-Anastasia-
Symbol: A triangle of the elements pointing downward and left bare of the line of the foundation.
Place of Existence: The Realm of the Element of Water, which takes residence along the axis of Nhearn to turn with the year. The Realm sits beneath the Realm of Heaven and above the Realm of Hell. It is often depicted that the Realm of the Element of Water is adjacent to the Realm of Air and the Realm of Fire to match with the passing of the seasons, but this has been considered representational of historic artists, that instead the Realms weave among and throughout one another across the axis of Nhearn.
Signs: The dripping of water, the appearance of dew, and gentle curtains of rain are all considered hopeful signs of the Goddess, where as the arrival of fog, a new spring, or the filling of wells are considered helpful or good signs. Tsunamis, floods, and disastrous tides are signs that the Goddess has become wrathful, while droughts and dry wells are signs of abandonment.
Alignment: Neutral
Anastasia is most often associated with the seas which is considered her domain upon the face of Nhearn. There are some who still worship her around lakes and streams, however these cults are not as prevalent as their coastal counterparts. Her shrines can be found across all of the lands of Nhearn and she does not have a favored heritage across the lands. Dwarven mariners, elven shipwrights, and Imperial sailors, all host emblems upon the bows of their ships for boons during voyages. Most often the ports of any civilization hosts a shrine to the Elemental which are respected by any seafarer or coastal inhabitant.
The Goddess was said to have a dedicated race to her worship beneath the surface of the sea, but the stories of the days of antiquity have blended into legends. It is thought that the oceans may host cities built of stone and coral beneath the waves, perhaps housing an aquatic peoples that the old lore refer to as mermaids and sea elves, however no person not driven mad by long voyages has ever returned with evidence that these old tales are real. Along streams and lakes are stories of merfolk, but these tales are seldom and their legends tend to lean toward the ideology and horrors of Annabel which spend their time tempting people to their death in bodies of water.
Although the Goddess may not have a prevalent race dedicated to her worship, it is well known that Anastasia has other creations to defend her territory. The most dangerous perhaps are the creatures that live in the deepest parts of the ocean, creatures of immense size, which the sailors of all territories call Titans. These creatures take varying forms, some travel as serpents, others as immense fish, still more reside as terrifying octopus or squid, and some are claimed to exist as massive crabs that appear as islands moving about the ocean. These Titans are guardians of sacred spaces and it is a sign of good luck to witness them, but sailors often avoid them for the danger they can unleash on any vessel.
In addition to the Titans, Anastasia protects her rivers, lakes, and springs with nymph spirits. These creatures have been confused at times with belonging to the Fae Realm or being aspects of Vanessa, but well knowing adventurers and scholars know that these spirits are from the Realm of the Element of Water that have arrived through passages into the Realm of Nhearn where they now reside and protect Anastasia's passages.
While the happenings of Anastasia tend to remain mysterious, her domain beneath the surface of the waters, she has always remained allied with the forces of good. She was an important combatant in the battles against Morganna, the Elemental Goddess of Fire, and also used her creations against the forces of Evil throughout the Age of Woe. Her devotion to Nhearn and its inhabitants is so passionate that Aurora herself is said to sway the waters, directing its power to destroy evil and repel its creations.