Lilvani is the ancient Nordling goddess of the Moon and of peaceful death and burials[1], worshipped particularly in Ellander[2] , Nazair, Metinna[1] and Velen, where she had a temple built in a cave system east of Toderas.[3] By now, her temples have been abandoned and turned to ruins.
History
Unfortunately, this ancient goddess fell out of favor and her temples were neglected and destroyed, as much by time as by rivals. Many suggest that the worship of Melitele was the primary factor in the organic demise of the older cult, as her worship spread widely among the women of the Continent. Some even go so far as to say that Melitele is another face of Lilvani or vice versa.[citation needed]
Lilvani's priesthood is not completely extinct but has dwindled to the dedicated few. A low-level of belief may run through family lines descending from more powerful worshipers, though many of her duties have been subsumed into the worship of Melitele. [1]
Description
The priesthood of Lilvani tended toward women but also numbered a significant proportion of men. Historically they were involved in preparing the dead for burial and making sure that the appropriates rites were followed. In the heyday of the cult, worshipers would gather at shrines to observe a cycle of ceremonies tied to the phases and formes of the moon. A ritual of projection against evil on the night of the New Moon and a jubilant celebration on the night of the Full Moon with feritlity ceremonies dedicated to Harvest Moons and cleansing rituals performed on the nights of Eclipses. [1]
Associated artefacts
Trivia
- Name of the deity presumably comes from Lelwani, Hittite god or goddess. Names containing "lil" or "lel" appear however in far more Indo-European mythologies.[4]