As was their way in the early years the heroes of Cirda were wandering the great wilderness in the central Flanaess, looking for trouble or opportunity. After several weeks of travel the brave band came across a waterfall falling from the sky starting from what appeared to be a giant scoop of earth that had been taken up and suspended hundreds of feet above it's previous home below. Through the use of magic the adventurers made their way to this island in the sky that was to become the source of much of their future bounty. On this aerial plateau was found a partially decayed temple to an unknown Flan Goddess manifesting herself in 3 aspects of a women’s life, that of a maiden, a women of prime age and as a matron.
The temple itself was entirely outdoors with just trees and columns as barriers, the prominent statues showing three aspects of the Goddess led some to believe she might respresent a time divinity. This assumption has never been substantiated and the rational behind the 3 phases of a womens life is still unclear. Around the temple area there was also an eternal spring which fed a pond whose overflow created the water fall. Also present was a never ending fire and other imagery which led the adventures to believe she was a nature or elemental Goddess but no alsa no temple markings, writings or recollections from Ulthor, priest of Heironeous could place such a Goddess in the Flanish or any other pantheon.
In one area of the temple was a large crystal perched on a metal stand, the facets seeming to show visions of other places or perhaps even time but since nothing was familiar to the group no determination could be made. Thinking the crystal was just some fancy viewing device various heroes tried touching it, concentrating, and talking to it all to no avail, The Dread Barbarian Rild decided to bring the four elements represented in the temple to the crystal touching it with soil, fire, water and his breath, at which point Cirda appeared as one of the visages seen on the sculptures.
Cirda was obviously a being of power and was grateful for her release but was confused and did not know who she was, she offered the adventures a boon (which they decided to redeem later for the riches they founded Cridastan with), returned the temple to the ground, and disappeared on a quest to find herself.
Over time religious scholars and sages came to the conclusion this lost Goddess had somehow been captured and literally removed from history, (probably by the Suel), how this was done or what had prompted such a strong reaction against her is still a mystery. Over time and with the dedication of a new temple(Cirdastan), a high priestess(Lysse), a defender of the faith(Rild) and the repatriation of a Chalice of purity, Cirda regained her name and informed her new faithful of her role as a Goddess of the elements that nurture and sustain. In Cirda's own words from a visitation
"I represent the elemental forces that sustain life-the air that you breathe, the fire that keeps out the cold, the water that slakes your thirst, and the earth that shelters you"
"you might almost term me a Goddess of “the home""
How such a new power will reflect on the balance of power in these realms has yet to be seen but as a force for good it must surely be beneficial to those who have embraced her rebirth.
|

