Ostranel

Goddess of Life, Keeper of Worlds, Ostranel is one of the four Gods Below who is worshiped by the Underworld. She is the Goddess responsible for providing the life-giving substances that were used to seed the Underworld and forge the underground races. Though as large as the other Gods, Ostranel is claimed to be "hollow." The massive metal frame of her body is just an outer shell, while her true form remains protected inside. Within her shell is a miasma  of life, some organic substance that is used to create mortal species. It is claimed that this substance cannot survive the fires of the godly realm, so she seals it within her shell to protect it. When called for seeding, she snakes her long mouth out to dispense the needed material. After Alauticus and his Core Dwellers finished carving the Underworld, her infinite maw slithered its way through the tunnels, leaking her essence so life could grow. From this substance sprang the fungus, molds, insects, critters and plants that populate the Underworld. Exposed to a new realm and the powers of time, these primitive flora and fauna eventually became the species that are seen today. 

When the Gods came together to forge the races of the Underworld, she dripped her essence into the mixtures, so that they could live and think. When the Tectons were made, too little of her fluid was used, and thus they came out as mindless stone beasts. When the Desmodals were crafted, she added more and even parts of her true body to the mix. She was the one who convinced the other Gods Below to add their flesh to the mixture, believing this would succeed in giving their children mind and thought. This idea eventually turned on them, though, as the Desmodals contained too much of their Gods' flesh. The separated flesh was infected with fragments of the Gods' consciousness and longed to become whole once again. This longing turned to desire, and even rage. The Desmodals fell to a madness, as they sought to consume the Gods and regain their true forms. In the end, they betrayed the Gods and seized them in a trap. Blinded by their love for their children, the Gods Below fell for the ambush. They were able to use their powers to escape, and the furious Gods rained destruction upon their creations. Ostranel aided in this effort, and was said to be the one hurt most by the betrayal. Since the use of flesh was her idea, she feels that the failure of the Desmodals was her fault. This guilt, though, did not stop her from destroying their civilization, joining in strength with the others to level their cities and reduce them to mindless savages. When it came time to make the third race, Ostranel deferred her judgement to Pyrogohna. Still hurt from the Desmodal's betrayal, Ostranel felt that she could no longer trust her own judgement. Pyrogohna did not feel the same way, but agreed to aid her fellow Goddess. The two worked to make a new mixture that would forge a true race. Imbued with life and fire, what came from their work were the demons and shades of the Underworld.  

I have an addition to add to this entry, though it may not be much of a contribution. It is hardly even a piece of trivia. Just a musing of mine, that I feel like I should add. It goes back to Ostranel aiding her fellow Gods in punishing the Desmodals. When they sought revenge on their treasonous children, all four worked to cripple their entire race. Pyrogohna snuffed out their eternal flames, leaving them vulnerable to the very fires that birthed them. Svrnacht and Alauticus joined forces to shake the planet with a powerful quake, which buried their cities in miles of stone. Ostranel.....well.....I don't know, and that's the thing! All the other Gods have very specific roles in the downfall of the Desmodal, but Ostranel's part seems to be very vague, or missing all together. The scriptures and slabs very much say that she played a part, but after that it is hardly mentioned. I have tried asking priests and followers, and have yet to get a real answer. It doesn't help that I am a dryad sticking my nose in someone else's religion. All I have gotten back as an answer is that Ostranel drove the Desmodals from their homes, as the Underworld collapsed around them. And that is pretty much it. Every other God gets some long story about how they brought forth the powers of blah de blah and what not, but Ostranel's bit is hardly even a sentence! I don't know, just seems weird. I know this really doesn't give much to the readers, but I felt like I should share that.

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

Note written below: That last paragraph is another reason why these entries should go. Not only do they not fit with the rest of the book, but they just seem to wander to useless territory. I also am not a fan of "powers of blah de blah and what not." You are talking about another race's religion, Chlora, I don't think they will like that. Especially if this book of yours winds up in the Underworld, which you keep claiming will happen. Offending the reader does not help book sales, Chlora!  - Eucella -

Hastily written note below: Have you even been to the Underworld, Eucella? I don't think so! You just sit in that office of yours all day reading about the outside world! I actually go out there and experience it! And you know what? Demons aren't that uptight about their religion as you claim they are. They indeed turn to it for faith and comfort, but they aren't going to be burning my house down because I used some "unprofessional" words. It was just a flow of consciousness at the time, and if it really rustles your leaves that much, I will edit it, okay? You don't need to eviscerate my book just because I mucked up a line or two! My goodness! I've heard demons say cruder things about their Gods than that! Stuff you wouldn't ever let me print! You won't even let me keep in the story from Contiel and that was tamer than a fat cow! I thought editors used quills, not meat cleavers! - Chlora -

Another note written below: Would you just talk to me instead of writing these snarky comments on the pages? It would save a lot of time and ink if you just came to my office and told me this to my face.  - Eucella -  


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Third one down!