Faiths of Sublanarya: The She-Lion and the Buffalo Demon (Mahisha, Durga)

It was during the Wyrd Wars, that the battle between the She-Tiger and the Buffalo demon came to pass. The lesser Raj-Hamutian gods, the Devi, has been at war with the asura, their fiendish enemies, led by the buffalo demon, Mahisha. Indra the Storm King led the devi bravely and it seemed assured that he would lead them to victory over the asura but Mahisha gained a powerful boon that tipped the war in his favor:

He gained the gift that no man could kill him. The devi were defeated and forced to retreat into the mountains. There they prayed for help and the goddess Shakti hearing the devi, who were like her own children, crying out in despair came to render aid with her mercy. Their prayers coalesced and the Mother-Of-Many transformed into a form that was as terrible and mighty as it was beautiful and serene: Durga the Merciful.

Their leader, Mahisha, laughed heartily as he thought that he could hear the wailing of his foes atop the mountain. He led his army up the mountainside, slowly, soaking in the assured victory that would see him reign over all of Hamutia. But the sound he heard wasn't the wailing of the gods. It was the warcry of just one goddess. Durga came down the mountain astride a golden lion like a sunrise coming over the horizon. The demons fell back at the sight of her majesty but Mahisha stood to meet the goddess in combat. He had not considered the technicality of his invincibility.

No man could kill Mahisha. But Durga was no man. Durga was a goddess.

She knocked him off of his own buffalo and the lion that durga rode upon swallowed the buffalo in one bite. Mahisha's joy turned to fear. He backpedaled and tried to join his fleeing army. The goddess and her lion maimed and devoured his forces as they chased him, turning the soil red with their blood, until finally the lion pounced upon him. The demon was scared, overwhelmed and desperate but the goddess was calm, collected, and serene as she took his life.

The buffalo was slain and Durga, the merciful counterpart of Kali, completed the female Trimurti.

Durga the Merciful

Title(s)

The She-Lion, The Serene, The Warrior Princess, The Wailing of the Gods

Pantheon(s)

Hamutian

Power Level

Greater Deity

Alignment

Lawful Good

Symbol

A warrior goddess astride a lion

Portfolio

Singing, mercy, grace, female warriors, combat

Domains

War

Worshipers

Warriors, righteously vengeful women (especially mothers), catfolk, dancers

 

Favored Weapon

Trident

Mahisha the Buffalo Demon

 

Title(s)

The Stubborn Bull, The Invincible General, The Iron Buffalo

Pantheon(s)

Hamutian

Power Level

Lesser Deity

Alignment

Chaotic Evil

Symbol

A water buffalo's horns with an upside down crown

Portfolio

Strength, durability, pride, determination, cruelty

Domains

War

Worshipers

Warlords, minotaurs, beastfolk, demons, cultists

 

Favored Weapon

Swords