Echiilan, Kasumarii Goddess of Silent Swords

Echiilan (E'chí'lan) is the Kasumarii Deity of Silent Swords And Swift Returns. Though no one of the main Gods of the Kasumarii, Echiilan is still worshipped, because she is believed to no longer be a part of the world of mortals. After her work to help the Kasumarii before they even received their current name, her resurrection made her a thing of myth and legend. Revered as both a fighter and lower god-figure, she played an important part in the Kasumarii history, if she ever truly existed.

Appearance. The pointed ears of an elf peek out from a skin-tight crimson hood, which has ear holes and a large hole for the face, then comes down to her collar and begins to meld with the skin. Echiilan always carries her sword called Ashe-Malar, with its long green handle and blade which has ridges on one side, for grasping flesh as it is removed. Though her body is taut with muscle and may seem attractive from a distance, up close the swollen, inhuman veins, the yellow eyes and sinister smile, and the reddened skin create a total impression of evil emanating from her.

Mythology. Said to have once been an elf who washed up on the shores of the Kasumarii homeland at the continent of Cyhalloi after a shipwreck. She was believed to be an excellent teacher in the art of fighting during the Time of Hiding, and many think she paved the way for Kasumar. She was captured by orcs one day, though how is lost to the obscurity of time, and tortured by them. Her arms were cut off as an ultimate punishment, so she could never again weild a sword, and skin was removed in several places, revealing tight, red flesh. She rose again, however, from the hole the orcs had thrown her in. Now the flesh had become some sort of strong material, and her arms had regrown horribly. She broke through the orcs, fighting them off with claw and foot. After retrieving her sword from the one who had taken it, she twisted it with her will. From then on it was called Ashe-Malar, Ash Bringer, for its power to turn bodies to ash at a touch. Echiilan came back to the people, only a few years before the Time of Kasumar, and spoke to them of what she did, enheartening them. Then she sank into the shadows of night and disappeared.

Symbols. Her symbol is that of a sword, slanting diagonally with the top to the left, with an arrow crossing over it the opposite direction. The sword representing that which is the first part of her title, Silent Swords, and the arrow for Swift Returns. This symbol is often emblazoned upon swords or clothing. The Acolytes of Echiilan are few, but are always there to bless some important mission, or the mission of anyone who will give the Temple of Echiilan a donation.

Importance. Most worship her, though few care to join the ranks of her followers. Followers of Echiilian are called Echiilianni. This small sect's followers are more viscious than the Korenjaans (the "True" Kar-ii), and a great deal more violent. They are masters of assassination, and it is only to these that the Korenjaans defer on the battlefield. While none deny their prowess, even among these cold killers the Echiilianni are given a wide berth. Echiilan's followers do not often go on assassination missions, used only on very important mission as a sort of elite group. But they can not be spared in great numbers, as their numbers are not great.

Prayers. Among the most well-known prayers to the Goddess of Silent Swords is the following:

Lady Echiilan, moon among stars, give me the strength to inflict as much pain on my enemies as the orcs inflicted on you. Lady Echiilan, my swift arrow, point me to the right path and after a never-long flight let me aim towards victory. Lady Echiilan, search my heart; where hate and desire live.	Feed them and watch them grow as your most esteemed children. Touch my hopes for revenge with your sword and, as ashes, spread them all around the earth, looking for their fulfilment. You, my lady, who stays by Queprur's side, hear my plea and give an end to my sorrow.