Taal and Rhya

Taal and Rhya are fictional deities in the Warhammer Fantasy setting, and are drawn from real world analogies, such as the Green Man, Mother Nature, and local nature spirits. The descriptions of the cult of Taal and Rhya are not as developed as the deities more central to the Empire, such as Sigmar or Ulric.

Taal and Rhya represent nature, and are worshipped as a set, rather than individuals. They are, in setting, two faces of an older, unified god, Ishernos, whose worship has faded. Taal is considered the Lord of Nature and Beasts, Father of Rivers, and has overall domain over the rougher aspects of nature. Rhya is Mother of the Earth, midwife of animals, and the goddess of gentle winds, springtime rain, crop plants, and the gentler aspects of nature, while still being a huntress, in emulation of contradictory real world nature deities.

Taal is considered a gruff, remote, and generally indifferent god. Rhya is presented as a gentle, nurturing, and giving goddess.

In the artificial pantheon of the Warhammer setting, Taal is brother of Ulric, and father of Manann. It is strongly suggested that the human gods are the same as many of the Elven deities. Taal and Rhya are the human names for Kurnous and Isha.

ymbols

The symbol for Taal and Rhya together is the Coil of Life, a spiral typical of real world spirals found in prehistoric sites. Taal is singularly represented by stag antlers, or a stone axe, with which he causes lightning. Rhya alone is represented by a sheaf of grain or a bow and arrow. Priests generally wear grey, brown, or green, representing natural, earthy colors.

Worship

Taal and Rhya are worshipped by some name all over the Old World, as a set and individually, but most strongly in the north and east of the Empire. Taal is particularly venerated by woodsmen, Rhya by farmers. Taal is the patron god of the city of Talabheim, where he is venerated as the Father of Rivers, particularly the River Talabec, and the trade associated with that river.

Taals holydays

The principal holy day dedicated to Taal is the spring equinox, which marks the awakening of nature after its winter slumber. Minor festivals and observances occur during the summer and winter solstices, and the autumn equinox

Rhyas holydays

Rhya's main festive days are the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes as they are associated with the planting and harvesting of crops. Minor days include 2 Jahrdrung (Day of Pruning), 9 Sommerzeit (Harvest of Spring Fruits), and family birthdays.

Taal afterlife

Even though Taal and Rhya are sometimes worshipped as a pair and have much in common they still have different afterlife’s for their followers. In Taals case the spirit of the dead cultist is taken to a wild forest paradise. In an eternal weather of mid-spring, the spirit finds rest after life’s toil and hardship. Here, one can commune with nature and is at peace with themselves and all around them. If the spirit misses the challenge of life it may engage in exciting activities that are done in life such as hunting, even though the quarry is never killed. The hunt, in this case, represents the thrill of the stalk and pursuit of prey, not the final felling. The spirit also has the freedom to take the form of any animal it desires and shapeshift continuously to what they may wish . It may even choose to be the animal hunted by other spirits in the forest.

Rhya afterlife

The children of Rhya need not fear death. For there spirits are transported to warm cottages surrounded by orchards of fruit-laden trees and bountiful vineyards in a peaceful vale. Here, they are relieved of pain, misery, and the wants of life. Rhya's realm is a much calmer place than Taals but neither is really better than the other they simply suit different people as do the two gods themselves.

References

*"Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay", Second Edition, 2005
*"Tome of Salvation", 2007