A giant red haired warrior woman, clad in bronze Mediterranean armor who looks intimidating but has very caring eyes. She holds an oxidized bronze sword and has a shield slung across her back. A corinthian helmet rests atop her head. She is the deific mother of the Atlanians who took them in when Kroloss threw them away. Cherishing each and every Atlanian as her little clay dolls.

The Shield Mother, Caring warrior,

A giant warrior woman, who looks intimidating but has very caring eyes

stands 9-20 feet tall

commiserate with size

Shield
The shield before the strike
guardianship
defense of home
maternal protection
standing between danger and the helpless

Hearthfire
Fire that sustains, not destroys
warmth
cooking
family
sacred flame of the home

Helmet
Violence used only to protect
shield walls
defenders
last stands
protective warfare

Cook Pot
Provision
Feeding and sheltering those under your care
cook pots
harvest protection
winter stores

Truth Through Fire
Flame that reveals what is false
purification
oath testing
exposing deceit

Motherhood
Care without weakness
parenthood
family bonds
chosen family

Sanctuary
Places where evil cannot cross
temples
homes
mountain keeps

Stone
Stability, permanence, ancestral homes
mountains
foundations
old walls
enduring bloodlines
Protection

Turns back evil, burning pure fire that reveals the truth, protects against Kroloss and other bad spirits.

Distance from her mountain outside Atlania diminishes her the power she can bring to bear for her worshipers. Symbols associated with her held by her worshipers can act as a booster for her power to a degree

Overprotective
She does not let go easily.

The Shielding Hand
Gesture:
Palm outward, fingers slightly curled inward toward the heart.
Usually done:
before travel
before battle
when children leave home
when speaking of danger

Touching the Hearthstone
Practice:

Before leaving the home:
touch:
hearthstone
cook pot
doorway stone
Then touch:
chest
forehead

“Cùra, keep the fire warm and the walls standing.
Let no hunger cross this threshold,
let no darkness claim these children,
and if harm must come,
let it meet me first.”

Any time an Atlanain child hugs their mother it is a hug to Cùra as well

Protective Tattoos
Common Marks:
shield circles
hearth lines
mountain marks
simple palm sigils

Placed on:
wrists
shoulders
ribs
over the heart

The First Flame
Every new home must be lit from an existing hearth
Meaning:
protection is inherited, not created alone

The Shield at the Door
A shield or shield-mark is kept near the entrance
Meaning:
this home is under Cùra’s eye

The Mother’s Portion
Before a family meal, the first portion is set aside
for:
ancestors
Cùra
absent family

The Truth Flame
Disputes may be settled before sacred flame
because:
lies feel heavier near Cùra’s fire

Before leaving:

“Keep the fire.”

Meaning:
watch the home

Before danger:

“Shield first.”

Meaning:
let protection come before pride

For children:

“Under her hand.”

Meaning:
blessing of protection

During illness:

“Warmth stays.”

Meaning:
life remains

During storms:

“Stone holds.”

Meaning:
the house stands

The Door Mark
Practice:

Thumb pressed in ash, flour, or oil

A quick mark made on:

doorframe
child’s forehead
shield rim
Meaning:

temporary warding

Especially before:

travel
winter
war

Cùra is a very loving goddess to the Atlanians and has been known to aid whenever she is not fighting demons or guarding against the dire ministrations of her brother Kroloss. It is not widely known but her greatest act of love was bestowing the Primordial Fire of Life upon her champion Aideen the Red and sent her out to destroy the demon armies besieging the valley.

Cùra like her brothers was placed on Sol Saris to ensure the grand order was maintained.
Then came the day she saw her brother kroloss grow jealous of short star peoples and the chaos borns servants so he made his own. Adorable little creatures made of clay, Kroloss was no artist but Cùra found their forms endearing, but they lacked the one thing the others servants had, independence. Kroloss then gave the little clay dolls their independence by breathing the Primordial Fire of Life into them. For a time all was peaceful, but like all things with Kroloss, he grew bored of his creations and cast them out from his mountain home. Into the valley where the demons roamed. Many were destroyed before Cùra could intervene but she rescued many and took them into the warm embrace of her home. Cùra in revenge stole the Primordial Flame of Life from Kroloss. Then she personally kissed each of her new little dolls bestowing her blessing upon them and changing their forms from rough clay vessels to the mortal forms they are known for now. And for a time things were good, she took care of her new charges and the set forth and multiplied, but they also spread beyond the protection of her mountain. And she felt great anguish for each one lost. So one day she went to one of children and asked her to do the impossible, rid the land of the vile creatures that broke her heart each night. But she did not send the child empty handed, she blew into her a burning light brighter than her other children to help her burn the evil away. And she gathered her fellows of the Mountain, and together the strode forth and broke the demon hosts.