Léarin is one of the lesser Gods in Aeoliran religion, and wields the element of the Mind. She is said to know all, but tell nothing. Many look to her as a source of inspiration and guidance and she is often on the mind of those who are about to make a difficult decision. Some believe that in knowing and seeing all, her mind can control time itself, should she be needed to. Being that she is ageless and therefore is often depicted as a child. Léarin is often ignored by many of the other Gods, who do not understand her, save Nakashi, the High Goddess of Light, who she will converse will, and sometimes tell of what she has seen. She is a reminder of how powerful the Mind, thought and wisdom are.

Names. Léarin's official title is Goddess of Wisdom, however, she is also called the Dreamer, the Silent One, Goddess of Time, Goddess of Peace, Goddess of Reason, Goddess of Balance, the Watcher and the Child Goddess.

Appearance. Léarin is believed to be ageless, something that most artists find impossible to depict. Consequently, she is often drawn as a child, which has given her the alternative name of the Child Goddess.

Léarin's hair is a brilliant white, long and flowing, often down to her tiny bare feet. Her eyes are almost always drawn closed, symbolic of her constant meditation, however, if open, the colour of the iris is silver, with white pupils. Her pale red lips are often pursed, as if she is deliberating heavily upon a serious matter. Her skin is the traditional milky-white colour most of the Gods are thought to possess. Commonly she is drawn with a choker adorning her tiny neck, made from interlocking circles, a shape that is linked to her. The Dreamer is also dressed in a flowing white robe, which stops just before her ankles. Her wings are transparent, only noticeable by the faint veins that mark them. Often Léarin is drawn in meditation, sitting upon the floor, her hands and feet clasped together. Artists also like to surround her in an aura of pale light, representing her meditative state.

A favourite image that artists like to portray is of the Child Goddess whispering into Nakashi’s ear, telling her of what she has seen.

Mythology. Léarin believed that to rebel against the Void and gain immortality was a wise decision, so consequently she was easily convinced by Nakashi. Her neutrality concerning arguments and disagreements between the Gods has caused her to become ignored by many of them, who regard her as perhaps “not all there”. During the creation of the world, Léarin looked upon the land and created the Aoshé (Tharian = Elves). They were as she was, in her image, they did not age, and protected the land that surrounded them.

Lore. Léarin is considered somewhat of an oddity by her counterparts. This is because she is often never actually with them – that is to say, in her state of constant meditation, she is often hovering between the past, present or future, and unable to concentrate on her current surroundings. This has caused many of the others to avoid the Dreamer, notably Kashmina, who ignores the Goddess completely due to Léarin being the voice of reason and the Goddess of Love encouraging desire and want.

Léarin is said to accept this however, for she is wise, and pities their ignorance. She sees all situations, but rarely tells, for to do so could swing the balance of probability and affect the outcome. Occasionally however, she will confide in Nakashi, if she has seen something that she feels would be wise to tell of. Then, it is the choice of the Goddess of Light whether to put events into motion to alter the balance of probability. However, nothing can be forced from Léarin, it is her choice alone to tell. This is also what frustrates many of the Gods, when they see tragic events occur, knowing that Léarin could have said something to stop them, but chose not to.

Importance. Léarin, as can be imagined, is highly important to all. Many consider true wisdom to be the ultimate gift. Many spend days seeking her knowledge, meditation being the most accepted form of doing so.

Also, Léarin is a reminder that it is not imperative to take sides, if you do not wish to. Léarin is forever neutral (which has earned her the title of Goddess of Peace) and seeks to use only wisdom and reason to end conflict, not fighting and war. Hers is an example many people strive to follow, although mortal emotions and temptations do make it difficult.

Also, Léarin shows that there are always choices, but that the indiviual has the final decision. Léarin has granted that to the single person – for she could easily alter the balance should she desire, but knows it foolish to do so. So, every time situations should be thought through, using personal wisdom to do so, so that the ultimate decisions made will be the best.

The Goddess of Wisdom reminds people how powerful the Mind can be, and her priests often try to show how it is greater than the Heart, which is impulsive and does not think.

Symbols. Léarin’s colours are silver and white, often intertwined, representing her knowledge, and how it is clear and pure. Also, it links her with Nakashi, the only Goddess she interacts with regularly, as those two colours belong to the High Goddess of Light also. Elves are symbolic to her, being that they are her creations. Also, Léarin has an affiliation with circles, as she does not take sides and is neutral. Another common symbol for her is her eye - a silver iris and white pupil. Her symbolic animal that was created for her by Arkon is the lufflet, a tiny, fluffy bird that is said to possess great intelligence, and is truly the only being the Goddess of Wisdom can relate to. Finally, Léarin is symbolic to her, representing the millions of possibilities and choices people make, and how Léarin can give the wisdom to make them.

Celebrations. There is basically only one big feast devoted to Léarin: the Festival of Reflection.

This feast takes place upon the third day of the third month, and starts on the third bell. As can be deduced, this is during the middle of the night. However, it is said this time is chosen specifically, to show that worship is suitable at any time of day. Also, night-time is when the world around is silent, natural darkness envelops the world. So, the family gathers together within their house, candles are lit, and the Festival starts with an hour of meditation. During this time, there must be a strict silence, to break it means you shall be looked less favourably upon by the Child Goddess during the following year. The time of meditation is supposed to be so the family can reflect upon what has happened in the past year, the wisdom they have gained, and what they wish to gain in the year to come.

Once the meditation has finished, the family travels to the nearest temple of the Dreamer, to amass with what can become a few thousand people. The Mother Priestess or the Father Priest (often called the Seer) will conduct a service in praise of Léarin, which can last as long as she or he wishes it to. Then, there is an opportunity for people to ask wisdom from the priests in the booths that line the edge of the temple, and at this time, on Léarin’s day, this is supposed to mean that her followers are closer to her than any other God, and so consequently may learn more today than possibly throughout the whole year. Due to this, only one question may be asked of the priests.

Following this, people who wish to enter the everlasting service of the Child Goddess present themselves to the Seer, asking that the Dreamer may accept them into her service.

People start to filter from the temple following their questions being answered, but not to return to their beds. Groups of people who live in similar areas will go to the nearest open space, join hands in a circle, and sit down upon the ground. Then, someone (it does not matter who) will start to speak, saying of the wisdom he has gained in the past year (as sharing wisdom you possess with others is a wise thing to do in itself) and the wisdom he hopes to gain in the following. Then, the next person does so. This way, should someone be able to help their neighbour, as they possess already wisdom that he or she may seek, they are able to do so.

The circle eventually disbands, and then the families may return to their beds.

Temple Design. Léarin, as can be expected, is a popular Goddess to be chosen as a family's personal protector. A shrine to her will often be lined with white cloth, and sprinkled with sand, which is easily found in the desert continent. As is common with the personal shrines, a pictorial image of the Goddess is placed within it. Often the shrine is circular in shape. Regularly, the family will write a pressing plea for help concerning a certain problem or need upon the white cloth that lines the shrine. Consequently, on the Festival of Reflection the cloth is replaced. The old cloth must be burnt along with a strip of the new, to represent the beginning of a search for yet more wisdom.

Temples for Léarin are numerous; she is indeed popular amongst Aeoliran. They tend to be large, as they are frequently visited by many, and sometimes need to hold many thousands of people. Her temples are a dome shape, this chosen because of her connection to the circle. Also, it is common for them to have a long spire at the most central outer point. This makes them visible for all from great distances. The great outer walls are painted white which is almost blinding in the sun, and the lufflets that are found along the base ridge are ideally painted a silver colour, but more often are grey – the weather outside does not favour such a bright colour. Inside, the walls are generally painted cream, a duller colour as to not distract those who wish to worship. Reliefs are often painted on the walls of the Child Goddess in deep meditation. Also, her lufflet, within a circle is a favourite – eyes open revealing the silver iris and white pupil that both the animal and the Dreamer are known for.

The layout of the Léarin temples is quite unique – all around the edge are small rooms where people may go to ask the local priests for advice. They are separated visually by a dark cloth, so that these requests may be made in complete confidence. The priest must never repeat anything he or she may have heard, unless it causes them grave concern. If so, the priest will consult the Mother Priestess or Father Priest, who are also often called the Seer, and he or she will decide if something should be done, much in the same way Léarin consults Nakashi. Within the middle is a large booth where the Seer resides. This person is the head of the temple, and is chosen because they have been granted what is called “Léarin’s Sight” that is, they claim to have flashes of the future or the past, or receive knowledge that will help people who wish to have it. However, this is not always, as all Aeoliran know, Léarin does not always disclose her wisdom. These people may also learn how to focus their minds to such an extent that they may communicate with people simply by thinking, a skill which many people would call telepathy. It is not that uncommon amongst the Priests of the Child Goddess, and is said to be gained by the constant meditation her followers undertake.

Léarin, although often represented as a child, does not allow children or young adults into her service. The minimum age is forty years, as after such a length of time people have experienced the world and have gathered wisdom of their own, enough to make such a choice – as once you have entered the service of the Child Goddess, you may not leave. As can be surmised, the age limit is well justified. If you wish to enter her service, then you must present yourself to the Seer on the Festival of Reflection. The priests of the Goddess of Wisdom spend a great part of the day in meditation, in special rooms underneath the great temples of Léarin, where it is still, peaceful and away from the hustle of the temple. Often candles are the only lights within the room, mainly to create an easier atmosphere for the meditation, but also so Nakashi can be near with these focussed points of light, as it is she who Léarin will confide her knowledge with. When not meditating, the priest will take residence in one of the booths that are present on the edge of the inside of the temple, in order to give advice to those who are in need of it. Their aims are to receive “Léarin’s Sight”, which is said to be given to those who have become totally focussed on receiving wisdom with every breath of their being.

Priests may marry, although rarely have time to form such a special relationship, such is their devotion to the Child Goddess through mediation. There is a drawback to this devotion however – it is not uncommon for some people to become so immersed in their meditation, that they have never awakened from the trance. Also, people have gone for days without food, although they claim that this strengthens their belief and wisdom.

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