Laia is the goddess of nature. She is known for her unmatched beauty, second only to the goddess Luthien. Laia is a neutral deity, not aligned with good or evil, and instead focuses on maintaining the balance of nature. She is deeply revered by the elven races, who hold her in great respect and devotion. She's part of the Emerald group and one of the most isolated fragments, due to her avoidance of moral conflicts and was the first to leave when the war of the fragments began.
Laia is revered by those who love and respect nature, including farmers,
hunters, and other rural communities. She is also favored by those who
seek to live in harmony with the natural world, such as the elven races.
Laia's followers are often known for their deep connection to the land
and their commitment to preserving the balance of nature.
Celebrations
A festival called "Sounds of the Forest" is a grand celebration held in honor of the goddess of nature. It takes place once a year, during the height of spring, in the heart of a vast and lush forest. During the festival, the forest is abloom with flowers of every color, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming blooms. Mortals gather to participate in the festivities, which include a variety of activities and events. The main attraction is the grand procession, where followers of Laia carry offerings of fruits, grains, and flowers to the goddess' shrine. The procession is led by a group of elven musicians, playing hauntingly beautiful melodies on pipes and lutes. Once the offerings are placed at the shrine, a group of priestesses perform a ritual dance, swaying gracefully to the music. The dance is meant to evoke the rhythm of the seasons, and to symbolize the balance and harmony of the natural world. As the dance comes to an end, a choir of birds begins to sing, and the entire forest echoes with the sound of their melodic voices. At the conclusion of the festival, participants gather around a large bonfire and share a feast of seasonal foods and drinks. The night is filled with laughter, music, and stories, as friends and families bond over their shared love of nature and their reverence for Laia. Overall, the Sounds of the Forest is a time for joy, celebration, and renewal, a time for mortals to come together and pay homage to the goddess of nature and beauty. To her followers, the festival is a reminder of the important role that nature plays in their lives, and of the need to respect and protect the delicate balance of the world.
Appearance
Laia is depicted as a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Those who saw her in mortal form, confirmed that she rarely kept the exact same appearance, often changing her hair color and looks to match the season and environment she was in. In artworks she is often shown dressed in flowing robes made of leaves and flowers, with a crown of woodland flowers on her head. In the eyes of mortals, Laia appears as an ethereal and otherworldly figure, with a gentle and kind presence.