After the great creator expended its energy and created the universe, power that was left over bound together and melded into various male and female sub-deities. Because they were still bound to their source, each inherited different abilities that represented a portion of their parent's personality or facets of power.
Saedrissa, one of the 12 female deities born, was graced with the art of healing and compassion. For many thousands of years she labored with care and love to create new methods of healing for the human and elvish races she and other gods helped to form. For the most part, she used magic and herbs to mold them into remedies. However while she was out on an excursion to find new plants to use, Saedrissa happened upon a dying snake who looked as if the head had been crushed. Taking the near dead creature in her hands, she breathed her magic upon the wounds and healed the reptiles injuries. Grateful at her gesture, the viper told her how harsh it's life had been due to so many people misunderstanding it and its ways. Taking pity on the small creature, the goddess gave the tiny snake her blessings and told it that she would watch over him and his kin. She set the serpent upon the ground so that it may return to its environment, however the reptile found himself quite fond of the being who granted him this divine favor. Instead of going back to the woods, the serpent followed after his new mistress and became a companion of hers.
During the time together, the snake allowed Saedrissa to use his venom and create different forms of antidotes that she would teach her followers. The other gods and goddesses observed her mingling with such low creatures and disapproved of her new methods of healing. Some of them felt that she shouldn't be taking such an active role teaching the mortal beings, and rather felt that the mortals should learn and grow on their own. Too much divine intervention could lead to dependence. After continuing her methods for another century, despite warnings and orders not to, the other goddesses and gods decided that she should be removed from heavens and cast down to the planet. If Saedrissa desired to still communicate with mortals consistently, she could do so in their realm.
The goddess then sought refuge in one of her temples. There, she continued her work and obsession with her serpent companions, who, it seemed, flocked from many miles around in order to be near their guardian. Her temples became almost flooded with the reptiles, giving her the title of Serpent Queen. Followers who once flourished in the temple halls became afraid to walk them since they did not desire to be bitten by the deadly snakes. Soon, her temples began to empty out until the only remaining creatures where the multitudes of scaly belly crawlers.
During the beginning stages of the Rivalry of the Divines, Dartanis, the young god of the hunt and health, became a target of scrutiny in the eyes of the more powerful gods. Dartanis had been a love interest of Saedrissa's since the beginning of time, and, despite his constant rejections of her gifts, the goddess continued to show her affection by sending tokens in attempt to win his heart. Dartanis however was only interested in procuring his position in the divine pantheon. Using the goddesses love for him to his advantage, Dartanis came to her and offered her a chance to return back into the heavens where she belonged. Blinded by the love she felt in her heart, Saedrissa agreed and the two deities began their work. During the height of the war, the two managed to sneak back into the heavens after Dartanis managed to kill several of the guardians protecting the boarder. However, Dartanis betrayed Saedrissa when several gods discovered them. The young god told them that the serpent deity had poisoned the guardians, and for her deception, she could be destroyed. The ruse worked, and Dartanis was admitted back into the pantheon. The goddess however was not as lucky and she barely escaped with her life intact.
Retreating back to her temple, the goddess was filled with a mix of sorrow and rage. It is said in that hour, one single tear fell from her eye and mixed with the soil at her feet. It was from that tear that Nithalhill, a graceful silver serpent whose scales glimmered like the tear that formed her, emerged and was beset with worry for her mother. Saedrissa, upon seeing her new child curled at her toes, knew that the tear she shed was not just for the loss she took, but also for understanding at what she must now do. Scooping the deadly serpent in her hands, Saedrissa instructed Nithalhill to seek out Dartanis and exact revenge for his betrayal. The tiny silver serpent made her way into the frenzy of the heavenly planes, and whispered the truth to any deity who'd listen. Fueled already by the heat of the war, some immediately sought out Dartanis and confronted him on the issue. Angered that he would harm the guardians protecting their sanctuary, the deities cast Dartanis out beyond the boarders of the heavenly plane. When he saw the silver serpent coiled up nearby, he knew who caused his fall. Enraged, Dartanis lifted his weapons to destroy the loathsome creature. Before his stroke could fall, Dartanis was slain by the remaining guardians. The dead gods blood flowed and Nithalhill bathed herself in it to show her mistress proof of her success.
Saedrissa was still heartbroken over the entire affair. With her followers gone and her position of high power stripped, the forgotten, dead goddess lingered in her temple halls to languish in her sorrow and loneliness for all times.
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Sorry for the length, but I just cannot post this image without her history. This is only a basic outline too. :p I'll probably add more detail to it later though.
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