Grandmother Sky

- Main Page; Griffin Island

Grandmother Sky is an ancient and venerated figure in Zaring myth. Though she created Griffin Island, an unnamed slarge god (now dead according to legend) caused a terrible winter to destroy the humans. Grandmother Sky, in avatar form, came down from heaven to keep the frightened humans alive, nurturing them on her own hope and magic. She bore a godlet alone in the snow, and raised him to be a great warrior by feeding him her "three famous meals." The god was Votank, also called simply The Hunter. After she completed her tasks on earth, she returned to heaven. The largest and brightest constellation over Griffin Island is named Grandmother's Hearth by the grateful Zarings.

All good Zarings revere her and offer her worship on holy days, but only tribeswomen may actively join her cult. She is an idealized model for them and epitomizes their crafts. She is cited as the founder of cooking, plant lore, sewing, first aid, and treating disease, and her worshipers are expected to be adroit in these skills. Most Zaring tribeswomen follow a path set down by Grandmother Sky when they pass into adulthood from childhood (~age 14), and follow the path she lays out as the advance through the stages of life.

Each clan has a revered clan Mother whom intercedes with Grandmother Sky for the clan. She leads services to the goddess and is consulted on all important clan business. Typically the clan Mother assembles a small group of other elder women to act as advisers to her on important matters and to help with ceremonies. A woman must be a grandmother before she may become the clan Mother, a position she will hold until she dies or voluntarily relinquishes if she becomes too infirm to handle the duties of the position.

- Main Page; Griffin Island