Meissa - The Shining One

These are the words of the first appearance of Meissa, the Goddess of Healing and Art, within the lands of Pyrathia:

__________

"The desert was still as the might of Sargas Lord left. No sound from the sands, no wind stirred the air. Death pervaded where we knelt, surrounded by the corpses of all who drew the God's wrath as they raged against each other. Alshain Lord turned His attention then to bringing back the immortal who had purified the Conquering Sands. Slowly, the wind began to dance upon the rocks and sand that littered land. Sighing, the wind swelled into music, then small motes of light rose from ground to swirl before us. I thought I would be blinded yet the light didn't harm me, but others cried out in pain. Soon, the light formed into a willowy Goddess of silver hair wearing a mithril circlet with a large, shining white gem upon her forehead. I must say I passed out in terror at this point, no longer able to contain the sights I had witnessed that day."
- as told by Basma of the Ghover-dhun in Zhenshi 642 T.A.
__________

Throughout the ages, the worshiping of the Immortal of Healing has taken several forms, each an evolution to the next. The most recent, and some say final form of the incarnation of Healing is the Lady Meissa, giving inspiration and hope to those who need it. Though seen often as a willowy goddess with silver hair, she is also known to take the form of a Nightingale that sings away the darkness.

The followers of the Lady know that the Health she represents is not only within the body, but also the mind and spirit. Some would say that a follower of Meissa could do no harm to others, but this would only be told by the ignorant. The Priests of Lady Meissa approach the duty of their Goddess with a passion to rid Pyrathia of disease where they see it. Some choose to heal the sick and injured, others take the more crusading approach and cut the disease out where it lays festering. The act of destruction against evil is a purification towards health.

In times past, the Nightingale's song used to guide all with the beauty of music, now it has become the inspiration of many. Art is revered by the followers of Lady Meissa, in dance, verse, music, sculpture, and canvas.