The Court of the Shield: protectors of the meek, healers of the sick

The Court of the Shield are Divines tasked by Mother Shem in protecting the unfortunate, the weak, the wounded, the oppressed, and the exploited of the world. They serve while the mafi girma cannot, for fear of releasing the Eldritch.

Mafi Girma:

• Babban Mai Tsaro, the Protector, who merged herself with Mother Shem.
• Nagari, the Virtuous, who hides who she truly is and wanders Shem in disguise.
• Na Sama, the Celestial, who was turned into a cloud after she sealed away one of the Eldritch.

The Protectors: the Divines tasked with protecting Shem

• Amai, the Protector of Women, who protects those harmed by patriarchy.
• Ambuya, the Protector of the Clan, who protects families, blood or chosen; children, and young parents.
• Chokwadi, the Protector of the Truth, who protects from lies and deceptions.
• Isu, the Protector of the Hearth, who protects homes and those who offer comfort and hospitality.
• Kuenzana, the Protector of the Oppressed, who protects those discriminated against, those who are victims of chauvinism and bigotry.
• Muchengeti Wemba, the Protector of the Community, who protects those who live together, those in villages, towns, cities, or nomadic groups that have a common bond.
• Mudziviriri, the Protector of Heaven, who guards the Celestial Realms from infernal dangers.
• Mufudzikadzi, the Protector of the Flock, the Shepherdess, who protects those who seek to live as good and decent folk in spite of a world that hurts them.
• Muiti Worugare, the Protector of the Peace, who protects any afflicted by war or conflict.
• Mushandi, the Protector of the Exploited, who protects those who toil only to have the wealth they produce stolen.

The Servants:

• Chiremba, the Healer, who helps the sick, wounded, and infirm.
• Kururamisira, the Bringer of Justice, who actively fights injustice, oppression, and exploitation.

These Divines are seen in different ways by the people of Shem. Here are their most common interpretations:

• Ba'Kal, the Shepherdess, is how Mufudzikadzi is known. She is seen as guide to her flock in how to act, how to be, how to live virtuously. Her sphere is Virtue (or the 12 Virtues, specifically).
• Gaduhvi Alisdelisgi, the People, is how Muchengeit Wemba is known. She is seen as the Goddess who founded the great tribes of western Palhur. Her sphere is Community and communal living.
• Heimon Aiti, the Clan Mother, is how Ambuya is known. She is seen as the founder Goddess of great clans in Taggarus. She is especally fond of children and is seen as a Mother Goddess. Her sphere is Family (blood or chosen), Children, and Genealogy.
• Lahuen Co, the Healer, is how Chiremba is known. He is seen as the God of Medicine. He is said to have taught mortals medical knowledge. His sphere is Health, Medicine, Compassion, and Healing.
• Lianhe De, the Worker, is how Musahndi is known. He is seen as a Crafter God, often associated with different crafts, ranging from carpentry to ceramics to common laborers. He exhorts his followers to band together againt their exploiters. His sphere is Labor and Solidarity.
• Mirno Mesto, the Peaceful, is how Muitu Worugare is known. She is seen as the Goddess of Peace, and her followers preach nonviolent solutions. Her sphere is Peace.
• Nahkoe Esevone, the Megalith, is how Kuenzana is known. She is seen as a Goddess of Protection. Her followers preach defending others, standing up for the oppressed, and fighting for equality. Her sphere is Equality, Unity, and urban life.
• Nyina W'ijuru, the Celestial Mother, is how Mudzivirri is known. She is seen as the Goddess of Goodness, the Ruler of Heaven. She forgives sins and guides the righteous dead to their rest. Her sphere is Heaven and Salvation.
• Prostatis Estias, the Hearth, is how Isu is known. She is seen as a Goddess of the Hearth and Home. She calls for hospitality and comfort to be brought to all who visit one's home. Her sphere is Home, Hearth, and Hospitality.
• Taa Aaniinii, the Truth, is how Chokwadi is known. She is seen as the Goddess of Truth. Her followers preach that there is an objective, materialist truth, and that dishonesty is the enemy of the people. Her sphere is Truth.
• Vah Kadumaven Rashaven, the Ancestor, is how Amai is known. She is seen as the Goddess who is the first ancestor of those who worship her. She is a maternal goddess, of women's work, of femininity, of motherhood, of matriarchy. Her sphere is Ancestors, Matriarchy, and Womanhood.
• Zid-Du, the Swan, is how Kururamisira is known. She is seen as the Goddess of Justrice, and her followers fight for it. Her sphere is Justice.