Yammath

Yammath is the Earth Goddess venerated by the Druidic faith which held sway over Weidany and the surrounding lands before the invasion and conquest by the people of Rorn. She is a goddess of both life and death.

Yammath has much similarity to Yagma, though Yammath is worshipped more for her power over Death than Yagma who is venerated for her Life giving powers.

There is also a relationship between Yammath and the Goddess of the Trinity which is venerated in Taneith, though again, the Goddess is more a Force of Life, than of Death.

Worship of Yammath

Yammath was originally a goddess of the common people, with a female order of priestesses leading ceremonies dedicated to her. It is said that at one time she had a consort, who may of bean similar to the Horned God of Taneith, but all mention of him has long since been erased from the traditional mythology.

In Cadwold the worship of Yammath is still led by the Druids, who are now always male. Part of the old female traditions still exist amongst the outlaws in Tuffin Wood, though they now worship Besenreth rather than Yammath. Worship is performed around a holy tree or stone, and an animal sacrifice will often be made. The spilling of blood is seen as a symbol of Her role in the transition from life to death. Just as important, but rarer, are those ceremonies that celebrate transition from death to life, which is symbolised by human birth. The birth of a child is considered of high significance, and it happens at a public ceremony which the whole village attends.

Most ceremonies are fertility based, asking for good luck in the coming harvest.

The Druids

The title of Druid has always been used to refer to the wise holy men of Weidanic society. In Cadwold, they take an advisory role, having no legal authority, but generally enough respect in order to effectively steer people in what they consider to be the right direction.

In Danuch, things are different. The Rornic invasions forced the Druids to ally with the Elders, and to take an active roll in the defense of their lands. With magical power, came legal power.