Derketo



DERKETO The Two-Faced Goddess 

Pantheon

 * Shemite Pantheon
 * Stygian Pantheon
 * Black Kingdoms Pantheon

Names & Titles
Known as Derketo in Stygia, and Shem. Derketa in the Black Kingdoms, and Kush.

Regions of Worship

 * Shem
 * Stygia
 * Black Kingdoms
 * Kush

Derketo originally is a Shemite deity, granted to Set as a war concession. The Stygians have great temples to Derketo in Luxur. Her attributes and her cult are considered obscene by most Hyborian standards.

Divine Relationships
Part of pantheons of Shem, Stygia and Black Kingdoms.

In Stygia she is known as Set’s whore.

In Kush she is sometimes Gullah's mate. Or Jullah's mate, in Punt.

In Zembabwei she is the consort of Dagon.

In the Black Kingdoms she is often represented as the mate of whatever god each tribe holds supreme and that changes between Dagon, Jullah/Gullah or Set.

Derketo originally is a Shemite deity, granted to Set as a war concession. The Stygians have great temples to Derketo in Luxur. Her attributes and her cult are considered obscene by most Hyborian standards.

An extremely beautiful woman, the essence of depraved sexuality, she is shown as a nude queen with a crown of ostrich feathers, often standing on a lion, In her hands she holds symbols of eroticism and fertility: in one hand lotus flowers and in the other — a pair of snakes. She is also a goddess of the dead, leading spirits through the sky on midnight winds. Two-Faced Goddess.

Derketo is a seductress deity, a goddess of passionate lust, sacred ecstasy and sexual pleasure, a temptress who attempts to win Adonis/Pteor away from Ishtar.

Representation
An extremely beautiful woman, the essence of depraved sexuality, she is shown as a nude queen with a crown of ostrich feathers, often standing on a lion, In her hands she holds symbols of eroticism and fertility: in one hand lotus flowers and in the other — a pair of snakes. She is also a goddess of the dead, leading spirits through the sky on midnight winds. Two-Faced Goddess.

Gender representation: female

Symbolism

 * Gazelle
 * Lion
 * Star

Spheres of Power

 * Healing
 * Seduction
 * Life
 * Sexual Power
 * Birth
 * War

Her aspect of war is the feasting and sex that comes after a victory.

Rituals & Beliefs
Men and women pray to Derketo for fertility and sexual virility. Derketo does not listen to men unless the man making the plea visits her cult and partakes of her prostitutes.

All young women in most Stygian cities are required to go to Temple of Derketo to learn about sexuality and freedom. Derketo rites are among the most orgiastic of Shem’s religions, even compared to Ishtar and Adonis’ ceremonies. In Stygia the orgy festival of Derketo begins with an exhibitionist show of dancers, priests and priestesses engaged in various sexual acts. The finale involve those in the audience joining in what becomes a mass, public orgy.

Similar to the worship of Pteor in Shem, even bestiality is typically part of the show. For the three days of the festivals, some cities release participants of any marital obligations in regards to fidelity. The priests of Set often bring out various snakes for sexual use.

The Priesthood
The dancers and priestesses for Derketo are also temple prostitutes, finding sex the best way to capture and hold onto male worshippers. Derketo’s sacred prostitutes are considered the embodiment of Derketo herself. The exotic techniques taught in the temples of Derketo are extremely intense. Certain dark ceremonies re-enact Derketo’s masterful arranging of the rape of Ashnan by El-Lil because Derketo desired to be the goddess of grain and beer. Other ceremonies re-enact the mating of Dagon and Derketo.


 * The first mystery of Derketo teaches the initiate to project an aura of sexual ease, making others feel more comfortable, especially in matters regarding sex.
 * The second mystery of Derketo teaches an inherent understanding of sexuality as it pertains to social situations.
 * The third mystery of Derketo teaches the power of touch on the body, showing how to touch people to bring about certain effects.
 * The fourth mystery of Derketo teaches the initiate to relish in conquest of new types of people.
 * The fifth mystery is one of the magical nature of seduction and the uses of dance to reach into the inner core of people.
 * The sixth mystery teaches the initiate how to enhance all of her abilities.

In the Black Kingdoms human sacrifice is part of Derketa’s ceremonies, achieved using the poisoned Apples of Derketa. The juice of these fruits can kill, by either ingestion or external application. Tribal priests of Derketa take the Carouser and Debaucher feats, focusing on curses, hypnotism and magical links for their magic. Sexual enslavement via magic is a common end to enemies of Derketa’s tribal priests.

Implementation IC & In-Game
Vanilla Derketo religion.

More Information

 * Faith and Fervour (Conan RPG Book)
 * Shem-Gateway to the South (Conan RPG book)
 * Stygia-Serpent of the South (Conan RPG book)