Way of the Warrior Saints/Saint Isa

Saint Isa is the patron of winter, storytelling and lost travellers. While out wandering the forests, mainly during the winter, many people believe they have seen Isa, a beautiful young woman, her skin tinted blue and her ebony hair sparkles with a mantle of frost. Some say she appears clad in a dazzling gown of white, inlaid with snowflakes, while others state that she wore nothing at all, her body flawless in its design.

A small number of people who became lost in the forests claim that Isa has appeared and offered them food and drink from a satchel she carried before guiding them to safety. Once they were within sight of safety they all state that she disappeared, a single acorn resting on the ground where she had stood.

Legend

The tale of Isa has long been a favourite around many a fireplace. Time and place have little true meaning, and many realms hold Isa to be their own.

Born a peasant, Isa was none the less a truly beautiful and fair natured young woman. She was due to marry the tanner's son, Iobhar(yo-var) and it was said their love was as deep as any could be. Another man desired Isa for his own. Stories differ on the identity of this man, some say he was another villager, others a local Baron, however the most popular version places the man as a wandering bard who happens to travel through the village. Regardless, all the stories agree that the man was named Taliesin(tal-ee-sin).

A deep winter had set in when Taliesin made his move to gain Isa for himself. Under the guise of friendship, Taliesin invited Iobhar to hunt with him out in the snowy forest, where he planned to kill the man and blame the event on a bear attack. However, once the time had come Taliesin found himself too cowardly to commit the act and instead struck Iobhar a strong blow with a fallen branch, rendering the man unconscious. Taking Iobhar's bow and pack, Taliesin returned to the village and immediately told his lie to the villagers and Isa.

Seeing through the lie, Isa snatched the pack away from Taliesin and ran towards the forest, intent on finding Iobhar. She wandered for hours as a terrible snowstorm washed over the forest. Despite the cold and blinding snow, Isa was able to find Iobhar, who sadly had long succumbed to the freezing temperatures. Refusing to leave him for the wolves, Isa dragged the young man back through the forest and appeared to the astonishment of the village.

As the last of her strength failed she died, her beloved in her arms.

Seeing the fate of Isa and Iobhar, Taliesin plucked out his own eyes stating "I have seen the true form of beauty and love and to gaze on less than that will only bring me pain". The villagers turned on Taliesin, having guessed his role in the lover's deaths but he pleaded with them to allow him the chance to atone. From that day on he would dedicate his life to telling their tale, and he in fact became the first Follower of Isa.

Isa and Iobhar were buried together in the middle of the village and a single acorn was planted with them so that together in death they would give rise to new life.

Rituals & Practises

Followers of Isa feel a deep bond with the coming of winter, approaching its onset with a mixture of rejoice and sadness. They are glad in that it is a time of togetherness and the chance to retell stories, as well as the tale of Isa & Iobhar. At the same time they mourn the winter for it's hand in Isa's passing and for those that will be lost in the future to come.

Followers of Isa regularly take up the job of scouts and rangers, and are most inspired when news of people lost in the wilderness reaches them. They can be counted on to not rest until the lost are found once again.

The acorn is especially sacred to Isa and many followers will keep one in a small pouch which they carry on their person at all times. When a follower dies it is expected that they will be buried in the ground and their acorn with them, so as to create new life once again.

The telling of stories is another tradition and those who follow the bardic tradition are held in high regard. Many will also bandage their eyes in a sign of devotion.

Notable Scriptures

"Winter? It is not so fell; I do not fear it: I shall love winter, if it gives me my love." (Isa & Iobhar)

"You have heard the wise men speak fondly of silence. But I say: it is a fool who holds his tongue, a knave who is a quiet companion, and a wretch who does not offer voice in counsel." (Isa & Iobhar)