal Kei-Rhai and Sh'ther Kei-Sihr, but spends the most time with her "Father", Sh'ther.
Basic tenets of Tahvihsa:
- Every cog and every circuit can be a work of art. Never forget what wonders you can create.
- Innovation needs to be shared. Do not hide your inventions, for even the smallest new idea can bring an avalanche of new innovation. Cooperation and dialogue can be the key to new innovation.
- Hard work has its place, but smart work brings new inventions. Strive to make life easier and soon, ideas on inventions that can accomplish this goal may come to you.
- Be mindful of your inventions, as to not lose sight of your goals. Innovation should not beget destruction.