> [!infobox] > ![[Ana.png|300]] > ###### Information > | | | > | ---- | ---- | > | **Titles** | The Witch Goddess, Mistress of the Wilds, Keeper of the Hidden Paths | > | **Domain** | Nature | > | **Gender** | Feminine | > | **Alignment** | Neutral | > | **Artifact(s)** | Thorned Staff | > # Symbol > ![[Ana Symbol.png|300]] ### **Description** Ana, the Witch, is a powerful and enigmatic deity revered as the guardian of the natural world and all its unpredictable forces. Sister to [[Ehesis]], Ana is known for her influence over wild places, forgotten paths, and the hidden wisdom that thrives beyond civilization. Often worshipped by druids, hermits, and outcasts, Ana’s presence is strongest in places where nature remains untamed — from shadowed forests to misty swamps and jagged mountains. Ana’s physical form is unsettling yet captivating; she is tall and slender, with skin painted in cryptic symbols that shift with her movements. Her dirty blonde hair is cropped short and unkempt, often tangled with twigs, leaves, and bones. Her movements alternate between graceful and twitching, reflecting her dual nature — serene guardian and unpredictable force. ### **Worshippers** Ana’s followers are often unconventional — witches, hedge wizards, and druids who walk the thin line between civilization and the wild. Many rangers and Fey-touched beings invoke her name when navigating treacherous landscapes or seeking guidance through unfamiliar paths. Her clergy, often called **Whispered Witches** or **Binders**, wear garments adorned with charms, bones, and painted symbols to invoke Ana’s favor. Rituals dedicated to Ana are deeply personal, often performed alone or in small circles, using whispered invocations and offerings of natural trinkets. **Common Worshippers Include:** - Druids, hermits, and reclusive wanderers - Fey-touched beings seeking guidance - Those in need of unconventional knowledge or aid ### **Dogma** Ana's teachings emphasize the power of balance within the natural world and the acceptance of nature’s duality — both beautiful and cruel. She encourages her followers to embrace the wisdom found in the shadows, to respect the forgotten corners of the earth, and to never underestimate the power of the unseen. **Core Tenets:** - Trust the wild and its secrets; wisdom is often found in the unexpected. - The untamed path may lead to danger, but also to discovery. - Honor the balance of nature — destruction and renewal are intertwined. ### **Manifestations** Ana is known to manifest in fleeting, cryptic ways: a sudden gust of wind carrying whispers, a tangle of roots twisting into a sigil, or the call of a distant bird that seems too knowing. Those blessed by Ana often gain an intuitive sense for hidden paths, unnatural dangers, or the presence of powerful Fey beings. **Her favored omens include:** - A twisted branch forming her symbol - A sudden bloom of poisonous flowers - The fleeting shadow of a figure vanishing between trees ### **Relations** Ana’s relationship with her sister, **Ehesis, the Seer**, is complex. While Ana rules over the chaotic heart of nature, Ehesis embodies prophecy and fate. The two are known to guide mortals toward their intertwined destinies — sometimes working together, other times at odds. Ana's presence is particularly strong in the **Feywild** and **The Festerwood**, where she is seen as both protector and enigmatic threat. Fey creatures often pay homage to her in reverence — or out of fear. ### **Holy Days and Rituals** - **The Night of Thorns:** A sacred evening in early spring when Ana’s followers gather to honor her through fireside chants and shadowed dances. Offerings of bones, herbs, and woven charms are cast into the flames. - **The Whispered Hunt:** A secretive rite where Ana’s most devout followers seek visions through isolation, fasting, and meditation in the wilderness. ### **Favored Weapons and Tools** Ana's favored weapon is the **Thorned Staff**, symbolizing her control over nature's hidden dangers. Followers often carry charm-laden staves or daggers engraved with her sigil. ### **Myths and Legends** - **The Cradle of Roots:** A tale tells of Ana weaving a protective web of vines and thorns to conceal a village from invading forces — only to later reclaim the village entirely when its people betrayed her trust. - **The Silent Bloom:** Legends speak of a cursed flower tied to Ana’s power, said to sprout wherever great betrayal or forgotten wisdom lies buried. - **The Elder Hag's Eye:** Some believe that she shares an eye with [[Ehesis]].