From: Bryan J. Maloney (jacobus@sonata.cc.purdue.edu)
Date: Fri 22 Jul 1994 - 10:41:14 EEST
Etyries has a special relationship with Issaries, one NOT had by other Lunar cults with Lightbringers. Unlike the other "lightbringer analogue" Lunar cults, Etyries is not among the Seven Mothers. She did not betray her ties to Issaries to enter the Lunar way. Instead, she is the Daughter of Issaries.
In my own campaign, I run Etyries as a former subcult of Issaries, one that was found in Peloria and Esrolia. The Esrolian Etyries has diminished, mostly because of the fact that it wasn't native there. (It was an implant by the Godlearners after they created Issaries from Harst, Garzeen, Etyries, and dozens of other local gods of "trade" in various forms.) In Peloria, it was a native cult and was partially subsumed into Issaries. However, since the Godlearners had very little direct influence (can we say none?) in this area, her association with Issaries was mostly theoretical except in Esrolia, where she was known as "the merchant queen". Anyway, with the ascent of the Lunar Empire, Etyries basically "came along for the ride". When the Issaries cults of Dragon Pass, Pavis, etc. were encountered, Lunar theologians dug up the old documents relating Etyries to Issaries.
She turned out to be his daughter.
The Issaries cult looks upon Etyries as a sort of wayward child, who tries her best but just doesn't get it quite right. She wastes effort (double entry book-keeping). She plays with "unnatural monies" (certificates of value, letters of credit). She associates with Lunars. But she still values a good trade and can tell gold from lead. I do find it interesting to note that Etyries traders are bound to enter the Wastes if they are given a Hyena skin (Cults of Prax--Travels of Biturian Varosh). Thus, I would wager that she also accepts the burden of restoring Genert. This probably makes her more tolerable to her father and his cult.
Remember, Etyries is not among the Seven Mothers, she did not betray Issaries to gain her divinity. All the other lightbringer-based Seven Mothers betrayed their original divine Patrons as part of their quest.
Etyries is probably a pre-extant deity that the Lunars adopted.
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