Overview
As the wife of Zeus, Hera is the queen of the heavens. Furthermore, she is the goddess of marriage and women, and has some influence over the weather and fertility. Because of her jealous nature and the amorous exploits of her husband, she has become adept at spying upon anybody in any place at will. She spies upon her husband almost constantly, and makes a habit of keeping an eye on any woman who is extremely attractive. If Zeus pays too much attention to another woman, Hera often attempts to kill, disfigure, or otherwise punish the woman. Hera is also extremely vain with regards to her own beauty, and reacts with extreme jealousy if compared negatively to any other woman, even if that woman is Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
Description
Hera appears as a tall, beautiful woman of noble bearing.
Holy symbol
Hera's symbol is a fan of peacock feathers, or a peacock.
Favored weapon
Hera wields a heavy mace or rod in battle. She also uses her harsh, angry voice to deal damage to all opponents within 50 yards (46 meters) of her. Hera's priesthood have selected the light mace as their favored weapon.
Realm
Great Wheel cosmology
In the Great Wheel cosmology, Hera resides within the planar realm of Olympus, which is located on Arvandor (also known as Olympus), the first layer of the Olympian Glades of Arborea. Hera resides within a palace located at the highest point of Mount Olympus, which she shares with her husband. Its marble halls are inlaid with gold and precious gems, and are lined with statues of Zeus and Hera which are rumored to come to life to expel any unwanted visitors.
Olympian cosmology
In the Olympian cosmology, Hera resides within the outer planar realm of Olympus, a great mountain which stands at the center of the world. This mighty peak rises so high above the world, that its heights form a distinct planar realm. It serves as home to the majority of the Olympian deities, not including Hades, and each maintains a personal domain in the realm.
Worship
Hera believes in looking out for number one, and is not shy about advocating the use of underhanded means to accomplish one's goals. She, herself, is a sneak, a spy, and a plotter, and many of her followers are proud to be the same. Power is never freely given, it must be taken. Because of Hera’s vengeful nature, her priests must avenge the slightest insult to their goddess, or themselves, by arranging the offender’s death through direct action, trickery, or deception, even if it takes them many years.
Omens from Hera include visits from peacocks and other beautiful birds, a harsh voice audible only to one person, or a message carried by a married woman.
In Spelljammer
The inhabitants of Greatspace revere the gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon, especially Zeus, and as such Hera can be considered a native deity.
Appendix
External Links
- Hera article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.