Istennét

Istennét is a principal deity in the mythic pantheon of the fictional realm of Nyssara. She is associated with judgment, mercy, fertility, and the protection of households. In iconography, she is depicted as a robed figure holding scales in one hand and a sheaf of wheat in the other, sometimes shown with a child at her side.

The name Istennét is said to derive from the locally used word for the divine and a feminine suffix, yielding a title that the myths render as “Goddess of the Divine Order.” In real-world Hungarian, istenné is a verb form meaning “would be a god” or “to become a goddess,” and it is not used as a deity’s proper name; the resemblance is noted by scholars as a linguistic coincidence within the fictional setting.

Worship is centered in temples in major towns, where priestesses, known as Istennik, oversee rites, healing, and divination. The annual Day of Weighing, celebrated at the solstice, marks a renewal of vows to uphold balance in justice and mercy. Offerings typically include grain, wine, and sweet oil, presented at communal altars and crossroads.

Mythologically, Istennét weighs destinies and mediates between the sun god and the earth goddess. She is invoked for fair verdicts in courts, the protection of families, and relief during famine or plague. In various stories, she guides souls toward balance after death and ensures that deeds are weighed with compassion as well as consequence.

In Nyssaran literature, Istennét appears in epics and folk songs as a guardian of justice and mercy. Her imagery informs legal and social customs, and she appears in art and coinage. The name is also noted by linguists studying the region’s language, highlighting its fictional origins within Nyssaran culture.