Woedica

Woedica (WÖ-dih-kuh) is a deity known by many names, including "The Exiled Queen," "The Burned Queen," "Oathbinder," and "The Strangler." Her domains include law, justice, oaths and promises, (rightful) rulership, hierarchies, memory, and vengeance.

Background
Woedica, like the other gods, was created by Engwith out of the sacrifice of thousands of their souls at Sun in Shadow. Intended to be the strongest of the gods and to rule their pantheon, Woedica was simultaneously a patron of justice, oaths, and promises, and conversely, an entity willing to disregard the rules when it was necessary to accomplish her goals. She could do what she wanted with Eora at the apex of her power, which is why the other gods conspired to vanquish her, bringing the Queen down on even footing with the rest of them.

Yet even in exile, Woedica remained a potent god and the favored partner of Thaos, granting the Engwithan effective immortality by awakening his memories in each of his lives. He was devoted to her, favoring her specifically because of her wanton disregard for rules when they stood in the way of goals. The two were a perfect match.

Manifestations
Woedica is usually depicted with burned and withered skin, having been cast from her rightful seat by war and burned in Magran's fire. Nevertheless, she retains her dignity and plots her "rightful" revenge. She has no allies among the other gods, believing they owe her fealty. However, Skaen is associated with her, though the exact nature of their relationship is unclear.

Woedica manifests in the world as the Strangler, a leathery-skinned old woman, always clad in tattered finery, who appears on an empty road or abandoned alleyway to murder those who break a solemn oath. According to those few that claim to have seen her, she is supernaturally agile and quick while possessing the strength to strangle a full grown aumaua. Woedica’s avatar is believed to have slain several usurpers in Dyrwoodan history, though it is possible that the real murderers merely blamed the goddess. For this reason, oath breaking is punished by strangulation in many cultures.

Worship
Priestesses of the Exiled Queen serve as lawyers and judges in towns and urban centers, and the most prominent among them are advisers to kings and lords. They are of particular importance in the Empire of Aedyr, where by tradition, business contracts always require their endorsement. Her devotees are typically found in the upper classes, but any conservative person who longs for a vanished past will find a place in her faith. "When Woedica takes back her throne" is a common saying amongst her followers, signifying a utopian future when society will be properly ordered once again, and she will take her rightful place as ruler of the gods.

Woedican clergy rely on local authorities to maintain the law, though they maintain a connection to the Paladin order known as the Steel Garrote.


 * Woedica is the unseen antagonist. Her goal is to return to Eora empowered and reestablish her dominance as the foremost of the gods, using Thaos to further her agenda. The Watcher can defeat Thaos and then fulfil his purpose - to offer the stolen souls to Woedica - when deciding what to do at Sun in Shadow.


 * Woedica makes a reappearance as a part of the council of gods. She appears first after departing Maje Island, at Berath's council. She reminds Berath of Eothas' resilience - and the fact that he should scare her.
 * When the player first leaves Neketaka they will receive the Burned Book of Law in their inventory. Interacting with the book allows the Watcher to communicate with Woedica in private. She will reveal certain information about the history and machinations of the gods, saying that she plans to use the Watcher as a test of the worthiness of mortals