The Queen is the least approachable Mother Aspect - and indeed, is rarely addressed as Mother. She is the Divine Queen, ruler of Saromatia. Her domain is temporal power and governance, law and justice. Her consort is the Air Lord, who brings beauty and art to her otherwise severe court. She is worshipped by those in government and those who would like to be.

The Queen is often placed in a triad with the Forest Maiden and the Sorceress as a "power triad." The Forest Maiden represents power of nature, the Queen temporal power, and the Sorceress supernatural power. The Warrior Maiden is on very good terms with the Queen; her military might enforces the Queen's mandates. The Air Lord is the Queen's Consort, bringing art and culture to her court. While the Dark Queen works to undermine all that is good in the world, the Queen in particular sees her as a threat to her sovereignty and an eternal, implacable foe.

The Queen is the patroness rulership and government. Noblewomen pray to her for wisdom in jurisprudence and to help them administer their lands justly. Reeves, seneschals, castellans, and other such administrative officials also venerate her, for much the same reasons. Anyone in a position of temporal authority (or who would like to be) petitions the Queen for assistance in maintaining their position and executing their duties well.

The Queen is depicted in sacred art as a strong, tall woman in regal robes. Her crown and sceptre are her sacred symbols. The top of the sceptre is round, suggesting the full moon and this Aspect's ties to the Mother Face of Saromata. The eagle, queen of birds, is sacred to her. The colors most associated with the Queen are purple and gold, with a rich red also occassionally used.

The Clergy

The reigning Queen of Saromatia is the High Priestess of the Queen, divinely sanctioned by Saromata to rule the lands in her stead. Many of her clergy are sisters of rulers, who have spent much time learning the ways of government. Some are older, noblewomen who have passed their titles to their daughters and have entered the clergy to share their knowledge. And some are current rulers themselves. A significant minority are not noblewomen at all, but those elevated commoners who hold administrative ranks on the estate of Saromatia.

Clergy of the Queen are often naturally highly charismatic. Those who aren't are well-versed in the techniques of leadership to make up for the lack. Most are at least passingly well-versed in law, since knowing the details of one's authority help greatly in enforcing it. Many enjoy rhetorical debates on matters of justice, posing hypothetical court cases and arguing over the proper solution to the problems presented. They have developed a fairly sophisticated philosophy of justice and mercy.

Shrines and Temples

The High Priestess's temple, Metis Regina, is at the Temple of Saromata in Garonne. Saromatia's queens are crowned here when they assume the throne and are re-anointed here if the situation dictates. (During times of civil unrest, a re-anointing helps to impress upon the public that the queen does still rule with Saromata's blessing). Fealty is sworn here as well, stressing the sacred nature of that bond. Marriages, a largely social contract in Saromatia, between highly-ranked nobles are sometimes solemnized here, especially if the union is for increased stability in the nation.

What shrines there are to the Queen tend to be found in the private quarters of the noblewomen of Saromatia. Usually, the priestesses of the Queen are women of sufficient means to have at least a small temple built in her honor. A temple to the Queen can typically be found on the lands of anyone ranked a baroness or higher.

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