Merikka

Lady of the Calendar

Merikka
General information
Portfolio:	Farming, Agriculture, Home
Home:	Unknown
Alignment:	Lawful Good
Gender:	Female
Superior:	Cyndor
Rules items
Domains:	Good, Law, Plant, Protection

Merikka is the Oeridian demigoddess of Agriculture, Farming, and the Home. Her holy symbol is a basket of grain and a long scroll.

Description

Merikka is described as a quiet, gray-haired woman of faded beauty, carrying a basket of grain and holding a scroll, though her image in her temple in the village of Orlane is that of a beautiful young woman. Merikka is obsessed with dates and cycles.

Relationships

Merikka is a cousin of Velnius, Atroa, Sotillion, Wenta, and Telchur. She reports to Cyndor, who helps her coordinate the proper times to plant and harvest with the gods of the seasons.

Merikka was imprisoned for some years in the Godtrap beneath Castle Greyhawk by the archmage Zagyg, but is now free. She resents chaotic gods and any who would disrupt her work.

Dogma

Merikka teaches her faithful about orderly schedules, caring relationships, prudent savings, and honest labor. She teaches that children must respect their parents, husbands must respect their wives, wives must respect their husbands, and parents must love and teach their children, just as Merikka teaches her flock.

Scriptures

One holy text in Merikka's faith is called A Most Worshipful Guide to Benign Merikka. The one found in her Orlane temple was huge and richly illustrated with colorful paintings.

Worshipers

Merikka is revered mainly by farmers and mothers of Oeridian descent.

Clergy

Merikka's clerics preside over weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies, care for pregnant women, and act as police when there are none other available, pursuing their quarry even into cities. They ensure the crops are planted and harvested on time, and they act as neutral advisors in household arguments.

Temples

One temple to Merikka exists in the village of Orlane north of the Rushmoors. It is the only stone building in town, and the majority of the villagers consider themselves devotees of Merikka. Among many other rooms, the temple contains a hall displaying golden statues representing the major plants Merikka is concerned with: wheat, potatoes, oats, corn, carrots, turnips, grapes, and beans. Those who disturb these statues suffer Merikka's lasting curse.

Creative origins

Merikka was created by Douglas Niles for his adventure Against the Cult of the Reptile God. She was consistently referred to as chaotic good at the time; her alignment was changed in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Erik Mona explained why here: [1].

Bibliography

• Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:[2]

• Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.

• Niles, Douglas. Against the Cult of the Reptile God. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.