| Name | Ashtar |
| Epithets | Burning Queen |
| Organizations |
Perfection is found in cinders.
One of the Noble Gods, Ashater, Burning Queen is the goddess of Battle, Purification and Fire. She is associated with death, which her priests celebrate in the Last Fire ritual.
To Ashtar are associated the red and gold colors. Among the professions seen as sacred by her faithful are those of warriors, smiths and healers.
Ashtar's Signature
Cult
Principles
- Strength. Strength is forged, the weak are not to be protected, but to be tempered in fire. Show the way, let the worthy walk it using their strength.
- Relinquishment. Burn away what slows your step and weights down your soul. Perfection is found in cinders.
Temples
Temples dedicated to Ashtar are usually circular and built with stone, usually granite. At the center of the temple is always lit a great fire, where the cinders of the dead are tossed during the rite of the Last Fire.
The teples of Ashtar are known, along those of Athrann, to offer healing services. The healers of Ashtar are the best one can ask for, but they usually require a payment.
The healers of Athrann see the body as sacred and their services are meant exalt it. For the healers of Ashtar is not the health of the body to be of importance, so much as the impurity of the disease that needs to be removed and burned away.
For Ashtar, healing is a war and the disease an enemy to be destroyed.
Rituals and Customs
The rites of Ashtar are connected to the purification of body and soul or acts meant to show the strength of one’s determination.
Last Fire
The rite of Last Fire is the most known of the cult of Ashtar. This is one of the most common funeral rites, used even where the goddess isn’t venerated.
The rite consists in building a pire, where the body of the deceased is layed and where everyone who so wishes can leave a token. The pire is then lit and left to burn until it extinguishes by itself. What is done with the cinders varies based on where the ritual is executed, often they are simply scattered to the ground or near the house of the deceased. The ritual as performed by the faithful of Ashtar requires the cinders to be thrown in the greay fire that always burns in a temple of the goddess, where they will keep on burning until the wind will take them away.
Embers Walk
The Embers Walk is a test of faith and courage, oft used as an initiation ritual in the warriors’ oreders of Ashtar and as preparation for those who are about to embark on a difficult journey.
During the ritual, embers are scattered to the ground and the faithful walk on them. Only a spirit filled with determination can touch the flames and be temepred instead of consumed by them.
History
Divinity Wars
During the Divinity Wars, Ashtar was one of the fiercest gods.
She is said to be the only god who managed to win a duel against Arthe.
Solitude
In 335 ED, after she gave birth to Ashanot, Ashtar retired from social life.