The following information is not common knowledge in Tridia, but may be known by characters who follow Terra Heart, or have the Divine Lore Skill, or have an appropriate reasoning in their character backstory.
The Legend
Ages past, when the Minotaur still bowed beneath the yoke of Draconian rule, a young woman sold herbs from her home on the outskirts of what would become a city called Minos. It was near to a popular crossroads, and so she would often sell her goods to weary warriors returning from caravan escorts, or supply those still eager to brave the wilderness. Her price for herbs and healing was merely a kind word, though plenty still donated what they could in thanks.
As word of mouth spread, her small hut became a common rest stop, and she welcomed all into her home as best she could. Many children would play there, and often orphans would make their way for a bowl of soup or some clean water. A young carpenter by the name of Maelor took note of this, and offered to expand her home to accommodate the children who came to her for shelter. Within a year, Terra had a large, warm, and welcoming home full of lost children, and often frequented by adventurers who exchanged stories and odd jobs around the house for bandages and poultices. As time wore on and children would come and go, a few would stay to help their “Mother” in tending to the house, as more and more people came to see her. One of these was Vaast, a small girl fascinated by the herbs Terra used to mend wounded soldiers. In all the time she lived there, Terra took for herself no suitors, though she was beautiful and beloved by the people of the region. It was rumored that she herself was barren, instead being mother to hundreds over the years. Perhaps most notable of these children was Shunrig, one of the first to call her makeshift orphanage home. In later years he became a soldier of some renown, but always took time to visit Terra and assist however he could. He was famed not only for his victories in battles, but also his penchant to only take prisoners, never slaying a foe if it could be helped.
However, not all was idyllic for Terra. She had gained many followers and devoted people, and was seen as a possible threat by those who wished to keep the Minotaur subservient. The exact nature of what occurred next is not known; Records suggest perhaps a fire was set to the orphanage, or rumors of witchcraft were spread against her. What is known is she fled for her life from the home she had built, vanishing deep into the woods to escape her pursuers. It was there, lost, wounded, and alone that she was found by a hunter, who sheltered her and protected her against the wilds. There she stayed for months in exile, while the bond between her and this huntsman grew and flourished. He saw in her the love, compassion, and sense of duty that so many had seen before, and he fell deeply in love with her.
Six months after her exile, Maelor, Vaast, and Shunrig found Terra. Excited as they were to find her alive, they had dreadful news: The blood of hundreds was to be spilled if she did not return.
With haste she traveled back to her old home. What she found was a region on the brink of war. The Minotaur, angered by the exile of their beloved Terra, had gathered as a mob to march on and kill their Draconian masters. Terra knew that no matter which side prevailed, many lives would be lost.
As the two armies rushed at one another, Terra threw herself into the middle of the battlefield, pleading for them to stop. A miracle occurred then, for both sides ceased, standing in awe as the Matron Mother glowed with divine light, a wave of peace washing over them all. It was from this the the divine spark of Terra Heart was born. There are further legends of the peaceful release of the Minotaur, the trials and tribulations of her first acolytes and their ascendance, and of the deeds Terra Heart did in our realm before taking her place amongst the Celestial gods beside her husband, the huntsman Flint.
The Devoted
Each god has a trio of powerful beings at their side who represent key aspects of their faith. For Terra Heart, these are her Devoted, Maelor (Hearth), Vaast (Hope), and Shunrig (Mercy).
Maelor, Tender of the Hearth, keeps the hearth fire burning while darkness closes in, and his unwavering duty has maintained warmth in the hearts of grief stricken believers. First of the mortals raised up by Terra Heart, he helped to build her domain, preferring to do so by hand. He appears as a humble human craftsman.
Vaast, the Flame of Hope, watches carefully over the people of Tridia, sparking hope and light where there is none. Her appearance is of a small girl, luminescent. Her feet never touch the ground, though they are bare and dirty. She is for all the world an orphan child, and even divinity has not changed that fact.
Shunrig, the Merciful Soldier. Though he shows his enemies mercy, he does not hesitate to take action to defeat them. Shunrig appears as a hulking, enormous minotaur with four arms. Adorned with the finest armor, and horns capped with adamantine, he strikes an imposing figure.
