Steramestei

Steramestei, once called The Shining Woman, is the Goddess of light, illumination, and the world of dreams. Steramestei is one of the Sisters–the reigning Celestial deities–and is the twin sibling of the goddess Kasamei. The two sisters are dualities, and Steramestei’s aspect is the brilliance of stars. 

Depicted as wearing a crown of stars and flowing robes, Steramestei is worshiped as the patron of insight and wisdom, as well as brightness and creation. Dreamers, poets, and artists turn to Steramestei for inspiration, and she is considered the muse for thousands of Mortals across Circadia. It is said that to be Blessed by Steramestei is to be offered the true font of imagination, and many spend their lives in devotion, hoping to be offered the Star Lady’s favor.

The legends surrounding Steramestei, however, belie her true nature. One of the most powerful of the Celestial gods, Steramestei embodies her motto: The Stars are Bright and Cold. She is known to be as cold as the distant stars and unflinching in anger. Even the Mortals to whom she has offered her Blessing speak to her frozen disposition and seeming indifference for the Mortal World.

Nowhere is Steramestei’s temperament more apparent than in her interactions with the King of Gods, Beodhen. Steramestei and Beodhen were once lovers, and their torrid romance was considered the origin of the global Auroras. However, a falling out between the two gods–likely over their competition for followers and mutual refusal to become paired aspects–caused cataclysmic natural disasters, including sweeping forest fires, unusually cold winters, and preternaturally long nights. Nepheris, T’rer, and Mynair eventually brokered a peace, though the two gods still resent one another. It is said that shooting stars are expressions of Steramestei’s lasting rage.

Despite her various conflicts with Gods and Mortals, as well as her disinterest in the mundane aspects of Divinity, Steramestei has maintained her spot on the Pantheon without contestation. This is because that Steramestei is one of the lone powers to hold the gift of “true sight”–while her sister is a Seer, able to pull together disjointed potentials of the future, Steramestei has seen what will occur and how it may come to be. It is said that, even generation, she offers some of her vision to the Mortal world.

Steramestei is also the patron Goddess of a strange species of little known and little understood creatures, The Toto.

The Devout of Steramestei

To follow Steramestei is to accept a life of uncertainty. To those few to whom Steramestei offers Blessing, the Blessing is, at best, confusing and, at worst, difficult and disturbing. Worse still, there are those who serve Steramestei without favor and die unsure if she noticed their worship. Moreover, Steramestei is a temperamental deity, and many have found themselves at the blunt end of her anger.

All the same, many and varied find themselves drawn to the goddess. The promise of illumination and inspiration, let alone the stories of the stars, have captured Mortal fancies for eons, and Steramestei has never found herself wanting for faithful. In particular, virtuosos and visionaries follow Steramestei unquestioningly. Due to Steramestei’s temperament, however, very few follow only Steramestei, often dedicating themselves equally to a less mercurial God.

Witches almost universally follow Steramestei, though it is said that she shows covens no specific favors. Steramestei coldly denies that she serves as a Patron to Witches, of course.

Steramestei and the Layfolk

Steramestei, like Beodhen, is something of an intimidating enigma to Layfolk. Her known tempestuousness and indifference to Mortal affairs frightens many Layfolk. However, all but the unluckiest of Layfolk dream, and that is known to be Steramestei’s purview.

Beyond this, it is known that Steramestei was once heard to say, “I am the reason the simple farmer looks to the night sky and, seeing the stars, knows there is more than the horizon.” This legend, well-inscribed in common folklore, is carried in the hearts of all Layfolk, and many use it as their inspiration for seeking more in their daily lives.

Costuming and Appearance

Steramestei followers are among the most colorful and exuberantly garbed Devout in all of Circadia. Only occasionally described as garish, they robe themselves in the bright colors of their goddess. It is hard to miss a Steramestei follower: frequently arrayed in pink, purple, and gold, they are furthermore seldom without starscape inspired fabrics and jewelry. Like followers of Beodhen, Steramestei’s Devout appreciate beauty and, however colorful their clothing may be, they integrate expertly wrought silks, gems, and other fineries into their daily garb.

United by color, Steramestei’s followers nonetheless are among the most unique of the Devout, and no two followers clothe themselves identically.

The Blessed

The Blessed of Steramestei are quite easy to spot: they sport star markings in bright, vibrant colors across their bodies and particularly across their faces.