The Lords of Liabo, Section 3

The Arkati Listing - Descriptions and Information
Chapter Two
The Lords of Liabo ~ The Gods of Light
by Evialla Violetskye~Khyree & Geijon Khyree

Leya
The Warrior Goddess
Name:	Leya
Ancient Name:	Laia
Epithet:	N/A
Pantheon:	Liabo
Tier:	Lesser Goddess
Realm:	Patroness of Amazon warriors, martial arts.
Dominion:	Master of martial arts
Relations:	Daughter of Kai.
Rivals:	None
Symbol:	A shining dagger.
Shrine:	The Wilds.
Appearance:	Leya is strong and slender beautiful young woman in her twenties with wavy mahogony hair and sparkling azure eyes. Athletic and slender of build, she wears a belted tunic, and laced up sandals.
Demeanor:	Confident.

Leya is skilled in the use of many weapons, a master of martial arts, and a superior warrior, with a cool, confident manner.

"The Youth and the Maiden"
By Geijon Khyree

From the tears of a God
A Goddess was born
Might of her father
The beauty of an exotic Queen
Grace unparalleled
Strength upheld.

Held in the arms of her Godly father
The God of might, Lord Kai
Sheltered by the elves, nurtered by her father
She rose among the others like a bastion of light
Tutored by her father, the God of might

Loved and protected by her father Kai
She believed she had no need for any other
Til one day riding her horse of beauty, the great white Rigaetha
She Spotted him, the youth of unsurpassed beauty

The young maiden, Goddess to be
Had never felt this feeling, could it be love
Or just an odd feeling, a twinge of wondering
But when she saw him and looked into his eyes
Burning deep blue as if penetrating her immortal soul
She knew it to be true

He looked up, gasping in amazement
The beauty before him, caused him to drop to his knees
Walking towards him and their hands met
Something they never felt before surrounded them
Eyes sparkling, cheeks blushing in a moment of youth
A twinkling moment of virgin adolescense

Side by side, stars streaming high above
They never left the glade
Where there love was founded
Holding and caressing
Love eternal, held in their hearts
For a moment in time..

For one shining moment..
We saw the joyful laughing..
The youthful giggling..
And the radiant smile..
Of the maiden Goddess, soon to be..
Amazon Queen.

~Geijon Khyree

The following tales and excerpts used by the gracious permission of
Lady Deavon Laeren and The Shrine of Leya, and is © 1997 Marsha H. Levine.
All information contained within the Shrine of Leya website is copyrighted. Permission to use/reprint must be obtained from Lady Deavon and attributed to the (GemStone III) Leya Quest.

Excerpt from:
THE LEYA QUEST: THE TALES OF LADY MIRIWEATHER
'Forest grows where forest will
Cloaking valleys, mantling hills
Through the thickets run the boar
Hulking bears and manticores.'

'Came a lady, fair and bright
Dwelt in magick forest light
Built a temple on a hill
Dwells among the treetops still.'

THE OFFICIAL GEM STONE III STORY OF LEYA:
PART ONE

The Story of Leya, Goddess of Strength and Mercy, Pt. 1

In the age of elven supremacy, the Arkati walked the Lands, mixing with the races and interacting with the Great Houses of the elves. Thus it was, the Arkati known as Kai, always a favorite guest due to his personal charm, noticed a young elven woman while visiting among the Ardenai.

She was both beautiful and bright, the only child of a noble and ancient family. Possessing admirable skill with the bow, she was as adept at the hunt as she was blessed with wit and social graces. She was the pride of her doting parents. One other ability was hers, a rare one among the Ardenai elves (or any of the other great Houses, for that matter) - she was gifted with the ability to 'soothsee', a talent regarded as descendant from the Arkati themselves.

When Kai beheld her, his interest in other women was said to evaporate like the mists of daybreak. She was, not surprisingly, as taken with him and their mutual admiration quickly ignited into the fire of love. He courted her for a season, taking her for his own as soon as elven traditions granted him leave. In due time, the lady conceived and as the child grew within her, Kai's existence was measured by his lady's smile.

It is said that this consuming passion was its own nemesis, the very thing that caused the eventual tragedy. Other Arkati (some of a darker nature), learning of Kai's obsession with the elf, were resentful, regarding it as an insult to the Arkati code. Love the mortals, yes, they admonished. But such affairs should be kept as no more than a dalliance. While no suspicions of evil intent were ever proven as fact, Kai's alliance with the Ardenai didn't last the year.

The child came to term, and after 3 days of decimating labor, the mother produced a daughter, beautiful from first breath. However, the struggle to accomplish it had taken too much of the Ardenai's life reserves. As she gazed lovingly at her newborn daughter, dismay clouded her eyes. Beside her, the despairing Kai - seeing her life flame flicker and fade despite all he tried to help her - heard her whisper, "I fear not death, but the dark that will someday harm our child."

Kai had known that he would one day see his love pass through the Veil between life and death. He was not prepared to see it happen in such a short span of time. They say that as he saw all his efforts to staunch the steady and relentless ebbing of her vitality come to nothing, he went half-mad with desperation. Midwives present at the bedside later claimed they saw the hazy form of Lorminstra appear during the woman's last moments, perhaps to prevent any interference from her frantic husband.

Another version of this tale paints the insubstantial figure seen in the bedside shadows as Luukos. Whatever the case, all the powers Kai possessed were unable to save his bride. Legend holds that, at her passing, Kai's cry of sorrow robbed the birds of song for weeks thereafter. He departed the Ardenai the same day, leaving the infant in their care. They called her Leya, named for her mother Leirya.

Years passed. Kai wandered, finally giving over his grief to time and gradually, the light of living was rekindled within him. In the meantime, the child grew, blossoming with all the promise her initial beauty had foretold. It became obvious, early on, that she had great talent in anything to do with physical activities, for the child ran almost before she learned to walk. She was tall and long of limb, with a lithe grace that was often likened to a deer. She was, in short, a natural athlete.

Eventually, Kai returned to the Ardenai, drawn by a Festival of Games held every spring to celebrate the solstice and attended by representatives from the majority of the Great Houses and common folk alike. The games were tests of skill in swords, ranged weapons and mounted jousts. The competition was brisk, featuring the most accomplished athletes from the seven Houses. Kai, as an honored guest, was seated on the royal dais and accorded the privilege of judging the tourney and awarding victory garlands. Nothing was mentioned of the tragedy by his hosts, nor did Kai broach the subject, for all were delighted that, at long last, the Arkati could rejoin them in joy and merriment.

The elven youths that competed displayed enviable skill and strength, and the bountiful festivities surrounding the contests reflected the field's splendor. Gradually, the champions garnered their victories and the field was narrowed down. Kai, conversing and applauding among his friends of the elven nobility, began to notice a tall young woman who won every match in which she was entered. Her sword arm was strong and her skill with a bow was as impressive as Kai had ever witnessed even among the Arkati themselves.

Finally, the day's awards were all given out, save the final event between the Ardenai woman and an exceptional warrior of Ta'Vaalor. The fight was with rapier, and judging by the crowd's boisterous cheering, the rivalry between the two Houses was fierce. As the two young elves circled, thrust and parried, suspense mounted. Many say that no rapier contest since has equaled the skill exhibited in the ring on that glorious spring afternoon.

The Vaalor youth was stronger and taller, but the Ardenai lass was quick and had unparalleled mastery of the rapier. Again and again, her lightening-fast response to his maneuvers seemed to turn the tide of the battle. Suddenly, as the woman parried a thrust, a hare ran pell-mell through the ring and became entangled with the Ardenai's footing. Only a moment later, it recovered and dashed away, but in the heartbeat or two it took for the woman to recover her balance, her Vaalorian opponent had cut under her blade and beaten her.

With the point of his weapon at her heart, she flashed a dazzling smile to the crowd and shouted, "Bravo to Nelito! A fine contest, my friend!" Her rival raised his weapon in a salute to her and, as the crowds roared their appreciation, the athletes embraced and strode arm-in-arm to the victory dais.

Kai startled as he realized he'd been holding his breath. He exhaled and leaned back in his chair. The vision of the Ardenai woman's brilliant smile had come near to stunning him, for there in her fine features he had rediscovered his beloved Leirya. As the two contestants approached the dais, Kai stood up and gazed down upon the girl. Then, after raising the garland high, he lowered it upon the Vaalorian youth's brow and praised his victory. While the crowd thundered in delight, he leaned forward and whispered next to the girl's ear, "And to my daughter, I give my eternal patronage and love, if she will but forgive her unworthy father for his absence in her life until now."

Saying that, Kai straightened and gazed into her eyes, until a moment later, her friend swept her away to answer the well-wishers beating impatiently at the arena gate. Kai watched their progress, his face glowing with pride and affection as she cast confused glances back at him over her shoulder until the crowd enveloped her.

Leya had never been told about her parents. When she asked her aunts and grandmere as a child, she was told only that her mother had died expressing her love for the newborn daughter and that her illustrious father had been pulled from her side by matters of state. Leya grew up surrounded by love and affection, missing her parents only because of her desire to share her love with them.

When Kai came to her later, in the privacy of her quarters, she embraced him and it was as if the years that had separated them had never been. Kai's joy was surpassed only by his love for the girl and it is said, behind the Veil, the spirit of Leirya knew and rejoiced.

That night, a feast was held of lavish proportion, and there, Kai announced his reunion with Leya. The assembled multitude delighted in Kai's obvious happiness with his accomplished and beautiful daughter. Later, as Kai pondered the events of the day in the light of a solitary candle, the words of his beloved came back to him. "I fear not death, but the dark that will someday harm our child." Remembering Leya's sweet smile, full of integrity and warmth, he was filled with fear for her and vowed to himself that he would protect her from any ill fate.

Once the week of festivities ended, Kai told his daughter that it was his wish - if she desired - that she accompany him, and he would school her in the arts of combat and teach her of her Arkati heritage. Although she was young, she knew not fear, and accepted her father's invitation with alacrity. For from the moment of hearing his first whispered words, a sense of home coming and content had awoken within her, and her love for her father had blossomed. With tears of joy for her happiness and regret for her absence, her Ardenai family bid the girl farewell.

Leya passed the coming years at her father's side, delighting in their shared company and surpassing her former skill at combat day by day. Kai watched his daughter's skill grow, nurturing and guiding it and reveled in her guileless smile, sweet nature and ready wit. As they passed through the lands, staying now with the Ta'Nalfein, and the following year with the Ta'Vaalar -- each year or season moving on -- the girl's reputed skill at combat was only over-shadowed by accounts of her beauty. Many were the princes and noble young elves who lost their heart to her. But in Leya's affections, only Kai could claim a place of honor.

Old stories tell that Kai and Leya journeyed to the distant lands of the halfling folk, who, in those long-past days, were never seen wandering far from their shires and homes, as is common today. The travelers arrived after many weeks in the wilderness, and the wee ones known as 'halfling' took the visitors in and threw a month-long feast in their honor.Kai was a welcome and anticipated guest, for the halflings delighted in his story-spinning. Soon, they grew likewise fond of the daughter, treasuring her open-heartedness. Although she was considered as 'gaunt' as her father, she was pronounced 'less uncomely' than most other non-halflings the merry folk had encountered (not-withstanding the fact that the sum total of these non-halflings were decidedly few.)

The months spent with the endearing people were pleasant ones. Leya taught the adolescents archery and wrestling, delighting in the gales of giggles that, more likely than not, accompanied any action one of them attempted. They returned the favor by teaching Leya tricks of throwing blades, for their proficiency at this skill surpassed any she had seen.

Finally, Kai decided time had come to bid their hosts farewell. He had kept in touch with the elven lands via messenger-birds sent to a close confident among the Nalfein, who had forwarded disquieting news. The Nalfein had heard tales of a terrible fortress that emanated darkness and fear, tales that had become too worrisome to ignore.

As a parting gift, the mayor of the halfling shire -- a small, wizened fellow of great age and magic - gave Leya a blade of great beauty, reputably possessing an unknown magic as well. The halfling handed the halfling sword, more a dagger in size, to her and told her 'to keep it close, for some day she would find a need for its friendship'. In the following years, she came to cherish the blade more as a sentimental reminder of the halflings and time spent in the company of her father than for the beauty of its strange and elaborate carvings.

One other gift did the halflings give to their Arkati friends. Many years before -- countless years, the passing of which had erased the details of its arrival -- a sword was given to the shire's elders to guard. The thing was beautiful beyond compare, yet feared, for it sang a haunting and terrible keen, heard sometimes on moonless nights by those close to death or the dying. The elders decided to give the thing to Kai in the hopes that it would come to aid if the dark rumors were based on any fact. Much better to give the sword into his keeping, they had decided, than to risk such a weapon falling into hands guided by a malevolent heart. The weapon, known as 'So'liengin' (later translated to 'Soulingen') was given into Kai's trust with solemn warnings about 'its dark and dangerous talent'.

The two Arkati's return to the elven empire was slow, hampered and harangued by raiding parties of orcs and trolls. Roads that had been safe for eons had changed in the few months they'd spent with the halflings. The highways were now plagued with raiders and bandits, and the settlements where Kai and Leya passed the nights were barricaded after dark. The inhabitants huddled behind their doors in fear and dread. Rumors of a growing threat became more and more frequent as they traveled, substantiating the stories Kai had been sent while with the halflings.

At the borders of the first of the elven Houses, the marauding abruptly stopped. In fact, when Kai brought up the subject during the next Council Court, the news was dismissedas rumor and exaggeration among the peasantry. The complacent council members assured the worried Kai that any bandits he had personally witnessed were certainly nothing more than an isolated incident. For it was inconceivable that any faction could mount a serious threat to the might and authority of the Seven Houses.

Some of the members of that Council would live to rue their words. The others experienced an abbreviated version of the famed elven longevity.

Leaving Leya in the comfort of a Faendryl palazzo after the rigor of the long months of travel, Kai journeyed on to a mountainous region east of Faendryl lands. There he sought council with Koar. It is said that the 'Oldest' visited Kai in the form of a small, winged lizard. Time has obscured what was said, but it is believed that Kai's suspicions were confirmed. Thereafter, Kai pondered the implications of all he had learned for a moon, then began work on a great and complex magic. When it was finally accomplished, the Arkati rested only long enough to recover from the debilitating fatigue of the 'working'before making his way back to the city of the Faendryl and Leya.

When Leya saw her father's deep exhaustion, she bade him rest and recover in her care. He put aside her concerns and told her that he wanted to depart again immediately, to take her back to the mountains from which he'd just returned. Despite her objections, they departed soon after.

Kai and Leya traveled to the edge of a seemingly impenetrable forest. That it was filled with magic was obvious, for the wood seemed to sing with a vitality that pulled at the edges of consciousness. It was as if the trees were sentient and watched all that neared their boundary. Leya, with the gift of seeing given her by her mother, felt the forest's prescience and quailed in the face of such power. But Kai reassured her and showed her the almost indiscernible sigils that were the signature of his magical working. As soon as she recognized them, the wood became nothing more or less than a magnificent, old-growth forest.

Before crossing into the shade of the lofty oaks, Kai counseled his daughter, telling her of the growing threat and his need to venture off alone, in an effort to discover the cause and measure of it. There, in the forest, he explained, she would be safe. Therein she could hunt and practice her combat skills in peace and safety until he was able to return to her. He asked her to vow to him that she would stay within the magical boundary he had created, leaving him free of worry to pursue the dangerous mission he needed to shoulder. And she, loving him and desiring his happiness, was happy to pledge her promise to dwell within the beautiful trees until he returned to her.

Kai was pleased and much relieved. Seeing a great owl flying overhead, he lifted his hand and power flowed from it, encircling the bird. The owl plummeted to earth, alighting upon the ground with a thunder of hooves. Seeing the owl transformed into a magnificent, white steed with dark eyes and flowing mane, Leya was delighted. She embraced the beast's powerful, arched neck and called him 'Rigaetha'.

They entered the wood together, the two Arkati and the enchanted stallion, and as they did, it was as if a door had closed behind them. That night, they camped beside a clear pool, and as the girl drank of its water, the magic was sealed.

Seeing Kai's preparations to leave her, Leya was sorrowful. Kai was dismayed at her unhappiness and asked if there was anything he could leave with her as a reminder of his affection. She answered, saying there was one thing only she desired other than his companionship. She had admired the beautiful weapon given to him by the halflings and longed to wield it.

Remembering the warnings sent along with it, Kai was reluctant. Then, observing the girl's sad expression, he was loath to deny her anything. Telling himself that nothing could harm her within the protection of the wood, he placed the beautiful blade in herhands and asked her to keep it sheathed and to use it sparingly.

Kai regretfully left soon after, comforting his daughter with assurances he would hurry back to her as soon as possible. As the days turned into months and then years, Leya dwelt within the forest, hunting and riding the steed called Rigaetha, safe within the embrace of the ancient oaks.

-- End of Part I --

Leya's Dagger

THE LEYA QUEST: THE FINDING OF THE SHRINE

On the early morn of the 28th day of March, Lady Myste sent her messengers to alert many of us that some had seen visions seen earlier in the day, which meant we might be fortuitous in our attempts to reach Leya. We each made our way to the Shrine of Heroes (Kai's Shrine). Lady Kiora, Lady Grobinal, Lord Ruup, Lady Deepspring, Jorrdan, Lady Bronnwyn, and Lady Myste and I assembled at the shrine. The young Master Matubaa was already engaged in combat with the Lord Kai as we knelt and prayed. Suddenly, the ghostly figure of a young woman stood behind Kai, smiling fondly at him. We gasped at the apparition. Jorrdan exclaimed, "The... the ghost...," as she turned pale, Deepspring crying out, "It is Leya!" I reached up to touch my medallion, blessed by Leya just a few days before and asked outloud "Leya, my Lady... is it you that graces us?" The figure faded away as silently as it appeared. We continued to pray reverently, hoping their Lady would return. A cloud of fog drifted into the room, the deep sound of thunder echoing from outside the shrine. We continued to offer our fealty and devotion. Lightning struck somewhere outside, sending eerie reflections bouncing off the walls... and yet we stayed still and strong in our worship.

The fog deepened from greys to a darker shade of charcoal. A voice whispered, unidentifiable as to gender, "Who do you seek?" Grobinal spoke out, "We seek the Goddess Leya!" with many of us echoing like a chorus. The voice continued, "Why do you seek her?" I replied, "To serve her and to honor her..." Grobinal added, "We wish to help end her suffering." The voice whispered, "That can never be undone." We sighed sadly, distraught. Thunder rumbled again." The soft whisper seemed to emerge from the thunder, "Seek clues to find your goal in the songs of children." Deepspring repeated, "The songs of children...." Puzzled, Ruup's mind raced back to his childhood, trying to unravel the mystery. Thunder rumbled again, then a beam of light broke through the fog as the sunlight re-emerged. Still we prayed as we tried to discern the meaning of those haunting words. The cloud frayed into nothing. A bird began to sing somewhere outside the shrine, its melody filled the shrine. The song lifted us with joy and we stood, renewed and ready to continue our quest. Myste suggested that perhaps it was the songs of the children in Shantytown we needed to seek out, and joining me, the we headed back to Wehnimer's Landing.

As we were rushing through town, Grobinal suggested that we seek the lost child. At South Ring Road, on the outskirts of Shanty Town we found a ragged child cowering, looking lost and forgotten. We knelt and prayed to Leya for a sign, as Grobinal called out:

"Child who hides and cowers in fear
Have you a song for us to hear
Can we help you this starry night
To make your way and day seem right"

Just then, Lady Miriweather, storyteller extraordinare, arrived. After much greeting and hugging for our old friend, Miriweather wrapped her pudgy arms around the center of her gnarled walking staff and casually leaned forward. We anxiously awaited her wonderous words, when suddenly she headed west. We followed her only to find Miriweather poking at something beside the road with her staff. Looking up at us she exclaimed, "A large bunch 'a ye togethers tonight, I sees." We nodded and chuckled, as Miriweather explained, "Just takin' me health in a stroll," then took a tug on some demon rum.

I said to her, "Aye, we are very excited tonight" then asked, "May we join you?" Miriweather replied, "Joins me? Where ye wants ta go?" Myste explained, "we were told to seek the songs of children." Miriweather furrowed her brow and repeated "Songs 'a youngin's?" "Hmm... songs a youngin's" she said again, as though lost in deep thought, then brightened with "I knows one!" We smiled at her excitedly as she began to sing, "Hi ho, hi ho... the dwarves are nasty folks... That tha one ye means?" We laughed at her witty tune, Deepspring asking, "Would you happen to know of one that involves Leya, Lady Miriweather?" Miriweather said, "Well, lemme sees..." and surrendered to her thoughts and rum again. "Wells, I knows a olde song, but nae knows if tis bout a goddess..." Young Master Geijon joined the group gathered as we crowded around Miriweather, hoping she might be able to help us. Then, looking up at us, Miriweather started, "Lemme see... tis a silly bit a nothin'. Somethin' bout forests.. used ta sings it ta me youngin's. Why I been here longer tha' I kin members! Hmm.. ifs I can jest members it." Expectantly we waited, then she began to sing:

"Forest grows where forest will
Cloaking valleys, mantling hills
Through the thickets run the boar
Hulking bears and manticores."

Deepspring exclaimed, "We know that area!"

"Came a lady, fair and bright
Dwelt in magick forest light
Built a temple on a hill
Dwells among the treetops still."

then concluded, saying, "That be all I kin member of it." We thanked her gratefully, and offered her some chocolate and more rum. Accepting the rum only, she said, "Wells, I ill be offs ta me bed now," then tried to bow, almost falling over, deciding to offer us a smile instead. More hugging and thanks were shared until Miriweather hobbled on down he road.

We decided to find the place described in Miriweather's song, stopping to gather Lady Shadowkatt and Mistress Danay along the way out of the Landing. We headed out past he manticores and thraks and into the valley arriving at a circle of trees with an ancient oak marked with symbols at its center. I recited the song again as we gathered our bearings. We had begun to wander around nearby when Ruup said, "I just got a nagging feeling I was missing something..." Danay chimed in, "I had that feeling earlier." We returned to the oak tree and searched around, but nothing. Again we began to head back out when I felt an odd sensation. Something nags at the edge of your thoughts, a feeling like you might be missing something important. "Wait!" I cried out, "Something just nagged at me..." Some knelt to pray beneath the oak tree, others searched around it. Your thoughts return to visions of beautiful forests. Ruup states, "Moments before Deavon got the nagging feeling, I had it too, then the God spoke and told me to share the thoughts playing in my mind." I added, "My thoughts returned to visions of the beautiful forest." As we stood, Danay thought aloud, "There is a place with thick trees and ferns, but I can not remember if it is on the hill..." Off we went, proceeding farther into the valley reaching the forested path in Lysierian Hills. We wandered for a bit and then - You feel the forest pull at you. I gasped again, "The forest just pulled to me!" Bronnwyn murmured, "I seem to recall thoughts of searching a virgin forest, where footsteps were new." Back down the path we wandered and into a vale in Aillidh Brae. You feel the forest around you, like you have come home. "Wait!" I exclaimed excitedly. "What, Deavon?" Myste asked, and I told them. Master Geijon began to lead the group slower through the vale, wondering if they were getting closer. Twas just then that a large owl winged by overhead, heading toward a patch of forest on a far slope. Deepspring exclaimed, "An owl!" recalling Miriweather's stories of Leya's steed-turned-owl, Rigaetha. Geijon lead us over the lava bridge up the slope, up to the canyon rim, trying to follow the path of the owl. In the far distance, the owl could be seen circling over a forested area further down the slope. Geijon led on further. Once more the owl appeared, flying overhead, very low, and proceeded down the ledge, disappearing in some trees. Down to the cliff bottom we descended, arriving at the canyon floor. For a long time we circled around, arriving at a thicket enveloping a rocky forested path. The path back up the slope looked promising as we ambled upon a forested trail.

As the group grew tired, Myste pleaded, "Please show us another sign, oh gracious and merciful Lady Leya!" A long climb to the cliff top, provided us with a view of the forest so clear and visible. Geijon announced, "Now we must be close!" Again the owl flew overhead, very low, and proceeded down the ledge, disappearing in the trees. We followed the owl into the trees, down the trail, where we discovered a wooded path. At the forest's foot, giant ferns cascaded down the trail's embankments in a deep emerald drift of fronds. Geijon smiled knowingly, as he knew this matched Miriweather's song. "Very, very close" he murmured. I made a careful search of the area and discovered an overgrown path. Jorrdan cried out, "This has got to be it!" We wandered down it, deeper into the forest arriving at a large growth of ferns, at the dwindling path's abrupt end. We spotted a clearing and bravely ventured in with anticipation. Tall boulders stood in our way, and we climbed them carefully, arriving at the crown. Delicate mosses covered the rocks strewn about, trillium grew here and there, offering tri-leafed stems crowned with snow-white blossoms. Ferns resumed their rampant play behind the edge of the granite outcrop, sprawling over and around the feet of a beautifully veined, black marble portal. Cries of surprise erupted from the group as they spotted the entryway. Trembling with joy, we walked through the black marble portal and into the marble hallway. Continuing down the hallway, we entered the central room and knew instantly that this was the Shrine of Leya.

Many fell to their knees in prayer, others cried, in awe we tried to take in every detail. The dome with its "tears", the pool, the altar, the niches filled with statuary. After a few moments of repose we decided to explore and enjoy the shrine. The statues surrounding the central room each depicted something or someone important to the tale of Leya - her father Kai, her lover who she had smitted accidentally with her sword Soulingen during battle, Leya herself, and then Leya holding her dying lover in her arms. So much to see, but we wondered, "Where was Soulingen?" Onto the altar we moved, and there it lay, tossed aside casually with grief and disgust. So touched were we to discover the shrine, that Myste asked us to kneel and give thanks to our Lady. We bowed our heads humbly. A rumble of thunder outside made the gentle drop of water into the center pool seem louder still. A slight wind blew through and as it calmed, a blossom feel seemingly from thin air. Kiora touched the trillium blossom, then I picked it up and looked at it, "How wonderful in it's simplicity," I said, then put it on top of the black marble altar.

As we stayed by the altar we discussed our joy, our worry about the safety of Soulingen, what mysteries the shrine might hold. We gave the blossom to Geijon to thank him for guiding the group, a token of Leya. Some of us chose to spend the night in our Lady's presence. As I laid there, my eyes closed and drifting off to sleep, I heard the soft sound of wind chimes drift in on a light breeze.

By my hand,
Lady Deavon Laeren

Excerpt from:
THE LEYA QUEST: VISIONS AND BLESSINGS

"I arrived at the meeting late and I was glad to see all the fine ladies gathered around the storyteller Miriweather, and myself, oddly being the only male of the group, until Lord Ruup came along later. We started off and went to Kai's shrine in search of clues to the location of Leya's Shrine. Again Myste communed and we discovered a few valuable answers that later helped us reach her shrine, and as I got up to leave my armor was anew and blazed with a glowing dagger over my right shoulder. I marveled at the beauty of the mark! Days went by and we continued the Quest for the shrine and as the days went by, in an odd experiment the armor was destroyed by dark magics that cursed it and it was lost.

Knowing the loss I felt for losing the armor, and in my eyes, Leya's favor, my fellow questors allowed me to lead the group and again Leya sent us visions. Somehow I managed to decipher them with the groups help, although we didn't agree on everything we finally reached Leya's Shrine together and spent hours exploring and marveling over its beauty. As we sat near the pool next to Soulingen, a single trillium blossom appeared near the altar. For my efforts and the loss of my goddess' marking, I was given the blossom and to this day many years afterwards I still carry it with me at all times. It has never wilted or dulled in beauty and I will treasure it always. I still sometimes doubt myself and go to Leya's shrine for guidance. That may just be man's doubts in ourselves, but whenever I meditate at her shrine I feel relieved and continue onward.

...I will never leave these lands for they are my home and the gods we choose or are chosen by always watch us.

- Lord Geijon

For more tales of Leya and The Leya Quest please visit
The Arkati Volumes , Tales of the Arkati by Evialla Violetskye-Khyree and Geijon Khyree and
The Shrine of Leya

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Lorminstra
"Guardian of Souls, Keeper of the Gate"
Name:	Lorminstra
Ancient Name:	Eissa
Epithet:	"Guardian of Souls", "Keeper of the Ebon Gate"
Pantheon:	Liabo
Tier:	Greater Goddess
Realm:	Goddess of Death, Rebirth, and winter.
Dominion:	Death, Rebirth, Winter, Deliverance.
Relations:	Daughter and eldest offspring of Koar and Lumnis, sister to twins Ronan and Phoen.
Rivals:	Luukos, Amasalen, Gosaena, Shar.
Symbol:	A golden key, or a golden key set upon a gate of black.
Shrine:	Wenhimer's Landing - Temple, IceMule Trace Temple - Hall of Seasons
Appearance:	Lorminstra appears as a somber, slightly built woman with pale alabaster skin, blond hair, and pensive grey-blue eyes wearing flowing hooded black robes over a white gown. In her slender hand she carries a crystal staff, and at her side dangle the crystal keys to the Gates of Oblivion, one key for every soul.
Demeanor:	Somber, caring.

Lorminstra is the holder of the crystal keys to the Gates of Oblivion and it is she who must decide whether a soul should be rejoined to its mortal body when beseeched by the ritual of lifegiving, or must dwell in the afterlife, unless claimed by others and out of her reach. Even Koar will not contradict the decision of Lorminstra in this matter.

Lorminstra also holds reign over Winter, that recurring season of the death of nature, paralleling the death and rebirth of souls.

An abomination in the care-worn eyes of Lorminstra is the enslavement of souls by Luukos to animate his undead hordes, and thus she is in support of her brother, Ronan in his struggles against the minions of "the Soul Taker", Luukos. Her appeals to Koar to take direct measures to halt the activities of Luukos are frequent.

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Lumnis
"The Wise"
Name:	Lumnis
Ancient Name:	Valris
Epithet:	"The Wise"
Pantheon:	Liabo
Tier:	Greater Goddess
Realm:	Goddess of learning and wisdom.
Dominion:	Learning, wisdom, knowledge, patron to scholars and masters of thought.
Relations:	Wife of Koar, mother of Lorminstra and twins Ronan and Phoen.
Rivals:	Fash'lo'nae, the Dark God of magic and arcane knowledge.
Symbol:	A golden scroll overlaying five conjoined circles, the circles being red, blue, black, green, and white, symbolizing her mastery of the Spheres of Knowledge.
Shrine:	IceMule Trace Temple - Hall of the Mind.
Appearance:	The serene, ivory-skinned Lumnis is a mature, scholarly and seemingly aloof woman in her quiet, reflective ways, with pale grey eyes and full red lips. Tall and slender, she wears a light grey gossamer robe so long that her feet are never seen, and the hem is lost in distant mists. Her hair is black, in sharp contrast with her pale skin, with a single shock of grey at the forehead.
Demeanor:	Serene, pensive, calm.

Lumnis gives her wise counsel willlingly, even to the Dark Gods, but never commands. Her power lies in her understanding of the complex interrelations of the Spheres of Knowledge, and her intuitive grasp of their intricacies. Lumnis wields her knowledge with the style of an artist, leaving even Koar in amazement.

"The Wise" Lumnis is worshipped by scholars and practitioners of the arcane arts who explore the boundaries of their knowledge with a wonder and respect of the powers they discover. Her wisdom is also sought by fortune-tellers and all those in need of guidance and wise counsel.

Lumnis' utter disapproval of the gain of knowledge souly for personal gain or power is so strong that it is said she is at the heart of the sudden disappearance of several notably power-hungry magic users over the centuries. She regards Fash'lo'nae's approach to knowledge as ultimately self-destructive and unconscionable.

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